The next morning, Marguerite awoke. She had spent yet another restless night in Percy's lonely bed, but she was looking forward to the day. After seeing Helene off and tracking down the girls to put Louise to bed, Marguerite went through the mail which included an invitation to the royal ball. Since she had dresses of her own fit for such an occasion, and the dresses that Percy had bought for her, which had been returned to her wardrobe since the night of her argument with Percy, did not fit any longer, she would require a new gown as well.
Marguerite went down stairs hoping to find that Helene and Louise, if awake, had already made there way downstairs for breakfast.
Helene had woken early the next morning, feeling marvelous after a night in a soft, warm bed. The sky was just turning gray outside as she rose and slipped into her clothes. A quick peek at Louise showed the little girl still fast asleep.
Helene went to their bags to retrieve a comb for her hair, and her hand hit something slender and hard, of cool metal. Thoughtfully, she drew out the pistol Percy had given her--she had kept it without knowing why, and almost forgotten that she had it.
She ran a finger along the barrel, recalling Percy's voice instructing her how to use it. The gun both intrigued and frightened her. Without really knowing the reason, she hid it carefully against the wall behind her bed before leaving the room.
She wandered through the house for a bit, greeting the servants and introducing herself whenever she came across them. They were all polite and cheerful, and Helene's spirits rose even higher. Stepping outside, she inhaled deeply, the cool freshness of the damp morning air filling her lungs. The new sun was glistening off the dew-covered, verdant carpet of grass in a way that was positively poetic. With a smile, Helene embarked on a short walk around the grounds.
When she returned, flush from the outside air and smiling with happiness, she found Marguerite in the dining room. "Good morning, Marguerite," she told her friend cheerfully, and, remembering the other woman's mention of illness the day before, added, "How are you feeling?"
Marguerite smiled as Helene came in, "I'm doing quiet well Helene, and I hope you are the same, please, come, sit down and have some breakfast." she said, motioning towards an empty seat beside her. "I trust you slept well last night."
Helene laughed gaily. "The best I ever have," she answered, taking the seat
Marguerite offered. "It's good to hear that you're doing better."
"Oh yes, I'm fine right now. Would you like some breakfast. I thought we'd go into town this morning and see about those clothes I promised you and Louise, plus I need a new gown myself." Marguerite said, as she waved one of the men over to take get anything Helene requested.
"That sounds wonderful! I checked on Louise earlier and she was still sound asleep." Helene interrupted herself to thank the servant as he placed a delicious-looking bowl of fruit in front of her. "Where are we going, into Richmond?"
"Of course. I have a list of tailors and dressmakers that will put anything on account. Richmond is such a lovely town isn't it, so much more peaceful then Paris ever was."
Helene opened her mouth to agree, but a wave of homesickness suddenly washed over her. "It is lovely, and certainly more peaceful than Paris...but I fear Paris will always be home to me." Arranging her napkin, she added, "Don't get me wrong, England is a beautiful country. But it just feels—I suppose "alien" would be the best way to put it. As if I'm merely on vacation here."
"I know," Marguerite nodded sadly, "I miss Paris as well. I'm trying to get used to England, and being an aristocrat, being married, I've turned my life upside down, and I miss Paris."
Cut to the bone by Marguerite's sad tone, Helene reached out to take her friend's hand sympathetically. All this going on, *and* Marguerite was sick, *and* her husband had run off somewhere, *and* her brother was gone..."I'm sorry, Marguerite," she said softly. "I didn't realize." Helene looked forward to getting out into Richmond more than ever; perhaps shopping would help take her friend's mind of everything.
Oh Helene," Marguerite said with a smile, "don't be sorry, time will take care of everything. Now eat up, I don't want your breakfast to get cold. And what about Louise, she will probably want some breakfast as well, shall I go wake her?"
Helene hesitated. "Perhaps just for this first morning we should let her sleep," she suggested. "Her schedule has been very erratic since we came to England--come to think of it, since my brother rescued her from the streets, what with first hiding, then running, then with my work schedule. I'm afraid the poor thing might be in a state of exhaustion."
"Oh yes, the poor dear. Although once you're done, perhaps we should go to your sitting room, in case she does wake, I'd hate for her to wake up in a strange place, by herself and become frightened." Marguerite said.
Helene frowned briefly. "Good point. I didn't think of that." She shook her head wryly. "I'm afraid I'm not used to children at all."
Marguerite giggled, "Well, neither am I, not now at least. What does she like for breakfast, we can have something brought upstairs for her when she wakes."
Helene suddenly laughed. "Honestly, I don't know. She's never really had any choice--will it be bread and water this morning, dear, or nothing?" she commented facetiously. "She never complained about that, though, so I doubt she'll be picky."
"Well then, for today she can settle for something simple, I doubt she'll mind." Marguerite said as she turned to one of the servants standing by.
"James," she asked, "would you please fix a small bowl of fruit and some milk up and bring it to Helene's suite for Louise. Make sure if she's up that she knows the food is for her."
James nodded and exited to the kitchen, "Well, hopefully little sleepy head upstairs won't sleep the entire day away."
"If it gets too late we can wake her," conceded Helene. "So tell me about England, Marguerite. I confess I haven't had a chance to see much of it."
"Well, I wish I could share something with you, but the truth is I've only seen the shore and Richmond. If you want to know about England you'd do better to ask Armand, Percy takes him everywhere."
Something was definitely up. Why would Percy be taking *Armand* places that he hadn't shown his wife? Since she had met Percy, she knew what kind of man he was--or thought she knew--but if she hadn't, she would have wondered at how an English aristocrat and a plebian Frenchman could have hit it off so quickly. As it was, she couldn't figure out why Sir Percy would leave his wife home all the time, and obviously ill, at that! Chalking him up as an oppressive husband who saw women as porcelain dolls could have provided a ready explanation, but it didn't fit in with what she knew of him. And it certainly didn't fit in with why he would have married a woman like Marguerite. "Well," she replied her friend awkwardly, "It's good that they seem to have become friends. I'm sure it was difficult for Armand to leave Paris."
"I'm so relieved as well. Goodness you should have heard Armand the night I told him about Percy. He was deadset against it. He accused me of marrying for money and that I would have to choose between him and Percy. Fortunately he took a liking to Percy rather quickly, and Percy seems to enjoy having Armand around, so in the end it has all worked out."
"Well, for Armand this is only since we've come here I suppose,
considering how much he despised the thought of my marrying an aristo.
"Really? That's a pretty quick turn around," commented Helene. "Was
it just meeting Percy that brought about that sort of change?"
Helene raised her eyebrows at this revelation, her eyes brightening.
Politics was something she loved discussing. "That's intriguing. Do
you mean that you're anti-Royalist but that the Revolution took the
wrong direction, or that the Revolution went the right way, but has
gone too far under current leadership?"
Helene nodded, pleasantly surprised that Marguerite shared her own
political ideology fairly closely, but disappointed in a way that she
would not get a chance to debate things with the other woman. She
missed doing that with her brother. Even when they agreed, they
would often play devil's advocate and challenge the other's views.
But on second thought, it probably wouldn't be particularly polite to
do it with her friend, especially as Marguerite was also her hostess
and employer. A look at the other woman's shadowed eyes confirmed
the thought. But surely some harmless discussion on the subject,
discussion that was not antagonistic, would not go amiss. "I
certainly agree with you on that point. But in a society of
entrenched elites, how would you go about increasing social
mobility? For example, America has accomplished that almost by
definition, since nearly everybody there is an immigrant who was
forced to start from scratch in a new land. And, both poor and rich
banded together to fight for independence from England. France has
no such sense of itself. The revolutionaries are fighting against
fellow Frenchmen, so rather than rallying us together, the Revolution
is tearing up our identity as a nation."
"That, I believe, is the difficult part. It has grown to be not so much a
revolution as a civil war. And America was not so well of it's
self. While it's true desire for a free government crossed class
boundaries, the amount that wished for a free country equaled the amount
that wished to remain part of the British Empire. " Marguerite said as
she settled into her seat. It would be nice to speak to someone every now
and then on issues more pressing then the best way to tie a cravat.
"That's debatable. I've read that part of the reason the British
lost the war was that they greatly overestimated Loyalist sentiment
in the South, so moved their campaign there--but only ended up
inciting further patriotism. And many Loyalists still had grievances
against the King, but wished for a diplomatic solution rather than
war. But so much propaganda has been turned out that it's hard to
know exactly what the situation was. Still, though, whatever the
number of Loyalists, they were not the people the colonists saw as
being their direct oppressors, and they gave very little help to the
British. *England* was the enemy. In France, however, the people
saw not only our King as being oppressive, but an entire class of
*French* people. And rather than laying the onus on the social
system itself, they blame the aristocrats--people that have been
forced into that system as much as they have. I think you're
definitely right about calling it a civil war." She grinned
suddenly. "Of course, it can be argued that all the nobility were
propagating an evil social system by inaction, so they *deserve* the
death sentence the Committee has in mind for them. But I tend to
take a more moderate view." She was enjoying herself. It felt good
to be discussing politics again--especially with someone as astute as
Marguerite.
"I must say that I do agree with many of your points, namely that inaction
is part of what brought this onto the aristocrats, although it's not
necessarily enough to warrant the death of all members of that class."
"I agree; I was being facetious. If that were the case, we had might
as well condemn all the plebeians as well for not taking action
sooner. Besides which, the simple fact that our justice system has
prejudged an entire group, rather than considering each individual
case, speaks badly for it. As you said, there are many aristocrats
who are truly good people. And the Revolution has shown that those
of the poorer classes can be just as oppressive and corrupt as the
rich."
Marguerite smiles and nodded, "It's so refreshing to talk of such things
as politics again. Since coming here I've honestly been rather bored,
very little to stimulate my mind here."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Helene answered sympathetically. She knew
Marguerite had been the toast of society in her career as an actress,
considered by all to be witty and charming and by many circles to be
the "cleverest woman in Europe." It must have been hard to leave
that sort of freedom. "Do you not know many people yet, or are the
people of the aristocracy simply unwilling to talk freely about such
things? I can see how speaking of condemning the rich might raise
ire among your husband's friends," she commented, with an attempt at
humor. It might, she thought to herself, also have to do with the
fact that Marguerite was a woman. But she did not mention that.
Marguerite nodded, "The only event I've attended so far has been my own
ball, a month ago. Since then with Percy always being away I haven't had
the chance to meet any of his friends or other people here in England."
It sounded very boring to Helene. "And I suppose English etiquette would
frown on you going places alone," she commiserated. It was a very pretty
trap to be stuck in. She felt frustrated. Did Sir Percy know how hard it
must have been for Marguerite to leave everything behind in Paris to come
with him? He should at least make an effort to help her settle in. "You
said it is business that keeps your husband away so much?" She had been
avoiding the subject, but perhaps it would help Marguerite to talk about it.
Besides, they always seemed to end up touching on her husband whatever they
talked about.
"Yes, he deals in real estate. He put much of it off while courting me in
Paris and now is sort of catching up for the two months he spent in
Paris." Marguerite said. "Hopefully he'll finish with most everything
soon and tale some time to relax here at Richmond."
Well. That sounded relatively normal. "That should be nice," she commented
noncommittally.
Just then a small figure appeared in the doorway. "Bonjour Madame Blakeney,
Helene," Louise chirped. She looked brighter than Helene had ever seen her;
though her eyes still seemed hollow, her cheeks had a healthy glow and she
was smiling. She had dressed herself in her blue gown and combed her hair
herself.
"Bonjour Louise," Helene answered with a smile. "Did you have breakfast?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you for sending it upstairs to me, Madame," she directed
to Marguerite. Helene found herself surprised at the girl's--humility, she
would have to call it. She would have thought that Louise wouldn't have
thought twice about the meal, since she had grown up with servants. But
apparently her earlier discussion with Marguerite was holding
true--aristocrats were not all bad people, nor were they necessarily
arrogant or unthinking.
"You're very welcome Louise, but I insist that you not call me
Madame. after all, we're going to be friends now, and all my friends call
me Marguerite." she said as she addressed the young girl. "Now, I hope
you are well rested because today I thought we'd take you into town and
buy you some new clothes. how does that sound?"
"Really? Today?" The girlish excitement in her voice was simply adorable.
"Did you hear that, Helene? We're going shopping!"
Helene laughed. "That's right. Marguerite's going to take us into Richmond."
"Right now?" Louise asked breathlessly, hopefully.
Helene had finished her breakfast and was fairly excited herself, but it
wasn't for her to dictate. "Well, you'll have to ask Marguerite. She might
have some things to do before we go."
Marguerite laughed and smiled as the little girl's face lit up in
excitement. "Well, since everyone seems so excited about going, we'll
have to get ready right away." she turned to another butler and asked
that the coach be prepared and sent around front to take them into town.
Helene stood and took Louise by the hand. "Hear that? Oh,
Marguerite--would you have someone warm that Louise can borrow to wear? We
truly left France with nothing, and I don't know how late we'll be out...."
She herself did not mind the cold that much, but worried for the child's
health. If Marguerite had a spare shawl or some such she could lend, Louise
could use it regardless of the size.
"I'm sure I have a shawl that we can wrap this little one up
in," Marguerite said as she reached over and tickled Louise lightly. "Of
course when we're out at the dressmaker's we'll have to see that each of
you get one as well as a light coat to wear. Oh, I don't believe either
of you saw my suite last night, so I'll show you were it is while I get a
shawl."
"Oh, good," answered Helene conversationally. "I think I'm starting to
learn my way around a little. The servants have been most helpful." She
and Louise turned to follow Marguerite to her suite.
"You're probably doing better than I in that case," marguerite remarked
as she led the two to her own suite. one the way she pointed at another
door, "That's Percy's suite, through that door if you need him for
anything," she said while adding 'assuming he's home,' to herself. "And
this is my suite."
The alarm bells in Helene's head that had been smothered by Marguerite's casual explanation of her husband's absence began going off again. She had been here less than a day, and a thousand things seemed to be pointing to the fact--a fact she had assiduously been trying to look away from--that Marguerite and Sir Percy were having marital problems. Already. It would have taken a blind and deaf man to miss it. "Your rooms are beautiful," she complimented dutifully, her mind elsewhere. But she *was* sincere; she had been under the impression that most aristocratic taste would be far too ostentatious to suit her--and perhaps it was--but for the most part, Blakeney Manor was quite elegant.
Marguerite smiled as Helene looked around her room. "Well, I'm glad you
like it. When we first came here Percy said I could redo any part of the
mansion, except his study, any way I wanted. My suite is the only part
I've touched however, just trying to make it, a little more me I
guess." Marguerite stepped over to the small wardrobe and pulled open a
few draws looking for a small shawl to wrap Louise in.
Helene nodded silently as Marguerite looked for the shawl. A strange
feeling was nibbling at the edge of her consciousness. It almost felt like
deja vu, as if she were seeing something she had seen before but couldn't
remember where. No, more like...more like different pieces of a puzzle were
falling against each other in her mind. She had the feeling she should be
realizing something, something important, but every time she tried to look
at a piece of the puzzle it would slip away out of sight. It was as if she
were grasping at the wind. She didn't even know what the puzzle was
supposed to be about, just that it was important, and she should be able to
figure out what it was.
She needed, she thought, to talk to her brother. He had always served as a
sounding-board to clarify her thinking, to help her put together the
different bits and pieces she pondered about into a coherent structure.
But before she would be able to speak to him, she would have to get him out
of France. Suddenly feeling as if she were overwhelmed by the weight of a
thousand burdens, Helene let a tired sigh escape. She *had* to help him
come to England. Somehow...
"Ah, here we go. This one should do." Marguerite said as she pulled out a
soft but cozy shawl. The shawl was rather long to match marguerite's tall
figure, so she folded it in half and draped it over Louise, "I thing that
will do for the ride into town."
"Merci, Marguerite," Louise answered brightly, and Helene felt her spirits
lift at the sound of the child's cheery voice.
"Well then," she said, taking little Louise by the hand, "Shall we be off?"
"I think we shall." Marguerite said. Marguerite led the way out to the
front of the manor to see that the carriage was already prepared and
waiting for them.
Helene graciously thanked the footman for his polite hand up into the
carriage. It still seemed strange to ride rather than walk. To think, she
marveled--since being rescued from prison, she had ridden in a carriage
probably as many times as she had in her entire life before that.
"How long is the ride?" she asked curiously as the carriage pulled away
from Blakeney Manor. She was just wondering; she was sure it would be
pleasant, and she planned to enjoy the scenery.
"oh, not so far, not even half an hour if I remember correctly." Marguerite
said, "It's a lovely ride through the countryside." The three settled into
the coach as it began the journey towards the town. It was a nice, but
quick ride to the main section of the town and the dressmaker's shop.
"Oh, yes--of course; I remember now. It wasn't that long coming out from
Richmond yesterday." Before they knew it the carriage was pulling into the
center of town. Helene marveled how different it looked from a week ago,
now from the perspective of someone with a stable job and a network of
friends. "Well, where are we off to first?"
"The dressmakers." Marguerite said, noting that Louise and Helene had
been wearing the same clothes each time she had seen them. "Then, if you
think you'll need any other supplies we can stop in the bookstore or any
other shop, and finally," Marguerite said looking to Louise, "perhaps
we'll stop at the sweets shop and get some goodies."
"Really?" Louise's eyes lit up with childlike delight. She seemed a
different child than the one Jacques had rescued from the street a few weeks
ago, Helene thought. Her shroud of melancholy was gradually falling away to
reveal an innocent and cheerfully spirited girl.
Helene shot Marguerite a smile that said, How nice of you. Privately,
however, though she tried to hide it, she was just as excited at the
prospect of visiting a bookstore as Louise was for a sweet shop. She hoped
they would have time. Just look, she admonished herself. You don't want
to spend any more of Marguerite's money than absolutely necessary.
The coach pulled up before the dressmaker's shop, and the three stepped
down.
Marguerite smiled as she watched Louise's eyes light up. She felt the
carriage slow and stepped out and into the shop where they were greeted by
a young sales lady. Once Marguerite introduced herself as Lady Blakeney,
the girl hopped to attention and called out another woman to wait on the
three.
"The first thing we shall need, Marguerite said, is clothes for these
two. Now Helene needs a few dress and/or a few sets of skirts and
blouses. Nothing to extravagant, but something nice and suitable for the
manor, I'm sure you know how Sir Percy is." Marguerite stepped over to
Louise and gently puts her arms around her, "And this little one needs a
few dresses herself. Mostly something to play in, maybe a few nice ones
as well. Of course they will both also need suitable shoes and
undergarments as well."
Helene couldn't believe it when the women started waiting on her, all smiles
and fine manners. She held out her arms at their direction for measurement,
marveling as they brought out fine bolts of cloth for her and Marguerite's
inspection.
Louise was used to this type of method for getting clothes, but she stood
quite still in her tranquil way as the women measured her and complimented
her on her golden curls. She smiled back at them, unable to understand, but
realizing the intent.
Marguerite smiled watching Louise stand there for the other
girls. "You're being so good and patient Louise," she said in French,
whispering, "I think we will defiantly will have to stop buy the sweets
shop on the way home."
Louise smiled up at her new friend. The child had already begun to like and
trust Marguerite.
She waited for the girls to finish taking her measurements before pointing
to a small pile of bolts of soft clothes. "Emma told me, that Sarah was
learning to sew, and was practicing my making a dress for her doll. Why
don't you look through that pile and pick out the prettiest pattern, and
you can give some to Sarah for her doll."
"Oh, thank you, Marguerite!" answered Louise in delight, and as soon as the
girls were done with her she began looking through the cloth with as much
seriousness and care as if she had been a true connoisseur of rich cloths.
She finally settled on a silky cloth of deep emerald. It was unpatterned,
but the color was beautiful, and the texture was smooth and satiny.
Marguerite watched as Louise pulled through the pile of clothes as the
girls to her own measurements. "Percy and I have been invited to a ball
by Prince George, apparently he has recently become engaged and the bal
is to celebrate." she explained to Helene.
"Really?" Helene responded in surprise. A prince? Come to think of it, she
shouldn't be startled by it. She kept having to remind herself of the
company she was keeping.
She didn't care for the concept of royalty very much, but her interest was
piqued. After a moment of thought the political implications of what
Marguerite had said roused her interest... "Who is he getting engaged to?"
She knew how often marriage was used as a political alliance.
"I don't know." Marguerite said. "The invitation wasn't so formal,
apparently he and Percy are fairly good friends." the girls brought out a
few different bolts of cloth, "Oh, help me pick something out to wear
Helene. I've never been to such an event, it's all so overwhelming."
Helene laughed. "How would I know? I've never worn anything more expensive
than wool." The peach gown coming back from France flashed through her
mind, but she couldn't mention *that.* She obliged Marguerite, however, by
perusing the bolts and offering an objective, though rather unqualified,
opinion on the different cloths.
"Neither have I, at least, until I meet Percy, but then he had bought
everything for me." Marguerite said. "At least help me pick out a color,
which ones do you like."
Helene cocked her head at Marguerite, studying her friend. Marguerite was
quite beautiful, with her long, luxuriant hair and white skin. "Well,"
Helene began, "I wouldn't go with anything pink or orange-ish, because it
might clash with the red in your hair." Something too pale might not be
good either, with Marguerite's white skin. Something that would contrast
and set off her coloring... "Maybe a deep green or blue?" She pointed to
several bolts of cloth that were particularly stunning. "Maybe this...or
this...or this, or this, or this..." She suddenly grinned, on the verge of
giggling. So many choices! *She* had no idea what to pick...it was
ludicrous and exciting at the same time.
"I like the idea of a deep green." Marguerite said, remembering the ruby
and emerald necklace Percy had given her. "Something smooth and shinny
perhaps."
"Sounds good," answered Helene with a shrug, smiling. "So when is this ball
going to be?"
"In about a week." Marguerite said, "Although I am rather nervous about
attending, though Percy I'm sure will insist we go. I still don't know
any one here. I was somewhat sheltered at our oven event, after all, we
were in Percy's home, but not being at Richmond, I don't know, I'm just
afraid of being vulnerable."
"Well, your husband will be there, and Armand, too, won't he?" Helene
answered reasonably. Even if Percy and Marguerite were having some
problems, doubtless he would be obligated to be there for her at a social
event like a ball. She reached over to squeeze Marguerite's arm
reassuringly. "You'll be fine."
"Of course he will be there. It's just, thing are different here. In
Paris, I was always the center of attention, but I liked that
attention. I was praised for my acting, and people asked me my views on
politics and literature. Here, they look at me, curious as to who the new
Lady Blakeney is. Did the French actress marry as an escape from bloody
France, was she a prostitute, if she was so smart why did she marry a
fool?" Marguerite said, "I already know they gossip about me, even at our
own ball I could feel those piercing stares as they, the women especially
looked at me."
The mention of Marguerite's husband as a fool did not go unnoticed by her
companion. In fact, even with a comforting response on the tip of her
tongue, it took Helene a moment to answer. Sir Percy, a fool? She had met
him twice now. The first time, in France, he had been astute and
intelligent, as well as a courageous leader. The second time, at the
theatre, they hadn't spoken much beyond being introduced. His demeanor had
been different, but she had assumed it was just the setting...but a fool?
She could not believe it. How would one man change so much between
characters? More than ever, she was curious to see this enigma of a man
return from his business--if it truly were business.
All these thoughts flashed through her head quickly, and she barely paused,
filing them away for later study. Her attention must be for her friend,
now. She murmured some comforting words, unsure of what else to say. "I
suppose it would be improper for you to work here, or do tasks other than
domestic ones," she added sadly. She knew Marguerite was not being arrogant
with her words, but honest. The transition had been hard--perhaps, even
though it had been made by choice, even harder than for Helene.
Helene was quiet and didn't say anything. After finishing with her own
directions for her gowns, one of the ladies said they could have a set
each for Helene and Louise done by the end of the day, but the rest will
take time. "Well," Marguerite said, "I guess that's that. It looks
like we have a few hours to spend here in town. Is there anything else
you think you'll need Helene?"
Anything else she'd need? It was so broad a request that she hesitated
to take advantage of it. Pragmatism stepped in, however, and in her head
she quickly rifled through her basic necessities. To her surprise,
everything seemed accounted for--after all, she was used to living a sparse
life, and what other people considered necessities she thought of as
luxuries. "Nothing you wouldn't have back at the Manor," she answered.
"Alright then." Marguerite said. "Are either of you hungry, we can get
some lunch if you are. Then perhaps just go window shopping, and of
course there is the promised trip to get some sweets."
"Lunch sounds wonderful," Helene answered, flashing her friend a smile. She
thanked the girls in the shop profusely, who giggled and brushed off her
gratitude. Then, taking Louise by the hand, she turned back to Marguerite.
"Lead the way."
Marguerite led the way down the street until they came to a charming
little restaurant that she suggested they try. The party was promptly
greeted and led to a table near an opened window and given menus. Marguerite knew the menu was in English and turned to Louise, "Are you able to read English yet, or shall one of us read it to you Louise?"
Louise flushed and shook her head. "She's only just started speaking it,"
Helene explained. "Although she's doing an awfully good job, aren't you,
mon cherie?" She grinned down at the little girl, who bit her lip, smiling,
under the attention.
"She is doing very well." Marguerite said, opening one of the menus, she began to read off some of the dishes for Louise.
Louise chose her meal, surprisingly enough, with little equivocation, and
Helene, after a moment's hesitation for thought, settled on some soup. "And
what are you having?" she asked Marguerite conversationally. The other
woman looked so thin . . .
"Oh I'm fine," Marguerite said, "I'm not really hungry today." she said
folding up the menus and placing them together as the waiter came and took
their orders.
Helene's face grew concerned as she reached out and rested her hand on
Marguerite's thin one. The skin seemed stretched tightly over the bones.
"Marguerite, cherie, can't you eat at least *something?* Maybe something
small? Si'l vous plait, at least try."
Marguerite laughed, "Oh Helene, you're just like Armand. You both worry too much. I can assure you, I'm fine."
*Armand* was worried too? Was this more serious than she had thought? "No,
Marguerite, you're not fine." The statement was low and concerned rather
than antagonistic, undermining Marguerite's light approach to it. "Please,
at least try to eat a little something." She felt like she was repeating
herself, but didn't know what else to say. "Is there anything you'd like to
talk about? Is something bothering you?"
"I'm perfectly fine Helene." Marguerite said, "I'm just not particularly
hungry, and I'm not about to force myself to eat. Nothing is bothering me
and I feel fine."
Marguerite's statement said clearly to back off, and Helene was not one to
push. She already felt that she had overstepped the bounds of the
relationship she shared with Marguerite. Once Armand came back,
however...perhaps he could get his sister to talk, to eat something, maybe
to see a doctor. She would talk to him. After all, she and Armand had been
playmates as children, and he knew his sister better than anyone.
"All right, then," she answered slowly, still concerned. Her tone was not
wounded or huffy; whatever was bothering her friend was really Marguerite's
business, but Helene would keep her eyes open regardless. She was worried,
but what could she do?
Marguerite was a bit relieved as Helene backed off. In truth this was the
best she had felt in a while. "Besides, I think this little one will give
you enough to worry about without me. Now Louise, I trust you and Sarah
didn't get into too much mischief last night."
To Helene's surprise, Louise gave a small giggle as she shook her head.
"No, Marguerite."
Completely mystified, Helene exchanged glances with the other woman. "So,
what did you do, Louise?"
Louise continued to giggle. "Nothing," she answered in a tone that
suggested that whatever the little girls had been up to, Louise, at least,
certainly did not consider it nothing.
Marguerite gave Helene a smiling glance before leaning over to Louise. "I
bet you were up to something. Won't you even tell me, you're new friend
Marguerite?"
But Louise just retreated in her seat, still shaking her head and smiling.
"Probably just some fancy they were up to," Helene suggested to Marguerite
with a smile, in English. "I must say, it's so nice to see her smiling and
laughing and having a good time. I never saw her smile before coming here."
Although she still worried for Marguerite, she was glad the tense mood had
been broken.
Marguerite nodded as the waiter brought their food. "Probably so. Well,
Louise, what do you think of Blakeney Manor so far?"
"It's very nice, Mad--Marguerite," answered Louise politely. She seemed shy
again, and disinclined to say more, so it was fortunate that the waiter
saved the awkward moment by arriving with the food.
It disconcerted Helene to sit sipping her soup while Marguerite had nothing
in front of her, and it was obvious Louise was a trifle uncomfortable with
the situation as well. With each bite the little girl glanced at the two
women as if unsure whether she should be partaking in front of one who had
nothing.
The little girl seemed a bit nervous and still a little shy, so she tried
to ease her by talking to her. "So Louise, before you came to join us at
Richmond, did you attend school or did you have a governess?"
Louise swallowed the mouthful she was working on to answer. "Yes,
Marguerite. I had a tutor." Her expression showed what she had thought of
him, but she did not say how much she had disliked the man.
"Well, it doesn't sound much like you enjoyed having a tutor." Marguerite
said, leaning in closer to whisper, "I do hope you think Helene is a
better one."
"Oh, yes, she is," answered Louise, looking the least bit scandalized by the
comparison. Almost as an afterthought, she added, "My mother didn't like my
old tutor, either." Her tone was almost defensive, as if to rationalize
somehow her critique of one of her elders.
"Well, "I'm sorry you didn't like your old tutor, but I am very glad you
like Helene." Marguerite said, offering a soft smile.
"Oh, yes, I do," answered Louise, perhaps with unnecessary conviction and
vehemence. She was already feeling a trifle guilty for her implied
criticism of her former tutor, and was trying, in a sense, to make up for it
by her fervent acceptance of Helene's teaching.
Marguerite simply smiled as the two finished their meals. "So, where
shall we be off to next?"
Louise looked up at Marguerite with such a hopeful, wide-eyed smile that
Helene had to laugh. "I think someone wants to go to the candy store,"
Helene commented, grinning.
Marguerite smiled, "Well, I know I always enjoyed a trip to the candy
store." Marguerite said as she pulled some money out of her purse to pay
for the meal. "So, shall we be off and on our way?"
They stood and gathered their things, exchanging pleasantries with thier
waiter as they paid and left. "So, is the candy store close enough to walk,
or will we be riding?" inquired Helene as they exited the restaurant.
"Richmond seems to be a fairly small town," Marguerite said as she took
one of Louise's hands, "It seems once into town everything is close enough
to walk to. Besides it's such a nice day, and I doubt even Louise would
mind the walk for treats."
They walked down the street until they reached the candy store, and a bell
tinkled merrily as they swung open the door. Inside, the store was a
quaint, homey affair, with wooden shelves holding jars and little bags, all
of delectable sugary sweets. Helene looked around contentedly--perhaps all
sweet shops were designed to make the customer smile. The atmosphere was
just so warm and happy. Louise was peering around wide-eyed as if she were
in a fairy wonderland.
Helene caught sight of a jar of green striped peppermint sticks, and a wave
of nostalgia suddenly swept over her. She remembered her father striding
home one day with two of those--one for her, and one for her brother. They
were not rich, so such treats were quite rare...the memory faded into
Helene's distorted reflection in the shining glass of the candy jar. Just
when she thought she was over her father's death, his memory would come back
as sharp and poignantly as ever.
Marguerite smiled watching Louise, "Alright now, why don't you try and find
something that you would like and something you think Sarah would like as
well." she said before watching the girl begin to explore the store.
She turned to see Helene, noting a bit of a sober look, "Helene, are you
alright?"
Helene shook her head, dispelling the memory. "Yes, I'm fine. I
just--this may sound a little dumb, but I suddenly found myself missing my
family. I guess candy stores are made to trigger memories like that!" She
gave a small laugh, but it was half-hearted, and she sobered immediately.
"I can't stop thinking of my brother. All the rest of our family is gone;
if anything happened to him..." She bit her lip, trailing off.
Marguerite stepped closer to Helene, "I'm sorry Helene, is there anything
I could do?" Marguerite asked before pausing a bit "What would it take to
bring him over here?"
Helene sighed. She didn't usually talk about things that bothered her, but
Marguerite's question had caught her by surprise. Perhaps, however, it was
better to finally talk to someone. "Well, you know what's needed to get out
of France...papers, primarily, and then passage somewhere. I don't think
he's in any great danger right now, in fact, if it weren't for me he'd
probably be very happy just to stay in France--neither of us wanted to leave
until we got Louise. It's--it's like home. You understand." She gave
Marguerite a weak smile. "I think he's working on getting passage, but I
just feel so helpless over here."
Marguerite offered a warm smile. "I know some of what you're
feeling. Does he need help to get passage? Do you need some money to pay
for it?"
Helene shook her head. "I appreciate it, but it isn't as much that as
getting proper documentation. Both he and I have been fugitives of the
government for over a year now."
"Fugitives?" Marguerite said as her eyes went wide, "My god Helene, what ever for?"
"You didn't know?" Helene asked, surprised. "We put together a pamphlet of
essays criticizing the direction the government was taking at the time. In
retrospect, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do." She gave a short
laugh. "We went underground right after that. That's part of the reason we
lost contact with you and Armand--we couldn't tell anyone, obviously, and
both of you seemed to have Republican sympathies." She shrugged. "I'm sure
the fact that neither of us has been executed is a thorn in the side of the
Republic."
"Oh my god Helene" Marguerite gasped as she listened to the story. "I had
no idea." Marguerite fell silent for a moment before lowering her
voice. "What if I knew someone that could get your brother papers to get
out of France."