Chapter Twenty

My eyes fluttered open as I shifted uncomfortably amongst the linens and coverlet of my bed. The heat in the room made my legs kick to get free from the material that was nearly suffocating me. I turned as Brielle turned the crank on the window. The light rain outside wafted a cool breeze inside for only a moment. The humidity in the room was just as bad as outside, choking the breeze before another could possibly get through.

“Seems your day will be rained in, Mademoiselle,” she said, curtseying to me.

I sat back, slamming my head into the pillows. There goes that plan.

Lucien had planned to come back for another game of croquet and stay for dinner. It seemed the weather was against us.

I readied for the day, just like any other. I wore a pink silk pet-en-l’air over a yellow petticoat. I turned and grabbed my favorite fan, which had been set out for me on my vanity. I had scarcely used it since noticing its small flaw forever ago. I made my way down to the salon where I sat, fanning myself in the stifling heat.

The rain beat against the closed doors of the salon. A small amount of illumination came from the sky, even though the thick black and gray clouds took it over.

A low rumble of thunder crawled through the house. The chandelier above me jingled and a light flash from lightning followed afterward. I sat back, exhaling sharply as I fanned myself faster. I tried to breathe in some cooler air in the stuffy room.

I looked to the table, and my eyes fell to little, square-shaped cakes with a crust all around them and a white layer of butter cream on top. Just the smell of them was tempting me—the fresh smell of cinnamon and sugar frosting in the air, mingling with the heat.

I pursed my lips together. The lace from my open fan rested against my lips as I looked the cakes over. I only needed that one thought of how delicious they must taste to tempt me enough to reach forward and take one of them. I bit into it. The crust around it was crisp and heavy, sweet with the cinnamon and sugar. The butter cream topping lingered with it only slightly. My second bite was of the soft light center, which was not as heavy with the taste of the sugar, but the cinnamon was perfect. It made the very texture perfect, especially when it squished together with the light butter cream.

“I knew you would appreciate those.” Colette walked into the room, wearing a green pet-en-l’air with a yellow petticoat. One of her silk and lace fans was in her hand as she sauntered over to the table and sat down beside me.

I put the little cake down, swallowing what was in my mouth. “You know how much I love anything sweet.”

“I cannot stand it,” she said, slumping back in her seat.

She always said she didn’t like sweets, but she often ate little bonbons that were overloaded with sugar or had hard, crunchy centers. She was never usually one for chocolate, but she did eat pastries. She would frequently say she didn’t like them, often a moment or two later grabbing one off a plate and eating it, saying how amazing it was.

I sat silently, nodding as I looked to the door. “I suppose the weather will delay the Marquise’s plans with her garden extension.”

“Cleante is supposed to be stopping by to go over more of their plans. Maman has changed something, again.” She rolled her eyes as she fanned herself, turning her head to the side. “It is absolutely, dreadfully hot. What happened to the tame weather we had?”

“I thought you liked the summertime?” I pulled the little cake up, taking another bite out of it.

“I do, but not this hot! Do not get me started on the winter, either.” She closed her fan and pointed it at me, waving it about.

“You do not like the sledge rides?” An image of the snowy, night-filled sledge rides that I had taken with my father flashed in my mind. I remembered how cold the crisp air was and the snow lightly falling as our feet were heated from the coals of the little heaters below our furs.

“Well, yes. They can be nice…with Vachel.” Her voice went low as she looked down to her fan. The handle shimmered as a low, soft rumble of thunder filled the room. “I hate winter,” she pouted.

“Whatever happened to that invitation to have coffee with him?” I asked, my fingers tapping around the little plate my cake was on.

She shrugged. “I decided against it. I do not want to see him. Why do you think we haven’t been to town? He is back, though I have no idea for how long. Étienne is hazy on the details.”

“Is Armand going to come by, today? Or is the weather just too much?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, nor do I care.”

“Oh? Back to that, again?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Back to what, again? My feelings are completely passive when it comes to the Vicomte,” she snapped, her tone getting extremely defensive.

“All right. What of Étienne?”

She seemed intrigued by the thought of him in a romantic capacity. Shrugging her shoulders once again, she said, “I don’t know. As I said before, he has all of Vachel’s good points, and he certainly can kiss with the best of them.”

I looked to her, surprised. “You two have kissed?”

She smiled, satisfied with my reaction. “What of it?”

“I thought he did not want to anger the Chevalier?”

“He does not, so we have done nothing else. Oh please, Maddy. Think me a little more decent than that.” She stood up, walking toward the window and looking out at the rain. “Besides, he is annoying me lately. Not only with his lack of details about Vachel, but the way he speaks of him. It is like we are going to get back on track any day, now. That everything is fine, that Vachel is still that same, amazing person.”

He was amazing at some point? He was always slimy in my eyes, but perhaps that is my problem. I cannot see Vachel the same way as she did. Just like she will never see Lucien the same way I do.

“Still,” she said as she turned to me, sighing lightly, “it does not matter. He only entertains me when I am bored, anyway. He is always so busy with his studies, so it does not matter. Such is life.” She waved her hand.

That was always her answer for things. I frowned as she turned back toward the table, sat down, and pulled the Gazette out from under one of the silver trays.

We sat in the salon for the better part of the morning. We decided to take lunch up in the parlor, but not before we took a turn around the manor, getting our exercise in for the day.

I only took my leave of Colette once, to read my letters—one from my father and the other from Lucien. He noted that the rain would stop him from visiting me during the day, but not from coming to see me in the evening.

We sat in the parlor, playing Piquet until the servants served our supper later in the evening. The rain tapered off, but the heat seemed to get worse. I barely touched my meal, as it was so hot. All I wanted to do was sit in bed in my nightgown. At least it was light and airy, and it would help me cope with the heat.

We made our way back to the parlor. Colette sat at the table, doing the puzzles at the back of the Gazette. The sun had been set for a while now, and the clock ached slowly toward eleven o’clock. I mainly wanted Lucien to be in my room, because I wouldn’t have any clothes on—no heavy silk plastered to my body. It made me anxious, bouncing my knee as I fanned myself.

I looked up from the sofa. One of the male servants walked up to me with a silver tray and a single letter sitting on it.

“Oh, someone is popular, today,” Colette’s voice rang out, looking toward me only for a moment.

I frowned as I took the letter, thanking the servant as he bowed to me. He then turned and dashed out of the room. Looking over the letter, I saw the large “B” with flowers around it. I tried to contain myself at the sight of one of Lucien’s secret letters.

I opened it and read it over quickly, but I couldn’t help the bright smile that crossed me, seeing Lucien’s pseudonym, Monsieur B, at the bottom of the letter.

Mademoiselle,

Make your way through the Labyrinth to the heart. That is where you will find me.

Monsieur B.

“Who is it from?” Colette asked, barely looking up from her puzzle.

I looked up to her. “Oh, my father.”

“Again? Twice in one day seems quite excessive. Shit! They make these things near impossible!”

I folded the letter up. “I suppose he was worried that the first would not reach me. You know how difficult it is for him to make sure I get his letters safely. Are you retiring, now?” I asked as I stood, the letter clutched tightly in my hand. I looked back to the clock, which had just reached eleven. Thank God.

“Hmmm?” She looked up at me for only a moment before she went back to the puzzle. “Oh, no. Not yet. I need to figure this out, or I will never get any sleep. You go on. I shall see you in the morning.”

I nodded, taking my leave and walking out into the hall. I looked behind me to make sure that not only had Colette not followed me, but the way was clear of servants as well.

I ran and fetched my cloak in my room, fastening it quickly as I made my way down the staircase and looking about to make sure I was not seen. I ran out the servant’s passage to the hedge maze, with the warm, night air swirling around me. I could already feel my anticipation and desire stir within me, filling my head. The thought of Lucien in this heat made me dizzy.

I found my way through the maze easily, pulling my hood up on my cloak. The breeze was actually quite cool, despite the heat of the day and the summer, which was far from over. I rounded the last corner that led to the middle of the large labyrinth, expecting to see Lucien awaiting me. Nothing but darkness, save for light from a few torches, filled the area.

I looked around confused, twisting and coming face-to-face with him as he came out from behind one of the hedges, smirking at me.

“Ah, there you are.” I smiled.

He stayed in his spot with his hands behind his back. He wore his Roquelaure cloak around his broad shoulders and a red suit beneath it. “There you are, as pretty as can be. An angel in the night.”

I smiled at him again, my heart speeding up. “You flatter, Monsieur.”

He walked up to me, taking my hands in his. “I speak the truth. Am I not the luckiest man that I have such a woman holding me in her affection?”

“Some would say not, I am afraid.” I sighed, my hand leaving his to stroke his cheek. “Though, you are right. I love you. I love you more than anything, but I wonder sometimes if you have lost your marbles to love me in return.”

He smiled, pulling my hands up and kissing each one in turn. “Ah, but I do. That you already know. I am sure you are inquiring as to why I have dragged you out here in the night.”

I looked up at him, eyeing him. “I am indeed.”

“I think you will agree we have a certain amount of privacy out here,” he said, grabbing hold of my waist and pulling me into him.

I laughed lightly. “You cannot be serious, Lucien. Out here? Any one of the equerries or grounds men could happen upon us. What would people say if they heard our passionate cries and happened upon the sight of us making love in the middle of the hedge maze?”

He kept his arms around me, raising his chin. “Do you object to the setting or just to the fact that someone could happen upon us?”

“I thought it was quite clear that I wish no one to find us. I thought that was the point of our secrecy.” I countered.

“Ah, answer the question, Madeleine. Is it the setting, being reduced to literally rolling around on the ground, or is it because someone could find us?” He teased. His eyes were alight with delight, as usual.

I sighed heavily, trying not to smile. “You really want to make love out in the wilderness?”

“Ha,” he scoffed. “You call the Marquis’s hedge maze the wilderness?”

I leaned up to him, kissing him softly, which silenced him and brought his attention to me. Just as it had before, many times. I tried to make a mental note that it was an effective tool, and I would have to remember it for the future. I pulled away from him, stroking his cheek as I grabbed hold of his hand and made my way to exit the area. “We need to get inside.”

He smiled. “You did not answer my question, Mademoiselle.”

I smiled at him coyly as I pulled on his hand, dragging him along with me.

We stopped at the top of the staircase. My eyes looked around carefully as I pulled Lucien along behind me, over to my bedchamber. My heart calmed as I saw the door, and safety, inching closer to us.

“Maddy?”

I quickly pushed Lucien in through the door, closing it as Colette walked out of the parlor. She walked over to me, unsure of what I was up to.

“Yes?” I tried to say casually, my arm resting against the door frame as my heart beat frantically.

“Where are you going?” she asked, looking my cloak over.

I looked down, pursing my lips nervously. “Ummm…I went to walk out around the fountain. I felt rather sick because of the heat, and I didn’t want to disturb you or the whole house, so I just…quickly strolled about. I feel much better and rather tired, now.”

Her brow creased inward as she crossed her arms, looking me over once again. “I really think the heat is getting to you, Maddy.”

“Yes, perhaps,” I said, rubbing my forehead. Feigning illness is only going to work for so long.

“Well, I’m going to retire, now. I will see you in the morning.” She turned to make her way back to her room before she turned back to point at me. “Make sure rain is in your prayers for tomorrow.”

I nodded as she disappeared into her bedchamber. Two maids stood in the doorway, awaiting her.

Brielle walked up behind me and did not seem to notice my attire. She just pleasantly smiled as she asked me, “Are you ready to make your couchér, Mademoiselle?”

We walked into the room. Lucien was obviously hiding behind the closed drapes of my bed. Brielle helped me change into my nightgown and opened the window in my room halfway, to let in the cool night air. The wind started to blow quite mildly.

“There is talk of rain tomorrow as well, Mademoiselle. There is a chance you will be rained in, again.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “That of course means it is possible that the heat will break.”

She nodded and smiled. “Is there anything else I can get for you, Mademoiselle? I have left a pitcher of water for your leisure, in case you find yourself parched in the night.”

“Oh, thank you.” I looked over to my bedside table, the pitcher sitting there.

She curtsied prettily before she turned and left the room.

I put my hand over my heart as I turned. Lucien pulled back the drapes on the bed and sat on the side of it, sighing heavily. He was down to his blouse and breeches. “It was stifling in there.”

My brow furrowed. “I bet. Ugh, that was close. Colette was two seconds away from seeing you and I prowling up to my bedchamber.”

The corner of his mouth turned down as he nodded, pushing his hair that had come loose behind his ear. “A lot of questions.”

“Yes.” I sighed, walking over to him and sitting on his lap. “Do you think…do you think we should tell everyone?”

He looked up at me, resting his head on my chest. “Do you want to?”

I nodded. “I think I do…but I am scared to.”

“Why is that?” He smirked.

“The things people will say…it scares me. I do not like the thought of that much attention.”

“Well,” he said, his left arm resting around my waist, “that attention is not very escapable, now or later.”

“All right,” I turned to him on his lap, facing him. “We will continue as we are, in secret until after my birthday fête. I will be going home a week or so after that, anyway, so…then, we could start from scratch, making public appearances. You will be able to meet my father.”

“Sounds admirable,” he nodded, smirking. “Will your father approve of me?”

I raised my eyebrows, looking around the room, “A Comte? I think he will be quite shocked to say the least.”

“Would he be more approving of a merchant like himself?”

“I don’t think he wants me to marry someone who is going to leave me for months on end. I have that enough as it is. If I marry a Comte,” I looked down at him, pointing at him playfully. “I will be in Paris all the time, spoiled and corrupted by its evil.”

“So, he would prefer, say, an architect?” he asked, looking into my eyes.

I frowned. “I wish you hadn’t said that.”

“I am sorry. That animal again, it seems.” He rested his head against me.

I lifted his chin with my hand, running my fingers along his jaw and cheek. “He will be thrilled that a man as respectable and amazing as you wants to make his daughter happy.”

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he looked into my eyes. He just stared at me for a moment before he nodded and leaned into me, kissing me lightly.

“What is it with everyone and this architect business?” I asked, looking into his dizzying eyes. “Why are you pressing it?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head, his eyes casting to the floor. “Giving you a chance to break my heart now, rather than later?”

My face scrunched in pain and confusion. “Now or later?”

He nodded. “Yes. Perhaps give you a chance to get out, now. Pick the easier choice.”

“Lucien,” I said, raising his chin once again, “who said that picking an architect or merchant would be any easier? No matter who we fall in love with, there will always be complications. It will never be easy.”

He let his head lean against my chest again, holding me close. “Some are easier than others. You even said that you were scared.”

“Yes, scared.” I stood up and knelt down in front of him, “Fear is quite easily overcome. Especially when we are going to face it, together. Right?”

“Yes, of course, but—”

I put my fingers over his mouth, stopping him, “No buts. That is all there is to it. Also, there will be no more talk of Cleante or anyone else, because there is no one else.”

He nodded, again. A look of recognition crossed his handsome countenance that I was indeed right.

“Now, the plan will be to go about as we have been until after my twentieth birthday in a month’s time. Then, we will finally reveal that the mysterious woman who has captured your heart is in fact me. Fair?”

He leaned into me, kissing me on the forehead. “Fair.”

I stood up and nodded once, satisfied.

“Oh.” He smiled, looking up at me. “My grandmother has sent me word, hearing about my new lady. She wishes to know who has tamed me and why we have not come out publicly.”

My lip curled, and my face scrunched up, almost wincing. “Oh? What did you say?”

“I wrote her back that as it is, I was getting enough of an audience in my life. I didn’t need any more of an attendance with my love life. Have you told your father anything at all, that you are even involved with someone?”

I shook my head, biting at my thumb. “No, he hasn’t asked. He wouldn’t ask. He would never assume or ask a question even to do with that. He just thinks that I am tending Colette.”

“Which you are,” he added, standing. “I have really had enough of this subject. We have made our decision. Let us not worry about it or even think about it until the time comes.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist, leaning into my shoulder and holding me close.

“I missed you terribly all day,” he mumbled, buried in my hair.

I smiled, bringing my hand up and stroking his hair. “What happened to being seductive?”

He stood up straight, his head falling back as he looked down to me. “I find being adorable seems to work just as well. Especially when just the sight of you and holding you makes me realize how much I missed you all day.”

I let out a little laugh, grabbed his hands, and led him over to the bed. I pushed him down on it and closed the side of the drapes facing the door.