The Truth About Everything

The Truth about Everything

Or how Nicole de Lancret met Auguste de Barbarac

And how the future King of France met his Queen

Prologue

“Mama, tell us again, how Grandmama met Grandpapa met each other?” 

Danielle laughed.  “You never get tired of that story, do you?”

“No Mama,” four-year old Henri Francois answered.  “I want to hear it again.”

“Me too,” his twin sister, Nicole Paulette chimed in.  “I want to hear it again.”

Danielle sighed.  “You know that your Grandmama was just sixteen when all this happened. “

“And how old was Grandmama Marie?” Nicole asked. 

“The same age, child.”

“Must have been a long time ago, Mama,” Henri asked.

“The year was 1472, children, Grandmama Nicole and Grandmama Marie were both sixteen.  Grandpapa Auguste and Grandpapa Francis were had just turned seventeen that summer.  Francis would become the Crown Prince the next year. It had been a busy winter and it promised to be a busy summer as well.  Francis had to prepare for the coronation.  And he was not looking forward to it.

His father also explained that he had arranged a marriage for him.  What made him more angry was that his father had set this up when he was, well, just about your age.”

Little Henri and Nicole stared at each other, then back at their mother.  “So what did he do, Mama?” they both asked in unison.

“Well, Francis took off one day with his best friend, Captain Auguste de Barbarac of the Royal Guards.  You see, children, your grandfather’s have known each other since they were, well, a little older than yourselves.”

“What happened next, Mama?” Nicole asked in anticipation of what was to follow.”

“Well, Nicole, they set out on an adventure to see what they could see.  They weren’t intending on meeting anyone, least of all two of the loveliest women that they had ever seen.”

Chapter 1

1472

The two sixteen year old women were standing out in the orchard picking apples.  One was standing near the road; the other had her back turned away from it.  The sound of horse hooves hitting the dirt made them both look up. 

“Marie, look,” the one nearest the road called out to her companion.  “Two riders are approaching.”

Marie du Bois, the one furthest from the road, turned around.  “Yes, Nicole, I see them.  I think one of them is the Prince.”

“You can see that far?” Nicole asked. 

“You think you are so smart, don’t you?” Marie asked, scolding her playfully.

“They are getting closer,” Nicole said.  “And you are right, it is the Prince, but I do not recognize the other boy with him.”  She squinted at him to try and get a closer look.  “He is so handsome, isn’t he?”

“Why Nicole de Lancret, I believe that you like someone already. I hope you are not speaking of my fiancé.”

“The Prince?” Nicole said, still watching the two of them as two of them neared the manor gate.  “No, Marie, he is yours.  I am still partial to the other by his side.”

She waited for answer, but none came.  She took her eyes off the riders and turned to face Marie who was now staring at them.  She caught Nicole looking at her and turned to face her with big smile. 

“Listen,” Marie said, as the two men road through onto the driveway. “I need a favor from you.”

Nicole looked at her. “What sort of favor?”

“Well,” she said, and looked up.  They were still headed down the driveway, no longer moving quickly. 

“Switch places with me, Nicole.  Pretend to be me and I will pretend to be you.  I couldn’t have done this without you.” 

Chapter 2

Nicole narrowed her eyes and frowned at her.  Why?” she asked, “what for?”  . “You must be crazy.  Listen to me, I do not think that this is possible. And what is it that you hope to gain?”

“I want to know more about the man I am going to be with for the rest of my life, Nicole.  Remember, I am not supposed to meet him until my wedding night.”

Nicole smiled slyly.  “Yes, but that puts me in a bad position, doesn’t it?”

“Excuse me ladies, but where would I find the lady of the house?”

“That would be me,” Nicole and Marie both cried in unison.  Marie turned around to find Prince Francis looking at her straight in the eye. 

“Well, which one, then?” he laughed

“Well,” Nicole said, “actually right now it is both of us, but, Your Highness,” Nicole said, giving a deep curtsey, this small country manor belongs to Jacques and Danielle de Lancret.  This is their daughter, Nicole,” she said, pointing to Marie.   And I am Marie de Bois, visiting from the province of Avignon.”

“Yes, so I have heard,” the Prince said, looking at Nicole.  “I did not expect you to be so lovely, not that Nicole isn’t beautiful herself,” he said, looking at Marie.  It made her blush.  Marie was almost sorry she had Nicole switch places.  She would have to make this up to Nicole somehow.

“Nor did I, Your Highness,” the Prince’s companion said.  He was all eyes for Nicole, in fact, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. 

And Nicole couldn’t stop staring at his companion.

“Monsieur,” Marie interuppted, “may we have your name?” she said, ribbing Nicole in the side. 

“Of course, milady, it is Captain Auguste de Barbarac of the Royal Guards at your service.”  Auguste bowed low, even on the horse.  He smiled and turned to find Nicole again and found she was still staring at him. 

“And how do you two know each other?” Francis asked, smiling.

“Well, you see,” they both started in unison.  Nicole backed off; Marie was speaking with him.

“We are friends, best friends.  We grew up in Hautefort and Marie moved away, so now she comes back every summer to visit.”   

Francis smiled and looked at Nicole.  “Oh, really, maybe we can discuss that sometime.  We have a house there, maybe we compare notes.”

“Maybe,” Nicole tried to smile.  She had been to Avignon twice to visit Marie and hadn’t remembered a thing.

“And maybe we can swap stories as well,” Auguste said, still looking at her. Nicole couldn’t take his eyes off him.

“Um, maybe we should go inside,” Marie said, looking at everyone.  She was starting to feel a little guilty.  Maybe this had been a bad idea.

“Perhaps we should,” Auguste said, getting of his horse and walking toward Nicole, his arm out for her to take “shall we?  I have always wanted to escort the future Princess somewhere.  This may be my only opportunity.”

Chapter 3

“Maybe we could go for a walk,” Francis said, walking over to Nicole/Marie. “I should really get to know my intended a little better.”

The real Marie du Bois stood in the back watching this nightmare unfold.  Now two men wanted to get to know her.  She had been afraid of this and would have to come up with something quick.

Only Nicole was quicker.

“Yes, that is a wonderful idea.” She turned to the Prince. 

She curtsied.  “If Your Highness permits, I would really like to get to know the Captain a little better,” Nicole/Marie answered.  “I would suggest that you walk with Nicole a little before we switch places.  After all, we have the rest of our lives don’t we?”

Francis smiled and nodded his head.  “Of course, my love, you are correct.” He bowed. “Now if you excuse me, I should like to make the acquaintance of another so lovely.”

He turned to Marie/Nicole and held his arm out. Marie took it and looked at his face. She couldn’t believe that she was falling for him already, this handsome redhead.  Her son would look just like him, she vowed.

“Come along, then,” Marie/Nicole smiled at the Prince.

She would never forgive herself.

~~~~~~~~

“What could you have possibly been thinking about?” Nicole asked.

“I just mixed us up, that’s all.” Marie said, laughing.

“Well, sooner or later you will have to unmix us,” Nicole said, getting angrier by the minute.

“What are you screeching about?” Marie said.  “They both want you. If you hadn’t thought so quickly.”

“They weren’t listening to me, only to you.  They are coming back tonight, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are and we must find a way to explain this to them.  Marie, we have to make this right. We can’t keep this up forever.”

“Don’t worry,” Marie said, looking at her.  “I will take care of it tonight.” 

Chapter 4

That night, however, both of them did not return. Nicole had been expecting Auguste to drop by with a small note from Prince Francis, but Auguste had sent it along with one of the pages instead.  

My dear Marie, the note began, I have some urgent business to attend to and will not be able to fulfill the promise I had proposed earlier.  Please forgive me.  I would very much like to see you, but time grows short for my coronation and I must practice.  I have sent word with Captain Auguste.  He will be able to take care of you and answer any questions that you may have of me.”

At least Francis had signed it, Nicole thought, but there was no Auguste de Barbarac to go with it and she was so looking forward to seeing him again.  She angrily ripped it to shreds, then set down to compose a reply.

Francis

Sorry that you could not make it.  I was looking forward to seeing you and getting to know my future husband better.  I know that we have a lot in common, growing up in the same province.  I believe that we also have the same interests. 

When might I be able to see you and speak with you and your Captain again? I especially look forward to your visit.  I think that Nicole might have quite an interest in Captain Auguste

In anticipation of your visit, I await your answer.

She had signed it with Marie’s name.

She didn’t want to think about the deception, but she wondered how long this was to continue.  She stood up and handed the answer to the waiting page.  He bowed, walked from the door and jumped on his horse and made for the castle.

She closed the door and headed for the library where she knew Marie would be. 

~~~~~~

Marie sat in the library, unable to read.  All she could do was think about what a big mistake she had made. How could she even have considered doing such a stupid thing?

Both men had fallen for Nicole.   They fawned all over her calling Nicole by her name.

“Could we do this for you, Marie?  Could we do that?  Would you like something to drink, something to eat?”

It went on and on like that all day. Auguste and Francis paid hardly any attention to her. 

She was now sitting by herself furious at the deception she created.  She really had to do something and quickly.

Most of all she had to stop thinking about this.  But she couldn’t.  She remembered everything that happened.

Chapter 5

The Prince and the Captain began their visit by competing for the charms of Nicole/Marie.

Marie sat on her own, watching this display.  At first, she thought it was cute and funny at the same time.  Now she was getting sick and tired of it.  Forty-five minutes and she had become bored.  So she walked away and sat on her own.  No one was paying attention to her anyway. 

“Excuse me, Nicole,” Francis said, “but I have just noticed that you are off by yourself.  Perhaps you would care to take a walk with me?”

Marie/Nicole jumped and turned around. “I had no idea anyone was there,” she answered smiling at him.  She looked at him.  “Of course, Your Highness,” she said,  “I would love to accompany you.”

The Prince grinned.  “Very well, milady,” he said, placing his arm on his hip.  Marie/Nicole slipped her hand into it.  “We have a lot to talk about.  I would really like to get to know you better."

They walked up the path arm in arm.

But all he wanted to talk about was Nicole/Marie.  What kinds of things did she like?  What did she think of him?  How pretty she was, how her red hair shone brightly in the sunlight.

On and on the questions went until Marie was sick of them.  She would have said something to him, but she thought better of it. 

Now she was sitting in the library.  She had gone there to try to stop thinking about that afternoon.  She looked for a book to take her mind off what had happened.  When she finally found the right one, she sat down at the table and began to read. She got through ten pages before she put the book down, unable to read anymore.    

 “Marie,” a voice called out, breaking the stillness of the library.  “I need to speak with you.”

Chapter 6

“I need your help, Marie,” Nicole said, pushing the door open.  “The Prince has written back.  He’s talking about some kind of well in Avignon.”

“The well?” Marie said looking up from her book.  Just then, she closed it.  She hadn’t been reading it anyway.  “Let me look at it, please,” she said, holding out her hand.

Nicole shook her head.  “No, Marie, you began this, you must end it.  Besides, the first two were answered in my handwriting and I must continue to do the same.”

She changed the subject.

“Just tell me about the well.”

Marie laughed.  “The community well that the Prince almost fell into when he was eight years of age?”

“Fell into?”

Marie shook her had. “I said almost, Nicole. You see, Francis was a little imp and used to get into lots of trouble.  In this instance, he was given hell for running around like a commoner in the middle of the street.”

“Well,” Nicole asked, “What happened?”

Marie shook her head and tried not to laugh. 

“He was leaning over the side calling into it listening for his echo.  A bunch of us children did that, including me.  We had no idea it was the Prince until one the Guards came to fetch him.”

Nicole smiled.  “Come on, the courier’s waiting to deliver this message to the King.”

Marie nodded.  “Just write what I told you and come back here.   I need to talk to you.”

~~~~~~~     

“You sent for me, milord?” Captain Auguste asked as he leaned on one knee, his hand over his heart.

Prince Francis looked at him strangely and with a little grin.  “What’s with the formalities, all of a sudden, CAPTAIN?” Francis said, smiling. “Besides, I need to speak with you on an urgent matter.”

Auguste sat in one of the corner chairs. This was a chair with four legs, but made in an odd way, a sort of triangle shape. It was made for soldiers so that when they carried a sword, they wouldn’t have to remove it from their belt.

“URGENT?” Auguste said, smiling, “Francis, what could possibly be so “urgent?”

Francis smiled.  “Well, for one thing, I need a favor from you.  I need you to do a little spying, if you know what I mean?”

Auguste narrowed his brows.  “What are you talking about?”

“Marie and Nicole, that’s what I am talking about.” 

Chapter 7

“What about Marie and Nicole?” Auguste asked.

“Just that they aren’t who they seem to be.” 

“And how do you know that?”

“Well,” Francis said, “it was something that the courier noticed when I asked him to deliver that note.  He said that the one he delivered it to was called Marie, but yet, he heard her say that she had to go see Marie about something and said she’d return shortly.”

Auguste smiled slightly.  He didn’t want Francis to see.  “That would be Nicole, would it not?”

“Yes, Auguste, I believe it would.  She’s the one with the auburn hair.”

“And Marie’s is slightly darker.”

“Yes, yes,” Francis nodded. “Nicole is the better looking of the two. And I am supposed to marry Marie next year.”

Auguste smiled. This was getting better and better.  He had developed a liking for Nicole or Marie or whatever her name was and didn’t want to lose her. Not to Francis anyway.

“When would you like me to start this assignment, milord?”  Auguste was smirking again, but Francis would have none of it.

“Whenever you see fit, Auguste. I would suggest tomorrow morning.”

“Do you want me to mention that you know who they really are?”

Francis stood up quickly.  “No, man.  Do not be foolish.  Do not let on that you know.  Besides,” he said smiling, “I’m not sure myself.  That’s why you are going on this lovely assignment.”

“Will you be joining me anytime soon, Your Highness?”

Francis was getting angrier.  “Of course, you troublemaker, as soon as I am able.  Why, you know what I have to go through here? You know what a taskmaster my father is at times.  You know that I can…

Francis stopped when he saw the smile on Auguste’s face.  He smiled back.  “Alright,” he conceded, “maybe I do take this stuff to seriously.”

“Someday,” Auguste said, scolding him playfully, “you will have that stroke that everyone talks about…”

“Get out of here, you fool,” Francis laughed as he pushed Auguste out of the room. “And don’t return until you have some answers for me.”

“Will do, my Prince,” he said, letting Francis push him out of the room.

Chapter 8

Nicole walked around the ruins at Amboise.  This was her favorite spot when she wanted to be alone.  It was quiet and secluded and no one came after her. 

This time she was tired and sick of all this deception.  She had given it to Marie before she ran out of the manor crying.  She felt a little better now, sitting on the hill, looking across at the rooftops of France.  Nicole told Marie that if she didn’t tell them the truth, that she would and that she would do it tonight.

But she had come here instead, maybe she would do it in the morning. 

~~~~~

Auguste de Barbarac reached his destination and jumped off his horse. He couldn’t go to the manor now. It was late and the girls were alone.  Nicole’s parent’s had disappeared for the week, going off to visit relatives in the town of St. Etienne’s, not too far from Hautefort. 

He wanted to keep his reputation intact.  Besides, his men needed someone to look up to. Auguste was going to the pillar of virtue, the fighter of truth and justice. 

Well, sort of.  He had to live up to that name himself.

He looked around.  So this was the famous ruins of Amboise.  He couldn’t stop talking about it how beautiful it was as a boy.  Now it was just burnt rubble.  He was trying to imagine what it looked like when he heard someone in back of him.  He turned and to his surprise and delight, Nicole was standing there.

Or was it Marie?

“Marie,” he said careful not to let on, “what are you doing here?”

“I was just about to ask that same question of you, milord,” she said. 

Auguste smiled.  “I had heard so much about this place, I just wanted to see it for myself.”

“At ten in the evening?”

Auguste laughed.  “And why is a young betrothed woman doing out here, alone I might add?”

Nicole shook her head.  “I had to get away, Auguste.  I couldn’t stand it another moment longer.”

“May I ask why?”

Well, why not? Nicole thought, I should tell him, shouldn’t I?

But the words wouldn’t come.

Meanwhile, Francis decided to look for Auguste.  He stopped the manor and went to the front door of the manor.  He knocked on the door, but no one answered.  He knocked again, and when no one answered, let himself in. 

“Marie, Nicole?” he called to the empty rooms.  “Where are you? It’s only me Prince Francis.”

With no one answering, he walked to the back of house and out the back door. 

That’s when he saw her, sitting in the garden in the moonlight.  He had been wrong about Nicole.  This was the woman who was meant for him.  His parents were right to make an arrangement with this lovely woman. 

He started to take a step forward, but he slipped and fell, causing a lot of strange little distractions to occur. 

When Marie turned around however, he was long gone.  He had disappeared as quickly as he had come. 

He would look in her lovely eyes once more.  He promised himself he would not forget. 

Chapter 9

They stood staring at each other, no one saying anything and no one moving a muscle.

Somehow, they were moving closer and that somehow their lips met.  They began to kiss.

Nicole pulled away and backed up.

“Marie?” Auguste asked, a little concerned. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I am fine, Captain,” she said, a little angrily.  She turned away from him. 

“You know that I love you, Marie.” Auguste said, walking up to her. “From the first second I saw you standing in the garden this morning with the future…”

He stopped when he saw Nicole looking at him.  She ignored his slip, this time. “This has to stop, Auguste,” she said,  “I cannot possibly marry you when I am engaged to another.” 

Auguste looked at her.  “That’s true, you know.  Not in broad daylight, anyway, and I still have my reputation to uphold.”

Nicole looked at him, she was falling in love with him as well.  She didn’t think that it was possible, he wasn’t anyone that she had ever dreamed of marrying.  Besides, didn’t her parents have her betrothed to someone as well?  They had told her, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember.

“Marie?” 

She wasn’t giving him up, she couldn’t stop seeing him just like that.  She moved closer toward him. 

“We could still see each other at night,” she said, moving closer still.  “Just until I make up my mind how to..”

But his lips stopped her.  She pulled away again.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes,” he whispered and pulled her into his arms.  “If you want to meet at night, I will.  Anything to avoid a confrontation with the future King of France.”

He pulled her closer and kissed her for the third time. 

She didn’t pull away.  Not this time.

Chapter 10

The next morning, an invitation arrived by royal courier requesting the ladies’ presence at a small picnic on the banks of the river.  Louise, Nicole’s servant, prepared some lovely pastries for the women to bring with them.  They were to the gentlemen there at the stroke of eleven. 

“You should explain to them who you really are,” Louise said. “It’s not like you to disguise yourself in this way.”

“This was not my idea,” Nicole said, shaking her head.  “This was Marie’s.

Louise shook her head.  “I don’t care whose idea this was, Nicole.  It is very dangerous to pose as the King’s betrothed.  This is a grand time to explain it to Marie before it is too late.”

“What about Auguste?” she asked.  “Do you really love him?”

“Of course I do, Louise.  He means everything to me. I do not want to run the risk of losing him.”

“Then tell him the truth and let him hear it from you.”  She heard the chapel bells from the castle ring out ten times.

“Now go, child, it will take you twenty minutes to walk there.” 

We’ll be alright, Louise,” she said kissing her cheek.  “All will be well, do not fret so.”

Louise nodded and smacked her behind.  “Go child, and don’t forget what I told you.”

 ~~~~~~~  

“The two of them will be waiting,” Auguste said, bringing the reply into the library.

“Do you think we should let on that we know who they are?”

Francis thought a moment.  “No, let’s not.  I couldn’t bring myself to do it last night.”

“And I couldn’t either,” Auguste answered.  “Francis, I hope I am not in love with your intended.”

“I don’t believe you are, monsieur,” he smiled and clapped him on the back.  The bells chimed ten.

“Come along, there is work to be done.”

Chapter 11

“Well,” Nicole said, after hearing the bells chime twelve times, “they should have been here an hour ago.” 

“I realize that,” Marie said, standing up. They had arrived early, an hour early to be exact, and had been no one, not a single soul.  Not even a messenger or courier to let them know where the men were,

“This is ridiculous,” Nicole said, frowning.  “Where could they be?”  She was looking forward to seeing Auguste again since last night to tell him the truth about all this, but it seemed that the two hadn’t come after all.

“Maybe we should stand and wait for them, Nicole.” Marie said, turning to face her friend who was still sitting.

“Oh, but why stand?  So they can see us clearer.  I am sure we’d be fine.  Besides, I am famished.”

Marie nodded and sat back down.  Nicole was right, she had just been wasting her time. 

“Well, then, we should eat a little something. Those pastries sound wonderful.”

~~~~~~~~~         

Auguste and Francis never made it, not on time anyway.  They sat watching them under the brush of a big old oak tree. 

“Well, Your Highness, what next?” August said, frowning.  “What kind of crap is this?  If we don’t do it now, we never will.”

“Then be my guest, Captain de Barbarac.” He looked at Marie, then back at Auguste.  “I just can’t do it right at this moment.” Francis turned back to her as the two of them finished a pastry.  “Do you think that I could ever love this woman?”

“Well, there is only one way to find out, isn’t there? Try Francis, don’t be afraid.  If it is meant to be, it will be.”

Francis was still looking at Marie.  The two of them were talking and laughing now.  “It will be anyway, Auguste,” he said, “no matter if it was meant to be or not.”  He looked at Auguste now.  “Besides, what do I say to her?”

“Those words will come, my old friend, never fear.” Auguste smiled and clapped him on the back.  “No go, I have business to conduct elsewhere,” he said, looking at Nicole. 

He stood up, dusted himself off and walked out a little way, just far enough away so Nicole couldn’t see him, but he could keep his eyes on her. 

Yes, he thought, the deception was over.  It was time to straighten everything else out.  He turned a little and looked toward the tree.  Francis was still sitting there, his eyes still on Marie.  Well, he thought, turning back to Nicole.  He didn’t care what Francis did.  He was going to go out there and tell Nicole the truth, even if it killed him.

Chapter 12

Nicole and Marie were giggling so loud that they did not hear or see anyone.  They weren’t really expecting anyone to show up and they were surprised when someone did.

“Hello ladies,” he said, walking out of the woods, “I hope that I am not imposing in any way.”

Nicole stood up, obviously in a daze.  Marie was trying to get her to sit down.  “No, of course not, Captain, not at all.” 

“Aren’t we missing someone?” Marie chimed in.  She stood up as well. 

But Nicole and Auguste were not listening, they were busy staring at each other.

“Well,” Marie said, “I guess this is it, isn’t it?”  She waited for an answer, but she never got one. 

“Well, then, I think I’ll just walk out a little ways and see what I can see.” 

Well, the game was up, they obviously knew the truth, Marie thought as she made her way into the woods.   So then, pray, why did she get so angry about this deception.  It was over, all of it.  Or so she thought.

She turned to watch the two of them, still staring at one another. She backed up into the oak tree, tripped on what she thought was a branch and fell. 

Right into Francis’ lap. 

“Hello,” he said, looking in her eyes when she picked her head up.

Marie, who was too startled for words, scrambled upwards.  She stared at him, then backed away. 

“Hello,” she said, swallowing hard not knowing what to do next.

Chapter 13

“What are you doing here?” Nicole asked, “I thought you weren’t coming?”

Auguste smiled.  “We almost didn’t.  Francis refuses to come out of the brush.”

Nicole smiled back.  “He’s here?”

Auguste nodded.

“What’s he afraid of, I wonder?” Nicole asked.

“Not too sure, he never told me.  I think he’s afraid of getting to know his future bride.”

Nicole looked at him and swallowed. The smile disappeared.

“Listen, Auguste, I have something to tell you.”

“And, I have something to tell you also, Nicole.”

He had blurted her real name out so quickly that he hadn’t realized he’d even mentioned it.

Until he saw the look on her face.

“What did you call me?” Nicole asked, frowning.

Now Auguste was really confused.  “Wait a minute,” he said, “I thought that you were Nicole de Lancret and that woman over there was…”

“What woman, Auguste?” Nicole said, angrily, “I don’t see any woman.”  She looked up and around but Marie was gone.

“You know Marie du Bois, the Prince’s intended.”

“What are you talking about, Auguste de Barbarac. You mean that you knew all along who we really were and never said a thing to either of us.”

Auguste was angry now.  “And you lied from the very beginning, Mademoiselle.  That was a dirty trick.”

“This was not my intention, Captain,” she said, spitting the words at him. “I was going to tell you the truth all along except that..” she stopped, mid sentence.

“Except what?” Auguste looked at her, “that you were frightened not to? That you enjoyed making fools of us?”

Nicole was angrier than ever.  “Excuse me, Captain, but I must find my friend.  As far as I am concerned, I would be very happy if I never saw your face again.”

And she walked off into the brush, leaving Auguste standing there all alone.

Chapter 14

“What are you doing here?” Marie asked, still backing away.

Francis finally stood up.  “You knew that we were coming.  I sent you the invitation yesterday.” He looked at her puzzled.  “You did receive it, didn’t you?”

Marie smiled.  “Well, we wouldn’t be here if we had not, now would we?”

Francis smiled.  Perhaps there was nothing to be afraid after all.  He was beginning to like her.

“I am sorry, Your Highness for tripping over you.  You see, I thought you were….”

Francis stopped her and shook his head.  “No need to apologize, milady.  It is my fault for not coming out to see you when my friend did.  I was wrong as well.  I should be apologizing to you.”

Marie smiled.  He was not so bad at that.  She was wrong to be afraid of him.

“Maybe,” she said, “we should take a walk together, get to know each other?”

Francis smiled.  “Yes, I would like that, maybe we can talk over some old times at Avignon.”

Marie looked up at him.  “Then you’ve known all along, haven’t you?”

“Known what, milady?” Francis asked looking at her.  Suddenly there was a rustling of trees, branches and leaves.  The two of them turned toward the sound.

Nicole stepped out of woods.

“Well,” she said, “there you are.  I was wondering what became of you.  We must go, I believe, I cannot stand the sight of that man much longer.”

But Francis and Marie were hardly paying attention to her.  They were looking into each other’s eyes. 

“Then I would suggest that you go, Nicole,” Marie said, not realizing that she had called her by her given name.  “I suppose I will be seeing you later tonight should I decide to return.  Excuse me now, but I have a previous engagement.”  Francis placed his arm on his hip and Marie put her arm through it.  They smiled at each other and began to walk down to the beach area leaving Nicole standing in the brush all alone.

Chapter 15

Francis and Marie had stopped walking and sat down by the blanket and the picnic lunch. 

“Here, milord,” Marie said, handing him a pastry.  “Try these, they are delicious!”

Francis smiled and accepted it.  He took a bite.  “Why, thank you Marie, these really are good.”

“Nicole’s servant, Louise, made them. She’s famous for her apple tarts.”

She looked at Francis.  “How long have you known?”

“Known what?”

“Who we were?” Marie asked.

Francis finished the pastry.  “Hmmm, let’s see.  About two days ago, I believe.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” Marie asked.  “Why did you continue to make us look like fools?”

“I could ask the same of you, milady,” Francis said.  “I told you, I should have, I guess it was too difficult.”

“Difficult?”

“I couldn’t muster enough courage to tell you that we knew, Marie.  Now why didn’t you tell us who were from the start.”

Marie smiled.  “I wanted Nicole to get to know you first so she could tell me everything about you and see for myself who you really were, but I guess you cannot depend on others, Francis.  You have to deal with things yourself.  It’s always better that way.”

Francis looked at her and smiled.  She would make a great Queen, he thought.  She’s wise and intelligent.  She’s not Nicole, but looks aren’t everything.

He was already starting to fall in love with her.

Chapter 16

Auguste felt like a fool and was feeling sorry for himself.  He knew that he shouldn’t have felt this way, but, hell, there it was.  How could he have left the two of them together like that, giggling and laughing together as if they were old schoolmates. He was in love with Nicole, wasn’t that it? And Nicole loved him.  Well, he wasn’t really sure, but he thought that she did. Hadn’t she mentioned that somewhere?

He was sitting in the ruined church at Amboise on one of windows.  Francis had told him all about this place; he knew it as if it were the back of his hand. One day, Francis had taken him around and shown him all the different rooms and explained what each one had been. 

He wandered outside and came to the hill with the steps carved into the side.  He climbed them one by one until he reached the top.  There he could see all the lights in the province of Hautefort and beyond to St. Etienne’s where he could see the church spire. 

The view was magnificent.

He couldn’t believe that she walked off leaving him by himself.  He had stared after her, wondering if he should follow her.  In the end, he decided not to, she would have nothing at all to do with him anyway.  She was angry and he decided to wait until she cooled down. 

Now he felt as if he made the wrong decision. 

He had watched Francis and Marie, wondering how in the world the two of them could get along so famously together and just like that.  Marie, so the castle servants whispered to everyone within hearing distance, was known to have a bad disposition and a stubborn streak.

So had Nicole de Lancret. 

But she knew what she wanted and she knew how to capture it.  Auguste was caught in her web, wrapped up in a cocoon, waiting for her to strike. 

He didn’t mind one bit.

In fact, why was he sitting here at all feeling sorry for himself.  No, he thought shaking his head, this won’t do.  Come, let’s head back to the castle tonight and I will visit the manor in the morning.  My head should be clearer than and I will be able to apologize and speak my peace. 

He smiled and, with one last look around, turned and walked down the man-made steps to his waiting horse and jumped on. 

When Auguste arrived there, one of the servants approached him. 

“A courier arrived, Captain, bearing this letter. It says that it is urgent.”

“What could be so urgent, I wonder?”  Auguste asked, breaking the seal. 

 “Not very sure, Captain, you will have read the letter to find out.”

And Auguste did just that.

Chapter 17

Nicole stood outside the manor, looking toward the castle. What was going on?  She had been waiting for Marie to show up for what seemed like hours.  

Except that there was no Marie, or Francis or Auguste. 

Speaking of Auguste, she should never have walked away from him.  She was too stubborn and she knew what she wanted when she wanted it.

Right now she wanted Auguste.

She didn’t want to go to him.  That would be unthinkable.  After all, he was the one who called by the wrong name.

But it wasn’t the wrong name, now was it. 

He had called her Nicole, that was her name, wasn’t it?  She had wanted him to call her Nicole ever since they met.  If she heard herself called Marie one more time, she would scream.

So why had she gotten so upset when finally called her by her real name?

I don’t think that I wanted him to know first, she thought, I wanted to be the one to tell him.  

She turned away.  Maybe she should go to him.  Apologize to him. Explain that she wasn’t trying to make a fool of him or of anyone. This is what Marie wanted, not her. 

Why couldn’t she just come right out with it?  She wanted to tell him the truth, didn’t she? What was she so afraid of?

The sun was going down and it was getting dark. Where was that girl?  She was beginning to think that all three of them went to the castle together. 

She turned toward the castle again. Why was she standing here waiting for the three of them?  Maybe she should go to the castle and tell him what she wanted to. 

Yes, she would do that and she would go now.

She walked into the driveway and onto the road.  She could walk, it wasn’t all that far.  Maybe she would run into them as they…

 

She heard horses’ hooves behind her.  She turned to see both horse and rider catch up to her and pass her.  They were moving very quickly, as if they were in a hurry. 

She wasn’t sure but it looked like Auguste.

Chapter 18

“So,” King Louis asked her.  “So you are Jacques de Lancret’s daughter?” They were walking together in the maze garden.

Nicole smiled, curtsied and then stood up.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The King smiled.  “I heard that your parents are abroad, something about visiting relatives?”

Nicole nodded.  “That is the way of the world, Your Majesty.  They should return next Friday.”

The King smiled and nodded.  “How is my soon to be granddaughter then?”

“You mean Marie,” Nicole said, smiling at him, “She is just fine, milord.”

Louis laughed. “Splendid! Splendid.”

He gestured toward a table under the shade.  “Sit down, Nicole. I have so many questions to ask you.”

Nicole sat down wondering what the old man was talking about.

“I only came here to see if Captain Auguste de Barbarac was here,” she asked.

Louis smiled.  “He has left, my dear, off on some urgent business.  Now we must…”

Chapter 19

“What do you mean he left on urgent business, Sire?”

The king looked at her, a little puzzled.  “You mean you don’t know?  He didn’t tell you?”  Louis shook his head.  “I mean, you are his intended after all.”

Nicole looked at him, this time she was a little puzzled.  “My intended?  I am betrothed to Auguste de Barbarac?”

“Of course you are, Nicole.  Auguste and Francis have always been friends.  So have you and Marie.  Your parents set up the arrangement the same time as we set up ours.” He bent down to whisper in her ear.  “He came to us at an early age, his parents wanting to train him in the ways of the Royal Guardsmen.  We set up the arrangement when you two were only babies. “

“So he never really knew his parents?” Nicole asked looking at King Louis.

Louis shook his head.  “That’s why he was surprised when he received that letter saying that he had just inherited a huge fortune and had to return to his family home.”

Nicole stared at the King.  One surprise she could handle, but not two of them and all at once. 

“Does he know where his family home is?”

“Well, I think he has some family in Hautefort somewhere.  Now if I am not mistaken, I think that..”

Suddenly a pain shot threw his left arm and he grabbed it.

“Nicole,” he called.  “Help me,” he said, before he fell to the floor.

Chapter 20

Nicole was able to get the court physician and they managed to get the King to his quarters.  

But where were Francis and Marie?

They hadn’t come home at all, not even after it got dark.

“Nicole,” Louis said, taking her hand in his.  “Promise me something.” 

“Anything, Your Majesty.”

“Make up with Auguste, Nicole.  He loves you more than you know.”

“How can I do that when he is nowhere around here?” she asked.

“I explained that he has family somewhere,” Louis said.  “I have a feeling I know exactly where they live.”

He looked at her puzzled face.  “There is a manor, not all that far from your parents.  It was used as a summer residence and the de Barbarac’s used to spend their winters in Paris.”   

“Is that the one closest to the castle?” Nicole asked. 

“Yes, Nicole, that’s the one.”  Louis started to cough and sputter. 

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep talking to you this way, Nicole,” he said before he closed his eyes.  “I feel I am getting weaker by the minute,”

“You will be alright, Your Majesty,” Nicole said, patting his arm.  “Just go to sleep for now.  We will be right here for you when you wake up.”

Louis smiled and closed his eyes.  “Thank you, Nicole, for everything,” he whispered.

  

Chapter 21

“What do you mean this manor is mine, Uncle.  I thought my father was dead.”

“Well, he is,” Auguste’s Uncle Edmond replied. “But he held it in trust before he gave it to you.”

Auguste nodded. He shrugged and looked around the manor. “What am I to do with this? This place is so tiny and I am not a farmer.”

“I wasn’t either, Auguste, but you could find plenty to do, especially since you will be marrying in another year.”

Auguste sputtered.  “What are you talking about?  I do not have any fiancée whatsoever.”

His uncle smiled and looked straight at him.

“Of course you do.  Did no one explain this to you?”

Auguste shook his head.  “I do not believe so.”

“Well than,” Edmond said, “someone has to explain it to you.  Nicole de Lancret is your intended.  Brought about when you two were tiny.”

Auguste stared at his uncle.  “What?” he exclaimed, “I cannot believe this?”  He tried to keep from smiling, but it wasn’t working.

~~~~~~    

Francis and Marie decided to marry anyway, they would sooner or later and they decide to make it sooner.

They went to the ruins to make love and get to know each other, not necessarily in that order. 

They fell asleep in each other’s arms and woke to see the sunrise.

Now, as they were getting dressed, they heard horses hooves riding up to the door. 

He didn’t have to go in, he saw them sitting on the hill.  He walked up after them.

“Your Highness,” the courier called, “ I am the bearer of bad news.  You must come back with me now.”

Francis shook his head. “We’ll see about that? Can’t you see that I am…”

“Your Highness, this is an urgent matter. You must come with me now.”

Chapter 22

Nicole was sitting by a sleeping King Louis when Francis and Marie finally walked into the room.

Nicole stood and let Francis walk over to his grandfather.  Marie stood next to her friend. 

“I have a lot of explaining to do,” she said, but Nicole put a finger to her lips. 

“Grandfather?” Francis called out to him.  “Are you asleep?”

Nicole was about to say something when Louis opened his eyes. 

“Where have you been, young man?  We have all been worried sick.”

Francis smiled and looked around at Nicole.  She was smiling as well.

“Marie and I have gotten married, Grandfather.  We decided to do it now rather than wait.  I didn’t know what had happened, Grandfather, or else I would have been here sooner.”

“No need, my grandson,” Louis said, smiling.  “You have done what you had to and I am proud of you.  The only thing that I missed is a ceremony.”

“And you shall have that as soon as you can manage, Grandfather, I will see to that.”

“Everyone out of the way,” Nicole called,  “the court physician has finally arrived.”

 ~~~~~~

 Auguste couldn’t have been happier.  He had everything he wanted, well almost.  He wasn’t sure if he wanted to marry and raise goats, pigs and chickens, but he most certainly knew what he didn’t want.

And that was a life in the army.

This would be the perfect excuse.  So he would become a farmer and quit the Royal Guards.  He and Nicole would settle down and have children.  Lots of children, maybe one of each sex.  And they would live out their lives blissfully happy, surrounded by lots of grandchildren.

He smiled and decided that he couldn’t wait here anymore.  In the morning he would go back and propose. Apologize and propose he corrected.  The sooner, the better.

Auguste lay back in his bed, smiled and stared at the ceiling.  He was thinking about what he would tell Nicole, when he fell asleep.

Chapter 23

“He’s going to be just fine,” the court physician told Francis.  “Your grandfather is strong man, but another one of those and it will kill him.”

Francis looked at him.  “I realize that,” he answered, nodding his head.

“Which is why,” the doctor continued, “I am recommending that your grandfather step down and give you the throne.”

Francis kept on staring at him.  “What? I strongly object to this.  It’s much too soon. I don’t think he will agree to this, monsieur, and I can tell you right now that he will…”

The physician stopped Francis from speaking by putting his hand to his mouth; then he shook his head.  “I do not care what he agrees to, Your Highness, if he stays on the throne, your grandfather will surely not last another year. He need rest, Francis. Your grandfather does not need the pressures and policies of the royal court.  You are younger and stronger and can endure the politics and intrigues of the kingship.  But beware, Your Highness, you will share the same fate as your grandfather if you do not care for yourself.  You already have a weak heart.  You know this.” 

Indeed I do, Francis thought, you have been reminding me my whole life.

“Well then, I know what I must do.  Thank you, doctor, we shall be speaking with you again.”

“You will see me sooner than later, Francis, remember that.  I shall be by early tomorrow morning and if I don’t get an answer by then, I will take control.”

And with that he stormed out of his grandfather’s sleeping quarters.

~~~~~~ 

Nicole was walking in the castle garden with Marie.

“So this is your home now,” Nicole said, looking at her. 

“Yes,” Marie answered, “I am afraid that it is.”

“Are you ready for all this, Marie?” Nicole asked.  “Being Queen is a big responsibility, is it not?”

“Of course it is, Nicole, but this was bound to happen sooner or later.  We just made it sooner, that’s all.”

Marie looked at her.  “And what about you and Auguste?”

Nicole caught her eye.  “He’s left town, you know, Marie.  He had some urgent business to attend to.  Do you know that he is my betrothed?”

Marie stopped and stared.  “No, I had no idea, Nicole.”

Nicole smiled.  “I don’t think he knows either, Marie.  I would love to see his face when he finds out.”

“Do you intend to go through with the arrangement?”

“I will have to see, Marie,” she answered. “I will have to see.”

Chapter 24

Auguste was up early. He was anxious to get back to Nicole as quickly as possible.  He was smiling and he had gotten a good night’s sleep.  Nothing was going to upset his plans, he was convinced of that. 

He went to join his uncle in the dining room for breakfast.  As he entered he saw a courier talking to Edmond, who had a concerned look on his face.

The two of them looked up as he entered the room. 

Auguste looked from one to the other.  They hadn’t said a thing, especially Edmond.  This was not like him.

“Is there anything wrong?” he asked, puzzled.

“Yes, monsieur,” the courier said, bowing low,  “Yes there is, it is about the King.”

 “What about the King?” Auguste said, suddenly paying attention.  “What’s going on?”

“This note will explain everything, Monsieur le Captain,” and the courier handed him the paper.

Auguste broke the seal and opened the letter. 

He looked up a little angry.

“Why have you not told me this earlier?”

“You fell asleep early, Auguste,” Edmond said, “we thought best not to disturb you.”

“You could have for this, uncle,” he said, turning on his heels.

“Listen, Auguste,” Edmond said, turning Auguste to face him.  You are here and he is there.  What can you possibly do for him?”

Auguste frowned.  “I will keep him company if he demands it.  He is still my King, Edmond, as he is yours.  I will not abandon him in his hour of need. “

When he saw that there were no more protests, he turned once again in the direction of the exit and walked out.

Chapter 25

“Grandfather, we must discuss this matter.”

“What matter, my grandson, you taking on the kingship?  You know that it is inevitable, do you not?  I will not live forever you know.”

Francis shook his head.  “This wasn’t meant for me, this was meant for my father.”

Louis shook his head.  “He didn’t want it either, Francis.  Charles ran from me and we couldn’t locate him for years.  We finally received word that he had moved to England and began a new life with a new name.  No one knows where he has disappeared to and no one is going to try.”

Francis looked at him.  “I am too young and inexperienced in the ways of kingship, Grandfather, I need more time.”

“You do not, my boy,” the King said.  “You have had plenty of time and training.” He looked at him.  “You will accept the crown this morning, Francis, you and Marie and we will work from that moment.  Do you understand?”

“But Grandfather?”

Louis shook his head.  “No arguments.  I wish to live a little longer, long enough to see at least one of your children.” 

Francis smiled and nodded.  “Alright, Grandfather, anything that you say. I will inform the court physician of your decision.”

~~~~~~~~

Nicole couldn’t believe that she had spent the night at the castle.  Well, not in a bed anyway.  She was too busy watching King Louis. 

Well, now that she was up, she ran up to the one of the turrets when she could catch a better view.  It was lovely up here. You could see almost everything from here to St. Etienne’s.

She also spotted a horse and a rider whizzing by. 

She ran down the steps to get a little glimpse, for she had a funny feeling that she knew who that rider might be.

Chapter 26

Nicole ran all the way to the royal stables.  Perhaps she could reach Auguste there.  She needed to speak with him.  She had missed him while he was gone and she wanted to tell him so.  She had softened in her attitude towards him and was anxious to hear anything he might have to say.

“Auguste?” she called into the darkness, but the only answer that was returned was the whinny of one the King’s stallions.

“Auguste?” she called again, not knowing why.  This time there was no sound at all.

She turned around and headed for the door, her head down, a little disappointed.  Where could he have disappeared to so quickly?

She stepped out into the light.  Of course, she thought, he came to see how the King was, not to see you.

On her way towards the castle courtyard, Nicole caught sight of a man speaking to two guards at the gatepost.  As she approached however, the two men facing her way stopped and looked up. The man speaking to them turned to face her. 

“Nicole?” he asked, a little confused.  “Nicole de Lancret?”

Nicole squinted into the sun.  She put her hand up to shield her eyes from it.  Yet, she did not recognize the man who had spoken to her.

“Yes, that is my name.  And may I ask who you are?”

“My name is of no importance right now, milady, but come and follow me.  I have been asking these men if they have seen you this morning.  I was told I could find you in the north tower.  Pray, what are you doing out here?”

“I was looking for someone,” Nicole said, “I thought I saw him this morning from the north tower, but, alas, I see that I have been wrong.”
  

“I do not believe so, milady,” another voice called.  The sun again blinded Nicole.  She could not see with whom she had been speaking, but she had recognized the voice.

Chapter 27

“Hello Nicole,” the voice said, stepping closer toward her.  “It is so good to see you again.”

Nicole smiled.  “Auguste?” she asked, a little stunned.  “Auguste de Barbarac, is that you? I have been looking for you all morning.” 

Auguste stared at her.  He thought she might be angry. He thought he would have more persuading.  She was more stubborn and independent than any woman he had ever known. 

And he loved her because of it.

“Who is this man I was talking to earlier?” she gestured toward the man standing next to him. 

“I am Edmond, milady,” he said, bowing low, “I am Auguste’s uncle, brother to his late father, Georges de Barbarac.” He stood.  “I am executor of the Manor de Barbarac, which surprisingly, isn’t all that far from the castle.”

“Well,” Nicole looked at him.  “Our manor isn’t far from the castle either.  But it is on the other end of the castle.”

Edmond smiled.  “Your father is Baron Jacques de Lancret, is it not?”

Nicole nodded.  “Yes it is.”

Edmond smiled and nodded his head. “Well then, this is all excellent news.  Come then, we have an appointment with the King in a few….”

Nicole stopped them and shook her head.  “No.  All appointments have been cancelled.  The King has had a stroke and is recovering under strict orders from the court physician which we await any minute.”

“Yes I know,” Auguste said, “we were sent out her for a short time and await instructions to return. In the meantime, we were told that you were somewhere in the castle.  When we pressed for an answer, I was told right away.  That’s when we came out to look for you.”

“Well, you have found me.  Now explain why your uncle made this journey with you.”

Chapter 28

Auguste stood there looking at Nicole, reluctant at first to answer.  There was something about Edmond looking over his shoulder that made Auguste just a little nervous.

“Well,” Edmond said, watching the two of them.  “I can see that you two need some time alone.  As it happens, I have just been told that I have been invited to join the Prince and Princess for tea and pastries.”  He looked around and saw Marie and Francis next to him.

“Auguste,” Francis called to his old friend, “you know that the two of you are invited anytime that…”

Marie put a hand on Francis’ shoulder.  “Come along, the two of you.  Can’t you see what is happening here or maybe you are too blind to notice.”

“Do you really think…” Francis began, but Edmond interrupted. 

“Yes, Your Highness,” he said.  “Auguste has finally found his intended and has fallen in love with her.”

“What?” Marie asked, a little confused.

“You don’t mean…” Francis said looking at Auguste and Nicole.  They were still staring at one another.  He turned to face Edmond again. “You really mean to tell me that the two of them…”

“Yes, since they were infants.” Edmond said.  He faced the future King and Queen of France.  “My brother and Nicole’s father made the arrangement.  Seems that the two families have been doing this since the since the early 1400’s. They wanted to keep up the tradition.”

“The two of them never knew it,” Marie said.  “Nicole never said a word to me.”

“For she did not know, milady,” Edmond said, bowing.  “Now if you would be so kind to permit me to change the subject by asking how is the King of France.  I have heard that he has been ill of late.”

As they walked toward the castle, Edmond put his arm around the Prince as if they were old friends.  Somehow, Francis didn’t mind a bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well,” Nicole demanded, “I am waiting.”

Auguste smiled and reached out to touch her face.  “I never realized how beautiful you were, Nicole, not until this moment.”  He caressed her cheek.  “I missed you, more than I had intended.”

“And I missed you,” she said, softening a bit. “I didn’t realize how much until this morning when I saw you ride by from the North Tower.”

“You saw me?” Auguste asked.  “Are you sure?”

Chapter 29

“I know that it was you, Auguste,” Nicole said, “I recognized your uniform.  There is only one Captain of the Guard.”

Auguste smiled.  “I had forgotten all about that,” he said a little shyly.  He blushed a little and it took Nicole all she had not to giggle. 

“It was also that face that gave it away,” Nicole said.  “You are the handsomest man in the entire company.”

“Nicole, listen,” he began, “I found out something that might interest you.  Do you think that we might take a walk around the garden?  I need to explain something.  It has something to do with our future.”

Nicole’s eyes lit up.  “Our future? Pray, whatever do you mean by that?”  She smiled. “Besides, I have something that I must explain to you as well. “

 

Auguste smile widened from ear to ear.  He never felt this happy in his entire life.  “Come,” he said, placing his arm on his hips so that Nicole could put her hand through it.  “Let’s take that walk then.”

Chapter 30

“It so beautiful here, isn’t it?” Auguste marveled, looking around at all the lush greenery.  “Everytime I walk through this garden, it never fails to fascinate me.”

He looked over at Nicole, grinning.

Nicole did not share his enthusiasm.

“This is not the first time you have been here then?”

Auguste’s eyes narrowed. He had a puzzled look on his face.  “Of course not,” he answered.  “What makes you think that?”  He looked at her and his face brightened.  The smile returned.

“I know very well that this is not your first time here.”

Nicole looked up at him.  “No,” she said, “you are right, this is not my first time.  I have been here many times myself with the King.”

“And you have never met Francis?” Auguste asked.

Nicole shook her head.  “No, I haven’t.  It’s always been with my parents, usually my father.  There would be no reason for King Louis to introduce me to his grandson.  Besides, he was already engaged to Marie.”

Nicole looked up at him.  “Have you ever met Francis’ father?”

“You mean Charles, the King’s son, the one who should have been King?”

Nicole nodded her head.  “I’ve heard stories,” she said, “but I don’t know if they are true.”

“Disappeared off the face of the earth,” Auguste said, shaking his head.  “Vanished into thin air.  We thought that we heard something of him being in England, but he was gone by the time we sent five Guardsmen there.” 

Auguste smiled.  “You see, Nicole, he didn’t want the kingship or the Captain’s post, or anything to do with royalty for that matter.  One day, after his sixteenth birthday, he got on his horse for his morning ride.  He never returned to the castle.”

He looked at her face.  “Is this what you have heard?”

Nicole nodded.  “You have no idea where he might be?”

“As I told you, Nicole, we have no idea of his whereabouts.  All I know is that Francis was next in line and he didn’t want it either.  His mother, Claude pushed him into it.”

Nicole frowned.  “No one can push you into anything you don’t want to be,”

Auguste tried to hide his smile.  “You don’t know Francis’ mother, milady.”

“I guess not,” Nicole smiled.  She changed the subject.  

“So what is all this about our future?” Nicole asked

Auguste was about to answer when Edmond came running up to meet them.  He turned to Nicole.

“Nicole, come quickly, Marie is asking for you.”

Auguste looked up.  “Has something happened, uncle?”

Edmond looked at Auguste. “The King has had his second stroke in two days.” Edmond sighed and shook his head.  “He is near death, if not dead already, the physician warned him of this.”

Nicole looked at Edmond, then at Auguste.  “Go on,” he said, “I will meet you up there as soon as I can.”

Nicole ran as fast as she could.  Edmond and Auguste watched her.

“Have you had the chance to explain to her?”

Auguste shook his head.  “No, uncle, I have not.  I am afraid this might not be a good time.”

“You will have to tell her sometime, Auguste.  You have a limited amount of time that you may lay claim to the manor.  I have already explained this to you.”

Auguste nodded.  “Yes, I know.”

Edmond sighed.  “Well, I should not keep you.  If I have not told you, Francis would like you to join him in his study.  He needs an old friend to talk to.”

Auguste nodded again.  “I was afraid this might happen. Yes, uncle, I was just on my way up there.” He started to run, but stopped and turned to face his uncle.  “If I have a chance, I will ask her to marry me tonight.”

He turned and headed for the castle.  Edmond just looked on until he reached the door, then hurried after him.

Chapter 31

“I cannot be King,” Francis was repeating to himself over and over when Auguste walked through the door.

“What do you mean, Francis?  Are you saying the he is…”

Francis looked up, his eyes full of tears. All he could do was nod his head. 

Auguste looked down and shook his own head.

“I cannot be the King, Auguste,” he said, pacing up and down the room.  “It’s much too soon.  I have completed all the lessons.  I just cannot do this.  I am not ready.”

“Well,” Auguste told him, a little angrily, “you will have to be.  There doesn’t seem to be anyone else right at this minute.”

He grabbed Francis as he was making his return trip across the room. Listen to me.  You will be King, your coronation is tomorrow.  Everyone will pay their respects this evening.  He will be buried by morning, then the coronation.”

Francis looked at him.  “I don’t know Auguste,” he whispered, shaking his head.  “I just don’t know.”

“You are old enough to know, Francis,” Auguste said, clapping both hands onto each of his shoulders, “and certainly old enough to make the right decision.”

Francis looked at him.  Auguste stared right back, although he loosened his grip just a little.

“Louis certainly thought that you were capable.  He would never have given you the kingship if he was not sure.”

“It is time for you to grow up, Francis,” Auguste continued. “I am sorry to be so hard on you, but there you are.”

“You will be there, won’t you, my old friend?”

“Of course I will, Francis,” he said as he heard the clock strike six.  “And so will Marie and her parents.  They return tomorrow along with Nicole’s parents.  This is what I have been told.”

“I will not be the same without you by my side,” Francis said.

“That is why you have Marie, Francis.  She will be with you until one of you die.”

Francis smiled.  He was beginning to feel better.

Auguste, however, was growing impatient.  “Listen, I have something important that I must do tonight, then I will join you as soon as possible.“

Then Auguste ran out of the study as the future King of France looked on.

Chapter 32

Auguste ran down the hall.  He had no idea where he was headed, all he knew was that he had to find Nicole.  It had to be now, at this minute or else she would be lost to him forever.  He had no idea why he felt that way.

“Nicole,” he called out running down the hallway. 

“Auguste?” someone answered back.

Marie and Nicole popped their heads out the door of the new Princess’ sitting room.  Nicole, a little confused, ran out to meet him.

“What are you doing here and why are you yelling my name like a madman in the middle of the castle hallway. You know better than that.  The King has just died.  Where is your….”

But she never finished the sentence as Auguste kissed her.

When they finally came up for air, Auguste looked into her eyes.  She was smiling. They were so engrossed in each other that they did not see Francis and Marie standing in the hallway, in front of them.

“I love you, Nicole and I want you to marry me, now, tonight.  It will be brief I assure you and we will come back here and we will pay our respects and we will…”

Nicole put her finger up to his lips.  “You are babbling, Auguste,” she said, smiling.

“Of course, I will marry you, my intended.”

Auguste stared at her with a smile on his face.  “You knew all along, didn’t you?”

Nicole frowned. “I’ve known for two days now,” she said, shaking her head.  “I did not know that you knew.”

“I didn’t,” Auguste answered. “Not until last night.”  He smiled. “All I thought about was you, Nicole.  How we will share our lives and how many children we will have and what we will when I quit the Royal Guards and become a…”

“Quit the Guards?” Nicole said, “but that was your dream.  Isn’t this what you always wanted?  King Louis told me…”

King Louis told you what was best for him to say.” Auguste whispered.  “I have no love at all for the army.  I can become a farmer and we can raise chickens and pigs…”

“You are going nowhere right now except to the monastery to get married,” Francis piped up.  “Now the two of you better get a move on and return here at once.”

Chapter 33

“What happened after that, Mama,” little Nicole cried out, “Did Grandmama and Grandpapa marry that night?”

Danielle shook her head.  “I am afraid not, Nicole. It so happened that your grandpapa was called away on important business with the Guards that night.  Unfortunately, they didn’t marry for another week, what with Grandmama’s parent’s showing up with the Duke and Duchess du Bois. ”

“They came back?” Henri asked.

“Of course they did, Henri, “ a new voice called out from the doorway, “they wanted to settle in and see everything.  So we had to wait a week until everything

was normal again.”

“GRANDPAPA!” the two children called out in unison, and ran over to greet them.  Behind Auguste was Nicole and behind her were the King and Queen of France, Francis and Marie.  In back of him was Henry, who walked over to join Danielle.

“So,” Auguste said, bending down and touching the children’s noses. “Now you have heard the story, would you like to hear more?”

The children jumped up and down. “Please, Grandpapa.”

Auguste smiled.  “Well, it is way past your bedtime and we’ll discuss these things tomorrow.  Right now, off to bed with you.”

“Do you promise?” Henri called out as he was being herded into the bedroom

“Of course little ones,” Henry said, “Grandmama and Grandpapa will explain it all. Now you march yourselves to bed this instant.”

Epilogue

“Can’t we just hear the rest of the story?”  Little Nicole spoke up.  “I promise we will go to sleep right after that.”

“I guess we can make an exception, Nicole” Henry said, smiling.  He looked over at Danielle for approval and she smiled back.  That was all the approval that he would need. Henry patted his lap and waited until Nicole came to sit on it.  Henri went to sit by his grandfather, Auguste.

“Tell me, what happened after you and Grandmama got married,”

Auguste looked at his wife, Nicole, who nodded her head.  With that, he turned back to his grandson.

~~~~~~

At first, Auguste did quit the Royal Guards, but he stayed with the new King at his request.  He did move into the manor, which wasn’t all that far from the summer castle in Hautefort.  Auguste became not only the King’s bodyguard, but his assistant as well.   

This took up a lot of Auguste’s time and he was hardly ever home. This did not stop them from trying to have a baby.  They tried three times on three separate occasions, but they were never successful, Nicole always lost them. 

Convinced that they could never have children, they stopped trying. They went to the court physician and asked why, but the doctor couldn’t answer them.  He told them then that if Nicole were to get pregnant one more time, she would not make it, but that the baby would live.  Besides, she was too old and too weak to produce another.

But then a miracle happened.  They had Danielle and Nicole did almost lose her life, but Auguste and the court physician were on hand whenever she needed their help they were there.

Nicole would be weak for a long time, but she would recover.  During that time, Francis honored Auguste’s request to quit the King’s service temporarily to keep an eye on his wife. 

The King agreed and Auguste rushed home.  It would take almost two years for Nicole to get her strength back.  Auguste’s plan for a large would not take place now, but he couldn’t have been more pleased with his daughter. She was his heart and the love of his life, along with Nicole. 

Francis and Marie also tried several times to have a baby, finally getting Henry in the process. 

Henry and Danielle grew up together, each one knowing that one day they would marry one another, despite other suitor’s from Danielle’s side and Henry’s many women on the other, including one named Marguerite Louise Francoise de Ghent of the House of de Ghent.  Her mother, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, would practically try to force her daughter down Henry throat, until one day, Rodmilla and her daughter disappeared.  No one heard from them again, but it was reported that Marguerite had been spotted in Paris with a blacksmith for a husband and a little boy clinging to her hand.   

No one ever saw Rodmilla again. 

~~~~~

“Now, you must do as you promised,” Auguste said to his grandchildren.  “Hurry along now, the hour is late.”

Nicole nodded her little head, kissed her father’s cheek and jumped off his lap.  Henri kissed his mother’s cheek.  “Goodnight,” they called and all of them watched as they hurried to their separate rooms.