Pièce de réception du roi

"Merci for your kind words... I shall, ma bonne Marquis... I shall".  La Marquis de Rambouillet is quite an attrayant, and lovely woman to be sure. It is with tremendous control that I try not to let my manner belie that attraction... I think of Claude even as I speak.

"I am quite sure it is difficult enough being without a husband".

I lean toward La Marquis "Merci encore, mon cher Marquis...rest assured that you shall always have my undying friendship and support... whatever you may require, you need merely ask and it shall be granted, oui?"

I smile warmly and search her eyes for a sign that I have allayed her concerns for now.

Francois' catches himself fixing his gaze upon the heaving hills of La Marquis' fulsome bosom and quickly looks away... In vain does he try to erase the image from his mind, yet her sensual voice and large, lovely eyes of azure blue, ignite the already smoldering embers of his desire... Clearing his throat for the knot in it and shifting in his seat for comfort, Francois can feel the flutter of his heart as he speaks;

"You are truly a woman worthy of praise mon cher Marquis... perchance It would be possible to make up for the other night and that we may have supper together again sometime?... under better circumstances bien sûr".

I throw my hands up and laugh. "Pourquoi devrait-elle? Sa Majesté's distress may be attributed to her delicate condition and not any genuine concern of us being alone together... pas, I insist mon cher Marquis... we have much to discuss of your current circumstances and how I may help alleviate your anxieties, oui?"

I am not by any means giving into temptation... pas, I am doing what is just in attending to one of my subjects in need..."Indeed, Madame Rambouillet, if I may come to your chateau, that Claude may not be troubled at the sight of us together... that is, if that is satisfactory with you mon Marquis".

"Très bon, then I shall await your invitation... Mon cher Marquise, It has come to my attention that your late husband was quite an avid hunter, oui?" I return her look with a knowing smile and a sparkle in my eyes.

"I understand the woodlands of Rambouillet are most enticing and there is much sport to be had there..." I lean close to La Marquise and speak in a low voice; "'Tis my fondest desire to try such sport for myself and pursue the very same exotique game that the late Marquis himself found so entertaining and, as I am told... enjoyed with much great satisfaction".

I share a laugh with La Marquise and wave my hand for le serviteur to bring us two chalices of Claret. "That is a very good question" I say as the cups are presented before us and filled. Watching le serviteur retreat back to his corner, I look into La Marquise exquisite blue eyes.

"Let us see..." I slowly trace around the rim of the cup with the tip of my finger, and look up at her. "both are cunning, quick to strike, and ruthless when attacked, oui?... there is however one great difference between a hunted animal and a woman... with the beast, one knows when he is the predator or the prey... on the other hand, in the case of les dames, well, let us just say the issue is not so clear, oui mon cher Marquise?"

"Suffice it to say one must be quite skilled when pursuing both " I raise my cup before me. "To you, mon cher Marquise... whether predator or prey, with you I shall always be fair game". I hold my chalice high... our eyes lock and we share a mutual smile and drink of wine.

I set my chalice down and lean close to La Marquise, raising an eyebrow, I give her a mischievous smile and continue our little game of seduction.

"And which role~if I may be so bold~are you playing now?"

I feel both the tension between us and my desire for her rising ... La Marquise is truly a worthy opponent in this game.

" Mais oui, mon cher Marquise... if you should choose". I hardly finish saying the words when I see La Marquise sensually lick a drop of wine from her lips... Mon Dieu! How can I stand it any longer?... I burn with desire, yet I dare not... cannot...

Unable to bear the discomfort of La Marquis presence a moment longer, I take a drink of wine to steady my speech as well as my resolve and stand, pulling the hem of my doublet over my obvious state of arousal. "Très bien, La Marquise ... I have had a most entertaining afternoon, but I fear I've myriad pressing engagements".

I take her hand and bow to softly kiss it. The feeling of her silken skin upon my lips making it all the more unbearable. "Then I shall look forward to your invitation to Rambouillet, oui? ".

I watch La Marquise leave and exhale, wiping my brow. I cannot myself understand the beguiling affect she has upon me. Verily she is une belle femme, but I have known many such women who do not enchant me as she... I return to my seat and lift my chalice, finishing the wine in my cup... ma secrétaire, Monsieur L'écuyer enters the room with my itinerary for the day.

"Ah, L'écuyer, Je suis heureux de vous voir... I shall be leaving for a brief séjour as a guest of La Marquise de Rambouillet in a fortnight... I wish you to make the preparations for me, s'il vous plaît".

I pace anxiously, awaiting La Baronne de Nemours to arrive. Seated nearby is the man I have selected as a proper suitor for marriage; Antoine, Le Duc de Lorraine. She shall adore him! He is most virile, robustly built, quite handsome with a long, dark beard and most important of all, he is nobility and quite wealthy!... he shall erase all thoughts of La Baronne wedding some common paysan! I turn to Le Duc.

"Croyez-moi Antoine, this girl is not only as beautiful and fair as summer, she is quite witty and very talented in music and literature as well... although I cannot attest to her punctuality". I say nervously waiting for her to be announced.

I have received a notice to join His Majesty in his Reception Room although I do not know why. Wearing a fresh light blue dress with my long hair braided up delicately on my head, I make my way to the king.

Reaching his door, I am announced in, Her Grace The Baroness of Nemours.. I take a deep breath and walk in and I deeply curtsy in front of the King and a man I don't know.

At last the door opens and La Baronne 's name is announced. I look up excitedly and hurry to the door to meet her. "Mon cher Baronne, finalement! , come... come". I take her hand and walk with her back toward her husband to be.

"Mon cher, it pleases me to introduce you to the man I have chosen as your betrothed... Angelique, La Baronne de Nemours permit me to introduce Antoine, Le Duc de Lorraine ". I beam proudly as Antoine stands, towering over the young lady, I cannot help think what a splendid example of manhood he is! I am most pleased indeed! I turn to her. "Go on, La Baronne, if you wish I may leave and give you both time to become acquainted, oui?

I curtsy once more in front of the Duke out of respect. Your Majesty, you shouldn't have. Really.... I am a bit speechless at all this, my heart races a mile a minute knowing that the truth must finally be told. Your Majesty, may I speak to you alone. There is something we need to speak about.

I practically jump with delight! Il est merveilleux! She is pleased, and I see Le Duc is no doubt enchanted with La Baronne's beauty. "Mais oui mon cher , you may discuss anything you'd like" I turn to Le Duc Antoine. "Excusez-nous un instant s'il vous plaît ". I say and walk toward the corner of the hall with Le Baronne.

"Go on, tell me, what is on your mind mon cher ".

There is no need to find me a suitor as I have already found one for myself.. Shock rings out all over his face...good or bad? I take a deep breath placing my hand on my chest as my breast heave up and down with nervousness. There is also something else...

As we walk I hear La Baronne 's words and stop, unable to comprehend what I have just heard. It is as though I were felled and rendered senseless by some large stone dropping upon my head! Il ne peut pas être!

"No need?... I, I do not understand... what else have you to tell me?... I wish to know it all at once s'il vous plaît ". I brace for the next blow.