Bal masqué à Château de Versailles... ALL ARE WELCOMED!

The sweet musique stimulates my senses as much as Claude's beauty... I watch as the other couples gather around us, eventually filling the floor such that there is only Claude and me amid the moving mass... we face forward, away from each other and step with the other couples in a great circle, before turning back to one another... once again our bodies come together, I let my hand break free and slide it down the sensual arc of Claude's back, briefly cupping her firm bottom. As we exchange smiles and glances, I take her hand and continue the dance.

"'Twill be quite a test of discipline, mon ange, to resist you until the night is over". I whisper and softly kiss her cheek.

I finally arrive at the Masque, donning a powder blue dress lined with lace along with a matching mask. My golden hair flows over my shoulders and back. I look about the room and immediately spot Christophe looking very sexy in his mask. I make my way over to him and when I reach him, I lean in and whisper, I do have something to tell you. The physician confirmed what I thought.... I smile and await his reaction.

As we turn and step, my eyes search the room and lock momentarily on La Marquise de Rambouillet seated alone and part of me yearns for her company... I look further and see La Baronne de Nemours. Though masqued, I easily recognize her stature and golden hair... my mind races to think of whom I may introduce her to after the danse... I do not recognize the gentilhomme at her side, but they seem to know each other... we shall soon see. I turn to Claude. "Are you enjoying the soirée so far, mon ange?"

As we danced and François was cupping my bottom I came closer to him whispering "I will tell you a secret" and I slowly moved his hand down to my leg "c'est une jarretière, and it needs to be removed" giving him a smile.

"Mon amour, yes I am enjoying it" and I catch his eyes seeing La Marquise de Rambouillet "Mon amour I need to take care of some unfinished matters, if you will excuse me "

I see Claude catch my momentary gaze wander toward La Marquise and suddenly feel careless for letting my eye be so distracted... I would do nothing to cause Claude distress and at this moment, feel much passion and love for her... Then she whispers in my ear and I reply; "Mais oui mon cher. I shall eagerly assist you in doing so". ... My apprehension grows as Claude excuses herself. I take a deep breath, anxiously waiting to see what she may have in mind.

As I left François I went towards La Marquise.

"Bonjour!" I smiled at her "May I join you Marquise, how is this party treating you"

My eyes follow Claude as she makes her way off the danse floor and follows a path to where La Marquise is seated... Mon Dieu! I wipe my face with the palm of my hand and my heart sinks in my chest as I pray their discouse may be civilized... keeping an ear open in their direction, I decide to approach La Baronne de Nemours and discuss her situation. I step from the danse floor and head her way. I see her eyes open wide in surprise as I approach her and her escort.

"Mon cher Baronne, comment allez-vous ce soir?" I turn to the young man. "You must introduce me to your escort, s'il vous plaît".

As I speak to Christophe, His Majesty approaches me and it catches me completely off guard. I quickly drop down into a deep curtsy, slowly rising and removing my mask. My escort?. I say as my voice shakes slightly due to nervousness. I look at Christophe then back to the King, This is Master Sinclair. He came with me on my travels to England.

"Monsieur Sinclair, 'tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance" I say pleasantly, however even as I speak I feel the anxiety rising within me... Merde! This soirée was going parfaitement until they brought out that maudit cake!... Perchance it is the cause of the misfortune befalling the evening!

"Mon cher Baronne, if I may ask, will you be so kind as to indulge me for a moment?... I wish to have a  word with you in private, s'il vous plaît ... you will excuse us Monsieur, eh?"

"Thank you Marquess of Rambouillet, I always was healthy, It just happen to be a pregnancy stress that's all, but thank you for your concern, It is most gracious from you" I gave her a smile that says lets get down to the business

François 1er de France wrote:

"Monsieur Sinclair, 'tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance" I say pleasantly, however even as I speak I feel the anxiety rising within me... Merde! This soirée was going parfaitement until they brought out that maudit cake!... Perchance it is the cause of the misfortune befalling the evening!

"Mon cher Baronne, if I may ask, will you be so kind as to indulge me for a moment?... I wish to have a  word with you in private, s'il vous plaît ... you will excuse us Monsieur, eh?"

Oui Votre Majeste, we may speak.. I turn around and hand Christophe my mask and I quickly lean in and whisper so no me hears, I do not think he knows of us....I Love You.  I shall return.. I turn back to the King...

I wait until we are out of earshot of Monsieur Sinclair, and lean toward La Baronne, speaking nearly at a whisper to her. "Mon cher Baronne, there are many fine, eligible young noblemen here around us. I know them well... of course, I'd know them better if they would remove their masks". I say gesturing with a wave.

"Nevertheless they are here, and I fear if you remain at the side of your good friend, they may be inclined to think you are both ensemble, oui? ... he is a rather dashing boy and it may cause them to be slightly intimidated to approach you, you see?... I think it best for you if you would put some distance between yourself and Monsieur Sinclair, for your own sake, that is". I say, taking a glance backward to see what is becoming of Claude and La Marquise de Rambouillet, with growing unease.

I walk with His Majesty to another corner of the room but I am still visible to Christophe.  I look about the room as His Majesty speaks to me of available suitors.  I turn to him and whisper back, Yes, I do agree that there are many suitors for me but..... I decide to tread the waters a bit, What if I wished to marry below my station?  As if I fell in love?

I shake my head and laugh slightly, I enjoy his company immensely.  We seem to have common interests..

As La Baronne begins to speak, my attention is snapped away from Claude and to the deed at hand. "Below your station?... pour l'amour? ... êtes-vous sérieux?" Mon Dieu! I cannot handle another calamity this evening!... La Baronne de Nemours is truly a bright and very beautiful attractive girl, but I fear she is naive in the ways of the courtly world. "Mon cher Baronne, love is an enchanting sentiment, oui? ... but as the daughter of nobility, you have responsibilities... expectations, that a commoner does not" I fear my clumsy tongue is not conveying my true feeling. "Do you not understand?"

Yes I am serious and yes I understand completely.. I take a deep breath, I just feel more comfortable around the common person.. I stand up just a bit straighter, showing off a bit of my confidence.  I am very proud of my duties as a Baroness but maybe I just am a big dreamer.

I raise my eyebrows at her unexpected display of self-confidence. "I see... I am pleased to hear that... 'twould make my task exceptionally difficult were we not of the same mind on this matter... Naturally, there is a difference between understanding one's responsibilities and faithfully embracing them, oui?... when you speak of amour, of feeling more comfortable around paysans, it concerns me that you may not fully appreciate that difference".

I see La Baronne's eyes flash momentarily with anger and I try to change the subject. "Alas do tell me, mon cher ... what is it that attracts you most about a man?"

"I am sure he is" smiling at her "That's why I want to keep my family together and..." I paused and I took a deep breath "... and I am going to do what ever it takes to do so, Marquess of Rambouillet" I smiled at her politely "He is the King you know... and he does as he pleases, but that's why a King has a Queen right, this is my third child I am pregnant, and I hope I will have more, with Gods help"

"So tell me Marquess of Rambouillet, what are your feelings for the King, and I want the truth" saying that I turned at the King and smiling at him.

François 1er de France wrote:

I raise my eyebrows at her unexpected display of self-confidence. "I see... I am pleased to hear that... 'twould make my task exceptionally difficult were we not of the same mind on this matter... Naturally, there is a difference between understanding one's responsibilities and faithfully embracing them, oui?... when you speak of amour, of feeling more comfortable around paysans, it concerns me that you may not fully appreciate that difference".

I see La Baronne's eyes flash momentarily with anger and I try to change the subject. "Alas do tell me, mon cher ... what is it that attracts you most about a man?"

That is how my father kept peace amongst the people who lived within his Barony. He used to toil in the fields with them. I was taught that if I want the respect of the common man then I had to be amongst them, making their acquaintance. Perhaps that's why I prefer the common man.. As I speak, my fingers fiddle with a ribbon on my dress, breathing deep to keep my slight anger within me.

I take a deep breath, I prefer a man who isn't flashy, prefers simple things. A good temperament isn't bad as well.

"Very well mon cher Baronne, then I shall find you such a man amongst the creme of the sons of our good French nobility... one with all the qualities that shall delight you and attract you to him, perchance even make you fall in love with him, oui ?... I do not think such a thing is an unreasonable compromise, is it not?" Ah diplomacy... 'tis a king's greatest skill!... I glance back to see La Marquise, still engaging with Claude, suddenly turn and look at me. Mais oui! I smile at her and take a deep breath, before turning my attention back to La Baronne. As she speaks I notice yet another guest arrive... un dame stunning in red mask and gown. Politely, I return a nod of recognition.