Arrival of the King

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At the first light of dawn my procession makes it's way through the streets of Paris. Leaving Versailles and the city behind myself, my garde personnelle, garçon d'honneur et serviteurs ride South and West through the windswept fields of grain and lovely floral meadows. The countryside is a delight to our eyes, replete with all manner of colorful blossoms and myriad fanciful butterflies dancing about the air... as the sun sets high in the sky, our party crests a hill to see in the distance the high walls and spires of le magnifique château de Rambouillet.

As we approach through le jardin du château, a vivid, colorful sumptuous feast for the eyes, I look up to see La Marquise Isabelle. She is radiant as always in a dazzling gown, colorful enough in hues of gold and green to match le jardin about her. As I dismount and her stable hands collect our mounts, I walk up to Isabelle and she greets me with a smile and deep curtsey. I, in turn, take her delicate hand and lower my lips to her soft skin and kiss it, my gaze never leaving her large, superbly beautiful blue eyes.

"Mon cher Marquise... you look magnifique as ever".

"Merci, mon cher Marquise... I fear pressing affaires de l'État have kept me away until now, however I am delighted to say there is no hurry for my return to Versailles... Verily I am most reconnaissant for your warm greeting and hospitality".

I say, my eagerness most evident as we exchange glances and I feel my heart leap within me... following Isabelle through the doors and into le grand hall d'entrée of the château, my desire rises watching her sway delightfully as she gracefully saunters before me... looking back at me, she tosses her long brown tresses of curls, smiling with a come hither look that sets the flame to my already pounding heart... as my attention is to Isabelle's sensual walk, I pretend to be admiring the ornate walls adorned with hanging tapestries and portraits, all the while my gaze is drawn to her charms.

"Si belle mon cher... most lovely indeed!"

"Merci, 'tis most pleasant indeed" I say and step into Le salon. La Marquise Isabelle follows me, closing the door behind her and at last we are quite alone. Le salon is most luxurious, furnished in rouge et or.

I feel my heart thumping as never before. As I stand there, admiring a set of gleaming, crossed swords mounted over the fireplace mantel, I feel Isabelle's presence as she walks up behind me. Turning at once, I look down at her and take her hand, stepping close to her... unable to contain my passion any longer, I reach up to softly touch her cheek, drawing myself to Isabelle's full, red lips... kissing and at last tasting that which my heart had desired for so long... the fires of arousal burn, as each of us satisfies the hunger we'd held back all this time... warm and sweet as rich Claret, our kiss lingers... before our lips part and I open my eyes and captivated, look deeply into Isabelle's.  

"You have enchanted me for so long, Isabelle... yet I could not express my feelings until this moment..." I say, speaking in a hush to her. "Tell me, for I need to know... do you feel the same for me, mon cher?".

To show Isabelle the sincerity of my words, I kneel before her and take her hands in mine... looking up at her with a genuine pleading in my eyes.

"Say only that your heart yearns for me as mine for you, mon cher... that I may have you as my mistress and may lavish the full measure of my adoration upon you, Isabelle".

I look into her eyes for the answer before she even speaks.

I look up at Isabelle reassuringly. "Mon cher... sa Majesté is with child... she is expected by tradition to see to her condition and bed rest, not to Le Roi, oui?... Therefore, there is no reason to hate you... As far as Claude is concerned, if not you, I would have merely chosen another".

I hold out my hands, beseeching of her to recognize my earnestness. "As for your reputation, mon cher Marquise... I swear to you, with the utmost assurance, I shall not flaunt you as other royalty do their mistresses... I shall be perfectly discreet in my amour et d'affection for you, chérie "

At last I rise to my feet and lower my head beside Isabelle's, my cheek caressing hers. kissing her softly and whispering into her ear, I tell her; "Very well then... If not at this moment, then I ask you consider carefully my offer and give me your answer at supper this evening, s'il vous plaît... You see, I do not wish you to feel you are making a hasty decision mon cher, oui?".

"Merci, mon cher Marquise... until this evening" I say as she touches my face and looks upon me with those eyes... eyes of cool ice and passionate fire that seem to reach into my soul... aroused as I am, I watch her leave. I turn and follow her serviteur from le salon... I cannot help feeling an odd incertitude at that moment... most women I have met,  I am able to figure out. Whether they know it or not, I can tell their intent by their manner or a glance, perchance even with a certain gesture...

Yet La Marquise de Rambouillet is quite another story... it is as if there is a veil upon her of which my intuition cannot penetrate... Her beauty is beyond striking, yet she may be reserve and polite one moment, seductive and come hither the next... I know not what to make of it and even now begin to question if I am making the right decision... yet I know what my heart wants... what it has wanted for so long. Perchance it is precisely her enigmatic personality that makes me desire Isabelle with every fiber of my being, I do not know... however, I do know that what the heart wants, it must have... and I desire Isabelle more than I may say... at last I arrive at my chamber door. The serviteur opens the lock and we enter together.