Main Entrance & Hall

I am led into the Main Entrance by Monsieur Louis. He closes the door as I take off my fur coat "Your manor looks more elegant on the inside than the outside." I said as I look around the room.

Louis chuckled, "Shall I take that as a compliment?"

He took off his cloak and slung it over a nearby stool-looking around his home. J'ai des ambitions. Je ne vais pas passer route ma vie ici, "I am sure it is very modesty compared to your experience of court."

I smile as I start to walk around "I think a gentleman should do so when a lady compliments the view." I notice that he has a few hunting trophies "Some gentleman like try too hard when it comes to decorating their homes with hunting trophies."

Louis laughed again, "And you think I am such a man?"

"Of course. You look like a simple man who doesn't show too much of their material things just please a lady's view." I walk over to a chair by the fire place to warm up "A woman would be lucky to have a gentleman like you."

Louis grinned and sat down, "How kind you are...Though, one day I shall live in a place greater than this, perhaps have a title-then I shall perhaps not be such a simple man and an even finer match."

At that one of his servants timidly appeared, bearing a pitcher of warmed crimson wine. Louis motioned for Juliette to be served first.

I thank the servants as they pour the wine "So, has a mademoiselle caught your attention yet?"

He shrugged and took his glass of wine. He replied with a teasing smile, "I am a man-I find most women very beautiful, especially in France."

"What about the English ladies? Are they more beautiful than France's finest ladies?" I take a small sip to test the flavor "Are there any that are in your interest?"

"On n'est nulle part mieux que chez soi,"he replied simply. 

He thought for a moment; his minds eye remembering Mary...and the fair women in the London taverns. He eventually answered after a brief pause, "I was there but a while-I had no real time to make any ladies proper acquaintance. What of you mademoiselle? I assume there are many in court vying for your affections."

"My father is arranging a marriage for me." The wine tastes a bit strong but, I'm sure I'll get used to it "My mother tells me if time runs out, they'll send me to a nunnery."

Louis nodded thoughtfully, "It could be worse-at least they are keen to secure a good future for you. Besides,"he added playfully, "You'd look rather fetching in a habit."

He chuckled and took another drink of the wine, leaving only the final dregs swirling at the bottom of the cup.

"My mother said I will look more proper in black." I start to feel a different so I put the cup down "I sent them a few pounds of gold to let me find a suitor on my own. I haven't found one yet."

"Mademoiselle, I recommend you'll need more than a few ducats-though, I've her that our good Queen contributes  most handsomely to her ladies' dowries. In saying that you are both young, pretty and a lady of the court-most men would accept you for that alone."

Louis poured himself another glass of wine and offered the pitcher to Juliette.

"est-ce vrai?" I lift a brow as I start to think about it "Nobody has ever told me on my first day of the Queen's service."

He shrugged, "You now know."

Mary had left England to be with her love. When she arrived at his home she saw him with other woman. She wanted to surprise him. Mary and her party stopped only a few yards from the house before she told them she and them would be leaving. They and her started to turn away.