Pièce de réception du roi

I hold up my left hand exposing my wedding band. Not only am I married but I am with child....my husband's child. This is why I want to leave court for a while. I am an embarrassment to my family and most of all, France.. I look down on the floor and brace myself for harsh words I am sure that he will speak.

"I see... wait here... Don't move !" I turn and walk briskly back to Le Duc de Lorraine and put my arm upon his shoulder. "Come Antoine..." I say rushing him to the door as he gives me a startled look of bewilderment. "This girl is wholly unsuitable for you. 'twas all a mistake, oui ? On the morrow I shall find another girl, more refined". I push Le Duc through the door. "My secretary shall call on you... bonjour, Antoine!, give my regards to your mother, eh?" I say before closing the door just as he was about to speak.

With a deliberate step, I walk back to La Baronne ... she appears worried. "Why?... why did you not simply tell me?... do you think me un monstre ?"

I didn't say anything because I married way below my station. I married a commoner.. I am nearly shaking right now. I am worried that I will be locked up or Christophe gets arrested or worse, my marriage somehow annulled. I have defied tradition and defied my Sovereign. I am not deserving of sympathy or even forgiveness but I love him.

I throw my hands up and turn away. "Love!... Ha! I say before turning back and stepping close to La Baronne. "It is my good judgement that you are making a big mistake... one you may regret your entire life!" I say before softening my tone and taking her by the hands. "Then again, if one is to make such a grande blunder... it may as well be in the name of Love, oui ?" I smile down at La Baronne "... Congratulations mon cher ... you have my blessing".

Not only am I happy that His Majesty seems to accept mine and Christophe's union, I am also freaking out inside. Does he have something in mind to punish me for my disobedience? The very thout makes me shiver. Thank You for your blessing Votre Majesté. Are you sure that you are okay with it. It seems that you are not.

I let out a deep sigh. "Mon cher Baronne , I am no stranger to affaires de cœur ... you are truly a lovely girl... I knew a girl once as beautiful as you, mon cher... oui ... I was besotted with her and wished more than anything that one day we may wed... I was quite young and did not understand why I could not marry she whom I loved with all my heart...

I look down for a moment, mustering the strength to keep my composure. "Alas, it matters not now... do as your heart commands, I promise you I shall voice no objection nor act in any punitive way... you may consider naming the child Francois as a token of gratitude for my graciousness, eh?" ... I smile and take La Baronne 's hand and gently kiss it. "adieu mon cher Baronne et bonne chance ".

I watch La Baronne leave feeling quite content with my decision and genuinely wish her well... my Secretary at once informs me that I have yet another visitor, my half-niece and namesake, Françoise La Duchesse de Pagny et de Mirebeau... I have not seen her in years and thus eagerly insist that she be announced at once. As she enters my chambers, quite une belle jeune femme, I smile and rise, walking around my desk to greet her. Kissing her hand, I gesture, beckoning Françoise to have a seat.

"Bonjour ma chère nièce, you look lovely... it is good to see you again. If I may ask, what is it brings you back to court?"

"Merci, mon cher... and it has been much too long since you have graced Versailles with your presence, oui?... you have grown into une jeune femme belle.  I must confess, I have heard little if anything of my half-sister's family in quite a while... I would be delighted if perchance you can tell me how they are faring of late?"

I sit back in my chair and listen intently, awaiting my nièce's reportage.

"I see..." I say, sensing Françoise's hostility. With a gesture of my hand, mon serviteur approaches us carrying a silver tray, upon which is set a flagon of Claret and two bejeweled chalices. Filling the chalices, he sets the tray before us.

"Merci, Rene... Go on Françoise, enjoy my hospitality... alas I am pleased to hear your family is doing well... and what of yourself?" I ask before taking a deep, hearty drink from my cup.

I set my chalice down, unsure if I heard Françoise properly or if my ears heard that which they merely wished to hear. Je t'aime aussi, Françoise... your family is most dear to me, oui?"

I say, and sit up, drawing myself closer to her.

Now I am completely set off my guard. I was not expecting our conversation to take such an unexpected turn. again I seek to learn my niece's intent.

"Je suis désolé... I had not meant to be so insensible... a man is not always the first to know a woman's feelings... and do you feel that way at this moment?".

Françoise is a stunning young woman, yet still ma nièce... I listen, most intrigued.

I allow myself a laugh at my own expense. "Oui, Françoise you are quite correct... most men are fools, I am no different... go on and take the chalice, have a drink mon cher, s'il vous plaît". I smile at her and look into her eyes.

"I would be most dishonest to you as well as myself if I said I did not have strong feelings for you, Françoise... this moment as I did then... you are une jeune femme rayonnante, what man could not love or desire  you?... but do you still feel that way about me?... I wish to hear it from your own lips mon cher"

I gesture for mon serviteur Rene to leave. As he does, I stand and slowly circle Françoise's chair. I stand beside her and get down on one knee, searching her eyes. The fragrant rose scent of her hair, and her fair beauty enchant me. "Very well... you shall stay here at Versailles. I shall make accommodations for you and take care of you..."

I say as my face draws closer to Françoise's, my heart pounding furiously within my chest. "...and I shall love you again as before... love you complètement and in every way". At once my lips and Françoise's meet in warm, sensual kiss... I caress her hot cheek and I am filled with a passion burning beyond my control... Françoise's kiss is as sweet as the Claret in my cup, exciting and arousing me in a way I have never experienced before.

"Vous êtes délicieux... si belle ma chère" I whisper breathlessly as kiss follows honeyed kiss. Françoise teasingly bites my lower lip and I am aroused beyond all measure. My hands reach for her arms and lift Françoise from her chair, laying her gently upon my desktop. I look down at her and smile, brushing her rich, silken, wavy brown tresses with my fingertips, my kisses moving to her delectable neck and smooth bare shoulder.

"Françoise... why have you waited... so long to return to me?" In my head, I know this is neither the proper time nor place. Propriety be damned ! My heart no longer cares what is proper! It only feels one thing... the yearning for my exquisite niece... so lovely, as a woman beyond her years... the wildfire that is my passion is loosed... there can be no surcease but to let it burn... as my hand slides slowly up her gown, my fingers delicately fondle the supple hills of Françoise's ample bosom bursting forth from the top of her bodice, and I place my mouth upon them greedily, in turns kissing and playfully nibbling them.

As our lips meet again and again in glorious kiss, my eager fingers reach down to excitedly touch Françoise's smooth calf, gliding slowly upward to bustle her skirt about her fair thigh... I am completely and utterly under her spell!

All of a sudden there is a loud rapping at the door. Our lips part breathlessly and in that moment we both look up and to one another. "C'EST QUOI?... I AM QUITE INVOLVED AT THE MOMENT!"

"Pardonnez-moi Votre Majesté... but you have a scheduled appointment with les avocats regarding the Comtesse de Bretagne's claims... they are  most impatient and await your presence mon roi."

I close my eyes and take a long, deep breath in order to regain my composure. "Très bien... tell them I shall be along presently, oui?" I look down at Françoise and we share a look of frustration, which quickly turns to  mutual amusement. "Alas ma chère... there are times when affaires de l'État must take precedent over affaires de cœur... may I visit you in your chambers this night?"