Giselle by Jackie Ivie

Author:Jackie Ivie [Ivie, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-07-22T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Giselle no longer questioned why her chambers were so dark. She knew the reason the very next day. The pounding in her head made her thank the peaceful dimness every time she opened her eyes. Louisa was constantly at her side, making the pain bearable. Nothing could be done for the heartache, however.

Nothing.

“You never should have stayed out so late, Giselle,” Louisa said. “Isabelle told me she removed the stitches from your gown at dawn. How could you be so…?” She chuckled. “I don’t know why I ask such a question. Monsieur Navarre was there, wasn’t he?”

Giselle moaned. Her head pounded. Her throat hurt. And her heart just kept sending ache that overrode all the rest.

“What is it, love?”

“No…thing.”

Giselle had watched for another chance to be with him almost the entire night, but he’d avoided her. It had been a simple matter. He was eligible, handsome, charming and wealthy. There was no dearth of females willing to dance and entertain him, and keep him from his sister-in-law’s side.

“May I have another cup of tea, Louisa?”

“If it helps, love, you can have anything you like. Does it hurt overmuch?”

“Only when you make small talk.” Giselle lifted the edge of the wet towel from her eyes to observe Louisa’s reaction.

“Small talk? I’ll have you know I’ve got better things to do than sit at your bedside and coddle you. Tiens! You are so stubborn. All I ask is a hint of how it went, and what do I get? Insults.”

“I’m sorry.” Saying the words made her eyes pound again, and Giselle eased further into her pillows.

Louisa had finished pouring a cup of tea and brought it over to the bed. “Here you go, Giselle. Don’t mind me. I just want to know how things went. Was he impressed by the gown? Was he bowled over by your beauty? What did everyone say after meeting with you? Who is this mysterious Mademoiselle Frerre?”

“That one I can answer. Do you remember the dressmaker where I got my gown?”

“Mai oui! What a muddle. Did she say anything?”

“Yes and no. We didn’t speak about it at length. How could we? I learned she was once Navarre’s betrothed.”

“No! This is incredible.”

“It gets worse, I assure you.”

“It does?”

“Oui.”

The word was whispered. Giselle winced.

“Does it hurt much to speak? I should let you rest.”

“It isn’t the words, it’s…everything. This Mademoiselle Frerre is—she’s—I can’t believe I’m having trouble with the words.”

“Let me help you sit.”

The pain was worse when she lifted her shoulders, but she welcomed it, surprising herself. She deserved it.

“Not only is she Navarre’s ex-betrothed, but she’s also Jean-Claude’s mistress from Versailles Palace. She told Navarre and me that she was spying for Jean-Claude.”

Louisa stopped plumping the pillows behind Giselle’s back and stood. Giselle had to imagine the expression on her face.

“Good heavens! No wonder your poor head aches. I can’t imagine anything more perverse. Mon Dieu! No wonder they speak of him like they do.”

Giselle lifted the towel. She watched Louisa sip from the tea as she sat on the side of the bed.

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