The Orange Trees of Versailles by Annie Pietri

Author:Annie Pietri [Pietri, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-49178-7
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2000-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

17

The coach carrying the marquise's ladies had just driven through the gates of the Trianon de Porcelaine. Claude des OEillets had decided that Lucie and two other chambermaids would also be included on the trip.

Marion was amazed by what she saw—an enchanted palace in blue and white, sparkling in the warm sun of early July. The round courtyard was ringed by five pavilions. The little palace, made entirely of porcelain, was decorated like the marquise's china incense burners. Everything was blue and white: the gates and the window panels, the cherubs and the earthenware birds on the cornices of the roofs.

“The apartments are in the central pavilion, and the offices and service rooms in the four smaller buildings on each side of the courtyard,” Lucie explained.

The king and his guests had not yet arrived. The servants and gardeners were rushing around attending to last-minute details.

“This trunk weighs a ton!” complained Lucie, for whom the magic of the place had long ceased to be moving.

Marion was pulled out of her reverie and rushed to her friend's aid.

“This happens every time!” said Lucie. “You'd think the marquise was coming to stay for three days when she's only been invited for the afternoon. True, this place is a bit like home to her. The king had it built in her honor.” Lucie indicated all the buildings with a sweeping gesture of her head. “He'll do just about anything to please her!”

Marion, still very troubled by the favorite's ravings on the night she had suffered from indigestion, took advantage of this last comment.

“Do you think he would go so far as to propose marriage to her if the queen were to pass away?”

“That's a very odd question!” said Lucie. “Don't forget that the marquise is already married. For the king to marry her, she would have to be a widow. And last I heard, Monsieur de Montespan was in excellent health. As for the queen, she's also in excellent health. No, there's no wedding in sight, my lovely!”

“But isn't that what the marquise would like?” Marion pressed.

“Oh, yes! She's already fuming that she can't be a duchess!”

“And why can't she be?”

Lucie laughed. “Aren't you satisfied being the perfumer of a marquise?” she teased. “Or is it your dream to work for a queen or duchess?” She looked around to make sure no one besides Marion was within earshot; then, becoming serious again, she added, “The marquise has begged the king several times to make her a duchess. But for that to happen, Monsieur de Montes-pan would have to be made a duke. His Majesty will never grant him that favor.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because the king said so in my presence.”

“In your presence! I don't believe it! Don't they wait until they're alone before discussing such delicate personal matters? I suspect you listened at the door!”

Lucie shook her head. “No need to listen at the door! Haven't you noticed they're always surrounded by servants? We're invisible as far as they're concerned. We're blind and deaf.

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