The Orange Grove by Kate Murdoch

Author:Kate Murdoch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
Published: 2019-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Sheets of rain hammered the roof of the carriage as Henriette and Letitia arrived at Versailles. They had escaped the confines of the château on the pretext of an excursion into town. Romain had promised to meet them in the reception room before taking them to the Salon de la Paix.

The footman hunched at their carriage door, holding an umbrella over their heads as they stepped down to the wet cobblestones.

‘Oh, this is awful,’ said Henriette, shivering. ‘The silk of this dress is entirely too thin. I hope they have the fires stoked.’

They stepped with care to avoid puddles, yet the hems of their dresses were soon wet. A roll of thunder drummed the air as they hurried inside.

Romain leaned against a pillar, his posture relaxed. He wore a navy velvet coat and grey breeches, his hair tied back neatly. Henriette mused that she had never seen him look dishevelled. He approached them and kissed their hands, his eyes lingering on Henriette. ‘Ladies, good day to you both. The marquis is waiting in the salon. He has just returned from hunting with the king.’

They followed him, Letitia craning her neck to absorb the frescoes that covered the ceiling in vivid colour.

Henriette smiled and nudged her. ‘Perhaps save your art appreciation for the salon; you might run into something, or someone.’

The younger woman poked her in the waist, whispering into her ear. ‘Is it not better than you, staring at the monsieur’s back as if you wished to climb all over him?’

Henriette blushed. ‘What nonsense, I’m just ensuring we do not lose him.’

‘Of course. My mistake.’ Letitia smiled knowingly and took Henriette’s hand. ‘I’m desperate for some chocolat chaud.’

The two women could hear the murmur of voices as they neared the double doors of the salon. Two bewigged servants stood on either side of the entrance, their faces inscrutable.

Romain nodded at one of them. ‘We are here to see the Marquis d’Urveilles.’ One of the manservants acknowledged them with a slight bow and opened the door.

Several heads turned as they entered and Henriette felt eyes on every part of her, from her elaborate coiffure, slightly dishevelled, to her satin shoes, damp from the rain, and her dress, fashionable the previous season. Since her estrangement from the duchesse, funds for the seamstress had ceased. Never mind, Henriette thought, forcing a determined smile. I’m only here for Letitia anyway. Her friend had often mentioned the marquis in private, and when Henriette had questioned Romain, he had been quick to offer his assistance.

The Marquis d’Urveilles sat in a corner, a small goblet of brandy resting in his tapered hand. Spotting the two women, the marquis’s face brightened and he stood. ‘Mademoiselle, madame, how lovely you both look this afternoon,’ he murmured with a bow. He motioned to the empty armchair next to him and Letitia perched on the edge, her eyes darting around the room. Henriette sat next to Romain, on an overstuffed fauteuil, just large enough for two.

Madame Foulbret gliding past, paused to greet them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.