Chapter 46
He turned to Antoine. “Coming, brother?�
“I think I would like to speak with my wife for a minute, Auguste. We have to straighten some things out.�
“I think I would like to talk to Jean-Claude,� Francis asked “if that’s possible?�
“Of course, Your Majesty, “ Antoine answered. “Auguste would you mind if…�
“I’ll take Monique off your hands for a while.� He pointed to the mantle clock. “Half an hour, Antoine, then I expect you to in there.�
“Oh, Auguste, I would like my son to join us as well as Danielle. Maybe you can come with us while Antoine sorts things out with his wife.“
“And where were you planning on going?�
“Just outside to the stables. It won’t be long and then we return to the manor and to your study.�
Auguste smiled a little. He knew Francis far too long and he knew he had something on his mind. He just wasn’t sure what.
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Antoine waited for them to leave and he closed the door. “Well, well,� he said, walking around her. “So you not only rob me blind, but you do it to my brother as well.�
“I don’t know what you are talking about,� Colette said, looking at him.
Antoine smiled a little. “You married me because you thought I had money and power, didn’t you?�
Colette said nothing.
“Come on, Colette, the next thing you are going to tell me is that you weren’t influenced by our association with the King of France, now were you?�
Colette was getting angrier by the minute. She still hadn’t said anything.
Antoine smile disappeared. “Come on, Colette, out with it, just how much money do you owe and how much did you think we had anyway? Did you really think that we wouldn’t find out? Did you really think about anything?�
He turned away in disgust, then turned back to face her.
“All those things you said, about you and me? You know, all about love and caring for one another? About permanent and stable relationships, about how much you missed me and how you couldn’t live without me? How I was the only one for you and you would never want any one else? Colette, was that real or was that a lie to get at my money? Do you love me or just using me? And were you using me all along?â€Â?
[ Edited by susan on 2002/7/1 2:57:17 ]