This may be the last part I post before I leave. It shall all depend on how time works it self out. I have most of my packing done, but not all and I leave early tomorrow.
Part 20
Danielle was a little bit disturbed by what Anne had said. She was not sure exactly why, but she was. She had been thinking a lot about Henry lately, but only by thinking how much she misses him. She had not let her thoughts steer the way that Anne was suggesting. It was not that she did not like Henry, but he had been her brother for seventeen years. It was hard for her to think that he could ever be anything other than that. However, she was unable to think about it much longer because Anne began to talk again.
“I guess that you and I have had enough of this girl chat for now. I am sure that my brother will be looking for us. I believe that he has now recovered from the beating you gave him.” So the two of them went off to enjoy some time out in the gardens.
The day was beautiful, and the girls were a little hungry so they went out into the garden to have some tea. The servant delivered the tea and with it he delivered Antoine. “Well, so this is where the ladies are hiding.”
Danielle smiled at him, “I hope you have not come back for another beating sir.”
Antoine smiled, “There is no way that you would beat me again. I am just having an off day, and you are probably having the best day you ever had.”
Anne smiled at her brother. “Whatever helps you sleep at night is fine by me.” The rest of the afternoon was spent chatting in the garden.
At one part in the afternoon, Danielle said, “I really need to tell you how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me. At first, everyone in town did not care two franks for me, but then you turned things around for me.”
Anne spoke first. “Danielle it is really no problem. I just like to hope that if I were ever to leave my comfortable surroundings that someone would do the same for me.”
Antoine looked over at Danielle as if he was about to say something but couldn’t. Her gaze caught his, and he felt as if he now needed to say something, but he was not exactly sure what would be appropriate. “I believe…I believe that it’s all of the other peoples loss for not treating you the way that you deserve to be treated.”
Danielle smiles at him. “I do not blame them for how they treated me. They did not know any better, but thanks for the compliment.” A slight blush came on to Antoine face.
Shortly afterwards, Anne disappeared, but neither of them really seemed to notice. She simply said she had to run some errands and she was gone. The two of them ended up talking the rest of the afternoon. At first, they had a battle of the wits, which ended in a draw. Both of them were shocked by the outcome, but not disappointed. It seems that they had a lot in common. This fact surprised Danielle considering how arrogant she was starting to think he was. Especially concerning his views on the opposite sex.
By the time dinner rolled around, they knew each other pretty well. Anne rejoined them, and they headed towards the dinning chambers. Antoine was nothing but a perfect gentleman. He escorted both ladies into dinning room and then pulled their chairs for them. The count and countess greeted Danielle. Both stated that they were glad for the change in scenery at the dinner table.
The meal started out well, but knowing Danielle it could not end that way. There was light conversation going when the conversation went to the runaway princess. The count stated, “A friend of mine from court says that things are not well at the palace, and he blames it on the fact that the princess left.”
Danielle spoke up, “Excuse me sir, but what do you mean by things are not well at the palace?”
The count looked at her a little funny. “My dear child, do you not know? Of course I guess I should not expect a commoner to know such things.” There was an evil gaze from both of his children, but he ignored them. He then started to speak very slowly to her. “You see there is problems dealing with the laws are being created. Many think that they are to harsh, which means they are mean.” Danielle looked as if she could slug him. “The Prince, also, has got some strange idea in his head about building a university where anyone can study. This upsets the nobles because he wants to raise their taxes and no one else’s.”
Danielle smiles, “I think that his idea is ingenious.”
The Count speaks in an irritated voice, “Of course you would like this idea because it means that you do not have to pay the extra tax.”
Danielle raises her voice. “I am not just saying this because I am not noble. I am saying this because I know what it is like to be suffering. To barely be able to buy one meal a day and yet be expected to pay taxes to the crown, so that they can by who knows what. I know what it is like to worry if you will be able to keep your place of business. So, sir, I think that it is a little presumptuous of you to attack me for not wanting to pay a little extra tax when you are sitting in the lap of luxury.”
The Count turns over to Anne and says, “I like this one. Where did you find her? She if fiery and has spirit. She is definitely one of your better choices in friends. She will go far in life even though she is a little strong minded.”
Danielle could not help but to smile a little. Sure she was a little upset the Count was testing her, but when push came to shove she really did not care. The rest of the dinner went smoothly with no more arguments. After they were done dining, they went into one of the many family rooms. Here it was the job of the girls to entertain everyone else. Anne quickly confessed that she never spent the time practicing her singing that she should and as a result her voice would not be much to listen to. She quickly took a spot behind the piano.
This meant that Danielle had to be placed in the spotlight. She really did not look forward this experience, but these people had been so nice to her she knew that she could not deny them. So she had to sing a song, ironically it was one of Henry’s favorites. It was a sad song about a man who lost his family due to things that were out of his control. Singing the song made Danielle so terribly homesick. However, she used that feeling in order to portray the sad demeanor of the song.
When the ring of the last note had died out, she was greeted by around of applause. She continued singing until it was time for her to go home. She was offered the carriage, and she gladly expected due to the fact that evening was so very cold.
Once gone, Anne had a little chat with her brother. “You like her don’t you?” She received no response, but chose to go on anyway. “There is no reason why you should try to deny it. The way you watched her as she was singing only further proved the suspicion I had developed earlier in the day.”
Antoine shrugged his shoulders. “What concern is it of yours whether I like her or not? Anyway, there is nothing wrong with me like an agreeable lady.”
“That is not the problem. The problem is that you really do not know anything about her background. She might not be a lady. For all we know, she could be an ex-convict.”
“Some friend you are Anne. Besides, I am not going to act on any feelings that I may or may not have for her. She has had a hard life and I am not going to complicate it by trying to win her heart if she does not want it to be won.”
“How do you know that she does not want her heart to be won?”
Antoine shakes his head. “You are absolutely impossible.”
For the next five months, Danielle would always come and visit them on her day off. Her life seemed to be nothing more then rushing around. She was always making another dress or fixing another dress. Her business was still booming, and Anne would always report to her on what the newest fashion was. To Danielle, it seemed like she had only been gone a week, but instead it was seven month.