I did not get as much time as I thought I would to write on my trip. I was too busy having fun with all of my new friends. I did get a little progress though. I might be a little slow getting back into my story, so bare with me. The previous part is in the Fanfiction section if you need a reminder or two
Enjoy…
Part 22
Henry stared at Auguste a moment. He could not believe his ears. “You mean to tell me that you are Danielle’s father?” Auguste shook his head. “Then why have you not come forward. Danielle would be thrilled that you were her real father. She would probably love to get to know you better.”
“I do not believe that that is how Danielle would act. I think that she would be angry with me for not coming forward sooner. I could have saved her a lot of pain that she has been made to go through. She would hate me.”
Henry shook his head. “I believe that you are wrong. I know Danielle better than anyone and I know that she would be extremely happy to know you are her father. She has always been jealous of Jacqueline for having such a terrific father. Especially compared to what she has. Could you imagine her excitement over know that Jacqueline was her stepsister? I could just see them squealing with delight.”
“Henry it is much more complicated than that. I would have to explain to the world why I left her, and I do not know if she could bear to be thrown in the spotlight again. I do not want to disturb her new life. I am sure that she would respect that. I want her to live the life that she has always wanted to live; not for her to have to change her life once again just because I decided to confess the truth to the world.”
Henry was starting to get irritated. His voice showed it as he said, “Think about it Auguste. Wouldn’t you love to hear her call you papa?”
“I know that this must be hard for you to believe, but I can live watching her from afar. I have done it for the last ten years I can carry on like this. If Danielle ever asks me if I am her father, I will not lie to her; it is not in my nature. You better not tell her anything about this though. I do not want you to even hint at it. Understood?”
Henry threw his arms up, “Fine, but I think that you are making a huge mistake.”
The two men stared at each other for awhile. Neither of them knew quiet what to say and both of them were extremely irritated with the other. Finally, Auguste made an excuse that he had some business to take care of, which both men knew was not true.
After Auguste was gone, Henry went to his room to contemplate a few things. A lot had happened to him today, and he was not exactly sure what to do about everything. However, he did know the solution to his problem with Charles. He was not going to do anything differently. All he really could do was hope that some girl would come a long and sweep him off of his feet.
The problem with Auguste was more difficult to solve. He knew he had promised Auguste that he would not say anything, but that was a promise that if need be he would break. Now all that was left for him to do was to decided whether he was right or if Auguste was.
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Danielle had grown a little depressed lately. She had been gone from home for nine months, and she had not heard from anyone at home for about a month. She was sure that they had not forgotten about her, but sometimes her mind tried to convince her that they had. More than anything she wanted to return home. Maybe not forever, but at least pay them a little visit. It seemed like a lifetime since she had seen them.
Antoine came in while she was in contemplation, “I can see that you are getting so much work done. Considering how many pressing deadlines you have to meet.”
Danielle’s eyes fell on the dress that was lying on the floor. “I have been a little distracted lately. I have not heard from home in awhile, and I am beginning to think that something is wrong.”
Antoine put his hand on her shoulders. “If something was wrong, they would have notified you. I think that since they have not notified you should be a sign that everything is fine on the home front.”
Danielle said doubtingly, “I guess you are right.”
“Of course I am right.” He paused for a moment. “I never understood why you still keep in contact with them. They do not seem to care enough to actually come and visit you. I do not see why you should care enough to keep on writing them.”
Danielle’s eyes fell to the ground. “They could not visit me if they wanted to. Only Jacqueline knows where I am. She is the one that sends and receives all of my letters.”
Antoine could tell by the tone in her voice that a change in conversation was in order for. “I never understood why you never hired an assistant. You would be able to get so much more work done, and maybe save your hands from all of this hard labor.” Antoine picked up her hand and started to trace the lines on her hand.
“I guess I just can not trust anyone else to do it right. I have started this business on my own, and I plan to run in on my own.”
“Danielle don’t you think you have proved that you can make it on your own by now. I mean, I hate to see someone with so many different talents spend all her time sewing. There is so much more you could be doing.”
Danielle’s voice got a little irritated as she spoke, “What you want me to do is sit around and do nothing all day. If you knew me, you would know that I can not do nothing. I have to have a purpose. I am not going to sit back and watch the world speed by me.”
Antoine was a little insulted, and he dropped her hand. “You do not give me enough credit. I know you a lot better than you will admit. I know that you could not sit around and do nothing, but there are so many more things that you could be doing. Do you ever think about the future? Do you ever think about getting married, and having children?”
“Of course, I think about it, but I am not going to get married just to fill my duty as a woman. I believe that marriage is something that should not be taken lightly. I need to be in love with the man and he needs to be in love with me.”
“I thought you loved me.”
“It is not that I do not love you Antoine, it is just that we could never marry. You are to one day be a count, and I have no idea who I truly am. Besides, my ‘brother’s’ family could not get me to get married what makes you think that you will have better luck?”
“I shall never understand you. You say that you love me, but you refuse to marry me. Can’t you see that we would be perfect together? I could fill your need for knowledge, and you could teach me to improve my swordsmen ship. We would be perfect together! I would even give up that silly title for you.”
“Antoine do not make things harder then they are. You deserve so much better than me. You deserve someone who is more like you. What I suggest to you is that you get over me. Go find another girl and live happily ever after. I have chosen this path, so let me walk it.”
“But Danielle…”
“No buts. Now, I know that this was not the reason you came here today, so do what you came here to do. We shall discuss this more on Sunday.”
“Here is a message from my sister. She said that it did not require a response. So I will stop bothering you. Goodbye.” He kisses her hand and walks out the door before she has a chance to say another word.
Danielle watches him walk out the door, and has to wonder if he shall ever come back. She did care for him, but not on the same level that he cared for her. She knew that he deserved a wife so much better than she was. Perhaps that is why she allowed him to walk out the door.