[i][b][size=medium][color=003399][font=Arial]Chapters 5,6,7 & 8 Now Up In Fanfiction Archive!! Thank You.[/font][/color][/size][/b][/i]
To Have and To Hold
Another EA alternative
Prologue
Ten-year old Danielle was engaging in her favorite exercise. She was throwing mudballs at little boys that were her own age, maybe a little older. She had the upper hand as well. She was so involved that she hadn’t heard one of the house servants calling her.
“Come, Danielle, ” Paulette called. “Your father wishes to speak with you.”
Danielle looked up. “Coming, Paulette.” She looked down at herself.
“Come on, Danielle,” one of the boys called, “You hardly have any mud anywhere.”
Danielle looked up. “Not compared to you, Henry,” she said laughing
“Look at me,” Henry’s eleven year old cousin, Francois, answered. “I am covered from head to toe in mud.”
“As am I,” Danielle’s ten-year old friend, Gustave agreed.
Twelve-year old Henry laughed. “Your mother is going to throw a fit when she sees you like this.” He turned his attention to Danielle. “And you, Danielle de Barbarac, this is no way for a noble lady to behave.”
“You should talk, Your Highness,” Danielle answered him wiping some of the dried mud off her dress. “You are a Prince.”
“Prince in training,” Henry laughed. “That’s the way my father likes to refer to it.”
“DANIELLE,” Paulette called again. “Come inside and bring my son with you.”
Danielle looked at Gustave. “Ready?” she asked.
“I suppose so, but Henry is right. I am going to get it.”
Henry laughed. “You’ve already gotten half the province on you already.”
They all laughed, including Gustave.
“The two of you don’t look any different to me,” Danielle said. “Come along, Gustave, we have to get back.”
The two of them turned to go.
“Danielle,” Henry called out. “Wait a moment.”
Gustave stopped to wait, as did Francois, but both Danielle and Henry waved them on.
“Will I see you later?” Henry asked.
Danielle smiled. “You know how my father is.” She leaned a little closer, “I will try. The usual place?”
Henry nodded. “Yes, the usual place. The ruins at Amboise.”
“DANIELLE,” Paulette called a third time.
“COMING,” Danielle called back. She gave a last look to Henry, turned and ran as fast as she could to catch up to Gustave.
Henry watched Danielle and Gustave run to the manor door where Paulette was waiting for them.
“She’s wonderful, Henry,” Francois said.
“Yes, she is, cousin,” Henry agreed. And she will be all mine, Henry thought and smiled.
“Come, Francois, let’s get back to the castle.”
[ Edited by susan on 2002/5/18 2:52:21 ]
[ Edited by susan on 2002/5/19 9:23:16 ]