Chapter 19
“What do you mean he left on urgent business, Sire?�
The king looked at her, a little puzzled. “You mean you don’t know? He didn’t tell you?� Louis shook his head. “I mean, you are his intended after all.�
Nicole looked at him, this time she was a little puzzled. “My intended? I am betrothed to Auguste de Barbarac?�
“Of course you are, Nicole. Auguste and Francis have always been friends. So have you and Marie. Your parents set up the arrangement the same time as we set up ours.� He bent down to whisper in her ear. “He came to us at an early age, his parents wanting to train him in the ways of the Royal Guardsmen. We set up the arrangement when you two were only babies. “
“So he never really knew his parents?� Nicole asked looking at King Louis.
Louis shook his head. “That’s why he was surprised when he received that letter saying that he had just inherited a huge fortune and had to return to his family home.�
Nicole stared at the King. One surprise she could handle, but not two of them and all at once.
“Does he know where his family home is?�
“Well, I think he has some family in Hautefort somewhere. Now if I am not mistaken, I think that..�
Suddenly a pain shot threw his left arm and he grabbed it.
“Nicole,� he called. “Help me,� he said, before he fell to the floor.