Chapter 38
Colette was wondering where they were headed. It was beginning to look so familiar.
“Edmond, what’s happened? Where are we going?�
“Do not fret, Colette, we will arrive very shortly.�
Colette squinted and saw three people. They were waiting for someone or something. She noticed that they were all on horseback.
“Who are those people?� Colette said, pointing into the distance. I can’t quite make them out?�
“Soon, milady, soon,� Edmond said, trying not to smile. “Patience, we are almost upon them.�
And so they were. Colette didn’t realize just how close they actually were.
“Hello, Colette,� Antoine said, smiling, jumping off the horse to meet her. “Have a nice trip?�
“We have been looking for you everywhere, Colette,� Auguste said. He looked down at her dress. “I see you’ve been busy.�
“Here she is, Your Majesty,� Edmond said to Francis. “Safe and sound as you requested.�
“Thank you, Captain.� Francis said, “I’ll see what I can do for you.�
“Thank you, Your Majesty, and now I must take your leave, as I will be teaching some of the younger boys the art of weaponry. “
Francis smiled. “Very good, Edmond. Thank you.�
As soon as Edmond rode of, Antoine turned to her. “Well, looks like you’ve been busy. May I ask what you have been doing with yourself? Looks as if you’ve been playing in the mud.�
Colette was fuming. She had been up and down this road countless times. Why had she not noticed before where they had been taking her?
“I fell, dear husband, if you must know. Tripped and fell into the mud hole back there.�
“Really now,� Antoine said, getting closer. “I have it on good authority that what you tell me is not the case.�
Colette looked at him, the twinkle in her eyes had gone out. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I was quite alone out there.�
“Then tell me, my love,� Antoine asked, “where did you fall and at what time did it happen?�
“Why do you ask, pray tell?� Colette was getting tired of this game.
Chapter 39
“Well,� Antoine said. “Our two children, Jean and Monique, were out in the orchard early this morning when they heard something. They crept closer to look and noticed that you were digging by the side of the stables. They tried to get a better look, but they couldn’t get closer so they walked around to the other side to get a better look. By that time you were long gone. That’s when Jean Claude noticed something shiny sticking out of the ground.� He held his hand out and Francis handed him the sword that Henry had given him minutes before.
“Henry?� Colette asked, crossing her hands in front of her chest. “How is it that it belongs to royalty? I t was our sword, Nicole’s and mine. We buried it over by the stables along with some broaches that have promptly disappeared. We only did it for the excitement of finding them all over again. It would be like finding buried treasure.�
“Are you sure about this, madam?� Francis asked her.
“Think carefully, Colette,� Auguste said, “think very carefully,�
Colette looked confused. “Of course I am sure,� she spat. “I know what Nicole and I did. We were friends, we grew up together.� She looked at Francis because she did no want to see Antoine and Auguste’s faces.
“I appeal to you, Your Majesty, but I could never forgive Nicole for marrying the man I loved and who I thought loved me in return.�
The King looked at her, obviously upset and confused. “What would you have me do and what does this have to do with me?� the King answered. “I believe that you should address the person that made you so upset in the first place. “ He looked at Auguste who was sitting there taking this all in.
“Colette,� Auguste said, “if you really need to know the truth. Maybe I just didn’t love you. Maybe I just felt that I had nothing more to give to this relationship, that there was nothing left.� He looked at Colette’s face. She wasn’t showing any emotion at all. He continued.
“I had loved Nicole all my life, Colette. I wanted to approach her so many times and everytime I did, you were there. You never let me out of your sight long enough to go with anyone else.�
“We were seeing each other long before then, Colette. And I told you how I felt, you just ignored me and went about your business. Finally, we ran away together and married. We returned to face the consequences, we knew that there would be plenty. Or so we thought. What I never expected was your actions toward what we did.�
“You never expected it? Is this what you are trying to tell me?� Colette asked.