okay, i am putting the ENTIRE story up here as well as adding it to the fanfiction forum…..so here goes…
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.”
Chapter 1
“Look at the two of you,” Paulette said, brushing the mud from her son’s breeches. She turned to Danielle. “And you, milady, should be a bit more careful. You are starting to get too old for these games.” She started to brush off Danielle’s dress when Danielle’s father, Auguste de Barbarac, stuck his head out of the study door.
He smiled when he saw the three of them. It wasn’t the first time he had seen Gustave covered from head to toe in mud.
“Danielle,” he said, leaving the study door and walking over to meet her. “Well, look at this.” He laughed. “How many this time?” he asked.
“Henry and his cousin, Francois, Papa.” Danielle said, laughing.
Auguste smiled and shook his head. “You are growing fast, Danielle. You will soon be a woman, Danielle and you will have to start to behave like one. You are getting too old for these games.”
Funny, she thought. That’s just what Paulette had told her.
“Sit down, Danielle. We have much to discuss.”
“Henry?” Danielle called.
“Up here, on top of the hill. Hurry or you’ll miss it.”
Danielle ran all the way up the steps to meet him. “You are late as usual,” Henry smiled and watched as Danielle sat down next him.
“I am lucky I am here at all,” Danielle told him. “My father kept talking for hours.”
“Did you sneak out again?” Henry asked.
Danielle nodded. “It’s getting to be a bad habit,” she answered, laughing. “I’m acting just like you.”
Henry smiled. “Is that good or bad?”
“SHHHH,” Danielle said, putting her fingers to her lips. “We’re missing the whole thing.”
They turned to watch the sunset.
Chapter 2
“So,” Henry asked. “What did your father have to say?”
They were walking back from the ruins and headed toward the manor. They were carrying torches to light their way home.
“Well,” Danielle said, smiling. She turned to him. “My uncle will be coming for a visit from Paris.”
Henry looked at her. “Uncle?”
Danielle nodded. “Uncle Antoine and his new wife, Colette. They’ll be here for a week.”
Henry stopped walking and stared at her. “Captain Antoine de Barbarac of the Royal Guards?”
“Yes,” Danielle said, nodding. “Do you know of him?”
Henry nodded. “Father talks of him often. He wanted to be a soldier all his life.”
“Exactly the opposite of Papa. He wanted to become a gentleman farmer.”
“And he made it, Danielle. Monsieur le Duke has done well.”
Danielle nodded. “Gustave will be starting his apprenticeship next month. His teacher has told Papa that he is a brilliant artist for his age group. He has talent, Henry. “
“And you?” Henry asked. “What are your plans for the future?”
Danielle smiled. “I am not sure yet. I have a tutor arriving next week who will teach me everything I need to know about courtly ways including certain studies. There will be some sewing and..”
Henry laughed. “Sewing? You?” I think you have more of an interest throwing rocks and mud than sewing. Why, you handle a sword better than I do.”
Danielle looked up at him. “Nevertheless, I have to learn so I will be better prepared for my future with my Prince.”
They had stopped walking. They stood in front of the manor, eyes locked into one another’s.
“Well, we must say goodnight.”
“And we must do it quickly before Papa discovers I am missing.”
“DANIELLE”
Henry laughed. “Too late. Paulette is already calling for you. See you tomorrow.”
He bent over and gave her a quick peck on the lips and stepped back.
They smiled at one another.
“DANIELLE, ARE YOU OUT HERE?”
“COMING,” Danielle called back. She turned to Henry and without another word ran for the manor entrance.
Henry’s smile widened as he watched as she reached the doors to the manor and stepped inside.
Now it was his turn to face his parents.
Chapter 3
“Where in the world have you been?” Paulette asked, ushering Danielle inside.
“Where’s Papa?” Danielle asked, ignoring Paulette’s question.
“Asleep,” Paulette said, “and that’s where you should be, child.” She shooed Danielle up the stairs toward her room. “And don’t worry, what your father doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Danielle turned on the steps to face her. “Thank you, Paulette. You have been like a mother to me.”
Paulette smiled a sad smile. “Nothing can ever take the place of your mother, Danielle. Don’t you forget that.” She waved her up the stairs again. “Now get up there. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Danielle heard tapping on her bedroom window. She ran to it immediately and she began to smile.
“Henry,” she said, opening up her window. “Go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you all right, Danielle? Did you get into trouble?”
Danielle shook her head. “I’m fine. Now go home before you get in trouble. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Henry smiled. “Don’t forget. I have to beat you in the maze.”
“Henry Francis!” Danielle exclaimed. “You will never beat me at anything. Mark my words well.”
Henry shook his head. He was still smiling. We shall see, Danielle, he thought, we shall see.
“Until tomorrow, then. Good night.”
[ Edited by susan on 2002/5/28 1:22:13 ]
[ Edited by susan on 2002/5/30 3:25:25 ]