North American Mother

Chapter 2

Madeline truly began to hate her life as the days with Francis turned into weeks and then months. Each day she would have two maids come in and wake her as the sun was only just beginning to peak in the sky. They would force her into an uncomfortable and stuffy dress that was so tight she at times had trouble breathing. They would then do her hair up in curls and ringlets with pearls, feathers and even fruit being woven into the golden locks. Then she would be forced into the tight pinchy shoes that hurt her feet and made to walk down to eat breakfast with Matthieu and Francis, both of whom seemed to be in much more comfortable clothes than her own. Francis would then speak to them about what was expected of them that day as they ate. She would complain about the food as well but it was actually rather good, even if much richer than she was used to after so long living in the woods and wilds on what she could find and catch. Most of her days were spent with a morning lesson in French with her brother followed by lunch and then more French lessons, this time just for her. After dinner she would be forced by Francis into learning how to dance, mostly she just tried to see how often she could step on his feet until he gave up for the evening and let her retire to bed, Matthieu would go to bed shortly after dinner. Despite all of this she actually was growing quite fond of Francis, even if all he did was make her life miserable, Matthieu was happy.

It was now high summer and Madeline found herself dreading the heat more than anything. It was so hot and she was given no respite due to her many layers of heavy clothing. Her maids did make the chemise a lighter, lacier version and seemed to be trying to make the layers thinner, but little help it was in the heat of summer. Francis at least had some kindness in him as one day they were out and about and he bought her a very intricate fan and parasol to keep the sun and heat off. It helped, but only just enough to prevent her from passing out.

It was during this first summer with Francis that something different happened in their day to day routine. At breakfast Francis was telling them of what was planned for the day and it did not include lessons of any kind. Apparently an associate of his was meeting with him to discuss trade between their colonies and their home lands and Francis was taking the two of them with him. Madeline also heard the quiet comment about how he wanted to rub it in his associate's face that he had two colonies.

As it were, after breakfast Madeline and Matthieu were loaded into a carriage, Francis handing Madeline her fan and parasol, and riding off. The heat was horrible and Madeline found herself shifting uncomfortably as the boning of her stay began to chafe and dig into her sides. Hours after their journey began they found themselves coming to a stop in a small clearing at the side of the road with a small stream running at the far end. Francis was the first out, followed by Matthieu. He then turned and offered his hand to Madeline, who was grateful for the help in getting out of the stifling heat of the carriage. He led her over to a shaded spot where a table and chair were being set up and fresh fruit juice was being poured for herself and Matthieu, wine was served for Francis. The three settled down at the table for a quick lunch before another carriage arrived and another man stepped out of it and began to approach them. Madeline almost missed the small child that came bolting out of the carriage after him, aiming straight for her.

"Fre-Fre!"

The child then proceeded to tackle and squeeze Madeline to the ground. She let out a gasp as the boning of her stay was pressed more deeply against her and her vision swam with spots as she tried to tell the boy she couldn't breath, just as she felt she would pass out she felt the arms around her loosen and then her vision went black.

Meanwhile everyone else at the gathering had watched the boy latch onto the older girl and begin to hug her. Francis was the first to notice the signs of distress on his charge's face and began to pull at the boy.

"Madeline! Child, please let go she cannot breath."

Those seemed to be the magic words as the boy quickly let go of the girl allowing her to collapse to the ground. Francis was quick to sit her up and pull at the ties of her dress and stay, loosening them to allow her to breath more easily. Arthur handed him a cool damp clothe, he had run over to the stream and wet his kerchief when he saw that Francis had the rest handled.

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, but why do you have the poor thing dressed like that in this God awful heat?"

"Hmph, it is proper, this is the latest fashion back home, of course I would dress her in it."

"Its a bloody death trap."

While the adults argued Matthieu and approached the other boy and begun speaking to him quietly.

"Maska!"

"Kanata!"

"Where have you been?" The last was said simultaneously by both. They stared at each other for a moment before changing the subject.

"What's wrong with Fre-Fre? All I did was give her a hug."

Matthieu shrugs. "I don't know. She seems to have a lot of trouble moving in the clothes Papa makes her wear and she grumbles about them being too tight and making it hard to breath. Maybe you squeezed too hard."

Maska pouts at his brother's statement. "Did he change your names like Arthur did mine? He calls me Alfred now."

Matthieu sticks out his tongue at the name. "Yes, I'm Matthieu and Fre-Fre is Madeline now."

The two brothers continue to chat while the adults fuss over Madeline. Eventually she comes too and Francis helps to close her dress back up to be decent, but it is not done as tightly as it was before. The adults then settle in at the table, leaving the children to their own devices as they discuss business.

Madeline does return Alfred's hug from earlier, but he is mindful of his strength and more gently hugs her back. The three siblings then catch up on what had been happening in their lives since they separated. Madeline seems envious as Alfred tells them how the house he is staying in is smaller with only a few servants as it seems Alfred is given much more freedom than either of them.

After they finish their discussion of business Arthur and Francis watch the children and Arthur makes an observation.

"They seem to know each other."

"Oui, they do. I believe that before we found them they were all living together. I saw Madeline at the edge of the forest that day you took Alfred in. She ran from me but I managed to follow her to a small clearing with a hovel and inside was Matthieu. I managed to get them both back to my house and then well I'm sure you know how that must have gone, no need to bore you with details."

"Hmph. She seems older than the other two."

"Ah, yes. I had noticed that. I have no idea what lands she represents but I think they must be in the north with Matthieu being more southern."

"What makes you think that?"

"Her eyes. Some of my explorers have told tales of dancing lights in the sky far to the north of here. They seem to match her eyes in color."

"I see, so she is one half of New France. I suppose it is possible, look at Italy."

"Oui."

The two continue to chat for a while before it begins to get late and the adults usher their children into their separate carriages. Madeline struggles to keep both boys with her but after a whisper from Alfred she lets him go with Arthur as she and Matthieu go with Francis. She watches sadly as they part ways, refusing to look at Francis during the long ride home.

Notes on language: As you may have noticed some text is italicized or bolded, this is my way of showing when different languages are being used. The italicized words are Alqonguin, the bolded is French. you may also have noticed that I didn't always use these separators, the reason for that being if everyone in the group is speaking the same language, such as the boy huddle, I didn't bother. When English was used, and I use that loosely as I have it from the perspective of an English speaking observer, all other languages are designated or simply used.