Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part VI: Convalescence

A few days have passed and Luisa is at the bedside of a napping Chloe. It's about midday now and Elise had gone down to fetch lunch for everyone. Luisa heard a knock on the door and assuming it was Elise she called for them to enter.

It was in fact actually Frederic. This was the first time he'd seen any of them since the day of the shooting. He'd gone off someplace to clear his head.

"Hi, Luisa." He said.

"Oh! Frederic!" She whispered. "Come, let's step into the hall. Chloe is asleep." She said getting up.

They walked outside and gently shut the door.

"Where have you been? You disappeared that night!" She scolded him.

"I'm sorry I..." He was cut off by Luisa grabbing him and hugging him.

"I never got to show hoe grateful I was that you saved Chloe's life and potentially my own!" She said as she hugged the man tightly.

"Oh! Don't thank me." He said humbly. "I just did what I needed to in the moment."

"Not just that. You saved all three of our lives." Luisa said as she looked up at him. "If you hadn't found out about the plot! I fear to imagine what may have happened!"

"Well we're all fine and healthy. So it's pointless thinking of the what if right?" He asked smiling at her. "How is little Chloe?" He asked.

"She's better. Still weak and can hardly move. Little Mignonette has been keeping her company, playing cards and such with her." Luisa said.

"I'm glad!" He smiled. "Did you hear about Robert?" He asked.

"No! What happened?" Luisa asked.

"He confessed his infidelity. I guess the whole situation made him guilty. Well Claire confessed hers and now they're to be married!" He announced.

"Damn that woman for not telling me first!" Luisa cried. "But I'm so happy for her!"

"It's also sad news." Frederic said with a frown. "Robert's Uncle died heirless, and he had quite the decent little estate. But it's back across the channel." He said. "So Claire will be going to England."

"Oh." Luisa said sounding now quite glum. "I suppose she does not have room for all of us." She said with a hurt giggle.

"Don't fret! You three can make it!" He smiled at her. "Claire is taking only Dominique, as she worries about her on account of her skin."

"Makes sense." Luisa sighed. "Well we'll have to find someplace else to live." She said as she sat on a chair that was placed there.

"You'll be fine." He said.

"No we won't! Or at least we don't know that." She shouted. "Sorry, Frederic. I just don't know how far three uneducated orphan girls can get in life themselves. What if this ends it for us?" Luisa asked.

"Hush up that sort of talk!" He scolded. "If you love each other you'll all be together in some way." He said as he rubbed her shoulder comfortingly.

"No house wants three untrained maids. We're all too small to work anywhere and no one wants a girl for an apprentice!" She groaned.

"Well you've time to plan and to think things over." He said.

"Can't you come with us?" She asked him sadly.

"Would if I could, my dear. But I'm being sent off to war." He said with a guilty expression.

"I didn't even know you were a soldier!" She exclaimed.