Kate's Parisian Escape

Prologue

Château de Langlois, August 1788

Loire Valley, France

Ignoring the loud rumbling thunder, nineteen-year-old Juliette Chevalier hurried along the red carpeted hallway to her younger sister's room. She carried a single candle in one hand and a satchel in the other with a few changes of clothing and some personal mementos including a hand embroidered handkerchief made by her mother and a jewel studded ivory hairbrush.

She prayed she wouldn't come across anyone before reaching Adeline's room; especially Louie who she suspected was roaming about the château just waiting for a chance to thwart her plan.

Louie Tremblay had been nothing but a thorn in Juliette's side for the past seven years, when he first arrived at Château de Langlois and began working as a stable boy. Over the years he had moved up to valet to her father Jean-Claude. The two had a close relationship and some would even say he was the son that Jean-Claude had never had. In Juliette's opinion however, any brother of hers would be far less interfering and much more charming. Though he did have his moments, for instance the time he spent an afternoon playing violin for her when she was ill or how he never told anyone about Juliette's difficulty with reading.

Reaching Adeline's room, she quietly stole inside, leaving her satchel against the closed door. She tiptoed over to the bed where Adeline was fast asleep, her dark rich hair fanned across the pillow.

"Adeline," Juliette whispered, shaking her gently, "Adeline, wake up."

Adeline slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times until they focused on Juliette's face.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" she asked sleepily.

Juliette sat on the side of Adeline's large four poster bed hung with red velvet drapes. "We leave tonight. Tell no one."

Instantly Adeline was wide awake, she scurried to sit up wrapping her arms around her bent knees. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I have no choice," said Juliette sadly, "No one must know of my condition."

"Con-Condition?" Adeline stumbled startled.

Juliette nodded, "I am in the family way."

"NO!" Adeline gasped reaching for Juliette's hand, "You can't be!"

"I am Adeline. For this I am certain of."

"But Louie –

Juliette cuts Adeline off, "What does Louie have anything to do with this?"

"Well, it's just that he –

"What? Would, like nothing better for my secret to be discovered?"

Adeline's luminous toffee-colored eyes widened in the candlelight, "No! Louie would never do any such thing."

Juliette laughed harshly, "That's rich Adeline you know he despises me."

"That's not true –

"And if possible, he hates Marc even more."

"Well Marc isn't exactly kind to him," said Adeline sheepishly.

"Adeline, bite your tongue!" Juliette exclaimed, "You're talking about the father of my child!"

"Oh, Julie, are you really in the family way?"