Kate's Parisian Escape

Chapter 8

Château de Langlois, June 1788

Loire Valley, France

"We need to talk."

Adeline's words repeated themselves over in Juliette's head as she quietly crept through the dark château to the servant's quarters where she had earlier agreed to meet Marc. Juliette knew Adeline would not have made the request if it wasn't important but not wanting to renege on her promise to Marc, she assured herself whatever Adeline needed to speak with her about could wait until morning. 

There were a few flickering torches throughout the château but for the most part it was black as pitch. Fortunately, Juliette knew the way well as she had taken this path many times over the last few months. Juliette knew Adeline didn't understand her attraction to Marc or why she wouldn't want to be with someone like Christian Dubois who was handsome, kind, and wealthy. The match with Christian made sense but she only had feelings of brotherly affection toward him.

It wasn't as if she set out to fall in love with Marc. He had been working at the château for years before Juliette took notice of him. But then one cold winter day on a trip to town one of the carriage wheels broke. It would take hours for the repair and the temperature was continuing to drop. Concerned about her well-being Marc had offered to carry Juliette the remainder of the way. Juliette was sure had he not she would have fallen ill with pneumonia or some other dreadful disease. From that day forward Marc Roux was no longer just a stable boy to Juliette.

Now she approached the servant quarters. Marc shared a room with two other boys, but she knew at this late hour they would be asleep. Juliette knocked softly on the door knowing Marc was on the other side waiting for her. He quietly slipped out shortly after her knock.

"Mon chérie you look beautiful," Marc murmured slowly stroking her cheek with one finger.

Juliette blushed, she was wearing a simple cotton nightgown and a white wrapper. Her long blond hair falling in long waves down her back.

"Come this way," Marc took her hand and began leading her down the darkened hall. Here there were no torches as it was expected once the servants retired for the evening, they would not leave their rooms until morning. At one-point Juliette thought she heard movement behind them but when she turned, she saw the hallway remained dark and empty.

They did not speak again until after Marc ushered her into a room on the opposite side of the château from where her family slept.

"We shouldn't be disturbed here," Marc told her crossing to throw open the drapes to let in the moonlight as she took in her surroundings.

It was an older parlor room with a pink sofa and two straight backed green chairs with a cold fireplace above which was a painting of their mother.

"Mama never liked that painting," Juliette told Marc. In it she had a sour look on her face as she sat on one of the stone benches in the garden.

"Then we must replace it with one of you." Marc insisted, taking her hands in his.

Juliette smiled.

"Let's sit," Marc led her to the couch.

"The wedding approaches," Juliette said unhappily, pulling her wrapper closer around her as if Marc wasn't already fully aware of this fact.

He nodded gravely, "I know."

"I don't want to marry Christian," pouted Juliette.

"Ma douce, my sweet, do you love me?"

Juliette's eyes widened in astonishment. "Of course!" she exclaimed.

"Truly?" Marc pursued his blue eyes filling up his face in the dark room.

Juliette laid a cool hand on his cheek, "Yes my sweet I do."

Marc kissed her then more passionately and intensely then he ever had before. Juliette's head was swimming, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst from her chest. Marc wrapped his arms around her and gently laid her down on the sofa.

"There is a way," he whispered softly in her ear.

"A way?" Juliette repeated in a breathy voice.

"Yes, for us to be together but...no we cannot."

Marc sat up.

"Can't what? Tell me Marc." Juliette pleaded. Sure, whatever it was she would do.

Marc gave a deep sigh. "Christian is expecting you to be pure when you marry."

It took a moment and then Juliette realized his meaning. "Y-Yes he is." She stammered suddenly feeling hot.

"If you weren't, that would give cause to call off the wedding." Marc explained slowly. 

Juliette swallowed hard. Though she had meant what she said she wasn't entirely sure she was ready to do what he was suggesting.

"I understand what I am asking of you. I wish there was another way, but it is the only thing I can think of, mon chérie."

Juliette nodded to let Marc know she understood.

"It's your life," Marc told her. "I am not like Christian. I don't have land, money, and fine things. All of which you deserve."

"NO!" said Juliette forcefully, making up her mind, "I don't care about those things I just want you!" Juliette threw her arms around Marc and held him tightly against her.

"Juliette what are you saying?"

Slowly she pulled away, keeping her arms draped loosely around his neck.

"I'm saying I don't want to get married."

Juliette knew exactly what would become of her life if she wed Christian. She'd end up like her mother in a loveless marriage with only shopping, gossip and ordering the servants around to occupy her time. Juliette wanted more than that, she wanted romance and adventure, and she was sure Marc could give her both.

"You're sure?" asked Marc, searching her eyes. 

Juliette kissed him. "Oui."

And then she pulled him back on top of her.