Kate's Parisian Escape

Chapter 12

Château de Langlois, June 1788

Loire Valley, France

The guilt was slowly eating away at Adaline.

She knew she needed to tell Juliette about her kiss with Christian.

But she feared her reaction? Would she be upset? Shocked? Confused? And what could Adaline say? That she'd loved Christian for years and only recently learned her feelings were reciprocated? Was that enough of an explanation?

So, Adaline was quite surprised when Juliette announced she had something important to tell her.

"I know this will come as a shock to you, but it's done so you don't need to overact."

"Why would I overreact?" Adaline asked.

They were in the red and gold room. Juliette was pacing back and forth in front of the large stone fireplace.

"I'm just going to come out and say it. Marc and I were intimate."

"Juliette!" Her name burst from Adaline's lips before she could stop herself.

"I love him, Adaline," Juliette said in her defense. As usual she looked lovely in a periwinkle blue gown.

"But Juliette, what about Louie?" Adaline inquired.

Juliette harrumphed, "Why do you keep on insisting upon bringing Louie up? He's our father's valet! Hardly more suitable than Marc and in case you haven't noticed he despises me."

"Juliette, that's not true. He's simply concerned about you." Adaline pointed out.

Juliette laughed, "Is that what he's doing?"

Adaline ignored her, "So what does this mean? Are you calling off the wedding?"

Juliette sat next to Adaline on the settee, "Not exactly, we're going to run away!"

Adaline's eyes widened in shock, "Please tell me you're joking."

Juliette shook her head no.

"But you can't! Where would you even go?" Adaline asked, flabbergasted.

"Marc's figuring that out."

"But why?" Adaline asked confused, "Why would you give all this up?"

Juliette clasped Adaline's hand in hers. "I want to be happy, don't you?"

Adaline looked at their hands and sighed, "Oh Julie there's something I have to tell you too! I'm in love with Christian!"

Juliette nodded, "I noticed."

"You did?" Adaline asked, surprised.

"You've never been good at keeping secrets."

"He kissed me." Adaline shyly revealed.

Juliette smiled, "So he feels the same way."

"Yes! I couldn't believe it." Adaline exclaimed.

"Good. Mama will be happy if at least one of her daughters is marrying a Dubois."

"It's not that simple." Adaline reminded her.

"All will be well in the end," Juliette assured her, "You'll see."

Adaline shook her head. "Somehow I doubt that."

"Always the pessimist, aren't we?" Juliette quipped, "Now you promise not to say anything about my plans with Marc?"

"I promise," Adaline answered sullenly.

"Good," Juliette answered curtly. "Now tell me more about this kiss?"

Adaline blushed, "It was just a quick one in the gardens."

"I'm surprised Christian revealed his true feelings to you." Juliette mused.

Adaline grinned, "I guess he really didn't want to marry you."

Juliette gave a fake laugh, "Oh you are so funny sister."

"Juliette?"

"Yes?"

"When you were with Marc...did you like it?"

Juliette shrugged, "It wasn't the worst thing I've ever done."

"And you still want to run away with him." Adaline asked, shocked. Her sister was so strange. Marrying for love had never been an option for them but to throw away their privileged lives for a man she could be so nonchalant about. What kind of sense did that make?

Juliette smiled sadly. "Oh Addy, this is about more than just Marc, it's about freedom."

"Well, I hope you get everything you want." Adaline replied sincerely.

Juliette smiled, "I'm not worried. I always do."