Kate's Parisian Escape

Chapter 16

Château de Langlois, July 1788

Loire Valley, France

Adaline quickly hid the missive Louie had handed off to her in the bodice of her dress. As he slipped the thin piece of parchment into her hand, he whispered it was from Christian. Immediately, her heart began to beat faster. What news could he be relaying? Good or bad? Or worse, tragic?

Adaline thanked Louie then made an excuse to her mother whom she'd been strolling the gardens with and hurried inside to the confines of her private room. It was another hot day, so Mama hadn't been surprised when Adaline told her she was feeling faint and needed to go lie down.

Once in her room she carefully unfolded the note. Christian had written in the next fortnight he planned to announce he was calling off his engagement with Juliette. Then once that was done and an appropriate period of time had passed, they would be able to announce their own engagement. Yet even so Adaline knew what a scandal it would cause, the gossip mongers would be tickled with glee over this news. Especially, if Juliette really did take off with Marc.

Adaline slipped the note back into her bodice. She knew she needed to speak with Juliette before sending a reply to Christian. Since Christian had proclaimed his feelings for her, they had been very careful about the time they spent together and passing notes had become commonplace in their relationship. But Adaline didn't mind, she cherished each one.

On her way to see Juliette she ran into Marc. Literally ran into him. They collided so hard outside on the stone steps that the note from Christian fluttered out from her bodice and landed on the ground.

Marc quickly snatched it up and read the few lines written in Christian's careful and exact hand before Adeline had time to properly steady herself. She noticed Marc did not bother to apologize or help her.

"Is this true?" Marc asked, surprised, and confused.

Was there any point in lying? Adaline asked herself. If he was truly going to disappear with Juliette, he was bound to find out anyway.

"Yes, it's true." She confirmed.

Marc was dressed in his groomsmen clothes. Worn brown breeches and a white shirt. He was good looking. Even Adaline had to admit that. But it was clear to her that his heart was black. Why would Julie want to spend her life with a man like that? His dashing looks wouldn't last forever. Eventually, that chestnut hair would turn gray, and those piercing blue eyes would become dull with age. He continued to hold the note between his fingers.

"You mustn't tell anyone about this." Adaline advised him. "You care for Juliette, don't you?"

He just nodded but Adaline could tell he was thinking something up in that crafty mind of his.

"Julie will be so relieved she won't have to break the poor chumps heart." Marc commented.

"I happen to love Christian." Adaline said proudly.

"Of course, you do," Marc said, sarcastically handing her back the note. "You be careful with that then."

He turned and stepped down the few remaining stairs though Adaline was curious where he had been headed to begin with.

Putting thoughts of him out of her mind, Adaline hurried to the vineyard where she knew Juliette liked to talk walks among the rows of grapes. She finally caught up to Juliette huffing out of breath ten minutes later.

"Addy, what's wrong? Did you run here?" Juliette asked, surprised. The sunlight was hitting her just right, bouncing off her brilliant blond hair and lightly tanned skin.

"Yes, I wanted... I wanted to show you this?" Gasping Adaline held the note out for her to take.

Juliette accepted it and quickly read the contents.

"A fortnight then." She said when she was done.

"Do you think it's too soon? I thought perhaps we should wait a bit longer."

"It would make things easier if I was already gone." Juliette concurred.

"I hate when you say that." Adaline reminded her.

"Well, it's true, you need to get used to it. How did you come by this note?" Juliette asked curiously.

"Louie."

Juliette laughed ironically, "Of course. I should have known."

Ignoring her comment, Adaline said. "What should I tell Christian?"

"Advise him to wait until mid-August. I should have things sorted out by then."

"I ran into Marc on my way here. He saw the note and seemed surprised Christian would not marry you." Adaline revealed. 

Juliette shrugged. "He would have found out eventually. I just preferred him to think other men desired me."

"You need to be careful Julie," Adaline warned her.

Juliette gave a small smile and linked one arm with Adaline. "Don't worry dear. I always am."