Colette

chapter two

July1558 - September 1558 

Alencon, France

"Why don't we get new dresses for the celebration? Colette has many fine gowns but what about me and Cecile?", Antoinette asked their mother.

The Duchesse of Alencon, Anne, sat in her chambers with her maids as they sewed the Duc's linen shirts. It had taken much out of Anne to plan a celebration for her eldest child and the departure of the same child. She looked almost like a queen with all her ladies dressed as they were.

The Duchesse was dressed in a red gown with many tiny embellishments sewn into it by her many ladies and a shiny brown kirtle. As a wife she wore her dress with long sleeves and a train that covered the floor around her chair. But she was in no way an old maid, she was still dressed, and while she had to dress to her position of wife and mother, her dress hugged her body and her low cut square neckline showed the favors she had to offer her husband even after the birth of so many children.

But it wasnt just the dress that told her people that she was of importance, it was the jewels that she had. The family jewels. Next to her wedding ring from her father was another ring that held the signet of the Leroux family, like her husbands it allowed her to make orders of her own as his family had taken part in for generations. At her neck she wore a gift from her late father, His Magesty, King James, a simple cross, with his crest in the middle, that he himself had given her before his death, showing herself as a daughter of royalty and the special jewels of the Leroux family that Henri had gifted to her upon their marriage.

To many of the girls trying to see their best for the Duc's shirts, they were galled that a daughter of a Duc would speak to her Lady Mother in such a way, especially one with the graces and looks of a Queen.

"Ladies if you will please leave my daughter and myself alone, please continue with His Graces shirts in your chambers", Anne said standing tall in front of her daughter. Many of the girls looking with worry at the little Madmoselle before retreating to their own chambers.

"Marie Antoinette! Do you know who I am, daughter? What duties I hold especially when it comes to my children?"

"You mean your daughters", Antoinette said with sneer before her mother slapped her face.

Antoinette put a hand to her red cheek and then turned around with bitterness burning in her soul. Colette had always gotten things before her younger sisters. Antoinette thought herself old enough to go to the court to the Queen Catherine. She had heard such stories of the woman, a woman who would understand the bitterness that Antoinette felt towards her sisters.

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As soon as the slap echoed through the room, Anne regretted it. She had never once raised a hand to anyone but she just seemed to lose her temper at everyone including her own family.

"Madame, may I speak to you", a younger girl said. The Duchesse recognized the face right away. It was Jacuette, one of the neighboring families daughters. Her father himself was a Duc but Anne didnt want to see her face. She was sure of her husbands infidelities as she looked upon the youthful beautiful face of Lady Jaquette.

"You may", Anne said as she started to take off her jewels.

The beautiful creature walked through the Duchesse's room and curtsied to the Duchesse. "Your Grace, I think I might need your advice. You are the only one who could help me", the girl pleaded. Anne answered with a nod of her head and the girl sat down across from Anne. "I know this will come as a shock but hear me out. There is someone that I know who is with child. I don't believe she knows, though, with her experience she should. How would you react to such news?"