Standing outside the fire

Unexpected news

1653

Gardens of Castle de Rousseau were filled with children's laughter. The spring finally came and they used every opportunity they could, to go outside and play. Adeline and Ameilie now had companions to play and learn with. Duc took two eldest children of Baron de Bellamy as his wards. Family de Bellamy was an ancient and noble line, but in the recent years, they had many financial problems due to current Baron's gambling habits. Their family castle desperately needed renovating and it looked almost like a ruin. Baron ,whose name was Antoine, had seven children and he didn't have funds to educate them,so Duc decided to help him. Antoine's eldest child and heir was Henri, healthy and robust twelve-year-old who inherited his father's dark look,but none of his nature. It could already be seen that he would be a very handsome man one day with his light brown hair, deep brown eyes, and olive complexion. Baron's second child was a nine-year-old girl named Jeanne who had her deceased mother's light blond hair, big blue eyes, and extremely fair skin. Unlike her elder brother, she was very sickly.

Ameile and Adeline immediately started to like Bellamy siblings. Adeline even developed a crush on Henri.

Sisters were very happy that their new friends kept them a company during long months they didn't see their father. Duc de Rousseau was very busy with Fronde,but now it was finally over. He even missed their ninth birthday, because he had to be present at Mazarin's triumphal return to Paris. During the whole unpleasant affair, Duc remained at King's side and he hoped that his loyalty wouldn't be forgotten.

"I caught you." Henri proudly said as he managed to pull Adeline by her arm.

"You truly did, I always forget how fast you are," Adeline told him and blushed deeply.

"Look how red are you." Amelie teased her sister.

"Shut up Amelie," Adeline yelled at her twin. She hated how her sister always taunted her.

"I am just saying obvious facts."

"I think that she looks cute when she blushes," Henri said and Adeline reddened even more. Future Baron de Bellamy was at the age when he started to notice the girls,and even if he thought that Adeline was still but a child,but he could already see that one day she will be a very lovely young woman.

"You always say I look stupid when I blush!" Jeanne protested.

"That is because you do. You look like you will explode any second,Adeline's blush looks like two red roses in snow."

"There aren't roses in the snow. It's too cold for them." Amelie objected.

"You are very annoying today Amelie," Adeline said to her sister.

"You tell me that every day,but still you love me."

"Who says I love you?"

"You,all the time."

"Lies."

"I'm not a liar, I am just annoying."

"Now the both of you are annoying," Jeanne complained.

"Look,your governess is coming." Henri interrupted them.Lady Mademoiselle Marianne was walking toward them in the somber black gown. Last year her sister died and since the day she received the sad news, she only wore black.

"I was looking for you." he said and the children noticed that she looked worried.

"Did something happen?" Amelie asked

"Your father wishes to see you. And you Mademoiselle and

Seigneur Bellamy should go to the classroom,your tutor is awaiting you, Mademoiselles Amelie and Adeline will join you soon."

"What does our father want?" Amelie asked.

"It's not mine to tell you."

Sisters found their father waiting for them n his study. The room was dark and they barely saw his face.

"Come my dears sit." He told them in a gentle voice and they sat on a beautiful emerald green sofa.

"You wanted to speak with us, father?" Amelie asked in a slightly worried voice.

"Yes,I have an important news for you."

"We are listening."

"It has been long since your mother died."

"Nine years.." Amelie interrupted

"It's very impolite to interrupt a person who is speaking Amelie." Eduardo scolded his daughter.

"I'm sorry."

"As I said,time passed and I think that it's time for me to marry again."

"You can't do that! " Usually quite Adeline protested

"You need a mother."

"We had a mother and Mademoiselle Marianne is doing a perfectly good job rising us," Amelie said in a voice that belonged to a much older person.

"Don't you love our mother?" Adeline tearfully asked

"Of course I love her,I will love them until the day I die, she is my true love,but time has come for me to marry again. That doesn't mean that I love you any less, you are my daughters,my blood, I would give my life for you." He said that and knelt before them opening his arms for them. Both of the girls stood up and hugged their father.

"I am doing this for you." He mumbled as he kissed their heads.

"Who is she father,who is the woman that will become our stepmother?"

"Her name is Françoise Marie Le Tellier and she is twenty years old. I am sure that you will come to love her as she will you."