Three Peach Roses

Desire

Chapter 5

Marianne's hands shook as she looked up at Olga, sitting at the Royal Table. Unlike her sisters, Marianne thought Olga was very intimidating. She was both beautiful and powerful and she also seemed to hate the Devereaux family; the thought of someone hating her made Marianne very uncomfortable.

After breakfast the sisters separated. Mahogany and Magnolia left to join the hunt and Marianne went to the Ladies Parlour, where Olga had gone. She clutched her book of French poetry and stopped outside the door. "Marianne, bravery." She muttered to herself. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Everyone in the parlour stared at her as she nervously entered the room. Olga, Aleksandra and her friends were sitting in a group by the window and a few other groups were scattered around. It was not a warm welcome for Marianne. 

Unsure of what to do, Marianne walked slowly over to Olga and curtsied as if she was Queen.

"And you are?" Olga said sharply.

"Lady Muscov, I am Marianne Devereaux. I am new at court." Marianne answered, trying to sound as composed as possible but there was a shake in her voice. 

"Devereaux?" Aleksandra chipped in with a strong note of disgust in her voice.

"Yes." Marianne answered, trying to be like Mahogany but there was more shame in her voice.

"Well, isn't it strange seeing a Devereaux serving in Court. I'm surprised his Highness has let you back." Aleksandra said acidly. Olga, although she was told by her family to hate the Devereauxs, felt sorry for Marianne. Then she noticed the book Marianne was gripping.

"You speak French?" She asked with interest. Marianne answered in fluent French.

"Yes! I spoke only French with my Father as a child." Olga smiled and they continued speaking French.

"You like poetry too?" She asked

"I love it. I find it so fluid and beautiful." Just thinking about Poetry made Marianne smile and Olga smiled too, since she had moved to court she didn't have anyone to discuss Poetry with. Her closest confidant was her elder sister, Aleksandra, hadn't so much as picked up a book in her life and she hadn't the patience to study another language.

Olga invited Marianne to sit, much to the annoyance of Aleksandra. They discussed some more French poetry then Olga introduced her to her party.

"I must introduce you to my ladies; this is my sister, Aleksandra; my cousins Anouska, Helena and Irina Sokolov and my friends Viktoriya Nikolaev, Katerina Bogdanov and Maria Ivanov." Olga gestured to each of the girls. Aleksandra and her cousins refused to have any conversation however Marianne found Katerina to be very pleasant company.

"Marianne, my ladies and I usually dine for luncheon in our private dining room. Would you join us?" Olga asked. Aleksandra frowned deeply and went to stand by the window, like a young child sulking. It reminded Marianne of her dear brother Julius when she didn't have time to read him another story. Katerina leaned over to Marianne and whispered discreetly. "Don't mind Aleksandra. She is not always in the best of moods." Marianne could figure out why. Aleksandra was completely overshadowed by her more beautiful, more intelligent and more powerful sister.

Marianne was surprised to see both of her sisters in the private dining room, sitting with the King's party. 

"Olga, my darling!" The King said, warmly. Olga bent down to greet him as he did not stand. Magnolia was sitting with Sir Thomas Mikhailov, who she had been riding next to during the hunt. Mahogany was with her but she was talking with another one of the King's friends, Sir Ivan Bogdanov. The girls were impressed with each other's success, although they had not spoken with the King. Marianne and Katerina left Olga to go and greet their siblings.

"Ivan, brother!" Katerina said warmly. Marianne kissed Mahogany on the cheek.

"Dear sister!" Mahogany said, smiling. "Sir Bogdanov, this is my sister Marianne." Marianne and Katerina sat and they all chatted as they ate, then Olga called Katerina and Marianne over. Katerina sighed and whispered to Marianne.

"She is just using us so the King will invite her to spend the afternoon with him. It's so irritating when she does this." Mahogany grabbed Marianne's arm as she walked.

"Say something to the King!" She hissed in Italian, so the people around her wouldn't understand.

The King and Olga were sitting extremely close together; Olga was almost on his knee. The King nuzzled into her neck.

"My Lord, please stop!" Olga giggled. Katerina and Marianne stood in front of them, Marianne feeling uncomfortable.

"Ladies." King Dimitri said, acknowledging them with a nod. 

"Katerina, Marianne, we should walk by the River this afternoon." Olga said, still slightly distracted by the King. Katerina sighed lightly.

"No. Not this afternoon. You will be in my Chamber, my sweet." King Dimitri cut in, kissing Olga's cheek.

"Excuse us, my Lady." Katerina said, turning to walk away.

"No. Wait." The King said. Marianne and Katerina stopped immediately.

"Devereaux, new girl at my court. What is your name?" He said, lazily.

"Marianne, your Highness. I am here with my sisters, Mahogany and Magnolia."

"What interesting names." The King mused.

"Magnolia and Marianne are French, your Highness. Magnolia's are beautiful pink and white flowers. Marianne comes from the word 'mer' and means 'Of the sea'. Mahogany is English and is also a luxurious red wood." Marianne explained. Once Marianne started a lecture her mouth took over and she found it difficult to stop. Teaching was the thing Marianne excelled in. Mahogany, who had been watching and listening intently, started shaking her head rapidly as Marianne was about to start talking about the history of Mahogany wood and the meaning behind their five brother's names. The King looked slightly amused and, to Mahogany's surprise, interested.

"Fascinating, Miss Devereaux. Do you by any chance know what my name means?" He asked.

"Your Highness, Dimitri means 'devoted to' but also comes from the Goddess Demeter so means 'follower of Demeter." Marianne answered quietly, sensing his teasing she blushed pink and looked down.

"You are clever, Miss Devereaux. I wonder if I might pick your brain more. My other name, my middle name is Adonis. Pray tell me, what does that mean?" He asked, with a seductive grin. Marianne felt uncomfortable and her eyes widened slightly.

"Adonis. Adonis is Greek and it means 'Lord'. It is after...it is after the Greek God Adonis, he was famed for being handsome." Marianne said, pausing and tripping over her words. King Dimitri laughed.

"Yes. I believe he was. He had women falling at his feet. What was he the God of now?" Dimitri asked, his voice low.

"The God of Beauty." Marianne said, flushing darker pink and looking at her feet.

"And?" King Dimitri pressed. Marianne gazed up at him, her skin glowing and her eyes bright.

"Desire." 

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