Lady Therese De Beauharnais of Roche

11 October, Year 32 of King Frederick V of Monrique's reign

Bordeux Castle, Bordeux

Monrique

I ran a hand through my curls, sighing.

My final law examinations were going to take place in a little more than a week's time. Out of sheer desperation, I was seated here, with my cup of coffee, my books and notes on the windowsill, even before dawn had broken.

However, at the moment, I was briefly distracted. My bedchambers looked over the courtyard, and I was watching, through my frosted windows, Lady Rochelle carry and load her trunks and belongings into the waiting carriage by the front steps with Lady Evangeline's help.

Lord Testalt had mentioned last night that he was going to send his sister home to his parents, but I had not known that he would be able to arrange that on such short notice. He was currently speaking to the horsemen below solemnly, and he ran his hands through his hair once every few moments, clearly anxious for her journey.

For once, however, my gaze was not drawn to him, but to her.

Lady Rochelle looked quite a sight. Although her hair was neatly braided, and her gown was neat and crisp, her baby blue eyes were still bloodshot from all the whiskey she had drunk the night before, and her countenance was drawn and exhausted.

Even from where I sat, I could see the bright pink palm print stand out against the pale skin on her cheeks, where I had slapped her last night.

I closed my eyes in relief, leaning against the cool windowpane. Although I wished her the best in her recovery, I did not want her anywhere near Tommy ever again. She would never hurt the child again, not while I lived.

By God, I wished it were this easy to make my own mother leave me alone.

But nay, she was still here, her chambers a few steps away from my own. I had not seen her in almost a week after she had confronted me in my chambers, and no doubt she was plotting and scheming anew, cooped up in her rooms.

Whatever she was planning, I prayed she left me out of it.

At that moment, I felt someone shake my arm. "Tessie. Tessie."

I looked down to see little Tommy blinking up at me, hazy with sleep. His eyes were still puffed up from crying so much the night before, and his sweet voice hoarse.

"Why are you awake so soon, Tessie?" he mumbled in confusion, "mornings make you grumpy."

I smiled wryly. "I could ask you the same question, mon ange."

"It was starting to get too cold," he admitted, "brrr." He shuddered for good measure.

I frowned, glancing towards the fireplace, to find the fire almost dying out. I pushed my books aside, and lifted Tommy up onto my lap, covering him with the furs around my shoulders.

"Better?" I rubbed his hands and feet.

He nodded, snuggling against me as he looked outside the window. Almost at once, he sat upright, horrified.

"Tessie!" he put his face close to the window, squinting outside, "is that Mama? And Auntie Evie? And Oncle Ned? Where are they going without me?" He sounded hurt.

"Nay – "

His eyes began to fill with tears. "Is it because of yesterday?" his lower lip trembled, the horror of yesterday clear in his eyes, "am I being punished?"

Something inside me squeezed painfully.

"You are not being punished," my voice was soft, but firm, "all that happened yesterday was not your fault, and will never be. Do you believe me?"

He nodded without hesitation. "I believe you, Tessie."

"Good," I brushed aside a curl that fell across his forehead, "and therefore, you are not to blame yourself for it, or for any of your mother's misbehaviour towards you, ever again. Pinkie promise?" I held out my smallest finger.

His eyes widened in surprise. He set much store on pinkie promises, and understood that I was being extremely serious on the rare occasions I asked him to make them. He took my pinkie with his solemnly, and nodded.

"I pinkie promise, Tessie," he swung our pinkies back and forth, "but where is everyone going without me?"

"Nay, little one, Oncle Ned and Auntie Evie are going to stay here in Bordeux, with you," I assured him quietly, "only your Mama is going home to Testalt."

"Why?"

"Your Mama is ill," I explained, "thus, she is going to visit your grandparents, and will stay home until she recovers."

His lips formed a perfect "O' in understanding. "She will recover soon," he was confident, "Testalt is the best place in the whole world, and grandmama and grandpapa could make anyone better in a jiffy." He snapped his fingers to illustrate his point.

I smile sadly. He still wished well for his mother who had abandoned him out in the cold on purpose, and said such horrible things to him yesterday. Children, as I was beginning to realise, were very pure-hearted creatures.

The both of us gazed out of the window in silence, as the carriage slowly rolled away from the courtyard towards the Castle gates, bringing Lady Rochelle away from our lives.

Subconsciously, Tommy raised a hand and placed it against the windowpane, staring at the carriage, deep in thought. At the same time, almost as if he sensed us watching, Lord Testalt turned around, and looked up at us.

His heavy, tired gaze fell on Tommy first, and then on me. As much as he loved and cared for his nephew, I knew it was difficult for him to deal with Lady Rochelle thus, and see her suffer. This was a lousy situation to begin with, and he was torn on both sides.

His gaze held mine now, filled with a deep sadness that resonated within me. A brittle, broken smile tried to cross its way up his lips in greeting, but was unable to stay.

I lifted my hand against the windowpane, next to Tommy's.

***

"Can...the tee-nant ask.... for com-pen-sa-tion...if the land-lord...wants to break...the lease early?"

Seated at the courtyard, I waited patiently for Tommy to finish asking his question, as he struggled to slowly spell and read out the words on my notes, and tried to balance my big book on his small lap at the same time.

"Tenant, Tommy," I corrected him gently.

"Tenant," he repeated obediently.

I nodded, thinking how to answer the question at hand. "Aye, especially if the tenant has been paying his rent on time and has been upholding his side of the deal," I replied, "the tenant can ask for up to half of the amount of money the landlord had initially paid for his property as compensation."

The little boy simply blinked at me in bewilderment, not at all comprehending the question he had asked, or the answer I had given him in return.

It was all I could do not to burst out laughing.

"Tess, stop tormenting the poor child," Liv smiled weakly next to me, looking up from her embroidery, "if you want, I can ask you your questions and help you revise for your examinations."

She reached for the book on Tommy's lap, only to receive a ferocious scowl from.

"Nay," he shook his head stubbornly, hugging the book closer to him, "only I will help Tessie."

"See?" I remarked wryly to Liv, "he has been refusing to release that book since breakfast this morning."

She chuckled in amusement.

Tommy tapped my lap to catch my attention. "Tessie, concentrate," he bade me imperiously, "I am going to ask you the next question."

I tried to be serious, and sat upright. "Of course."

He nodded, satisfied, and squinted at the book again to sound out the words. "What...are the...factors you...would con-see-der...when you...are sett-ling....joint property...during a...die-vorce?"

I smiled sadly. "Consider. And divorce, Tommy."

He looked up at me, confused. "Consider. Divorce," he tested the words on his tongue, "Tessie, what is a divorce?"

Liv and I exchanged glances. "Well – "

"Tess!"

I was saved from answering him by the sound of a familiar voice calling my name.

I turned around to find my brother-in-law, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nicholas of Monrique, followed closely by two unfamiliar Corporals, approaching us with a small smile on his face.

I lifted Tommy swiftly up into my arms, stood up, and sunk into a curtsey, as did Liv.

"Your Royal Highness."

"Please do not stand on ceremony with me," he bade me gently, raising me from my curtsey, "we are family."

I smiled weakly. Considering everything I had done, I was completely undeserving of his kindness.

"Good morrow, Lady Olivia," he inclined his head at Liv, before grinning at Tommy, "and to you too, Lord Alençon." He adopted a deep, pompous voice, bowing deeply in front of him.

Tommy giggled, patting his hair. "'Tis Tommy, Your Royal Highness."

"I remember," he rose, chuckling, "and by the way, my hair is off limits." He waggled a finger at him playfully.

"I remember," the child shot him an impish smile.

He laughed softly in amusement. "You are exactly like your uncle."

At that moment, one of the Corporals behind him cleared his throat. "I apologise for interrupting, Sire," he remarked quietly, "but His Majesty expects you in his chambers in ten minutes."

Nick ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "Oh, yes. Thank you for reminding me, Corporal Joffre," he nodded, before, "Tommy, would you like to play with Lady Olivia for a few moments, please? There is something I wish to speak about in private with Tess."

Tommy blinked between us, worried at once. "Is Tessie in trouble?"

"Nay, she is not. I only want to speak to her," he assured him, "please do not worry, all right?"

The child stared at him for a long while, before nodding. "All right, Sire."

"Good boy," he smiled gently at him, "Lady Olivia?" He glanced at Liv.

Liv shot us a curious glance, before she lifted Tommy from my arms and walked down the corridor.

The moment Liv and Tommy were out of earshot, I turned to Nick. "What is the matter, Sire?" I frowned at him, "is my cousin all right?"

"Julie is very well," he smiled weakly, "but I heard from her that you are not."

I tensed. "I beg your pardon?"

"She told me about your carriage accident yesterday morning," he clarified, "about how you and Lady Olivia were almost killed by your horseman."

I was wary at once. How much did he know? "I see."

"She has asked me to investigate this incident on her behalf," he was watching my countenance closely, "and hunt down the knave, and have him punished."

"Well, I wish you all the best, Sire."

"Thank you," he answered shortly, "but do you know why would anyone intend to hurt you thus? Have either you or Lady Olivia made any enemies recently?" He urged me to remember.

My doubts cleared. In her account of the accident, Jules has left out the note that Rex had left me, I realised, which means Nick is still unaware of our petition – and what more, his investigations will hold off Rex for a few days, at the very least.

I was relieved.

Shrugging now, I gave him a brittle smile. "I am not certain about Liv, but in my case, at least, there are always more people who wish me ill than those who wish me well, Sire. There are too many to count."

He nodded, deeply troubled. "In any case, this is Corporal Joffre, and Corporal Pétain," he introduced the two Corporals next to him, "and I have appointed them as your bodyguards. They will ensure that no harm comes to you until we finish our investigations, and the culprit is caught and locked away for good."

I was dismayed. Bodyguards?

"Sire, I appreciate your kindness and concern," I assured him, "but I do not require bodyguards. I am well able to take care of myself."

"Tess, whoever tampered with the carriage clearly means business," he reminded me solemnly, "these Corporals will protect you both from another attempt."

"If my ill-wisher is truly determined to be rid of me, he will definitely find some other way to harm me," I pointed out, "regardless of any protection that these well-bodied Corporals can offer, I am certain. No offence." I shot them a small smile.

Corporal Joffre inclined his head at me. "None taken."

Nick frowned. "Tess – "

"I am not afraid, Sire," I cut him off, firm, "I am more than a match for anyone who wants to kill me, and I am capable of defending myself if they try to do so again. Please do not worry. My safety should be the least of your concerns."

"I know you are capable, but – "

"But nothing," I was adamant, "I am not in need of bodyguards, and nor do I want them."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Tess – "

"That is my final word on this matter, Sire," I declared firmly, before I hesitated, "but a word of advice, if I may?"

Nick nodded, sighing in defeat. "Of course."

"If I were you, I would appoint these Corporals to your wife's chambers instead," I suggested, "I have informed her of this, but I think it is important that you are aware as well: my mother, the Duchess Consort of Roche, returned to court about a week ago."

His eyes widened in horror at the news. Neither he, nor I had forgotten the utter hell that both my mother and I had put Jules through for almost all her life.

I said no more. There was no need to.

"I do not need anyone to protect me. I will take care of myself," I reiterated quietly, "I always have, and I always will."

With that, I walked away from him, towards Liv and Tommy, who were playing a game of catch in the distance.

***

"You truly are dense, my Lady! Why would you refuse their protection?"

Later that evening, Lady Madeleine raised her eyes to the heavens above, gripping the bars of her cell in weak exasperation, after I had relayed the events of the past few days to her.

The poor thing barely had the energy to even speak to me. Imprisonment had clearly taken its toll on the Countess. Her once round cheeks had sunken in, and the lack of proper nourishment had reduced her to nothing but a pack of bones.

I was concerned. The fire in her eyes still burned strong, but I was worried that her physical health may not be able to hold out for the battle ahead of us. For this petition to go through, it was imperative that she lived.

Handing her some food and water that I had smuggled into the dungeons, I bade her to eat quietly while I explained.

I made certain to keep my voice low. "It is bad enough that this Rex has discovered what we are up to," I answered shortly, "we cannot have the army find out too, Countess. They will bring the matter straight to the King without a second thought - before we can even gather sufficient support and signatures. Even if His Majesty does not, the nobility will find some way to silence us once and for all."

"That is true," she conceded bitterly, "my father will be all for it."

"Do not waste your energy cursing your father, or worrying about my safety, Countess," I advised, "we have much to do, and think about. I sent out letters to the heiresses with messengers that I trust yesterday morning, and I am confident that we will receive a few replies by tomorrow."

Her eyes brightened slightly. "Good, good," she nodded, chewing on her food, "that is good."

"If all goes well, I will be meeting and speaking to the heiresses who intend to support us in five days," I reminded her, "and I will give them each a copy of the petition document that I am working on, so that they can gather signatures from their well-wishers who support them in their respective dukedoms and earldoms."

She absorbed all of this with fervour, nodding. "I pray to the Lord all goes as planned."

"As do I," I smiled weakly, "would I be able to contact someone whom you trust to collect signatures in your earldom in your name?"

She did not hesitate. "There is one whom I would trust with my life," she breathed, "my cousin, Miss Laurette de Gaulle. Attach this to the letter that you send her, so that she knows that you have my support in this." She removed a rusting brooch from her gown, and handed it to me.

I attached it securely to the folds of my gown, out of sight. "I will write to her tonight," I promised, "and I will visit you tomorrow morning with food and water, and any replies that I receive."

She nodded at me, opening her mouth before closing it again. Silence reigned for a long time, and she seemed to be at a loss for the right words, as her eyes filled with tears.

My forehead creased. "Countess?"

"No number of 'thank you' s will ever be sufficient to express my gratitude for all the trouble and risks you are taking upon yourself for me, my Lady," she whispered, "you did not even know who I am before this, and yet, you are one of the very few who are standing by me when no one else wants to – not even my own father..."

I felt uncomfortable. I did not deserve her gratitude. Even after all this time, she still did not understand I was doing all of this for no one but myself.

"That is quite all right," I mumbled, "I – "

"If I live and am released from here, I will spend the rest of my life repaying your favour," she choked, rubbing her eyes, "I promise, my Lady."

I raised myself to my full height. "Well, you can start now by taking good care of yourself throughout the coming months," I tried to make light of the situation, holding her gaze, "you will need your energy for the battle ahead."

She smiled faintly, sniffling. "Indeed I will."

***

"Tessie! Tessie!"

A familiar, high-pitched voice greeted me the moment I opened the door to my chambers. Tommy was bouncing on my bed in his nightclothes, clutching a scroll in his hands, and jumped down to hurry towards me. His baby blue eyes were alight, as he ran in circles around me.

Liv simply watched him in amusement, her own eyes shining.

I closed the door. "My goodness, stay still, child," I chuckled softly, "I cannot look at you if you keep running around me!"

"You have a letter, Tessie!" he beamed, holding the scroll towards me, "Liv was so happy, that she screamed."

I took the scroll from Tommy, amused. "Did you indeed, Liv?" I raised an eyebrow, looking up at her, "who is the letter from?"

She was equally restless. "Duchess Estelle of Vareniol," her voice was bubbling with joy, "the messenger told me to pass you the letter with all haste."

My eyes widened. Was this our first reply from one of the forty heiresses?

She simply nodded, smiling for all it was worth.

"Well, what are you waiting for, Tessie?" Tommy bade me, grinning, "open it and read what it says!"

Liv brought me my reading glasses from my table, and I sat down on the bed. Tommy continued to bounce up and down on my bed in his excitement, as I broke the seal and held up the letter against the light from the candles.

Dearest Tess,

How are you doing? It is wonderful to hear from you after such a long time.

My family and I are in good health, thank you for asking. I gave birth to my baby yesterday, and all went well, thanks be to God. His christening will be held in early February next year, and I would be most happy if you could come and bless my son with your family.

Coming to the matter at hand, I understand your concerns all too well. You remember that I myself had to enter an arranged marriage, so that I could continue to rule Vareniol as a Duchess regnant – as I had been doing after my father's murder two years ago.

It has been an exhausting marriage. I no longer have the freedom to think and do as I please, my opinions matter very little, and my position in my own household is insignificant. Moreover, my husband has declared me incapable of ruling Vareniol because I am a woman, and also, of course, because I am blind. Two things that are considered an impediment in our nation, when they truly should not be.

I would at least like my children to grow up and learn to respect everyone, and assess their abilities based on merit, rather than their gender and their physical imperfections.

Our current inheritance laws are indeed idiotic, and I agree with you that something has to be done about them. What do you have in mind? I cannot travel to Bordeux this week to talk to you about it in person as you requested, because I am still recovering from the birth. However, I will send my mother in my stead. She will be attending Lord Testalt's engagement on our family's behalf, and will meet you too. You may confide in her, and pass on any messages to me through her.

You have my full support in this. Take care, and may the Lord go with you.

Your dear friend,

Estelle

I looked up at Liv once I finished reading Elle's letter, silent and saddened.

She took my hand in hers, and squeezed it. "If your petition succeeds, Estelle's life will improve leaps and bounds, as will those of others like her," she murmured, "Tess, you are doing the right thing."

I hoped so. Lord, I hoped so.

***