Pride of the King, The (6 page)

The New Year brought more celebration, but this time the residents of Kaskaskia opened their doors to their friends, relatives, and neighbors. After the New Year Mass, the Lupones stopped at the home of Gabriel's brother, Francois and his wife Justine, who was an Illinois Indian. After some refreshments, they moved on to the next house where Anne's cousin lived, and then they visited Gabriel's uncle. The family returned home welcoming several more family members and friends in the afternoon.

"Tonight is the best part of all," Rene said, "It is the New Year gala at Monsieur Bernard's home. He is very rich and has a large home with plenty of room to dance."

Lauren sighed and sat back into her chair. Her first dance and she had nothing but old clothes to wear. As if reading her mind, Anne stepped over to her and murmured, "Don't worry. We will find something nice for you to wear."

Late in the afternoon as the sun began to drop in the sky, Anne called Lauren into the bedroom. She held up a blue taffeta gown with a cream-colored stomacher. "I was thinking this would be lovely on you. The color will go so well with your hair. Don't you agree?"

Lauren gasped, "It's beautiful! I have never worn any garment that elegant. The nuns only let us wear 'sensible' clothes."

Anne smiled, "Well you are ready for this now. After a few alterations, I'm sure it will suit you just fine."

“But is it your dress? I can’t allow you to alter—”

“Nonsense, now come here,” she said threading a needle.

With skilled hands, Anne quickly made the dress suitable for Lauren's figure and helped her tie a cream-colored ribbon in her hair.

"Come here to the mirror," Anne said smiling.

The mirror was not large enough for Lauren to view the entire ensemble, but there was enough visible in the cracked reflection for her to smile with delight. "Oh! I am so excited! Is it time to go yet?"

"As soon as I am ready. Now out!" Anne demanded, pushing Lauren out the door.

"Well! Well! Look at you," said Gabriel standing up as Lauren entered the room, "You are certainly more attractive than the first day I saw you, all bruised and battered at the plantation house."

He sat down by the fire to smoke his pipe, and after taking a puff he barked at Rene, "Close your mouth, boy, and find the lady a chair!"

Rene jumped up, pulled a chair from the corner and placed it by the fire, blushing.

It took a long time to get the family of six ready, but Anne and Lauren managed to wash and dress every child and put refreshments in a basket for the celebration. Then as a group, they walked to the outskirts of town to the Bernard home.

The New Year celebration was well underway by the time the Lupones arrived. Fiddlers were playing a merry tune while couples whirled about the dance floor. Several women set up long tables against the walls filled with round cheeses,
tourtieres
, cakes, and hard cider. There was an air of excitement here, and Lauren was eager to join in. She assumed that Rene would take her immediately to the dance floor, but when she turned around, he was gone. She searched the crowd for his face but did not see him. Everyone was chattering and laughing and before she knew it, the rest of the Lupones had vanished into the crowd leaving her alone by the huge fireplace to watch the festivities. Young and old attended the dance and Lauren noticed that several of the men had Indian wives or sweethearts. There were few French girls her age, and most of them were standing by the food tables holding babies and small children.

The fiddlers struck up a particularly lively tune and Lauren started to tap her foot. It did not concern her that she had never danced with a boy before. Simone had taught her several steps, and this gave her all the confidence she needed.

Suddenly, a young man dressed in a somewhat worn linen shirt and knee britches approached her. He seemed nervous and stammered something about wanting to dance. She took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor. As she passed through the crowd, she noticed people looking at her and the men, in particular, watched her with a look of admiration in their eyes. For the first time in her life, Lauren was aware of her appeal. She tossed her head and turned to face her partner. He took a breath and swallowed hard before taking her hands. Off they sailed into the dance and Lauren felt as light as air. She glossed over her mistakes with a smile and before the dance was over, the young man was convinced Lauren was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

She did not reserve all her dances for this boy though there were others who came in succession one after another. After seven dances, Lauren was finally exhausted and stumbled over to the long oak table that held the food and drink. Leaning against the table, she longed to loosen her stays.

Suddenly, there were screams of surprise and laughter as masqueraders wearing animal skins burst into the room. They were dressed up as monkeys, buffalo, and huge bears roaring and growling loudly, holding out sacks, which the master of the house filled with food. She overheard someone say these masqueraders were a Kaskaskian tradition. They begged from door to door every New Year's Day collecting food in this reveler's fashion for the upcoming Twelfth Night Ball. She heard a growl and two black paws grabbed her waist. She jumped, trying to release herself from the iron grasp of the masquerader. He pulled her out the nearest door and into a courtyard.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" she screamed. Reaching up, she pulled off the mask and found Rene doubled over with laughter.

"You were terrified!" he guffawed, "You didn't know it was me!"

"I did too know it was you!" she cried, trying to cover her embarrassment, "What do you think you're doing dragging me away from the party like a sack of potatoes!"

"I brought you out here because I wanted to be alone with you.”

"Well I don't want to be alone with you! I'm going back to dance."

Rene caught her hand and pulled her into an embrace. "You told me once that I may kiss you whenever I want. Is that still true?"

"No," Lauren snapped, "Not anymore!"

Suddenly, she started to giggle, pushing him away. "Stop it. It's cold out here. I want to go in.”

"I'll keep you warm," Rene said as he wrapped her in warm fur and began to kiss her.

Suddenly, Lauren lost her inhibitions. The heat of the young man's kisses intensified, and she invited them freely. He ran his hands over her body, and she was helpless to stop him.

The next moment, Rene was torn from her embrace, and an angry voice roared, "That will be enough!"

Lauren stood petrified as Gabriel dragged Rene out of the courtyard and into the street. He looked back and demanded at the top of his lungs, "You, my girl, are coming too, now!"

Terrified, Lauren followed. When they returned home, Gabriel sent her up to the loft to bed while he chastised Rene downstairs in the kitchen. She tossed and turned all night, thoroughly ashamed of herself.

When she finally climbed down the ladder in the morning, she found a very serious Gabriel sitting at the kitchen table and Anne standing by the hearth with a tear-streaked face. Rene was nowhere to be found.

"Good morning, Lauren. Now please sit down," said Gabriel, gesturing to a chair at the table.

Without a word, Lauren slid into the chair, looking down at her lap. Gabriel stood up with his hands behind his back and began to pace. "My girl, you have gathered the affection of everyone in this family, and for this I am truly grateful. However, my son has taken it beyond friendship which is a very dangerous avenue for you both. Being your guardian, I must consider your reputation and your prospects for marriage, so it is with great difficulty that I say," Anne turned away and faced the fireplace, "You must go and live elsewhere."

Lauren blinked, and her jaw dropped.

Gabriel continued, "The owner of the Kaskaskia lead mine, a gentlemen by the name of, Jean-Baptist Aberjon, is in need of a companion for his wife. She is an invalid and in need of constant care. I have arranged for you to be employed by him. You will reside at his home. You must leave this afternoon."

Chapter 8

The snow crunched under Lauren's feet as she walked to the Aberjon residence, a bundle of clothes under her arm. She walked alone along the streets of Kaskaskia, keeping her eyes down. Anne had offered to accompany her, but Lauren insisted that she remain at home.

   No one seemed to notice Lauren as she trudged down the street through the snow. It was only last night she had been the belle of the ball, but this afternoon she was nothing more than another face in a scarf. Lauren stopped in the middle of the road fighting the impulse to run but thought better of it. She made her choices, and they had led her here to the Illinois back country. She must carry on knowing she had nowhere else to go.

   It was easy to identify the Aberjon residence. Anne told her it was by far the grandest home in all of Kaskaskia and Lauren saw it standing proudly on a hill near a frozen stream, surrounded by trees. Every home in Kaskaskia had a fence around it, but this one had a grand, ornate enclosure made of iron. The house was the only structure in the village erected of stone, and it sported three stories and two
galeries
or porches, one on the main level wrapping around the house and the other attached to the second story.

   She made her way up the walkway to the front steps. She noticed the knocker on the door. The object seemed large and imposing in the cold afternoon sun. Reluctantly, she reached up and let it drop. Footsteps echoed from inside and an Indian girl answered the door. Without saying a word, she gestured for Lauren to step in and disappeared down the hall.

Pulling her gloves off, Lauren looked around the entry. Across from the front door a set of stairs covered with patterned carpet led up to the second story and the bedrooms. She looked around to see if anyone was coming and stepped down the hall to peek. The main level had a library, sitting room, office and a large drawing room. Lauren thought the drawing room was the largest room she had ever seen. Long drapes hung in folds onto the floor, a cherry card table and chairs sat in front of the fireplace with wine glasses and two silver candlesticks. There were various armchairs around the room, and in one corner stood a harpsichord and bench. A rug was on the hardwood floor, the color of burgundy and cream. It was indeed a sumptuous room, thought Lauren.

"You're Madame Heathstone?" she heard someone say.

Lauren whirled around and faced Monsieur Aberjon, a man of middle years only slightly taller than herself. The Indian girl was behind him.

"Yes, Monsieur, I have been sent by the Lupones."

"We've been expecting you."

Turning to the girl he said, "Eugenie, take her things upstairs immediately."

Lauren scrutinized her new employer as he walked over to a cabinet, took out a crystal decanter and filled a glass with amber colored liquid. His clothing was of a fine cut, and the lace he wore at his neck was of a splendid quality. His boots were polished to a high shine, and his nails were impeccably clean. Yet despite this finery, Monsieur Aberjon had a coarse demeanor. It was apparent to Lauren that this man was not born to his present station in life and that he was not suited to this fancy dress. His skin was dark and leathery and his shoulders were rounded. He did not wear a wig and his bristly hair stood out straight in a pigtail at the back of his neck. His right eyelid drooped, and when he looked at Lauren, she felt a chill.

"My wife is quite weak and bed ridden," he said turning around to face her. "You will find her unpredictable and subject to--shall we say--occasional outbursts. She has little interest in anything beyond her dogs and an occasional game of draughts." Monsieur Aberjon tossed his head back emptying the contents of the glass in one swallow, "Your duties will include round the clock care and companionship to Madame, some minor household duties and of course walking the dogs. In return you will receive your room and board." He walked to the doorway and before leaving stated, "I spend much of my time at the lead mine, so I am seldom home. We have two house slaves. Talk to Eugenie or Marianne if you need anything. You will find them most helpful. Now go and meet my wife, Josephine. Her room is up the stairs and on the left."

Monsieur Aberjon left Lauren alone in the drawing room. Everyone had been cordial, the surroundings were luxurious and the arrangement agreeable, but a tiny voice whispered caution to her. Shaking off the anxiety, she looked around the room once more. She remembered Rene telling her that they owned the lead mine, and she deduced that excavation must be very profitable.

Never good at controlling her impulses, Lauren found herself walking toward the elegant harpsichord marveling at its workmanship. She had never seen a musical instrument of such beauty, and she longed to hear just one note from the dainty keyboard.

Just as she reached out to touch a key, she heard someone say, "Madame's room is this way." Lauren jumped and saw that it was the young Indian girl again. The servant’s manner continued to be quiet and reserved as she turned and walked out into the hall. After showing her to Madame's room, the girl left as silently as she came.

A clock ticked heavily as Lauren approached the bedroom door and knocked. Someone told her to come in, and when she stepped over the threshold into the boudoir, bright color blinded her for a moment. Not a variety of colors and hues but one tone repeated in every furnishing, pillow, drape and coverlet; it was the color pink. The upholstery on the armchair was pink, the wallpaper was pink, the duvet and every pillow on the bed was pink and lying on the bed in a pink wrap was an overweight, middle aged woman with long red hair hanging in tangles about her porcine face. Sitting next to her were two jovial-looking Great Dane dogs, which Lauren noted were the
only
articles in the room not pink.