“Madame is in her salon…” the footman at the door barely has time to speak. M. de Rohan is already running up the stairs two at a time, hat in hand. He flings open the door of Marie Cessette’s private salon, where she sits at her writing desk finishing her daily correspondence. She springs to … Continue reading Chapter Fifteen-Pandora, by Mordaunt
Chapter Thirteen-In the Family, by Mordaunt
The warmth of Layla’s kiss lingers on Raoul’s lips. It was unexpected, as is everything else about Layla. This is why she is compelling. She reads him perfectly, whereas he always finds himself dumbfounded. Her unwavering faith in him echoes in his mind: I will wait…I will never give up…I will love you always… Raoul … Continue reading Chapter Thirteen-In the Family, by Mordaunt
Chapter Eleven-Artful Retreat, by Mordaunt
I am your King, Monsieur! If he were still the man Captain d’ Artagnan recruited, impressionable and awestruck by the Musketeer legends, Fabien Marchal would have sought the counsel of Captain d’ Artagnan, whom he revered, and those he called his trusted friends: M. de Rohan, Layla Grimaud, and Raoul. But Fabien Marchal has outgrown … Continue reading Chapter Eleven-Artful Retreat, by Mordaunt
Chapter Nine- Once More by the Moonlit Lake, by Mordaunt
“We are brothers,” her father says and except for the crackling fire in the fireplace, the room turns still. Even Rascal stops chirping in his cage. Her father’s voice lingers in the silence: Brothers… Mére… Younger brother… Older Brother… Your uncle… Cousins… Facing her and Raoul, and standing next to her father, are her mother, … Continue reading Chapter Nine- Once More by the Moonlit Lake, by Mordaunt
Chapter Seven-King of France, by Mordaunt
It is not one of the windowless cells. Raoul wonders if this was Fabien’s idea of compassion, but the narrow, iron-barred slit in the wall allows Henri Bernard a glimpse of the open sky, where birds fly free, and of the river, where life continues unobstructed, so Raoul settles on cruelty. “This is the Marquis … Continue reading Chapter Seven-King of France, by Mordaunt
Chapter Five-Love Unsought, Love Unaltered, by Mordaunt
Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better. Shakespeare, 1601 Twelfth Night, act 3, sc.1, l.154. Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds. Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 From the window of the salon she sees him galloping down the graveled path toward the house. Even at this distance Constance worries that his … Continue reading Chapter Five-Love Unsought, Love Unaltered, by Mordaunt
Chapter Four- Artful Diversions, by Mordaunt
From a young age he was taught to steer his way blindfolded through labyrinths. He has honed the skill at great cost, first navigating through the vagaries of court intrigue, a foreigner and the Dauphin’s favorite, then faced with the brutal realities of war, and later escaping the deadly labyrinths of Fez, and the treacherous … Continue reading Chapter Four- Artful Diversions, by Mordaunt
Ballet Royal de la Nuit
costume of Louis XIV as apollo in the Ballet Royal de la Nuit. costumes by henri de Gissey (c.1621-1673) Louis XIV, indeed recited these verses on February 23,1653 at the Ballet Royal de la Nuit, written by Isaac de Benserade. The music for the ballet was written by Jean de Cambefort, Jean-Baptise Boesset, Michel Lambert, … Continue reading Ballet Royal de la Nuit
Marie Madeleine de Vignerot
Marie de Vignerot was the daughter of René de Vignerot, Seigneur de Pontcourlay, and Françoise de Plessis, the elder sister to Armand-Jean du Plessis. Marie’s father was in the court of Henri the IV as Gentleman of the Chamber and Captain of the Guard. Her mother Francois was a devout woman and instilled in her … Continue reading Marie Madeleine de Vignerot
Gaston Jean-Baptiste, Comte de Comminges (1613-1670)
Poor M. de Comminges! This is the only case where the fictionalized character in our story is not at all faithful to history. The real Comminges was the nephew of Francois de Gitaut, Comte de Comminges (1581-1663), known as the old Guitaut, who was the Captain of Anne of Austria's Guards. Gaston succeeded his uncle in … Continue reading Gaston Jean-Baptiste, Comte de Comminges (1613-1670)
Twelve Years After 