Dear Readers, This year, instead of stepping away entirely during the summer months as we usually do, we slowed our posting pace and stayed with the story a little longer. Now, as summer turns toward its final stretch, we’re taking a brief pause, a kind of midseason hiatus, if you will. And… there is a … Continue reading It’s time for a short summer hiatus … with a twist.
Chapter One hundred two, The Confessor of Saint-Lazare, by Mordaunt
“Madame!” “What do you want?” Sylvine knows not to disturb her mistress when she is in such a temper, which everyone in the household can hear even though Madame de Chevreuse keeps the door of her chamber locked. The crashing sounds of glass and porcelain, shattered in fury, leaves little room for doubt. Two days … Continue reading Chapter One hundred two, The Confessor of Saint-Lazare, by Mordaunt
Chapter One Hundred One, The Transcendent Soul, by Corso
"I love you neither with my heart nor with my mind.My heart might stop, my mind can forget.I love you with my soul,because my soul never stops or forgets. Lucien’s desk is covered with dark velvet lined trays. A small round headed man touches the trays with nervous movements, making slight adjustments to display the … Continue reading Chapter One Hundred One, The Transcendent Soul, by Corso
Chapter One Hundred, The Parisian Life, by Mordaunt
I have trod a measure. I have flattereda lady. I have been politic with my friend,smooth with mine enemy…W. Shakespeare, As you like it, Act 5, scene 4, 46-48 (The Folger) Athos enters Alessandra’s salon, carrying a sheaf of papers and drops into a chair, stretching out his legs and letting out a long exhausted … Continue reading Chapter One Hundred, The Parisian Life, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Nine, The Petal Ship, by Corso
“They have puppy dogs and Alya also brought a bird, but the poor thing died on the trip. Her betrothed gave her a beautiful, gilded cage with a new bird. Alya goes everywhere with Belkis and Fatima, and she has dark hair like me. Did you know we are same age, we are both to … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Nine, The Petal Ship, by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Eight, House of Bourbon, by Mordaunt
At Fontainebleau, the King is irritable and quick to take offense. Everything displeases him, beginning with the weather. Too many summer storms have been interrupting the garden fêtes, and spoiling the riding parties. The hunts have been disappointing and unrewarding. Even the ballet inspired by French proverbs, ardently promoted by Monsieur de Saint-Aignan, has turned … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Eight, House of Bourbon, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Seven, Faber est suae quisque fortunae, by Corso
“Every man is the artisan (or maker) of his own fortune…’ “What are all these lists?” Lucien leans over Sophia’s escritoire to inspect the piles of parchment. “Shoo,” she says waving him away from her desk, “I have a system and you are making a mess of it.” “Do sit down dear, you seem hungry,” … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Seven, Faber est suae quisque fortunae, by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Six, House of Stuart, by Mordaunt
Marie Cessette is not surprised by Raoul’s pigeon post. Part of her wonders whether she has not known the truth already. “Is it bad news?” Père Gazil wrings his hands anxiously. The visit to Le Maupertus has left him unnerved, and he has not kept his fears to himself. “We should never have come to … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Six, House of Stuart, by Mordaunt
Chapter Ninety-Five, What Really Happened at Le Maupertus? by Corso
The tavern door swings shut, every man’s eye watching the blonde woman sweep from the tavern, armed men in her wake. Renacer watches the door, as though expecting her to return and give him one last cold disdainful look. He chuckles to himself as he would not mind another glimpse of the arrogant tilt of … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Five, What Really Happened at Le Maupertus? by Corso
Chapter Ninety-Four, House of Richelieu, by Mordaunt
Messages and letters have been piling on Raoul’s desk throughout the night and continue as dawn breaks over the Faubourg Saint-Germain. He is used to being thus inundated despite the fact that to sort his office’s regular vast correspondence he employs a few competent and trusted secretaries. But this morning he is neither at his … Continue reading Chapter Ninety-Four, House of Richelieu, by Mordaunt
Twelve Years After 