A LITTLE TWIST OF FATE

Chapter 35

Morning wound its long journey into early evening with everyone anticipating any news of Thérèse's outcome. The meeting that was supposed to have taken place had been postponed when her fate had been determined.

Most of the day had been fairly quiet, Vivienne still getting over the news of Alex's broken engagement to Danielle. She had secluded herself in one of the guest quarters after a long and heated argument with her son. He had walked off with Camille and she ran upstairs crying. Phillippe had thought of going after her, but in remembering his past meetings with her when she was in this state, changed his mind and headed out for a walk in the ruined garden to inspect the damage to the fallen greenhouse.

Isabel hadn't seen her daughter all day long and was beginning to wonder where she and that boy had disappeared to. She was pacing back and forth in the hallway waiting for any news of Thérèse and the arrival of her daughter.

Danielle had cried herself to sleep wrapped in Henry's arms. Henry had placed his head on top of hers and both were sleeping soundly.

Marie had watched the two of them with a smile. They had planted themselves on a plain wooden bench, Henry's arms around her where the Queen could keep an eye on them. She was sitting directly across from them on one of the plush chairs in the sitting room. She tried not to close her eyes, but every once in a while they would close for a few minutes, the flutter open again.

Francis was pacing the floor, every once in while, glancing over in Marie's direction. Armand had gone back inside to keep an eye on Thérèse's condition.

"Why don't you get some sleep, milady?" the King smiled at his wife. "It will do you a world of good."

Marie smiled. "I'll be fine, Francis. I wish that you would calm down, though. Armand has always warned you that if you don't watch yourself, you could have a stroke as well."

Francis stopped pacing and looked at her. "Is it that obvious?"

Marie nodded her head. She stood up and walked over to her. "Please consider my words, Francis. I need your wisdom and strength right now to help me through this. I don't want to lose you, I don't know where I would be without you."

The tears began to flow as she looked up at him. He smiled and shook his head as he placed his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"I understand, Marie. You're right as usual. I make too much of everything. You mean more to me than my life. I may not show it all the time, but that's the way I feel."

He released her and stared into her eyes. "I need you as well, Marie. You are my strength and you provide me with the wisdom I need to get through my days and nights."

"Does this mean you will lie down?" Marie asked him, smiling gently.

Francis smiled back. "Now that you mentioned it, I think I could do with a little sleep, but you will wake me when the time comes?"

Marie looked at him and nodded. "Yes, my husband, you know that I will."

It was then that the door to Thérèse's room flew open and Armand stepped out.

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