The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Lynn Cary

  “How fare you, ladies?” Antoine rode close to the window. “That hole did not appear to be as deep as it turned out to be. Anyone lose their teeth?”

  Though she could not see his face, Louise could hear his smile. “I believe we all survived. Will we be stopping soon?”

  “I will ask the driver.” Antoine rode forward but returned in the space of a minute. “He tells me Auxerre is only about a mile up the road. We can stay the night there.”

  Louise patted Josephine’s hand. “Auxerre is the halfway point.” Though she had not complained, Josephine appeared ill, and her hand felt warm to the touch. “Are you quite sure you are feeling well?”

  “Do not worry about me, Mademoiselle.” In spite of her smile, Josephine did not convince Louise.

  Leaning her head back against the seat, Louise closed her eyes, enough to make it look like they were closed but open enough to observe the older woman. Josephine’s arm crept up to rest next to her stomach, making small circles against her abdomen.

  Something was amiss. Soon they would be at Auxerre, and she could ferret out the source of the problem. Louise sighed, closing her eyes completely.

  Thud.

  Josephine landed on top of her.

  “Aie!” Tante Marie scrambled to get Josephine moved.

  “Something is wrong. She does not wake.”

  Tante Marie and Louise shoved and lifted Josephine back into the seat across from them, helping her recline across the cushions. Louise waved a handkerchief out the window then returned her attention to Josephine whose eyelids fluttered.

  “She is waking.” Tante Marie brushed hair from Josephine’s forehead.

  “Sh-sh, do not move, Josephine. Please rest.” Louise knelt in the crowded coach and chaffed at the woman’s wrists, sharing a glance with her aunt.

  Tante shrugged and shook her head.

  The carriage stopped, and Antoine opened the door. “What is the problem?”

  “Madame LeSuere swooned.” Tante Marie sat back in her seat, allowing Antoine a better view of the situation.

  “Should we call for a physician or hurry to the inn?” Louise searched Antoine’s face.

  “No.” Though weak in voice, Josephine proved emphatic in spirit.

  “Madame LeSuere, we need to see to your health.”

  Josephine brushed Louise’s hands from her and pushed herself to a sitting position.

  Louise could see that was not the best idea but did not force the issue.

  “Continue the journey. I will not be a bother.”

  “You are not a bother, Josephine LeSuere. I know you would insist on caring for me if the situation were reversed.”

  “It is not, and I am paid to care for you, Mademoiselle, not the other way around. Please continue, Monsieur. Arriving in Auxerre very soon is the best medicine for me.” Josephine straightened her clothes.

  Reaching out, Louise grasped the woman’s hand and squeezed gently.

  Josephine’s demeanor mellowed the tiniest bit. “Please, Mademoiselle. I am well. Do not worry.”

  There was nothing to do but accept the woman’s word. Louise nodded, and Antoine closed the carriage. Once again, they were on their way.

  “What do you think happened?”

  Josephine shook her head.

  “I really want to know.”

  Tante Marie gave her a look that told her to let the subject go, but Louise could not.

  With her gaze focused on the floorboards, Josephine’s whisper was difficult to hear.

  “My stomach has not appreciated the travel, as I am not accustomed to this type of life. I did not want to bother you, so I asked at the inn this morn for something that might soothe. The hostess offered some herbs, but they have not set well either.”

  “Oh, Josephine, why did you not let me help you? I am so sorry you have been ill. And you have been caring for me all this time? You must let me care for you in Auxerre.”

  The woman did not respond. However, her face took on a greenish hue, and her eyes grew wide.

  “The door!” Tante Marie grabbed the handle and flung it open.

  Josephine pulled herself to the doorway and Louise grabbed her hips, holding her secure. The morning’s meal and more exploded over the road.

  “Hold on to her.” Tante Marie kept the door from banging back onto Josephine with her arm wrapped through the window.

  “I am holding on. Help me pull her back in.”

  Josephine felt like leaded weight as Louise and her aunt pulled her back to the seat. Though not completely dazed, she was very weak.

  Louise returned her to a prone position across the seat and wound her shawl as a pillow. “This time we brook no argument. I will care for you, are we agreed?”

  Josephine gave a slight nod before closing her eyes.

  Louise looked back at aunt, who sighed.

  Removing her shawl, Tante Marie handed it over, and Louise draped it across Josephine.

  For the rest of the way, the coach remained quiet. Tante Marie kept a lace hanky near her nose. Granted, the odor was not pleasant, but it could not be helped.

  Antoine opened the carriage door for them upon arrival. “What has happened?”

  “Madame LeSuere no longer needed the contents of her stomach.”

  Louise grimaced at her aunt’s attitude. “Josephine became ill and vomited. She is resting but needs to be inside as soon as we can help her there.”

  “I rode ahead to let the inn know we had an ill woman with us. They are prepared, but I am sorry I was not here to assist.” Antoine helped Tante Marie and Louise from the carriage. Leaning inside, he spoke quietly before entering the coach. Soon he emerged, Josephine in his arms.

  Her face now appeared as white as the unused pages in Louise’s journal.

  “Coachman, make preparations to have this vehicle cleaned and aired. I do not want to travel with this stench a moment longer.” Tante Marie kept her nose buried in her handkerchief until well away from the carriage.

  The man continued unloading the baggage. “Oui, Madame du Sine.”

  Louise’s ears warmed, but she clamped her lips shut. Though it would only be fair to show her aunt a bit of her own medicine, the woman would not understand and would only think Louise ungrateful and rude.

  Antoine led the way into the inn where a maid bade them follow up the stairs to their rooms. The women were quartered together, across the hall from Antoine, in a space housing one armoire, a vanity, and only two beds.

  “Lay her on the bed by the wall, please.” Louise pulled back the bedclothes.

  Antoine laid Josephine on the bed, and she fell into an instant sleep.

  “Where will you sleep?” Tante Marie stared, her hands on her hips.

  Louise turned to the maid. “Would it be possible to find another bed?”

  The servant shook her head. “No, Mademoiselle. There are no more beds. I could bring up a pallet for you, if you wish.”

  “I understand. A pallet will do.”

  “No. It will not do.” Tante Marie glared.

  Antoine crossed his arms. “You cannot sleep on a pallet, Louise.”

  “If that is all there is, I will sleep on a pallet. It bothers me not.”

  “It bothers me, my love.” He turned to Tante Marie. “Perhaps, Madame de Sine, you will take my room. Louise can have the other bed in here, and I will take my rest downstairs.”

  Louise could see the wheels turning in her aunt’s mind.

  “Very well.” She turned to the door. “See that my things are brought to my new room. Are you coming?”

  The maid bobbed a curtsey and hurried out to lead the way.

  Josephine moaned in her sleep.

  Grabbing the chamber pot, Louise rushed to Josephine’s side. “Bring me water and some cloths, please.” She heard Antoine’s boots on the stairs and turned her attention to Josephine. Helping the woman roll to her side, she held Josephine’s hair out of the way and rubbed her back. Was there anything else to be done?


  Antoine returned with a pitcher and cloths.

  Louise dampened one and began washing Josephine’s face. “I do not know what else to do, Antoine. She is so sick. I have never seen someone so ill.”

  He stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Do what you know to do and leave the rest to Providence.”

  “Will that be enough?”

  Antoine kissed the top of her head. “It will have to be.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Antoine rolled over. His cot at the barracks was more comfortable than this pallet on the floor in the servants’ quarters.

  Madame Josephine would need to rest at least another day, thus putting off his quest. His mission.

  His nerves were already getting the best of him, and now he felt Louise’s anxiety too. She said it was Madame du Sine’s attitude that embarrassed her, but he had noticed it long before Madame Josephine became ill. Was she that concerned for her father’s answer? Would Monsieur de Saix be likely to refuse his offer?

  Antoine punched his pillow. More thoughts like these and he would drive himself mad.

  So, they would remain for at least one more day, perhaps two. As long as Madame Josephine improved. If she did not… He had best come up with a plan for that, just in case.

  Rolling to his back, Antoine could see a faint lightness in the surrounding dark. Dawn would be here soon. He might as well get up. There would be no more sleep this night.

  He pulled on his boots and went out the back way to the stable. The soft nicker of his horse called to him.

  “So, Vent, how fare you this early morn? Have you been well treated?” He scratched between the stallion's ears. Vent’s nose nuzzled against Antoine’s side. “Perhaps I should ask you. What would you advise concerning Madame Josephine?”

  The stallion’s lips grimaced, and he snorted.

  “Just as I thought. You have no answers either.” Antoine grabbed a brush and ran it through Vent’s mane. “In that case, I will have a plan or a well-groomed horse or both before I return.”

  * * *

  Louise watched Josephine sleep from the comfort of her own bed, moonlight spilling in just enough glow. Supposed comfort would be a better description for the mattress. However, it had to be better than the pallet provided for Antoine.

  Antoine. How dear and kind he had been with Josephine, treating her with respect and compassion.

  Unlike Tante Marie. What was the problem? Or had her aunt always been like that and she had never noticed?

  Josephine rolled to her side, mumbling.

  Louise lay still.

  “No, do not leave me. Gaston.” Josephine gasped. She sat up, her eyes opening wide.

  “Josephine? You were dreaming.”

  “I saw them. My son and husband.” Josephine closed her eyes, but the tears glistened with moon glow. “I wanted to remain with them, but they said no and left me. Once again.”

  “Oh, Josephine, I am so sorry.” Louise knelt next to her bed, wiping away tears and stroking her hair. Josephine’s skin felt cooler to the touch. Perhaps her fever had broken.

  “Again, they left me.”

  Louise wrapped her arms about Josephine who did not pull away. Instead she allowed herself to held and repeated, “They left me, they left me.”

  “I do not want you to go, Josephine. I still need you.” Louise rocked side to side. “I was afraid you would leave me, and I need you to help me with all that is ahead.”

  Josephine sniffed. “You are not alone. You have your aunt.”

  Louise shook her head. “Tante Marie is sweet, most of the time. She has never set up a household or started a family though. I have no mother to guide me. Josephine, I am afraid you have your work cut out for you.”

  The older woman pulled back and glanced up before patting Louise’s cheek. “Then God help us both.”

  A giggle escaped Louise.

  Josephine softly chuckled.

  * * *

  Louise had just finished brushing her hair and tying it back when the knock sounded.

  Peering over first to make sure Josephine still slept, Louise opened the door, a finger to her lips.

  “How fares Madame Josephine this morn?” Antoine held a tray of teacups and a pot. Leaning over, he kissed her.

  “She is still sleeping. You think of everything. Please, set it over there. Merci, my love.”

  When his hands were free again, he wrapped her into a hug. “Is she improved? Do you think she will be up to traveling on the morrow?”

  “If you will continue to hold me, I think we could stay indefinitely.”

  Antoine rested his chin on top of her head. “If I continue to hold you, you will need to call for a priest trés rapidement in order for me to marry you here and now.”

  The heat rising in her cheeks was not from embarrassment. Louise buried her face into his shirt, hoping he could not feel the warmth radiating from her core.

  A gentle tug at her chin brought her eyes to meet his gaze. “I will wait, my sweet Louise. Just know it will not be without want of you.” He released her arms from about his waist and stepped back. “I will be downstairs should you need me. Enjoy your tea.”

  By the time her breath had returned, Antoine was down the stairs.

  * * *

  Two days later, Madame Josephine appeared strong enough to travel. Antoine knew she had gained strength when her chaperoning skills improved. As long as he kept his distance from Louise, Madame Josephine treated him like a long-lost son. The second his gaze meandered in Louise’s direction, though, he became the wolf at the door.

  Of course, gazing at Louise did bring out the wolfish side of him. A smirk escaped as Louise chose that moment to exit the inn. Madame Josephine followed, catching his gaze. He could tell she had read his mind and did not like the tale.

  “Good morrow, ladies.” He offered his assistance into the carriage.

  “Good morrow, Monsieur.” Louise’s small hand sent waves of electricity throughout his body.

  “Good morrow, Monsieur.” Madame Josephine’s work worn hand did not.

  “Run along, now, Monsieur de Crocketagné and find your horse. Louise, get settled in here. It is time we were away.” Louise’s aunt, ever the taskmaster.

  “As you wish, Madame du Sine.” Antoine bowed and left to do as he was instructed. Soon. They would arrive at Alsais soon where he might ask for Louise’s hand. Soon. Always soon and never now.

  For this man of action, soon was becoming hard to stomach.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Alsais

  Papa!”

  As soon as Antoine handed her out, Louise gathered her skirts and ran from the carriage to the arms of an older man. For a moment, Antoine had a picture in his mind of a young girl running toward him, arms outstretched. Someday he would like to be a father and have a daughter run with abandon to his embrace.

  However, a part of him was not too keen on the idea of sharing Louise with this other man. With little imagination, he could well speculate the feeling was mutual.

  “Papa, wait here. There is someone I want you to meet.” Louise rushed back to his side and pulled him to her father. “Papa, might I present Monsieur Antoine Desaure Permonette de Crocketagné, second in command of the palace guards. He has been stationed at Versailles and is a favorite of His Majesty.”

  Antoine made a sweeping bow.

  “Monsieur, I introduce my father, Monsieur Philippe Guillaume Henri de Saix.”

  Monsieur de Saix nodded, staring at Antoine as if he had just stolen his most prized possession.

  “My pleasure, monsieur. You have a lovely home.”

  “Oui, that I do. And I have—what are you doing, Marie?”

  “Bring the trunks this way.” Louise’s aunt pointed at a side entrance. “Someone has to make sure things are put in their proper place. It is good to see you, too, Philippe.” With a laugh she embraced the man and returned to directing the scene.

  “Since it seems Tante M
arie has our arrival well in hand, we shall go inside.” Louise linked arms with her father, dragging him to the door.

  Antoine caught the wink she threw him over her shoulder. So, she planned to smooth the way, did she? Though he winked back, Antoine could not decide if that was good news or ill.

  * * *

  Louise garnered strength from her familiar surroundings. Recognizable smiles, eyes with more wrinkles, but the same twinkle, people dear to her reached across time and enveloped her into the daily routine that had been her life.

  Before Tante Marie.

  Before Versailles.

  Before her heart found a new home with Antoine.

  She tied on her apron and slipped down to the kitchen.

  “What is planned for supper, Adélaïde?” Louise brushed a kiss on the housekeeper’s soft cheek.

  “Welcome home, ma petite chou.” Adélaïde drew Louise into an embrace. “What a beautiful lady you have grown into. I was afraid you would no longer visit my kitchen.”

  “Adélaïde, where else would I come to see you?”

  The old woman’s pinch on Louise’s cheek only reassured her she was home at last. “I had planned a simple dinner of chicken and vegetables, but we must celebrate now that you are here.”

  “Simple is better. I am tired of fancy. Give me your chicken and vegetables any day. If His Majesty ever finds out what he is missing by not eating from your kitchen, he will conscript you in an instant.”

  “Bah.” Adélaïde tossed a bunch of carrots onto the table. “You may chop these if you will take care of your fingers.”

  Louise chose a sharp knife and a carrot. “So, what have I missed? Papa looks tired. Is he still traveling as much as he did?”

  “Hrmph. I am not your father’s keeper. If he chooses to traipse all over the countryside when he has a perfectly grand home here, it is none of my concern.”

  “He is often gone, then?”

  “Too often if you ask me, and you did. Otherwise I would keep my own counsel.”