The guests follow us from the chapel into a hall. It is bustling with servants bringing food and wine before many fancily clad guests. The Baron leads me to the dais with the table facing the rest of the hall. He sits in the center, claiming his place as the head of the festivities. I sit to his left, still bound to him. Charlotte-Anne is to my left, and Étienne goes to the Baron's right.
The Baron calls the attention of the hall with a shout. "Welcome my guests. Today we are celebrating the return of my youngest son Marquis Étienne-Yves of Montclar from the war, and his receiving such a grand title from King Luis himself. All cheer to my son." The Baron beams. There is a loud cheer that reverberates in the vast hall. The guests raise their glasses to Étienne. The Baron sits and turns to speak with his son.
My heart aches. Étienne is a Marquis. That is far above me. There would have been no way we could have been together. Maybe he ran away because he realized his proposition was impossible. Maybe he realized I am his father's bride.
I clench my jaw to cut my thoughts. I can't become emotional in front of so many people. It is my wedding day. With that thought I realize that the Baron hadn't even mentioned our wedding. I tense my muscles further. I turn away from him. I can't look at either of them without overwhelming pain.
Charlotte-Anne is there, watching me. "Congratulations on your wedding." Her words are happy, but she gives me an apologetic smile.
"Thank you." I smile at her. As I do so the reality of our relationship registers. "I am your step-mother now." I say with a grimace. With that thought I realize I am Étienne's stepmother. I feel queasy.
With the connection of Étienne and the Baron as father and son I remember the conversation we had shared. He had spoken of how horrible the Baron was, even hinting that he had killed previous wives. Now I am one of them.
She gives a small laugh. "Yes, you are my new stepmother."
"How many stepmother's have you had?" I ask the question but know that I don't want to hear the answer.
Before she can respond the Baron stands again to address the crowd. In doing so, he painfully yanks my arm up. "My son has kindly reminded me I forgot to announce the second joyful news of today. May I present Baroness Camille-Marie of Torcy, my 9th wife." He looks at me expectantly, so I follow his lead and stand. I smile out at the waiting crowd. There is another cheer, but it lacks the enthusiasm of the one given to Étienne. Surveying the mass I note many women's look of pity, while the men are like hungry wolves before prey. I gulp, again afraid of what awaits tonight.
Once everyone has quieted down, we both sit. The Baron grabs my wrist. "I have such a cute wife." He murmurs, leaning into me. His breath smells like he hasn't cleaned his mouth in months. He leers at me. I try to remain dignified, staring him right in the eyes. He leans closer, planting his lips on mine. Again, I resist the urge to vomit. He is more forceful than the first time, biting and demanding. When I finally manage to pull back, I turn away. He chuckles into my ear and kisses my neck. I shudder in disgust. "You are adorable acting so timid. Tonight, you will be begging me for more." I stiffen.
He pulls at the string attaching our wrists, releasing its bond on us. I don't say anything about his action. According to tradition the ribbon shouldn't be removed until the bride is taken away from the groom to prepare for him in their room. If released before it signifies that the marriage will be doomed with a week bond. I realize that he doesn't care about me, only satisfying his carnal desires. I am just a toy.
Servants come and deliver food on our plates. I play with the pieces on my plate, unable to eat in this tight gown.
"Are you okay?" Charlotte-Anne waits for her father return to his conversation with Étienne before asking in a murmur.
"No." I need a confident here, and I think Charlotte will be my only chance. She grabs my shoulder and rubs it.
"Are you ready for tonight?"
"I don't even want to think of it." I grimace, holding back my nausea.
"Did your mother talk to you about what to do?" My eyes widen at her implication.
"No, she was a mess when I left. I promised to have her visit as soon as I could get her here." Charlotte-Anne realizes my deficiency of desire to explore the subject.
"Didn't your father come?"
"Yes, but we own an inn, and everything was on such short notice that she couldn't leave." She nods her sympathy.
"Do you not have a sister or brother who wanted to join as well?"
"No, I am the only child."
"I am sorry to hear that." I wave away her pity on this point.
"It doesn't bother me. Tell me about your brothers. What is it like to have three older brothers?"
"Well I am not all that close with the older two, Thomas, and Sébastienne. They are just so much older than me. Étienne on the other hand has been fantastic. Although he is my senior by 7 years, he has always showed an interest in me. It was hard when he left 6 years ago, but we wrote regularly." I smile, hearing her talk about Étienne with such love.
"Can you help me understand everything going on? Please don't feel like you have to protect me."
She nods and explains the family dynamics to me, helping me to understand the world I have entered. "Father married his first wife when he was in his early thirties. She bore him three sons in their first 8 years of their marriage, but after the birth of their third son she had been chronically weak. The Baron married his second wife, my mom, once his first passed away 5 years later. Two years later I was born, and her mother soon passed away as well. Since then there has been an endless stream of ladies with you being the 7th. None of them has lasted longer than 3 years."
"What happened to them?"
"Various diseases and accidents." The way she says that gives me shivers. I understand that each one met a strange fate. What will be mine?
"Let's talk about something happier. How old are you?"
"I am almost 17." She says with pride. She is so close to my age.
"That is a good age. Do you have a beau?" I tease her.
"No, there are no interesting men in Torcy. I am hoping to convince Étienne to have me come visit so I can meet better men. He said maybe he might convince father to let me return with him." My face falls. She might leave me alone here. I can't blame her, but I am sad to hear it. She understands and pats my hand.
"Both Thomas and Sébastienne are married. Maybe you could get to know their wives while I am gone. They are both visiting family right now but should be back in a couple of days. We weren't expecting Étienne or you else they would have been here." I smile at her solution and thoughtfulness.
"You must have missed your brother over the years."
"Unbearably so. We sat and talked all night last night. It was like a dream."
"What do you talk about together?" I ask politely but realize that it could come across as prying.
"Books, politics, anything like that." Her eyes light up at a thought. "Last night he told me he had fallen in love. I was so happy for him, but apparently she is being forced into a marriage, and he didn't want to hurt her and her family, so he let her go." She rambles on, not realizing she is trampling my heart.
"That is regrettable."
"Isn't it. He told me he didn't like her at first, but within a couple minutes he felt like she was the safest, most thoughtful person in the world, and with everything he has been through he needs that. They even kissed. Unfortunately, she had to choose between her family's safety or him. I think he could protect her, but he wasn't so sure. I hope he rethinks and goes back to rescue her. I don't think she would be happy in a forced marriage and I have never heard him talk about a girl that way." I try to hide my blush listening to the story. He loves me. Her monologue makes me smile. Without knowing the woman, she is supporting her brother's relationship.
Alas the damage is done. The wedding is through, and there is nothing to be done now. If only he had waited.