Chapter 5: Cousin Louis

Colette takes to the political stories like a starving person suddenly given a feast. Jeanne is a supporter of the new Third Republic. The republic is slowly gaining political control over the regions of France that previously supported the re-establishment of a monarchy. Colette has been brought up in a monarchist household, and has been taught never to question the divine right of a king to rule over his land. Listening and debating the merits of a republic is opening Colette’s mind to the wider world. Until now her narrow world has been as confining as the ancient Paris Bastille.

“Who would you see sit on the throne of France if the monarchy is restored?” asks Jeanne.

“I presume that a descendant of Napoleon III would be crowned,” says Colette.

“Not one of the descendants of the last Bourbon kings?” asks Jeanne.

Jeanne’s innocent question highlights the dilemma facing the French monarchists. Despite being in the majority inside the National Assembly, the monarchists cannot agree on a monarch. Napoleon III had died in exile. He had claimed the right to rule as emperor-monarch only twenty years previous, usurping the blood relatives of the last Bourbon kings who had claimed kingship of France for centuries. These days there’s only modest support among the monarchists for the Bonaparte line to retake the throne. Notwithstanding scholars and politicians across France debate the same issue, Colette takes to the subject with unbounded enthusiasm. Far from accepting the social norms for a bourgeois woman, she develops a latent rebellious streak.

Since early childhood, Colette has felt stifled by the constraints on her life. Since meeting Jean-Paul she has expanded her interests into subjects previously denied to her. Finally she has met someone who not only understands her needs, but helps her explore new territory. While they have soon become friends, Colette’s attempts to develop their friendship into something more have so far met with polite rebuffs. It’s as though Jean-Paul is hiding something and he’s afraid to let Colette into his secret.

Jeanne also has a yearning to develop her friendship with Colette into something more. Several times she has considered confessing the truth, but fear of the consequences has held her back. Jeanne finds Colette attractive beyond words, and more than once she’s dreamed of Colette lying next to her in bed, teasing each other’s most intimate parts. Of course, such pleasure must be denied. Even if by some miracle, Colette was still attracted to her regardless of the truth, Jeanne is sure that Henri would dismiss her from her job, and throw her out of his house. All she can do is to continue playing the role of a young man seeking a deep friendship with an attractive woman.

Even though the winter weather remains cold, Colette and Jean-Paul begin taking walks together in the garden. Sylvie dislikes having to chaperone the pair in such weather, and more than once she simply watches the pair through a window while enjoying the comforts of a roaring fire. Her willingness to do so is partly a reflection of her advancing years, and partly because the pair show no sign of engaging in any inappropriate behaviour. In truth, although unknown to each other, both Colette and Jeanne hold secret desires to become very intimate with the other.

The couple’s relationship may have remained stalled in this no-man’s land but for the timely, if annoying, return of cousin Louis to the D’Aubigny home. Louis is twenty-four years old and manages his father’s cotton mill during his parents extended absence overseas. He has a small apartment across town, which he uses as a place to bed his latest female conquest. Since he rarely seems to lack for female company, he spends relatively little time at the D’Aubigny house.