Chapter 9: Letter of Ennoblement

King Francis was pleased with the change in the attitude of the Spanish Ambassador and General de Ortega. Prior to the Embassy ball, the Spanish were hard negotiators, and the discussions were almost hostile. After the ball, deliberations with the Spanish were much more amiable.

The Spanish Ambassador had not received any firm directive from the King of Spain regarding his suggestion and letter to King Francis that Prince Henry should marry Duchess Violante Fernández instead of Princess Gabriella; therefore, when it was suggested that a marriage contract was not necessary for a trade agreement, all parties agreed to postpone any discussion of a marriage contract.

A tentative trade agreement was soon completed. The final agreement would still take two or three months due to lengthy travel times to obtain approval for every change by both the King of Spain and the King of France. However, the Spanish Ambassador did not anticipate major problems.

King Francis realized that Danielle was partially responsible for the improved relations with the Spanish; so on St. Catherine of Alexandria’s day (Saturday, November 25), four days after the embassy ball, he accepted the Queen’s suggestion and issued a letter of ennoblement to declare noble lady Danielle de Barbarac as well as her children born of lawful marriage. Although she was ennobled, Danielle, like most nobles, was not granted a title{3}.

Queen Marie had taken Renée’s suggestions regarding Danielle. The crash courses involved tutoring of eight to ten hours daily; so Monday, two days after her ennoblement, when Queen Marie invited her to afternoon tea with Celeste and Isabelle, Danielle, in addition to showing the ladies great respect, pleased them by saying, “With all the things expected of nobility, it is far easier to be a servant.”

Knowing how it would irritate Rodmilla and Marguerite, Celeste said, “Marguerite, we just had tea with the Queen and Danielle, I wouldn’t be surprised if Henry chooses her for his bride.”

“What a boorish thing to say,” Rodmilla replied. “The girl is far too common for even an addled-brained prince.”

“I found her quite captivating. She seemed to be an agreeable young lady,” Isabelle said.

“Cinderella agreeable! To whom, the pigs that she smells like and sleeps with? Really, Isabella, the idea is preposterous,” Marguerite replied.

Danielle wanted very much to please Queen Marie, so she worked very hard to learn from her tutors. For years, Danielle had closely observed what Rodmilla taught Marguerite and Jacqueline so, with her previous tutoring prior to the Embassy Ball, in less than two weeks of intensive tutoring she would learn to be nearly flawless in the decorum expected of nobility. However, she would still need additional tutoring to learn the Latin that was taught to most high ranking nobles.

The next day, Danielle met Prince Henry and Captain Laurent in a castle hallway. However, in addition to displaying haughtiness, she cut the conversation short by asking, “Your Highness, may I be excused? I am late for a meeting with one of my tutors.”

Laurent’s attempt to suppress a grin at her obvious snub didn’t help Henry’s disposition as he muttered, “That stuck-up witch. I hope she gets hives. Next time I won’t give her the time of day.” However, Henry’s newfound resolve would not last long.

Danielle told herself that Henry deserved it. Still, she found herself wishing their brief interlude had lasted longer.

Two days later, Henry did see Danielle again. However, all she did was curtsy and say, “Your Highness,” in passing.

Henry could not help but be vexed at Danielle. Most eligible young maidens in the providence would practically throw themselves at him, but Danielle acted like she could not care less. So the next day in a chance meeting with Rodmilla and Marguerite, he offered to show Marguerite the royal gardens. He knew Danielle and a couple of ladies were having tea with Queen Marie, and of course Marguerite, upon seeing Danielle with the Queen, grabbed Henry’s arm and tossed her head as if to say, “He’s mine and you can’t have him.”

Danielle’s momentary expression told Queen Marie that Danielle did very much care, in spite of her nonchalance and display of indifference. Queen Marie had grown very fond of Danielle and, although she didn’t wish to force them together, it did seem to her that both Henry and Danielle were being pigheaded about expressing their true feelings toward one another.

At dinner that evening, Queen Marie discussed with Francis returning the Manoir de Barbarac to Danielle and bringing charges of lying against Rodmilla and Marguerite. Any lingering doubts she had as to Henry’s feelings toward Marguerite was removed when Henry offered no defense for Marguerite.

In the meantime, Marguerite let everyone know that she was practically engaged to the Prince. So Monday, three days later, both Rodmilla and Marguerite were ecstatic when Captain Laurent, standing on the landing to the Manoir de Barbarac, bowed and said, “His Supreme Majesty, King Francis, requests an audience with the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters immediately.”

Arriving in style, Rodmilla practically oozed with pride as she, Marguerite, and Jacqueline were escorted to the throne room. Every eye in the royal court was on them as they walked regally down the center aisle to the royal dais. However, Rodmilla got a rude jolt when King Francis addressed her angrily. “Baroness, did you or did you not lie to Her Royal Majesty, the Queen of France?”

Nothing she could say or do would get Rodmilla out of her predicament. And, of course, with the certification of both Rodmilla’s and Marguerite’s statements by the notary, Jean Beaupère, it was an open-and-shut case.

After Queen Marie rose to her feet and said, “Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, the Manoir de Barbarac is hereby returned to its rightful owner, the lady Danielle de Barbarac, and you are stripped of your title, and you and your horrible daughter are to be shipped to the Americas on the next available boat unless, by some miracle, someone here will speak for you.”

A deadly silence fell over the royal court.

Rodmilla cast around hopefully for a friendly face. A decent face. A face that looked just the least bit helpful. But all she got were stony, unsympathetic glances. She turned back to the King. “There seem to be quite a few people out of town,” she said, swallowing hard.

“I will speak for her,” said a small voice. “She is, after all, my stepmother,” Danielle added courteously.

Continuing, Danielle said, “Your Majesties, I know that Rodmilla and Marguerite lied to the Queen, but their lies were more directed toward me than the Queen. I know Rodmilla, especially, is deserving of severe punishment; however, in memory and in honor of her position as my father’s widow, I request mercy.

“Her actions were not noble, and they bring discredit to the very essence of nobility. Therefore, I agree she should forfeit her title. I agree that she should forfeit all rights to the Manoir de Barbarac, except the right to live there for her remaining years, without special privileges, because it would have been my father’s wish that the manoir pass to me. She should be allowed to keep her personal property subject to her debts. I believe no action should be taken against Marguerite because Rodmilla instigated her actions. I know Marguerite is a spoiled brat but, hopefully, this condition is only transitory and can be attributed to youthful indiscretions. However, she has been greatly favored over Jacqueline by Rodmilla de Ghent and since all children should share equally, I believe that Jacqueline should have an equitable share of Marguerite’s possessions.

“I request that I, acting with the advice and consent of the Church, be given three days to inventory the Manoir de Barbarac, including all personal possessions and any debts of Madame de Ghent, and report back to Your Majesties for a proper accounting and disposition. During the inventory and accounting, and to prevent their interference, I request that Rodmilla and Marguerite be provided quarters and confined to a nearby inn at their expense.”

Danielle’s Report, three days later in the royal court: “Your Majesties, I have the report by the priest, Father Pasquerel, and approved by Bishop de Portal. If I may, I will read from the report.”

The Manoir de Barbarac includes all real property, livestock, horses and carriage, and all furniture, books and paintings that were at the manoir prior to the marriage of Auguste de Barbarac and Rodmilla de Ghent. An inventory of the Manoir de Barbarac is attached.

Rodmilla de Ghent’s personal possessions were inventoried and appraised by the merchant Raoul de Gaucourt. A list and the appraisal of Rodmilla de Ghent’s possessions are attached. It is well known throughout the providence that Merchant Raoul de Gaucourt’s reputation and credentials are impeccable. Madam de Ghent’s possessions, including jewelry and gowns are valued at the merchant buying price of 365 gold francs subject to the following indebtedness.

190 gold francs for years of underpayment to the servants of the Manoir de Barbarac to be divided as follows: 70 gold francs to the servant Maurice, 60 gold francs to the servant Louise, and 60 gold francs to the servant Paulette. Instead of fully paying the wages of the servants of the Manoir de Barbarac, Madam de Ghent used such monies to provide for her extravagant lifestyle.

Ten gold francs for Merchant de Gaucourt’s appraisal fee.

Fifteen gold francs to compensate the church for their time and counsel in this matter.

Twenty gold francs to his Royal Highness, Prince Henry. It was Prince Henry who provided the twenty gold francs used to free Maurice, a servant unlawfully sold by Madame de Ghent.

The debts of Madame de Ghent total 235 gold francs. The balance of Madame de Ghent’s personal property after deducting for her debts is 130 gold francs.