Chapter 12: The Spanish Ball

Three weeks after the fashion show and three weeks before the Spanish ball, Dolorita invited Felipe to watch the practice performance and to suggest appropriate dresses for the performers. Felipe was extremely impressed by Catherine and Lieutenant Magelhaes’s Fandango courtship dance. An outstanding dancer, Lieutenant Magelhaes excelled at presenting Catherine such that she was the center of attention. Catherine, a natural performer with a knack for dramatic presentations, shone under the spotlight.

There would be a lot of high-ranking Spanish nobility attending the ball, including the staff of the Spanish Embassy and the Spanish Royal Family. Felipe knew that how the performers looked and dressed could further enhance his good standing with the nobles. So with the approval of Danielle, after the performances, Felipe let it be known that the only charge for the performers’ costumes would be the cost of material and labor of the seamstresses. Without including the cost of overhead, this would be less than forty percent of the normal price.

Felipe had sketches for most of what was available. However, when he spoke to Catherine, he suggested that in addition to her full-length gown for the ball, she have two costumes for the performances; he wanted to design an original for the Fandango dance and in a week or so, he would have a couple of sketches to show her.

It was twelve days later when Felipe had Danielle bring Catherine to the shop to see the original gown he had designed. He already had Catherine’s measurements since Catherine, with Renée’s approval, had already selected and ordered her other gowns. The gown was only stitched together because the way it was made necessitated a perfect fit, which would require a couple more fittings and adjustments. The gown was very advanced for the time and Catherine thought it was the most stylish gown she had ever seen. The gown was almost shockingly risqué. It would be appropriate only because it was a performance and Catherine was a young and beautiful girl with a slender dancer’s body. In fact, the dress would be considered sexy even in modern times. The gown was fiery red with black silk lace. The top was very tight. One of Catherine’s arms and shoulders would be bare, the other covered with the black silk lace, and the black silk lace would practically expose the skin on her back and sides. The shorter than normal length full skirt would show all of her legs during rapid turns.

Catherine was practically ecstatic to have such a gown in which to perform. However, she told Felipe, Danielle, and Jacqueline not to tell her mother or aunt about the garment, telling them she wanted it to be a surprise. Catherine did show the gown to Dolorita and Lieutenant Magelhaes. Thereafter, Catherine and the Lieutenant practiced extra long and hard to perfect a few of the more difficult steps, which Dolorita would otherwise have excluded. With that gown they wanted the dance to be perfect.

The Spanish royal family and entourage arrived on the Feast day of St. Macarius of Jerusalem (Saturday, March 10). They settled in at the castle, and King Francis gave a banquet that evening in their honor. Danielle and Catherine met the Spanish Royal Family, and Princess Gabriella insisted that both Danielle and Catherine sit and visit her during the banquet. Danielle, especially, made a hit with Gabriella and all three girls agreed to meet Monday morning at the Spanish Embassy. Sunday, both Royal Families attended church presided over by a Cardinal.

Monday morning at the agreed upon time the three girls met at the Embassy. Gabriella already was acquainted with the Ambassador, and Catherine introduced her to Lieutenant Magelhaes. Sofia, never one to be left out of the excitement, joined the group. Soon, Princess Gabriella, Danielle, Catherine, Sofia, Lieutenant Magelhaes and three other Spanish officers began a tour. First, Catherine wanted to show Gabriella her original gown, which was still at the dress shop. Naturally, the Spanish officers talked Catherine into modeling it. Catherine just loved their admiring restrained whistles as she gave a couple of pirouettes. While Catherine was changing back into her normal dress, Felipe offered to provide Princess Gabriella with a beautiful gown for the ball. However, she already had the gown she was planning to wear and, perhaps after seeing Catherine’s gown, was a little concerned that it might be too risqué, so Felipe gave her a piece of jewelry instead.

The princess and Danielle had already agreed that lunch would be at the Manoir de Barbarac. From the Embassy, Danielle sent a messenger that eight would be arriving for lunch. Danielle made a point to introduce the princess to the servants, who were thrilled that the Princess of Spain would visit their mistress. After lunch, Princess Gabriella was given a tour of the Manoir de Barbarac and Danielle pointed out the recent improvements. Danielle told the princess her plans for some orphaned children. Catherine had not heard that idea before and filed it away as one more piece of exciting news about Danielle. For the rest of the afternoon, Princess Gabriella and the group were given a tour of the countryside, including a view of the river and the Franciscan monastery.

For almost two months, Danielle had not been able to look after the Manoir de Barbarac. However, with Maurice in charge, work at the manoir had progressed nicely. Some buildings and cabins were restored and work started on two of the six new cabins.

Looking ahead, Danielle could see that with the arrival of spring, crops would need to be planted. Also, Danielle decided that the profits she was making from the dress shop would be adequate to pay most, if not all, of the cost of construction of the other four cabins. Therefore, she gave Maurice the go ahead to start. As the future would show, construction and furnishing the six new cabins would cost 480 gold francs, which was a little less than Danielle’s share of the profits from the dress shop.

There still would remain repair work and the construction of new fences as well as, in time, the construction of the schoolhouse. Danielle realized that each farmer would need a couple of horses, a plow, and other minor farm equipment. She decided that the blacksmith would make the plows and that the horses could either be purchased or leased. Maurice was told to meet with the farmers and purchase the seed they would need for planting.

Danielle already owed the bankers almost 980 gold francs. There was a chance she needed to borrow another 200 to 400 gold francs. However, with the manoir restored, the crops planted and soon to be purchased, and calves in the pasture, the manoir would start making a profit. The manoir would become even more profitable when the vineyards were productive. In two or three years the manoir would have a profit of five hundred to a thousand gold francs per year, so she figured that paying off the loan would not be a problem.

After returning, Princess Gabriella invited Danielle and Catherine to again meet with her parents. Since her parents didn’t have anything special planned for that evening, Gabriella asked if it would be okay if they stayed for supper. The King and Queen agreed so the five had supper and talked.

Gabriella told her parents about the gown Catherine was going to wear for the Fandango courtship dance. She said, “Felipe designed it just for Catherine and it is absolutely stunning. It is definitely Spanish, but I have never seen anything like it. Catherine modeled it for us and I could tell that Lieutenant Magelhaes, her partner in the dance, and three other Spanish officers thought Catherine looked terrific in it.”

“That is what I like about Spanish officers,” Catherine replied. “They are always so complimentary.”

King Charles V was very impressed at how well Danielle spoke Spanish. During the evening, he warmed up toward Danielle. Earlier, he had felt slighted by the oftentimes gruff nature of King Francis. He asked Danielle about her trip to Navarra, Spain.

“I just loved it, Your Majesty,” Danielle replied. “I stayed with the family of Arcadia, the wife of Major Nino. They were so gracious and made me feel right at home. I also was able to get out and meet some of your people. They were so warm, friendly, and caring. The Spanish are perhaps without equal in expressing generosity and hospitality to strangers.”

King Charles V and his wife appreciated Danielle’s responses, which went a long way in soothing hurt feelings and lingering animosities between the two kings.

The two Kings decided to have the signing ceremony at 1:00 PM on the same day as the Spanish ball. That evening, when the fanfare announced the arrival of the Royal Families, more than 250 people were in attendance, making the ball a huge success. Due to the presence of the Spanish royal family, the gaiety associated with the Spanish music and the high spirits of ladies in their colorful gowns, the courtiers were unusually enthusiastic. Even before the arrival of the royal families, who by protocol always arrived late, the ball was unusually animated and, unlike many balls, no one was bored to tears. The novelty of the Spanish music and all the courtiers wishing to put their Spanish dance lessons to good use would keep the dance floor crowded and everyone excited.

Soon after the royal families were seated at their respective daises, it was announced that the performances would begin. First, members of the French ballet performed a delightful abbreviated Spanish ballet. Next was the modified Sarabanda with Catherine, Danielle, Sofia, and a couple of members of the French ballet. Danielle and Sofia, with support from a couple of members of the French ballet, performed a brief routine using castanets and graceful movement of the feet. Then Catherine took center stage. Although the members of the French ballet were technically more skilled, Catherine had that special star quality that made her stand out. Like at the Spanish Embassy, with twirls, high steps, flirtations and massive hip movements, Catherine was sensual, wild and exotic. She dazzled the crowd and received the loudest applause.

During a brief intermission, Catherine changed into her gown for the final Fandango courtship dance. When Catherine, wearing her shockingly risqué gown, and Lieutenant Magelhaes took their positions for the start of the music, it became very quiet. Seeing Catherine in her gown, the normally unflappable Renée de Vaudémont was momentarily rendered speechless. Still, when the music and dance started, the courtiers, following the lead of the Spanish king, gave the performers repeated applause, especially when Catherine’s full skirt rose above her legs with a combination of rapid turns and almost violent hip movements. Lieutenant Magelhaes did his part such that the crowd’s attention was primarily on Catherine.

Catherine knew she was the center of attention and loved every second of it. She had a flair in adding something special, something that could not be taught—her eyes, her expressions, her remarkable energy, and such brazen flirtatiousness—she sizzled. Yet, throughout the dance, Catherine maintained that sexy untamed innocence that often marks the difference between an excellent performer and a star.

At the end of the dance, the applause was tremendous. Catherine and Lieutenant Magelhaes almost brought the house down. No additional performance was planned, so as she was leaving, Catherine just pirouetted and gave a couple of flirty hip movements to the numerous calls for encore, generating even more applause.

“Renée, that gown Catherine is wearing is exceptionally eye-catching. I don’t recall seeing anything like it,” comtesse d’Auvergne said. “I would trade half my estate to have the figure to wear a gown like that. Where did you and Catherine get it?”

“I didn’t even know about it until just now, so you can imagine how surprised I was. I suspect that Danielle may somehow be involved. Between Danielle and Catherine, there is never a dull moment.”

“I always knew Catherine could dance, but tonight she was exceptional. And she was gorgeous in that exquisite gown. You must be very proud of her,” one of Renée’s cousins observed.

“Thank you, that is very thoughtful of you,” Renée replied. She could not help being proud of Catherine; still, she thought she might need to have a talk with Catherine about selecting such revealing gowns without first consulting her.

The performances were the highlight of the ball and helped erased any lasting tension between the two kings. King Charles V said the French performers had looked like they had been born and raised in Spain and, of course, the performers were asked to appear before the royal families. Before meeting with the royal families, Catherine changed into her regular evening gown.

When Catherine appeared before her, the Spanish Queen said, “Catherine, you are an outstanding dancer. I have never seen the Fandango performed better. I would be delighted to offer you an invitation to honor the Spanish people by giving a performance in our castle.”

“It would be a great honor, Your Majesty. After Danielle returned from Navarra, she and I talked about traveling to Spain and how much we would enjoy seeing the sights and getting to know the Spanish people.”

As soon as all the performers had met the royal families, Prince Henry asked Catherine to dance. As the music began and Henry led Catherine onto the dance floor, Henry said, “Catherine, I am almost disappointed that you changed from the fantastic gown you were wearing. It really showed what an exceptionally beautiful lady you are.”

“No doubt it revealed much, Your Highness. However, Felipe designed it just for the dance and, while I think it was perfect for the dance, I am not certain it would be an appropriate evening gown.”