Chapter 1: Home is where the heart is

May 18th 1824. Chateau Blanchard. Nr.Valenciennes, Flanders

It was déjà vu; I awoke in the same bedroom in Chateau Blanchard as when regaining consciousness after being wounded by Ashby de La Zouche at the Golden Lion in 1816. As then, a candelabrum threw light on the female sat alongside the bed, a baby at her breast. Mimi Renoir was the female then, as now, but the child being suckled could not be the then child Jean-Woodrow, who was now a sturdy, near eight-year-old boy.

I must have made a sound because Mimi turned towards to me. She placed the supine infant in a cradle by the side of her chair.
“Jacques, my love, you are awake and looking so much better.” As she leaned over me her exposed, full, breasts came near to my mouth, but when I made to suck on an extended nipple she laid her hand on my cheek.
“I already have two greedy mouths to fill and have not enough milk for you also, my love,” she said sweetly. “But I have something that will do you as good, if not better.” Her warm, welcoming, tongue entered my mouth, and I felt a stirring, not just in my genitals but as if my heart and soul were being replenished by Mimi’s love.

She eventually pulled her mouth away from mine, and then clasped me to her, straining to hold me as if not ever wanting to let me go. Our two hearts beat as one.
Something she had said then came to the front of my mind.
“Two greedy mouths to fill?”
Mimi leaned back in my arms and smiled. “We have two beautiful daughters, Jacques. Did you not receive my letter telling you I was pregnant?”
I shook my head. “I have only received one letter from you, and that was in Marseilles in October of last year, when I was returning to Livorno from Spain. I recall there was a rather cryptic comment asking if I was pleased with your news, which I imagine you had told me in a previous letter that I still await to read.”
“I received letters from you, Jacques, and realised you were not getting mine. Somewhere there is a pile of my letters, which I hope will eventually get to you so you can read of how much I missed you and longed for your return.”

Before leaving for Greece, I had left instructions in Livorno to send any mail for me to Château Blanchard, and hoped Otto or Capitano Ponte would have done as I asked.
“We have twins, Jacques, and I hope you are as thrilled and delighted as I am.”
She reached into the cradle at her side and lifted out the sleeping bundle.
“This is Mollie-Annette, the elder by ten minutes.” She kissed the babe and returned her to the cradle. She then lifted another sleeping bundle from a cradle on the other side of her chair.
“And this is Caroline–Domina.” She kissed her before replacing her in the cradle.

I could not speak for the lump in my throat. My wonderful Mimi had named the girls after the four females who, after her, I loved the most. In fact my tears fell, and Mimi took me to her bosom and rocked me as if I too were a babe.
“Shush my darling. All those who you lost are now returned.”
I vowed then I would never leave the side of this beautiful, loving, caring, and considerate, woman.

“When can we be married my love? I have kept you waiting far too long as it is,” I said.
She laughed. “I think you need to regain your strength before embarking on married life with me Jacques. I have a powerful appetite, and I would not wish to injure you when in such a weakened state.”
“Right. Let me out of bed and I will get back to peak fitness without delay.”
Mimi giggled. “I have waited over a year; a few more weeks will be no hardship. But I will ask your physician when you can leave your bed.”
“Callum is still here? How long have I been at Blanchards?”
“You arrived three days ago. You have been conscious for short periods, and in fact have eaten gruel. It was just as well this time I did not have to feed you with my milk as your two greedy daughters have drained me.”
She smoothed my hair with a gentle hand. “I will take these two sleeping cherubs to the nursery and then inform Callum you are awake.”
She went to the door and called. “Claudette, can you help take the girls to their room.” She turned and explained. “I have engaged a wet nurse, as I fear I will not have enough milk to suckle both girls until they are weaned. I don’t know what I would have done had Claudette not been available to help me.”

A dark haired, large bosomed, girl of somewhere near twenty years of age, appeared in the doorway. She dropped a curtsy.
“Good morning, Colonel Greenaway. I am Claudette Pascal, and have the honour and privilege of suckling yours and Madame Mimi’s adorable children.” She bent over one of the cribs and lifted the sleeping bundle, Mollie–Annette I think it was, and carried her away.
“Callum will stay here at Blanchards until you are fit to leave your bed, which should be in a week’s time.” Mimi said. “However, he says you will be unable to carry out any physical labour for several weeks. The fever you caught was most debilitating, rest and sleep are now the best medicine.”
She slipped her tongue into my mouth for several wonderful seconds before saying. “Of course kissing is also most beneficial.” She then picked up the other sleeping babe and followed Claudette from the room.

I admit to be somewhat shaken to find I was now the proud father of twin girls. I suppose it was well within reason that Mimi, a twin herself and daughter of a twin, should continue the tradition. I wondered if Chloe, who had also been pregnant when leaving Nice last March, also brought forth twins.
I was still contemplating that fact when Callum Keane entered the room. I struggled to sit up but he raised his hand to stop me.
“You are still extremely weak, Jack, and I can talk to you just as easily with your head resting on a pillow.”
I lifted a hand to him. “At least let me shake your hand, Callum. You have saved my life twice, and I will show my gratitude or perish in the attempt.”
He laughed, took my hand, and gave a firm shake.
“You would have done the same for me, and I am pleased to have returned you to the bosom of your family.” He sighed. “I envy what you have here, Jack. A beautiful and loving wife, a family, a fine estate...”
“Château Blanchard is not my estate Callum. When he is of age Jean–Woodrow will become The Master of Blanchards.”
“But I thought him your and Mimi’s son.”
“No, he is the son of Mimi Renoir and my childhood friend Woodrow Allen. Woody was murdered; I avenged his death but brought down retribution upon me, resulting in the deaths of my wife and children.”
Callum looked shocked. “I knew your family had perished in a fire, but did not realise it was due to a murderous vendetta. Have their murders brought the vendetta to an end.”
I shook my head. “No, my sister also died because of the action I took, and I am resolved to find and kill the murderous bitch responsible.”
“Where is this female now?”
“The last I heard she was in Egypt, but she may have accomplices in Europe, and now I fear for the lives of Mimi and our children.”
“I would think it unlikely someone based in Egypt would have confrères in Europe, and anyway, how would she know you have a new family?”
“Eloise de La Zouche is Mimi’s aunt – and will probably have men who will do her bidding in France, possibly even in Valenciennes. I must see to the defences of the château, and have a watch kept for suspicious characters arriving in the vicinity...”
Callum laid a hand on my shoulder. “Do not get yourself into a tizzy. Most of what you fear is in your mind, but if it will make you happier I will have a word with your steward, Truffaut, to keep a watch on any visitors to the château.”

I could hear the worry in my voice, and thought my unease could be due to my low vigour. Although it seemed unlikely Eloise would know of my relationship with Mimi she might discover it in time.
I put Callum straight on another of his misapprehensions.
“Mimi and I are not married, although I intend changing that status within days.”
“I fear you would be of little use to a new bride on a wedding night within the next two weeks or so. You need time to build up your strength. I suggest you stay in bed for a day or two, and then get up for short periods, until in a weeks’ time you are able to walk around the garden of the château. You will need someone alongside you at first, as you will be unsteady on your legs and short of breath. You came near to death, Jack, and need time to regain your vigour.”
I nodded. “Just as you say, Doctor!”
“Any way I thought you and Mimi were wed in Nice, before you went off to Spain.” He said.
I shook my head. “I wish I had thought to do that. But who told you Mimi and I were married?”
“No one specifically, it was just the impression I received.” He rubbed his chin. “Of course her giving birth would set tongues wagging if she did not have either a husband on her arm, or at least a husband, even if not on her arm at the time of the birth.”
“Well, we might not have been married in the sight of God in Nice but we were definitely joined in matrimony in the sight of each other. I have no belief in a G...”