Chapter 15

Campomesnil, France

August 20, 1385

Marguerite, accompanied by her maidservant Penny, entered the ramshackle hut on the edge of the town that served as the workshop of the village seamstress. Marguerite had asked the seamstress to make three dresses for her, in hopes that her husband would be home soon to see her wear them. Today was the final fitting and to make any necessary adjustments.

“Lady Marguerite,” Penny spoke softly. “How many times do you have to be fitted by this woman, just to make some dresses? This is at least the fifth time she’s sent her husband to fetch you, and we’ve yet to see a finished gown. We could have gone to Paris, had a dress made, and returned in no time.”

“She does wonderful work,” Marguerite told her maidservant. “She is meticulous and wishes the dresses to fit me properly. Plus, she shows me new ideas, and we spend time gossiping. Don’t begrudge me this indulgence. I get so bored in the castle, listening to Lady Nicole.”

“Very well, my Lady,” Penny said with a smile. She cared greatly for her mistress and didn’t mind keeping her secret.

A bell sounded as Marguerite entered the shop, and the seamstress stepped out from the back room. “Lady de Carrouges! It is a pleasure to see you again,” the woman said, looking somewhat nervous.

“Are the dresses ready?” Marguerite asked.

“Yes, milady,” the seamstress answered, “but we need to try them on and take them in or let them out here and there to get the perfect fit. If you don’t mind, coming with me into the back.”

“Of course,” Marguerite replied. She turned to Penny handing her a small pouch of coins, “Penny, go to the vintner and have him deliver a keg of the new vintage today. Then, go to the baker and have her make those raspberry tarts Lady Nicole loves so much. Wait for me there. I will find you when we finish here.”

“But, my lady,” Penny said, “Your lord husband instructed that I am to be with you at all times.”

“Nonsense,” Marguerite said, “I am perfectly capable of trying on dresses without you. Good woman Louvel will help me, and she will not leave me alone. Now go on, the quicker you get started, the quicker you’ll be done.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Penny said, with a frown. She took the purse, curtsied, and left the shop.

Marguerite looked to the seamstress and pointed at the doorway, then asked, “Through there?”

“Yes, milady,” the woman replied.

Marguerite walked around the display counter and stepped through the hanging curtain. Beyond it was a short hallway that led to a large open room with a hearth and table, along with a bed in the back, presumably where the seamstress slept with her husband Adam Louvel when he was in town instead of in Argentan, serving his lord Jacques le Gris.

Marguerite froze in her tracks when she saw the man standing tall before her. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, pressing her lips to his softly.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you,” she whispered.