My Heart Rests With You 3

Chapter 3
March 1522
All too soon I was pulled from my room, from the last vestiges of my Renard and tossed into a carriage. As the wheels bounced along, throwing me in the air every time they jolted over a rut in the road I tried to recall him once again. I would certainly need strength to get through this evening.

I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the panneling, trying to ignore every time it was pushed forward and forced back onto the pannel. It caused a heavy thump that I also tried to ignore.

Carriage wheels along the street, I could no longer feel the rythym, because I was not in the carriage. I was not in England. I was in France, walking the street, with my lovely Renard.

It was once again that June morning in 1519. It was three years ago, had it really been so long already? It was difficult to return to that time. So hard to believe that so much time had passed with us apart. Hard to accept that time was allowed to pass, that it did not just freeze on our last moment together. I did not think of that moment.

My feet connected with the street, each in turn, Renard letting me set the pace.
"Would you still like to hear the story?" I nodded, fighting a smile of anticipation. "It was many years ago, before you came to France I would wager. I was out late one night with a few friends."
"Do I know these friends?" I could not stop myself from interupting to ask.

"Perhaps, a few are prominent members in court."
"Do you belong to the court?" I continued on.
"When it pleases me. My cousin is a count."
"Oh," I let out, feeling hope sink in my chest.

"Shall I continue?"
"Please."
"One of the young men I was out with had stolen a chicken from the local market."
"A live chicken?" He nodded patiently, smiling down at me. I could almost picture how I must've looked, leaning up and into him.
"The owner gave chase and somehow the chicken wound up in my arms. I ran with that damned thing for near an hour!" He had to pause to allow me time to laugh, because he could not continue with all the noise I was making.

"I finally made my escape, with a few scrapes. Then I had the thing for dinner. When my friends heard the sad tale the name that must have been fate fell right into place on top of my head."
"From the fox in the hen house?"
"Something akin to that I imagine." His blue eyes looked into mine for a long moment, twinkling in the depths of the black.

After another moment I had no choice but to look away. "Are you missing home much?"
"Home?" I could hear the bitter tone to my voice, "I haven't seen home in years."
"Well, that must make it easier."
"I suppose," I murmured, "sometimes I miss my sister, my brother."
"Parents?"
"My father always had more of a head for political advancement."
"Is that why you are here, now?"
"Yes. What could be more mysterious than a woman who has spent the last several years in France, the land of love?"

We were both silent until I could bear it no longer. "I'm sorry, have I offended you?"
"No, no my dear. I was simply thinking that I was very grateful for your father's intentions, however misplaced they may be." I stopped short, pulling him to a halt with me.
"Why?" I demanded quickly.

"Now I've offended you," he murmured eyes lighting more obviously. "I only meant that I would never have had the pleasure of meeting you this day were it not for him."
"Oh," I finally let out, "you do not have to say that to try and be polite. I already know you to be a gentleman."
"I am aware of the fact that I did not have to say that. Would you like to know a secret?" he questioned, leaning even closer.

Cheeks heating, I nodded. "I wanted to," he whispered, lips moving over my ear. When he pulled back slightly I smiled up at him.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure." He turned back to the street, then looked back to say, "May I help you down?" I frowned slightly, that wasn't right.

"I'm sorry?"
"My lady, you have to get out of the carriage." Like a leaf over a waterfall I was dropped back into the present. The door was open and a masked man offered his hand. The warmth of Renard left me too quickly. I pulled in my lips against the sob building there and took the offered hand.