Chapter 35

Dominic looked at his appearance. He was neat. A simple and modest outfit. He hoped it would show he was serious. He couldn't do this. He knew he couldn't do this. He would have someone else do it for him. And he knew just the man.

This was all over. This pretence. This farce of a marriage. She was sick of him, and yesterday she had seen she could truly be happy. And he was only happy when she was. Therefore, if she got this, he could move on in their relationship.

Their relationship was unclear. A mix of friendship and fear on both sides. He couldn't take this anymore. He was broken.

Yesterday after they had returned from shopping, she had ignored him the rest of the day. After he had talked and later retuned she had turned back into the ice queen. He couldn't take that, she had slammed the door in his face and went to bed. He had made a dinner, well the cook had, and he wanted her to join him. Instead she had said she was exhausted and had stayed up all night talking to Alice.

He had just come back from Jacqueline's room. He hadn't slept there. But he had gone to deliver a note to her. Now the rest of the plan would fall into place.

He tugged the grey cotton and the pearled white buttons of his doublet showed the wealth he had."Will, my lord require anything else?"

"No. You are dismissed for the day. I have errands."

"Very good, my lord." Dermont bowed and left the room with a towel and a row of servants who were permitted to serve only. Not speak.

He took a deep breath and muttered a prayer, for what he was about to do he would need the strength of the lord. He would walk in as the proud man he was, no woman would be a hindrance on him. He brushed his cheek and winked at himself, then left his bedroom.

++++

William sat quietly in the chapel. His head bent down and he mumbled a quick prayer for his life to work out. He opened his eyes and stared at the virgin Mary and baby Jesus with a blissful expression.

He wished he could be so lucky. The only problem was his brother in law. His perfect, rich and powerful brother in law. Lord Dominic DeFleur! The iciest coldest bastard in the world.

"Bastard!"

"Father DeWhite," A old man chuckled and William spun around. His eyes froze and he blushed furiously.

"Your eminsence, forgive me!" William bent his head low and knelt towards the man's red shoes."I am remorseful."

The man laughed and told William to rise. William got up and bowed before the old man patted beside him. This was the King's personal priest. One of the most holiest men in the country, below the King but above the courtesans. And much more worthy than him.

He sat in royal red clothing and his head held high, held the brightest of smiles."I remember when I swore my problems in here. I do it in my chapel now, I was always afraid His Majesty would find me cussing like a fish wife."

William sat quietly. His head in his hands. But he listened as the old man spoke."Belief, Father DeFleur. Sometimes help comes in the most deserted forms."

The old man looked up with a smile. Getting up he patted William's shoulder and waited as a young man bowed to him. William could not recognise who it was. Most courtiers wore bright garbs, jewels and rich clothes. Apart from the pearls on his well worn doublet he looked like a peasant.

"Your eminence," Dominic's voice rumbled and William swore again. The old man laughed and brushed Dominic's hair affectionately before leaving the chapel.

"Is there something the matter, my lord?"

Dominic looked at William's face and felt his heart plummet. Dominic slowly sank to his knees. He kept his head down, he did not want to see William's smug expression."Father, forgive my sins."

"My lord, I do not have time for your antics."

"Father forgive those who have sinned against the lord. Lord God forgive my sins."

William was quiet, he was being serious."I-I"

"You may have your sister." He took a deep breath."I come here today for forgiveness, her items have been packed for her departure. The dowager estate should she choose to have it will be settled in her name and the divorce papers being drawn up. I will go to Francis tomorrow for his blessing. I hope she will find a husband that can look after her."

"This will be as private as I can make it. But there will be ridicule towards your sister. You will have to depart as soon as it becomes dangerous, or more physical. With the dowry I will bestow on her she will be wanted for the money. But it will help in her marriage, even if it is only for the money. I do not wish that on her, I hope she finds a good man."

He looked to William's face and seeing the broken smile began to tremble."She's beautiful, virtious and a character. She will be well looked after but I am not the right man to do so. You will take her to your household until she is ready to wed again, when she finds a suitable match for her title."

William was about to lift him up when he continued with his begging and William waited." I have hit her like a mad man. A rotten cad and she deserves better. She was like my mother. A beautiful ocean of kindness and hope and all I did was knock her down. That is not the actions of a husband."

He paused and looked up. William was waiting for him to finish."That is the actions of a coward. Besides she is beautiful enough, she will gain a man. The days have been hard on her, I have been hard on her. But she deserves more than me."

"Lord DeFleur,"

"Shut up and let me finish. This is important, we do not work whilst we act like this and I can't take it!" He got off the floor, his anger now reigning his heart.

"A marriage is between two people and yet I feel as alone as before." He brushed his fingers over his sword."It effects me too! I have a part to this marriage and I feel emotion too!"

William looked up at Dominic. He was serious, and almost tearful."My lord-"

"As I said before, we will be getting a divorce." He straightened his cloak looking at the chapel. "The divorce will be on the grounds of her neglect as a wife, that is the most I can do to salvage my pride."

Dominic walked out the chapel leaving William to contemplate what had just occurred.

+++++

The room was tense, only Jacqueline and William it should of been one of the most warmest rooms in Paris. Yet it wasn't, it was as icy as the two people in the room. Jacqueline was changing, a maid was invisible in her eyes, at the moment she found out Dominic had given her permission for a divorce.

She had thought they had gotten closer, that day in the carriage and the shopping trip afterwards. He had invited her for dinner, but she had felt nervous about his newfound kindness and spent the night gossiping with Alice instead. The young maid had been helpful and she now knew people were arriving in several months, including her family, for her wedding. They hadn't come for William's, but for whatever reason her marriage to a lord was with travelling for.

She didn't want to leave, leave court. But she wasn't sure if she didn't want to leave because of Francis, Wilson, Peter and Anna. Or if she didn't want to leave because of a certain speck of shiny blue eyes. Her husband. He had changed so much, or maybe it was the parts she failed to see.

But she had to remember that the DeFleurs, were fighters and not lovers, they only wanted her for convenience. She was an object in their eyes, as she had found out today.

"I cannot William!"

William felt the urge to break something. Wasn't this what his sister wanted? She would be free and she could come home with him and Amelia.

"We will discuss this tomorrow. I will not leave him, it's not my nature." She said softly. Her hands gently touched the silk material of her dress. The maid tightened the stomacher which was a red stomacher with gold lace.

"He's trying with me, just give it time."

"But it's your nature to allow him to beat you and hurt you!" Jacqueline stayed quiet and let the maid finish off the last piece of her dress. She curtised and scurried out.

Jacqueline walked to her bedside table. She picked up the letter she had recieved this morning and played with the edges of the paper.

She didn't want to leave him. She didn't want to say goodbye, let alone rule her life so quickly. Now the chance made her feel scared. But she had an excuse, and she would use it.

"Did you know Father sold me?" William's face was stunned. She continued."I was sold at twelve years old to be this man's bride. Father was in debt to Dominic's cousin, Daniel DeFleur and the fact I have a fertile and known womb sweetened the deal."

William took the letter from her finger tips. Part of it was an explaniation, leaving no identify of the sender; but the rest was words from a marriage contract. With some added. Indeed Jacqueline had been sold, but instead of a maid or a indentured servant, she had been given as a wife.

"If I leave now, I would of broken the contract father signed. He will own us!" She hissed and turned away.

She looked away from her brother. She was now too upset, too angry. William did not attempt to say anything and looked at the door.

"So give up any stupid ideas of me being free from him!"

Amelia entered and the two women walked in front of William. The doors opened and they walked into the Great Hall. Filled with laughter and cheer at the roasted delights before them the crowds ignored the fact that Lady DeFleur was not being escorted by her husband that night.

Francis looked with a kind expression as he saw Jacqueline enter the room. She wore a beautiful fire orange gown. Her hair hung loosely but a headdress covering the chestnut locks. Her jewels were simple and he noticed she no longer wore the ring of DeFleur.

He would not discuss this over the table and commanded the meal to begin. "Lord Wilson," Jacqueline saw him first and rose along with William and Amelia.

"Lady DeFleur, Father and Mistress DeWhite." He said in order of status before he allowed them to sit down. He sat opposite them and the lady accompanying him followed.

She began plaiting two plates. One for herself and one for James', keeping herself occupied for the time being."How have you been?" The lady asked. Why did she care? Juliette thought. Oh yes! Lady Jacqueline DeFleur, wife of Lord Dominic DeFleur, and the lady who caught the previous Duchess in her adulterous act.

"I thank you, my lady." She passed James his plate, marginally larger than her's he thanked her with a kiss on the cheek."For bringing this to light, so I could have a man who deserves goodness and not a whore, like the current Lady Duchess."

Jacqueline fluttered her eyelids rapidly, in anger. That 'whore' was her friend and she wouldn't stand for it. She was about to reply when James did. "Juliette, she is still my wife, I suggest you respect her as her title." The lady pouted."At least for now, love."

"Yes, your grace." She said, feeding him a chunk of pie. Then twirling a bouncy brown haired lock.

Jacqueline wanted to retch, instead dinner as continued and she ate well. Her mind could not be on other peoples problems and name calling, she had too many of her own. Dominic wanted a divorce, she should of been glad but it was a bit unexpected.

"Please excuse me," Jacqueline fled the room and shut the door.

William stood to follow her, but Amelia touched his arm and he sat back down."She needs to make it on her own,"James looked sadly at his friend. But continued being feed by Juliette.

Jacqueline ran. She went out to the cool air, sitting down in the gardens. Shivering she clutched her cloak and blew air into the sky."May I join you?"

Jacqueline looked up and a man she faintly recognised stood above her. She nodded but clutched her cloak tighter."My intentions are honourable, in fact I offer you my sword to kill me if I do anything that may harm your virtue."

Jacqueline did not know if he was being serious or not. His sober clothing showed the icy drips of a traveller but his carefree smile made her mistrust him and she looked at him, still fearful and did not speak.

He gave her a diamond encrusted sword. The sharpest point Jacqueline had ever seen before sitting down next to her. She held the sword like a child and swung it in the air. He laughed and placed it downwards before speaking.

"You are like Dominic, very much. I knew you would be."

"Who are you?"

He laughed again, and got up with a florish. He bowed low, and then smiled. She could see his sparkling white teeth and his bright green eyes."Lord Daniel DeFleur, your cousin in law."

She got up and curtised."I did not know it was you, my lord." She looked to the ground.

The man her father was in debt to. She thought he would be older, but he looked just a couple of years older than her or Dominic.

"I know you didn't, you saw me as a child. Your female memory wouldn't be able to remember such a small detail." Jacqueline was insulted but kept her mouth shut."So what has my cousin done now?"

She did not know how much this man knew, and she would find out first. This conversation was laced with intent and she wouldn't fall."When did you arrive sir?"

"Still as inquisitive as ever, just last week. I stayed at an inn before travelling up, I wished to see my cousin and his lovely new bride before I head down to Spain." He said his words monotone and quickly, like he just wanted to finish answering a child's question.

"I thank you for answering my question, my lord. I hope I have not been to over in my place." She said quietly. She feared this man who just four years ago scrutinised her so harshly with questions and his gaze. He still echoed the same authoritative manner but he had a new lightness to him.

"No, should you have been my wife I wouldn't hesitate to bend you over my knee for asking rather than being asked. It is not your place to ask a question of a mans wear abouts, but since you have always had this fault I'll look over it."

He looked at the sky."Besides, your useless father already told me that it would be a problem."

Jacqueline felt slightly nervous, and uncomfortable. She wanted to go back inside, he was worse than Dominic."I wish to go inside, if you'll escort me?"

"Of course, cousin." He bent his head and stood up taking Jacqueline back inside.

Inside she just wanted to see Dominic again. She loved it when he was well mannered and kind, and funny. This man who walked with her scared her, and she listened politely as he talked.

As soon as she came in, seeing Wilson's expression she went up to him."DeFleur,"

"Wilson,"

"A moment Lord DeFleur I wish to ask her ladyship something,"

Daniel nodded and walked off, smiling at guests. James watched with narrowed eyes, this man could ruin the whole damn plan. Jacqueline was quiet as she looked at the guests who were trying to discreetly hear their conversation. Idiots.

"Lady DeFleur,"

She knew James could see the same thing and she repiled in equal."Yes, your grace."

"How are you feeling about your wedding?"

Jacqueline did not know if she James knew about the divorce Dominic had offered. She looked at his dagger point beard and assumed not."I have not seen Dominic in a while, I think he's angry at me."

James shook his head, couldn't they see they cared about each other more than they would admit."He is furious. He says his wife hates him and fears him and he cannot take it anymore."

Jacqueline knew Dominic wanted change, but was his feelings really that strong? Maybe, there was a lot she didn't know about her husband."Your grace, you called me here for a reason," She lifted her chin up.

"I just wanted to say Jacqueline, Dominic really loves you. I know he use to hit you, I predicted it from the start. A quiet village girl would always annoy him. He loved girls with interests and intelligence. Yet he hits you because he doesn't know any better, but know he'll do whatever's good for you. He'll sacrifice his world for the one he loves."

"I-"

"He'll prove it." Wilson recalled his earlier conversation with Dominic. What he had said was unbelievable, what he was going to do."He'll make you happy and you already do so much just by staying with him for so long."

"Then why does he seem so kind to me, and then hurts me?"

"Because it's Dominic. He's never been happy so when happiness comes to him, he pushes it away. It's natural, he feels as if he deserves pain and he'll push anything good away from him."

James bowed and walked away.