***
That evening Sophie had barely stepped out of her dress and corset before she sat before her writing table and began writing in a furious manner. She could still hear the mocking tone of Monsieur Gerard in her ear, which was bad enough.
But she also recalled Sebastian and his handsome face as he told her that he was charged with carrying the seed while she was the brood mare to be impregnated for man’s purpose. Dorset’s Devils indeed! She wondered how many seeds he had spread across Paris.
“Marry, Carry and Bear” was the title she chose for the next pamphlet. She had barely flung her necklace down on the table and had only taken one earring off before her quill pen was scratching away at the linen paper.
She was so angry after attending the salon that thoughts were racing through her head faster than she could place them on the page. These men were archaic and ancient and they belonged in the Dark Ages.
The tips of her fingers became black with ink stains as she wrote with her right hand and kept steady lines with her left. She wrote about education and the need for men to join the proper century with everyone else.
The morning light had barely started to creep over the horizon when she practically crumpled the pages into Marie’s hand as the maid began her duties for the morning. Marie nodded in understanding and Sophie was sure Monsieur Blanche would get more than he bargained for with the pamphlet.
She slept well past noon because of the night spent writing and Eugenie admonished her for being a lazy Parisian lady. Sophie eyed her grandmother with annoyance as she threw open her windows and filled the room with light.
“Up, up, Sophie. The day is passing you by,” her grandmother told her.
Sophie complied, but only because she knew her father would be angry with her if she threw her grandmother out the second-story window.
***
That evening Sophie’s family was to attend a concert of George Frideric Handel's music at the theater. She was very fond of music, as her father was, and had been told her mother had been as well. Eugenie usually used these events to socialize and catch up on her gossip and didn’t much care for music in general.
Jean Pierre was generous with Sophie and her allowance, and her new dressmaker had outdone herself this time. Even Jean Pierre had been stunned when Sophie had first shown him the new gown.
The frock was copper-colored with a low scooped neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves that complemented her creamy shoulders, neck and beautiful auburn hair. She wore no jewelry except her drop diamond earrings. She wore her hair pinned back with one long curl hanging over her shoulder.
Her father wore a raspberry-colored coat and matching breeches while her grandmother wore a silver gown that looked very fine on her full figure, and a powdered wig.
Jean Pierre saw her daughter being fussed over by Marie in the foyer and smiled to himself. She was a beauty. It wasn’t only that she had a lovely face and figure, but she held herself in a regal manner and was kind, generous and intelligent. Danielle would be proud.
Eugenie saw her son staring at his only daughter and remarked lightly, “You should remarry, my son.”
Jean Pierre’s face held a trace of a smile. He did miss the companionship of a woman but Sophie and his mother were enough for the time being. Maybe after his daughter married he would consider it.
“And you, Mother? What of you?”
Eugenie laughed heartily at this. “At my age? Indeed not. Besides. I have this household to run and Sophie to marry,” she said, not realizing that she was echoing his sentiments exactly.
Soon enough the carriage was brought around and they were on their way to the Theatre de l’Odeon. As they joined the long line of carriages depositing passengers at the entrance, Sophie marveled at the beautiful building.
Jean Pierre spoke teasingly, “You are almost like a country girl, gawking at the theater.”
Sophie continued to gaze at the building. “I can’t help it, Father. It is beautiful and such a lovely evening.”
Jean Pierre agreed and Eugenie took this time to remind Sophie of her duties, how to behave, and how to respond to a gentleman’s advances while Sophie half listened.
“Grand-mère. One would think this is the very first outing I have ever attended instead of the hundredth,” she said drily.
Jean Pierre hid a smile as Eugenie shook her head. “I only have a care for you and your reputation, Sophie,” she said quietly.
“I know that.” She leaned forward and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Eugenie bristled under the attention and Jean Pierre smiled. Yes, he thought. Danielle would be proud.
***
The Theatre de l’Odeon was situated on the left bank of the Seine River next to the Luxembourg Gardens. Originally built between 1779 and 1782, the imposing façade of the building featured prominent thick columns and arches lining all four sides of the structure.