She smelled the earth and breathed in deeply. There was such a simple, sweet feeling of breathing in the clean air, so different from the dirty city air in Paris. The small river was flowing at a slow pace and she had been walking for only a short time when she found a large tree to rest under.
She wished that she had thought to bring a book because the day was so lovely and fine. Before she realized it, she was suddenly sleepy and drifted off.
***
An hour passed before Sophie awoke and she continued to follow the river for a bit longer. She passed a simple bridge of wood that spanned across the water’s length and she walked across it and returned back. There were several large rocks in the water and the depth of it she guessed to be no more than ten feet at its deepest and a few inches at its shallowest.
It was a quaint feeling to be walking along this river and she felt like a woodland fairy. She saw some thatched roofs coming into view behind the trees and wondered if she was still on the chateau grounds or if she had come upon a village. She surmised it must be a village.
She had not seen another person in the entire time since she had left the chateau and she quite liked that feeling. In Paris there was always a crush of people no matter where she went and she didn’t mind—it was a large metropolitan city, after all. But to be in this quiet country had a calming effect on her.
She returned to the chateau, following the river again. She walked back through the trees, the wide lane and green lawns entering the chateau. She saw her grandmother enjoying breakfast with Madame Necker and she joined the women.
“You have a lovely color in your cheeks, Sophie,” Madame Necker remarked as she sipped her tea.
“I was out exploring. I walked along the lane and then the river. It’s charming,” Sophie sat across from the women.
“All alone? Was that wise?” Eugenie asked.
Sophie smiled. “Yes. All alone. And it was entirely wise. Join me on my next outing, Grand-mère.”
“No, I think not. I’m not a great walker. But if you enjoyed yourself, that is all that matters.” Eugenie nodded.
“I did.” She kissed her grandmother’s cheek and left the ladies to their breakfast.
***
That evening, Marmontel and La Harpe arrived and were settled into their rooms before dinner. Sophie dressed in a simple gown of apricot silk in a style less flamboyant than one she would have chosen for a Paris evening.
She passed by the library and heard Madame Necker speaking to the housekeeper. She passed along into the sitting room where her grandmother sat before the fire with a glass of wine.
“All right. Let me see. So Madame Gauvreau is in the gold room,” Madame Necker noted.
“Yes,” came the reply.
“Mademoiselle Sophie is in the garden room. Marmontel is in the blue room and La Harpe is in the red room.”
“That is so.”
“Germaine will arrive this evening and have her room, of course,” Madame Necker said.
“Yes, madame.”
“The other guests are arriving the day after tomorrow. So of course they may have their pick of what is left. Make certain the room list is circulated so there is no mix-up of the rooms already taken.”
The housekeeper nodded.
“I know le duc likes the gold room, but I could not refuse Madame Gauvreau,” Madame Necker supplied.
Again the housekeeper nodded. “Yes.”
“All right. Let the staff know where everyone is. I don’t want any problems this week.”
The housekeeper departed at the dismissal.
***
Sophie stayed with her grandmother in the salon and helped herself to a glass of sherry as the guests began trickling in. Marmontel and La Harpe joined the small group for dinner while Germaine met everyone for coffee following dinner.
“Sophie!” She kissed the younger woman on both cheeks.
“Germaine!” Sophie liked the lively young woman and enjoyed her company.
“I’m so pleased Mère was able to convince you to join us,” she said, smiling at everyone.
“Your mother is very gracious. I did not expect the invitation, nor such attention.”
“Nonsense. You are a better addition than anyone.” Germaine settled into the couch next to her friend while coffee was passed to everyone.
Eugenie settled near the fire with her embroidery while Madame Necker was in a chair opposite her. Marmontel and La Harpe were seated together on another couch opposite the two ladies.
“There’s been another pamphlet. Did you know?” Marmontel spoke. His plump cheeks were reddened from several glasses of wine.
Madame Necker nodded. “Yes. I’ve read it.”
Eugenie pulled her thread through the fabric, intent on completing the project and only slightly taking part in the conversation around her.