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La Belle Christiane

2011 Copyright Lyn Cote

All rights reserved

Chapter Eight, Scene 3

Christiane sat writing thank you notes which later Mrs. Washington would sign, but her mind was far from the flowery phrases under her quill tip. After years of struggling for mere existence, Christiane was delighted at the respect, courtesy, ease, and material comfort she now enjoyed. However, this was one of those solitary moments when her past and present problems could come to her mind. Jakob. When would she stop grieving, stop regretting that she hadn’t insisted that they leave on the last day of December as they had planned? If she had, Jakob would be alive now. And Jean Claude. How was he? Did he remember his mother at all? But how could she go to him–alone and in winter? And if she sent for him, she had no guarantee he would arrive safely. No, nothing could be done now.

“Miss Christiane?”

Christiane looked up to see one of the serving girls at the door.

“Yes?”

“Mrs. Hardy would like you to stop at the kitchen.”

Christiane frowned inwardly. She had no desire to re-visit the kitchen, but she owed Mrs. Hardy her life and Emma too. “Tell Mrs. Hardy that I will come as soon as I have penned these notes.”

The girl bobbed a curtsey and closed the door quietly behind her.

Over an hour later Christiane arrived at the kitchen door. It was already early evening. Stepping into the spicy-smelling, warm, shadowy room, she found Emma alone. She began to make her apology and leave when Emma surprised her by speaking up. “Christiane, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Oh?” Christiane could not keep the surprise out of her voice. Christiane stepped in farther and closed the door behind her. “Why?”

“It is hard to explain.” Emma paused nearly a minute. Christiane waited patiently, staring into the flames of the familiar hearth. “You are so beautiful. I hate people who look nice.”

“Emma, no one can control how they look.”

“I know. But you are pretty. And someone tried to hurt you so bad.”

Christiane reached out and put her hand on Emma’s. “My life has been far from perfect. And you have your aunt who loves you.”

“I know!” Emma eyes became excited. “She asked about me first that night, not you.”

Then Mrs. Hardy came in, talking loudly. Christiane soon realized that Mrs. Hardy wanted to hear some of the house gossip and to be thanked again for her nursing Christiane back to health. Christiane did both and then hurried back to the main house.

Deep in these thoughts, she walked up the back steps to her room and hung up her cape. The Washingtons had already gone down for dinner, so she hurriedly swept her hand over her hair and dress and went down the front stairs to the dining room. A smooth exchange of voices greeted her as she entered. The company was already seated.

General Washington, polite as always, noticed Christiane and stood up. “Good evening, Miss Christiane,” he said with a smile.

“Good evening, general, my apologies for being late,” Christiane said, looking only at him.

“Quite all right. We have three new members to our company who you must meet, my dear.” Christiane followed his gesture and discovered two men on his right, one older and distinguished-looking. The other was young and incredibly handsome with hazel eyes and wavy brown hair. “Mrs. Christiane Kruger, may I present to you Major Thoedrick Bland of the Virginia Cavalry, his lady, and one of his captains, Henry Lee.”

After the courtesies, Christiane took her accustomed seat between Mrs. Washington and Mr. Laurens. This put her directly opposite young Captain Lee. Christiane kept her eyes down demurely. The general went on, “Major Bland’s regiment has just joined us to get ready for this summer’s campaign.”

Christiane looked up and nodded politely.

“He brought this young man with him to dinner because his family and mine are old friends,” the general continued.

“Yes,” Mrs. Washington interrupted cheerfully, “as children, Captain Lee’s mother, Lucy Grymes, and the general used to meet to kiss behind the large oak near George’s house on Ferry Farm.” She chuckled.

“Martha!” The general exclaimed in mock exasperation. “Who told you that?”

“You did, of course.” She turned to the young man. “It only showed that as a child he had good taste in women.”

The young captain smiled. “And evidently he did not lose that faculty as he matured.”

“Flattery, of course, but very sweet of you, Captain.” Mrs. Washington flushed with pleasure.

“Not at all, Lady Washington.”

The general spoke up again, “Captain Lee’s father sits at the Continental Congress for Virginia. We can hope now that his son is with us that the body will do a more efficient job of equipping and sustaining this army.”

“My father does his best,” Lee replied without rancor.

“I believe it,” Washington conceded. “Sometimes though the shortages we must endure are almost beyond my understanding.” Everyone at the table made some sign of agreement to this.    Christiane glanced at Lee just in time to catch him gazing at her. She smiled for the briefest moment and lowered her eyes again.

The dinner conversation flowed around her. Captain Lee answered queries politely. Christiane, however, felt that in reality that his mind was focused on her. The attention of men was certainly not a novelty to her, but unexpectedly he had gained her interest in return. The evening passed more pleasantly than usual.

Later as she sat on the side of her bed. Lady Washington stepped in and sat down beside her. “Well, what do you think of this Captain Henry Lee?”

“He seems very personable.”

“You have made a conquest of him already.” Mrs. Washington sounded proud.

“Oh, please, I….”

“Oh, save your denials. You are young and beautiful. Catching the attention of men is a natural part of that.”

Christiane was at a loss as to what to say. She could not deny that Lee had been attracted to her or that she had taken note of him. But Jakob had only been gone a few months. The idea of “interesting” another man was repugnant.  She looked down at her hands. The pain of loss strangled her.

Mrs. Washington, seeming to read Christiane’s thoughts, laid her hand on Christiane’s cheek. “It is unfortunate that you have had such sorrow in your young life. But don’t let it make you afraid of happiness.” The lady left, closing the door behind her.

Christiane snuffed the candle and lay down. Confusion was still with her, but  the phrase “afraid of happiness” lingered.

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