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La Belle Christiane

2011 Copyright Lyn Cote

All rights reserved

Chapter Nineteen Scene 1

Christiane sat up and wiped her tears away quickly. “Of course. Come in, Mrs. Washington,” she responded softly. Her heart beating faster as if the lady had read her faithless thoughts from her room down the hall.

The door opened and the older woman in her dressing gown came in. The woman paused, “Christiane, what is the matter?” She looked down at the younger woman with such concern that Christiane was overwhelmed. Her tears burst forth with such force that she could not hold back.

Mrs. Washington came closer. “I knew it. Something is amiss.” She sat down and put her arms around Christiane who was now sobbing. “Now, my dear, please tell me.”

“I don’t want you to know,” Christiane answered helplessly.

“Tell me please.”

Christiane pulled away from Mrs. Washington and went to the window, turning her back to the lady. She could no longer hold back the truth. “I’m pregnant.” She glanced over her shoulder.

The other woman’s mouth formed a silent “O”. A few moments limped by. “Well, then,”  she said, her tone was brisk, “the  general will have a talk with Mr. Lee and your wedding will be tomorrow.”

“No.”

“My dear, if you two have quarreled–”

“Henry is not the father,” Christiane said plainly and then went hot with shame.

“Then the  general will have a talk with someone. Who?” the lady insisted.

“You do not know him.” What an understatement.

“Then we will meet him. He will marry you.”

“He is already married.” Complete silenced ensued. Christiane’s tears ended. There she had said it. She leaned her forehead against the cool window pane. Her voice sounded tired, “I did not want anyone to know that I had been such a fool.”

“Perhaps you could explain.”

Something in her friend’s tone reassured Christiane and she took a deep breath. “It happened on the way here from New Jersey. I was in Philadelphia longer than I let on. I became infatuated with him there. He promised me marriage. Then I found out that he was already married, so I left.” She was surprised at her lucidity. The story had come out almost free of emotion.

“You’re sure that you are expecting?”

Oh, yes. “I’ve felt the quickening.”

“I’m afraid that is as certain as a woman can be.” Mrs. Washington came up behind her and put her hands on Christiane’s shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I am so ashamed.” Christiane’s voice shook.

“Christiane, I have lived fifty odd years and I have seen a great deal of folly. You are unfortunately not the first or last woman to be deceived by a man. I have been with you enough to know your true worth. Henry Lee was wise to offer you marriage. He still might you know.”

“Oh, no,” Christiane gasped, “Ever since I realized my condition, just to be near him has been agony. I was disgusted with myself already, but this has made the pain sharper. He would never feel he could trust me and I wouldn’t blame him.” Her tone became gentler, “Besides if my love had matched his love for me, I would not have been tempted.”

“You are very hard on yourself. Some men, like the one who tempted you, seem to be able to believe that though they philander, they still love their wives.” She squeezed Christiane’s shoulders. “So you will not give Henry the opportunity of demonstrating his true value?”

“No, it would be dishonest.” She couldn’t even contemplate marriage now.

“You might be surprised at the depth of his love for you.”

“I would not be surprised.” Christiane sighed and pushed wisps of hair back from her forehead. “But I cannot.”

“Your son is still in New Jersey. Are you thinking of going to him?”

“No, I don’t want to have him stained by my reputation. In any case, I hardly feel worthy to be his mother. Twice I have abandoned him.”

“Abandoned is an unfair description. You left him in the care of very fine people. That is not abandoning him.”

“I can’t go to him.”

There was a long pause as the  general’s lady seemed to think deeply. “Then you will come home with me,” Mrs. Washington said finally.

“No.” Both hope and denial rushed up within Christiane. “You and the  general have already suffered enough vilification. People are always looking for ways to slander you. So many others want the  general’s position. I cannot give them more ammunition.”

“I don’t care what people say. You are coming home with me tomorrow. We will simply say that you have decided to go for a visit at Mt. Vernon. You will write a note to Henry, explaining everything. George will give it to him after we have gone.”

“Oh, I can’t.” This is too easy. I don’t deserve it.

“Christiane, when I decided to sponsor you last year I did it for Patsy.”

“Patsy?”

“Yes, Patsy was our daughter. I said to the  general, ‘what if we had died and left Patsy all alone, who would have protected and cared for her?’ Christiane, I am going to help you as I would have wanted someone to help my daughter. And I will not take ‘no’ as your answer. My mind is closed.” At this the older woman turned Christiane and embraced her. Christiane wanted to speak, but her mingled relief and gratitude choked her.

I sighed with relief at the end of this chapter. Didn’t you? God promises to provide a way of escape in times of temptation. Often godly friends can offer that help.
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