I will continue the telling of the tale.
After the Grand Duke finished his meeting with Monsieur Boissonneau, he returned to the hotel. We were all eagerly awaiting his report of the meeting and pummeled him with questions.
“Let us discuss it over lunch. I am quite hungry, and my report will provide sufficient table talk for the meal,” Goatbeard replied to our inquiries.
We entered the Hôtel de Honneur dining room and requested a table. Aside from the Grand Duke, we were all inadequately dressed for the opulent surroundings. The maitre d’ made a face as if he had smelled something unpleasant. The Grand Duke handed him a large tip, and we were shown to a table.
The Grand Duke started the conversation.
“My meeting with Monsieur Boissonneau went well. I reasoned with him, and he seemed open to my explanation. He asked for time to consider what he had heard. Which I find encouraging.”
“So he is not going to report me to the police?” I asked.
“I do not think so. But I think it best if you stay out of sight for a while. In fact, I think it may be a good time for you to continue on to Versailles. Your business meetings are concluded. I will stay here and continue to reason with Monsieur Boissonneau.”
“That is a splendid idea. I am eager to see the King and Queen again.”
“And I so want to see home,” Maria added.
“Then it is settled,” the Grand Duke stated.
“Not quite,” I said. “Elise, I would like to invite you to join us. The palace and the grounds are a marvel. What do you say?”
“I say, I don’t have anything to wear to meet a King and a Queen.”
Maria laughed. “We can go gown shopping together.”
“I’d like that,” Elise said. Then she turned to me. “Of course, I would love to visit Versailles. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Excellent. We will have a grand time. I am sure of it.”
“As long as you stay out of balloons,” Andelbert said, and we all laughed.
Then a thought came to me.
“Elise, what if we invite your father to join us and meet the King? Perhaps that would earn me some respect in your father’s eyes?”
“I think not. My father believes the King is too extravagant. And his taxes too burdensome. Plus, I do not think he is ready yet to accompany you anywhere.”
“I suppose you are right. He will allow you to go, will he not?”
“I am capable of making my own decisions. I do not need my father’s approval.”
“I am sorry. Of course, you don’t. I believe I shall stop talking now before I dig the hole any deeper.”
“You are learning.”
Elise laughed.
After lunch, Elise and Maria left to go clothes shopping.
The Grand Duke looked at Andelbert and me.
“Perhaps you should go clothes shopping also.”
“There is no need. We can borrow suits from Lafayette.”
“Ridiculous. You don’t even know if he will be there. We are going to a tailor this very minute. I insist.”
And so Andelbert and I spent the afternoon being measured and poked by pins. Afterward, we were assured that our new suits would be ready in two days.
As I stepped out of the tailor shop, I smiled at the thought of Elise joining us in Versailles. I would get to spend time with her in a magical place. Versailles was where Maira and Andelbert fell in love. Perhaps this will be my chance. This trip was starting to look promising again.
I enjoyed this chapter, Mark - good job! I did a missing question mark when Maria invites Elise to go visit the King and Queen and says "What do you say." : )