“I was born in 1756, to a mid-level noble, the Viscount Dubois.” I pause, jumping to the part of the story which concerns Jack, explaining this takes place in the last few months of my mortal life.
“I was twenty-four that spring. A duchess invited us to a three-day party on her estate. This woman, Clea, loved art. She had a keen interest in portrait painting. The women in attendance would take painting lessons from a master, while the men bonded over hunting and drinking. I wasn’t much of an artist, but gladly jumped at any excuse to change up the drudgery of my day-to-day existence.
Charles had no desire to spend time with me, let alone attend a party that would see us thrown together as a couple. Eight years into our marriage, I had not given him any children. Charles was tiring of me, but we had to keep up appearances to some extent. As the Duke and Duchess were a great family, he sent me to represent our household.
“Tell them I’m too busy with the estate, at the moment, to attend and make my apologies.”
“Of course, Charles. I know the Duke will understand.” I said, happily helping my ladies’ maid pack the jewelry case.
“I’m sure you’re happy to get away for a few days. Don’t forget you are representing me, remember who you are and behave accordingly.”
“I’ll behave the way I always do, Charles. Have I given you cause to feel embarrassment?”
“Only in one thing. The one thing that really matters to a man with an estate like mine.”
I said nothing, there was no point. Those sorts of comments had plagued me since childhood. I let it fall over me, like all the others.
Although I occasionally did leave the chateau, I wasn’t well traveled and could barely contain my excitement at the change in scenery. Little did I know, this party would change the course of my life, forever.
I arrived at the estate looking an absolute mess. There had been heavy rains and the roads were difficult to get through. At one point, my driver tried to insist we return. I urged him to continue. Nothing could keep me from the three days of freedom.
A half mile from the Duchess’s estate, a wheel broke. I exited the carriage to walk the remainder of the way, dragging my silk skirts through mud as thick as fudge. My hair had come free from the violent rocking of the carriage, so by the time I arrived on the front steps I was bedraggled, caked in mud to my shins, out of breath, and completely happy. I had also lost one of my satin shoes in the muck, but I was too intent on reaching the front door to stop for a silly shoe.”
Jack interrupts me. “This is all so surreal, Millicent. You’re telling me you lived during a time I’ve only read about or seen onscreen.”
“I know. I can’t imagine how strange this must seem to you.”
Jack nods. “It’s definitely strange, but I’m fascinated. Go on.”
“I told the footman where he could find my carriage and driver, as the Duchess came out to greet me.
“Oh, my dear!” Clea exclaimed, “Are you alright?”
I laughed. “I was determined that nothing would keep me away from you, even the rotten roads.”
“Yes, the roads to the south are a mess. The other guests came from the north, which were completely dry. Let’s get you to your room.”
Clea ignored the serving girl, helping me out of my shoe and sodden stockings, herself. Together, we hiked up my skirts as we walked across the grand foyer. Arm in arm we trudged up the marble staircase to the east wing of the main chateau, where my room was located.
Clea wasn’t afraid of a little mud, as she wasn’t always a great lady. Her marriage caused a great scandal, at the time. Her husband, the Duke, plucked her out of obscure poverty to make her his mistress. Instead of tiring of her, he fell in love and they married in secret. It took a few years before polite society would accept Clea as an equal, but she triumphed. Her lowly beginning forgotten, she was now one of the greatest, most respected ladies in all of France. One of the only real-life, fairy tale endings I had ever heard of.
Once in my room, which was far grander than my own at home, Clea left me in the capable hands of two maids. One began preparing a bath, while the other helped me out of my ruined dress and underclothes. After a quick bath, I wrapped myself in an enormous blanket, then stepped onto the balcony for some fresh air.
The rains left the air smelling fresh, like grass and barely opened flowers. Birds were chirping happily, I couldn’t help but feel happy too. This freedom, though temporary, felt wonderful. I tried not to let it go to my head, but in my heart, I longed for more days like this.
Hearing voices, I looked down. Two ladies and a gentleman stood next to an enormous fountain. I recognized the ladies, both Viscountess’s. I turned my attention to the man.
When my gaze fell on him, I was startled to find that he was already watching me. I took a small, quick step back with every intention of darting inside. But, I couldn’t take my eyes from his. Somewhat tall, with a regal posture, his copper hair shined in the sunlight. His skin was fair, but not pale. From what I could see at this distance, his eyes looked shockingly like sapphires. Never had a man regarded me with such interest. I felt riveted to my spot.
As I stood there, not moving my gaze from his, my body stirred in a way that was wholly unfamiliar to me. His mouth broke into a wide grin. At that, I snapped myself out of the trance, turned around, practically stumbling back into my room closing the doors sharply behind me.
It was only then I realized I was still wrapped in the blanket and not properly dressed. It occurred to me this was probably the reason for the man’s staring. My face flushed with embarrassment, I may as well have been standing outside naked. I thought myself a simple fool as I put on my dressing gown.
Sitting at the vanity, I let my thoughts drift to the man by the fountain. I laughed, shaking my head, what a funny way to begin this adventure; covered in mud one moment, then making a dunce of myself the next.
All of this troubled me very little. Yes, it was embarrassing, but no one else seemed to have noticed me. If this man was a gentleman, which I had to assume he was, he would never mention it. I was still glad to have the freedom of the next three days ahead of me, regardless of anything else. I would gladly face a little humiliation for it.”
I pause my story and look up at Jack, who looks as if he is trying to work something out.
“What is it?” I ask.
“The man you just described sounds a little like me, minus the wonderful posture.”
“Believe me, I know. Something you want to share?” I ask Jack, who’s starting to look a bit anxious, tapping his foot in his telltale way.
“Now I’m the one who’s going to start sounding crazy,” he says, “Millicent, I felt from the start I knew you. I told myself it was nothing more than the intense attraction I felt for you. Are you telling me that maybe I did know you?”
“Honestly Jack, I don’t know. I’ve been asking myself the same thing from the beginning. The man I described didn’t just resemble you, he looked exactly like you. I know people, vampires too, who believe in past lives. I’ve never had occasion to think about it, until now. I know about as much as you do. Do you want me to continue?”
“More than anything.” He says, leaning back in the chair.
“After I had a giggle over my silliness, I called back the maids who had been assigned to me. We began the gargantuan task of hair, makeup, clothing, and jewels. It was time I join the others and could only do so once I had been made to fit the ideal standard of beauty of 18th century France.
I’ll never forget what I wore that day. The day dress, a polonaise, simple for its time, was a light, cornflower blue with soft, barely noticeable vertical stripes. Delicately ruffled around the low-cut neckline and at my elbows, where the sleeves ended, the dress was understated elegance. The only jewelry I donned was my diamond wedding band and small pearl ear bobs.
My hostess was kind enough to leave a schedule of the party’s events on the bedside table. It was now one o’clock. There would be a wine tasting, with hors d’oeuvres at three, before dinner at seven. That meant I had two hours to become acquainted with the grounds and to see who else was in attendance, besides the man with the gorgeous eyes.