Cinderella's Secret Witch Diaries Box Set: Lost, Stolen, Found

May-1

May

May 1

Henri escorted Clarissa and me on a tour of the grounds, and we enjoyed a beautiful lunch outside today.

When we were walking, I asked him, “How do you know Joséphine?”

Clarissa elbowed me in the side for asking such a direct question, but with the beautiful sun and warm air I chanced an intimate question.

He smiled and replied, “You wonder if she is my mistress?”

I blushed as I had not thought that. “No, no, I did not mean to imply anything of the kind. Please, forgive me.”

He took my hand and kissed it and bowed low. “There is nothing to forgive. You are simply being curious.” He pointed to all the grounds and at the Château and said, “After the revolution and the terror, my family were no more. My title has been stripped and I have lost all of my lands and am now beholden to Joséphine’s generosity.”

Clarissa thought best to change the dour subject and asked, “We often see you carry a lute with you. Do you study music here?”

“Oui, I sing and have practiced now for the last years, learning a few instruments, but my favorite is the lute.” He mimicked playing one in his hands. “I enjoy the feel of the lute as I strum the strings, and the beauty of its sound.”

“Will you play for us one day soon?” I asked him, for I enjoyed his company and his demeanor.

“For our most wonderful guests from across the water, I will gladly play for you.” He reached out and took my hand, pulling me with him as he started to run. “But first, I must show you these wonderful gardens.” Clarissa and I ran with him and we laughed and had such an enjoyable afternoon that, dare I say, I forgot my troubles for some time.

Henri’s enthusiasm for life is so fresh and new that I find myself enjoying his company. It is helping me become settled here in France. I look forward to the next few weeks, as this freedom that I now have has been most welcome, and I would like to experience even more of it.

May 4

Last night, Joséphine, some of her close friends, Clarissa, Henri, and I went to Paris for the first time, to attend the opera. Paris at night is beautiful to behold, with such wonderful people to see. I have seen such wonder and light, but the music at the opera was most beautiful. We saw a piece by Cherubini entitled Médée. I sat next to Clarissa, and together we peered down upon all the women and men in the audience, dressed so magnificently. We were both so happy. Our dream had come true. We had finally arrived in Paris, and on such a wonderful warm night. Henri sat on my right, for we have become fast friends, and he kept whispering to me throughout the opera, translating parts that my weak language skills could not comprehend. Joséphine played her part well, and we were introduced as her cousins who had fled to England during the revolution.

At the finale of the opera, I sat in awe of the music and singing, yet I could not turn away from Henri. His face held such emotion, and I could see the tears in his eyes as he watched Médée stand with the blood-stained knife in her hand, having slain her own children. My heart went out to him as he watched Médée enter the temple that was engulfed in flames. Henri’s face contorted in anguish and he reached out for my hand. He squeezed my flesh with such firmness but did not turn his gaze from the stage. The opera ended, and we waited for some time to gather our composure. Henri, most affected, patted my hand and then pulled his hand away. After the opera, our carriage took us back to the Château, and we dined well.

I have enjoyed my time here and have often forgotten why I have come, as my days are filled with music, laughter, and life. At night, Joséphine has such lavish parties that I am amazed by their expense, but I have seen such before back home. I will continue to enjoy my time here, but I pray that you come to me soon. Joséphine has not mentioned seeing the witch, and I am resolved to not mention the topic. I know that soon my luck will change, but not today.

May 12

Last night Joséphine invited her friends from Paris to a masquerade ball. The dancing and revelry went on until the early morning hours, yet I had become bored of the music and drinking soon after midnight. Clarissa decided to retire to bed, but I wanted to take a walk outside in the garden as the night was clear and warm.

I walked through the gardens, and I came out to an open field from which I could view the Château in all its majesty. Running quickly across the field, I could see a fox rushing into a flower bed, its tail bushy and bright. The low moon lit the grounds, and I could hear far-off shrieks of delight as people chased each other through the rose gardens. I continued walking and heard a beautiful sound from a lute. I guessed who would be playing and chanced to quietly walk until I found him. Alone and sitting by a fountain sat Henri with his lute across his lap.

He wore white, which suited him well in the warm spring night. I watched him, listened to him play, and then he sang. I did not understand all of the words because my French is still minimal, but his voice echoed the sentiments of deep longing. At the end of the song, he was quiet, looking up at the stars and asked, “Did you like?”

Startled a bit as I did not think he had seen me, I recovered quickly and replied, “Yes, I did.” I moved closer to him and leaned against a low garden wall. “Why are you not joining in the revelry?”

I could see that he had prepared his response, choosing his words carefully, watching me intently. “I do not wish to play such games tonight.”

I nodded and let the conversation drift away, staring up at the stars with him, trying to take in the night.

“May I ask you a question?” A crooked smile broke out across his face.

“If I say, ‘no,’ will you take that question back?”

He chuckled and waited, unsure as to how I would respond.

“Yes, you may.” I wondered what he would ask, and maybe it was the few glasses of wine I had had, but …

“Why have you come here?” He stood up, leaving the lute on the ground, and closed the distance between us. He stood next to me, careful not to touch my dress, but close enough that he could see my face in the moonlight. He watched, waiting.

I wondered if he tested me to see how I would answer. “I came here to renew myself.” I thought the answer vague enough that I did not lie, yet withheld the full truth.

“I hear that you have come here to be free of your husband for a while.” He picked up a pebble and flicked it toward the fountain. “Is this true?”

I chanced to tell the truth. “Yes, that is part of the reason.”

He leaned toward me and spoke low. “I see.” Reaching for another pebble, he rolled it across the palm of his hand.

We stood there next to each other listening to the fountain and the far off yells and laughter from the guests.

“You seem unhappy tonight. Is that so?”

I again spoke the truth. “Yes, I am unhappy. I worry about my future.”

“It saddens me to hear that.” He flicked another pebble into the fountain. “I have an idea that will bring laughter to you. Will you come with me?” His smile was true and open.

I observed him, wondering what Clarissa would do, and then realized that the prince could not see me because he was in England. I would take a chance with Henri and trust him. “Yes, I will come with you.” I stopped and added, “I simply wish to walk with you.”

“Oui, of course.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the fountain. “Allez! Come.”

We ran through the gardens and headed to a small pond behind the back of the Château. The moonlight reflected off the water, and Henri pointed at a small structure. “Voilà!”

“Where are we?”

“Joséphine has named it the Temple of Love. Come see.”

We rushed over to the circular structure, which resembled a stone gazebo. In the center, a statue of Cupid stood tall, with wings outstretched behind him. Henri sat on the edge of the structure, near the water. He pointed up at the moon and out at the water and asked, “How can you stay unhappy with such beauty before your eyes?”

I laughed and sat next to him in wonder at the beautiful sight.

He hummed to himself for a few moments and then became quiet, turning pensive. “I have come here often, for my heart soars to great heights and here I can forget my troubles and be free for a while.”

“You are right to come here. It is beautiful.” I heard the crickets chirping in the brush below. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“When we have more time, I will take you and your friend here and we will have fun that day. I promise.”

Before I could reply, a large frog jumped into the water and, startled, I screamed.

Henri laughed and mimicked the frog’s croaking. I laughed at my foolishness, as well.

He came close to me and croaked in my ear, and I pushed him away. We both laughed, and then he leaned in again and kissed me. His taste was warm and full, with a hint of mint. I kissed him back, and I did not think. His love for me poured out of him like the milky way, and I drank of his goodness, and his light filled me with such happiness. Is this what I had missed all these years?

Later, he could see me becoming sleepy and we returned to the Château. Once in my room, I looked out the window and smiled up at the moon. I have had a delicious evening of fun, and I pray that this time shall continue. Henri has impressed upon me his honesty and such strong gentleman qualities. Such traits in a man are rare, I should think.

Good night, my Fairy Godmother, and may I see you soon.

May 14

As is usual after a big ball, yesterday was a quiet and reserved day. Many of the guests did not go to sleep until after the sun had risen. In fact, I did not see Joséphine until near dinner, and I suspect she was recovering from the night’s festivities. I decided to go for a walk on my own, telling Clarissa that I had much thinking to do. I am tired of the dinners, the balls, and the endless events of extravagance that occur here. Joséphine has been a wonderful host, but my personal tastes are for calmer and more intellectual pursuits.

You must wonder what I think about Henri, for I have mentioned him often, and I suspect that soon Clarissa will ask me the same question. She has seen us talking alone, and she knows that in the years I have been married I have not taken to male companionship. Yet I am lonely, and my future stretches out before me in such confusion that I do not know what to do. I am attracted to Henri and am impressed with his charm and restraint.

I have been lonely for many months now, and it has been refreshing to laugh with both Clarissa and Henri as we explore the grounds of the Château. For now, I will be myself and simply enjoy my time.

I have a greater problem, though, which I am unsure how to solve. I do not know what to do because I have come to France for one reason and one reason only: To go to the witch to find a cure for being barren. I promised the queen that I will do this for her, and she made the arrangements that allowed me to come here.

And I do not wish to go to the witch. But …

For the last few weeks, I have had time to think about my relationship with the prince and how it has changed so dramatically. How can I go to the witch and say that I want to have a child—with him? I do not want that at all. I wish to heed your warning about visiting her, yet a new thought has come to me. Do I not owe it to myself to go to the witch, talk with her, and find out if I can have children? I might not want to have a child with the prince, but what about my future? Visiting her may not be the worst decision I could make, for I could then decide whether I wish to take the medicine to help me or not.