Let Them Have Cake (15 page)

             
“It made me happy to see that they are thriving in the countryside. I was saddened to leave them again, but I know it is for the best.”

             
Anna hoped he would believe this statement and that he would never find out that she hadn’t really seen the children.

             
Geoffroi released her saying, “come my love. Let us take these to Monsieur...”

             
Anna interrupted. “
Pierre
. You mean
Pierre
?”

             
“Ah. You are finally on a first name basis with him. Curious, after all this time.”

             
“He kept asking and I got tired of it. From now on he is
Pierre
to me.”

             
“Very well, then. Let us take these to
Pierre
, and then we can go for a walk. It is a beautiful day and hints of spring. This is not a day to be wasted with tears.”

             
He took the basket from her and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the door and the sunshine.

             
The sun shimmered on the lake. The ducks they had brought
back from the farms were noisily swimming about, quacking and flapping their wings, obviously enjoying their new surroundings. The water wheel on the mill turned slowly, grinding the grain they had purchased the day before into flour.

             
“This is a beautiful scene, Groffroi. It reminds me of
England
.”

             
Geoffroi shot her a puzzled look. “
England
? When have you been to
England
?”

             
Anna realized that she had made another mistake. She was getting careless and vowed to think before she spoke from now on.

             
“Oh, I haven’t. It reminds me of paintings I’ve seen. Was the Queen ever in
England
?”

             
“No, not that I know of. She wanted it to look just like an English village. She managed to accomplish that, I believe.”

             
They arrived at the house. Anna waited outside as Geoffroi carried the eggs in to
Pierre
. She noticed Monique and Jacques Roleau walking in the distance.

             
Geoffroi soon returned and they began the stroll along the footpath through the hamlet. They walked in silence for a time. Hand in hand, Geoffroi helping her over rough spots and fallen limbs from trees.

             
The neo-classical white marble pillars of the ‘
Temple
d’ Amour’ came into view. Anna’s eyes became misty again as she
thought of the day she had first seen it. She was with Jeff and his sisters had been there clowning around with Mark. She’d been a bit annoyed by their juvenile activities at the time, but now wished she was with them. She forced herself back to the present--ironic how the past was now the present for her.

             
“Come with me, Anne-Marie. We need to have a talk with Cupid as the witness.” Geoffroi took her hand and drew her through the columns and next to the statue of Cupid inside.

             
Anna stumbled on a small rock and Geoffroi broke her fall. He helped her back to a standing position, turned her towards him, and put his hands on either side of her face. He tilted her head backwards until she was looking him in the eyes.

             
“I have brought you here today because we something very important to discuss.”

             
Anna took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and then asked, “what is it you want to discuss with me?”

             
Geoffroi did not hesitate. “Our marriage. It is time.”

             
“But, I can’t get married. You must understand. I can’t.”

             
“Why not? We love each other. You’ve been widowed a decent amount of time. But, perhaps you’ve changed your mind.” His face reflected the internal misery he must have been in.

             
Without thinking it through, Anna said, “Of course I haven’t changed my mind. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

             
Fear gripped her. Why had she just said that to Geoffroi?
She loved Jeff. But Geoffroi was so much like Jeff that it was easy to get confused.

             
Geoffroi put his hand to her cheek, and caressed it gently. “You realize what you have just done, don’t you?”

             
“No, I don’t. What do you mean?” Anna asked.

             
“You just pledged your undying love for me here in the ‘
Temple
d’ Amour’. God and Cupid are the witnesses. We must get married now.”

             
Panic seized Anna. How could she marry Geoffroi? But then, there really was no reason not to. She was most likely stuck here. She’d already been here for quite some time and didn’t have a clue as to how she could get back to the 21st century.

She had no idea how to get out of this tangled web she had managed to weave. “All right then. I have no more excuses. I will marry you.”

             
With this he embraced her in a huge hug, lifted her off the ground, and danced around the ‘
Temple
d’ Amour’.

             
Anna felt his strength and the power in his arms as he held her as if she were as lightweight as a child.

             
He finally set her down and said, “We have one more thing we need to do before we go back and tell the others. We’re living in difficult times and I want you to have some money in case something happens and you have to flee without me.”

             
Geoffroi pulled a leather pouch from his clothing. He
opened it and Anna could see that it was filled with gold coins.

             
“Where am I supposed to keep this?”

             
“You’re not going to keep it. We are going to bury it here by the tree.”

             
With that, he paced twelve steps to the south of the ‘
Temple
’, and dug a deep hole at the base of the tree there. He filled the hole with dirt, covered it with grass and leaves gathered nearby, and as an added precaution, placed a fallen limb on top of it.

             
“Remember where the money is. You may need it someday.”

             
“I will, Geoffroi, though I can’t imagine leaving without you.” Anna furrowed her brow as she thought about marrying Geoffroi and living as his wife. Would this change her family’s history? At this thought, she realized she had to get back to the 21st century.

***

             
“Monique, Genevieve, is the Queen present?” Geoffroi asked as they arrived back at the farmhouse. “We have an announcement of great importance. Please assemble everyone so we can tell them at once.”

             
Geoffroi stood at the open door, his arm around Anna’s waist. He bent and kissed the top of her head softly. “I am a happy man. How I have longed for this day. Thank you.”

             
Anna couldn’t look at him. Guilt at what she was about to
do overwhelmed her. Since she’d arrived in the hamlet she’d somehow managed to convince herself that Geoffroi and Jeff were really one and the same. Otherwise she never would have slept with Geoffroi. And now, she had agreed to marry him. What was she thinking? She would have to go back to her former life as soon as she found the way. She loved Geoffroi but knew she couldn’t stay. He would be hurt--probably devastated--that Anne-Marie was gone again. He would go out searching, and maybe live the rest of his life looking for her. It wasn’t right, but what else could she do? She hadn’t asked to be here--it just happened.

             
Monsieur Pelloutier appeared at the door. “The Queen has requested your presence. All are gathered to hear your big announcement. I hope it doesn’t demand a celebration. I’m still worn from the drive yesterday.” He stood aside to grant them entrance.

             
Queen Marie Antoinette sat regally and expectantly upon her favorite chair in the great room. Her hair was elaborately curled and arranged in an enormous poof atop her head. It was powdered and adorned with pheasant feathers. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap. She wore a chemise type muslin dress, a new fashion she had ordered from
Paris
. Anna thought it rather plain and unattractive, but no one would be brave enough to criticize the Queen’s attire. A musician played music on a
keyboard placed in one corner of the room. Anna recognized the graceful melody as Baroque style. She was pleased that her music appreciation class was paying off and was glad she had attended the optional chamber concerts that were encouraged by her instructor. 

             
Monique and Jacques stood at one side of the Queen, their arms entwined. Genevieve was seated at the Queen’s feet, on a tiny stool.
Pierre
stood at the door to the kitchen, awaiting the opportunity to go back to his food preparation. The other visitors to the hamlet were waiting expectantly as well.

             
Anna and Geoffroi waited for the Queen to address them and grant them permission to speak. She smiled at the two and asked, “Monsieur Andrieux. Madame Toussaint. I believe you have some news for us?”

             
“Yes, we do. Anne-Marie has finally blessed me today by accepting my marriage proposal. We are to marry as soon as the arrangements can be made.”

             
The Queen jumped to her feet at this and placed one hand on Geoffroi’s shoulder and one on Anna’s. “I am delighted to hear this most wonderful news.”

She turned towards
Pierre
. “Monsieur Pelloutier! We must prepare a celebration feast to honor these two.”

             
When the Queen turned her back to him,
Pierre
sighed heavily, rolled his eyes, and shook his head slowly from side to
side as he headed back into the kitchen. Two young women that frequently helped in the kitchen rose from their seats and followed him.

             
The Queen led them to an ornate settee and urged them to be seated. She motioned for a small velvet side chair be brought for her. Genevieve brought the chair and arranged the Queen’s clothing neatly around her after she sat.

             
“The first thing we must decide is what day this wedding will be held. Do you have any preferences?” Queen waited patiently as they looked at each other.

             
“I would like it to be today, but I’m sure Anne-Marie wants to wait a bit longer in order to make the wedding plans,” Geoffroi smiled adoringly at Anne-Marie.

             
“Yes, please. I need time. A lot of time, please. I want things to be perfect,” Anna answered, knowing that what she meant was she needed time to figure out how to get out of this.

             
“Of course, you want it perfect. We will make it perfect for you. But first we must choose a date. How would April be? Spring will be in full bloom, and it is two months away. That should be plenty of time.” The Queen waited for their response.

             
Anna nervously thought that in one way, two months was a terribly long time, but in another, it might not be long enough for her to find her way out.

             
“I am fine with two months, Anne-Marie?” Geoffroi noticed
Anna’s faraway look. “Are you all right, Anne-Marie?”

             
“Oh...sorry. I’m fine. Bridal jitters, I guess. Yes. April will work.” Anna thought it ironic that her wedding would be in 1789 instead of in the 21st century.

             
Queen Marie Antoinette clapped her hands in the now familiar way, and squealed in glee. “An event. We needed an event to plan for. I am so pleased. The wedding will be in the Royal Chapel at
Versailles
, of course. Then we will have a ball in the ballroom. Jacques, please contact the priest and make sure that he sets aside the first Saturday in April.”

             
Anna sank back into the cushions on the settee. She was perspiring and feeling a bit faint. The room was spinning, and suddenly, everything went black. She could hear voices around her, but they weren’t the voices of the Queen or any of the residents of the hamlet, yet they were familiar. She opened her eyes slightly and there was Jeff, sitting next to her, a worried look on his face. Mark was there also, with Tiffany and Michelle. The three wore serious expressions and whispered to one another. What was happening? Was she back in the 21st century? Then, someone was putting cold cloths on her face, and someone else was holding something under her nose that smelled rancid. The blackness was receding, and she woke to find Geoffroi and the rest of the inhabitants of the hamlet standing over her.