“I had expected the hunt — the captured creature,” His Majesty said. “But this is quite extraordinary. Chrétien, have it struck. Deliver one, with my compliments, to —”
Under the eye of governors and nursemaid, Bourgogne, Anjou, and Berri marched in, wearing versions of His Majesty’s costume. The little boys lined up before the King and saluted, fists to their chests.
“My Roman legions!” His Majesty exclaimed. “I am most pleased.”
Berri brandished his Roman sword.
“Our fencing lesson, M. de Chrétien, if you please!”
Lucien bowed. “Certainly, Your Highness.”
“You may have M. de Chrétien later,” His Majesty said. “Now he is advising me.” He dismissed his heirs. “What was I saying?”
“Your Majesty wished me to reserve a medal — for Mlle de la Croix, perhaps?”
“For my sister-in-law, for her collection. You suggest that Mlle de la Croix should have one as well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. For her, and her brother, too, of course.”
“Have they a medal collection?”
“I doubt it sincerely, Your Majesty. The family is penniless.”
“That will change.”
“In that case,” Lucien said, understanding His Majesty’s intentions, “a medal from Your Majesty, commemorating the brother’s capture of the monster and the sister’s depiction of it — a mark of Your Majesty’s favor — will begin the repair of their fortunes.”
Louis looked again at his own likeness.
“Unlike Bernini, Mlle de la Croix understands how a rider sits a horse. Does she wish to join the hunt?”
“She is pleased to accept, Your Majesty.”
“And does she flatter you, as she flatters me?”
“Why, Your Majesty — she flatters neither of us.”
“Chrétien, you fancy her, I do believe!” He laughed. “But what of Mme de la Fère?”
“Mme de la Fère tired of widowhood. She has accepted an offer of marriage.”
“Without your counter-offer?”
“I don’t intend to marry, as Mme de la Fère understands.”
“You tell your lovers, but I wonder how many of them hope to change your mind?”
“They cannot, Sire, but I hope that’s the only way in which I might disappoint them. I honor Mme de la Fère. We part as friends.”
“And Mlle de la Croix?” His Majesty said, ignoring Lucien’s diversion.
“She is devoted to your service, Your Majesty, and to advancing her brother’s work. She wishes for scientific instruments.”
“Scientific instruments? I suppose she must occupy her time somehow, until she’s married — she needs a husband. She’s a devout young woman. She prays in church, instead of sleeping or ogling fashions. She is well-regarded by Mme de Maintenon as well as by Madame my brother’s wife.”
“Then she is remarkable, Sire.”
“Who shall she marry, Chrétien? I must pick someone worthy of my love for her father and mother. Some might object to her lack of connections, but I will make up for them. Perhaps I should desire you to change your mind.”
“I hope you will not, Sire.” Lucien spoke lightly, despite his alarm.
His Majesty sighed. “My court is sadly lacking in other suitable candidates. She would prefer someone with passion, I feel sure, and who else fits that description? It was different in my youth.”
His Majesty might prefer someone with passion, but what Mlle de la Croix desired in a husband, if indeed she desired a husband at all, Lucien did not know. How much of her character had the convent formed? How much of her natural desire had been frightened out of her?
Lucien kept his own counsel.
Fountains played and whispered on every pool; flowers in all shades of gold and yellow burst from silver pots along the edges of the pathways. The gardens were filled with visitors. People had already gathered at the sea monster’s open tent; they stood around the cage, pointing and laughing.
Marie-Josèphe hoped no one important would appear at today’s dissection. No member of court had any reason to attend, in His Majesty’s absence. For that, Marie-Josèphe was grateful. She looked so plain and ordinary today. Odelette, in full health again, attended Lotte in Marie-Josèphe’s place, so Marie-Josèphe’s hair remained appallingly undressed. She wore not a bit of lace or ribbon; she did not dare put on another beauty-patch.
As if in compensation, her monthlies had slowed to a fraction of their usual flux. The change worried her, but it was such a relief and she feared physicians so, she put it out of her mind.
Humming the refrain of the sea monster’s cantata, she entered the tent, made her way through the crowd of visitors, entered the cage, and locked the door behind her.
The sea monster lurched up against the fountain’s rim, reaching toward the barrel of live fish. The spectators shouted with amazement.
“Wait, be patient.” Marie-Josèphe scooped the net through the sea water and carried her wriggling prey over the edge of the fountain and down the wooden steps.
What shall I train it to do? she wondered. The creature was remarkably quick to understand her commands.
“Sea monster! Fishhhh! Ask for a fishhhh!”
The sea monster swam back and forth before the steps, diving and flicking her tail, plunging up from the bottom and leaping halfway out of the water, splashing Marie-Josèphe with drops of brackish water.
The sea monster sang the cantata’s refrain.
“What a clever sea monster! I know you can sing, but now you must speak. Say fishhhh.”
“Fishhhh!” the sea monster cried, snarling.
“Oh, excellent sea monster.”
Marie-Josèphe flung a fish. The sea monster snatched it from the air and crunched it neatly with sharp snaps of her teeth. The visitors applauded.
“Now you must come closer, you must take the fish from my hand.”
The sea monster swam to her and took the fish. She held the fish captive between the translucent webs of her long-fingered hand. The sea monster stared straight at Marie-Josèphe, her eyes deep gold.
Deliberately, slowly, she opened her hand and let the live fish free.
“Aren’t you hungry, sea monster?”
One fish remained in the net. Marie-Josèphe dipped the net into the pool.
The sea monster moaned. Her hand crept forward, past the net, and touched Marie-Josèphe’s fingers. Marie-Josèphe stayed still as the sharp claws dimpled her skin, though the sea monster’s strength frightened her.