Author's Notes: For an idea of what Percivale is wearing in this chapter, check these old French military uniforms. Ginevre would be dressed like the girl on the top side of this.
Chapter Ten: Le Capitaine et le Gouverneur (The Captain and the Governor)
The good nuns of the Québec convent Ginevre had been educated in had often warned of men's lust and the need to keep oneself pure from the sins of the flesh. They had not made the marriage bed seem very attractive, although they agreed that girls such as Ginevre were lawfully bound to submit to their husbands. So that first night, Ginevre had been all aquiver and in fear, although unable to resist his tender advances. She'd cried tears for the loss of her innocence . Malfoy had only laughed at her, and reminded her gently that as his future wife, she'd no need to be a maiden anymore. That thought consoled her, and truly, she was so much in love that all her knowledge of right from wrong had deserted her. The only thing right in this world was to be with him.
Since then, he had taught her a great deal more about love. She blushed to think of it, sitting in her father's house and stitching away at a pair of moccasins. Surely her parents would notice the change in her manner soon, catch the guilty look in her eyes, the way she started at every sound, the perpetual flush of her cheeks, and the dizzy joy she felt radiated from her each time she'd been with Malfoy. But no, they carried on unsuspecting, unaware of her deception.
There was something else to think of, of course. Ginevre had never been under any illusions when it came to the common origin of all humans. She knew very well they chanced the begetting of a child. But as they were to be married, it did not worry her. She would be away to New York long before her parents could find out. She half-wished in fact to be with child already. A son would be the greatest gift she could give her lover.
And so, the time passed in mingled bliss and fear. Aside from tending to Malfoy, there was much to keep Ginevre busy about the farm. Her father had hired the brothers Crevet as labourers, but they were glad enough of her help. They both wanted to hear everything she knew about their hero, Henri, of course, and she'd humoured them, wondering all the time how she could have worshipped Henri the way she once had.
She was milking a cow in the pasture one morning when she caught the sounds of voices on the river, a large party of people coming upstream, it sounded. She froze in panic. Could it be Henri returning already? Then her common sense kicked in. It was not possible that Henri could accomplish his mission so rapidly. It had to be someone else entirely.
Re-adjusting her cap, she finished milking as soon as possible, then ran down to the house to see who had arrived.
She stopped short at the edge of the clearing, staring in horror. There, by the door of their small wooden house stood the Governor of New France himself, de Scrimmejeur. His soldiers were unloading the canoes of his flotilla down by the shore. And in the circle of officers surrounding de Scrimmejeur was her own brother, Captain Percivale Véslée.
She had not a moment to collect her wits before Scrimmejeur spotted her. "Mademoiselle Véslée," he called out.
There was nothing to do but go on. She mustered all her courage for this interview. What if he was here to search the area? No, she must not think of that.
She dropped a courtesy to the governor. He surprised her greatly by formally kissing her hand in return. That the governor should bestow such an honour proved he wanted something from her family. News of Henri, perhaps.
Ginevre's parents at the door looked flustered. "You will honour our small house by eating with us?" managed Madame Véslée.
"With great pleasure, Madame," replied de Scrimmejeur. He turned to Percivale. "Captain Véslée, you are at liberty to visit with your family, of course."
Percivale bowed, "Thank you, my lord." He turned to Ginevre and extended his arm. Awkwardly, she took it, and let him escort her into the house behind her parents and the governor. Neither brother nor sister spoke.
Guillaume was away hunting, so Fleur was the only other member of the family present. She rose gracefully from the chair where she was sewing to greet the governor, showing off her sweet, gentle smile that men found so irresistible. Scrimmejeur did not seem much affected by her serene blonde beauty, however. His eyes continued to rest on Ginevre, who could feel her cheeks burning under that gaze.
"I must extend my congratulations to you over your daughter's betrothal to Henri Potère," the governor said to Ginevre's father. "A most suitable alliance. And," he said, turning to Ginevre, "one with every prospect of happiness for the parties involved."
Ginevre smiled nervously.
"I had hoped to meet here with Potère, actually. Is he not in these parts?" asked the governor.
Monsieur Véslée shook his head. "No, my lord. He has been gone this past month with my son Ronald. Further up the river, I believe. He said he was going to meet an old friend."
"An old friend?" asked Scrimmejeur politely.
"That is all he would say," replied Ginevre's father. "I am soon to be his father-in-law but I am not his close advisor."
"I see. Mademoiselle, perhaps he spoke of his plans with you?"
"He didn't," said Ginevre truthfully. Henri had been very careful not to let anyone know exactly where he was bound. He had only told them that he must leave, and that he would, God willing, return to them before the snow fell.
"Captain Véslée," said the governor. "Perhaps you and your sister would care to walk outside while I speak with your parents."
Ah, he wished to interrogate her parents then.
"Shall I accompany them?" asked Fleur.
"That will not be necessary," Scrimmejeur replied.
Suddenly, Ginevre realized the real plan. The governor wished for Percivale to take her aside and get the truth from her. Ingenious, but unfortunately for the governor, there was no love lost between her and her brother.
Percivale cleared his throat once they were outside. "Shall we walk along the river, Ginevre?" he asked. He wasn't looking at her. Instead, he stared at the path ahead.
"If you wish," replied Ginevre, with equal stiltedness.
They walked on a little together in silence. Ginevre was forcibly reminded of the old days, when she and her brothers had ran up and down this path together all the time, all still friends.
"I've some things to speak to you of," he said presently.
"You mean," said Ginevre, "de Scrimmejeur has asked you to question me."
"More than that, Ginevre. Truly. If you believe that I abandoned any concern for you in entering the King's
service, well then…" he shrugged. "It is simply not true."
"And that is why you told our poor father you would never darken his door again?" demanded Ginevre. "Because you love us?"
"Pray do not twist my words, Ginevre. Our Lord himself said that a man cannot serve two masters. I am an officer of the King, whose person here is represented by the Governor. I may not disregard his orders."
"A fine excuse," Ginevre replied bitterly. "One that's brought you the favour of two governors. Is the exchange to your liking? Your honour for their patronage?"
Percivale's face flushed a deep scarlet. "If you were a man," he hissed, "I would demand you take back those words or prove them on the field of honour.
"But I'm a weak girl and may say what I like," Ginevre interrupted. "It was unforgivable of you not even to send our parents word of your daughter's birth. Did Pénélope approve of that?"
"I have already explained why I could not…"
"You did not want to come, Percivale. You need not pretend you did for the governor's sake."
For a second, he seemed to pause, as if taking a decision. "Very well," he said calmly. "I did not wish to come. But now that I have come, I see I have neglected my duty towards my family. I should have been more persistent, should have tried harder to make you all see reason…"
"You pompous…"
"No, listen, Ginevre! That is finished. But now… now you are in danger. All of you. You know this farm lies in the path of Le Sieur Sans Un Nom and his savages…"
"Whom you'd protested were dead."
"Bien, Ginevre. I was wrong. I admit it."
She stared at him in amazement. "Is this an apology?" she asked.
"I do not regret following my commander's orders, even if he was wrong."
"I thought it was too much to suspect any genuine remorse on your part." She turned to leave, sick to her stomach of the conversation.
"Listen, Ginevre!" He caught her wrist deftly, then grabbing her other arm, pinned her where she stood. "You may leave, but listen to what I have to say first."
She glared at him, but he continued on. "I don't want to see you dead, Ginevre. Your scalp taken to adorn a savage's belt. Or worse, a slave among these barbarians. Do you know what they do to captives? Do you, Ginevre?"
"Of course I know, Percivale. I'm not an idiot!"
"Well, then, if you stay here, there is a good chance that will be your fate. De Scrimmejeur is leading an expedition against the Iroquois, but they are slippery as eels, clever as fiends, and cruel as the ice of winter. You and my parents must come to my house in Québec. Or if they're too stubborn to leave this forsaken patch of earth, you alone. Pénélope would welcome you, you know that. And you would not need to tolerate my presence, since I am off to the wars."
For a moment, she was tempted. Then she remembered Malfoy. She would be away in New York and safe before any attack. But perhaps her parents…
She looked Percivale unflinchingly in the eyes. "I see. I shall try to convince our parents to accept your offer. Only because I do not wish them to come to harm either."
He let go of her. "Merci. Do you really not know where Henri and Ronald have gone?"
"Why should I? It was better no one knew."
"I'm afraid you are speaking the truth. The governor will not like to hear this." He was frowning.
"He will have to live with it. Are you trespassing long upon our hospitality, my dear brother?"
He shook his head. "Not more than another hour. We will strike the villages of the Iroquois before they even know we are coming."
"And then what shall you do?"
"Burn them to the ground and kill every savage we find."
Author's Notes: Next chapter is back to the trio. As you can see, they're going to have a lot of problems, including saving Hermioniah's people from the overzealous Governor.
