Thursday, February 11, 2010

LES LIASONS DE L'AMOUR Valentine's Day Fete

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MY OWOH post and giveaway, please scroll down about 2-3 posts. Thank you!

It is finally time for our Valentine's Fete! The Petite Trianon is lit up...dresses are donned and silk is whispering along the wooded, fairy lit paths! Come join us for a romantic story, some nice giveaways and meet some new people along the way!
1. To win the giveaway prize at the end of this posting, please leave ONE comment on this post only. Winners will be randomly drawn and announce on February 14th. You MUST leave an e-mail or link back so I can contact the winner. This blog party ENDS on February 13th at midnight est. (Technically Valentine's Day itself).

2. Please visit all the other blog parties for great giveaways! You can find them under the blog badge and party name on my right hand side bar!

Now...let the party begin....

Laughter and mirth rang out into the misty, purple twilight. She tiptoed down the hall a long, gilded key clutched in her hand. One door, two doors…ah yes, this was it, the Queen’s wardrobe room. She slipped the key into the lock and turned. Success! The door swung open and barely visible in the moonlight were the gowns. Marvelous gowns, shimmering in the light filled her eyes. She must be quick, before someone comes. Listening carefully, she selected one of the fabric confections, slipped into it as quickly as she could and took a quick look in the standing mirror. She stealthily moved towards the door, not wanting to risk being found. She must hurry if she was to be on time.


She stole through the secret passage way, mask and wig concealing her from prying servant eyes. The door opened onto a path into the woods. Twinkling light slipped from the windows of the Petit Trianon while light-hearted music floated on the crisp February night air. Chattering and whisperings could be heard faintly as she approached the gate to the back garden, an open note grasped in her silk clad hand. The gate creaked slightly as it swung in towards the entrance to a silent Hamlet Village. She turned and took one last glance at the full moon behind the Petit Trianon before setting her foot on the pebbled path....

The village was darkened. She had to pick her way carefully over the path. There it was! A lantern flashed from one of the nearby buildings. She walked quicker. The building was dark again, but she found it quickly and let herself in, a low, whistled trill indicating her presence. It was answered with a low laugh. Ah, he was here. She ran to his waiting arms, feeling their warmth as they circled her. She handed him the note. “For you, monsieur.”

A look of curiosity covered his features. “What’s this then?” He slipped a gloved finger under the seal. As he read, the color began to drain from his face, creeping its way down his neck. “No, it can’t be.” A small hand covers his, “Cherie?”

Summons to a duel. He was to defend his sister’s honor, as her husband was absent at war. They only had a few moments to treasure this time and he must leave. They could hear the echoes of a minuet. Taking her hand, he led her in the complicated steps. Every moment offered a chance to drink in a little more of the love that possessed them before he had to leave. The music began to fade. “Now Cherie...”

She stole down the path behind him. He must not know she is there. The path opened into a wide area where several snorting horses and men waited, stamping their feet. Clouds of breath steamed around their heads. There was a general hush as HE walked into the circle. Slowly, deliberately, he peeled off one of his lace cuffed gloves and sent it sailing through the air. It landed with a whisper at his enemy’s boot.

Second hands and swords were chosen, readied. Each man paced off, determination and traces of sorrow etched in the face of one; defiance coating the features of the other. A moment of heavy silence hung in the clearing. “On my mark…” The duel commenced. Thrusts were parried, advances and retreats were made. The clang of metal pierced the air and finally, a dull thud, as metal hit bone. HE stood for a few seconds, gasped, and fell, a dark, black pool spreading before him.

She ran, screaming to him. She no longered cared about her borrowed finery. He was no longer breathing. Turning slowly, she picked up his glove. The one token she would keep for the rest of her life. It was an exquisite knit net cuffed in the finest lace. An alarm had been raised. Sounds of discovery loomed in the near distance. She ran, clutching her memento, back through the village, back to the Petit Trianon. In the commotion, she slipped unnoticed to the Queen’s closet. The glove in her hand showed the only trace of the night that had gone before. It would be handed down to her unborn daughter and each succeeding daughter thereafter...a reminder that love, truly given, does not die.

To win Cherie's beautiful glove wrist purse, please post a comment before midnight, eastern standard time, February 13th.

17 comments:

Julie Ann said...

Oooh- What a story!! Such a sad ending, but so very romantic!

Tristan Robin said...

What a delightful story and such gorgeous photos! I want those gloves! LOL

Please, don't enter me in the drawing for your exquisite offering - I am just not a purse kinda guy LOL - but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your tale and illustrations!

Rhondamum said...

What an amazing story! Did you write that yourself? What a treat with my morning cup of coffee. Thank you for the collage sheet as well. So beautiful. I am going to let everyone know about your party on my blog. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo Rhonda...

Terri Gordon said...

Rebecca, What a wonderful story, you are such a great writer. I want to thank you so much for the beautiful collage sheet, I love it. What a wonderful giveaway. Happy Valentines Day. Hugs, Terri

Valrie said...

Love your creative writing and collage art media!

I've been visiting sincee the OWOH entry!

Valrie

Ivy said...

Oh my, your story gave me goosebumps! Love it!

Happy Valentines Day to you!

Marie Hugs!

Lisa said...

How absolutely lovely! I was truly captured in the story...I love the idea of a physical object with a story behind it.

I wondered over here through OWOH - thanks for entering my giveaway for the altered book!

Many blessings!
Lisa
http://lifeunity.blogspot.com
lifeunity (at) gmail (then the dot) com

Terri said...

Beautiful story Rebecca! I love the way you visualized it for us with the illustrations.

Happy St. Valentines Day to you!

Shell said...

Bravo! The story, the gloves, the giveaway, amazing! Thank you for sharing........

I have a book that you may enjoy that I recently read on my Kindle called the "Apothecary's Daughter." If you like Austen, 19th Century history,,,,,Check it out! I could not put it down........

Thank you for the giveawy,,,,I still have my little giveaway at OWOH,,,,,,,that you can enter,,,,just go to my blog and leave a post!

Shell
Washington State

Vista Gal said...

Merci Beacoup!
I enjoyed the little adventure.
I have explored Marie's domain this past fall and loved it, thanks for adding to my memories and dreams of her lovely home.
mklicka.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Wow I so enjoyed your story and all the great pictures too. The free collage sheet it will be put to good use!!! Do check out my other blog http://helives.blogspot.com
and my sister's too
http://asplendidadventure.blogspot.com
Blessings!!!

Leslie said...

What a wonderful, romantic story and a lovely glove/purse. Thanks for the great collage sheet too...love the images.

http://leslie-mylifeandtimes.blogspot.com/

debi said...

Great story Rebecca! That was fun!
Your glove purse is beautiful!

Kathy said...

What a wonderful wonderful story. I really loved your post and photos, thank you for hosting such a lovely event.

Happy Happy Valentine's Day!

Kathy

Julie G. said...

Please do enter me for a chance to win! stitchesbyjulie.com

Jennifer said...

Your story is so fun. I could picture it as I read it. Thanks for sharing. Love the gloves. Happy Valentine's Day!

*Ulrike* said...

I'm a little late for the glove, but what a great story!