The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court (Napoleon's Court Novels)

I want i'll have frozen that second in time, like a Louise Moillon portray of fruit the place not anything strikes and not anything ever alterations. “How lengthy will it take prior to we succeed in Stuttgart? ” Caroline asks the motive force, yet frankly I don’t care. or even once we succeed in Ludwigsburg Palace and the grand reception being held in my honor, i believe detached. Cake? Why now not? Lebkuchen? If i need to. could Her Majesty want the waltz or the contra dance? “Whichever is shortest,” I say irritably. the ladies round me gasp. i do know what those individuals are pondering. not anything impresses this haughty new empress. yet I’m too dissatisfied to care. King Frederick of Württemberg clears his throat, and Caroline provides a excessive, fake snort. “What Her Majesty intended to assert, Your Highness, is shorter dance now will suggest extra time for others later. ” “That’s now not what I stated. ” Caroline glares at me. “But it’s what you intended. ” She holds my gaze in order that it’s understood I’m to not say one other notice. I don’t, and for the remaining our trip to Compiègne, we're silent with one another. Then, at the twenty-seventh of March, after the carriages have crossed the borders of France, Caroline turns to me. “Mio Dio, this is often it! ” I sit up straight in my seat and glance out the window of our royal calèche. town of Compiègne is unfold ahead of us like a colourful blanket. Markets and church buildings jostle for area within the urban sq., and in all places there are people—in the cafés, at the streets, within the open-shuttered home windows. My center supplies a small bounce as i ponder if i'll ever be capable to trap a scene like this on paper. “Beautiful. ” Collette sighs, and that i be aware of she is calling on the handsomely dressed ladies of their embroidered muslin robes. “Do they recognize we're coming? ” Collette asks, yet Caroline merely issues. someplace within the distance a gaggle is chanting, and because the carriages draw nearer, i will make out their phrases. “VIVE L’IMPÉRATRICE! VIVE L’IMPÉRATRICE! ” regardless of the rain, the folk of France have pop out to greet their empress. “Be prepared for anything,” Caroline says, nonetheless unaware that Paul has ready me. “Sit instantly, positioned your palms on your lap, and—” The carriage jerks to a cease. She exchanges a glance with Collette, and that i can wager what it capacity. Napoleon has noticed the royal calèche and intends to satisfy me prior to we succeed in the château. I press my arms flat opposed to my skirts and check out to recollect Maria’s directions. whilst he asks even if he appears as I anticipated, I’m to lie and say, “No, sire, you glance far better. ” And while he inquires how the adventure from Vienna has been, I’m to grin and inform him, “Too lengthy for a bride wanting to meet her groom. ” My speech can be a portrait by means of Gottlieb Schick. An umbrella right here, a potted palm there. every thing deliberate, the total set prearranged. i'll take my position, and he'll take his, and the image we create for this new empire could be perfect. The door of the royal calèche swings open. The Ogre of France is status sooner than me. “Marie-Louise,” he says, and it’s as though Metternich’s portray has come to lifestyles, pink velvet coat and all.