COURTESAN
She looked into the glass one last time before crossing the bedroom floor to seat herself in composed readiness on the chaise longue. Except that this time she was neither composed nor ready. She had seen it in his eyes the previous evening, a little less sparkle, a little less intoxication.
She remembered their first meeting. Madame Delavier’s illustrious soirée 2 years earlier; she in dazzling form, surrounded by his friends and a number of their fathers, laughing at the youthful banter, responding with smiles to the young men and amused, private glances to their fathers.
But tonight the mirror had challenged her and explained it all. She breathed deeply and started, despite herself, as the hour struck in perfect synchrony with a hesitant knock at the door.
“Henri!” she exclaimed smiling, as he crossed the room to kiss her hand, ” I was surprised to receive your note, is something the matter?”
“I have come to say goodbye Marguerite”, he said quietly, his eyes straying nervously from her face to the floor and back again. “My father has asked me to take care of some business affairs in Montpellier, I may be away for several months.” He looked down at the floor again, his face reddening suddenly.
“But of course! This is an important step for you Henri! Your father will be so pleased at you taking an interest at last. And I shall have the pleasure of sharing all your news when you return to Paris.”
He had taken his leave hurriedly, a brief brush of her hand, a nod of the head.
She had crossed the room again and sat once more before the looking glass. Tired eyes looked back at her, just the hint of crows’ feet at the corners, the mouth a little strained, a darker line now visible in the face powder as a single tear traced its’ path across her cheek.
The rules of the challenge are to post 5 posts over consecutive days, attaching a story to the photo, fiction, non fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day inviting a fellow blogger to join the challenge, I’m going to invite Miss Ellie Dee from TheMonochromeMuse to join the fun today but there’s no obligation!
View from a French Hillside 
Beautifully told and poignant. A beautiful image, too!
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Many thanks Emilio!
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Another beautiful story and photograph, Jane. I’m thinking Marguerite Gautier. Miscast, I played her at drama school. 🙂
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Thanks so much Sarah! Gosh, I can just imagine you looking for the funny bits!!! 😀 😀
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Ooh, this is just a little bit heartbreaking, but beautifully worded, Jane. An intoxicating tale, not unlike our heroine in her heyday. Congratulations on another beautiful pairing of picture and portrait with words.
Cheers!
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Thankyou Shelley, I was hoping you would like it, small effort though it is! I’m encouraged to continue, may even get to a slightly longer short story one day ! 🙂
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Beautiful… Your mini-stories are fabulous!!
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Cheers west! I have you to thank for getting me started on this I’m going to make it a regular feature! 🙂 🐻
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A beautiful, warm tone photograph; it perfectly accompanies your poignant mini story. Looking forward to day #3 🙂
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Thankyou Miss Ellie-Dee! Day 3 and 4 already in the bag, just now preparing Day 5 !!!!! 😀 😀
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Playing catch-up all round at the moment but not neglecting five photos, five stories – I have a few ideas bubbling away. Shall catch up on reading your next three stories then begin fitting words to pictures 🙂 🙂
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Hi Ellie! I shall be looking forward to seeing your 5 Photos/Stories posts – just posted on Moncohrome Muse 🙂 Have a good Sunday evening 🙂
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