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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Oct 20, 2021 1:51:19 GMT
A letter to Eloise leBeau:
My Beauty, My Heart,
As the regiment turns towards winter quarters in Paris, I reflect on my successful mission to avenge the foul murder of my friend, Sieur Arnold d’Blancheur, After lifting the siege Spanish encampment we gave no quarter during their withdrawal towards. We caught the enemy’s rear guard in march formation and charged before they were able to deploy against us. They were hardly a match for our harden troopers so heroically led. Even my own aide, Subaltern Hoffman, gained accolades for leading a cutting out party that capture the colours of a Spanish infantry regiment.
After the defeat of the rear guard, we turned our attention to the main force. Against the élan and ferocity of the Dragoon Guards, the Spanish stood not a chance, and their retreat quickly became a rout. Artillery, baggage wagons, armor and weapons all abandoned as the cowardly Spaniards ran for their lives from our sabre slashes and pistol shots. I believe that my troopers would have followed our enemy all the way to Madrid had I not held them up at the border.
As the regiment was recovering and readying ourselves for the return to Paris, I was able to spend a few pleasant days as the guest of the brother of Comte de Deol at his family’s estate. During that visit, I had time to consider my employment once I return. The success of our armies over the Summer and Fall has left France more peaceful that she has been in years but I am loathed to be idle. I am considering applying once again to be a Minister to our King.
I shall finish my letter with a loving adieu and a promise to see you again ere long.
Always Your Loving, Jacques
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Nov 3, 2021 15:17:18 GMT
Dearest Maman,
By now the news of Eloise’s most recent folly must have reach you on the family estate at Dampierre. She has left me, again, this time for a more exalted beau. I find, however, that I am much more sanguine than I was in the Fall of ’32. I have been so busy with attending receptions at court for foreign envoys, teaching at the military academy, and meeting with the King that I have scarce had time to think about female companionship.
Ironically, I was on the verge of again proposing marriage to Eloise and am somewhat relieved that I was spared the indignity of a public rejection. What is it about the thought of a settled and secure life of wealth and leisure that makes her so skittish, I wonder?
Regrettably, the field of available ladies is somewhat thin this season. None approach my social standing and their temperaments are ill-suited to that of a hot-blooded military man such as myself. No, I shall endeavour to engage more fully in public life. There are several appointments coming due this month that I am particularly interested in.
I have decided to quit Chateau Beau Jardins in the Quartier du Val de Grace for a mansion on the Ile de la Cite. The Chateau was far too large, especially with the departure of Eloise, and the mansion is much more intimate although the stables are excruciatingly small considering the number of horses that I must now keep. I hope to host you and the Marquis here soon.
Your Loving Son, Jacques
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Nov 18, 2021 2:42:51 GMT
A letter to the Marquis du Dampierre,
Monsieur,
I must confess that I felt the smallest jolt of pride when I read your letter to me with the salutation, “Your Grace”. Yes, it is a sin and I shall make amends at the confessional this Sunday but we could be pardoned for considering God’s benefice with a joyful pride. Hopefully, my brother is bearing my good fortune with a saint’s patience. If not, I am certain that I could persuade Doctor De’Ath to visit him again.
I have had only a little luck in discovering anything about my new lands in the Barony of Guyenne. I had been hoping for an estate in Burgundy or perhaps Picardy, even one closer to the Mediterranean, but Guyenne is so far to the west of Toulouse that it might as well be part of Gascony! I suspect that the denizens of those lands are typical of the illiterate swine herds that occupy the more distance provinces. I was able to find that the barony sports a small vineyard and winery so it may not be a total loss.
Tell my mother that the Comtess de Villepin overstates the impact that Eloise’s departure has had upon me, that I am not nearly as heart-broken as she would have her readers believe. The field of eligible ladies in Paris is brightened somewhat by the arrival of Gisla, the daughter of Lord Chabert, a Count in Picardy. Her education isn’t very good owing to the Count’s dire financial condition and she is not nearly as witty as Eloise, but she is quite as lovely and well above the competition. Perhaps I shall pay court to her this month.
Demands of the royal court call me away, so I will bid you adieu.
I am your devoted Son, etc. Jacques Bougiedure Duc de Chevreuse Baron de Guyenne
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Dec 26, 2021 15:39:41 GMT
A letter to the Marquis du Dampierre,
Monsieur,
My labours on the Fields of Mars have borne more fruit that similar efforts in the Salons of Venus although Minerva withholds that reward that I most desire. Under my command, my own Dragoon Guards and the Crown Prince Cuirassier regiments drove the Milanese infantry from the field. I fear that we might have forced the enemy into fortifications. Laying siege would be a more profitable venture and I confess that I would much prefer that the enemy continue to remain in the field where my forces can be employed to greater advantage.
I am finding it difficult to manage my estates along with my military duties. Whenever I get a few moments to read correspondence from my stewards, some little military detail arises that requires my attention. Next campaign, I shall engage the services of a land manager.
Meanwhile, I will be instructing groom to enter Silvermane in the Paris Derby.
I am your devoted Son, etc. Jacques Bougiedure Duc de Chevreuse Baron de Guyenne Brevet Brigadier General, Cavalry Brigade
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Jan 13, 2022 3:01:05 GMT
A letter to the Marquis du Dampierre,
Monsieur,
The superiority of Frankish martial skill over that of Piedmont and Lombardy has been proven yet again! Although on the defensive, I was able to convince the Marshal commanding the Savoy front to conduct aggressive patrols with large formations from the Dragoon Guards and the Crown Prince Cuirassier regiments put the Milanese to flight, forcing the Duke of Milan to sue for peace. My own modest efforts have been acknowledged with promotion to full Brigadier.
I shall not have long to tarry in Paris upon our return at the end of the month as I must away to attend upon the King on the Spanish frontier. There are two weeks of government meetings scheduled for May and I feel that I have been too long neglecting my other duties to his Majesty. Perhaps I will get a chance to spend a day or two at my estate in Guyenne.
One other point of interest to mention. My steward informed me that I received a letter from Eloise at my mansion in Ile de la Cite. In view of my imminent return to Paris, I have asked him to hold on to it until my return so I have no idea what the missive may contain.
I remain your devoted Son, etc. Jacques Bougiedure Duc de Chevreuse Baron de Guyenne Brigadier General, Cavalry Brigade
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Jan 28, 2022 0:30:34 GMT
Dearest Maman,
I feel certain that you shall disapprove of the peril in which I place my heart but myself and Eloise are courting once again. I confess a mild surprise that she should have tired of her paramour so quickly (according to her although it might have been the other way round) but she is so far above the other unaccompanied ladies of Paris in beauty, wit and grace that I could do naught else but welcome her back into my life.
The King, at the behest of Marquis Deols, decided to take command of French forces on the Spanish frontier, removing from me the obligation to attend the court to that distant place. I remained in Paris to attend to affairs of State that had been neglected whilst I was commanding the cavalry brigade on the Savoy frontier.
Much to my surprise, there was little that required my immediate attention, leaving me ample time to enjoy the theatre, attend upon Eloise and teach at the military academy. Which is all very fortunate as the court circular indicated that the Summer shall been replete with requirements to attend upon the King and Queen!
Your Loving Son, Jacques
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Post by Jacques Bougiedure on Apr 26, 2022 11:53:50 GMT
Dearest Maman,
I apologize profusely for my neglect in writing to you over the Summer and Fall. That I have been very busy with affairs and State and affairs of the heart can be my only excuse. I can only hope to obtain your forgiveness by reciting what my success has been.
The Reception and Royal Ball for the English envoy was quite the affair beyond even the event of my elevation to Grand Duc. I spend the entire evening in the company of Their Majesties, King Louis and Queen Anne. The King was most delighted with my companionship, the Queen less so owing I suspect to a previous acquaintance between Eloise and the King. All was set to rights however when Eloise provided a witty riposte to an unflattering comment to the guest of honor by some oaf of an officer from the Royal Foot Guards. After that, the Queen warmed to Eloise somewhat.
But the greatest event of the evening is, after a long and torturous courtship, Eloise consented to become my wife. I am filled to bursting with joy as she truly is a lady beyond comparison. I must attend upon the King in Picardy next month but plan to depart immediately upon conclusion of government meetings to travel to Burgundy to spend Christmas with Eloise’s family where I shall secure her father’s consent for marriage.
Whilst in Burgundy, I plan to stop over at my new estate in Montbeck. I am told that there is a vineyard attached and should it hold any promise, I plan to invest in improvements. I will be back in Paris after Epiphany and look forward to meeting with you to plan the wedding.
Your Loving Son, Jacques
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