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Post by Guest on Oct 4, 2019 3:27:11 GMT
Hunters Hyperbole...
"She is !!! She's a witch I tell you !!!"
"Now, steady on ! Wild and baseless accusations like that can end up with people going to the stake. Don't forget that Canon Bourcier is a member here..."
"But just look at the evidence. One month Gervais publicly snubs her (there was plenty of room for her at his artistic gathering, you know). And the next month he's dead !!"
"I hardly think that going down to odds of three to one needs witchcraft to explain it !!"
"Well, even so...I'm going to make sure I never cross her. You can be sure of that..."
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Post by Guest on Oct 4, 2019 14:03:12 GMT
Slipper Slander...
"What do you think of Guiseppe, the new doctor ?"
"Going to bed with him puts me in mind of a Japanese meal."
"How so?"
"Very small courses - but so many of them !!"
"Oh, I know ! Such a tiny 'chopstick' too, poor lamb..."
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Post by gaston on Oct 5, 2019 11:35:24 GMT
Helen Bacque looked around her small appartment in the Rue du Vielle Pelleterie and despondency settled upon her once more. There were two things she needed if she was going to make her way in Paris - to be seen in polite society and secure a house befitting her desired station as a gentlewoman. (She would eventually need a horse and a carriage too, but had resigned herself to wait a while for those).
How to proceed ?
Where the first was concerned, all the members of Hunters were either currently at the front or already had regular female companions of their own. Perhaps the newly arrived Monsieur Daniel Dompteur might become a member and secure her an invitation ?
The house was a bigger problem. In order to secure one she would have to find 200 livres from somewhere. She considered approaching the Shylocks of the Pont au Changes - but that was a road she didn't relish the idea of going down. If she was unable honour the debt when the time came then it was a road which would lead to the Lady's Slipper or, even worse, the bawdyhouses of the Rue Bourdel...
So, who else might she secure a loan from ? Although those gentlemen she had run into at Church put on a good show, she suspected they were as poor as she was. Captain Renald de la Azur was rumoured to have secured a reasonable haul when his men surprised the Spaniards last month - but he was still at the front (and the Shylocks were likely to take most of it anyway...)
What about Father Francois ? He lived frugally, but came from a reasonably wealthy family who doubtless provided a reasonable allowance. Perhaps he might consider extending her a loan ?
A slight smile playing on her lips, she settled herself at her writing desk...
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Post by Guest on Oct 7, 2019 9:16:48 GMT
A Meeting in March
"Show the next one in will you Claudette...Why Helen! Is it really you, Child ? Come here so a I can get a good look at you!"
"Bonjour, Madame la Vicomtesse. I trust I find you in good health?"
"Tolerable, Helen. Just the usual complaints of increasing old age. I don't trust doctors though - never have. When things get too bad I still go to St. Denis to see Sister Agatha - though her new girl isn't nearly so diligent and attentive as you were. How long has it been, Child?"
"It's well over a year since I...left the Convent, Ma'am."
"And your Maman? Lorraine was an even better assistant to Sister Agatha than you were in her time. She's well I trust"
"Indeed Ma'am. If you recall, she married a Herbalist / Apothecary named Christophe Hébert and they now have three children and shop on the Pont St Michel."
"Is she happy?"
"Mostly happy, Ma'am. Her only regret is that, not having a horse, she never gets the opportunity to ride anymore."
"Oh, the poor child! You must bring her round to see me! I have three hacks in the stable which are getting fat through lack of exercise...Oh...Claudette? If there are any left please tell them that their services won't be required. Then you may continue with your usual duties."
"As you wish, Ma'am..."
"...She has a most pleasing curtsy, doesn't she Helen? Anyway, let's talk about your own duties..."
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Post by Guest on Oct 7, 2019 13:31:56 GMT
A Meeting in March - Part 2
"My eyes aren't what they used to be. I need someone to read my correspondence to me - and the occasional book when the weather is inclement. Claudette has been trying, bless her. Unfortunately so has her voice - and she has an appalling hand when it comes to writing. She hasn't been fortunate enough to enjoy the kind of education we received, poor girl."
"No Madame la Vicomtesse. Claudette is your housekeeper I take it?"
"Yes, she's been in my service for years. She started here as my Lady's Maid. I'll need you to write the odd letter too. Mainly to old school friends - though there are fewer of those every year - and my Steward, André Courtial, at Bréval. André looks after the affairs of all my estates and supervises my bailiffs at Longnes and Gilles too."
"Don't I recall a brother, Ma'am? I trust he is still in good health?"
"Gérôme? Yes, unfortunately he is - but I never write to him. It's the thought that my Vicomté will go to him if I die first which is keeping me going ! I must have told you the story, surely ?"
"I don't recall so, Ma'am...?"
"After I had my final miscarriage in 1605 - that's when I met your mother, though she was only a slip of a girl at the time - my dear Maurice fell into a dark pool of despair. It seemed that the heir he had been hoping for all those years would be forever denied him. To take his mind off things, my brother Gérôme suggested that they rejoin the colours together. They marched off to war. Gérôme returned. Poor Maurice didn't - and I'll never forgive Gérôme for that !"
"I see. Will there be any other duties, Ma'am?"
"Yes. I may need you to run some confidential errands from time to time, and to keep my bureau stocked with paper, parchment, ink, quills and so forth. (There's a bedroom attached to the bureau which will be reserved for your use too, should you need it). "
"Why, thank you Ma'am, that's most kind. Are there any particular suppliers you choose to patronise?"
"Why yes. Monsieur Jacob Astier, a stationer with premises on the Rue de Maturins, near the Sorbonne, provides the scented parchment I use for my special friends on their birthdays. Feel free to borrow a horse - or my carriage if I'm not using it - when my errands take you some distance away like that."
"Thank you again, Ma'am."
"Finally, you will be responsible for keeping my library in order - feel free to use that whenever you like too. My husband was a keen follower of events at Court and there are a number of histories of the greatest families of France there which you may find interesting - especially if you're looking for a noble husband. Dear Christophe had a small private library too, which he kept in a locked cupboard. I've never had the heart to examine it myself, I fear, but if you have a spare moment you could see if there is anything there which might be of interest to me."
"I'll make sure that I do Ma'am. Thank you so much for engaging me in this position."
"Not at all. It will be nice having another Ursuline convent girl to talk to - and I may make use of your (and your mother's, hopefully) herbalist knowledge from time to time. I'm offering a remuneration of ten livres per month. I trust that will acceptable...?"
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Post by Guest on Oct 8, 2019 15:55:04 GMT
An April Excursion: St Denis Hotel de Ville
First Voice: Bonjour Monsieur. I wonder if you can help me? I'm here on behalf of Lady Odelina Beauchamp, Vicomtesse de Bréval.
Second Voice: And how may I be of service, Ma'mselle?
First Voice: Madame la Vicomtesse is looking into the possibility of purchasing some land in the region of St.Denis but, before any approaches are made to potential vendors, she wishes to confirm that they have secure title to the estates in question.
Second Voice: A wise precaution, Ma'mselle. Which estates are of interest to Madame la Vicomtesse ?
First Voice: She is particularly interested in the Fournier estate at Garges, Monsieur.
Second Voice: Garges...yes the estate records will certainly be lodged here somewhere. Please give me a moment to find them...ah, here they are. The estate has a value of £66,000 and has been in the possession of Monsieur Philippe Fournier since 1614 when he inherited from his father, Monsieur Roger Fournier. A notarised copy of the will is attached.
First Voice: Were there any other claimants?
Second Voice: Philippe was the only surviving son, so the estate lands went to him in their entirety. Even after death duties, however, there was a considerable amount in coin left in Roger's estate totaling £4,000, of which he willed £1,000 to his widow, Céléstine, £1,000 to his son Philippe, £1,000 to his daughter Lorraine, and £1000 to his grand-daughter Helen...are you all right, Ma'mselle? You've gone rather pale...
First Voice: Is there any record of how the cash was actually divided ?
Second Voice: Mmmm...this is interesting. There's a signed affadavit from Philippe Fournier dated 1614 to the effect that his sister Lorraine and neice Helen have moved to Paris, whereabouts unknown, and that all efforts to find them have proven fruitless. In 1621, seven years afterwards, they were declared legally dead so far as the will was concerned and the £2,000 was claimed by Philippe (his mother Céléstine having died in 1616). The same thing happened regarding the mother's will, actually. She left £500 each to Lorraine and Helen Fournier, they were declared legally dead regarding the will in 1623 and Philippe again pocketed the money.
Second Voice: And what would happen if this Lorraine and Helen Fournier were to appear now, Monsieur?
First Voice: Even if they had incontravertible proof of their identity they wouldn't get a sous. Philippe Fournier would be under no legal obligation to give them anything (though he might be considered to under a moral one, I suppose). So, Monsieur Fournier has secure title to the estate and may dispose of any or all of it as he sees fit, with no possibility of any legal challenges.
Second Voice: Thank you, Monsieur. You've been most helpful. I'll inform Madame la Vicomtesse without delay...
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Post by Guest on Oct 9, 2019 12:56:05 GMT
At the Offices of Maitre Louis Giry Avocat and Doctor of Law Rue de Macon Quartier St.Andre
First Voice: Are you Maitre Giry? Second Voice: Indeed I am, Mademoiselle. How can I be of service? First Voice: I have a legal question which I hope you may be kind enough to answer, Maitre. My employer is a widowed noble lady with no children whose only family consists of a brother she detests. She wishes to ensure that he does not inherit her title upon her death. Second Voice: Was the estate from which she takes her title purchased, inherited from previous generations or bestowed directly by the Crown? First Voice: It was bestowed upon her late husband in respect of his service in His Majesty's armed forces. Second Voice: I see. Then she will not be at liberty to dispose of it without causing grave offence to His Majesty, which would probably result in it being confiscated back by the Crown anyway. If she attempts to leave it to a third party in her will, her brother could contest the matter in court following her death - and would probably win. The law regarding noble estates is still firmly rooted in the feudal concept of primogeniture, the primary concern being to maintain the integrity of estates so as to allow successors to continue to fulfil their feudal obligations to their overlords. First Voice: In addition to her titled estate, she does also own a couple of smaller ones - which I believe were hereditary or purchased. Would she be able to give these away to prevent them falling into her brother's hands? Second Voice: Giving them away could have its pitfalls. Her brother could contend that the gifts were merely a device to deprive him of his rightful inheritance and, again, would probably win such a case. The lady could, however, _sell_ them for a token sum - as little as a single livre. The sale would be duly recorded at the Hotel de Ville and the purchaser would hold secure title to the lands thereafter. First Voice: Would it be possible to draw up the sale agreements such that the income from the estates continues to go to the vendor until her death? Second Voice: Indeed, that would be quite straightforward. She couldn't sell them to just anybody, of course - not to a favoured maid or footman, for example. Peasants aren't allowed to purchase land unless under exceptional circumstances - and even then, usually only small parcels sufficient to feed a single family, worth around £500 say. The agrarian social structure and economy would come crashing down if the majority of peasants didn't continue to rent their lands from gentlefolk or the nobility, of course.The sons (and daughters) of gentlemen shouldn't have a problem buying smaller estates of up to £4000 in value, however, but to buy a Barony, together with the title, requires equal social standing to that of the son of a Baron...and so on. First Voice: And could she sell the smaller estates to a religious institution in this fashion? Second Voice: She _could_, but then details of the sale would, by law, be made available to all members of her immediate family before the sale was finalised. This is to safeguard landed families from being plunged into penury by predecessors who develop religious mania or fear they have so many heinous sins to atone for that only their whole fortune will suffice to save them from the fires of Hell. First Voice: And what of her portable wealth; plate, coin and so forth? Second Voice: There are far fewer strictures involved here and the lady can give them away or leave them in her will to whomsoever she wishes. She can even stipulate that further cash be set aside to pay the death duties on such bequests - and, by that means, could actually achieve her aim by a roundabout way. First Voice: How so ? Second Voice: Well, lets say she sells her smaller estates for token sums (the purchasers receiving the revenue therefrom only upon her death) and bequeaths half her portable wealth to whomsoever she wishes whilst stipulating that the other half be set aside to pay the death duties on those bequests. That leaves the brother with just the titled estate - but he'll still have to pay 50% of the true value of the estate to the exchequer in death duties. In my experience nobles have the majority of their wealth in land (though some of the more progessive are starting to put a proportion of their wealth into commercial ventures). They usually have very little ready cash to hand. That means that the brother will probably be forced to sell the titled estate (to the Crown, so as not to offend the King, and for only 75% of its value) and then pay over half of its _full_ value to the exchequer in death duties. The end result will be that he ends up with no title and only a quarter of the estate's true value in hand. I would be more than happy to arrange your employer's legal affairs to effect this outcome should she so wish. First Voice: Thank you Maitre. Should my employer embark on this course I will do all I can to ensure that she engages you to handle the details - so as to repay your kindness in so freely furnishing this information. Second Voice: Thank _you_ Mademoiselle. Should you have any further legal questions - or legal affairs of your own resolve - please don't hesitate to consult me further...
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Post by gaston on Oct 16, 2019 12:58:26 GMT
Market Meeting...
Marcel stuffed the remainder of the pasty into his mouth and, brushing the crumbs from his jerkin, looked over to the St Innocent's clock. Ten minutes to one. Time to make his way back the print shop.
The market at Les Halles was as busy as always, a riot of colour, noise and jostling humanity. Marcel kept an eye out for any pretty girls as he crossed the square, almost bumping into one of the unfortunates in the stocks when his attention was elsewhere. As he was about to turn the corner onto the Rue au Foire he noticed a stunning lady on horseback, who seemed strangely familiar, emerging from the Rue de la Lingerie. She was certainly turning a lot of heads. Where could he have seen her before...? Of course! The print shop ! She'd come to Brochard et Fils last month to have some handbills made up - and been the subject of much wistfully ribald comment ever since...
Marcel quickly looked away so as not to be caught staring at her, but was acutely aware of the horse's hooves approaching him from behind as he continued to the shop. As the lady came level something must have frightened her mount. The horse reared suddenly, neighing in panic. Marcel instinctively made a grab for the halter to bring the beast under control and held it steady as the lady, now somewhat flustered and catching her breath, dismounted unsteadily. He tied the horse to a tethering post and turned to her.
"Are you all right, Madame?"
"Yes," she answered distractedly. "I don't know what got into him. He's usually so placid. Thank you Monsieur...?"
"Bertillon, Madame. Marcel Bertillon."
Realising his fingers must be covered with printers ink, Marcel clasped them behind his back rather than take the lady's hand. She observed him carefully.
"I'm Madame Bacque. Have we met before, Monsieur?"
"Hardly met, Ma'am, but we saw each other when you visited Brochard et Fils, the print shop just there, some weeks ago."
"Ah, of course. Well, Monsieur Bertillon, it appears that you may well have saved my life. Unfortunately I have nothing with me that I might give you as a token of gratitude - I've just purchased a house and Monsieur Aiguelle's shop has far too many pretty fabrics with which to furnish it. The house is on the Rue de la Tissanderie, on the corner of the Rue du Coq. I insist that you call upon me, Monsieur, so that we can find you a suitable reward."
Marcel felt the radiant smile she gave him in his breeches. Surely she couldn't mean...?
The lady untethered her horse, smoothly mounted it, and set it to a trot with an assured air of control that seemed at odds with her mount's previous skittishness.
Marcel didn't notice. He was too busy pondering what might be a suitable house-warming gift for a ravishing beauty of her rank...
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Post by gaston on Oct 19, 2019 17:02:05 GMT
An Interrogation Room at the Concièrgerie...
First Voice: Thank you warder, that will be all.
Second Voice: Are you sure you don't want me to stay, Ma'am?
First Voice: Quite sure. If I need you I'll call...Now...I expect you're wondering why you're here. You can thank Father Francois, who's told me all about you. Don't worry, he hasn't broken the sancity of the confessional - but he and his other parishioners know enough about you for my purposes. Father Francois also knows the beak, who isn't as respectable as he likes others to think and has agreed to suspend your trials provided you spend the next year in gainful employment and your employer - I hope that's going to be me - gives a good report of you. Now, Luc - I believe you worked as a footman at some point?
Third Voice: Yes Madame.
First Voice: Forget the 'Madames', just plain 'Ma'am' will do. But then you got disenchanted with the lack of prospects and became a mug-hunter before you graduated to be one of the most respected cracksmen in Paris. You can pick locks too ?
Third Voice:...Yes...Ma'am...
First Voice: A useful skill - you'll have to teach me sometime. Unfortunately for you, an irate husband who felt you were getting too friendly with his wife grassed you up on your last job and you were caught red-handed with an open chest containing almost 1000 livres. (I believe your snitch has taken the opportunity of your incarceration to relieve you of your own stash - I expect you'll want to pay him a visit at some point, but you'll do that on your own time and I wish to know nothing about it). In the meantime it's fortunate for you that I have need of a footman. And Jeanne...
Fourth Voice: Yes Ma'am?
First Voice: You worked as a housekeeper for a gentleman who turned you out when some feckless Romeo got you pregnant?
Fourth Voice: Yes Ma'am.
First Voice: You survived as a Fingersmith until the baby was born - a son I believe? - and then worked as a toffer at the Lady's Slipper. You're certainly pretty enough - if your hair was fair rather than dark we could be sisters! Eventually you caught the clap and had to go back to Fingersmithing. Have you still got the clap, by the way ?
Fourth Voice: Yes Ma'am, the Docteur they had at the Slipper was even worse than the one they have now...
First Voice: No matter - I may be able to help you with that. So...you'd just made a dip when some idiot jostled you before you could hand-off to your Slanger, the purse fell to the ground, the mark recognised it and you ended up here. Unfortunately for you, the purse didn't only contain coin, but some pricey baubles as well, meaning you were charged with a High Crime and are looking at a gibbet in the Place de Grève. Who was your Slanger? Your mother?
Fourth Voice: Yes Ma'am.
First Voice: Did she teach you how to dip ?
Fourth Voice: Yes Ma'am. She ran off when I was a child, but when I fell pregnant and my father disowned me I had nowhere else to turn. She's also got Pascal, my little boy. I don't know how they'll survive without me...
First Voice: Hopefully they won't have to. If you become my Housekeeper one of your duties will be to buy the food for the household. I'm not going to look too closely at the accounts, so there should be more than enough for Pascal and your mother too. They'll be welcome in the servants kitchen when I'm not entertaining, you'll be free to visit them when your duties allow and you should have enough from your wages to keep up the apartment they share. I don't want to see any brothers or sisters appearing over the next year though - I'm not running a nursery here! - and when I am entertaining they should make themselves scarce.
Fourth Voice: I'd make sure they did, Ma'am.
First Voice: I'm told that the Watch paid your mother a visit after you were arrested and 'retrieved a considerable amount of stolen property'. How much did they take you for ?
Fourth Voice: Just shy of of 2000 livres, Ma'am.
First Voice: Ouch! What were you going to do with it ?
Fourth Voice: I was saving up for a little place in the country like the one I grew up on, Ma'am, bringing in just enough for me and Maman to live comfortably. I didn't want Pascal to grow up in the stink if I could help it.
First Voice: Well, do right by me and you'll live comfortably enough. Before I'm finished I hope to have a country estate or two myself, so Pascal could become a country boy yet - there's more than one way of skinning a cat. We'll have to see to his schooling at some point though...So, finally, Gilles. I'm told you've spent your whole life around horses? Is that why you became a horse thief ?
Fifth Voice: I do seem to have a way with the beasts, Ma'am.
First Voice: Unfortunately that last one you had a way with had a very distinctive flash and was recognised by its previous owner when you tried offload it at the Northern Horse Market. Even more unfortunately, when it got 'lost' it had 600 livres in its saddlebags - so you're headed for a dangling.
Fifth Voice: Can't win 'em all, Ma'am.
First Voice: It's also rumoured that you've not shied away from highway robbery in your time - but we won't go into the that. I intend to purchase a horse shortly and will need a groom who can look after it properly. That's all that matters for the moment.
Fifth Voice: You can count on me for that, Ma'am.
First Voice: Good. I'm offering all of you food, board, clothing (not just livery) and 6 livres a month. That's double what you'd get in service anywhere else in Paris. I'm looking to marry myself into a title eventually but I plan a to keep a small house of my own whatever happens, so you'll always have place with me if you prove yourselves up to it. If things go to plan eventually I'll need a House Steward, Senior Housekeeper and Land Steward. If you stick with me and prove totally discrete and totally loyal I could be looking at them right now. It could well be that, in the future, you're offered bribes to spy on me. If you do, find out who the bribers are working for and come to me. We'll work out what to tell them and you can keep the bribes. If you ever work against me though, as soon as I find out I'll have you back here faster than you can spit. The charges against you won't be formally dropped until I say so - understood?
Three Voices: Yes Ma'am.
First Voice: Occasionally I may need to make use of your...less conventional...skills, for which you'll be well paid, but apart from that I don't want to see any moonlighting on your part. I don't intend to make a habit of springing you from the clink. I take it you're all skilled at fitting up a mark without being observed?
Three Voices: Yes Ma'am.
First Voice: Good! I may have a little test for you very soon. So, the choice is yours. You can either stay here, go to trial and get promoted to a condemned cell. Or you can accept my offer and walk out with me now. Father Francois believes you all deserve a second chance and I'm willing to give it to you.
Fifth Voice: What's to stop us accepting your offer, then bolting as soon as we're on the street, Ma'am?
First Voice: Nothing at all Gilles. But you'll be on the run with a capital charge hanging over you and every nark in Paris on your tail - you won't get another chance like this.
Third Voice: If you don't mind me asking, Ma'am, you seem to be a Gentle Mort but you talk like a fence. How is that?
First Voice: My late husband was a sawbones and none too fussy about his clientele - so long as they had coin to pay him. He drank away the cash while I did all the work. I've patched up more villains than you've cracked cribs, Luc. There's nothing I don't know about what the Autem Goglers, Blowens, High-Tobys, Mobs, Trulls, Cracks and Screeves of this fair city get up to... So, what's it to be...?
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