July 1631

[Leonora Baronin]

Signorina Leonora Baroni

Apt D, 6 Rue de Bievre, to

Madame Helen Bacque

Felicitations Madame,

Following our conversation after the ball I felt quite inspired and have begun work on a ballet suite along the lines you suggested. Perhaps you might wish to hear it before deciding on a formal commission ?

I am pleased to relate that thanks to my work at the College of St Michel I was invited to provide musical accompaniment for a gathering Prince Gaston hosted at the Palais de Luxembourg last month. I have received no invitations to perform in July so far, however, so I would be most grateful should you hear of any events requiring musicians, and remain

Your Devoted Servant,


Leonora Baroni

[Madame Duschene]

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MADAME DUSCHENE'S ACADEMY

To coincide with the Vicomte de Graville's Stag Party, the Academy is offering a Ladies Only event in first week of the month outlining the Conduct Expected When Attending a Hen Party. Madame Helen Bacque has kindly offered to provide refreshments for all Ladies who choose to attend.

[gaston]

Madame Helen Bacque to
Signorina Leonora Baroni
Apt D, 6 Rue de Bievre,
Quartier de Place Maubert
Paris

Signorina Baroni,

As mentioned at our brief meeting, your ideas for the 'Judgement of Paris' suite are exactly what I have in mind for the work. Perhaps I might engage your services for a total of four weeks so that you may complete it with the meticulousness we both desire (at the usual levels of remuneration, of course) ?

Regards the other matter, Roland assures me that you shall indeed be one of the musicians hired to play at the ball to be held at the Rose & Crown at the end of the month in celebration of our wedding.

I am greatly looking forward to witnessing your expertise on the viola da gamba once more.

Madame Helen Bacque

[gaston]

At A Fine House On The Rue du Coq...

First Voice: So My Sweet, what does your Uncle...sorry, your 'father'...have to say for himself?

Second Voice: Well, the invitations have all been sent - but the ball location was given out as the Rose & Crown. Has Huillaume said whether or not he'll secure Bothwells?

First Voice: He has confirmed Bothwells for the Stag Party, but not for the Wedding Ball...

Second Voice: Oh well, could you let me know one way or the other as soon as you can ? I've asked my...father to invite the staff of La Voix de Paris too - with the obvious exception of that obnoxious little guttersnipe Bushell. Never does any harm to have the press on your side...

First Voice:...So long as you don't have to count the spoons when they leave. Any word on the dowry?

Second Voice: Indeed there is - and it looks like Aunt Geraldine has persuaded him to really push the boat out: 750 livres, no less, which is as much as you could expect for the heiress of a wealthy gentleman. Still no word on my allowance, however. Perhaps you could...?

First Voice: Certainly. I'll be happy to 'have a quiet word' with him about it at the Wedding Ball. Have you seen the latest Court Calendar? I'll be required to attend the Tuilleries Government meeting but apart from that I'll be completely free.

Second Voice: My, no less than five Royal Balls planned...!!! We must go to the second one at Fontainebleau - Renald is to receive his knighthood there. Perhaps the final one at the Tuilleries in August too...?

[Private Ayes]

From the penny pamphlet, “The True-Life Adventures of Mssr. J.B.”:

“Mssr. le Captain, you are requested and required to position your squadron on the flank of our brigade,” read the letter from the Brigadier.

“What tomfoolery is this!” declared Captain J.B. “The Brigadier has turned to present his flank to the enemy’s strength and expects us to defeat ten times our number!”

“Ours is not to reason why,” cautioned the second lieutenant.

“Stand down, Lieutenant! We will follow orders but must do so with intelligence and cunning,” Captain J.B.

The squadron move expeditiously to a place where the terrain canalize the enemy along a narrow front. “It is here that we shall make our stand!” announced Captain J.B.

Hordes of gibbering Spaniards rushed towards the beleaguered Dragoons. With pistol and sabre, the attackers were repelled, once, twice, thrice.

“Mssr le Captain!” called an exhausted Guards Subaltern, “The Brigadier is dead! The Brigade is falling back in disarray!”

“We are surround by the enemy, our horses exhausted, our powder all but spent! Conditions are excellent! We shall attack!” declared Captain J.B.

[champ]

For the personal attention of M'siur Quintin Aiguille

Dear M'siur

Please consider to assist me in learning how to be a Parisian this month or at least a part of it? I have but recently arrived from my home province, and understand there are areas in the Kings Paris where one should not go alone _ I hope to be warned about such areas as in my home town I was once warned by my papa not to go into a certain part of the town as I would see things there I would NOT like and as I there did trespass and did see a thing I did not like to see, I would hope a capable and honourable man could guide me into such parts and safely out again....

Please understand that I know this is hard and dirty work and that a suitable compensation must be awarded - and a man can not avoid a drink or two.... I hope you will be willing to drink the King's health with me.

I have the best of intetion of be a serious student and go top where you lead.
Charles Champ

[Ymbert Montgomery]

May 19, 2020 20:11:34 GMT champ said:

For the personal attention of M'siur Quintin Aiguille

Dear M'siur

Please consider to assist me in learning how to be a Parisian this month or at least a part of it? I have but recently arrived from my home province, and understand there are areas in the Kings Paris where one should not go alone _ I hope to be warned about such areas as in my home town I was once warned by my papa not to go into a certain part of the town as I would see things there I would NOT like and as I there did trespass and did see a thing I did not like to see, I would hope a capable and honourable man could guide me into such parts and safely out again....

Please understand that I know this is hard and dirty work and that a suitable compensation must be awarded - and a man can not avoid a drink or two.... I hope you will be willing to drink the King's health with me.

I have the best of intetion of be a serious student and go top where you lead.
Charles Champ

OOC:

Welcome to the game!

It's best to put these kind of requests in "Gentlemanly Communications". Not everyone reads the rumours forum!

[Common Chirper]

First Voice: Not really!

Second Voice: When I tell you... I got a glimpse at a letter on the desk of Madame Deschene´s caretaker or whatever you want to call him.

First Voice: And?

Second Voice: I was not able to read all of it...

First Voice: But what could you read?

Second Voice: He seemed to be in deep trouble about some ceremony taking place after the Summer Campaign.

First Voice: Ceremony?

Second Voice: Yes. Some title conferment.

First Voice: And why is he in such a trouble about it?

Second Voice: It seems, he feels not at home at such ceremonies.

First Voice: Ah... I think I see to where it leads.

Second Voice: You have no idea! He asked Madame Duschene about some instruction.

First Voice: So what? It is her occupation to give guidance to those who are not so gifted in these things.

Second Voice: For sure, but he was so desperate, that he offered her quite a fortune, if she could give those instructions not at her usual place.

First Voice: Now you got me. Why not?

Second Voice: Because... chuckles ...he is at the frontier. So he asked her to come to Nancy, where his regiment is encamped.

First Voice: That´s unheard of!

Second Voice: He is desperate!

First Voice: He must be.

Second Voice: Of course she had to refuse his offer. So he asked her for some written instruction, can you believe it!

First Voice: A what? He really must be desperate. Everyone knows that it wouldn´t work this way.

Second Voice: I can tell you.

First Voice: And what did Madame Deschene answer?

Second Voice: She gave him the first lesson right away by telling him how he should approach her when back in Paris. chuckles

First Voice: i hope he isn´t coming in his worn out and muddy uniform.

Second Voice: Oh dear... Both chuckle again

[Maid in Heaven]

At a Small Mansion on the Rue de la Verrerye...

First Voice: I believe congratulations are in order, Helen ?

Second Voice: Thank you, Madame la Vicomtesse. Yes, Roland has proposed and we are to be married at the end of July.

First Voice: Well, I wish you both every happiness. You well deserve the noble station you will soon enjoy, though it does mean that you will have to leave my service I fear...

Second Voice: I'd be quite happy to continue serving as your secretary, Madame...?

First Voice: Whilst it might be seemly for a Vicomtesse to serve as secretary to a great lady such as a Princesse, Marquise or Duchesse, it would not be appropriate to continue here once we are social equals, I'm afraid. I'll be more than happy to provide you with a glowing reference, of course...

Second Voice: You are too kind, Madame. Do you know of any great ladies who might be in need of my services ?

First Voice: I'm afraid not, Dear. I no longer move in those exalted circles. Will you be adopting Roland's coat of arms once you marry ?

Second Voice: It's not something we've discussed Ma'am.

First Voice: Well, I suggest you do discuss it before the wedding. When I married Christophe I already had my own, which I kept using to avoid confusion. Roland is Baron de Milly in addition to Vicomte de Graville. I believe the Barony of Milly has a coat of arms associated with it which Roland does not use? Adopting that for yourself might be advisable.

Second Voice: I'll be sure to mention it to him Ma'am.

First Voice: One final matter. The small private library my Dear Christophe kept in that locked cupboard. Did you ever get chance to examine it? You never made mention...?

Second Voice: I did indeed examine it, Ma'am, but it was quite a harrowing experience. I regret to say that the books were of a highly pornographic nature and did no credit to your late husband's memory. Unfortunately, the fly leaves were all signed, so selling them would have been impossible. I burned them all so that they could never sully his good name. I hope I didn't exceed my authority, My Lady...?

First Voice: Not at all Helen. Thank you for being so considerate. My, how I'll miss your good sense when you're gone...