“However, that in itself is not my concern,” she argued. “No, that is not my concern at all.”
He waited silently.
“I have heard about certain parties that go on in these country estates,” she began quietly.
Jean Pierre resisted the urge to roll his eyes, a juvenile gesture. “I have also heard those rumors. Are you suggesting Madame Necker is inviting my daughter to the country so she can meet an illicit lover?”
“Of course not! The very idea!” Eugenie looked shocked.
“Well then?”
“Well what?” she asked.
“If you don’t think there is anything wrong with the invitation—and you are invited as well—why not accept?
If you will be there as well, what could occur?”
“Are you suggesting that I spend every night in the same room with my granddaughter?”
Now Jean Pierre did roll his eyes. “Are you suggesting that you must become Sophie’s shadow to ensure her honor remains intact?”
“Jean Pierre! How vulgar.”
“No, Mother. You again and again make assumptions that Sophie is some dim-witted child to be followed about lest some man ravish her in the street, when in fact, Sophie is more educated than you and knows how to act in society perfectly well.”
Eugenie flushed at her son’s bold words. “She may be more educated than me, but she is not a woman of the world,” Eugenie said coldly. “And men can be very predatory.”
Jean Pierre laughed. “Predatory? You make us sound like rabid dogs in heat.”
“Your words, not mine,” she said looking away.
“I leave the choice up to you, Mère. But do keep in mind that Sophie will not be the type of woman to remain quietly at home with her embroidery. She needs and requires stimulation.”
“As long as that stimulation is not with some Frenchman who only has designs on her virtue,” Eugenie replied.
“Would you prefer an Englishman?” he said drily.
Eugenie shook her head. “Your flippancy is not appropriate, Jean Pierre.”
Eugenie stood up and looked formidable in her royal blue gown of silk. She nodded. “I will accompany Sophie to this country chateau and write the necessary letter of acceptance to Madame Necker.”
“Thank you, Mère.”
Eugenie huffed and left the room, leaving behind a grinning Jean Pierre.
***
Marie followed nearby as Lizette and Sophie walked through the outdoor market. Marie was searching for fresh vegetables and fruits for the household while Sophie was deep in thought.
Her pamphlet “Marry, Carry and Bear” was everywhere and everyone was talking about it. She had heard her father mention the pamphlet to a friend and Lizette had told her that she had heard her parents arguing about it as well. Women seemed to be in support of her pamphlet and men thought it ridiculous.
She didn’t know what to think until Monsieur Blanche sent her a note saying he would take anything her cousin had written. No one could talk of anything else. She told him that he was in Germany and that she would forward his request.
“Sophie, what do you think?”
“Of?”
“Of? Of? Of your pamphlet! No one can talk about anything else! Are you pleased?”