Author's Note: Thank you everyone for your continued interest and enjoyment in this story! If you have ideas for the story or constructive critique of my writing I would love to hear your thoughts!

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*Just to err on the side of caution, this chapter is rated M, so please proceed accordingly.*

Now, without further ado...

Chapter 17: Unconsummated

"I couldn't do it."

Sébastien sighed with frustration and empathy for his cousin. He understood how Henri could not bring himself to take his wife to bed last night, but he knew all hell will break loose when King Francis finds out later this morning. They were standing in Sébastien's chambers, which were lavishly decorated with a giant four poster bed from which hung heavy red and gold wool damask curtains. But yet this was most definitely a man's room evident by the hunting trophies displayed on the walls along with racks in the corner containing various types of swords, chainmail, and plate armour. There was a sleeveless brigandine with gilt rivets holding the plates on in rows laying on the top of his bed. Sébastien wore a tan colored gambeson over his brown trousers, which with the brigandine made Henri assume that Sébastien was preparing for some morning combat training.

Sébastien went back to the heavy oak table to pick up the sword he had been in the process of polishing when Henri had knocked on his door. The bright orange rays of sunrise streamed in through the open window along with the cool breeze of early morning.

The sun's rays glinted off the sword as Sébastien spoke rather unapologetic. "You have to. I even did you a favor last night and gave you some privacy, Henri. There is nothing you can do now, the Infanta is your wife. You must officially make her so."

"I can't..." He kicked the wooden floor with the toe of his right boot in his frustration as he ran his hands through his silky long hair.

"Was my advice no help to you at all, Henri? Your wife is not grotesque, surely that should help matters. Besides, what will you do this morning when you cannot procure sheets soaked with virgin blood?"

"I know you meant well,... But, ...I want it to be Danielle beside me in that bed. I want to learn the contours of her body, discover her idiosyncrasies, wake up to see her smiling in her sleep nuzzled beside me. I know it cannot be now, but I cannot help wanting it! I can't seem to look at Gabriella let alone touch her without feeling repulsed and reminded that I chose her. I am thus resigned to telling my father I do not plan to consummate this marriage anytime soon." he sighed, "I should not have consented..."

"Then, why did you?" Sébastien's tone was blunt, but also laced with curiosity. "I was right there in the first pew. There was nothing hindering your objection at that point, aside from whatever agreement Oncle Francis made mention of. I'm sure he would have understood."

Should I tell Bastien the truth? It could be such a release to not have this secret to burden me. I had told Signore Da Vinci before the ceremony and he had given me sound advice I knew I could not follow. But,... Sébastien? He is like a brother to me,... Perhaps he will have something different in mind?

Henri took a deep breath then plunged in, his words fast, needing to get it all out before he lost his courage. "Before the wedding, Danielle was in prison for impersonating nobility with the threat of being banished to the Americas. As a condition of her freedom, my father made me agree that I would marry Gabriella. At the wedding, when he said "remember what will happen if you do not marry her", I sacrificed our happiness to save Danielle from being exiled overseas. She does not know of this arrangement. No one does, save myself, my father, Signore Da Vinci, and now you..."

There was a long pause before Sébastien said anything. He stood there languidly running a rag with polish along the sword's blade, eyebrows furrowed deep in thought.

"You're a fuckin' fool,..."

Henri knew his cousin was right. He was a damn fool! However, he disliked salt being thrown in his wound while it is still fresh, and he glared at his cousin in response. "Fuck you!" His voice uncharacteristically venomous.

Henri never used such language, so Sébastien knew that Henri must be in agony to use the release that cursing provided a man. A release that Sébastien was all too familiar with."Truth hurts..." his voice was abrupt. "You should have ignored your father's demand and declined. If I were you,... I would have swept my love off her feet, watched her face light up in surprise only to melt in desire, and proclaimed that I would marry the woman I love before the whole congregation. To hell with them who would oppose us!"

"And what of being banished?" Henri interrupted.

"Henri...I do not sincerely think that Oncle Francis would exile a member of the nobility for such personal qualms. I think she would have been free of punishment," Sébastien was careful not to mention Danielle's name as he spoke, "especially if you had defended your love of her. You are your father's only heir,...damn it,... Henri, no matter what he threatens, he needs you to continue the line! Even if that means enduring a marriage with a less substantial dowry."

He was right once again and Henri knew it. But to hear the truth thrown at him in such a way irritated him immensely. He knew that is what he should have done and had immediately regretted not doing so as soon as he had said his vows to Gabriella. Now, there was no undoing what he had done. He was now a prisoner to this woman. Trapped in a hell of his own making with no chance of escape. And it was eating him alive!

Sébastien put the sword down on the table and walked over to Henri, wrapping a muscular arm around the taller man's shoulders. "I do not want to be so harsh with you, but I feel you need some blunt brotherly wisdom right now. You try so hard to show that you are a man capable of steering your own destiny, but yet you do not fight for want you want!" He paused. "A man would not let his father make his decisions for him...A man would have fought for the woman he loves... You still have some growing up to do, Henri."

Henri grew rigid under Sébastien's embrace, starting to seethe in anger at being subtly called a child. A sore nerve had been hit when his cousin implied that he was not a man because he did not fight for the woman he loves. Henri knew it was true and he felt such deep, wrenching cuts of remorse to his heart, it was difficult to look himself in the mirror. Sébastien sensed this and gave him an affectionate squeeze to try to calm him. "But all is not lost..."

Henri turned his head and gave Sébastien a puzzled look.

"Just because you are married does not mean you cannot have Danielle as well..." Sébastien continued as he watched Henri's face closely. "She is as of yet unmarried, and even if she were too, it would make no difference. You can do your duty to your country and fuck your wife to give France an heir." He said rather cavalier. "But make love to your soul mate on the side." His voice softer, dreamier over those last words as if he has known the pleasure that sex with your perfect other half can be like.

Henri stared at Sébastien like he had just sprouted a second head. Sébastien gave an unrestrained laugh, "Don't look so horrified at the idea! You would not be the first nobleman to do so..."

"No, I know I would not... Just,... I-... I don't believe Danielle would be receptive to such an arrangement." Henri thought back to the night before the wedding, when he had seduced Danielle into making love against her initial refusal to go against God's laws.

"We shouldn't..."

"We should..." He remembered the taste of her soft lips as if he had just kissed them a minute ago.

"But, you're getting married tomorrow..." Danielle had said wistfully.

"All the more reason we should. I love you and I want to know you the way a man should know the woman he loves. Don't you want to have me completely as well?"

He smiled as he remembered the exchange and the hungry kisses that had been Danielle's affirmative reply. Then her raspy, whispered words, "I want you...completely...and forever."

Oh, forever... Sounds so far, far away now... Henri thought.

"She holds high morals..." Henri said reluctantly as he remembered how delicious she was once he had enticed her to abandon her inhibitions.

Sébastien smiled slowly, "Those morals are easy to tear away if the woman wants you badly enough. If she loves you as much as you do her, and you woo her as if you were presenting her with your heart on a silver platter, any resistance would melt away and she'd be molasses in your arms."

The notion sounded incredibly enticing to Henri. He thought maybe it might be fairly easy to strip Danielle of her morals, since it had worked the night before his wedding. If what Sébastien was suggesting could really work, he would not have to lose Danielle. From that night he had just been remembering, he knew how it easy it was to release the hidden animal within her and he had relished the predatory look of hunger that had been in her eyes; the urgency with which she had forced him onto the bed and tore his clothes away. He vowed that the next time he could see Danielle he would broach the idea to her; and God willing she was receptive or else he feared he would go mad with wanting her!

A smile, the first since he had left Danielle's arms the other day, spread across his lips. He had renewed hope now. Something to live for! It would become his soul purpose now to see Danielle as much as possible in secret and how he would relish their trysts if she would permit them! "Thank you Sébastien! You have given me excellent counsel!"

"That is the only counsel I know how to give, Cousin!" He smirked. He could see the life slowly coming back into Henri's vacant eyes as he hoped that he could keep Danielle as a mistress. But, he knew there was still tremendous amounts of pain in Henri's heart, that if Danielle did not agree... Would completely shatter his already broken heart.

When Gabriella woke up the following morning Henri was long gone. She could tell he had been gone awhile due to the coldness of the sheets on his side of the bed. She stretched and exhaled a long breath as she stared at the empty space Henri had occupied. Gabriella found the emptiness to be surprisingly disconcerting and she felt some unnamed emotion welling up inside her. She was all alone in this country and now married. With marriage usually comes a certain intimacy, which so far her union has lacked. She craved to feel loved once again, and the realization hit her heart like someone had just knocked all the breath out of her lungs.

"I have a husband..." She whispered to herself disbelievingly as she clutched her chest as if in mortal pain.

When she thought the word husband, automatically an image of Alejandro floated across her subconscious. His tanned face framed with long, dark hair smiling at her only to waver from her vision like a reflection on a rippling pond. She breathed in deeply, a pang constricting her chest, as she remembered him at the altar still proclaiming his love for her and then her refusal to forgive his deception as Juan.

"I'm such a proud fool..." She admonished herself. "If I could have been more forgiving I could be blissfully married to him now. I would be in a marriage consumed by love and the object of my husband's devotion. There would not be a moment he wouldn't try to kiss me, caress me, or find any possible reason to leave me clothed." She hit the pillow beside her in her frustration. "Yet... I chose a man who cannot even look at me without revulsion." Silent tears fell from her eyes, "And what is much worse... I think Alejandro was right... I think some part of me wants Henri..."

Gabriella had no idea how similar she was to her new husband in this regard. Danielle had deceived Henri into believing her to be Comtesse Nicole de Lancré just as Alejandro led Gabriella to believe he was a common servant named Juan Romero. The incredible difference between husband and wife, however, was that Henri was able to forgive Danielle. More importantly, that Henri was deeply in love with Danielle and Gabriella found herself wavering between her new husband and the man she had so desperately wanted to marry before he had disguised himself to spy on her.

There was a knock at the door, which then slowly swung open with a creak of the floorboard as Esmée entered the chamber. Gabriella welcomed the familiar, friendly face and for the first time greeted the sixteen year old with a bright smile. She was only a year younger than herself, but Gabriella felt much older than her. Perhaps it was her confidence and airs as a noblewoman, or it could be Esmée's shyness that made her seem much younger.

For the first time, Gabriella embraced the French language and spoke to Esmée in French, cheerily. "Good morning! You is good?"

Esmée smiled at the princess' broken French, but nodded pleasantly. She appreciated and enjoyed her mistress' effort to finally embrace French culture. She wondered what spurred this sudden interest. "I am very well, thank you, m'lady." She went to the window and drew back the curtains and then she went to stand by Gabriella's bedside. "Can I help you dress?"

Gabriella pondered over the words, but all she could understand was 'you' and 'help'. Esmée saw her puzzlement and mimed pulling on a skirt and lacing up her bodice to which Gabriella smiled in understanding. She shook her head then, "No." She paused searching her memory for the suitable French words. "I want you help me with French."

Esmée was surprised with Gabriella's request and she nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, of course!" She lowered her voice, shy to ask. "What has changed your ladyship's mind about France?"

Gabriella decided she need an ally in this foreign land,.. A friend. And though Esmée was but a common lady's maid, she felt a kinship with her, a trust, that she sorely needed. "First, now call me Gabriella. Second,... I need my husband's heart. I am here. I need to live..."

She has resigned herself to the fact that she is French now! Esmée thought to herself, astonished. I guess she realizes that she needs to embrace the culture of her new home to start to live once more. And as such,... Maybe win her husband's love. It was a noble approach to start her new life here as a married woman and Esmée commended the princess' decision. She smiled broadly, feeling like she has just been accepted into an inner, higher circle at court somehow.

"I would be most honored to assist you, my lady." Esmée curtsied.

Gabriella smiled, "...Gabriella."

Esmée blushed and looked at the ornately carpeted floor, "Gabriella." Looking back up at the new Dauphine, Esmée spoke in a teacher-like tone, her confidence rising from the high esteem Gabriella was placing on her. "From now on then, it would be best if you spoke only French. Complete immersion will help you learn faster."

Gabriella translated the words in her mind, still thinking each meaning in Spanish first and then nodded. She was silently amazed at how much French she actually remembered from the lessons she had hardly paid attention to all those years. "Yes, of course."

"Okay... Now, I need you to get out of bed, so I can dress you. His Majesty would like to see you and Prince Henri as soon as you're presentable."

Oh No! He wants to see the sheets! Gabriella thought frantically. Now she was panicking. They were still stark white! She has been witness to the King's anger already and she was afraid of that anger being directed at her. Of course, she knew it was the man's job to take his wife and so the King will most likely direct most of his anger towards his son. However, she knew she was to blame as well. She had not made an effort to be enticing to her new husband. She had not been affectionate or seductive. She realized now that maybe if she had shown some warmth or compassion towards Henri, maybe last night would have gone differently. They had both lost the ones they loved yesterday, but she had been so selfish thinking only of her own sorrow that she had not thought that Henri could be feeling similarly.

What if I were to be more feminine and soft? What if I were the first one to show affection? Would Henri reciprocate my advances? Gabriella thought to herself. Or would he turn away from me? She realized also that she feared rejection. But, she also feared the King and she knew she was just as at fault as her husband in this matter. She vowed at this moment to make a stronger effort to gain her husband's affections. Their vows had stated till death do us part and she knew she was trapped in this life until the Lord called her home. So, she had better make the best of her situation!

"Monsieur Le Dauphin et Madame La Dauphine..." Gabriella heard herself and Henri announced as they walked into the throne room side by side.

The room still intimidated Gabriella as all she could remember was the first time she had walked down the length of this hall. It had been like walking the gauntlet. The cruel whispers, the looks from the ladies, then the looming figure of the King! Then to top it all off, Henri had been late and once he had arrived he had barely looked at her! Now...she was married to him and his manner still had not changed!

Her shoes clicked on the marble floor as they made their way up to the dais. Early afternoon sunshine poured in through the high windows to the right and warmed her face. Which felt warm enough already from her nervousness and her heart pounded against her chest. She longed to clasp her hand in Henri's. She was so tempted to reach out the few inches that separated them and grab his hand. The touch would comfort her, give her strength and a sense that she was not alone to face the King's wrath. But instead, that husband and wife were in this together. Lacking the courage though, Gabriella kept her hand at her side.

Gabriella gave a sideways glance up at Henri, curious to see if he looked as nervous as she felt. His expression was cold, blank, and unreadable to her. He is probably used to receiving his father's wrath... Gabriella thought to herself, But I am not! I want you to comfort me, Henri!

They both stopped before the dais and bowed. Gabriella was trembling so much she almost lost her balance and toppled over. Francis, she noted, did not look angry, yet nor did he appear cordial. Marie gave them a soft smile, her expression betrayed nothing to hint as to what was to come. Francis waved his hand lazily indicating that they should rise.

"So, my son, ... Did you enjoy your wedding night?" His eyes sparkled with hope that the deed was done.

"Would you enjoy crushing the heart and soul of the woman you love and then be forced to lay with a stranger your father has chosen for you?" Henri spat at his father.

His words were cryptic to Francis, but he did not like the tone his son's words were taking. "Explain yourself further, Henri. Have you consummated this marriage?"

Gabriella understood that last question clearly and she turned her head to see Henri's face as he answered. She didn't realize that she was holding her breath in her fright.

"No." The word slipped from Henri's lips without hesitation.

"NO!" Francis echoed, enraged and bewildered that this should be the response that he receives. "What do you mean, 'No'? That is not an acceptable answer! I explicitly told you last night that I was not to be disappointed this morning!"

"I mean exactly what I said, father. No... Nor do I plan on consummating this marriage at all!" Gabriella's eyes widen to hear this. She could not understand everything, but she understood that Henri will not bed her.

"You don't-" Francis started in his anger, needing to pause to compose himself before he reamed into his only son. Standing up from his throne he paced along the dais. "You won't take her?! You won't!" He thundered, "Sacrebleu, you damn well will! You are not going to make a mockery of my court, Henri. If this is some game of yours to incite an annulment, it will not work! This is not England!"

"I am not playing a game with you, father! I am only playing the game you have forced me to play and if I see a move my chess piece can make, I will utilize it." Gabriella was surprised to hear the iron in Henri's voice as he spoke, it made her frightened.

Francis paused, then said, "Let me see proof that my son has indeed failed France..."

A guard shoved Esmée forward before the King. Her hands were clutching the sheets from the Dauphine's bed. Gabriella's heart went out to her maid, to see her trembling like a lone leaf in a hurricane before the King of France. She bowed, and Gabriella noted, probably more gracefully than she had done.

"Well... Spread them out! What are you waiting for?!" Francis yelled at the girl.

Esmée did not blink at the King's impatience. She trembled, but Gabriella now saw that Esmée appeared rather collected, as if she has been thrown to the wolves countless times before and knows how to defend herself against their bite.

Spreading out the sheets, it became quickly obvious that there were no blood stains on them. Francis' eyes darkened dangerously to see his son's disobedience displayed before him and his closest advisers.

"Sébastien!" King Francis yelled and Gabriella swore he could be heard all the way across the sea in the Americas!

He had been trying to sneak out of the throne room just as Francis bellowed for him. From a corner of the room, two guards had their hands clutched around the upper arms of the dark haired young man Gabriella remembered from last night. The guards dragged the roguishly handsome man to the center of the room and tossed him before the king. The clean gambeson he wore this morning was now dirty, blood-stained, and grass-stained, and still damp with sweat as was his hair. Gabriella noted that for the first time since they entered the room, Henri's face betrayed fear. He must really care about this man to worry about what will happen to him... She thought.

Sébastien brushed himself off, though the remnants from his training this morning still clung to his clothes. He appeared cavalier as he smiled and replied, "Really? Was that really necessary? I woul-"

He was cut off by his uncle, "Enough, Sébastien!" the dark tone of Francis' voice made Sébastien turn immediately serious as he listened. "I thought I had told you that you were to stay until you witnessed the deed was done?"

Sébastien had wanted to give his cousin his privacy, so he had left when Henri got into the bed. That had been good enough for him. He had thought his advice would have aided Henri and he'd be able to take his wife's virginity with ease. He found out this morning that was not the case. Henri had disregarded the aid he had given him. He stood straighter, defensively, as he answered his uncle, "You did... And I did as instructed..."

Sébastien's head whipped to the side with the sudden force of the back of Francis' hand. A large jeweled ring the king was wearing had cut Sébastien just above his right eyebrow. He stood straight once more, touching his head with the first two fingers of his right hand, Sébastien pulled his hand away to see blood on his fingers. He looked back up at Francis with dismay. He had never struck him before. He was his uncle's favorite nephew, had even out right told him so, and was stunned by this action. This was evident in his deep blue eyes as he seemed to lose the carefree countenance he usually aired.

"Do not lie to me..." Francis' voice was low and full of warning. He saw the look in his nephew's eyes and immediately had regretted striking him. He supposed he had struck Sébastien because he could not bring himself to punish his own son. But, a King does not apologize,... Even to family.

"I am not-" Sébastien started but was cut off by another blow to his face. This time the ring cut his lip. But this time, instead of dismayed hurt, the strike welled up anger within Sébastien and he glared at his uncle, his blue eyes turning to ice.

"I know you are lying! These sheets prove it! If you had done as ordered, there would have been more pressure on my son to do what is expected of him!" He could not believe he had let his anger get the better of him that he would hit his nephew again. But Francis was blind with rage that those so close to him would be so disobedient! It was as if years of Henri's resistance had built up a rage within the King that he needed to release and Sébastien had been the nearest target of his wrath.

"I am not at fault here!" Sébastien yelled, not afraid to raise his voice to the King of France. "I saw Henri get into bed with her and that was enough for me! I had wished that my attendees would have given me such courtesy on my wedding night instead of witnessing my novice fumbles! Besides..." His voice softer as he glanced at Gabriella, "I was thinking of the bride... They are frightened enough without having an audience!" In fact, Gabriella had reminded him of Adèle, and he did for Henri and Gabriella what no one did for him and Adèle. Sébastien remembered Adèle's nervously rigid body and the embarrassment in her eyes as he had tried his best to shield her from view of the many eyes that had watched them with his own body.

He had left out of respect for me?! Gabriella thought to herself, shocked, as she stared at Sébastien as if seeing a different man from the one that had leered at her last night. She had not understood very much of his conversation with Henri, but it had appeared to her that Sébastien had thought very little of her last night. I guess I could've been mistaken...

"I want you out of my sight! Go!" Francis said angrily to his nephew. Some part of him though, was dismissing Sébastien because he felt too guilty at his own lack of restraint to look at him right now.

Sébastien turned to leave and Henri grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Thank you, Bastien. I know you w-"

"No..." Sébastien interrupted. He appeared somber, Henri noted, which was unusual for the carefree, jovial cousin he knew. But he had just been publicly humiliated for doing Henri a favor, which Henri had been too stubborn to appreciate. He needed to escape. "Just don't..." His tone made Henri think that he was angry with him, though he could not see why Sébastien should be.

Before Henri could question him, Sébastien roughly pulled his arm free and walked out of the throne room. Leaving Henri to turn to look back at his father. Gabriella stood meekly next to her husband, but ready to defend him should Francis further berate him. And now, she felt ready to defend Sébastien in his absence as she felt a new surge of respect for him.

Francis sighed, defeated, rubbing his temple with his left hand, "I sincerely don't know what I am going to do with you, Henri. Only to say that this type of interview will continue every morning until you have performed your matrimonial duty."

"Then I look forward to having this conversation once more with you tomorrow."

Gabriella stared apprehensively at her stern husband and thought to herself, ...How am I going to win over my husband when he is so set on keeping me at arm's length?!