VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, [9], 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 20:06:00 02/19/08 Tue
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port154.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.154
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 141
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 01:01:21 02/11/08 Mon

Chapter 141

“Very sweet.” Gabrielle snapped cynically while she tapped her foot impatiently.

“I thought so too.” Robert replied sincerely as he rapidly clicked off one photograph after another.

The lovely blonde Monsieur Samuelle had married was extremely photogenic. Her features were open and guileless and there was very little makeup on them. The raspberry coloured gown she wore showcased her beauty and Robert couldn’t wait to see how these photographs turned out.

‘Wow!’ Robert thought, ‘She’s gorgeous! Louis is going to be very impressed with these pictures!’

“You’re serious!” Gabrielle said, as she cast a shocked glance in her beau’s direction. “If this were any more saccharine, I’d gag.”

“My… aren’t you a nice person.” Robert said sarcastically as he looked down his nose at his date. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? Look at her…. she’s not one of us! He’s married a pretty little anglais! As a Frenchwoman, I’m insulted!” Gabrielle snapped.

Gabrielle’s obvious disdain for the beautiful woman before them astonished him. He couldn’t believe that the kind-hearted person he thought he knew was being this insensitive to a total stranger.

In a flash, he realized that her continued insistence on being callous to this lovely lady was most likely based on her preconceived prejudices and not on the evidence before them.

Robert knew that his assumptions seemed unbelievable, but the more he looked at the lovely Nikita through his camera lens, the more he found the idea that this woman had married Monsieur Samuelle for monetary reasons to be laughable.

Robert knew that some Anglais would fit Gabrielle’s previously stated notions but he also knew those assumptions could just as easily be applied to the French society witches who were present tonight. He couldn’t pinpoint it logically, but there was a softness… an innocence that surrounded the lovely woman beside Monsieur Samuelle like an aura. He found that intriguing, and his instincts told him that Nikita was not like the other women present.

‘And what are you basing this on?’ he asked himself. ‘Why couldn’t Gabrielle be correct?’

Raising his camera once again, he used it simply as a magnifying device, and refrained from snapping off pictures for a minute. What he saw in the new Madame Samuelle’s eyes, gave him pause.

‘She’s scared!’ he thought. Then he watched as she turned her gaze to her husband and smiled. ‘She adores him! It’s so plain…. Why can’t Gabrielle see it? I’ve never seen a young woman look at a man with that sort of adoration before! Monsieur… I hope you know what you have there, and that you never lose it!’

Steeling himself to shoot down Gabrielle’s assumptions, he began to speak and hoped he could somehow convince her.

“What is the matter with you Gabrielle? So, she’s English speaking. We knew that when we came here. Why can’t you be happy for Monsieur Samuelle? Look at the man… he’s happy! He’s a good man too and he does a lot of good for a lot of people. He deserves this. God knows his last marriage wasn’t happy. It’s nice to see that he seems happy now.”

“Oh really?” Gabrielle retorted snidely. “How can he be happy with her? She’ll never fit in here. She’s just not one of us!”

“Yes, he does.” Robert said, disappointed in her jaded attitude. “You may not remember his first wife, but I do. What a witch she was! This lady’s looking at him with respect and love. And she’ll fit in, as you put it, if we let her.”

“If *we* let her?” Gabrielle said condescendingly. “It doesn’t matter what we do Robert, she won’t fit in. She doesn’t think like us and she never will be one of us!”

“Gabrielle how can you even think those things? Look at her, really look at her! She’s scared… but she loves him. Are you that blinded by hatred that you can’t see it?”

“I’d be ‘adoring’ too if I had access to his wealth!” Gabrielle said with a sneer.

“I can’t believe you!” Robert hissed. “I may not know the lady, but I know phoniness when I see it. I refuse to believe that lovely woman is anything like the society witches here tonight.”

“Based on what?” Gabrielle scoffed condescendingly. “Explain it to me. I don’t get it.”

“No… I don’t think so.” Robert replied. “You’re in no frame of mind right now and you’ve had one too many drinks too.”

“Robert, I’ve had one drink.” Gabrielle said in disgust. “You wouldn’t let me have any more!”

“I know… but when you get this bitchy Gabrielle, you get as out of control as if you’d had several.” Robert said quietly. “You’re being as nasty and catty as those witches over there. I don’t know if I want to know you when you’re like this.”

Gabrielle gasped, and an uncomfortable silence began.

‘Mon Dieu!’ Gabrielle thought. ‘I’m right! I know I am! Why can’t he see it? The little blonde over there is a gold digger. It’s obvious! I need to prove it to him… but he’s smitten because she’s so gorgeous! Why is it that men can’t see beyond a pretty face? I’ll have to convince him that I agree with him about her “goodness!” ’

After about five minutes of seeming reflection, an apparently repentant Gabrielle began to speak.

“You’re right. I’m sorry Robert.” She lied quietly. “I’m being a bitch. I just want to get a story on her so badly. Louis doesn’t think I’m capable and I want to prove him wrong.”

Robert shook his head. He wasn’t sure whether to be disgusted with the woman next to him or not.

“It’s not worth it.” He finally replied.

“What’s not worth it?” Gabrielle responded in surprise at Robert’s simple response.

“Fighting over what we think Madame Samuelle is like.” He replied. “I think she’s a good person.”

“And you base that on?” Gabrielle retorted, still not convinced, but trying to sound calm.

“I’m not sure Gabrielle, but I feel it.” Robert replied.

“You feel it. Oh, that’s accurate.” Gabrielle said sarcastically.

“Oui, I know. And you feel she’s a conniving, fortune hunting witch.” Robert retorted. “How accurate is that Gabrielle?”

Gabrielle made a disgusted tisking sound and Robert resumed his speech.

“I’m willing to bet you’re wrong about Madame Samuelle.” He said in challenge.

Gabrielle smiled slightly, understanding his unspoken dare. He knew she hadn’t repented but was willing to prove her wrong. She was up to the challenge and swiftly replied. “Fair enough, you’re on. What else do you think, Robert?”

“I think you should get your story another time.” Robert said softly. “Louis will understand, I promise.”

“You think so?” Gabrielle asked in surprise.

“Yes I do.” Robert said sincerely. “He’s not the ogre you think he is. I doubt very much that he’d approve of harassing this lady and especially tonight.”

“No, I suppose not.” Gabrielle admitted softly. ‘No Louis is like any other man when it comes to a pretty face… Men! They’re all so gullible!’ “I’m sorry Robert.”

‘I can’t believe how trusting he is!’ she thought cynically. ‘And yet; could he be right? Am I being unfair to the blonde?’

“That’s okay.” Robert said with a smile as he waived off her repeated apology. “Besides, if you behave and promise me you’ll leave her alone tonight, I’ll explain what I meant.”

“Fine, you win.” Gabrielle said softly as she began to feel ashamed of her behaviour and thoughts.

‘He’s really a nice man.’ She thought in surprise. ‘Why have I never seen that before?’

“Thank you.” Robert replied sincerely. This was the woman he’d first been attracted to; not the pushy reporter.

“So? What is it about her that’s so appealing other than the fact that she’s drop dead gorgeous?” Gabrielle queried.

‘Ah… is there some basic envy going on here? Is that why she’s been so hostile?’ Robert wondered.

“Well…” Robert began quietly, “there’s something about her…”

“Like what?” Gabrielle interrupted impatiently.

“I’m not sure how to phrase it Gabrielle. Some might call it her ‘essence’, some her might call it her spirit, or even her soul, if that makes more sense.” Robert continued.

“Her soul?” Gabrielle echoed disbelievingly. “Oh come on Robert, that’s reaching. No one can see that.”

“I know, but photographers notice things that we can’t always define in practical terms. All I do know is that there’s something about this lady that makes me think that she’s different. I don’t know a thing about her of course, but as soon as I saw her eyes I felt it.”

“Felt what?” Gabrielle asked curiously.

“That she’s sweet and gentle. There’s also something else about her that I can’t define.... something that makes me want to protect her. Like a brother would.” Robert revealed. “If that’s what Monsieur Davenport saw in her too, it’s no wonder he’s so protective of her!”

“You got all that from across the room this quickly?” Gabrielle asked in amazement.

“Yeah.” Robert replied sheepishly. “Sounds crazy, doesn’t it. I envy Monsieur Samuelle. I have no doubt every man here feels the same.”

“Well,” Gabrielle replied, sighing as she opted for complete honesty for a change, “every man might, but it’s too bad that the women here don’t share your opinion.”

“What do you mean?” Robert replied.

“Look over there, where Veronique Dansereau and Claire Boulanger are sitting.” Gabrielle said as she gestured towards the two society women who were seated across the room. “They look like they want to lynch her.”

Robert looked across the room at the two women she was indicating and shuddered. He remembered the two women from previous photographic assignments he’d gone on for the paper. He’d never liked either one. In his opinion, both were spoiled and vindictive tramps.

As usual, both were elegantly clad, but Robert was not naive enough to believe that their lovely exterior held anything within but a vile nest of poisonous vipers. He remembered all too well being on the receiving end of their spiteful demeanor on more than one occasion.

As he watched the predatory looks they were aiming at Nikita Samuelle, he shivered and his gut churned. There was no doubt in his mind that Gabrielle’s assessment on these women was completely accurate.

“They’re planning something.” He stated unequivocally.

“I don’t know if they’re smart enough to plan anything Robert, but I think they’re jealous.” Gabrielle concurred. She didn’t like either woman from her dealings with them either. “We’ll have to keep an eye on them.”

“Yeah.” Robert agreed. “Who knows what those witches will do!”

“Well,” Gabrielle concurred, “It’s a good thing we’re here to record it. We’ll keep an eye on your ‘friend’. I would hate for those witches to get away with anything.”

“Why?” Robert asked curiously as he turned inquisitive eyes in Gabrielle’s direction. “I mean a few minutes ago you wanted to go after Nikita Samuelle no matter how upset you made her… for a story.”

“I didn’t really want to hurt her Robert, I just wanted a story.” Gabrielle admitted, in seeming reluctance. Inwardly she was still convinced the lovely blonde had married Monsieur Samuelle for his money, but knew now that Robert did not agree.

‘I’ll prove it to him.’ She decided.

Continuing, she gave a convenient excuse for her earlier behaviour; “I wanted some respect from Louis.”

“So you admit you were just thinking about yourself.” Robert said with a wry grin; honestly accepting her excuse at face value.

He wanted to believe the woman he’d been dating was a good person, but her earlier outburst had given him pause.

“Yeah, but it looks like I’m going to get a story anyway because unless I’m wrong, they’re out to get her.” Gabrielle retorted.

“I think so too. Are you sure you want to do this?” Robert asked quietly.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Gabrielle said with a wry grin. “I’m not sure I see what you do in her, but maybe if we’re lucky I might get my story and we might be able to help her too.”

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.