In the Eye of a Storm Read Free

frequently sent abroad on difficult
missions by King Louis XVI. But most pleasing of all, Laneve could finally look
forward to having a husband and a home of her own. Here she could live, dress,
entertain and build her own lifestyle, away from Mama. And after their wedding
she would learn to know him better and to love him, for this was the way of all
marriages within the French nobility.
     
    After their wedding, Laneve and her husband moved into the stately
Chateau Marais outside of the village of Montmorency. It was situated in a
valley, surrounded by gardens and forests a short distance northwest of Paris.   Her
beloved companion and friend, Malande, also joined her in her newhome.
    At last Laneve was free to set her own good taste within the expansive
estate. Its music room housed her large harpsichord together with her favourite
wedding gift, a Viennese fortepiano presented to her by Rene. He enjoyed
hearing her play, both for himself and their guests, after their frequent
dinners with friends. They spent long periods of time together conversing about
their interests, and reading aloud to one another from the books in his
extensive library. He also introduced her to lovely walks taken in the
evenings, through the gardens and woodlands. Near an old English oak tree, arm
in arm they often watched the moon rise beneath a canopy of shining stars.
    As the Marquis de Marais was in demand for his skills in diplomacy and
languages, he occasionally spent periods of time away from Laneve and their
chateau. It brought him much pleasure to note that her interest in music
sustained her while he was travelling outside of France. He also encouraged her
to invite her friends to keep her company, thus her relationship with Marie
Duval had grown even closer.
    After bidding a tearful farewell to Rene on one of his voyages, her
heart was soaring as she made plans for a visit from Marie. She would be
arriving later that morning.
    ‘Please set our luncheon table with three places today,’ Laneve told
Malande, who was now her official housekeeper.
    ‘Set one place at the head for me, another on my right for Marie and
the third on my left for a surprise guest.  I wonder who this could
be?  Marie only told me that I will be delighted. You know how she always
enjoys planning a surprise.’
    ‘ Oui , Laneve. We have already chosen the main part of the menu
but what shall cook present as a light dessert?’
    ‘Instruct her to prepare three little bowls of Montmorency cherries –
the small pinkish ones that are slightly tart. I believe she has some already
soaking in brandy. Serve these with a jug of fresh cream. My guests will enjoy
them so much.’
    Moments later Marie alighted from her coach, accompanied by a short and
slightly built man. After embracing Laneve and kissing her on both cheeks she
turned to the surprise guest. ‘Laneve, may I present the current toast of
Paris, Giovanni Battista Viotti.’
    Laneve was overcome. Here he stood before her, the Italian whose name
was on everyone’s lips. Viotti had come to Paris after a successful concert
tour of Germany, Poland and Switzerland. No one in France even knew his name -
until he presented his debut performance at the Paris Concert Spirituel .
When he first placed his violin under his chin and drew his bow across the
strings, such beauty poured forth from the soul of this modestly quiet man
alone on the stage that Paris was stunned. His playing was now on everyone’s
lips.
    ‘Viotti played here last evening and they wouldn’t let him leave the
stage.’
    ‘Did you hear that Queen Marie Antoinette was so impressed with him
that she has made him the Court Composer at Versailles. He now gives music
lessons to the royal children.’
    ‘Do you know that Viotti is being offered a fortune to play at the most
exclusive salons. When he leaves Paris he will carry bags of gold away with
him.’
    After their lunch Marie asked Laneve to perform with their guest. ‘He
has brought several