Written on Silk Read Online Free Page B

again for her special dream. “Let there be gowns sewn in Spitalfields and displayed in a fine shop on Regent Street. Even gowns of many sizes so that they can be purchased right there by passersby. Such a dress shop with our name would be unique and successful, I am sure of it.”
    “We share the same mind-set, Mademoiselle,” Sir James Hudson said. “’Tis a novel persuasion of great interest to the Hudson family as well.”
    Rachelle saw a tiny flame dance in his eyes.
    He turned to Madame Clair. “Indeed, ’tis our hope you and your daughters will come to London to oversee the opening of the first dress shop. Perhaps when the gown for Her Majesty is finished? ’Tis only fitting you attend Court when the gown is presented to our queen. Hudson Manor is always open for your stay with us. My father would be delighted to meet the Daughters of Silk and to discuss all this business to everyone’s complete satisfaction.”
    Rachelle, however, noticed a subdued response from Madame Clair. It was becoming obvious she did not want her daughters leaving France. Her heart was bound with the tragic happenings surrounding her family and the talk of a civil war between the Catholic forces and the Huguenots. No one could know how such fighting would affect the Château which had been a family enterprise in Lyon from the time of Great-Grandmère Antoinette Dushane.
    Rachelle nurtured her disappointment. A glance at her sister showed that Idelette was also disappointed. She had mentioned to Rachelle earlier that morning that Hudson had spoken to her of the hope that they would consider going to London to strengthen the alliance with the Hudson family in Spitalfields. He did not expect all three Macquinet women to make the journey, but he had suggested the possibility to Madame Clair.
    But Madame Clair merely smiled graciously at him across the table and remained noncommittal.
    Rachelle met Idelette’s gaze. We will not give up yet.
    A short time later, with breakfast finished, Cousin Bertrand retrieved his French Bible, tapped it with his finger, and said quietly, as if to himself, “Remember those who have gone before us who have endured great afflictions for His name’s sake.” Then with his Bible concealed inside his preaching satchel, he left the château to teach that morning’s message at the local Huguenot gathering.
    Idelette and Avril left soon after under the friendly escort of Sir James Hudson. As they went out the front door, Avril called to Rachelle that she would keep a place for her on the bench.
    Madame Clair’s tired face was due to more than worry over her recently widowed daughter Madeleine and the baby. Rachelle knew she had stayed up until after midnight to finish a special silk scarf for Madame Hershey, who would attend the worship meeting, and that she had been delayed in finishing the project due to Hudson’s arrival.
    As Madame Clair went to the atelier, Rachelle followed and stopped at the doorway, watching as she reached up to the shelf and brought down the scarf. She glanced over her shoulder.
    “Do go on without me, ma petite . I shall be a few minutes late. I must finish the ribbon edging. Madame Hershey will be disappointed if she cannot bring this gift with her when she leaves worship to visit her daughter. Her coach leaves for Paris soon after the meeting.”
    “Ma mère? About Sir James Hudson and going to London . . .”
    “Not now, Rachelle. I know what your wish is, but now is not the time to discuss the matter. We will wait until your père is home from Geneva. Hurry now, or you shall be late to sing the psalter.”
    Rachelle silenced her defeated sigh. She felt as though Madame Clair still thought of her as a demoiselle . She was grown now, ripe for amour and marriage — at least Marquis Fabien de Vendôme thought her a woman. He had not spoken of marriage, true, but . . .
    “Oui, ma mère,” she said with dutiful respect and did not argue. She respected her mère too much for