In the Eye of a Storm Read online

  In the Eye of a Storm

  Mary Mageau

  DOCTORZED PUBLISHING

  In the Eye of a Storm

  Copyright © 2011 Mary Mageau

  Mary Mageau asserts the moral right of the author of this title.

  1st ebook edition 2011

  DoctorZed Publishing

  www.doctorzed.com

  eISBN: 978-0-9871239-2-3

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned or transmitted in any printed or electronic form without prior permission from the publisher.

  Please do not participate in and/or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the Author’s rights.

  Acknowledgements

  Personal acknowledgements and appreciation are due to Pauline Reckentin for the time and assistance she spent in working with me as my editor and proof reader. I would also like to thank Australian writer, Penny Garnsworthy, for reading my manuscript and writing its first review.

  Other Titles by Mary Mageau

  The Trousseau

  An Antique Brooch

  INDEX

  Chapter I

  Chapter II

  Chapter III

  Chapter IV

  Chapter V

  Chapter VI

  Chapter VII

  Chapter VIII

  Chapter IX

  Chapter X

  Chapter XI

  Chapter XII

  The Author

  I.

  ‘And to think that she is only thirteen years of age!’ The Marquise du Laungier spoke excitedly to the distinguished guests who were gathering in her elegant music room. For many years her salons had become famous throughout France. Here the latest literary writing and poetry was heard, the art of conversation offered great delights, but above all – fine music was enjoyed. Voltaire, frail in his declining years, was seated in a comfortable sofa in a corner. Dunod, the young Count de Charnade, had drawn up his chair nearby and the two were chatting amiably.

  Liveried footmen escorted other guests to their gilded chairs, which were covered in embroidered damask. Anticipation electrified the air as silence slowly settled over the room. All eyes were focused now on a young girl who sat alone at the harpsichord.

  Laneve de Nervode trembled slightly as she mused, ‘Wouldn’t Papa and Mama be proud of me today? Ever since I was a small child of five years I pleaded with them to give me music lessons. They always found me the very best teachers and here I am now, in this grand chateau.’

  Laneve, herself a member of the nobility, was elegantly dressed in pale blue satin and lace. Her abundance of softly curling brown hair, rolled and pinned to the sides of her head, was decorated with small spring flowers. She wore her mother’s three strand pearl necklace which made her feel like a great lady. But at this moment, all of Laneve’s thoughts were focused on the magnificent harpsichord before her. Overcome with delight she suddenly exclaimed aloud, ‘This beautiful harpsichord is the largest one I’ve ever seen.’ A light ripple of laughter flowed through the audience.

  In reply the marquise spoke, ‘Everyone is seated now, ma cher, so you may begin.’

  Laneve took a slow deep breath then lifted her small hands to the keyboard. The plaintive notes of Dandrieu’s piece, ‘The Lyre of Orpheus’ filled the room. Her ears told her that its sound, both rich and expressive, had captured the attention of her listeners. She ventured next into a ‘Suite’ by Couperin which delighted the audience with its technical demands of cross hand arabesques, intricate ornaments and flourishes. Two more quiet and expressively beautiful pieces followed until Laneve reached her final musical offering. For the last she had saved Rameau’s great tour de force, the ‘Gavotte with Variations.’

  Now she was completely in control. Laneve and this wonderful instrument were as one. She could move commandingly between the two keyboards, adding a brilliant four foot stop here and there, removing this to colour the music with the dry plucking sound of the buff stop, then quickly coupling the two keyboards to bring forward the brilliant spectrum of this glorious instrument. One by one she worked her way through Rameau’s ever more challenging and difficult variations until the final one, ‘The Black Pearl,’ approached. Her many hours of practice and study were met and tested as its scales, arpeggios and broken octaves showered like a torrent of golden sparks, cascading from a whirling Catherine wheel.

  At the final mighty chords the salon erupted into cries of ‘Magnifique – Bravo!’ Then the Count de Charnade rose to his feet as one by one all in the audience followed. On and on they applauded.

  The marquise thanked her graciously as a trembling Laneve acknowledged their praise and slowly withdrew from the music room.

  ‘Ah, this musical gathering has been a great success today,’ the Marquise du Laungier remarked. ‘Oh what a talent and what charm! The performance here today has made this gathering my most memorable music salon by far.’

  And I too have been a success today thought Laneve, as her young chaperone, Malande Dubois, helped her into her wrap. A footman escorted them to their coach and they departed through the chateau’s front gates. On her journey home, Laneve’s thoughts were happy ones as she confided to her companion. ‘Even though this was my first performance for a great salon in a chateau, I hope to enjoy many more in the years to come. Yes, I love to play and especially when I can do so on such a fine harpsichord.’

  ‘Oui, Laneve, you have always worked so diligently for your musical art. Both Mama and Papa will be proud of you today.’

  And as the marquise and her guests retired to the drawing room, to enjoy her post-concert refreshments, many approached her with their thanks and appreciation.

  The Count de Charnade caught her attention and expressed his total admiration for young Laneve. ‘And to think that even Voltaire remained awake throughout her entire program! You know how often he nods off to sleep during concerts.’

  Laughing the marquise said to all present, ‘I believe we will hear again from this young performer - this Laneve de Nervode. She is so sweet, so beautiful, and yet serious and mature for her tender years. A talent such as this one has, will not remain hidden. All of you, my dear friends, mark my words today. In times to come this young Laneve de Nervode shall indeed be noticed.’

  II.

  ‘Now play this final section again for me, Laneve. Do not slow the tempo before the end but keep the excitement flowing until the very last chords.’

  ‘Very well, Monsieur Dussek.’ Laneve turned back to the keyboard, took a deep breath and launched into the music’s finale. Now at twenty one years of age she was approaching the height of her performance powers. Under the tutelage of this fine Bohemian composer, pianist and teacher, Laneve was growing more confident and her own talents were slowly gaining recognition.

  ‘Was it better this time, Monsieur - more convincing perhaps?’

  ‘Laneve, you can play this work anywhere now and in any place. Well done! And before you leave this afternoon I have a surprise for you.’

  Jan Ladislav Dussek had arrived in Paris that very year and had taken the city by storm. He had already become well known in the Netherlands, Germany and Russia through a series of concerts that featured him performing his own piano concertos. Recently he had found favour with Queen Marie Antoinette and he had developed a studio that produced a number of fine pianists.

  ‘Now I hear a carriage outside and want you to meet another of my prize students, Marie Duval. You have heard of her perhaps? Her father is one of the architects advising King Louis XVI.’

  ‘Yes I have. So many others tell me that she is very talented and plays so well.’

  ‘I know you will enjoy one another’s company and who knows – today
you may even find a new friend.’

  Moments later a lovely young woman was ushered into Dussek’s large music room. ‘Bonjour, Monsieur Dussek.’

  ‘Bonjour, Marie. And may I finally introduce Laneve de Nervode to you.’

  ‘Enchante, Laneve, and what a delight it is to make your acquaintance. I have heard so many wonderful comments about you and your fine talent for music. I have always hoped that one day we would meet.’

  ‘And I too, Marie, am so pleased to finally meet you.’

  Laneve felt an immediate affection for Marie Duval, for her warmth, her sense of style and for the elegance of her flowered summer dress. But it was her hat, that remarkable hat that caught her eye. Laneve loved hats, especially the new casual and wide brimmed straw hats that were beautifully trimmed with flowers and feathers. Marie was also dressed in the current and less formal English fashion. Her hair was rolled at the sides but flowed freely in long curls that cascaded down her back and over one of her shoulders. Her lace trimmed dress was of a light muslin fabric with a floral toile print. Its full skirt ended above the floor in the new polonaise style, allowing occasional glimpses of her slim ankles. Even her shoes were lovely, featuring little curved heels and satin bows decorating the front, each set off by a small rosette. Marie Duval was kind, attractive and totally feminine.

  Next to Marie, Laneve felt awkward and too formally dressed. At last she had taken a stand at home about her choice of clothing. Against Mama’s better wishes Laneve had finally refused to adopt the stiff and conventional clothing and the powdered hair so favoured by the Ancien Regime. It was always a struggle to dress now in a more feminine and light hearted style even though she loved her family and tried to respect their wishes.

  ‘Oh Laneve, why is all your beautiful hair and all those curls, flying loose about your head and shoulders again.’

  ‘Come Mama, this is the new style. And I won’t cover my hair with powder, ever again.’

  ‘Your hair is your greatest beauty Laneve, but why do you leave it looking so untidy and windswept? All these new fashions – oh they are all so common – so lacking in the regal sense.’

  ‘Oh Mama, can’t you see how pretty and comfortable they are.’

  ‘We love you, Laneve, but you are becoming very wilful, especially about your clothing.’

  Because Laneve’s family were formal and correct at all times she was finding it especially difficult to break away from her mother’s rigid restrictions. Her only close friend was a cousin, Vivienne de Nervode, but thankfully she was also able to enjoy the company of Malande. In her heart Laneve hoped that she and Marie would see more of one another.

  Dussek interrupted her thoughts. ‘Now that you have met it’s time for my surprise! Come with me, both of you, into my study.’ Dussek led the two young women into the next room and there before the window it stood - a magnificent new fortepiano. Both of them gasped with wonder at the fine sheen on the wooden cabinet of cherry, with its inlay of delicate scroll work and a narrow strip of gold veneer.

  ‘It has finally arrived from Augsburg and was built in the factory of Johann Stein. But just wait until you hear it. When you touch the keys lightly you can create a softer sound. When you press down more heavily on them the volume will increase. You can play both loud and soft, hence its name – fortepiano, from the Italian. Now look here, because a quill no longer plucks the strings as in a harpsichord. Instead a little hammer strikes the string. You can truly express yourself at this instrument. You can draw music from your soul and play it straight from your heart. But enough of my rambling! You must play it for me now.’

  Dussek placed a Mozart Sonata on the music rack. It was composed as a duet for two players. ‘Do you know that Mozart himself has a Johann Stein fortepiano? The fortepiano is not a new instrument either as old Bach played one built by Silbermann back in 1747 three years before he died. Bach was nearly blind then and was visiting King Frederick the Great at Sans Souci, his summer palace. But goodness me, I talk too much. I ramble on so, don’t I? Laneve, you play the soprano staves and Marie, read the bass. You can both fit comfortably together on this wide piano bench. Now, my two fine students, let me hear you begin.’

  What wonder and joy the two young women experienced as they exulted in the beautiful tone of this instrument. When they completed the sonata, Laneve and Marie changed places to enable them to work with the different registers. Next Marie chose and performed a solo piece that was fast and brilliant. Laneve then selected slower music that gave full reign to her great expressive powers. They laughingly played duets together again and after hugging one another in sheer delight, each added another solo. And so an afternoon of learning, exploration and great joy flew by. The beautiful new fortepiano was coaxed into presenting all of its potential in a dazzling variety of music making.

  ‘My goodness, look at the clock!’ Dussek suddenly noticed that the sun was setting and it was well past the time that Marie and Laneve should be leaving. ‘Your parents will be furious if I keep you after dark.’ But what did it matter as today Marie had discovered that she longed to work further with a new instrument and Laneve realized that she had finally found the perfect vehicle to give wings to her expressive powers. And both young women laughed and embraced one another again knowing that each of them had found a new friend.

  ‘We must stay in contact and we will play again for each other,’ they called out as they said their farewells. When the coaches had collected them and they departed Dussek mused aloud. ‘This has been an interesting and successful afternoon. How fortunate I am to have purchased this grand new instrument. And isn’t it wonderful how music can draw different people closer together.’ Then he lingered by the window enjoying the flashes of brilliant colour painting the sky - hues of gold, crimson and pale pink created by the setting sun. He called for a glass of wine and his cigars which were brought to him, as he sat in the deepening twilight thinking on his good fortune. Filled with a sudden joy Dussek raised his glass speaking aloud to the sinking sun, ‘Mais oui, Paris is so wonderful that I hope I never have to leave. My career is flourishing, my students are talented and I shall stay here forever.’

  III.

  One day as Laneve returned home from a music lesson and lunch with Marie, her mother met her at the front door. Mama was breathless and agitated. ‘Laneve, tonight you must dress most beautifully. Rene, the Marquis de Marais will be our guest at dinner and he wishes to speak formally to Papa afterward. Wear your green silk dress with the cream lace, the one with the hemline that reaches the floor. You must not expose you ankles this evening as everything must be perfect. I’ll lend you my pearls again as they set off the dress so well. And your hair - but what can I say. I am only your Mama, with your best interests at heart.’

  ‘Mama, why all this excitement and why does the marquis want to speak to Papa after our dinner?’

  ‘Papa and I both hope that tonight he will formally request your hand in marriage. Oh, this is such an honour for our family and you are so fortunate. You are now of marriageable age and de Marais is one of the nobility. You could raise the social profile of our family so much as he also has a title. Just think, dear child, you could become the Marquise de Marais!’

  ‘Oh Mama, he’s just coming to dinner again although I’m looking forward to it as I always do. Rene is such enjoyable company. It’s a pity we don’t see more of him. But this wish of yours – oh it’s too much to even think about. Let’s just see what happens.’

  Later that evening, after a delightful meal and Laneve’s musical entertainment, her father finally summoned her to the drawing room. Mama stood before her feverish with excitement. The marquis held both hands out to her as he stepped forward and spoke very gently.

  ‘Laneve, for several years I have been enchanted by your presence and your great gifts. You would do me such an honour if you would accept my offer to become my wife?’ Laneve’s father then stepped forward.

  ‘My dearest daughter, I have given my permission to
the Marquis de Marais but we all await your reply. Do you wish to offer it now or wait upon it for more consideration?’

  Laneve knew what she must do, what she truly wanted to do and took the hands of the marquis in her own as she smiled and looked into his eyes. ‘Your words this evening have filled my heart with happiness. It would bring me great joy to accept your offer, dear Rene.’

  And so it was decided. Although he was considerably older than Laneve, Rene had captivated her. He was also loving, courteous, and handsome and he took a lively and supportive interest in her musical talents. In addition to his position within the aristocracy he was also a man of high political stature. Because of his fluency in German, Russian and Hungarian languages, combined with his diplomatic skills, he was 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 new home.

  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.