Free The Trousseau by Mary Mageau

cottage, he helped her set the outdoor table as she brought out bread, cheese, sliced ham and a salad. The meal was also celebrated with a small bottle of red wine. As they shared her delicious Christmas fare, they talked on and on. Somehow it felt so easy to speak about the many things each of them had never told anyone before. They felt the presence of a friend in the other – one who would totally understand and never judge harshly. Jacques unburdened himself first.
    â€˜I have always wanted you to know the true story behind my conviction, Clotilde.’ He told her of his happiness with his family and his aunt and uncle, who helped him all through his apprenticeship at the Bagatelle. Then he shared the incident about the four onions, his four year sentence and the wonderful opportunities he had experienced working with old Duphly in the Government Garden. She wept when she learned he had suffered for a crime he never committed, enduring it all with courage.
    â€˜I was a tiny child of two years when someone brought me to the Mater Dei Orphanage in Paris and then left me there.Again and again I waited for someone to take me back home, but no one ever came.’ She told him about Sister Celeste, the one person who had loved her like a mother and how her death a few months before had left her devastated.
    As they spoke of their joys and sufferings, their two hearts opened to one another. A deep connection began to grow as the roots of their being slowly entwined. They drew closer together on the bench. Jacques longed to cherish and protect her. Clotilde longed to console the pain he had endured and support the talents he shared so generously. Their hands brushed tentatively. Then at last they held each other, quietly and tenderly, her head resting on his heart, until a multitude of stars appeared above them in the infinite shining heavens.

XII
    THE Christmas holiday period passed quickly as Clotilde prepared for the final year she would be teaching in the Government School. She and Jacques spent more of their time together and he joined her most evenings for dinner, before returning to the place he still occupied in the garden shed. ‘I’m living there for the present to save money for a surprise I’ll be sharing with you very soon.’
    â€˜Can’t you give me even a little hint of what it is?’ Clotilde replied.
    â€˜I can tell you this much. Duphly wishes to retire from full time work and he has offered me the paid position of Head Gardener of the Government Garden. I said yes immediately, as I can carry on the work I’ve begun there and that I enjoy so much.’
    â€˜Oh Jacques, that is a wonderful surprise.’
    â€˜Oh, but that is not the big surprise I’ve planned to show you. You must wait a little longer to discover that secret. Did I tell you that there are two young men who have also requested to serve their apprenticeships with me?’
    â€˜This is such good news. Thank goodness you will have helpers to work with you as the garden takes so much of your time during the summer.’
    Finally the day for the opening of school arrived and Clotilde welcomed her students into a very crowded classroom. It was good to be teaching again, working with these lovely children. ‘I only wonder what I will be doing when next year arrives,’ she thought to herself. On Friday after the last child had left the school, Jacques surprised her at the front door.
    â€˜Clotilde, can you spend the next hour or two with me? The time has come to show you my surprise.’
    â€˜At last, Jacques, let’s be off before I die of curiosity.’
    Together they walked to a large section of unoccupied land a short distance from the Government Garden. It was protected by the perimeter fence and was home to several beautiful old shade trees.
    â€˜Within this corner where you see a marking on the ground I made with a spade, is a large and beautiful piece of land. It now