April 11th, 1774
I was trained to be married.
After all, many, if not all girls in Versailles are. While the boys of Versailles would be at school, my sisters and I were trained to be a good wife. However, my mother also taught us a few things that boys were taught in school, such as writing, reading, languages, and even arithmetic.
Today, I hope the things I learned about marriage will prove useful.
"Is this too much?", I feared, whilst my mother was helping me with makeup after putting on my white robe de mariage, which had a golden ribbon on the bosom, along with golden ruffles, even with a white ribbon in the back. I could barely recognize myself in the mirror anymore; my blonde hair was now powdered white; high up and towering, and I felt my corset was tighter than usual. My skirts were descended to the floor while I fiddled with the ruffles at the end of my sleeves. I could only take half a breath, as my breathing was now restricted. My heels pinched me while Louise put some pearls and flowers in my hair.
"You look perfect, Adrienne", my older sister admired. I wished to speak, however my mother was placing red paint on my lips with a small brush. Louise placed a pearl necklace around my neck, "And if you have any questions, you can ask anything, especially about the marriage bed."
She grinned, and her cold fingers grazed over my shoulder. I must have been red, however I could not tell due to the white powder on my face. "He will know what to do", she reassured. However, I could feel myself cringe thinking about it. Not because I did not want to, but because it felt too soon, and the awkward thought held itself in my mind.
"Please, do not talk about the marriage bed right now", our mother sighed, "as there will be no bedding ceremony. You girls are too young, in my opinion." I held in a sigh of relief, and looked at myself in the mirror one last time. "I had fought with your father to not let that happen, believe me", mother continued her tangent before opening the bedroom door. "Do not scare your sister any more, Louise", mother scolded. Louise giggled, and I held up my skirts to be able to walk down the staircase.
Gilbert was waiting for me downstairs, as it is tradition for the groom to escort the bride to the ceremony. He wore a black suit which was embroidered with designs of golden and white flowers. He smiled at me, taking my hand. "You look beautiful, Adrienne." My hand fit delicately into his, whilst he seemed to make sure I would not fall while we walked down the steps, keeping his hand safely and firmly around mine. It was on rare occasions that I could see him, as he lived on a different wing in the mansion.
Ever since our kiss, my heart had ached for him. I remember days where, while I was doing my daily tasks, I wondered what he was up to.
True love made more sense now.
The cathedral was not far from here. Gilbert helped me out of the carriage by holding my hand, until my feet safely landed onto the stone ground. I felt a sense of comfort from my wedding jitters with my soon-to-be husband walking beside me. I smiled, noticing my family was already there, seeing Paule and Rosalie in front of the cathedral, along with other children, with white ribbons in their tiny hands.
Rosalie looked thrilled upon seeing me in my gown. I smiled down at her, cutting the ribbons they were holding; another tradition that represented dealing with challenges throughout the marriage.
"Are you ready?", Gilbert asked me softly.
"To be honest, I do not think I am." I laughed gently, causing him to smile.
"I will be waiting for you at the front of the aisle, and will be with you and here for you every step of the way after the wedding." He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, causing me to blush.
Seeing my father open the church door to find me, and then giving me a look, telling me to come inside, Gilbert smiled, "I suppose that is my queue to go." He let go of my hand, giving me two air kisses on each cheek before entering the building. Holding onto my skirts, I walked up the steps to my father.
"Everyone is inside, Adrienne." he smiled at me, and I felt the nerves enter my stomach again. I could not help but feel angry, as well. My father did not care whether I was happy or not. He did not want his daughters to marry for love, but rather for money and his benefit. Even though I am fond of Gilbert, I could not help but resent my father.
"Alright", I put on a facade smile, before taking his arm.
Upon entering the cathedral, all eyes turned to me. My cheeks felt warm, whilst my father escorted me down the aisle. Due to my heels being new, specifically for this event, they pinched my feet while I took one step after another, fearing that I might trip. However, Gilbert smiled at me, his expression silently telling me that everything was going to be alright.
Once I reached my fiance, the ceremony began in Latin, whilst I stood beside him and did the sign of the cross. We silently glanced at each other while the priest blessed our marriage, occasionally smiling at one another.
Nervously, Gilbert slipped the wedding band on my finger, his hand trembling while doing so. I smiled at him gently, and he smiled back, and I put the ring on his left hand.
We kissed once the ceremony was complete, like nothing else mattered anymore. My nerves melted away, while I stood on my tiptoes even though my feet ached. Gingerly pulling away, my husband smiled at me, escorting me out of the church. When we made it outside, rice was thrown in the air, as a symbol of fertility. I ignored the thought of children for now, while I leaned into Gilbert, laughing because he was holding his hand over his head, protecting his powdered wig, while the guests made as much noise as possible.
–
I knew the wedding party would stay till midnight, possibly longer. Some would even last for several days. Arm-in-arm with Gilbert, we walked into the chateau, with me desperately wanting to take my heels and corset off; they felt like a prison, but I knew the reception had to keep going. I put on a smile when we saw our close friends and my family, to hide how tired I was whilst Gilbert and I were escorted to the table.
Gilbert looked at me whilst we were being served our coq au vin. "How tired are you?", he mumbled so only I could hear, causing me to giggle. "Perhaps more tired than you, for I am the one wearing a dress that squeezes my lungs."
"I could not sleep, I was so nervous." He smiled, holding my hand underneath the tablecloth.
I smiled tiredly at him, as I only got an hour or two. "Tell your friends to stop creating a ruckus." I glanced over at his friends, some of them who were a part of the King's Musketeers.
"You know that if I ask them that, they will do it more", he grinned. A laugh bubbled out of me, causing my father to give me– or perhaps us, a stern look. I sighed, awkwardly sipping my white wine. I knew that now being considered a woman meant that I couldn't cause mischief anymore. Gilbert comfortingly placed his hand atop of mine. "I know that this might be a shock for you, to marry and become a Marquise this young."
I smiled, "our queen married around the same age as me", I told him, trying to make light of the situation
"It still is not right, your father should not make the decisions; you should." He looked at me, "it is not as if I do not desire this, but I am aware that it isn't easy for you."
I took a small eclair, biting into it, which made the frosting inside ooze out and land onto the napkin on my lap. I smiled after swallowing it, "I'll manage."
–
After the traditional dance with my father, Gilbert escorted me into the hallway for a moment after noticing I was nearly in tears. My feet were squeezed by my delicate heels, and I knew that if I did not take them off soon, it would cause blistering. "Is everything alright?", he asked me softly, gazing at my face for any sign of distress.
"My feet... they're in agony...", I whispered, my voice now straining with every breath I took due to the severity of the corset. I felt as if I would faint, with Gilbert quickly taking a chair from the salon, placing me in it.
"Don't fret, I will be back." He walked back into the room, and I heard him making excuses to the guests on why I was not ready to dance with him yet. "She only needs to eat something, and wants to be alone", I heard him lie. After a minute or two, he came back with another eclair, along with a small glass of champagne. "I needed an excuse", he laughed gently, and I smiled a little, taking the small dessert because I knew some food would help give me energy and lift my spirits. He kneeled down next to me. "Lean closer to me."
After I did so, I felt his hands go under the back of the dress. When I worried he was about to do something, he whispered, "relax, I am merely loosening it", he took his hands, fiddling with the lace of my corset, so I could breathe a little easier. "I do not understand why this has to be so tight."
"Blame my father, not me." I grinned.
"I blame him for everything, at this point." He laughed, taking off my heels. "I doubt anyone will notice." I glanced at his glass, and he smiled softly. "Take it, you must be thirsty."
After the food and drink, I got up, and he escorted me into the room. Soft music began to play, while I took his hand, dancing in circles with him before he put the other on my waist, and we danced our routine like nothing else mattered, anymore.