Jacques Girard

32 | French Nobleman

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

[mrjacquesgirard]

adelaide-bourbon‌:

Adelaide paused to take in the scenery around her. Was it the view itself or the stimulating conversation that was making her consider things in a different light? Was she thinking clearly or just consumed by the intelligent conversation that she was having with Jacques? Her tutors and those who conversed her in daily life were blasé in the best way, but they did not indulge her jokes nor her wit, and yet, here was an all willing candidate to challenge her, at least to a cautious degree. 

“You speak words that I have thought for a long time, but I do not believe a man like that exists,” She tossed her hand up intentionally, as if throwing away the thought itself, “You men are all hungry for power and wealth, the Bourbon name and title adds that.”

She paused in reflection, looking at the ground before looking to Jacques, a deep light in her eyes as she spoke, “My heart may want one thing, but it is not just my heart that my husband must take care of, but France’s as well. Any decision he makes must be for the good of the nation, I have made my peace with loving both my future husband and my people, I can only hope that for the safety and preservation of France, that he will think the same.” 

“You have shown me nothing but honor as such so far, Mr. Girard, but you and I both know that what is shown on the surface is nothing in comparison then the what lies below the depths of the soul.” 

She knew he was being secretive about something, he had wasted quite a bit of time with her, not that she minded it, but it was suspicious to be seen, alone, with the princess, let alone during a time when official business was meant to be conducted within the palace walls. 

Jacques waited patiently for Adelaide’s response, allowing her to recognize that quality of him and recognize the respect he had for her to take his time waiting on what she had to say.

“I am truly sorry to hear that,” he said. “But I assure you, princess, my words are true--.” He stopped talking as soon as her hand went up. Jacques looked down at the ground and back up at her in the same fashion as he did a few moments again. He couldn’t deny the hunger for power and wealth because it was technically true.

“Your observation of my kind, while true,” he said. “Is yet still not quite fair for all of us. Is it a sin to be hungry for power and wealth when all you dream of doing with it is making the livelihood of the French people better?”

It was a bit of a bullshit response because Jacques knew all too well that the first thing he would do if he ever came to that amount of power and wealth would be to drink and party. But, deep down, Jacques did care for France wholeheartedly.

He nodded at her words. “I understand. And if I of all people cannot convince you of how much a man can love this land, then I worry you may be disappointed someday.” He bowed to her.

“I must get going, but I truly thank you for spending the last few minutes speaking with me,” Jacques said. “And, for the record, I couldn’t care less about what your name is.” He offered her a smile, turned on his heel and made his way back up to the palace.

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

[mrjacquesgirard]

adelaide-bourbon‌:

“Social business, a rather free thinking thought indeed, and not one that the crown supports,” She brought her hands together as she pondered the move, her head moving side to side as she thought of the different scenarios, “We are in the new era, yes, one day I will be your queen and I rather like the idea of a being familiar with my…partners,” She smirked, before beginning to walk down the path, away from him. She trusted Jacques enough to follow her, at least, he would if he wanted to hear what she would say or to find his entertainment in their chat.

“You are correct to assume that, but my family is adamant that I find a king to rule with me, so you may very well answer to him, rendering your familiarity with the likes of me…pointless,” She chuckled, her hands fiddling with a heavy necklace that sat ornately upon her chest.

She knew the effect of this conversation, knew that the mention of a king and her eligibility would make nearly any man ponder the thought of their own rule over France. She had seen it the wonder of the Dukes and Lords her mother set her up with, the way their minds filled, hungry for power they would never control. However, she did not know how Jacques would react to her hint, he did not seem like most men she dealt with. 

“The Colonies are trivial for now, good Sir, power rests in Europe and Europe alone, and you are correct, in fact, I could have your head on a plate without batting an eye if I demanded it. Clearly I have enjoyed your conversation enough to let it continue,” She met his eye, a brief smile appearing as mention of her albeit, ill-fashioned, joke. 

Jacques watched as Adelaide grew their distance, though he did not follow -- especially not after her quip at finding a king. He knew she was calculated and every word she said was thought out and had meaning. To physically follow her now after such a sentence would show that her words had an effect on him, and he was not too keen on letting her win such a large prize over him. So, instead, he simply smiled at her.

“I’m glad to hear that you agree,” he said. “And don’t be too sure, Madame. A king might try to overshadow you, but a man will recognize that you are the rightful ruler of your own land you have grown to know and love.” Jacques licked his lips and looked right into her eyes, choosing his words carefully. “I trust that your better judgment will soon understand who you belong with. He must be ready for quite an interesting experience.”

After the weight of the prize had blown away, Jacques finally regained their previous distance by walking over to her. “Truly, I want nothing more than to produce the best results for France. I love her as much as you do and want to see her succeed.”

Jacques noticed her smile break through her previously poised and solid state. For now, he thought, he had won. He laughed slightly. “And if you were to have my head produced on a plate, I do hope it was due to an honorable act.”

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

[mrjacquesgirard]

adelaide-bourbon‌:

Adelaide looked towards the palace, “Mr. Girard, if I may dare to be so bold, if your father is conducting business, should you not be with him? Or do you prefer to attempt to circumnavigate the king through discussing your proprietary avenues with his daughter,” Adelaide, this time, raised an eyebrow, giving the man a once-over. She didn’t move, but felt compelled to step in some direction, whether to avoid him or draw closer to him, she did not know. 

From her folded arms, she stood a bit more cautiously, stiffly, trying to reign in her own emotions, to act dutifully and gracefully, a living embodiment of the crown of France itself.

“Conducting business with the North American colonies certainly seems like a risky move - you run the risk of creating tensions between France and England, as minuscule they may be. Pray tell me, how do you propose to support France in all that she may need, if you are indeed expanding to the colonies.” 

“You have found yourself quite content at my loss? Is that so?” Adelaide frowned, “You have found company in me, but I do not think I will be your source of entertainment, as you may well know, I am not exactly one to be trifled with.” 

Jacques clenched his jaw while listening to Adelaide’s question, the muscle’s movement visible. “If you must know,” he said, lightly kicking at the ground, thinking on his feet. “I prefer business to be social. I personally value the familiarity and trust between businessman and client outside of meetings.” Pleased with himself, he shrugged boyishly. “My father and I are different, my dear. He’s old school.”

“And... if you must know, I suspect your reign will begin during the time that I own the company. What is the harm in getting to know the future most important player for French trade?”

Jacques decided that was enough, so he smirked and looked down for a moment and looked up, noticing the reaction she had made when he stepped closer. It was what he expected.

One thing Jacques was prideful of was that, unlike other men he had grown to know throughout his life and in business, he respected the autonomy and free thinking of women. It went along with the appreciation of depth.

“I humbly appreciate your concern,” he said. “Honestly, I am unaware, as most of us might be, of what the Colonies will come to be in the future. England seems to have a solid hold on them. And there is no worry, m’lady. I simply meant that your company made me content. But if you feel at any point I am not being genuine, you clearly have the power to walk away.”

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

[mrjacquesgirard]

adelaide-bourbon‌:

“Ahh, so the rumors are perhaps, true, then. There was some talk of…as you say…transfer of ownership. Pity, for I really enjoyed the pleasantries of your father,” 

She didn’t draw any closer to him, merely stood her ground. She didn’t know if it was fear from drawing to close to Jacques’s handsome face, or from bravery of being able to play head-to-head with the game he was orchestrating. As fun as this was, she was trying to be serious, she was, all things considered, trying her best to act as a princess to one of her subjects. 

“You have strayed far from the bathrooms, if I should say, surely, there must be a secondary reason that you have found yourself all the way in my gardens.”

She beckoned to the gardens surrounding her, delicately touching a peony in bloom. She was momentarily consumed by her thoughts - how was she today? Such a simple question and yet so many answers, stressed and anxious, sure, but calm and collected? Always. 

“I am but a reflection of the day, I am content and quite peaceful, at least…I was.” She crossed her arms over her chest, a mock glint in her eyes. 

Jacques raised an eyebrow at her comment. It was, of course, a lie. His father seemingly would not budge on even allowing his eldest son to sit in on the meeting they were having inside of the palace. Truthfully, he had been allowed on the journey to continue a stable relationship between the Girards and the Bourbons around the full palace.

“He will still be around, surely,” he said. “It is our family business after all. I would never want to rid him of his pride and joy. However, my father did mention travel a bit. Something about the British North American colonies. Perhaps he’ll expand out there.”

He took note of how proudly she stood with her hands clasped together and resting on her dress in front of her. Jacques took one step forward toward her, curious of what her reaction might be. He shrugged. “Entertainment. Company.”

“A reflection of the day,” he said. “How funny. We have the opposite situation. My day was boring, bleak... routine. Now I’ve found myself quite content.”

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

[mrjacquesgirard]

adelaide-bourbon‌:

Adelaide was enjoying a turn about the garden, it was a nice day, after all and she had just spent most of the day in meetings with her father - about which people deserved funding, which ambassadors needed to be heard in French court, and the sort. She was thankful when she could finally slip away.

Adelaide wasn’t sure why she loved the gardens so much, she only could remember the times when her mother and her would play in the expansive grounds of Versailles, through the gardens and the hedge walls, among the fountains and ponds. She missed those days, when life was simpler and she did not have the weight of a crown hanging over her head. Or perhaps, she always had, but never recognized it. 

She had been thinking, not about war or politics, but of James Thomson’s poetry. She had read the book that prior evening and had not stopped thinking of The Seasons. As much as Adelaide liked to play pretend queen with her father, there was something deeply alluring about the arts. That, and it gave her a distraction from the life she was meant to consider instead. She wandered happily along the pathway until she came face to face with a man she had seen many times, but did not know all that well. 

“Escaping from your father’s watchful eye, I presume, Monsieur Girard,” Adelaide smiled politely, if not slightly forced. She knew the man, had seen him around on more than one occasion, and knew his father all too well. And while he was handsome, Adelaide knew she should not concern herself with his sharp tongue. 

“How do you do, sir?”

For most of his life, Jacques had found women to be easy to get and easy to disappear from. He hadn’t had that moment yet where he didn’t want to stop playing games or having fun, and he wasn’t sure that would happen for him. When he looked at Adelaide, Jacques saw a stunning young woman who was so concerned about the crown she will soon wear, but he knew there was something more to her.

And yet, as alluring as she was, he still only felt the need to play cat and mouse, waste her time here and there. There was just something about a catch with depth rather than the hollow bodies of women who made it too easy.

“If you must know,” he said. “My father came with me today. The transition of ownership of the Girard Trust Company is on the horizon. I stepped out for a loo break, but have found myself here instead.”

Jacques smiled and stood up, bowing his head to her. “I am well, Madame. And how are you doing today?”

[mrjacquesgirard]

never going to happen // jacques + adelaide

Jacques tilted his head at the guards of Versailles, nonverbally thanking them for allowing his entrance as if he wasn’t following behind his father who had borderline express permission to the palace. The entrance took his breath away every time he saw it and seeing the help doing their jobs made him feel right at home.

He broke away from his father, excusing himself to find a toilet and promising to return for their meeting with the gentleman who oversaw all international trade with France. Jacques wasn’t entirely sure of what the meeting was about, but only agreed to tag along to show face for when the family business was his someday.

He walked right by the restroom and bowed his head slightly to any maids or housekeepers who walked by him, but he wasn’t wandering aimlessly.

Jacques found the person he was searching for down in the gardens. He watched Adelaide for a moment through the window up in the palace and admired how she was when she was alone, unaware of anyone watching. After a few minutes, he exited the home and sat down on a bench she was sure to walk by in her path.

“Escaping from your royal duties this afternoon, I see,” he said, leaning back on the bench and crossing one leg on top of the other.