Once again, I must yield the narrative to Andelbert.

Early the next morning, I was awakened by a knock on my door. It was Maria.

“I don’t know how you did it. I went to ask about your request and was told it had already been arranged. I was sent to retrieve you,” Maria said.

“Marquis Lafayette interceded on my behalf to the king.”

“You are making quite a name for yourself. I am impressed.”

“There is no cause to be. In truth, I am nothing more than a simple baker.”

“You sell yourself short, Sir. You are a baker who has the ear of French royalty and the King. That is an accomplishment far greater than you may realize.”

“And it fills me with fear. What if my bread disappoints?”

“Pray that it doesn’t.”

“I have done nothing else since yesterday evening.”

Maria laughed and said, “I am sure you will be successful. The King is a lover of all breads.”

“That is encouraging. Thank you.”

We crossed the courtyard and entered the kitchen. A large worktable was prepared with everything needed to make bread.

“I will leave you to your task, Monsieur,” Maria said.

“Please stay. I would enjoy teaching you my method of bread-making.”

“I am not a baker,” she replied.

“Not yet. But soon you could be the best bread baker in Versaille.”

Maria smiled and said, “If it doesn’t take long, I suppose I can stay.”

“It won’t take long at all. The baking is the most time-consuming part.”

“Very well.”

I showed Maria my method of bread-making step by step, having her create her own loaf while I made mine. Then we placed them in the oven. While the two loaves baked, Maria went and got a couple of the royal bakers to taste the finished product.

The look on the faces of the two bakers made it clear they were only participating out of obligation. I imagine they saw it as an insult to their skill and had no desire to try this foreigner’s bread. But they were servants of the King, and so they fulfilled their duty.

“It is not unpleasant, but I have tasted far better,” the first one said after a small bite of my freshly-baked loaf.

“I don’t care for its texture,” the second said. “Nonetheless, the King desires a loaf for dinner. You shall return this afternoon and bake forty loaves by dinner time.”

“Thank you, Chefs. I appreciate your honesty. I shall be here in ample time to bake the loaves,” I said.

Their duty fulfilled, they both walked away.

After they left, Maria said, “They are jealous old men. This is the best bread I have ever eaten.”

“Thank you, Maria. Your approval is far more important to me than theirs.”

“I must get back to work now.”

“Maria, when do you have time off?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I enjoy your company. I was hoping I might impose upon you to show me more of the palace grounds. Or the village of Versaille.”

She looked at me quizzically and said, “But you are nobility, and I am but a servant.”

“The truth is, Britpop is a Baron. I am not royalty. May I confide in you?”

“I do not think that is wise,” Maria said.

“Perhaps not, but it would lift a great burden from my heart if I may.”

She hesitated and said, “Very well.”

“I am not Baron Blastfurnace’s brother. I am his servant. His valet. He asked me to portray his brother while we traveled.”

“But why?”

“I think it was a lark on his part. Baron Blastfurnace has a good heart, but he is naive in many ways. I believe he regrets the decision now, but we are compelled by circumstance to continue the charade.”

“You two are quite a pair. But you do make things interesting.”

“I hope so,” I replied.

“I suppose this means I outrank you. You being a servant of a Baron, and I, a servant of the King.”

I laughed and said, “I believe you are correct.”

“I like that,” Maria said and smiled.

“Then you will accompany me on another tour?”

“I have tomorrow off. But will it not seem unusual for the brother of a Baron to be seen with a servant girl?”

“Britpop gets all the attention. I am scarcely noticed.”

“Meet me outside the kitchens tomorrow morning, and I shall show you the village of Versailles. You will not be recognized there. Although the village is nothing compared to the palace grounds.”

“I am sure it has its own charms.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” Maria said.

Surprised by her responses, I started to blush, and my tongue thickened.

“No,” was all I could get out.

“Silly man. I really must go now,” Maria said and hurried away. A moment later, she turned her head back at me and smiled.

“See you tomorrow,” I blurted out. I felt both foolish and excited. Truthfully more excited than foolish.