Captain Peanut Butter will continue the telling of his captivity.

We arrived at the Port of the Moon in Bordeaux. A large port, second only to the Port of London. I knew my days were numbered. And a small number it was. There was some strange comfort in the fact that I would meet my end in my home country. I was born here and I would die here. It seemed fitting.

Three soldiers had me in irons and were marching me across the dock when a man from the crowd ran up to me and spit in my face. One of the soldiers shoved him away.

“Back away, fool. Or we’ll have you in irons too.”

“I know this pirate,” the man said. He looked at me with hate in his eyes. “You cost me my ship.”

I recognized him. He was Sebastian Brun, the former Captain of The Elise.

“All I did was save your life from the pirate Garra. Your ship was already lost,” I replied.

“Where is your Captain?” Brun said to the soldiers.

“Follow us.”

We made our way to the Citadelle de Blaye an imposing fort that protects the harbor. Captain Duran was standing outside the fort talking to an officer.

Brun interrupted him. “Captain. My name is Sebastian Brun, Captain of The Elise. This pirate raided my ship in the Caribbean and then again in French waters. He is Captain Peanut Butter. I would like to testify against him.”

Captain Duran looked annoyed until he heard my name.

“He raided your ship twice?”

“He did.”

“And you will testify to that?”

“I will, gladly.”

“And you are sure he is Captain Peanut Butter?”

“I am. He said as much himself during the raids.”

Captain Duran told the soldiers to take me to a cell and then told Brun to follow him.

My fate was sealed. Brun was just one of many French sea Captains who could testify against me. I was locked in a cell inside a massive-walled military fort. There was no hope of rescue.

A Heart Warms

I will continue the tale of our time at Versailles.

There was a knock on the door early in the morning.

“Enter, please,” I called out.

Alice walked into the room.

“My Lord, you and your companions have been granted an audience with the King at 10:00 tomorrow morning. A guard will escort you at that time.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Alice.”

“Good day, Baron.”

“Good day, Alice.”

“It appears we have the day free, Andelbert.”

“Perhaps you do. I have bread to bake.”

“Ah, yes. You do. I also have urgent business that needs attending to.”

“I wish you much success.”

“It shall be an awkward day tomorrow if I botch it.”

“Don’t appear overly eager. Just be charming.”

“Oh, is that all? Just be the opposite of my usual self.”

“I am serious. Be pleasant and attentive. Nothing more.”

“I shall try. Thank you, my brother.”

Andelbert and I dressed and knocked on Elise and Maria’s door.

“Come in,” Maria replied to the knock.

Andelbert walked over to Maria and gave her a kiss. “Good morning, Darling.”

“Good morning, my love. And good morning to you, Britpop.”

“Good morning, Maria. Good morning Elise.”

“Good morning Britpop and Andelbert,” Elise replied.

“I have news. We have an audience with the King at 10:00 tomorrow morning.”

“How exciting. You will have to tell me what to do,” Elise said.

“You simply bow when introduced and then answer any questions the King may have,” Maria replied.

“It is intimidating to meet a King, but it should be a pleasant meeting,” I added.

“Andelbert and I are going to the kitchens to bake bread. You are both welcome to join us,” Maria said.

“It is tempting, but I was hoping to show Elise the grounds today.” I looked at Elise. “If you would like to.”

“I would like that very much. If you don’t mind, Maria.”

“Of course not. The kitchens are impressive, but the grounds are more so. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.”

“Then it is settled,” Andelbert said. “Shall we go, my dear?”

“You know the way,” Maria replied.

Elise and I made our way out of the Palace onto the Water Parterre, a raised patio with two large pools. From this vantage point, we could see out over the groves to the Grand Canal, which stretched into the distance. The canal was surrounded by orderly rows of trees, a pathway, and then forest.

“It’s breathtaking. How many gardens are there?”

“To be honest, I do not know—at least a dozen. The gardens are called groves. Each is uniquely designed and surrounded by hedges. Some have fountains, some have statues, some have waterfalls, and some have structures. Would you like to visit them?”

“I would, indeed.”

We spent a few hours exploring the groves while chatting about the King and Queen, and my previous stay at the Palace. Eventually, we departed the groves at the Apollo Fountain.

“Shall we stroll along the canal for a while? The day is beautiful, and there is a nice path for strolling,” I said.

Elise smiled. “I have nothing on my schedule until tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

We strolled for several minutes. Elise saw a blanket spread on the ground near the edge of the canal. There was a basket placed on the blanket, and a servant holding a bottle of wine and two glasses stood next to the blanket.

“Look, someone is having a picnic.”

“That would be us. If you would like to. I took the liberty of having lunch prepared. I thought you might enjoy a picnic on the banks of the canal.”

“Well, Baron. You are full of surprises. I would love to have a picnic on the grounds of Versailles.”

“Good. I am starving.”

“There’s the Britpop I know.”

We sat down, and the servant handed us each a glass and filled it with wine. Then he opened the basket and set out the meats, cheese, and bread on plates.

“Will there be anything else, Baron?” The servant asked.

“That will be all. Thank you,” I replied.

“Very good, Sir. I shall take my leave.”

Elise and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch. She seemed happy and smiled often.

After we finished eating, Elise laid back on the blanket and stretched her arms upward. “I can’t imagine living here. It must be heavenly.”

“It is indeed. As a guest. But I wouldn’t want the responsibilities of a King.”

“Or a Queen,” Elise added.

“Quite. But I am confident we are in no danger of becoming either.”

Elise laughed. “How very true.”

It had been a perfect day.

“I suppose we should head back so we can change for dinner,” I said.

“Thank you, Britpop.”

“For what?”

“For a wonderful day.”

“It was my pleasure.”

As we began walking back toward the Palace, Elise took my arm.