Navarre

Bordeaux Region, France

It was fall…October to be exact and the weather had turned sharply cold and crisp. The trees had finally become laced with the colors of the season and many had already begun to shed. Terry DuBois was driving a new “Citron” she had just purchased in Paris and was now heading for her husband’s family chateau…Maurice had just died three months ago from a lingering battle with cancer. He was only forty and Terry was five years younger..she brought him back to France which was his homeland to die in peace. Terry was from California and they lived there after Maurice had met her and married..that was ten years ago. He had been a Physician who made the worst patients..he did not seek treatment for his “bone cancer” and after a year told his wife that he desired to go home..to France and stay in a luxury hotel and live his last days to the fullest. They did and after he passed she buried him in a quiet ceremony which no one attended…he had no family left and there was no one in France that he could call “friend.” Now Terry after several months decided to journey to Maurice’s Chateau in Bordeaux and spend some time..she had never been there so she looked forward to the adventure with much anticipation.

Maurice’s Solicitor phoned ahead for the massive estate to be prepared for Terry’s arrival…the Housekeeper and her husband and son’s were kept on retainer so they made ready the place for her stay. When Terry drove up to the Chateau which lie across a small bridge she looked at it in wonder..why did her husband leave such a beautiful spot so full of history. They had lived in Newport Beach, California where she was born and raised..it was beautiful there but nothing in comparison to the Chateau. “Bonjour Madam Budois” greeted Madam Clarins, with Jean-Paul her husband, Jean-Marie and Pierre her two sons standing behind their parents. “Bonjour Madam..I hope I have not put you out too terribly?” inquired Terry. They looked at the young widow very thoroughly..her hair was dark blond and long almost to her waist and she wore a pair of black leather pants, high heels and a black turtle neck sweater on her trim body. The sons found her very appealing and hurried to get her luggage from the car looking her up and down as they did. “I’d like to see the master bedroom and settle in..then if you could show me around..it’s five now so I think I’d like dinner at seven..Ok?” she asked as she was used to have help at home. “Tres Bien Madam” replied Madam Clarins as she took the young woman’s arm and guided her towards the main entrance.

Terry looked around in amazement…the entrance hall was high and there was a main stairway at its center with a large dark wood chandelier hanging above..it was an imposing sight as she made her way to the second floor. The master bedroom was in the right wing and it was the size of three rooms with a poster bed in the middle and two large wardrobes at the side. There was a bathroom with modern appliances and plumbing and even a shower, which Madam Clarins said was put in just two years ago. There was a large sofa and two over stuffed chairs with a table and a desk and phone..it was very elegant done in greens and red and it was very French she thought. “I will unpack your bags Madam” stated the housekeeper as Terry looked around..she then made her way back downstairs leaving the woman to finish. She was not going to wait for her tour but decided to explore by herself..the main room was huge with an equally huge fireplace and then the dining room was enough to have forty guests over for a meal sitting at the table. The kitchen was restaurant quality with new appliances and the wine cellar held a fine selection of drinkable wine but also ones that would never be touched. The Chateau was everything Terry thought it would be and more…when she returned from her tour she went into the main room and found the telephone. She picked up the receiver and dialed an international call to her Aunt in London who was taking a holiday there..she let her know that she had arrived safely and was expecting her in three weeks.

“Madam dinner will be ready in a while..is there anthing I can serve you now?” Clarins asked. “Yes I’d like a glass of wine..and I think I’ll eat out here in the living room..the dining table is too big” stated Terry now looking at an old book she had found in the library. Clarins came back with a glass of “Bordeaux”..how appropriate Terry thought as she sipped the heavy red wine “When was the last time someone lived here Madam?” she inquired. “Not for many years…your husband’s parents stopped coming just after little Maurice was born..they would visit occasionally but never for long” the housekeeper replied. “Why’s that?” asked Terry “It’s a great place!” “It is haunted Madam” Clarins spoke very seriously. “You’re joking?” stated the American “Haunted by whom?” “By the ghost of Etienne d’Navarre the man who built this Chateau” she replied. “Has anyone seen this ghost?” Terry inquired thinking the woman was daft. “I have not seen him but your husband’s Mother did once..she was afraid..that is why they only came now and then” the older woman explained. “I don’t believe in the supernatural” stated Terry taking a sip of wine “When was this place built anyway?” “In 1312 Madam” she replied “This area was called ‘Navarre’ back in those times and Etienne was a great soldier and a wealthy land owner…he owned almost all the land as far as you can see.” “What happened to him” Terry asked and then laughed “Oh yeah..I forgot he’s a ghost!”

Dinner was wonderful as Terry loved Provencal French cuisine and the Turine that Madam Clarins made with rabbit meat was delicious…such would be the meals from then on. By the end of the week Terry was sure she had gained at least five pounds..but what was the difference as she had no man in her life to worry about such things. She had also found the stables which housed four horses… two white, one black and the other chestnut..Terry loved to ride so she would spend the early morning hours exploring along the many paths and into the woods. Mr. Clarins had warned her not to go into the woods after dusk as it was easy to get lost and then it would turn dark quickly…but she did not heed his warning. And one afternoon Terry ventured on the chestnut mare into the small town..it was the day before Halloween or “All Hollow’s Eve” which the French celebrated and she wanted to buy a “gourd” to carve like a pumpkin that she did every year. She had found one that was large enough in the local grocery shop and then dallied in the village stopping for wine and cheese and speaking with the locals who she was becoming acquainted with..the time went by fast and it was four thirty when she headed home.

For some reason she could never figure out why she took a small path into the forest which was a short cut she was told..at least it was suppose to be and she became very disoriented. There was no way she could see the sunset with the tall trees blocking and she could not find the stream that ran perpendeular to the Chateau..she was just plane and simply lost. Stupidly she shouted out “Hello!” “Hello!” but of course there was no answer..she and her horse stood still not knowing what direction to go and it was dark..very dark now. She was not frightened because nothing really was going to happen to her..there was no “Freddy Krueger” that was going to jump out..at least she thought until she saw the flicker of a light heading towards her. She watched it as it got closer and then heard the hoofs of a horse very steadily approaching…Terry was immobilized now waiting to see who was coming or what was coming. From out of the trees came a man on a large almost “Claidesdale” looking black horse..he was holding a torch as he came opposite her “Are you lost Mademoiselle?” he asked speaking French. Terry looked at him and replied “Yes” now seeing his face which was handsome and narrow with long ebony hair and beard framing it..he wore black but she could not see the style and his voice was deep..very deep. “Follow me and I will take you to the main road” he stated turning his steed around and walking away…Terry followed in silence behind the man who was no doubt her neighbor until they approached the pathway. “Merci” she said and he nodded and then rode off.. she thought nothing of him after that..he was just someone that had accidently come along to help.

Terry got back to the Chateau quickly after that and said nothing about her delay..she took the gourd into the kitchen and began to carve it with much interest from Madam Clarins who was preparing dinner. Terry had wanted something light so the housekeeper was making a “Quiche Lorraine”..that was the lightest thing you could get in France she laughed to herself when she noticed what Clarins was cooking. And after the meal Terry came back into the kitchen to make “Halloween” cookies which she had always made for her husband every year..they were a family recipe for a sugar cookie with the most delicious confection sugar icing and Maurice loved them enough to eat a dozen at one sitting. She was putting the orange icing on each of the sixty she made and all of a sudden she felt chilled and she had “goose bumps”…not thinking anything other than it was getting drafty she went upstairs and put a heavier sweater on. The Chateau was old and there was no central heating just from fireplaces so when she returned to the kitchen she stirred the fire and threw on two more logs. It did not seem to help the chill in the air and then she felt that there was someone in the room with her..she looked around and then heard Madam Clarins in the dining room.

Etienne was standing close behind the woman that was living in his home..he had been watching her closely with great interest. No one had lived in his Chateau for many years and he was getting bored with just the housekeeper and her family to observe. They were tedious in their daily routine and now this “Terry” was something and someone new. She was also beautiful but not like the women of his time..she wore clothes that were outrageous and only fitting for a squire particularly the leather pants she often donned. But he followed her everywhere except past the border of Chateau grounds..he could not go into the village but he could travel the distance that was once the land he owned. He watched her as she made her desserts having the great desire to be able to taste again..but he could feel and touch and he picked one up after she had left to change clothes. Now he looked at her in silence wanting to speak but afraid to frighten her and when she finished and walked through the rooms back up to what was once his room he followed close behind. She opened the door to her bedroom and closed it after going in…Etienne remained outside giving her privacy but desperately wanting to see her more intimately.

The next day was “Halloween” and Terry went into the village where they were going to have a “harvest” celebration with small booths and games for the children. The Mayor of the town greeted her and took her over to the “wine” booth which of course they had and gave her a glass of Bordeau and chatted…Terry was looking around trying to see the man who had helped her the night before. “There was a man that assisted me when I was lost in the woods last night” she stated to Mayor Troufet..he listened to her with interest “Who was he?” he asked. “I don’t know..he left before I could get his name..he was very dark and good looking on an unusually large black horse” she replied. “Mon Dieu!” he exclaimed “You have seen the ghost of Etienne d’Navarre..did he say anything to you?” “Just to follow him” she responded “No ..he couldn’t have been a ghost..he was solid looking! “No that was him all right..he shows himself to few people..I know of no one that has seen his apparition” he stated. “You must tell no one of this” he finished and then was interrupted and left. Why couldn’t she tell anyone she thought..who would believe her anyway.

Terry returned home and relaxed for the remainder of the evening listening to some music on the old fashioned stereo..she drank way too much wine that day and now after dinner she became sleepy…enough to have it overcome her as she lay on the sofa in the living room. Etienne had sat across from her..his world revolved now around this strange girl as he watched her lovely face and the gracefulness of her body. She had not discovered the dark secrets of his past as most had...she had not asked questions like the rest nor did she even believe in Navarre as a ghost. He decided to pick her up and carry her to her bed…she did not move..she did not feel his presence as he took the stairs two at a time. He layed her on the bed that was once where his was and gently took her clothes off looking at her exquisite body..he felt the feelings of a mortal man as he put the cover over her..”Someday I will let you know I am here..someday soon” he finally said.

THE END
(for now)