“Oh, the lengths to which our fair Genevoire ladies will venture, only to be met with cruel rejection,” Stella mused, craning her neck to share her latest tidbit with Sofie.
“Oh, that’s what you meant.”
“There are rumors that even young widows, flush with wealth from their late husbands and smoldering with desire, have been eagerly pursuing Gilles. They claim that the sight of Father Gilles rolling up his sleeves to aid church tasks that require manual labor is enough to kindle a newfound faith.”
“My dear,” interjected Richard, who had been engrossed in his newspaper. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“My, could it be that you’re jealous?”
“We shall see if you possess the audacity to utter such scandalous comments in the gentleman’s presence.”
“Well, of course I am only speaking of these things because he is not here. Do we not discuss the King’s shortcomings when he is not among us?” Stella replied with a wink, eliciting a chorus of giggles from the twins.
