History of Catherine d'Aubigne

[Comtesse de Rethel]

"Duty is heavy as a mantle upon shoulders from birth til death. Those noble or royal born understand this far better than most. From birth they are reared in use as a political pawn in advantageous marriages. Some would say that this is acceptable to use children thus as it betters their own position in life as well. While seeing to advancement of their own position a parent can possess a stable and secure future for their child. Yet this is not always the case. At times what may seem safe for a future turns into a living Hell which one cannot escape. Divorce a word tasting bitter upon tongue for the stigma accompanying the act. Have any asked of the child what they feel when told 'you are to marry' without any kind of voice in the matter? If they wished to marry another? If they even wished? Absurd they say! For how could an important decision be left to be decided by a mere child? Alas, it seems that even when they raise a child to be intellectual they deem them lacking to make proper choices concerning their lives. Even moreso is the case where woman is concerned." Catherine Theodosia D'Aubigne, Comtesse de Rethel. Published in Réflexions d'une Femme(Ponderings of a Woman) 1330

Much is spoken amongst gossips of Catherine Theodosia D'Aubigne, Comtesse de Rethel. Born the first daughter of Francis Cedric Laurence Atherton III, son of the Earl of Warwick, and Anne Ross, Governess, in Summer 1306. A bastard by birth, as Anne was only a mistress, Catherine would never have the chance to meet the woman who struggled through torturous days of labor to bring her into the world. Instead due to the consistent illness of his wife, Hannah Brandon, and the secrecy of his relationship with Anne they were able to pass the child off as Hannah's own. Only the midwife and a few maids knew otherwise, and they knew to keep their silence for it'd be insulting to their lady to speak the truth. Why Hannah and Anne even went into confinement on the same day! Though the former from vapors upon Cedric explaining the child was of his blood and the latter due to labor. Hannah frequently was confined though, rarely taking visitors, due to her hatred of husband and poor health. Even after Catherine's entrance into the world the babe knew naught of motherly love.

Hannah rarely spent time around the child. The death of Anne had pleased a woman of mere 16 years greatly yet to raise her offspring, and proof of her husband's infidelity in their own household, was a great insult. A wet nurse was employed during the period where Catherine needed feeding and a Nanny as well. Cedric visited with the small one often as the world grew before inquisitive eyes. It was marveled amongst servants how alert the child seemed, observing everything that came before her, even when only a few days old. Edward, her brother, who was only a year older doted upon his new baby sister and was always at her side. Though Catherine noticed small that Hannah never loved her, an incident of rejection when only three, she never truly lacked for love.

Cedric saw that the girl's education started young for it was evident Catherine held a love for knowledge. An endless stream of questions from the moment she could speak, done earlier than even her brother, and curiosity that caused exploration from the moment her first step took. Any daughter of his would not be raised to simper and act the dullard. Showing of intellect and free-thinking was encouraged. The Earl saw that Catherine was raised, as his other children, to have a mind open to ideas not considered by most. She frequently asked why commoners were considered unfit company for nobility, why women had less opportunity than men, and why marriage was arranged without discussion of all parties? Outrageous ideas that brought horror to Hannah(who'd been raised to think as all others before) the older Catherine became.

The only time that Hannah condescended to bother with Catherine was during the period of teaching her about court and the proper behavior of a lady. This encompassed everything from conduct at court to importance of fashion to wifely duties. Seemingly the last to be of vast importance in the eyes of Catherine's mother. She pushed for her to catch the eye of a man fitting enough to be husband. During social gatherings there was even more to be learned though. Catherine caught glimpses of how women played the game, using feminine wiles and charms to their advantage, as well as the games that parents engineered to advance their own social and political position. While distasteful it was evident that these were useful tools of knowledge just like those learned from books and from tutors. Though her experiences in England would become limited as her Mother was eager to see Catherine gone.

On the evening of her twelfth birthday ensued an argument between her Father and Mother that was overheard by the children. Edward comforted Catherine with an arm about the shoulder and though both were yet children, by age, in mind they were far more mature. What could be expected of children that rarely had the chance to be? Duty was set upon their shoulders from birth. Edward was outraged at the words his Mother uttered when speaking of his beloved sister, calling her obscenities that shouldn't leave the mouth of a lady, while Catherine felt...numb. Almost cold. She'd known the woman bore her no love, but not to this extent! Their Father was furious as a sweetly angelic face and figure near six months along with child seemed to become a demon. Marriage. That was the word that left the lips of Hannah Atherton. She'd arranged a betrothal to a French nobleman's eldest son, set to inherit, the Comte of Rethel. There'd be no refusing for the threat that fell next...shocked all to the core...Hannah stated that if the girl was allowed to remain? She'd kill her.

Catherine knew that was why her Father agreed. Less than two months later she was being sent to foster with the Comtesse and Comte de Rethel. Catherine didn't put up any kind of fuss when her Father told her even if it broke her young heart to leave him and Edward. The Comtesse, Isabeau D'Aubigne, was a kind-hearted woman who accepted Catherine with open arms, and begun the focus of her "training". It was she who saw that Catherine's education furthered even in ways that were...considered outrageous. A free-thinking and open-minded woman that Catherine admired, and in truth loved, for they were kindred spirits. She got to know her future husband, Charles Antoine D'Aubigne III, named after his Father, whom was six-years-older than she...and an insufferable prick. Yet it was her duty to marry him. Perhaps the only consolation that came was when a month or so after her arrival in Rethel a letter came bearing news of Hannah Atherton's death during childbirth- something that Catherine didn't mourn- and the birth of Theodore Elliot Atherton...a brother.

Little did Catherine know that two years later she'd be giving birth to her first child. It was two months before her 13th birthday that she married. A beautiful gathering for Catherine made what many called a "stunning" bride with dark hair and blue-green eyes. She was terrified out of her wits though. The day a blur for she got through it mechanically including the wedding night which is better left out of it and every following night afterward. Yet by some miracle, or curse?, Catherine found herself giving birth to her first child, a daughter, at fourteen. Arabella Helene D'Aubigne was a beautiful and sweet child that didn't even make a fuss after being placed in Catherine's arms. Charles D'Aubigne was furious to say the least to have a daughter, and not a son, though and felt it necessary to take it out on her later that evening. It was the first time that Charles hit Catherine, busting her lip and bruising fair cheek, and wouldn't be the last. Isabeau D'Aubigne was a comfort to have close at hand, as they still resided in the same household as Charles's parents, yet understood that she couldn't interfere in her son's heavy-handed behavior for his Father was the same.

So life went on in the D'Aubigne household. On the outside they were the perfect, loving family to those whom they socialized with. Yet inside the house it was almost a nightmare except for when the men were out of the house. Catherine learned to keep her opinions to herself for the most part though the older she got it seemed bravery became a companion. She learned to speak up even if meant risking a hand upon her person and...well, she didn't always sit quietly. Charles got his fair share of bruises in return. What woman in her right mind would lay still while being beat? Perhaps it was a bit of her Father's spirit that burned inside, a fire that wouldn't be quelled, and made her fight back in defense. Throughout the years of life there were many tragedies to be experienced for Catherine miscarried many times, some caused by Charles and others by nature, though also joyous occasions such as her Father's re-marrying (multiple times) or the news of other siblings. She got to lay eyes upon Edward again, meet his wife and children, and even meet Theodore whom she loves to pieces. It was at the age of eighteen that Catherine became Comtesse de Rethel for Charles's Father passed away and finally the title of Comte belonged to him.

Neither happy nor devastated by this loss, Isabeau D'Aubigne became the Dowager Comtesse and eventually moved into a smaller house upon their land to be a woman of age. She got to share her opinion, teach Arabella of worldly matters, and more. Age allowed for certain things even where women were concerned. Charles wasn't pleased by his Mother's shameful displays, including articles published in papers for the world to see on things that "don't concern the weaker sex", and was ever always excusing her to friends by saying her mind had deteriated some. That was around the time Catherine began to join Isabeau on writing articles, first under a false name and then her real one, and also partook in her first affair. Matthieu Delacroix was an artist and musician tolerated within their social circle due to his skills as well as his Father being one of the la noblesse or nobility as Marquis. Charming, handsome, witty, and intelligent he swept Catherine off her feet in the passing of an hour.

Such passion wrought from masterful hands! If ever there was any to associate the word 'love' to then Matthieu was the one. Catherine loved him and of that there wasn't any doubt. She was only nineteen and he well into his twenties, but they connected both physically and mentally on a level that she never had with another...nor ever would again. They carried on the affair for well over three years, many times during which he begged Catherine to take Arabella and leave with him, but it ended with his death. An illness, unfortunate indeed, that gained him a slow death though Catherine always suspected that Charles had had a hand in it- poisoning- yet could never prove it. Upon his death Catherine mourned, privately, though rejoiced for he'd left behind something to remember- a son that she gave birth to eight months later, Matthieu Remy D'Aubigne. Charles's first boy was not to be his though he could not say otherwise out of fear of the shame it'd bring as he'd not been able to get Catherine with child for years now. A problem, proven by the birth of a son, clearly on his end. The next lovers taken were only kept for a certain period of time each, and two of them since gained her two more children, Sophie Therese D'Aubigne a year after little Matthieu, and Charles Antoine D'Aubigne IV a year after Sophie.

With each year it seems that, as a fine wine, Catherine's beauty only increases. The gowns she wears never lacks anything to fill them out for her chest is just ample enough and the rest of her figure enough to be considered curvaceous with it's small build. At 5'6 she's a bit taller than preferred for most women, but with chocolate hair hinted with red and eyes that are neither blue nor green yet an enchanting blend of both deserving of no name(so described by Matthieu) she attracts a great amount of attention. Yet it is also her aura for Catherine is not mousy woman. She commands respect and exudes confidence. Something that angers Charles for his years are not as kind and his attitude garners his wife more respect than himself.

Though Charles still lays his hands upon her when angry life has...to an extent...smoothed out. Of late Catherine finds that her husband is away from home more often than not and notices that he plans to marry off Arabella. Something that she doesn't intend to let happen unless her daughter wishes it or unless it's to someone that she finds that Arabella feels comfortable with being married to for she doesn't wish her daughter to be stuck in the same situation as she. In this endeavour she speaks of sending Arabella to foster with the Aberdeen family, the monarchy that her Father speaks so highly of, as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen.