“And…. you think that this…um…so-called stare warrants a “Porter”?” Bette asked, in a bantering tone, enjoying the light gibes back and forth and casual exchange with Tina, finding it as important, although much different, in tone from the serious conversation they had been having since last night.

As Tina said, it really was a good thing they were stepping out today, leaving the somber confines of the room, and moving around the beautiful grounds of the Chateau.  May make it easier for Tina to share what was going on.  What was making her anxious, anyway?

“Well, how else should I react?,” Tina parried with a smile. “You know what effect that visual, virtual “stripping” has on me.  I’ve told you about all that, already!,” She squeezed the brunette briefly, then released the squeeze, but keeping her arms  circled around Bette.  Then she asked, shyly, “I take it you still find me sexy, huh?”

Bette turned her head around, to lean back once more into Tina’s embrace, and shut her eyes.  They enjoyed the hug a while longer in silence.  “Always have,” she answered, after a pause, huskily, “Always will, T.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Later that day, Bette and Tina were sitting in the al fresco sitting area of the restaurant, sipping on champagne.  They had finished touring the Chateau, and were taking in a late lunch in the outdoor seating area of the garden restaurant.  They gazed out into the fabled, manicured, gardens of Versailles, quietly enjoying the beauty of the Chateau and gardens.  The water fountain shows all around Versailles had just begun.

A majestic, royal paean to its history; together with the classical music piped in all throughout the grounds, the water shows transported the garden scene, the Chateau, and the visitors milling around, back across several centuries in France’ history when kings and queens strolled the grounds, and barons and baronesses enjoyed string music, as they floated on canoes atop one of the many large pools scattered throughout the grounds.

Bette broke into the silence, absentmindedly at first, “When the fountains burst out like that, just now, water cascading down the sinews of the sculpture of Apollo over there… you know…Apollo as conqueror, standing masterfully on his chariot, pulled along by those massive horses, representing force and love or desire or ardour, rising out of the dark waters of the pool,” her voice growing in passion now, “Just dominating the sea monsters around him.  I was just reminded how it remains sadly one of the most unappreciated works of French late 17^th-century.”