The House of the Wolf: A Romance

A languid August afternoon in 1572 finds a group of young cousins lounging on a stone terrace, the heat and silence broken only by the soft rustle of a distant cloud. The narrator, his twin brother, and their younger sibling Croisette watch Catherine, the beautiful and gentle cousin, as she announces an impending marriage to M. de Pavannes. Their playful, almost theatrical reactions—falling back, sighing, and kissing her hand—reveal a close bond tempered by youthful rivalry and a hint of unspoken longing.

Set against the fragile peace between Catholics and Huguenots, the story captures the tension of a nation on the brink of upheaval while keeping the focus on the intimate dramas of love and duty. As the brothers grapple with their roles as loyal servants and secret admirers, the looming presence of the “Wolf”—both a family emblem and a portent of conflict—adds a subtle edge to their otherwise carefree summer. Listeners will be drawn into the fragrant, sun‑drenched world of French aristocracy, where personal desire collides with the expectations of honor and history.