The Last Duchess of Belgarde

In the sun‑dappled garden of the formidable Countess of Floramour, sixteen‑year‑old Trimousette sits stitching while reciting Ronsard, her thoughts drifting toward a future she cannot yet see. A quiet, humble soul with dark eyes, she longs for love even as her stern grandmother arranges a marriage to the notorious Duke of Belgarde—a man whose daring reputation clashes with the Countess’s rigid expectations. When the old countess declares the match settled, Trimousette’s heart flutters with a mix of awe and dread, the promise of a grand coach drawing a line between childhood and the looming responsibilities of duchesshood.

As the day of the duke’s arrival draws near, whispers of gifts, intrigue, and the looming presence of Madame de Valençay hint at a world far beyond Trimousette’s garden bench. The impending union promises a clash of personalities—her shy humility against his bold, reckless charm—setting the stage for a delicate dance of duty, desire, and the inevitable challenges of aristocratic life. Listeners are invited to accompany Trimousette as she steps from the quiet shadows of her garden into the bright, uncertain glare of a future she has only begun to imagine.