Between Two Fires
by Christopher Buehlman
Contents
Twenty-Nine: Of Marguerite of Péronne
Overview
The chapter recounts Thomas’s courtship and marriage to Marguerite de Péronne, his ascent under the Comte de Givras, and the suspicion that the comte was Thomas’s father. Reflecting on Marguerite’s later betrayal, Thomas hardens, but Delphine ritually washes him, tempering his anger and reapplying the disguise of his dead rival. These revelations deepen Thomas’s motives and prepare him to continue the Avignon mission.
Summary
The narrative flashes back to Thomas de Givras’s 1341 marriage to Marguerite de Péronne, detailing her mixed dowry, social connections, and much-noted beauty. Despite rumors about Marguerite’s past, mutual attraction blooms when they first ride together; Marguerite’s wit, Latin, and singing disarm Thomas, while his strength and humor captivate her.
After the wedding, Thomas shows Marguerite their new holding at Arpentel. He vows fidelity and dreams of sons, buoyed by his rise from kitchen-born page to knight under the patronage of the Comte de Givras. A court incident shows the comte defending Thomas’s honor and land against a jealous noble, underlining Thomas’s earned standing.
Marguerite once jokes that the Comte de Givras must be Thomas’s father. Thomas dismisses it then, but after witnessing the comte’s death at Crécy, he reconsiders and now believes it likely. This realization reframes his past and sharpens the pain of Marguerite’s later choice to betray him—choosing power and survival over honor.
Returning to the present, Delphine notices Thomas’s softening mood and leads him to a stream. She washes his head and feet, helping him release anger. As before, Thomas’s true face slips in the water and he resumes the visage of his dead rival, signaling renewed purpose and readiness to pursue their perilous road toward Avignon.
Who Appears
- Thomas de GivrasReflects on his marriage, rise under the comte, possible parentage, and submits to Delphine’s cleansing; disguise restored.
- Marguerite de PéronneThomas’s wife; witty, learned, beautiful; rumored past; later betrays him; once suggested the comte was his father.
- Comte de GivrasThomas’s patron and likely father; defended Thomas’s honor; his death at Crécy reshapes Thomas’s understanding.
- DelphineGuides Thomas to the stream, washes him, soothes his anger, and restores the face of his dead rival.
- Seigneur de PéronneMarguerite’s father; arranges the match, motivated by alliances and securing his daughter’s future.
- Thomas’s motherKitchen worker in the comte’s household; raised Thomas, hinted at hidden parentage; foundation of his early life.