If these walls could speak

If these walls could speak

Susan Cochrane

Drawing up at the vantage point overlooking the valley Lisa stepped out of her car and scanned the spread of vineyards descending towards the river below until her gaze focused on the Château de La Vallière, a gem of Renaissance architecture. Its elegant architecture was perfectly reflected in the wide bend of the river and enhanced by a rim of forest. Its notoriety as a palace of luxury and exquisite taste originated with the reputation of its original chatelaine, Louise-Françoise de La Baume Le Blanc, the first official mistress of King Louis XIV.

Lisa was engrossed in an intriguing quest– researching the lives of the King’s eight official mistresses for the catalogue of a forthcoming exhibition of their portraits at the Palace of Versailles. Her research had revealed that in 1662, when Louise was seventeen, she was presented to the court of King Louis XIV, who was then twenty-eight.

Although Louis had been King since the age of four, during his childhood he had suffered from the internecine rivalries among nobles seeking position and influence. In the cause of diplomacy, Louis was married to Marie-Louise of Austria, a dutiful marriage to an insipid woman who he barely tolerated. He had no desire to live in any of the royal domains he detested from his childhood and desired to choose his own companions. His solution was to leave Paris definitively and build his own palace at the royal hunting estate of Versailles, from which he would hold his court and rule his kingdom as he wished. Louis XIV, who became known as the Sun King, dedicated his masterpiece the Chateau of Versailles, with its magnificent gardens and sumptuous revelries, to his beloved first mistress, Louise.

It was understandable, Lisa reflected, that the King sought love and understanding and found it with Louise. During their long, intimate relationship she was his Favourite and his muse, she genuinely loved him for himself rather than the privileges accorded to her status.

Lisa’s favourite portrait of Louise de La Vallière was the one by Jean Nocret painted in 1662. She looks relaxed but alert in this three-quarter length pose, as if she is about to rise and greet someone she loves. The dark velvet drape in the background and rich red brocade of the cushion beside her add a sense of intimacy and accentuate her refined beauty. Her eyes seem to follow the viewer, but with an amused look. Her face is framed by soft, fair hair, styled in the formal curls of the era, and she wears no jewellery, allowing the artist to portray the perfection of her natural grace and fair complexion. She is quite simply attired, perhaps just getting dressed, as the low décolletage of her simple chemise is slightly open and the corset plain. An insouciance in the pushed up sleeve and the freedom of her hand movement, contrast with the stiff formality of court portraits of the period.

Although the official opening of the art history conference would not be until the evening, Lisa wanted to give herself several hours to absorb the magnificent park and the sumptuous interiors of the Château de La Vallière. When Lisa had finished her tour, the concierge showed her to the sumptuous bedroom she would occupy for two days, a blend of aristocratic opulence and intimate charm. The high ceilings were adorned with delicate plasterwork and a crystal chandelier cast a soft golden glow over the room. The walls were panelled in pale cream and gold, accented with hand‑painted floral motifs and gilded filigree. Tall windows, dressed in silk damask draperies, opened to views of the château’s manicured park and vineyards. A small seating area featured Louis XIV armchairs upholstered in soft tapestry, a low table set with fresh flowers and a delicate porcelain tea service. The canopied bed was embellished with carved oak posts, its sumptuous brocade curtains and covers finished with embroidered tassels and several lace-trimmed pillows. On the wall facing the bed was a rococo‑style fireplace with a marble mantel. Poised above the mantel was Nocret’s portrait of Louise.

Lisa and the portrait of Louise made their acquaintance; it seemed to Lisa that her royal hostess smiled gently, as if welcoming her into the intimate space of this boudoir with its alluring blend of aristocratic grandeur and quiet intimacy.

Unpacking the contents of the small valise, Lisa reflected that her small collection of trendy clothing, which would take up only three hangars, was totally insufficient for the grand armoire. Nevertheless, she dressed for the opening cocktail party of the conference in her best outfit, a designer black silk-velvet pantsuit she had been fortunate to find in a vintage clothes market, teamed with an ivory silk blouse and a cravat of antique lace. Lisa had the feeling that Louise was watching her dress, and gave a slight smile of approval when her toilette was complete– or was her imagination working overtime?

Lisa felt more at ease now that she was becoming accustomed to her sumptuous surroundings, and took her time to wander through the gracious hallways to the grand ballroom where the conference guests were gathering for the opening ceremony. Without paying any real attention, she went through the usual meet and greet cocktail party, avoiding the cliques forming around celebrities and guest speakers. The formal dinner was a more enjoyable part of the evening shared with interesting colleagues until, eventually, all the guests drifted off to their respective bedrooms.

Louise greeted Lisa back into her boudoir with her enigmatic smile. Slightly dizzy from indulging in champagne, Lisa left her clothes carelessly draped on a brocade chair. As she slipped naked into the luxurious sheets, her last thoughts were, 'What if these walls could speak, what stories would they tell?' She drifted into quite erotic dreams of lovers embracing in the same luxurious canopied bed, the nubile woman naked except for a yellow satin garter worn high on her right thigh.

Waking slowly the next morning, Lisa took pleasure in every detail of her surroundings. She remembered that she had had wonderful, sensuous dreams, but the details escaped her. She slipped out of bed and went to pick up her cast off clothes.

Poised on top of her black velvet jacket was an antique yellow satin garter. Lisa gasped with surprise and quickly looked up at the portrait– Louise looked back with her enigmatic smile.

© Susan Cochrane April 2026