Animated Lust (Rated PG!) - The Visconte of Nouvignon

The Visconte of Nouvignon
by Auburn Red

Part One: Word From Home

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Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own these characters. They are properties of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Disney. I however am the proud owner of Vincente Dumont, Adi Dumont, Paul D’Arnot (except the name which was lifted from Burroughs himself), Nick Stanford, and Charlot.

Note: This is a sequel to my earlier fic, "The Queen of Opar." It takes place a few months after the previous fic. It is also related to the Legend of Tarzan episode, "The Trading Post" and "The Return of La" As before you won’t have to have seen them, but it might help.

Attn: Tarzan and Jane fans: Tarzan, Jane, and their friends only appear in this fic for a little bit. I’m giving Renard, La, Hugo, and Hooft the chance to star in a fic of their own. Enjoy.

Nouvignon Manor, France- The tall sandy haired man waited outside the ornate door for the news whether it be good or bad. He drummed his fingers keeping in time with the ticking of the clock by the fireplace. Each second sliced in the air making it seem important. Paul D’Arnot occasionally glanced outside the window as the wind picked up speed causing the branches to hit the window in an insane drumming fashion. D’Arnot muttered and cursed under his breath feeling the tension mount at the back of his head.

Finally the door opened and a wizened balding gentleman appeared, carrying a black medical bag. "About time," D’Arnot said. "Well?"

"He’s taken a turn and it looks to be for the worst," the doctor answered rubbing his spectacles. "I have asked him repeatedly if he wishes for me to send for his family, but he refuses."

D’Arnot smirked. "That’s because the stubborn old fool has been estranged from his family since God knows when. One of his sons lives in Paris, and the other well I have no idea where he is."

Doctor Manette sighed. He hated family squabbles, but he knew this family for years. He would have liked to see them mend fences a long time ago, but now it may be virtually impossible. But one could always hope. "Tell him that if he wishes any chance of being reunited with his children in this world then they must be sent for."

A knock banged through the empty manor. "Who could that be at this hour?" D’Arnot asked. As if an answer to his question, a young parlormaid appeared in front of the two men. "I’m sorry to interrupt Monsieur D’Arnot, but there is a police officer outside who wishes to speak with you. He says it’s urgent."

D’Arnot and Doctor Manette exchanged glances. D’Arnot waved for the elderly doctor to stay where he was as he nodded at the maid. A tall gendarme officer appeared at the door. "May I speak with Vincent Dumont?", the officer asked.

The doctor shook his head. "I am tres sorry, monsieur, but I would argue against. M. Dumont is very ill."

The officer nodded. "Well, may I speak with his son, Renard then?"

The two men once again exchanged glances. "Renard Dumont disappeared a long time ago, officer," D’Arnot answered. "There is a rumor that he may be in the colonies. What is this in regards to?"

"We have found some new evidence in the case of Madelaine Dauphin," the officer answered. "If you could find him we would appreciate it."

Paul D’Arnot grinned inwardly. "Well, officer why don’t you join me in the study and tell me about it? I would be glad to find Renard for you. We are like brothers you see." He led the officer into the back room. Just when he was out of earshot, D’Arnot turned to Doctor Manette. "You may just get your wish after all. I’ll send for Rene, immediately."

The doctor stared at him puzzled. "But, you just said you don’t know where he is."

"I know of one way to find out," D’Arnot grinned. "Let Lucille see you out." He said as he shut the study door behind him.

Dumont’s Trading Post, Africa- "Is it almost time yet?" Hugo asked impatiently.

"Almost," Dumont said.

"Now?" Hugo asked.

Dumont looked up at the clock, Ten O’Clock pm. "Yes it’s time!" he called jubiantely. The three men looked outside for any customers who might arrive, but happily found none. Renard, Hugo, and Hooft quickly shut all the blinds and locked the door, and set out the card table. Hooft took out a deck of cards and began shuffling as a knock filled the air.

"Rule is if the come in while shuffling they don’t get served," Hooft reminded him. But Dumont paid him no mind instead looked out the window. "It is just La!" he said. "Remember, we said she could play."

"But, this is a boy’s game," Hugo complained as Renard let La in.

"Yeah, we can’t let a girl in," Hooft agreed.

"No wonder you two are lonely," La said as she kissed her boyfriend.

"Are you ready?" Dumont asked.

"You asked me that question last night," La reminded him. "And if I was ready for that, I’m definitely ready for this." The two kissed again amidst Hugo and Hooft’s friendly teasing.

"Please, you have a young impressionable mind here," Hooft said pointing to Hugo.

"Yeah," Hugo answered. "What’s that supposed to mean?" He glared at his friend. Renard held open a chair for La and helped her sit. Then he poured champagne for La, Hugo, Hooft, and himself as Hooft cut and then dealt the cards.

"So how do we play?" La asked.

"Well first you deal all the cards and if you get a straight flush, or a full house, or three or four of a kind. But, you don’t want to get a dead man’s hand which is-"

Renard held up his hand. "Why don’t we just let her watch and she could join in later?" He asked watching the confusion in the former jungle queen’s blue eyes.

"Thank you, Renard, but I’m sure I can pick it up," she said as Hooft dealt her a hand and the game began.

A few hours later, they continued to play. "Well, I’m out," Hugo groaned throwing down his hand.

"I think I’ll raise the stakes from 1000 to 10,000," Dumont said. "Are you in or out, you culturally illiterate American?" Dumont teased Hooft.

"Warning you boss, this move is brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue," Hooft answered putting down his chips.

"Now you do know that the French flag is also red, white, and blue?" Renard reminded Hooft.

The skinny American blushed at the reminder. "Okay, this is courtesy of the starry and stripy red, white, and blue. I’ll see your 10,000 and raise you 500 dollars."

"15,000," Dumont whistled. "What about you La, in or out?"

La looked at her cards. "Hmm, I don’t think I have enough for that, but I like to keep things interesting so I’ll raise it by 100 dollars."

"Done," Dumont said. "All right, Hooft let’s see your hand."

Hooft put down his cards in triumph. "Three of a kind."

Dumont grinned. "Most impressive, but not impressive enough. Straight Flush to the knave." He then turned to La who looked with a downcast expression on her face.

"Oh well, that is just too bad," she said. "I guess I can’t win against you unless," her face brightened. "Queen is higher isn’t it?" She laid down her cards to reveal the straight flush to the queen.

Renard clicked his tongue and stood up. "Well, I am going to bed. There is an old expression among gamblers, unlucky in cards-"

La could guess what he had in mind. "I’ll just have to let you win the next time."

"It’s beginner’s luck," Hugo said.

"She won the last three times," Hooft reminded him. "Are you cheating? Are you hiding trick cards?"

La looked at her body up and down and pointed at her skimpy outfit. "Where on earth would I hide them?" she asked. Suddenly, there was a rap at the door.

"Whoever it is deal them in," Hugo offered as Hooft opened the door.

A small man in a blue suit entered and looked the group up and down. "I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m looking for a Monsiuer Renard St. Jean Dumont."

The four looked at each other, puzzled. There was an instinctive knowledge that this could be trouble. Before Renard could respond, Hooft spoke. "I am Renard St. Somebody Dumont."

The man looked down at his clipboard. "According to this M. Dumont is a native Frenchman."

Hooft blanched, but then quickly recovered. "Veell vous know how eet ees, ven you are apart from ze motheer country for zo long."

Renard laughed and stood up. "At ease Poirot, I am Monsuier Dumont sir what may I do for you?"

"I have a telegram here," the man said. Renard took the telegram and paid the tip. "I apologize for the lateness, I’m sorry monsieur, sorry gentlemen, sorry Madame Dumont." He said as he walked out the door.

Hugo turned to La. "Madame Dumont, congratulations!" La playfully punched the portly man on the shoulder. Renard opened the telegram but offered no expression as he read. He paled and cupped his hand to his mouth as he read. Finally, he walked upstairs. "I am very sorry, but there is a family emergency and I must return home to France."

Hugo, Hooft, and La gasped in surprise. "What’s wrong boss?" Hugo said.

"Yeah, are you in some kind of trouble?" Hooft asked.

"No, I’m not in trouble," Renard answered. "I just don’t have time to explain. There’s a late ferry leaving in about fifteen minutes, I should try for that one."

"Well, whatever it is, I’m going with you," La said. "I could be good in a fight."

Renard shook his head. "No La it is too dangerous for you. I cannot allow it."

"But Renard-," La began.

"Absolutement non!" Renard told her. "I cannot explain right now, but just know that I will return, believe me." He turned to Hugo and Hooft. "You two are in charge of the store." He then went upstairs to pack.

La fumed. "How like a man!" she growled.

Two weeks later- The Trading Post bell jingled as the door opened. Hugo and Hoft greeted the muscular jungle lord and his pretty red haired wife. "Hey Tarzan. Hey, Jane," Hugo and Hooft said. They waved merrily back. Jane’s swollen abdomen gave no secrets about her condition.

"Hi Jane, how’s my kid," Hugo joked. Upon Tarzan’s wide- eyed, but slightly amused stare, Hooft shifted gears. "Just kidding, Big Guy."

"So seriously, how are you guys? When is it again," Hooft asked.

"Not for another few months yet," Jane said. "I can’t wait."

"Oh yeah that reminds me," Hooft said. "Jane you got a package from London." He picked it up and handed it to her.

Jane looked at the brown box with several stamps and smiled at the address. "It’s from Hazel, Greeley, Elenor, and Henry!" She picked up the note from her English friends on the box and read. "Sorry, we can’t be there for the blessed event, but we hope this present more than makes up for it." She curiously opened the box and squealed with delight.

"What is it Jane?" Tarzan asked.

Jane smiled and pulled out a gray colored outfit. "A loincloth baby nighty!" Jane said.

Tarzan held it curiously. "How did they get it?"

"Well, Bond Street isn’t exactly known for its loincloth department," Jane reasoned. "But, I’m not completely sure that I would like to know." She put the nighty in the box and closed it. "It is an adorable gift though!"

Tarzan nodded as the door opened once more. This time La walked in. She made a quick smile to Hugo and Hooft and barely nodded in Tarzan and Jane’s direction.

"What is that thing?" La said pointing at the nighty.

"It’s a gift from my friends," Jane said. "For our baby."

La rolled her eyes while Jane tried to meet La’s gaze Even though, La made peace with Tarzan and Jane there was still immediate discomfort and coolness between them. They trusted each other that they wouldn’t kill each other, but that was as far as their union went.

"I happen to be very happy about this," Jane said testily. "Wouldn’t you look forward to being married or having children La?"

La grimaced. "Look marriage may work for you and Tarzan, and your animal friends, and your father, but not for me, all right?" She then turned to the men at the counter. "Have you heard anything from him?"

Hugo and Hooft exchanged glances. "No, like the last fifty times you asked this week," Hooft remarked.

"From whom?" Jane asked.

They sighed. The moment to announce this had come. Hooft began, "Renard took off a couple of weeks ago. He said something about going home, but we hadn’t heard anything from him since."

"He’s been gone for this long?" Tarzan asked.

"Aren’t you concerned?" Jane asked.

Hugo and Hooft nodded, while La sniffed in contempt. "Not at all, I’m sure he’s all right. He’s fine." The former Opar Queen’s words could not convince even herself.

Jane giggled, and La fixed her a murderous glance. "Is there something so hilarious?"

"Absence makes the heart grow founder," Jane quoted.

Upon La’s blank stare, Tarzan translated. "She means that you are in love with Dumont!"

At this La jumped up to attack. Tarzan stood to face her! "I am not!," she yelled. "I threatened you once and I can do it again!"

Hugo held up his arms in protest as the two jungle people almost attacked. "Hold on, don’t wreck the place!"

La and Tarzan calmed down and La returned to reason. "I am simply concerned for Renard is all," she said. "He’s only a dear friend. We talk to each other, we fight with each other, we make love."

"Can I be your friend," Hugo asked lavisciously as La kicked him.

"I could- I could care less about him," La said with some finality.

Hooft grinned then held a piece of paper in front of her dangling it then snatching it away like a piece of string to a cat. "Then you won’t care what was on the telegram when he left."

"Nonsense," La said mesmerized, but then turned away. "What does it say?"

"Uh Uh, you didn’t care, "Hooft teased. "Besides I can’t read it it’s in French."

"Allow me," Jane said. "I studied French in finishing school." Hooft handed the letter to Jane as she read. "Oh dear," she said.

"What does it say Jane?" Tarzan said.

Jane said. "Well it’s been awhile since I studied so I can’t give the direct literal translation, but the gist is:

Rene,

Come quick stop. Vincente gravely ill stop. Paul suspicious stop. He knows stop.

Love,

Adi."

Jane looked up from the curious telegram. "It appears to me that he is being threatened!" she said in alarm.

Hugo then turned to La. "Looks like you’d better get to France."

La laughed out loud. "I’m not going to France! I’m sure "Rene" can look after himself! He doesn’t need me!"

Hugo picked up the telegram. "Well, that is bad news for you, but I’m sure it’s great news for this ‘Adi’ person."

Why?" La said, "As if I cared."

"Well, we don’t know who this Adi character is," Hugo said. "But it’s clear that she knows our boss pretty well signs the letters loooove. Apparantly, is trying to hide something from people. Maybe, she wants Dumont to come back to Paris and pick up where they left off."

"Yeah," Hooft nodded catching on. "She might be the bosse’s old girlfriend. Didn’t it seem that way to you two?"

Jane and Tarzan bit back laughter. "It’s possible," Tarzan said.

"The telegram was written in the ‘tu’ form, which indicated informal, very informal," Jane said.

"I can see it now," Hooft said. "Renard will come off the ferry while Adi comes out to kiss him. ‘Ohh Rene,’ she’ll say. ‘I have missed you.’ "

" ‘And I have missed you too ma cherie’ Renard will say," Hugo agreed getting caught up in the story. "Next thing you know they are doing it in their chateau, oh it’s a lovely place. Full of wealth, and riches, and trophies lots of trophies."

"Yeah, and then they’ll be really picking up where they left off," Hooft said. "They’ll have a really rich romantic wedding and invite all of their friends."

"Yeah, I’m thinking outdoors wedding and I see a lovely pastels as the color," Hugo said.

"ENOUGHHHHH!" La said springing up from her chair. "Start packing boys! We are going to France!"

Hugo and Hooft looked at her stunned. "Woah, hold on sister, we’re not going anywhere," Hooft said.

"Yeah," Hugo said. "The boss told us to stay here and watch the store and we’re going to do just that!"

"Pack and come with me or I will kill you!" La demanded.

Hugo and Hooft exchanged glances and nodded. "Okay," Hugo said. "I’ll pack!"

A quick thought ran through Hooft’s head. "I’ll go, let me check to see if there are any ferries leaving soon." Hugo and La walked upstairs to pack leaving Hooft, Tarzan, and Jane alone. "Actually, I have an idea that might help us if things get rough. Jane, I want you to be part of this scheme too," Hooft said.

"It isn’t illegal is it?" Jane asked.

"Well, you’re part isn’t," Hooft said. "I want you to write a telegram. Besides, Mr. Dumont you’re the only one of us who can write French."

Jane and Tarzan shrugged while Jane sat at the radio desk. "Ready."

"Then take a letter, Mrs. Tarzan," Hooft said.

"Adi,

Received telegram stop. Will arrive with M. Dumont’s wife stop. Meet at ferryport stop.

Sincerely,

Hooft Jackson, Atty.-at-Law."

Jane faced the tall man after writing this. "His what?"

"His wife," Hooft answered.

"But Dumont’s isn’t married," Tarzan said.

"I know that, Big T," Hooft said. "We’ll have a pretend wife while we’re there."

"And who may I ask is going to play the part of Madame Dumont?" Jane asked, knowing the answer before she even finished. "La," Tarzan and Jane said in unison. "She is going to destroy you!" Jane answered.

"Well, I didn’t say it was a good idea! But, that’s why I’m not telling her until we get to France. While in France, she is subject to their laws!," Hooft reasoned.

"But why are you doing it like this?" Jane asked.

"Because I know these types of situations," Hooft answered. "We don’t know what danger, Dumont’s in. If any at all, it gives us the advantage and keeps things interesting."

Jane shrugged. "Well, all right, here goes nothing," she said as she sent the telegram.

La and Hugo then walked down the stairs. "Did you find any ferries?" Hugo asked.

"Huh? Yeah, there’s one leaving tomorrow night," Hooft said.

"All right, we’ll wait until then," La said.