Read The Queen and the Courtesan for Free Online Page B

amenable,’ Rosny drily remarked. ‘We will proceed with the arrangements,’ and after bowing low, quickly departed before the King could change his mind.
    Henriette was sitting up in bed enjoying a late breakfast when the King came to her. She instantly reached out her arms to him, her mood warm with affection for she had recently discovered she was enceinte . The King’s marriage with Marguerite de Valois had been dissolved to allow him to marry his darling Gabrielle. But with that plan dying with his former mistress, Henriette was quite certain it would now be herself who would soon be Queen of France. Did she not have his signed promise of marriage tucked safely away?
    Henry came to sit beside her on the bed, declining the sliver of peach she offered him. ‘I have already breakfasted, thank you, dearest, some hours ago before my ride.’
    â€˜I insist. It is but a small morsel of my love,’ she said. Henry let her feed him the piece of fruit, her mouth coming to his to nibble it with him, her tongue sliding between his lips in a most erotic fashion. She smelled of musk and the sex they’d enjoyed only an hour ago. How could he refuse her anything?
    With steadfast resolve he brought himself back under control and tried again. ‘My love, you are aware that attempts have been made to negotiate a marriage with the Grand Duke of Tuscany’s niece, Marie de Medici?’
    Henriette sighed. ‘Who could not be? Your ministers have been attempting to bring about that union for years, even in the time of your little Gabrielle. And consistently failed.’ She sucked on another sliver of peach, uncaring. Rosny’s politicizing did not trouble her in the slightest. The sour-faced minister may well make his dislike of her very apparent, but she had almost achieved her object. A few months of careful rest and her future would be assured. She took the King’s hand and smoothed it over her belly. ‘Feel how your son grows in strength daily. He will be a fine boy, like his father.’
    Henry felt only a flat stomach. It was far too early for her to be showing, or to be certain a child would even be born. He withdrew his hand. ‘My dear, do you still have the promise of marriage I gave you?’
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜May I see it?’
    â€˜Why would you wish to?’ She laughed, offering him another slice of fruit, which this time he wisely declined. ‘You are familiar enough with its contents. You are my affianced husband.’
    â€˜Dear heart,’ and here he paused to clear his throat, or gather his courage. ‘The fact of the matter is, I fear I must insist that you return it to me as I am now unable to comply with that promise.’
    â€˜Not comply . . .’ She stopped, her green eyes narrowing with suspicion. ‘Why would you not?’
    â€˜Because, my love, quite without my realizing it, a marriage agreement has been signed with the Italian princess. The contract is even now being drawn up, and the proxy wedding will take place within weeks, a few months at most.’
    For several long seconds Henriette did not respond, only stared at him in stunned silence. Then she let out a horrendous scream. It echoed around the cavernous bedchamber, carrying all her fury and torment with it. The King almost fell off the bed in alarm but when he rushed to calm her, he managed only to catch the dish of peaches that she flung at him.
    â€˜How could you do this to me?’ she yelled. ‘You liar! You cheat! You promised me most faithfully! This is Rosny’s doing. I insist you dismiss him forthwith, and that cringing Villeroy who does his every bidding.’
    â€˜Villeroy is still with the Tuscan envoy.’
    â€˜Then dispatch the greedy fool back to Italy.’
    â€˜You must be calm, my love. Think of the child.’
    â€˜Why did not you think of this child?’ she cried, in a frenzy of temper. ‘Your son ! I