The Queen and the Courtesan Read Free

by your good self at some point in the not-too-distant past.’ She arched one finely plucked brow and he laughed out loud.
    â€˜I think you are cleverer than I gave you credit for, mademoiselle.’
    The small pert mouth curved upwards into a bewitching smile. ‘I dare say that is something you might discover for yourself, given time.’
    â€˜And will you allow me the necessary time to make such fascinating discoveries?’
    Henriette sank into a deep curtsey, head bowed for a moment before raising it to look directly into his eyes. ‘I would never presume to deny a king, unless he were to ask me to relinquish my good character.’
    It was a challenge Henry could not resist. He stayed at the château several days longer than intended, enchanted by the young beauty. He found her to be both vivacious and intelligent, entranced by the secret smile that played about her lips whenever she looked in his direction. Henry was never allowed to be alone with her, as her protective mother assured him she was still a virgin and had no wish for her daughter’s virtue to be compromised. Yet unlike his sweet Gabrielle, she did not act like one. There was a promise of passion in those catlike eyes that were as deep and unfathomable as the ocean. Henriette made it very plain that she would not succumb easily, but it came to him with a delicious shock that he wanted her, very badly.
    Gabrielle had been dead for just five weeks.
    Henriette was jubilant. ‘Did I not tell you, Maman , that I could charm the King? He could not take his eyes from me.’
    Balzac, well pleased with the royal attention to his beautiful daughter, was already weighing up possible advantages for his own future. ‘You must not surrender to the royal suit unless it includes the crown matrimonial.’
    â€˜Indeed, I will not,’ Henriette agreed with a knowing smile.
    Marie sighed, wishing to caution both husband and daughter yet knowing they would not listen. She had wanted a respectable life for her girls, but how could she, as a one-time royal mistress herself, deny Henriette such an opportunity? ‘Remember that the King is in mourning. Had Gabrielle d’Estrées lived, she would have been our queen by now.’
    â€˜But she is dead, and I am very much alive. I am young, and if not quite such a beauty, I am as well born and possess a spark-ling wit, or so the King thinks.’ Henriette laughed. ‘I certainly know how to play him.’
    â€˜Flattering the vanity of a king is not difficult but can easily lead to disappointment, particularly with this one. Henry has a fickle nature when it comes to women, so do not set your heart on having him. You will have many rivals for his affection. I loved Charles. He loved his beloved Elizabeth, but also adored me. I was fortunate in that I was his one and only mistress. You could never be sure of such constancy from Henry of Navarre.’
    â€˜Tch, you can be happy without becoming encumbered by love. Power is far more important.’
    â€˜If that is what you seek then you play a dangerous game, child.’
    â€˜Any game with a prize worth capturing involves danger,’ retorted her husband.
    â€˜That is true, but does she not also deserve a good husband? Would love without marriage be enough for you, my sweet?’
    â€˜There you go again, Maman , judging me by your own standards. You were not ambitious, were content to be a mistress, but that was your choice. It would not be mine.’ The green eyes glittered with a new determination. ‘Why could I not have both the King’s love and marriage? What think you, Papa?’
    Balzac smirked with pleasure that this clever daughter’s thoughts so matched his own. ‘I see no reason at all, dearest child, why you should not succeed where the unfortunate Gabrielle d’Estrées failed. If you can but win the King’s heart, you could indeed win a crown.’
    The château of