The King's Courtesan. Judith James

some difficult years and she didn’t want to lose him. She knew he would be hurt, possibly angry at the news of her marriage, but it was hardly something she could keep from him, any more than she could have kept it from Charles. Her cheeks flushed and she gave William a guilty look from underneath her lashes.

      “What have you there, love? A billet doux from a secret admirer?”

      “It is a letter from Robert.”

      “Robert?”

      “Yes. You remember. Captain Nichols.”

      “Ah, yes! Marjorie’s nice young man. The one who wanted to marry you. How did a little wren gain so many admirers? Poets, captains and kings. I was lucky I kidnapped you when I did.”

      “Yes, you were.”

      “Did I ever meet him? I think not. Some stuffed country Puritan, wasn’t he?

      “No. He’s very elegant and handsome, if somewhat private and intense. A military man. He had his own company of horse. I am hoping you will get to meet him soon. I rather invited us to his home. I believe you would like each other.” He chuckled and she made a face at him. “That’s an evil laugh.”

      “He’ll not like me, my dear. You know so little of men. No man likes the fellow who stole the woman he’d marked as his. Doubtless he judges me an immoral libertine and a terrible danger to your sweet soul.”

      “Which you were.” She put down the letter. “You know it’s strange. When last we met he told me he had wanted to marry me when I was a girl, but I never had any idea. He doesn’t show his emotions. I thought at first he didn’t have any. He has always seemed so lacking in passion and so very correct.”

      William shrugged, and moved his attentions from her heel to her arch. “That’s true of many who’ve seen too much of war. People deal with it in different ways. It’s not a thing one tends to share in conversation. ‘Pass the biscuits, a lump of sugar if you please, oh, and did I ever tell you about the poor bastard who had his legs blown off as he stood beside me?’ It’s no surprise some develop the habit of silence.”

      “Did that happen to you?”

      “Obviously not,” he said with a grin. “I am the type for whom little things take more meaning when larger ones disappoint. A fine wine, a lovely painting, a heated kiss replace glory, honor and duty. Perhaps for your Robert, it is the reverse.”

      She wanted to ask him about the lust and cruelty she’d seen in the eyes of some soldiers. Whether that was a thing men took with them into battle, or something they brought from it, but he had let loose her feet and was bent over a side table, penning a response to the king. She opened Robert’s letter and began to read.

      My dearest Elizabeth,

      How kind of you to write and share your happy news. I can scarcely credit that any woman managed to bring de Veres to heel. It is an act of superb generalship worthy of your father and congratulations are due. I am delighted for you, my dear, so long as he treats you well. It is kind of you to offer to visit. I, too, value our friendship, but I very much regret it is not possible at this time. It seems the king has found a higher purpose for Cressly, and thus I must find one for myself. I will be gone from it by the end of next month.

      Her gasp of outrage made William looked up from his writing. “Elizabeth? What does he write?” She raised a hand for him to wait as she finished.

      I am been better suited to soldiering than farming, I suspect, so it should prove no great hardship. It may be that I shall rent a suitable house in town. Once I am settled I will of course look forward to your visit.

      Your servant, Captain Robert Nichols

      “Oh, William, how could he? He is taking Robert’s lands!”

      William shrugged. “These things happen. He is a lesser gentleman who was on the wrong side of the war. It costs Charles nothing to displace him. There must be someone he needs to please and your friend’s lands are the most convenient way to do so.”

      “Well, I have changed my mind. We must go to London now. Captain Nichols rescued me from Cromwell’s soldiers, Will. It was he who intervened the day after you left. He spoke for me when I was judged and facing transportation or worse, and he helped me get settled in London. Perhaps if I speak with Charles I can change his mind. I must at least try. I owe him so much.”

      THEIR ARRIVAL AT COURT a week later was greeted with a great deal of excitement and as they made their way through the great hall to the privy chamber, the crowded room became a sea of craning necks. The court had been a duller place since the scandalous earl had left it. People still whispered and chuckled about his farewell gift to the king. They were shocked at the rumors he had married his mistress, except for the Duke of Monmouth, who’d made a fortune wagering on it and still maintained that Elizabeth Walters had been the earl’s childhood friend.

      “They look at me as if I was a tame bear,” William growled to Elizabeth. He reached for her and pulled her close. “Why are we here again? Ah, yes. We must arrange another meeting for you with our gracious king, your old beau, so we might save your heroic captain. I swear, little bird, you delight in giving me competition. Look. There he is now.”

      “William! Elizabeth! How are you, my dears? What a pleasure to have you returned to the fold. I expect things to be much more entertaining now the two of you have joined us.” Stepping between them, Charles Stuart clapped his arms about their shoulders and gave them both an enthusiastic hug.

      “Come. I’ve been eager to show you some of the wedding preparations. You in particular, Elizabeth. I remember how taken you were by our last grand masque. My bride arrives at Portsmouth and we will sail down the Thames on a magnificent barge. Some of the decorations are being readied here on the palace grounds.”

      His enthusiasm and long stride swept them through a crowd of courtiers before either had a chance to respond. He ushered them into a bustling workshop where a swarm of busy artisans and workers were carving and gilding, painting and brazing. There were giant thrones and arches, water-spouting seahorses and Poseidons, and magnificent mechanical unicorns and lions that reared and roared.

      “What do you think of it, William?”

      It took him a moment to respond. “If your bride tends to garishness and excess she’ll be transported.”

      “All of England will be transported. The barge will be the centerpiece of a grand flotilla. It will herald a new era for England. We make great gains through this marriage. A fresh start, William, yes? You have had yours it seems.” Charles smiled warmly at Elizabeth, and she gave him a brilliant smile in return. He tore his gaze away and turned back to William. “Do you remember all our dreams, Will?”

      His voice sounded wistful, and William bit back a pointed reply. “I do, Your Majesty. I hope this marriage brings you more than lands and access to the Mediterranean. I hope it brings you some of the joy Lizzy and I have found.”

      “Thank you. I am delighted you both came. One wants his friends around him on occasions such as this.”

      “There is also a matter Elizabeth would like to discuss, Charles.”

      “Yes, of course, my dears. People always have something to discuss.”

      ELIZABETH SAT ON HIS MAJESTY’S BED, her back comfortably settled against a mound of gold-braided cushions, with a spaniel asleep on her lap. Charles’s penchant for conducting most of his audiences in his bedchamber had at first shocked her, but now it felt comfortable, like visiting an old friend.

      He poured her a glass of wine and one for himself. “So, Elizabeth, my dear. What did you come to discuss? One or another of my ladies is always annoyed with me, though I’m such a sunny fellow. I recognize the look. Out with it, madam.”

      “Very well. You have taken away the holdings of my dear friend, Captain Robert Nichols, despite your general amnesty and the fact he has been living there peacefully since your restoration. I can’t believe he has done anything