The King's Falcon (Roundheads & Cavaliers Book 3) (68 page)

Five minutes later, Athenais walked in three steps ahead of Pauline saying wickedly, ‘I can’t imagine why you want to marry her, Francis.
 
She’ll nag you to death inside a month.
 
And considering that there are at least three girls at the theatre who’d take you in a heart-beat if you were to ask, I don’t see what she’s dithering about.’

‘You’re a comfort, darling – and I’ll bear the thought in mind.’

‘She’s not a comfort – she’s an interfering busybody!’ snapped Pauline.

‘Goodness!
 
If that’s not pot calling kettle,’ retorted Athenais, enjoying herself.
 
‘I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve tried to do my breathing for me.
 
All I’m doing now is returning the favour.’
 
She smiled at Francis.
 
‘She’s a hopeless case, Francis and you have my most profound sympathy.
 
If it were me, you wouldn’t have to ask twice.’

‘If it were you,’ replied Francis with an answering smile, ‘Ashley would have my head. He’s upstairs, by the way – instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with me and taking his punishment like a man.’

‘Do you blame him?’ she asked, heading for the door.
 
And, to Pauline, ‘Stop being so bloody-minded. The man wrote you a play, for God’s sake.’

She paused outside long enough to hear Pauline say irritably, ‘What
else
have you told Ashley?
 
And
who
else have you confided in?’

‘Nothing – and no one.
 
Credit me with a little pride.
 
Ashley knows you well enough not to be surprised if you turn me down.
 
Anyone else will just assume I’m useless in bed.’

Suppressing a laugh, Athenais ran lightly up the stairs.
 

With the exception of his coat, Ashley was still fully dressed.
 
It occurred to her that, since That Night, he always had been.
 
He’d even put a washing-bowl in the dressing-closet so that he could shave without removing his shirt in front of her.
 
The degree of his care … the lengths he seemed to consider necessary for her peace of mind made her throat ache.
 
He never touched her unless she indicated that it would be welcome; no word of blame ever escaped his lips – only ones of undemanding affection and encouragement; and if he suffered the pangs of frustrated desire, he made sure she never knew it.
 
She couldn’t imagine what all this was costing him.
 
But she decided it was time she at least tried to make it easier.

She closed the door, leaned against it and shook her head dolefully.

‘Francis thinks you’re a coward.’

‘I won’t argue with that.
 
What have you been saying to Pauline?’

‘This and that.
 
It’s more what I said to Francis while she was listening.
 
I told him that other girls would show a bit more appreciation and that if he proposed to me, he wouldn’t have to ask twice.’

Ashley surveyed her over folded arms.
 
‘And did he?’

‘Propose? No.
 
He said you’d have his head – which makes him as much of a coward as you.’
 
She hoisted herself on to the window-seat and swung her crossed ankles.
 
‘Froissart’s given my role in
M
é
nage
to Jacqueline.
 
And I’ve got five full acts of an Alexandre Hardy tragi-comedy to learn.’

‘Life is hard,’ he said, laughter brimming unexpectedly in his eyes. ‘I can only applaud your fortitude.’

Her mouth quivered in response.

‘And so you should.
 
I’ll learn all those words … and by the end of Act Three half the audience will be on the verge of walking out.
 
It’s very dispiriting.’

‘It must be. All those young fellows sighing when you take a deep breath and never daring to take their eyes from the stage in case they miss a glimpse of ankle?
 
Torture.’

‘You have no idea. If you had, you wouldn’t think it was funny.’

Ashley grinned and sat down beside her.

‘Did I say it was?’

‘You thought it – and that is quite enough.’
 
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
 
‘Is English theatre really as awful as they say?’

‘I haven’t much experience of it.
 
Between leaving university and the start of the war, I spent my time in the country so the only plays I ever saw were ones performed by travelling troupes.
 
The acting wasn’t generally up to much but some of the plays were better than the ones I’ve seen here.’

‘Shakespeare?
 
Francis told me about him.
 
He said there are some wonderful female roles if only the law allowed females to play them.’
 
She yawned.
 
‘What did you do at university?’

‘All the usual things.
 
Latin, a little Greek … and a lot of raising merry hell.’

‘Wicked man. And at your home in country?’

‘I did whatever my father asked – if I wasn’t quick enough to absent myself before he asked it.
 
Took care of the horses, helped bring in the harvest, listened to the tenants.’

 
‘And then the war came and you went to fight.’

 
‘Yes. And once the fighting stopped, I came here and met you.’
 
He dropped a fleeting kiss on her hair.
 
‘So there you have it.
 
My entire life story.’

‘No,’ Athenais said seriously. ‘Only a part of it.
 
As you said, the fighting has stopped … and the Marquis is at the bottom of the river instead of trying to kill you.’ She tucked her hand into his and gave a tiny, unexpected gurgle of laughter.
 
‘Only think – there are years yet for us to plague each other.’
 

‘Very true,’ replied Ashley, shutting his mind against the inevitable thought. ‘Only think.’

~
 
*
 
* ~
 
*
 
*
 
~

On the following morning after a fitful night’s sleep, Ashley entered the kitchen to find Pauline staring fixedly into the steam rising from a pan of water.
 
He said, ‘If you get any reliable visions, I’d be happy to hear them.’

‘What?’ She blinked and turned to face him. ‘Where’s Athenais?’

‘Still asleep.’

Pauline straightened her shoulders and crossed to the bread-crock to begin her morning routine.
 
She said, ‘I suppose I owe you an apology, don’t I?’

‘No.
 
The situation
is
my fault – given that I could have avoided it altogether. And naturally you’re worried.
 
It would be amazing if you weren’t.’

‘Which is why we’re keeping it from Athenais.’

‘Yes.’

‘That can’t be easy for you.’

‘It isn’t.
 
Sooner or later, I’m going to have to lie to her … and that’s not something I relish.
 
But if knowing the truth has you – the strongest woman I’ve ever met – scared silly over what may happen --’

‘Athenais, as she is just now, won’t cope with it at all,’ she interposed flatly. ‘I know.’

He watched her for a moment, concern mingling with caution.

‘Have you healed your differences with Francis?’

Head bent over slices of sausage, Pauline gave a snort of despairing laughter.

‘It’s impossible to be angry with Francis for more than ten minutes at a time.
 
I don’t know how he does it but he always manages to say something either ludicrous or heart-wrenching.
 
And then he just smiles and I can’t … I can’t seem to assemble a logical argument or even remember why I was angry in the first place.
 
It’s like fighting a curtain.’

Ashley smiled.
 
‘That, in itself, must be maddening.
 
But you know, Pauline … if you love him that much, you really ought to put him out of his misery and marry him.’

She shot him a sharp glance and continued slicing sausage.

‘Francis isn’t miserable.
 
He’s damned well enjoying himself.’

‘I’m sure that’s what he wants you to think.’

‘And you must know as well as I do that the idea of him marrying a disfigured, aging actress is totally ridiculous.’

‘Don’t put words in my mouth.
 
It’s not ridiculous at all.
 
Calling your scar disfigurement is an exaggeration.
 
And aging?
 
By my calculation, you’re roughly the same age as me and two years younger than Francis.’

‘What’s that got to do with it?
 
You’re both men.’

Ashley sat down and folded his arms.

‘Now you’re just making excuses.
 
What is it you’re frightened of?’

‘Nothing!’

‘Liar,’ he said calmly.

Pauline slammed down the knife and turned to face him.

‘All right.
 
I think he’ll regret it.
 
Not immediately, perhaps – but in time.
 
And I don’t want to be the cause of that … or to have to witness it.’

Although Ashley understood this well enough and even sympathised with it, he chose not to say so.
 
Instead, with a slightly taunting lift of one brow, he said, ‘Life doesn’t come with guarantees.
 
Sometimes one has to take a risk.
 
For example, I’ll do my level best to return Francis to you in one piece – but I can’t promise it.’

‘Stop that right now!’ she snapped.
 
‘I won’t be blackmailed into giving him a promise just so he’ll go away happy.’

‘I was thinking more in terms of an incentive,’ replied Ashley, rising from the table at the sound of Francis’s footsteps on the stairs.
 
‘But I daresay you know best. And, in the meantime, if you can keep Athenais occupied today, I’d appreciate it.’

‘I’ll drag her off to the dressmaker.
 
It’s time she ordered a new gown.’

‘That should do it.
 
Thank you.’

*
 
*
 
*

With the ladies safely out of the way, Francis kept Ashley company while they waited.
 
Once again, the hours seemed to drag by until Ashley began to wonder if anything was ever going to happen.
 
Then, at a little after two in the afternoon, a messenger arrived from the Louvre.

Ashley broke the seal, scanned it and then looked across at Francis.

‘It’s come.’

‘Hallelujah.
 
You’ll go to the Louvre now?’

‘Yes – or rather,
we
will.
 
I want to see Charles and Hyde at the same time so it’s one meeting instead of two and, if you’re present, I won’t have to waste time filling you in afterwards.
 
Also, since you’re going to be risking your neck alongside mine, it would be nice if Hyde recognised the fact.’
 
He gave a small, hard smile.
 
‘Come on.
 
Let’s go.’

This time there was no delay in being admitted to the King’s apartments.
 
His Majesty’s brows rose slightly when Francis entered in Ashley’s wake but he said merely, ‘Thank you for coming so promptly, gentlemen.’
 
And held out the letter to Ashley.
 
‘This was delivered just over an hour ago.’

Ashley took the paper but made no move to read it.
 
He said, ‘Has Sir Edward seen it?’

‘Not yet.
 
I wanted your opinions first.’

‘And you shall have them, Sir.
 
But Chancellor Hyde should be here. Not only as a matter of form but also because there are things I need him to do. Perhaps you could send for him?’

‘If he knows you’ve arrived, he’s probably sitting outside the door,’ remarked Charles dryly.
 
And, instead of calling for a servant, went to find out.

Ashley used the time to read the letter and then pass it to Francis.

It was in the same hand as the previous one and, in many respects, quite similar.
 

It stated that a meeting had been arranged between His Majesty the King and James, Duke of York and Major-General Lambert ‘
along with others of similar convictions’
in three days’ time. It suggested that, as a courtesy to the Major-General whose position might otherwise become untenable, His Majesty should continue to keep his own counsel until the matter had been settled to the satisfaction of both parties.
 
The suggested location of the meeting was the upper room of
Les Deux Pigeons
, just off the quayside at Honfleur.
 
And finally, if His Majesty found these arrangements acceptable, he should immediately signify his assent in the same way as before.

The gazes of Ashley and Francis met and locked.

‘Well,’ said Francis at length.
 
‘Now we know.’

‘Quite.’
 
And as the door opened on Charles and Sir Edward, ‘Be prepared for this to get quite heated and leave most of the talking to me.’

The Chancellor greeted them with a curt nod and the King invited everyone to sit.
 
When they had done so, Charles said, ‘What do you make of this, Ash?’

‘Except in one vital respect, the same as when we spoke before, Sir. Only then I merely
suspected
the offer of a meeting with Lambert was a ruse to draw you to a convenient spot where you could be quietly murdered – and now I
know
that it is.’

‘How?’

‘They want you to go to Honfleur – which, as Sir Edward knows, is precisely what my original information said they’d do.
 
That isn’t a coincidence.
 
It’s the plot I was warned of.’
 
Ashley paused, aware that his next words were not going to be well-received.
 
‘Lambert won’t be there.
 
And although, in a short while from now, you’re going to stroll through the Tuileries gardens with a red feather in your hat … neither will you.’

There was a mildly explosive pause.

‘That,’ said Charles coldly, ‘is not your decision to make.’

‘Yes, Sir.
 
It is.’

The King left his chair, rising to his full and extremely impressive height.

‘I appreciate your help, your loyalty and your expertise, Ashley.
 
But it is not your prerogative to dictate my actions.’

Ashley also rose and faced his sovereign with an implacable stare.

‘In the normal course of events, no.
 
But in this, it is
absolutely
my prerogative.
 
And you will set foot in Honfleur over my dead body.’

His words seemed to echo on in the frigidly furious silence which followed them.

Realising he’d stopped breathing, Francis dragged in a lungful of air.
 
Still glued to his seat, Chancellor Hyde said tentatively, ‘Your Majesty … perhaps if Colonel Peverell were to explain his intentions …?’

For a moment, no-one moved.
 
Then, dropping abruptly back into his chair, Charles growled, ‘Well?
 
I’m listening.’

‘Thank you.’
 
Ashley inclined his head politely but remained on his feet. ‘I want to stop this plot in a way that will send a clear message to London.
 
If at all possible, I also want to capture at least one of the potential assassins so he can be questioned.
 
And most of all, if there’s any proof that this scenario originated in Thurloe’s office, I want to find it – so that you and Sir Edward can use it as you see fit.’

The King’s dark eyes became a degree or two less frosty.

‘That’s all very laudable.
 
But if you’re wrong and Lambert
is
there --’

‘I’m not – and he won’t be.’ Interrupting royalty was verging on
l
é
s
é
majest
é
but Ashley had the bit between his teeth. Ignoring Hyde’s appalled stare, he said, ‘I know you’d like to believe it, Sir.
 
So would I.
 
But it isn’t going to happen and I can’t let you risk your person finding that out for yourself.’

‘You’re wagering a great deal on this information you speak of.’

Ashley exchanged a brief glance with Francis.

‘It came from an impeccable source.
 
Someone who hazarded a great deal to send it to me.’

Charles sighed and then seemed to capitulate.

‘Oh for God’s sake, sit down, Ash.
 
I take your point.
 
But I don’t see how you’re going to draw the assassins out without involving me.’

‘I can’t,’ admitted Ashley, subsiding into his chair.
 
‘Not entirely.’

Some of the humour returned to the King’s eyes.

‘But naturally you have a plan.
 
And I assume from Francis’s presence that he is privy to it?’

‘Not just privy – but instrumental.
 
Which reminds me.
 
If the Duke of York is still serving with Marshal Turenne, you’ll need to recall him.’

‘I’ve already done so.
 
I sent a messenger to Turenne at the same time I sent one to you.’
 
Charles leaned back and regarded Ashley.
 
‘I assumed that he and I were going to Honfleur.
 
Since you want James here, I presume we are still going somewhere.’

‘Yes.
 
If you and Sir Edward will bear with me, I’ll explain the arrangements I’ve made and how I expect them to work.’

‘Do.
 
Sir Edward and I are agog with anticipation.’

And so, drawing a fortifying breath, Ashley started at the beginning, choosing his words carefully and hoping to divert attention from the imponderables.
 
He got as far as the point where the King and his brother were to change places with Francis and another gentleman when Hyde said suddenly, ‘Who?’

‘A reliable fellow of the appropriate build and who is also a trained soldier,’ replied Ashley a shade repressively.
 
‘His Majesty and the Duke of York will then --’

‘Who is it, Ash?’ Charles leaned forward, elbows on his knees and a lazy smile playing about his mouth.
 

‘Does it matter?’

‘Only in so much as you clearly don’t want to tell us. And I’d quite like to know who is impersonating me.
 
So who is he?’

This was one of the things Ashley had hoped to avoid revealing.
 
But seeing no help for it, he said blandly, ‘Monsieur de Bergerac.’

Sir Edward nearly fell off his seat and Charles gave a bark of laughter.