Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale by Linore Rose Burkard Read Free Book Online Page B

searching her mind for clues, for anything she might have seen or heard in the past to either refute or lend credence to the story. But nothing came to mind. She knew that the Comte had been given the ear of the King on many occasions of late, and that an introduction to her had been requested; but then, many people, new at court, requested the same. And the King had many times avowed to protect her! She did not think he would give her up for mercenary reasons.
     
“I cannot credit this!” she pronounced, finally. “The King is my friend—and guardian. He cares for me.”
     
“And so he does. He also lusts for you.”
     
“You—you blackheart! How dare you!” She would have struck at him she was so blinded by momentary outrage, but he strongly grasped—and held—her raised arm.
     
“I dare to state the facts, which no one else had the stomach to tell you since no one else thought anything could be done. Except me.”
     
When she still showed no sign of crediting his assertions he added, “His Majesty is happy to give you to an old cavalier who cannot have much time left him. Once you are a widow he will bring you back to Whitehall and make you his mistress.” When she would have objected, he added, “Even the most virtuous lady, before marriage, may sometimes be brought 'round afterwards, particularly when her husband is no longer alive, and she has the king as her admirer.”
     
“I will never be his mistress, king or no!” She glared at him as though it were his fault. She hated him for telling her this. She did not want to believe that Charles would treat her in such a fashion—or that he would scheme to one day make her his mistress.
     
“How could you know of such things, and I not have heard? There are no secrets at court and I have many friends!”
     
“This arrangement was made recently; and secrecy was the reason you were sent off to the duchess's keeping. Your friends were helpless in any case, but once you were removed to Langley, even if they might have dared warn you, they could not. As I am not known to be your friend, Charles saw no conflict of interest in telling me what was afoot.”
     
“He wished to take no chances, and it was only on account of my haste that I managed to reach you before he did. The Comte was no doubt in one of the vehicles which passed us earlier, as well as a priest. The King would have had you married in Langley's chapel.”
     
“And Elizabeth...she knew?” she asked, disconsolately.
     
“Only as of last night, when I managed to get a messenger to her. Why else, I ask you, would she willingly conspire with me, to hand you over?”
     
This struck such a chord of truth inside Allisandra's heart that suddenly she knew he was telling the truth.
     
“The Duchess knows nothing of my reforming”—Allisandra’s head shot around to face him. Reforming! She had not heard of it, either. Such was the case when one was away from court; none of the news or gossip could be learned. But he was continuing his tale, and so she listened, very interested despite all of the distaste she felt for the whole affair.
     
“Her Grace,” he was saying, “required only one promise from me, easily given, which persuaded her of the wisdom of trusting you to my power, rather than allowing you to fall to the Comte's. You see, then, how much your 'guardian' has protected you.” His voice was edgy and utterly commanding. Compelling. /Hateful./ A bolt of anger shot through her. How dare such a profligate attack the name of the King! His Majesty was kind and soft-hearted! Surely he would have allowed her to refuse the plan.
     
But then she thought of Elizabeth. Her friend was risking her own neck to help Allisandra escape, and so it had to have all been settled. Otherwise, Elizabeth would never have given her over to Dorchester. Would she?
     
“But—but surely His Majesty viewed the marriage as a good match.”
     
“Indeed; one that will pay for his war without his having