The King's Courtesan by Judith James Read Free Book Online Page B

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.”
    “Wil iam! 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 wil 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, Wil iam?”
    It took him a moment to respond. “If your bride tends to garishness and excess she’l be transported.”
    “Al of England wil be transported. The barge wil be the centerpiece of a grand flotil a. It wil herald a new era for England. We make great gains through this marriage. A fresh start, Wil iam, yes? You have had yours it seems.” Charles smiled warmly at Elizabeth, and she gave him a bril iant smile in return. He tore his gaze away and turned back to Wil iam. “Do you remember al our dreams, Wil ?” His voice sounded wistful, and Wil iam 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 H IS M AJESTY’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 fel ow. I recognize the look. Out with it, madam.”
    “Very wel . 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 peaceful y since your restoration. I can’t believe he has done anything to deserve it. He is a reserved and honorable man. Gal ant, kind and brave.”
    Charles held up a hand to stop her. “Robert Nichols…
    Robert Nichols. The name is familiar. Does he have property in Nottinghamshire?”
    “Yes, he does.”
    “I did ask Clarendon to find some land for a fel ow whose fundraising and…other connections have been vital to the crown. He told me the man specifical y mentioned the lands in question. Does your captain have any useful relatives or connections at court? Besides you?”
    “Not that I’m aware of, Charles. He was a parliamentarian soldier and country gentleman. A baronet, I believe.
    “And what concern is he to you?”
    “He intervened with Cromwel when I was arrested, and argued for me on my behalf. Without his help I would have been transported or hanged.”
    “The devil you say! You have quite the knack for landing in deep waters, haven’t you, Elizabeth? But what a pretty tale.
    Quite diverting. A modest gentleman of chivalrous character on a country