The Rose of Provence by Susanna Lehner Read Free Book Online Page B

won’t I? Can I get rid of Henri’s favorite, Diane de
Poitiers?”
    “ Unfortunately, I cannot flatter you with this Milady. You
must accept the princess’ presence because she will stay next to
Henri until his death.”
    “ My husband dies before that slut?”
    “ Yes, as a consequence of an injury received in a jousting
tournament.”
    “ When will this happen?”
    “ I see exact dates within fifteen years, and I cannot see this
one so all I can say is that sometime after the spring of
1558.”
    “ I see,” nodded Catherine, calming down. “Then, I won’t be sad
because there is so much happiness waiting for me in the next ten
years. Amrita! Give the doctor some cold punch that you made
yesterday.”
    Amrita was about to leave, but stopped by hearing Michel’s
objection.
    “ Thank you, I’m sure it’s magnificent, but I never drink
stupefying beverages.”
    “ Oh, come on, Monsieur de Nostradame! Don’t reject it, you
will regret it!” The princess said in a kind but peremptory
voice.
    Amrita brought the Murano glass bowl, and the crystal
glasses, and then, with a deep silver spoon, she took out some of
the light red drink. As soon as the luscious juice touched the
doctor’s tongue, the only thing he could think about was whether
the witch’s brew poisons him. It was apparently the most delicious
punch he has ever tasted, but Amrita’s proximity, smell and the
suspicion that wormed its way into his heart, made him say good-bye
to the ladies as soon as possible, and leave.
    When Catherine and Amrita were left alone, the princess flung
her arms around the girl’s neck and squeezed her so much she could
hardly breathe.
    “ I wish you had come to the court earlier! But I don’t want to
be dissatisfied, because the future crown prince is on its way, and
then nine more children are going to arrive!” She released the
clench and looked into Amrita’s eyes seriously. “You can ask me for
anything. Do you understand? Anything!”
    “ Thank you, but I have everything I need.”
    Catherine smiled conspiratorially.
    “ Don’t you want to be the doctor’s wife? He is an honored,
wealthy gentleman, and it's obvious to anybody with eyes how he
gazes at you! I'll arrange for him to propose you, just say the
word.”
    “ Oh no!” It slipped out of Amrita’s mouth too
quickly.
    “ Do you consider him old? But he is in his prime! All right,
if you prefer the younger ones, just give me a name. Who do you
like?”
    “ Nobody, and I don’t want to get married at all,” she swayed
her head.
    “ Don’t say such things, every girl wants to get married,”
laughed Catherine. “Oh, I see, you must have been crossed in love,
because you were disappointed in someone. Who was that bastard that
gave you pain? We will punish him!”
    “ Nobody gave me pain….”
    “ Then you are hopelessly in love!” The princess got into the
swing of guessing. “Is he married already?”
    “ There’s nothing like that…” Amrita shook her head, and the
conversation started to become increasingly embarrassing for
her.
    “ Well then, if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s not a
must,” Catherine gave up sulkily. “But don’t tell me you don’t like
the earl de la Roux either! I saw it from my window as he ran after
you in the park when you were walking with the doctor. I bet he
didn’t skitter because of Michel!”
    Amrita blushed, and it extremely annoyed her that there is
something even witches cannot control,
despite their magic abilities.
    “ Oh, of course, you like him! Your complexion does not lie!”
The princess winked playfully.
    “ All right, I admit that I find him attractive,” whispered
Amrita as if she was afraid that the man might hear it. “But
please, don’t tell him a word about this!”
    “ What’s wrong with you? Probably, you must have caught his
attention,” said Catherine uncomprehendingly.
    “ Please don’t interrogate me about this,” the girl glanced at
the floor, and she