Free The Reluctant Queen by Freda Lightfoot

bedgown.
     
    Henry considered his wife with weary trepidation. ‘What is it now, Margot? I have no time for tantrums this morning, I have papers to attend to.’
    ‘I want that man dismissed.’
    He let out a heavy sigh. ‘And which of my councillors have offended you today?’
    ‘Aubigné. The man is offensive, insubordinate and downright rude. He has no right to lecture me , a queen, upon my duties. I will not tolerate his insolence.’ She told Navarre, most succinctly, of how Aubigné had dared to criticize her behaviour, though carefully making no mention of the chamberlain’s concern over the lack of an heir. That would have come far too close to an uncomfortable truth. ‘I insist that he is dismissed.’
    ‘I cannot do that, Margot. We have been here before, I recall, and you really must not keep dismissing members of my council simply because they have fallen foul of your temper. I will not have it.’
    Margot lifted her chin. ‘ You will not have it? Yet you would have me warn my brother off your petite fille .’
    There was a short, startled silence. Endeavouring to keep his exasperation under control, Henry finally found his voice. ‘What are you saying?’
    Margot took a steadying breath. ‘I will come to an agreement with you, my dear Enric . If you dismiss your insolent chamberlain, I will make sure that Alençon no longer impedes your attentions to the little Fosseuse.’
    ‘Margot, you are impossible.’
    She laughed out loud, all temper gone. ‘Then we are agreed?’
    Navarre thought of the ripe beauty of his darling Fosseuse, like a rare peach ready for the picking, and simply could not find it in himself to say no.
    Later that day he faced his loyal servant with pity in his face. ‘I am sorry, Aubigné, but I can do no other than to agree with my wife’s demands. You have greatly offended the Queen, which of course I cannot condone.’
    The chamberlain was shocked. This was not at all the reaction he had planned. ‘But Your Majesty, do you choose to play the cuckold? You will be the laughing stock of the court, of the kingdom. Think of your duty to God, and to your people. We need an heir.’
    Henry frowned, not quite caring for the fellow’s Puritan bluntness. Yet he adored his darling Fosseuse, and must have her, no matter what the cost. The prospect of losing that most coveted prize to his ugly brother-in-law did not bear contemplating.
    He went to put an arm about his chamberlain’s shoulders. ‘Your banishment will be but temporary. In any case, so long as the Queen does not become aware of it, you could continue to visit me in private to conduct our business, at least until her temper has properly cooled and the matter has blown over.’
     
    Margot’s discussion with her brother went even more smoothly. Alençon was always agreeable to doing anything his beloved sister asked of him. ‘I adore little Fosseuse, but if it is your wish, Margot, then I shall not go near the girl again, nor even speak with her.’
    He proved to be as good as his word and not long after that, Navarre took his petite fille to his privy chamber one evening to wine and dine, and hopefully bed her. ‘Why is it, my precious, that you still resist me? Am I not attractive to you?’
    ‘Of course! Does Your Majesty not realize how much I adore you?’
    Her eyes were so trusting, so adoring as they gazed up at him, that he could not fail to believe it. His excitement quickened. This could be the night that he won her at last. ‘Then what is it that holds you back, my sweet one? Why so coy? Surely you are not still shy with me now that you are no longer the young child you once were.’
    Fosseuse was indeed no longer a child. She had grown sufficiently to understand the extent of her power, and learned through this little intrigue how very important she was to the King. She pouted delightfully at him.
    ‘But what if I were to become enceinte ? How could I have your child when we are not married? I have no