Free Dark Angels by Karleen Koen Page A

mother’s.”
    “You honor me hugely. I must tell you there were others who did good deeds last night.”
    “I’ve thanked them. Mister John Sidney, Edward Capelet, Trooper Thorton.”
    Richard glanced at Alice, who frowned at him, which didn’t bother him in the slightest. “One more.”
    “Who?”
    “If it hadn’t been for Mistress Verney, we’d have known nothing. She’s the one who summoned me.”
    “She did?”
    “Yes. If anyone deserves this ring, it is she.”
    Alice was silent, red coloring her cheeks.
    “I will give her another reward. Thank you, Lieutenant.”
    Dismissed, Richard bowed and backed out of the chamber. The gift was excessive, but he felt honored and touched to be noticed by this princess, who was famous in many kingdoms beyond her own. There was something charming but vulnerable about her.
    Princesse Henriette held out her hands to Alice, who took them and knelt at the princess’s feet.
    “Why did you say nothing?”
    “I didn’t wish my presence known.”
    “Yes, you’re wise. They’d blame you, make you pay for it, wouldn’t they.”
    “The Dragon found I wasn’t in my bed. I’ve told her I went to see my father.”
    “And the woman?”
    “Safe. Not hurt, except for pride.”
    “How did you know what they did?”
    “I paid Edward to spy on them.”
    Princesse Henriette laughed. After a moment, Alice joined in.
    “So, thanks to your spying, I am free for the remainder of the visit.”
    “Might we not stay yet a while longer, at least until your birthday?” King Charles had already requested a few more days be added, and they had been granted. But Alice was greedy for more.
    “Monsieur is furious with what we’ve already received. He calls me ungrateful.”
    Alice was silent. Monsieur reached across the Channel to command them, to corral them, even now, to make the bars of the golden cage visible.
    “What may I give you, Verney, to thank you?”
    “Champion my suit with His Grace the Duke of Balmoral.”
    “You know I do, but he’s ill. He’s not even here.”
    “Talk to my father. Tell him you think it a suitable match.”
    “You will be a splendid duchess. I will talk to your father. Is there nothing more?” When Alice shook her head, the princess reached up into the ringlets around her ear, slowly unscrewed huge pearl drops, set them in Alice’s hands.
    “These are too fine, Highness—”
    “Take them anyway. I’m so happy. Six days without his men spying on me. You’re a treasure, Verney. Is your friend Mistress Bragge as good as you?”
    It had been arranged for months now that Barbara was going to return to France with Alice. “Better.”
    “How wonderful for me. That’s all, Verney.”
    Alice joined Renée, who sat on cushions in a corner, dreamily picking at embroidery.
    “What are you thinking of? Or should I say whom?” Alice asked her. Lieutenant Saylor’s pursuit of Renée had been noticed by all, just as Renée had been noticed by all. She was the belle of the visit. That would be a good match, thought Alice. In France, Renée had not enough fortune or name to be appealing, no matter how lovely she was. In England, loveliness often overcame those obstacles. “We’re going to have such fun in the next few days.” Picnics, dancing on the village green, a treasure hunt, a horse race, sailing were planned.
    “I’m glad they’re gone, glad they’re punished,” said Renée.
    Yes, thought Alice, we all are. But will we end up paying for it in the end?

      

    M UCH LATER THAT evening, when the night’s dancing on the green of Dover’s village was done, and the carriages rolled back up the hill to the castle, and yawning courtiers found their beds, certain men strolled in the late night, went down the cliffs to the water to swim—or stood talking on a parapet that overlooked the sea in the late hours of the night. King Charles and the Duke of Buckingham spoke for a long time.
    And then still later, King Charles watched the bobbing of