Free Keeper of the King's Secrets by Michelle Diener Page B

payment to the Emperor for the return of the French king, or to restore France’s pride.”
    Henry stared at him, openmouthed. “They would steal the Mirror of Naples? From me?”
    Parker turned his gaze to the fire. “Some may say they were simply stealing it back.”
    Henry let out a laugh. “Some may. They may even be right, but they’d better not say it in my hearing.” He tapped a fist on his thigh. “If they succeed, we would look foolish. Even with their king captured, they would have bested us.”
    “Aye.” Parker rose up. “With your permission I would see the jewel, see where it is kept and what can be done to safeguard it.”
    “Speak to Wyatt. He’s the Master of the King’s Jewels.” Henry rose as well. “What alerted you to this, Parker?”
    “An assassin, Your Majesty.”
    “An assassin?” Henry’s eyes widened.
    “A man who has killed one of the most important witnessesto the plot and has dogged my heels, trying to silence the others.”
    “A marksman?”
    “The best I have ever encountered.” Parker went to the door.
    Henry watched him from the fire, and there was a new awareness in his eyes. This was no longer a distraction from his succession troubles. “Watch your back, then.”
    “I intend to.”

15

    A wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his own control and not in that of others.
    —Machiavelli , The Prince, chapter 17
    S usanna flexed her fingers and rued her lack of charcoal and paper.
    Somers and his monkey were watching her, looming over her seat in the passageway outside the King’s chambers, and she wondered what he would say if she asked to draw him. His cheekbones were as prominent as the haunches of a starving cow, and he had the tall, stooped appearance of Death itself.
    Parker had been unwilling to leave her, but even he conceded the King was not likely to welcome a woman into his bedchamber while he was dressing.
    “I will let no harm befall her,” Somers had offered before Parker could even make the request, and he’d given a sharp nod and gone through the doors, as if not to waste a minute.
    “What delights have you been up to today, my lady?”
    Susanna laughed. “The delights of watching some boating on the Thames.”
    “Ah, there is a story there, I can tell.” Somers rubbed his hands together, but Susanna shook her head.
    “Not one that can be repeated.”
    Somers turned his mouth and eyes down at the corners as if to cry. “It is a good thing most courtiers are not so mean with the details, my lady. I would have nothing to occupy me.”
    Susanna smiled. “I’m sure you have enough, without ours.”
    “I get by.” Somers spoke deadpan, and Susanna smiled again.
    She was sure he did more than get by in the viper pit that was the court. She had never met him before today, but now she understood how he’d become the King’s favorite so quickly. He seemed to take excitement with him—the promise of laughter clung to him as tightly as his monkey on his shoulder. Something Henry would find infinitely appealing.
    “Ho, Somers.” A man walked toward them, his eyes bright and intelligent. And curious.
    She saw him look at her sidelong, as if he were embarrassed to acknowledge her directly.
    She had no such qualms herself. He was magnificent; handsome enough to make girls swoon. His hair curled over his shoulders in a fair wave, and she didn’t doubt he had but to crook a finger to have a lady on each arm.
    Somers clicked his tongue like an admonishing mother. “Do you have no courtly manners, Wyatt? I’m sure I’ve seenyou bow prettily to the ladies a time or two. Why do you not do so to the beauty beside me?”
    Wyatt blushed, and Susanna liked him immediately.
    “I beg your pardon, madame, I thought …” His words trailed off and his blush seemed to deepen.
    “He thought you were perhaps waiting for an audience with our half-clothed Majesty, eh?” Somers rolled his eyes and Susanna blushed herself.
    This was not the