Traitor's Vengeance - Part Six
"The Duke of Winchester Your Highness," the footman announced as he entered the throne room. Closely following him was Lord Steven Grey. Henry had sent for him over two hours ago and had been getting rather vexed at his delay. Steven bowed and a regal hand dismissed the footman, allowing the two men to talk in private.
"Lord Grey, thank you for coming, I have urgent matters to discuss with you. You, no doubt, have heard of my marriage."
"Yes Your Highness, I have, a most joyous day for France," Steven replied. Henry sighed.
"If only that were true. Negotiations with the Spanish court have not gone well over the past few hours and I believe that while we continue to bargain with them over terms we are going to need your help."
"Anything I can give Your Highness, will be my pleasure." Steven was curious about what the Prince wanted. He had never been summoned to the Palace like this before. He had only ever been to Hautefort once, as a boy, when his father was an ambassador to the court.
"My bride is currently without protection. The majority of the Royal Guard are still young and inexperienced, only a precious few are qualified for the position I offer and all are engaged elsewhere."
"I do not understand what you are asking of me Your Highness."
"I have been led to understand that there is not a better swordsman than you in all of England. Indeed I believe you even defeated your King in many a contest of skill." Steven looked awkward at this mention of his King, it was something he would rather forget.
"It is true sire that I have experience with a sword."
"And you have had many chances to hone your skills in battle, making you a quick thinker in situations of danger." Steven nodded, beginning to see where this conversation was headed. "In the absence of a suitable French guard I believe an Englishman with skills such as yours will be perfect for the job of protecting my wife."
Henry watched and studied Steven as he thought about this proposal. He wondered what it must be like for those in his situation. A foreigner, exiled from his own country, shut away from the world in a hidden chateau. The stories of the reasons for Lord Grey's banishment from England and his quiet life in the woods had reached the prince's ear, but Henry was not inclined to believe them. Nothing that came from the mouth of a courtier was ever worth listening to.
Steven studied Henry at the same time. He found it difficult to believe that the boy he once fought with in the gardens, was now this fine man that stood asking for his help. He was indeed a good man. Even from his hiding place in the forests that surrounded the palace, Steven had heard the stories of his generosity and kindness mixed in among the countless reports of his wanton behaviour.
He had seen the prince just a week earlier riding past the chateau in the middle of the night. There was a lady on the back of his horse with him. She looked like a courtier and was presumably his mistress. For all of his generosity, he had still managed to fall into this Royal trap. Steven wondered about the girl, was she happy to be with the Prince or did she have her own lover?
"Your Highness, I am honoured that you have considered me but surely the Spanish court will provide a guard."
"Why ever would they do that it is the Spanish who I am protecting Danielle from."
This puzzled Steven. He believed the Prince's bride to be called Gabriella, and why would the Spanish King and Queen be after their own daughter? Then the doors to the throne room opened and in walked the same lady who had been with the Prince that night. Steven was stunned. How could he be so open as to parade his mistress around like this?
The lady ran to Henry and kissed him openly. She appeared to be very much in love with him. Steven's worries for her were dissolving and the next part made them disappear altogether.
"Danielle my darling, may I present Lord Steven Grey, the Duke of Winchester. Lord Grey this is my wife Princess Danielle. It is for her that I seek your services. The Spanish are unhappy about my choice to marry Danielle and not Gabriella." It now clicked in Steven's mind what had happened.
"Henry my love, what is happening? Father has asked me to stay in our chamber until somebody comes to me."
"Then why are you not there? You must know that Father is as concerned for your safety as I am."
"I had to see you Henry, I had to know what was happening. Since you came to me this afternoon I have been dying."
While this was going on between the Prince and Princess, Steven took the time to study them. After only seconds he was convinced in his own mind of their mutual love and devotion. He couldn't help looking at the Princess though. She was magical. She had the voice of a Siren and a face matched not even by Helen.
His thoughts were interrupted by Prince Henry's voice. "Sir I need to know if you will take the position, my wife needs protecting and we do not have long before she must leave."
The Princess looked at Henry sharply. "You are sending me away. Where?"
"Back to the Manor. The Spanish do not know of it. You will be safe there until they go home." The two of them joined in an embrace. Steven felt out of place. He wanted to leave the two of them alone, he was uncomfortable.
"Your Highness," Steven said, almost sorry to break up this perfect picture in front of him. "It would be my honour to take this position." Steven was a little shocked with himself for agreeing. It would mean his coming out into the open again, a place that had been painful for him. There was something about the Princess though. He wanted to get to know her.
"Thank you Lord Grey. I will forever be in your debt. My personal guard Captain Laurent will tell you what you need to know. You will find him just outside." Steven bowed to them before walking out of the room.
As he left he could see the Prince pull his wife close to him and kiss her. It brought back memories of a time when he believed in love too. What he wouldn't give to have that back.
**************
"When am I to go to the manor?" Danielle asked, not wanting to know the answer. She longed to see her friends again, and Jacqueline would be able to give her such good counsel, but the thought of being apart from Henry scared her. She had been his wife for but a day and already she was dependant on him.
"You are to leave tonight after dusk. Mother has already sent ahead an attendant and some of your things."
"Will you come with me?" Danielle feared the answer to that question. She was scared because she already knew what it was, but she did not want to hear it. Without Henry she felt like she would die. As he shook his head, Danielle began to weep. She did not know how long she would be away from him, more than a minute would be too long.
"Father insists that I stay." It all became too much for Danielle and she once again flung herself at him, kissing his lips with passionate abandon. Henry, unable to think of their surroundings or who could walk into the room at any moment, returned her kisses.
Danielle, however was acutely aware of where they were and her feelings of discomfort eventually got the better of her. "Henry, please, not here." With a great deal of resentment Henry loosened his hold on Danielle. It was a very good time to stop as only moments later the King and Queen entered.
"Just like Henry," Francis said. "Won't do as she's told." Danielle smiled as the King was obviously not treating her disobeying him seriously. "The party awaits to take you to the manor."
"I have brought this for you to wear," the Queen said, handing her a plain grey cloak. "It would be best if nobody knew that you were leaving the Palace. We do not know where the Spanish have spies."
Danielle could tell that they were expecting her to leave right away. She wanted cling on to Henry and to stay like that forever, but she knew it could not be like that. She had to say goodbye for now. She put on the cloak and allowed one of the guard to escort her out of the room. She gave one last look at Henry. He returned it with a gaze of sadness and longing.
Henry did not want to speak to anyone. He left the room without saying a word and went back to their bedchamber. It had been a chamber for two for just one day and it already felt empty without her. On the table there were some of her things including the copy of Utopia he had given to her. He picked it up and moved over to the window.
He could see a small group of people ride away from the Castle. One of them was wearing a grey cloak. It had to be Danielle. As he watched her ride away he felt like it would be an eternity before he would see her again. He drew the book to his chest and for the first time since the Spanish had taken the rug from beneath him, he allowed himself to shed a tear.