Chapter 5: Knight's Gambit
Aurora flinched when Gerbert slapped her face but she quickly recovered her poise. He expected no less. She was his daughter. She would naturally expect him to be furious at the botched assignment. She'd traveled to his castle in Auvergne to deliver the unwelcome news.
"Your dalliance with the Duke of Somerset was a costly mistake," he said, letting anger darken his voice.
"I couldn't have known the queen and Reichenberg would happen along," she protested. "The Duke of Somerset is a rising star among the Whigs. Through him, we would have acquired even greater access to the leaders in Parliament."
She could be correct. The fact they'd come so close to achieving their objective made her failure that much more painful.
"What's your assessment of Freyja de Clermont? Will her whelp provide the wedge we need?"
"Possibly. It's difficult to know how estranged she is from the de Clermonts because of him."
To what degree was Freyja executing Philippe's orders? The head of the de Clermonts could take a dim view of her scandalous behavior. A potential opening that shouldn't be squandered until the time was right.
He turned to his daughter. Her head was bowed submissively. The red mark of his palm on her cheek had almost completely disappeared.
"You will go to Prague," he said. "Keep a low profile. Establish yourself in a comfortable but non-ostentatious manner."
"I live to serve," she said dutifully. "What is my assignment?"
"Keep an eye on Benjamin. He's currently living there. Persuade him to tone down his attacks on witches. Some of his recent actions have been sufficiently extreme that local authorities have taken notice. By targeting witches, Benjamin may expose us, and that cannot be allowed to happen. If his actions become too flagrant, inform me at once."
Benjamin was a difficult case. As a renegade de Clermont, his potential usefulness was enormous but his obsession with fathering a child by a witch threatened to bring ruin upon them all. This would be a chance for Aurora to redeem herself.
Before long, he intended to send Juliette to her for further instruction. The two hadn't met yet. Aurora of course knew there was another manjasang in the castle, but Juliette was kept in a separate wing where he could train her personally for her upcoming role. Matthew wouldn't be easy to charm, but by the time Gerbert was done with Juliette, she'd be irresistible to him.
#
Annick smiled at the antics of the children as they bobbed for apples. This All Hallows' Eve was the most festive one she could remember at the Dog and Whistle. The tavern had closed to the public earlier than normal so that the adults could enjoy the festivities as well. Even Andrew showed up well in advance to help with preparations. As for Jack and Leonard, they'd returned from Hampton Court the day before. An immense banner of Corra, painted by Jack, was now flying over the courtyard.
Annick, Susanna, and Goody Alsop had appropriated a bench in a corner. Annick's granddaughter Rachel had reserved the section for Norman ghosts. Some of them only visited on this night. Most of the revelers were unaware of them. Even witches might not realize they were there. Rachel could see Susanna and Goody, but her memories of Annick were so strong they blocked her from seeing Annick as a ghost.
Earlier in the evening, Jack had visited them when no other living souls were nearby. His nostrils flared slightly as he approached. Annick suspected he smelled at least one of them. Goody was convinced he had a bit of witch blood in him.
"I think I've sensed Corra a few times," he murmured to them. "If you see her, please give her my thanks." He grinned. "And tell her I'd love to see her again."
Susanna nudged Annick. "I wish we could tell him she's perched on top of his banner. She seems quite smug about it."
"I'll plant the suggestion in Rachel's mind that the banner should be preserved for future years," Goody said.
"Why doesn't your familiar visit?" Annick asked Goody.
"She severed the connection to me and has now bonded with someone else." Goody thought for a moment. "Corra will maintain her cords to Diana until the time they are reunited. In the meantime, I bet she occasionally drops in on Jack."
Susanna laughed as Jack and Leonard charged at each other. Each was pretending to be a horse for a small child who was riding into battle perched on their shoulders. Leonard was particularly effective, pawing the ground with his boots, snorting, and tossing his long hair back as if it was a mane.
"Someone needs to be a mount for Thomas," Goody commented. The five-year-old was looking longingly at his siblings while waiting to take his turn.
Annick noticed Goody fix her eyes on Andrew. A minute later, he heaved a slow sigh and stood up, placing his tankard on the table. Shaking his long body restlessly, he strode over to Thomas and gave what he probably thought was a whinny but which sounded more like a bear growl. It didn't scare Thomas though. The child immediately stretched out his arms to Andrew.
Jack and Leonard whirled with delight at their new adversary and soon the three of them were chasing each other through the courtyard. Miraculously, no reveler was trampled.
"Does Andrew know?" Susanna asked.
"About Leonard and Jack?" Annick shrugged. "They wouldn't need to tell him. I'm sure he can smell their closeness. Goody, how do you feel about the direction they've taken?"
Her wizened face softened. "I'm happy for both of them. The lads will be a source of love and safety for each other."
"We may need them too," Susanna said. "Witches have grown complacent now that we're not being actively persecuted. I've heard troubling whispers—tales of continuing atrocities. That witch who was raped in Scotland by a wearh is a warning to all gatherings."
"And she's not alone," Annick added. "One of my relatives in France told me about a wearh in Poland who has been attacking witches. The gatherings are greatly diminished in size. Their fear makes them leery of associating with any outsiders. They're no longer able to help their communities."
Susanna shook her head. "All it takes is one wearh to poison the entire community. That nearly happened in London during the Civil War. We must be vigilant to ensure it doesn't happen here."
Annick watched Andrew gallop about the courtyard with Thomas on his back. She hoped he'd always be there to offer protection to their gathering. Goody didn't say anything but her face looked troubled.
#
After the revelry ended, Jack and Leonard took a stroll along the Thames. For now, they were staying in Jack's room in the bell tower, but he'd return to Hampton Court the following week. Before long, he'd be in rehearsals for the Yule festivities. As for Leonard . . .
Jack paused on the quay to look at the ships. "Are you returning to Italy?"
Leonard gently turned his head to face him. "Is that what you want?"
"You know it's not, but I don't have any claim on you."
"That's where you're wrong. This isn't a game I'm playing."
Jack's heart thumped loudly. "Neither am I."
"I realize that but this is new to you. I'm happy to go at whatever pace you want."
"Then stay! Please." His hand started to reach for Leonard, but he quickly drew it back. They weren't alone. Father H had already lectured him to be discreet. Jack had been surprised he hadn't objected to their relationship. Instead, he appeared to be mildly amused over why it had taken them so long. "Hampton Court isn't far away. We can continue to see each other, hunt in the woods . . ." He didn't need to finish the thought. Leonard's smile told him all he needed to know.
"Hunting has taken on a new meaning for us," Leonard said, nudging his shoulder. "In any case, staying in London makes good business sense. Vanbrugh has contacted me."
"He wants you for his productions?" Vanbrugh in addition to being a noted architect was a popular playwright, admired for his witty and risqué comedies.
"Not only that. He's raised subscriptions among his fellow members of the Kit-Kat Club to build a new theater where he plans to put on operas as well as plays. It should be completed early next year. I'll have no shortage of work."
"And I'm sure Isaac would love to have your assistance with lifting coins when I'm at Hampton Court."
Leonard grinned. "Should we warn Father H he'll need to turn a blind eye?"
"Nay, I reckon he's missed having someone around to scold." Jack stopped, suddenly shy with a friend he'd known most of his life. "Thank you for being so patient with me."
Leonard moved closer, his hand lightly brushing Jack's. "Those years when I was in Italy . . . Despite what you may think, I wasn't with anyone. I'd lost my heart to you, but I didn't think you wanted it."
His momentary shyness vanished. "I wish I'd spoken up earlier."
"That doesn't matter now. Luckily for us, we have all the time in the world." Leonard glanced up at the full moon overhead and then winked at him. "Fancy some hunting?"
#
Philippe raised his head from the doe's neck when he caught Freyja's scent. She was approaching quickly on horseback.
He gently stroked the deer. She was asleep and would recover quickly. He distanced himself so she could easily escape once she awakened. The woods around Sept-Tours looked forlorn. The trees had shed their leaves a month ago.
Freyja hadn't notified him of her impending arrival. What was so significant—or confidential—that it couldn't wait till he was back at the chateau?
She slowed her horse to a walk as she drew near. She was wearing a man's attire, her dark cloak concealing much of her body.
"You've had good hunting, Far?" She dismounted in a graceful leap.
He clasped elbows with her. "I did, and I assume you have as well?"
"Not as satisfying as I'd hoped, but the outcome has potential," she replied cryptically.
"Tell me about it while we return to the chateau."
"Sarah is as intractable as ever. With her husband's successes, she doesn't have any reason to temper her views."
Freyja had already written about how she'd thwarted Aurora's scheme. Happy as he was to see her, so far he couldn't see any reason to justify a special trip.
"Aurora's plot was useful in one way," Freyja said. "She demonstrated a smart strategy and I persuaded Sarah to adopt it. She's installed an impoverished relative to take Aurora's place. Sarah assumes the woman—Abigail Masham—will be easily led, but I have my doubts. I've met Abigail, and yes, she's devout and mild-mannered. But she also has a backbone."
"Gerbert may have unwittingly done us a service." For Philippe was convinced he was the one calling the shots, not his daughter. "Abigail could buttress the queen against the Whig warmongers."
"Include Sarah with those warmongers," Freyja advised. "She'd be appalled to learn that her actions don't have the intended effect, but that's what is happening. As the queen's dislike of Sarah grows, so does her distrust of the Whigs."
"Now if we just could convince Louis to temper his enthusiasm for empire-building."
"Do you have anything in mind?" she asked.
"Nothing that has much chance of success," he admitted. "Matthew's reports from the battlefront are bleak. The French continue to lose ground, but Louis's war lust is unabated. Did Domenico provide any additional details on why Aurora was at Anne's court?"
She shook her head. "He mouthed the same story Aurora told Jack—that Gerbert hoped to influence Anne to view the French more favorably."
"Meaning we have the same goal?" Philippe paused to scan the mountains to the south. He couldn't see Gerbert's stronghold from here but he felt his presence none the same. In the past, Gerbert's only consistency was to work to benefit manjasangs at the expense of other creatures. How did the English queen figure into his plans?
Freyja broke into his thoughts. "You should also know that Jack's position has become slightly more complicated."
He turned to study his daughter. Her confident manner didn't completely conceal a degree of nervousness.
"This is the main reason I came to see you," she continued. "Aurora has been paying Domenico to spy on me—not an unexpected result of her failure at Saint-German-en-Laye."
"And Domenico continues to provide you with intelligence?"
She smiled as she nodded. "Typical of him, isn't it? He manages to be paid twice for what he uncovers. Still, he's been useful. His mention of Aurora having been in Vienna enabled me to trap her. I don't have any reason to doubt what he tells me, but I also realize anything I say may be passed on to her."
"How does this concern Jack?"
"Domenico thinks he's uncovered a family secret." Freyja paused. Was she doing it deliberately to provoke a reaction? She'd be disappointed. Philippe buried his unease deep within him.
"He and Aurora believe they know who Jack's sire is. By now, Gerbert has undoubtedly heard about it," Freyja continued.
Although Philippe was careful not to reveal any reaction, he began formulating the letter he'd need to write to Andrew. Not that there was much of an issue. Only Philippe and Jack knew about Hubbard's connection to the de Clermonts.
Freyja winced. "I'm sorry my secret has come out, but it still grates that you refuse to acknowledge my son."
Philippe turned to stare at her. "What foolishness is this?"
Freyja laughed. "Yes, it's true. Domenico believes I'm Jack's maker, and I've neither confirmed nor denied it. He's also under the impression that your refusal to acknowledge my son is a source of friction between us."
Philippe listened in silence while she explained the misconception and the benefits that could arise from it.
"I'm not asking you to reveal the connection that Jack has to our family, although it's abundantly clear by now that one exists," Freyja continued. "Domenico analyzed the information logically. He simply drew the wrong conclusion. But whoever Jack's sire is will be much better hidden if Gerbert believes he already knows the truth. Now he doesn't need to have anyone feed on Jack to learn his secret."
"And you don't mind?"
"No, I consider it an interesting twist. I've named it the Knight's Gambit."
Philippe didn't bother swallowing back his snort of laughter. "And who's the knight in your scheme?"
She thrust back her cape and placed her hand on her sword pommel. "Who do you think? You entrusted me with keeping Jack safe, and this provides an easy justification for me doing just that." Her eyes grew wary. "How do you view it?"
"I don't have as sanguine an opinion. I would have preferred Gerbert not to link Jack in any manner to the de Clermonts, but I understand your point. We'll need to tread warily. He undoubtedly thinks he'll be able to use this information as leverage. What happens if Gerbert approaches Baldwin, Matthew, or Ysabeau and tells them?"
"Then they'll come to you or me and we'll promptly deny it," she said.
"Didn't you tell me Jack fabricated a story of being infatuated with Bryn? If Domenico's been spying on you, he surely knows about your liaison with her."
"That's no longer a problem," she said airily. "I gather you haven't heard about Jack and Leonard."
Notes: Juliette is for the moment still offstage. But she'll become an increasingly important factor in future stories.
Philippe is uneasy about Freyja's gambit but he's adopted a wait-and-see attitude. In my next story, Fretwork, he'll have a chance to better evaluate it.