A/N - Dear Readers; I forgot to say when I started posting, "Welcome to my new story, I hope you like it!" Very remiss of me. It is a multi chapter story. Sorry no d'Artagnan, but Porthos plays a leading role in this one. Thanks for reviews, as always; and thanks to Mountain Cat for help with the horses XX
CHAPTER TWO
The following morning, after a fraught hour of sniping and snarling between Treville and Richelieu, Louis finally called a halt, and made the decision that the Red Guard would meet Henrietta Maria at Le Havre and escort her into Paris. The Cardinal himself would meet her on the outskirts of the city and head the escort for the final short distance into Paris and on to the Louvre.
Therein lay the problem. That short distance was Musketeer territory, but the King had made his decision and it would be unwise to attempt to continue the debate.
Treville bit down his anger but was somewhat mollified that the King wanted his Musketeers to remain at his side until the arrival of Henrietta Maria. However, this was tempered when Louis announced that in the meantime, until Richelieu returned with his sister, he was going hunting. This was a duty his men often endured, rather than enjoyed.
The King stood and prepared to leave, his attention span disappearing before their eyes.
"The Good Lord knows it may be my only chance to take down a stag once my sister descends upon us and wishes to be entertained!" he announced, looking at his Queen, seated on his left.
Queen Anne had smiled at that, grateful that Louis had at least acknowledged his sister's rather controlling manner; inherited she suspected from her dominating mother.
oOo
Some weeks later
It was on a foggy Monday morning some weeks later that Henrietta Maria left her royal household in Greenwich with a small retinue, including one Sir Edmund Temple and Elizabeth Cromwell , to travel to the coast to board a ship to Le Havre. She did not travel lightly, but her extensive luggage and accoutrements had been sent on days ahead on an earlier evening sailing.
After an uneventful crossing, Henrietta Maria and her retinue disembarked from their ship. She was very impressed when her eyes fell on one of Louis's most sumptuous coaches, pulled by a team of four matching very handsome horses; and her small army of guards. She was in good spirits and waved languorously at those who looked their way. It was an impressive sight, and they were attracting much attention.
Richelieu had hoped for a less ostentatious entrance, but Henrietta Maria did not go in for understatement. If she was to be guarded it was for others to do so. She would carry on doing as she wished.
The journey from Le Havre to Paris took three days but was completed without incident, with overnight stops to rest and spare the horses. The Cardinal met her as her retinue approached Paris, as planned, and escorted her into the city.
The Musketeer's chance to show allegiance to their French queen would come as the Royal party made their way from the Palace for the Service of Remembrance at Notre Dame in five days time.
It would be a spectacular sight for the people of Paris, no matter what they thought of their monarchy, the gold coach and blue cloaked Musketeers always brought the people on to the streets.
It also always gave Treville a security headache.
Her arrival at the Louvre was greeted with the full Musketeer Guard lining the frontage of the Palace. The cursory glance she gave them did nothing for their mood, having stood in the bright sun for some time.
However, Sir Edmund showed more interest and Louis waved Treville forward.
"Sir Edmund, this is our trusted Captain Treville; you will no doubt have heard of my elite Musketeers," he said with a flourish towards his blue cloaked squad of soldiers.
"Indeed, Sire. I am most interested in your regiment and would very much like to see the Garrison. I hope that will be possible during our stay?"
"You would be most welcome, Sir Edmund. I will see to it," Treville dipped his head.
Another headache, he thought, catching Athos's eye. His Lieutenant raised a sympathetic eyebrow to his Captain, indicating a like minded conclusion.
The King turned then and followed his sister into the building. Richelieu, now standing next to Treville, leant across and whispered,
"I believe Sir Edmund has a keen interest in all things militaria. If you cannot accommodate his wish, I can arrange for him to inspect the Red Guard."
He straightened, a self satisfied smile on his face.
Treville did not warrant that comment worthy of an answer.
Henrietta Maria and her lady in waiting, Elizabeth Cromwell, went straight to their appointed apartments and made themselves at home prior to the service in a few days time.
Extra guard duty was called for whilst she was at the palace. Louis was more than a little paranoid about the possibility of an assassination attempt, not only in regard to his sister, but also on himself.
oOo
Earlier in the week, in the port of Le Havre, it had not gone unnoticed when a large number of chests and trunks were unloaded from an evening sailing from Dover, bearing the royal insignia. The attendants who oversaw them being loaded onto waiting vehicles were very well dressed and efficient in moving them as quickly as possible.
Later, when someone had slipped into the Dock master's office and read the paperwork pertaining to the particular cargo, they had seen that it was the trappings and dresses from a royal residence in Greenwich, and was obviously intended for an extended stay.
This led to three actions.
The first was to report back to his Spanish unit.
The second was to follow the cargo.
The third was to set up a lookout for the people who would be following their luggage in the days to follow.
oOo
Sir Edmund Temple
It had been a trying time for Edmund Temple, knighted by the Protestant King, James the First, for his, and his family's services to the crown.
On his King's death in 1625 and wishing to continue his family's long allegiance to the Crown, he swore allegiance to the new King, Charles I; an Anglican.
Two years previously, he had watched as his new sovereign, then heir apparent, had spent eight months in Spain in unpopular marriage negotiations for the hand of the Catholic princess Maria Anna. He had breathed a sigh of relief when negotiations had fallen through on that occasion.
Then, shortly after Charles succeeded to the throne, he had married the French Bourbon princess Henrietta Maria, by proxy, no less; his fears were compounded. She was fifteen years old, and also a devout Catholic. She had lived with a staff of two hundred in France, and was known for her extravagance.
She was an unpopular choice with the English people. She could never be crowned in an Anglican service, nor have a coronation. She had been allowed to watch her husband crowned from a discreet distance. As such, she became Queen Consort, and had to be content.
Sir Edmund Temple shared the people's view that Henrietta Maria was spoilt, extravagant, and with her strong Catholic beliefs, inappropriate as the occupier of the throne of England, in any form. Catholics were being executed in England during the 1620's, and Henrietta Maria openly supported them, even praying for Catholic martyrs who were hung, drawn and quartered on the gallows at the Tyburn Tree, London's most popular and frightful sideshow. Her support caused huge controversy.
Edmund Temple watched, and began to plot.
oOo
He had watched and saw that the Queen held one of her English ladies in waiting in more regard than the others; a young woman called Elizabeth Cromwell. The Queen had surrounded herself with French attendants, but the King was on the verge of dismissing them back to France, so Sir Edmund needed to act quickly.
Seeking Mistress Cromwell out, he waited in the corridor outside the Queen's chambers, and stepped out of the shadows as she approached.
"Madam, I would speak with you."
Elizabeth's hand flew to her throat, but then she seemed to relax; realising by his dress and manner that he was one of the King's courtiers, who she had seen around the Palace.
She bobbed in brief curtsey to him, having no idea what he could want with her.
"Sir, what is it you wish to speak to me of?" she said, moving aside to allow a maid to pass.
He took her elbow, an intrusion in itself, and guided her away into an alcove.
"Will you walk with me in the garden, where we shall have privacy?" he said quietly.
She had no option but agree; his manner was commanding and he obviously held a senior position.
"Madam," he began as they walked amongst the low hedging that bordered the neat paths in the walled garden, alone now.
"I understand your brother has some rather interesting ideas, and wishes to become a Member of Parliament in the elections next year."
"That is correct, Sir," she murmured.
"I believe I can help his ambitions. I am interested in supporting him."
Elizabeth was taken aback, although it was perhaps understandable that this man would support her brother's reformist views, certainly in religious matters.
When she did not answer, Temple continued.
"Tell me, do you support his ideas?"
"Yes sir, we have spent many hours in discussion, and I can see that some of his ideas have merit."
Having satisfied himself of her devotion to her brother, he continued.
"I understand the Queen returns to France shortly, and that you will accompany her?"
"Yes sir, she seeks to practise her spoken English skills, and that is my purpose in accompanying her."
"I have a task for you, Mistress Cromwell," he said, preparing to turn the screw.
She began to look unsure and took a step back.
"In return for supporting your brother, and believe me, I can make or break his ambitions; I wish to know the Queen's movements up to, and during her visit. I am myself accompanying the Royal party, but I am not privy to the Queen's chambers; or her changes of mind and arrangements, so that is where you come in."
"Sir," she gasped. "That information is not for me to give you!"
He had laid the ground well though, and he leant forward and whispered coldly in her ear,
"Your brother's ambitions are tantamount to treason in these times. I can help or hinder him. If you agree, no-one will know. If you do not do as I wish, you have spoken of treason here, asking me to assist your brother in his ambitions."
"Sir, I did not ...!" she cried.
But he had accomplished what he wanted and merely walked away, saying over his shoulder,
"The choice is yours, Madam."
To be continued ...