1636: The Cardinal Virtues - eARC by Eric Flint & Walter H. Hunt

Author:Eric Flint & Walter H. Hunt [Flint, Eric & Hunt, Walter H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781476780610
Amazon: 1476780617
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2015-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Evreux

The Marquis de Montausier seemed almost obsessed with his own gallantry. After a night at Maintenon, he went out of his way to assist in guiding the queen and her entourage toward Evreux, arranging discreet lodging and assuring that the widow and child be left alone. Mazarin was reasonably sure that Montausier was keeping her identity secret; Achille was not quite as sure, making some effort to keep close to the Marquis, scarcely letting him leave his sight.

“We cannot avoid trusting some that we meet,” Mazarin told him.

“We shall endeavor to keep the number to a minimum,” was Achille’s reply; and then he launched into an extended tale of his service aboard Mediterranean corsairs against the Turks.

It took three days to reach Evreux, just prior to which they parted company from Montausier, who swore a personal vow of silence to Queen Anne. She received it with dignified courtesy, but insisted that she accepted it on behalf of her infant son—the king of France.

They reached the ancient town, located in a bend of the River Eure, in the late afternoon. As they came upon it, Mazarin halted their procession and drew Achille aside.

“You have some specific destination, I presume.”

“Yes, Monseigneur. Arrangements will have been made.”

“Arrangements? By whom?”

“A friend.”

“Ah,” Mazarin said. “We are enlarging the circle of those we trust. Who is this friend?”

“I…am not at liberty to say.”

“I find that less than reassuring. Does our queen have some loyal servant in Evreux? Perhaps I should inquire, as she has made no representation to me.”

“You do not trust me.”

“I didn’t say that. I…Monsieur Achille.” Mazarin sighed, taking his time to reply. “I assure you that I am just as careful, just as suspicious, and just as tentative as you are about any step we take on behalf of the queen and the child.”

“Our king.”

“Yes. Our king, the child of two weeks that we are trying to protect. I want the same outcome you do. Yet when I ask for your trust, you are suspicious—but when you ask my trust, you expect me to accept it on its face and ask no questions. That may be well and good in the Order of Malta; but those rules do not apply here.

Mazarin frowned. “Are you prepared to include me in your deliberations? We all want the same outcome, Achille. All of us.”

“Are you accusing me of—”

“I am accusing you of nothing.”

Mazarin looked aside, holding the reins of his horse tightly; if he was not wearing riding gloves, certainly Achille would have noticed his white knuckles. He silently recited a Pater Noster, calming himself.

“It is necessary that you take me into your confidence, Monsieur. At once, if you please.”

“It is better that you do not know.”

“No, it is not. Achille, I accept that I may be placing you in an uncomfortable position; but even so, for the sake of all we hope to accomplish, we must work together and keep as few secrets as possible. Either apprise me of our situation, Monsieur, or prepare to part company from the king and Queen Mother.

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