Before Versailles by Karleen Koen

Author:Karleen Koen [Koen, Karleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2011-06-27T21:00:00+00:00

OUTSIDE IN THE courtyard, the throng parted for Louis, whose face was alight with pleasure.

“Majesty.” Henriette, already out of the carriage, standing by Philippe, dropped into a curtsy.

Louis pulled her up and out of it. Louise, clustered around Madame with all the maids of honor, thought, oh, dear, his face is an open book. Anyone could see he was in love, and Monsieur stood right there. Her eyes flew to Guy’s face, taut and narrow-eyed.

“You’ve been missed,” Louis said.

Philippe took Henriette’s hand from Louis’s, placed it on his own arm. “So I’ve been telling her.” He led Henriette away, toward the elaborate portico of this courtyard, as Louis watched their exit. Philippe didn’t allow a moment of silence between himself and Henriette.

“Benersade had a quarrel with Lully—” Benersade was the court poet. He created the verses that were spoken or given out in small books at the court ballets. And Lully was the musician who displayed the most talent. Both had enormous tempers and opinions of themselves.

“—He said he wouldn’t write another word until you returned. Not even I could console him. And the viscount insists we go to Vaux-le-Vicomte as soon as possible. I depend on your excellent taste, he says. He has the fountains flowing. He wants us to see them before the fête in August. Rumor has it he is going to be named chancellor when Séguier dies. And I’m to have a place on the council. He promises it. He and I had a long talk yesterday, and he understands and sympathizes with my every concern. Oh. By the way, your mother’s here. She arrived yesterday.”

She stopped where she was. “My mother?”

“She wrote to say she misses you and she wishes to see you as a married woman.”

“But I didn’t invite her.”

“I did,” said Philippe. “Ought I not to have done so?”

“You know how she is. She’ll pick me to death.”

“I’ll protect you.”

In the bedchamber, dogs began to bark and jump for Henriette’s attention. Henriette made a gesture that had Catherine ordering everyone out, as Henriette sat down on the floor and gave herself to their yelps and licks.

What is happening between us? thought Philippe, and he sat down among the dogs, and, feeling Henriette’s distance like a pain in his heart, he pretended he was a dog, too. He barked, but Henriette didn’t seem to find him funny.

“It’s possible we’re going to have a child,” she said.

His eyes blazed suddenly.

“Don’t tell anyone yet,” Henriette said quickly. “It’s so early.”

“A child! I’m head over heels.” He took her hands in his, kissed them passionately. “When did you know?”

“I’ve only just suspected it.”

He touched one of the saint’s medals at his neck. “I’ll pray to the Holy Mother.” He swept aside dogs and took her into his arms, kissing her forehead, her neck, the soft hollow there. You have given me everything, he thought, my own household with its independence, your enchanting self, the admiration of the court, and now, this. I have fathered an heir. He felt strong and masculine, straightforward and clean, the way he imagined Louis always felt.

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