The Cardinal's Sin by Morris RP

Author:Morris, RP
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Three Heads inc
Published: 2021-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

From Letters to Billet doux

They sat, still on the unmade bed. The tray was on the floor, as were most of the bedclothes. Jeanne had her customary glass of water, and the Cardinal, his of wine. All round them on the bed were the tools of erudition and charm, that is to say, paper and pen, with copious supplies of ink.

At first blush, things were not going well. Many sheets had been either torn into pieces, or balled up and thrown away. The two were engrossed in the task. The Cardinal waxed poetic, while Jeanne dragged him back to solid ground. He had thought it would take one, perhaps two drafts. She was determined to get it right. He had a natural inclination to the flowery language of a teenager, smitten by the first pretty face he had noticed, this, Jeanne had to coax out of him. By contrast, he had begun, with a straightforward list of reasons the Queen should find him desirable. Jeanne, had pressed him to think of that list, in more colourful terms. Then, once he had the bit between his teeth, she had the task of pulling him back, toning the colour, into something readable.

“This is a ticklish problem, Madame.”

“This is the ultimate challenge for your skills Eminence. Your experience as a diplomat is perfect. You cannot simply flatter, or tell them you want a treaty. The other kingdom will suspect something and look at your motives, they will pull away. But you also cannot set out a list of demands, she will be affronted, and pull away.”

“Yes, I have gotten too used to sending out orders, or telling people I want something and it happens…”

“So begin with a little, not too much, self-effacement, your unworthiness, then describe her worth and then back to your unworthiness.”

“Am I so unworthy?”

“Are you recognised at court, Eminence?”

“No.”

“But you wish to be?”

He took a deep breath and looked in Jeanne’s eyes.

“So much.”

She, held his eyes and saw his need, far more profound than his desire for her, she thought. For this he would go far.

“Then we have to get it right… ‘Majesty…”

It took another draft or two, but, after breakfast, and mass, Jeanne had the sealed letter in her possession, and was in a carriage, heading to her apartments. She was exultant, she was exhausted, she had the first concrete piece in her hand. So far to go, but she felt that now, she was on the way.

Arriving at the apartments she noted the watching soldier, a few doors down, and wondered if their lack of discretion was deliberate. In her days on the rooftops of Paris, she certainly could not have afforded to be that obvious. She went up.

Inside, she found her co-conspirators taking an early lunch. Cagliostro, dabbed his mouth with his napkin and stood, as did la Motte. Jeanne was surprised.

“I didn’t expect you back for another day at least.”

“I am on the Comte’s business. Messenger boy. But, a well paid messenger boy.” And he smiled.

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