LITMIR.BIZ

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to Hampton Court, for the plague was still rife in London.

      Buckingham continued to undermine the queen, advising her that her clothing was far too lavish, and unsuitable for an Englishwoman. Her hairstyle was too foreign. Her temper too quick. He advised her that she should be more amenable to her husband, or Charles would send her back to France. Then he attempted once again to gain a place in her household for not just his sister, but his wife, and his niece as well. The queen was outraged, and this time did complain to her husband. In response, Charles went hunting to avoid the uproar, and while he was gone, the countess of Denbigh held a public religious service in the royal household. The queen and her people interrupted it, not once, but twice, trekking through the hall chattering and laughing, their dogs in their wake, as if nothing unusual were taking place. Buckingham dutifully reported this to the king, making certain Charles’s anger was well roused.

      The king was indeed outraged, but not at Lady Denbigh for deliberately baiting the queen. His anger was directed solely at his wife, whom he decided to punish by sending her entire retinue of French back to Paris. Now Buckingham realized he had gone too far. He did not wish to be responsible for endangering the alliance between England and France, which this marriage represented.

      In Paris, King Louis and his mother had heard of the discord between the recently married couple. They were not at all pleased, and decided to send an envoy to investigate. Buckingham quickly persuaded the king to allow the queen’s household to remain for the time being.

      The plague having finally subsided, the coronation was set for February second. At Glenkirk, James Leslie grumbled loudly at having to make the trek from the eastern highlands of Scotland down to London at the midpoint of the winter. The snows were deep. The trip would be cold, and take forever. They would have to leave immediately after Twelfth Night.

      “I dinna intend taking all of you bairns,” he said to his assembled family.

      “I am perfectly happy to remain home,” Fortune Lindley said.

      “Henry, Charlie, and Patrick shall go, because the first two are English, and the last my heir,” the duke of Glenkirk said.

      India held her breath, and threw a beseeching glance at her mother. Adrian Leigh had been permitted to correspond with her, and had kept her apprised of all the gossip, and the coronation plans.

      “I think India should go, too,” Jasmine finally said.

      “Why?” James Leslie demanded.

      “Because she is Rowan’s firstborn, and an English noblewoman of an old and respected family, who certainly should see her king crowned,” Jasmine said quietly. “Besides, this is an excellent opportunity for us to look over the young men from suitable families. Many will be at the coronation who do not as a rule come to court. It is a wonderful chance for her. Besides, it will please me to have my daughter with me, Jemmie.”

      “Verra well,” he said grudgingly, “but I dinna want to see that fancy young viscount hanging about India.” He looked directly at his stepdaughter. “He’s nae for you, mistress. Do you understand me, India? I hae been patient allowing him to write to you once a month, but you will nae wed such a fellow. This time I would see other suitors at our door. Ye dinna hae your cousin, René, to hide behind any longer. Did you nae know I knew ‘twas young Leigh who you were so anxious to be wi, and nae the chevalier?”

      India bit back the quick retort on her lips, and hung her head in a contrite fashion. She would damn well do what she wanted to do, but she would wait to get to England before she made that announcement. “Yes, Papa,” she said meekly, “and thank you for allowing me to go.”

      “And ye’ll pick a husband, India,” James Leslie told his stepdaughter. “Either down in England, or here in Scotland, lassie. You’ll be eighteen this June, and you canna wait any longer.”

      “Mama was only eighteen when I was born,” India noted.

      “But she hae already hae two husbands,” he said. “And, besides, it takes time to make a bairn and birth it.”

      “I want to love the man I marry,” India told him.

      “I’ll nae force you to the altar, lassie.” James Leslie said, “but you must be more tractable and practical in this matter.”

      “I will try, Papa,” India promised him.

      “What a little liar you are,” Fortune mocked her sister afterward when they were alone in their chamber. “You want to marry Adrian Leigh, India. I know you do! And he would like to marry you, although I do not think he loves you. Just your wealth.”

      “Of course he loves me,” India said angrily to her sister. “He has told me so in his letters, Fortune.”

      Fortune shook her head. “I do not understand you, India. You have always been so careful where fortune hunters are concerned, yet now you become clay in the hands of this viscount. What is the matter with you?”

      “You don’t understand,” India began.

      “I know I don’t,” Fortune agreed, “but I do want to, India. You are my sister and I love you. We are only two years apart, and while we are very different, it doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to you, because I do. Adrian Leigh writes you in a manner I do not believe he should be writing you. He behaves as if you were formally betrothed.”

      “You haven’t read my letters, have you?” India was outraged.

      “Of course I’ve read them,” Fortune said matter-of factly. “You don’t hide them very well, India. If Mama didn’t trust you, she probably would have read them, too, and then you should not be going to England for the coronation. This Adrian Leigh is very bold, sister.”

      “He kissed me,” India said. “The first time René caught us, and scolded me roundly. After that we were more careful. Ohhh, Fortune, I cannot imagine my life without him! Papa simply has to change his mind about Adrian. I cannot bear to think of marrying anyone but him.”

      “But why?” Fortune was entirely perplexed. Certainly Adrian Leigh wasn’t any more handsome than their brothers. His prose to India was just plain silly—her lips were two turtledoves—and his spelling was utterly atrocious. What in the name of all heaven was so special about him that India was behaving like a little ninny?

      “I cannot explain,” India said helplessly. “He is just too wonderful, Fortune, and I love him. You will understand one day.”

      Fortune shook her head. “You had best be careful, sister,” she warned her sibling. “If you don’t choose a husband, and you know it cannot be your swain, Papa will choose one for you. Parents still do, you know. It is their right. Mama and Papa have been very lenient with us.”

      “It must be Adrian, India replied stubbornly.

      Fortune shook her head again. “We shall have no peace in this house, I am thinking, until you are safely married, India.”

      “To Adrian,” came the reply, and Fortune laughed.

      “I hope to never have a daughter like you,” she said.

      The duke and duchess of Glenkirk departed Scotland on the seventh of January, arriving at their house in London, Greenwood, on the thirtieth of the month. There was barely time for their clothing to be unpacked and pressed. Waiting for them upon their arrival was Viscount Twyford, filled with news. James Leslie was not pleased to see the young man, but listened politely.

      The queen, it seemed, would not be at the coronation. Once again she had taken the counsel of her religious advisors, ignoring the pleas of both her mother and her brother, the king of France, who wanted her crowned with her husband. Henrietta, however, had been convinced by Bishop de Mende that the Protestant archbishop of Canterbury could not possibly place the crown of England upon her Roman Catholic head. Only he, a French Catholic bishop, could.

      As

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