Moreover, tonight would not see the end of the King’s indiscretion.

‘I wish Lady Fleming to come here,’ she announced.

The woman started; she blushed to the roots of her red hair which was loose about her shoulders now that she had removed Andromeda’s wig with her mask.

All eyes were on Lady Fleming. Catherine’s glittered coldly.

She knows, thought the guilty Lady Fleming. She is going to denounce me now― here― before them all. I shall be banished― I shall never be allowed to see him again. She looks so strange. She frightens me. Her eyes are like a serpent’s eyes. ‘Lady Fleming, you have given a very good performance this night.’

Lady Fleming could not speak. She felt her knees knocking together. Their cold eyes continued to regard her.

‘The most distinguished couple in the room is Andromeda and Perseus,’

went on the Queen.

Everyone applauded, for now everyone knew who Perseus was.

‘I could not take my eyes from you,’ continued Catherine, and watched the colour rush into Lady Fleming’s cheeks.

‘Your Majesty― is gracious―’ stammered the guilty creature.

‘The prize is yours, Lady Fleming.’

Catherine took a ring from her finger and slipped it on to the trembling one of her husband’s new mistress.


* * *

The silly little governess was giving herself airs. It was noticed throughout the court.

It was already being whispered that the governess’s elevation was due to the absence of Diane. What was going to happen, it was discreetly asked, when Madame la Duchesse returned? Would Madame Fleming be sent away, or would the King find the redhead more suitable to his taste?

Mary Stuart, whose eyes were none the less sharp for being beautiful, had already whispered to young Francis that their governess was in love. Mary said they must trap her into an admission.

Catherine overheard them teasing the silly creature when she came into then nurseries one day.

‘I declare,’ said Mary, ‘you do not listen to us. Your thoughts are far away. I think they were with your lover.’

‘Hush. You must not say such things.’

‘But I will. I will. You must confess, must she not, Francis, that she has a lover.’

‘Indeed, she must!’ declared Francis.

‘Now come. It is lesson time. You seem to forget.’

‘It is you who forget to whom you speak. We ask a question― and demand to be answered. Lady Fleming, please remember that one day Francis will be the King and I the Queen. When we ask questions we expect answers, and if you do not answer us― or treat us with the respect due to our rank, we shall― we shall―’ The saucy creature paused for a while; then she added ominously: ‘We shall not forget when we are on the throne.’

‘I will not be treated thus―’ said the stupid woman.

‘Have you a lover? Have you a lover?’ chanted Francis.

‘Well― and what if I have?’

‘Have you?’ demanded Mary.

‘Well― yes―’

Catherine turned away in disgust. It was time this folly was done with. Did not the silly creature understand that the only love affair she could enjoy with the King must be a secret one.

Then one day― as Catherine knew she would― Lady Fleming achieved her own dismissal.

She confided in Madalenna.

Catherine went off into loud laughter when Madalenna reported this to her.

How like the woman to choose Madalenna!

‘She asked me if I could keep a secret,’ said Madalenna.

‘And you said you could. Yes, Madalenna. Then she told you that the King visits her at night. And did you tell her that you knew; that you have been an unseen guest in their chamber; a witness to their lechery?’

‘I― said nothing of that.’

‘That was well. Come, Madalenna, waste no more time. What said she?’

‘I carefully noted her words that I might give them exactly as they were said: God be thanked, she said. I am child.’

‘With child!’ cried Catherine. ‘She said that?’

‘She did, Madame. She said: It is the King’s child, and I feel honoured and happy about it. I am in such excellent health. I think there must be some magic in the royal blood to make me feel so well. ‘

Catherine stood by the window looking out on to the gardens below. A child. This was carrying that plan of Montmorency’s too far.

Watching the King closely, she believed he was fast tiring of the silly creature. He was getting anxious; Catherine guessed that he was thinking of Diane. Never mind. He would hate having to confess his infidelity. Who knew, after her illness, Diane might not be quite so beautiful, quite so alert of mind.

Perhaps Montmorency’s plan had worked. Perhaps Lady Fleming had played the part allotted to her well, and now it was the Queen’s turn to step in.

Diane was fast recovering, so came the news. Catherine must act quickly before she returned to court. She must remember the lesson Diane had taught her at the time of the Piedmontese lapse. She must show the King that if he was in an embarrassing position his wife could help him as his mistress had often done.

She sought him immediately and found him with the children.

‘Henry, I would speak with you. It is a matter of some importance.’

‘I will join you in your apartment shortly,’ he said.

‘Oh please, Sire,’ said Mary, ‘do not leave us yet. You have been with us such a little while.

Catherine looked sharply at Mary. She was not so enamoured of the little Queen as everyone else seemed to be. Beauty and grace were no compensation, in Catherine’s eyes, for that pertness and insolent manner.

You are ill-advised, my Queenlet, thought Catherine, if you think you may provoke me with impunity. There was the insolent creature lifting her big beautiful eyes almost coquettishly to Henry, imploring him to ignore his wife’s request.

Henry touched the golden hair lovingly. ‘Well, a few moments more; then I must hear the Queen’s business.’

Catherine swept out. Mary Stuart must be taught that she could not always behave thus. Already she had taken Catherine’s son and made him hers completely. There was no one in the world for Francis now but his beautiful and beloved Mary.

The King was not long in coming to her, and Catherine made sure that they were alone before she spoke.

‘I have disquieting news, Henry.’

He raised his eyebrows.

‘It is Lady Fleming,’ she went on.

The King flushed. ‘The Scottish woman?’ he said.

Catherine nodded. She would not risk his displeasure letting him think she was aware of his secret meetings with the governess. He was a man who liked to keep his weaknesses hidden from prying eyes. Did he not wish people to believe that his relationship with Diane was a platonic one? What Catherine wished to imply more than anything was: You may trust me. I wish you always to know that you may rely on your wife. ‘She has whispered to one of my women that she is with child.’

Henry drew back as though she had struck him. It was obvious that he had heard nothing about this new development in his little love affair.

He sought refuge in hauteur. ‘Catherine,’ he said, ‘the private affairs of a governess are no concern of ours.’

This was Henry at his least noble. He was in a position which he loathed, and because he could not rely on his wits to extricate him from a difficulty, he was an angry, rather petty Henry.

Yet thus Catherine loved him most tenderly.

‘She should be no concern of ours, admittedly,’ went on Catherine smoothly, ‘but I gathered from my woman that the governess is with child by some personage of position in the court.’

‘She was discreet enough to mention no names, then?’ said the King with obvious relief.

‘As yet,’ said Catherine, I think the scandal has not travelled far. I cautioned my woman to silence and I think will obey me.’

‘I like it not,’ said Henry, his mouth prim and tight, ‘that such matters should be bruited about the court.’

Catherine went to him swiftly and impulsively aid a hand on his arm. ‘My lord husband, you may rely upon me to keep this matter where it belongs.’ Her eyes pleaded with him: can you not see that I would do everything you asked of me? Confide in me. Let me tell you of this overwhelming passionate love of mine. Let me have done with plots. Let me enjoy love with you. But he was already turning away uncomfortably. ‘Yes,’ he said uneasily, ‘See to that, please, Catherine.’

He went out and she knew that the interview was a failure. This time, was it that she had not said enough? The head of Catherine de’ Medici was strong, but weak it became when her heart was involved.


* * *

A few days later Diane sent a message to the King telling him that she was ready to return to court; and he himself rode to Anet that he accompany her.

The story of the Scotswoman was common knowledge now. While Diane was away, the King must play, it was whispered. But was it not rather foolish to have chosen such a silly woman for his indiscretion? Now it would be seen what Madame Diane had to say about the matter. Was it the end of the King’s devotion to his aging Duchess? Hardly! Since he rode to Anet to bring her back to court! But it must be remembered that the ravages of sickness could ruin an ageing woman’s charms. What an interesting situation: Diane returning with her royal lover, while the Scottish governess grew in importance― in her own eyes at least― as she grew in size.

The King returned to Paris with Diane. Though she was paler, and thinner, there were many who agreed she was as charming as ever; and moreover, the King’s devotion was obvious Wretchedly, Catherine, watching him more closely than any, detected in his demeanour a remorse― a secret remorse― and she knew that his infidelity worried him greatly and that he had not yet confessed it to Diane.