She only just managed to conceal her surprise. “I’m happy to have pleased Your Majesty.”
He nodded, then looked back to Trick. “We’ll talk later, yes?”
“Aye. And I’ve something to give you.”
“Do you, now?” The king was not above delighting in gifts. “Did you bring it along?”
“It’s rather…large. And it’s at my home, but I can have it delivered—”
“Amberley House, or Caldwell House here in London?”
“Here in London, but—”
“I have matters to discuss with you in any case.” Charles raised a meaningful brow. “I shall sneak out of my bedchamber this evening and come to you.”
“Sneak?” Kendra burst out, then clapped a hand over her mouth.
Charles let loose a booming laugh. “My Master of the Backstairs is quite accustomed to making these arrangements, I assure you.”
His eyes twinkled, and Kendra blushed. She knew he meant that he usually sneaked out for assignations with his mistresses, but she felt sorry for his long-suffering queen, who was studiously looking elsewhere.
She would never put up with that from her husband, not now that things were right between them in the bedroom. He’d promised her fidelity, and she expected him to give up his mistress. Just let him try to visit London alone again.
With another bow and curtsy, Kendra and Trick moved away so the next courtiers could be presented.
“Well, I expect we can leave now,” Trick said as soon as they were out of earshot.
“I’m not leaving until after we’ve danced.” Kendra flipped open her painted fan.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to titter behind that thing.”
“Me? Titter?” She frantically fanned it at her face. On this late summer night, the Presence Chamber was hot and close, lit by hundreds of candles in wall sconces and liveried yeomen holding flaming torches. “What did Charles mean, two of his favorite families?”
Trick tucked his tongue in his cheek. “Were you not aware the Chases are favored?”
For the second time this evening, she was tempted to slap him. “You know very well what I mean. I’ve never seen you at court—”
“I do my best to avoid it.”
“And I don’t remember you from the years in exile, either. So how is it you’ve come to know Charles so well?”
“My father—the duke—was a major supplier of kingly luxury items,” Trick said dryly. “All through the Commonwealth years, we had, uh…dealings.”
Kendra stopped fanning. “You’re jesting, yes? Charles was as poor as we were during those years.”
“I’m not jesting. The duke was happy enough to supply him free of charge.”
“Out of loyalty?”
He snorted. “Out of greed. Charles promised him the dukedom restored upon his own restoration.” He frowned across the chamber, then turned back to her, pulling at his cravat. “If you’re not going to fan yourself, you may as well fan me.”
“My wrist is tired. I’ve decided to sweat instead.”
Chuckling, he leaned forward and gave her a kiss. “Ladies don’t sweat. Ladies glow.”
“I’m a duchess now, not a lady. I can do as I please.” Suddenly he was staring at a woman across the chamber. “Trick? Who is that?”
“Most people call her Lady Charlotte Waller.”
