“So, madame, ye hae finally returned,” the king began. His look was surprisingly mild. “I hae met yer whelps. Ye’ve done well wi them, madame.All of them.Our wee grandson is a braw laddie for one so young. Spoke French to me, he did.” James Stuart chuckled. “And told me he could teach me to swear in Hindi. Now where would he have learned Hindi, I wonder?” The king cocked his head to one side questioningly.
“Most likely from my steward, Adali,” Jasmine said softly. “Adali likes to remind Charlie-boy that he is the grandson of two kings.”
“Aye,” James Stuart agreed. “Our wee duke of Lundy hae much royal blood in his veins,but he is English-born, madame.Ye will remember that, won’t ye?”
“Yes, Your Highness, I will remember it. I could hardly forget it,” Jasmine replied. “His father will remain in my heart always.”
For a brief moment the king looked sad. “Aye,” he told her. “In all of our hearts. England lost a great king, but perhaps if I can live long enough, our bairn, Charles, will make a good king.”
“Oh, Your Highness,” Jasmine told the king, “I am certain Prince Charles will be of great credit to you and the queen.” Thento everyone’s surprise, even Glenkirk’s, Jasmine flung herself before the king in a gesture of abasement, her burgundy silk skirts spread artfully about her. “Your Majesty,” she said in her clear voice, “I beg that you forgive me my disobedience. The only excuse I can offer to you is that my heart was broken over Prince Henry’s death, and I was not ready to go into another marriage so quickly. I am but a frail woman, Your Highness, and I have suffered much in my short life. I am ready now to do my duty, and marry the earl of Glenkirk; and I vow never to disobey Your Highness again.” Jasmine bent low so that her head touched the tip of the king’s shoe, and there she remained, waiting for him to speak.
The king was astounded, but he was also pleased. The young woman before him understood his total authority even if she had bridled against it. He had been very angry when she had fled England two years ago. But then two weeks ago he had seen his grandson, and the child had softened his heart toward Jasmine de Marisco Lindley. And now here was the very miscreant he had intended to punish but a short month ago, publicly humbling herself before his throne. James Stuart was mightily pleased and filled to overflowing with the milk of forgiveness.
“Get up, lassie,” he said good-naturedly. “Help her, Jemmie.” And when Jasmine stood before him once again, he continued, “It was a pretty apology and astutely delivered. Yer forgiven, madame.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Jasmine replied simply, curtsying again.
“A woman, especially a beautiful woman such as yerself,” the king said, “should hae a husband to guide her; but perhaps I was hasty when I chose for ye, madame. I realize now that I should hae given ye a choice of gentlemen from whom to choosea new lord and master. I shall gie it to ye now.” James Stuart looked very pleased with himself.
Everyone else in the room looked astounded, including the queen herself. She glared furiously at her spouse, but he ignored her.
“Your Highness,” Jasmine said quickly. “I am content to wed with Lord Leslie. We are old friends and have come to a complete understanding. Our wedding is planned for June 15 at my grandmother’s home, Queen’s Malvern.”
“There will be nae wedding, madame, until ye hae made yer decision about a groom,” the king said stubbornly.
“But I have!”Jasmine almost shouted.
“James!”the queen hissed at her husband.
He ignored her again, saying to Jasmine, “Yer a good lass, madame, and willing to do my bidding, I understand. Unlike many in this court, ye understand my divine right over my subjects. Two years ago I acted expeditiously, or so I thought, in my effort to protect both ye and my grandson. My rashness sent ye fleeing to France. While I know ye understand the reasons for my actions, I will now admit to having acted too swiftly in the matter. Therefore, I offer ye a choice of husbands, madame. Not only is the earl of Glenkirk a candidate for yer hand, but Piers St.Denis, the marquis of Hartsfield, will also present his suit to ye. I would offer ye my Steenie as well, but he tells me his heart is engaged elsewhere. So now, madame, ye hae two gentlemen from whom to make yer choice.” He grinned at her, quite pleased with himself as if he had done something wonderful. “Ye’ll find my Piers a delightful lad, and quite near yer own age, which Glenkirk is nae.”
“Your Highness,” Jasmine began, but the king waved her into silence, and the warning pressure of Jemmie’s hand on her arm cautioned her to be quiet and make no more protest.
“Piers, my dearest laddie, where are ye? Come and meet the dowager marchioness of Westleigh,” the king burbled, his tone almost coquettish.
A tall, fair young man stepped from the crowd of courtiers about the throne. He was dressed all in blue, and Jasmine would have sworn that the silk exactly matched the color of his blazing blue eyes. He was probably the most beautiful man she had ever seen, yet she was instantly repelled in the same way that she had been repelled by cobras in India. They, too, were beautiful, but dangerous. The marquis of Hartsfield bowed low before the king. “Sire,” he said. The voice was pleasant enough.
“Make yer bow to Lady Lindley, Piers,” the king girlishly encouraged the young man. “If ye please her, she may choose ye for her mate.”
Hartsfield obeyed the king, giving him a quick smile as he did so. Then he turned to salute Jasmine. “Madame,” he said.
“Now take her off, and chat wi her, Piers,” the king instructed. “Glenkirk, ye stay by the queen, and gie yer rival a chance now. Ye’ve been wi the lady for several months in France now. Let my Piers hae his opportunity. Dinna fret, Jemmie Leslie, if she chooses my Piers, I’ll gie a nice heiress to compensate ye.” He chortled, well pleased with himself.
Masking his anger, James Leslie went to the queen’s side, and, taking her hand, kissed it. “I am happy to see you looking so well, ma’am,” he told her with a forced smile.
“You do not have to smile, Glenkirk,” the queen said. “Having gotten what he thought he wanted, Jamie is now making a right mess of the situation, isn’t he? I knew nothing about this, I assure you, else I would have talked him out of it. He will indulge his young men. Young George Villiers, whom I far prefer over Piers St.Denis, has lost his heart to Lady Katherine Manners, the earl of Rutland’s daughter. He isn’t good enough for her yet, but Jamie will see to it that he getsa title soon enough. Fortunately Villiers was clever enough to make his desire for Lady Manners known to the king else he should find himself another of poor Jasmine’s suitors in this marriage-go-round.”
“I should have married her in France,” Glenkirk said irritably. “It was my first inclination, but she wanted her family about her, and I wanted her to be happy, ma’am.”
“Ahhhh,” the queen replied softly, “you love her, don’t you?”
“I do,” he admitted.
“And does she love you?”
“Aye, she does,” he answered her. “I am the most fortunate man alive, ma’am. You do not think the king will force her to marry this marquis of Hartsfield? I have heard …” Glenkirk stopped, not knowing if he should reveal his knowledge of the gossip to Queen Anne.
“You have heard that Piers St.Denis and George Villiers have found favor with my husband,” she responded. “It is true. You know that James is deeply passionate in his friendships, my lord. I do not mind at all, for it is easier to cope with these charming young men than it would be to cope with amaîtresse en titre.I was quite very relieved when your mother left Scotland. How is she these days?”
