“And you think we cannot compete with France.”
“I think that we have to try harder to prove our strength, seeing as France shares the Continent with Spain and we do not. Your victory last year has helped tremendously. But we must hold what we took and, maybe, fight once more. Which no doubt we will have to do when you discard Elisabeth de France.”
“Why Dominic, you do not sound as though you like that plan. Aren’t you the soldier? I expect a bit more enthusiasm for battle from you.”
He thought of Renaud LeClerc and of Nicole, who was so glad to have her husband home. He thought of the little princess in France who yearned desperately to know how to please her betrothed. And he thought of William, moving them all around as though they were chess pieces to be picked up and cast aside at his whim.
“As a soldier, I anticipate necessary battles, not those fought for sport. We have bought peace, Your Majesty, at a dear price. Why be in a rush to throw that away?”
Dominic knew it was his use of William’s title, as much as his tone, that narrowed the king’s eyes as he answered. “If I were in a rush to throw away peace, then Minuette would already be carrying my son. Don’t lecture me about patience.”
“I only meant that, more than any other man, your decisions cannot be based solely on your own preferences.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” William’s shout carried, and Dominic knew he had gone too far. “Everyone is so keen to remind me that my choices matter to England. What everyone seems to forget is this: IamEngland. I have been from the moment my father drew his last breath. And as I would do nothing to injure myself, I am incapable of injuring England.”
“It’s only that…with Minuette—” Fortunately, he didn’t have to think how to continue, because William cut in.
“England needs me as king, and I need Minuette as my queen. She will be good forEnglandbecause she is good forme.Don’t argue my uncle’s side for him, Dom. He does it quite thoroughly on his own.”
“What if I am arguing my own side?”
William’s brow furrowed. “I would expect you, of all people, to approve of Minuette. Others may look only at her birth, or her less than wealthy circumstances, or her youth. But you know better. You know her goodness, her generosity, her kindness to all, her understanding of human nature, her charm and poise and diplomatic skill…you know my people will love her. Look me in the eyes and tell me that Minuette will not make a glorious queen.”
It had been months since Dominic had been able to look his friend in the eyes. “Not everyone sees her as you do.”
“They will. And on the day she gives me a royal son and England falls at her feet, I will remind you that I was right and you were wrong.”
“Until that day,” Dominic warned, “tread carefully. The French are wary.”
“You just keep me apprised of your friend’s thoughts. I expect if French wariness turns into French aggression, Renaud LeClerc will know of it first.”
Wonderful, Dominic thought. Not only have I failed to persuade William to reconsider Minuette, now he intends to use my friendships against me. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The night that Minuette returned to court, William summoned her to play chess after dinner. Elizabeth watched her go with a troubled expression; Dominic was nowhere to be seen. As long as they played in sight of William’s guards and gentlemen in the presence chamber, Minuette was easy enough. But all too soon William escorted her into his privy chamber and shut the door on the two of them alone.
“I missed you so much.” He pulled her onto his lap and momentarily buried his face in her hair. “As hard as it is to be near you and restrain myself, it’s infinitely harder to not have you here at all.”
“This is restraint?” Minuette teased, to cover the fact that her heart thumped irregularly.
He grinned wickedly. “I promise—when I am no longer restrained, sweetling, you shall know the difference at once.” He traced the neckline of her dress with one finger, and despite herself she shivered—and hated herself for it. How could she be so furiously jealous with Dominic for kissing a woman who meant nothing to him when William, who meant so very much to her, could rouse her body even while her mind remained disengaged?
The damning truth was that she responded to William’s touch. How was she to stop it? Her mind, at least, always remained detached and ironic, making sarcastic comments about her behavior and William’s indiscretion.
But when Dominic touched her, she was incapable of thinking at all.And that’s your difference, Dominic. When you touch me there is nothing else in my world but you.
Tonight, as William trailed kisses where his finger had traced, Minuette attempted to distract him with a genuine question. “Why didn’t you tell me about Bishop Bonner’s execution?”
“There was no need. You would hear of it when it happened—no need to distress you beforehand.”
“You never used to trouble about distressing me. You used to tell me everything—well, nearly everything. I am not a china figurine, Will. You needn’t worry about breaking me.”
“Oh, I’m not,” he said huskily, and captured her mouth with his. His arms tightened until she found it hard to breathe, but still her mind worked.
“I mean it,” she insisted when he stopped to draw breath. “I wish you would talk to me like you used to. Or do you not trust me anymore?”
That startled him into releasing his hold on her. With creased brow, he said, “You know I do. You, Dom, Elizabeth—you are the only three I trust.”
