Grasso, Patricia Read Online Free Page B

comfortable and gestured Burghley to sit. She left Richard standing like an errant child awaiting punishment while she looked the uncomfortable earl up and down.
    "The prodigal courtier arrives," Elizabeth said. "Your extreme tardiness does irritate Us."
    "Forgive me, Majesty," Richard apologized, bowing deeply. "Though I yearned to be in your company, your business interests held me prisoner in London."
    "You sound like Cecil. Too many years in my dear Spirit's household have made you an overly serious young man," the queen replied, pleased with his artful apology. "Sit down, dear Midas. Tell Us what you have touched and turned into gold these past weeks."
    "I've received important information from the East," Richard said. "My sister Heather writes that Sultan Selim is dead. Prince Murad is now sultan. His mother and his wife favor trade with England."
    "Your sister married whom?" Elizabeth asked.
    "Prince Khalid, the sultan's cousin."
    "Ah, yes. I remember now. All three of your sisters possessed the incredible impertinence to marry without Our permission."
    "Flighty girls," Burghley interjected. "Nevertheless, each of the Devereux chits have proven themselves to be loyal Englishwomen, especially the youngest sister."
    Richard flicked his mentor a grateful glance and continued, "I have a scheme that will make the three of us rich."
    "My dear Midas, you are already rich beyond avarice," Elizabeth teased.
    "Then you can be certain that I am incorruptible and do this for you," Richard quipped. His expression became animated as he explained his plan. "Grant me a royal charter for my latest venture, the Levant Trading Company, and we will share the profits. Eastern diplomacy moves slowly. I calculate three years will see us fully operational."
    "And what share goes to the Crown?" Elizabeth asked.
    "The lion's cub deserves the lion's share of fifty percent," Richard answered. "Burghley and I will split the other fifty, and England will prosper with this powerful ally."
    "Seventy percent," the Queen insisted.
    "Sixty," Richard shot back.
    "You have a deal," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Cecil, you will see that he gets the charter without delay."
    Richard opened the package he'd brought with him, saying, "The sultan's mother sends this humble gift to show her good faith."
    The humble gift was a fan. Its feathers were a billowing rainbow of hues set with diamonds, and its hilt a mass of emeralds, sapphires, and rubies.
    "And this comes from the sultan's wife," Richard added, producing a nosegay of porcelain flowers also set with priceless jewels. "We'll need to send reciprocal gifts. Heather informs me this is the way of eastern diplomacy."
    Impressed with her newest trinkets, Elizabeth examined them closely and asked without looking up, "And how shall we reward your sister's loyalty?"
    "Her loyalty needs no reward," Richard replied. "Though she begs me to send her a litter of piglets."
    "Why piglets?" Elizabeth asked.
    "To raise for the slaughter," Richard explained, a smile lurking in his voice. "My sister is a remarkable woman. She loves pork but hasn't tasted it in nine years, since it's forbidden to Moslems. Heather feels certain her husband couldn't refuse her a gift from England's queen."
    "How cunning," Elizabeth complimented his sister. "You have served Us well, Richard. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
    Richard hesitated for a fraction of a second and then began, "About my tour of duty in Ireland—"
    "You're much too valuable to serve abroad," Burghley interrupted, earning himself a censorious glance from his protégé.
    "Request denied," the queen said.
    "But Your Majesty—"
    "Peers of my realm may not serve abroad unless they have an heir."
    "Then I request permission to produce one," Richard said.
    "What? Shall you visit the market and purchase a son?" Elizabeth quipped.
    Burghley chuckled, a sound that few people ever heard.
    Richard flushed hot with embarrassment. "I request permission to marry and