The Queen and the Courtesan Read Online Free Page A

interest is waning, that should bring her to heel.’
    The King’s emissary did as he was bid and tactfully pointed out to Balzac that His Majesty was now so enamoured of Mademoiselle de la Bourdaisière, a renowned beauty, that he may well cease to pursue Henriette altogether. ‘The King’s patience grows thin.’
    Startled by this news, Balzac instantly changed tactics, adopting a more humble disposition. ‘I may well agree, were my family’s honour to be properly compensated.’
    The Comte hid a smile. ‘His Majesty wishes to know what price you would ask for her to concede to his desires.’
    Balzac hurried away to discuss the matter with his wife and son. Auvergne had frequently feigned disapproval of the King’s pursuit of his sister, even while secretly encouraging it. Marie Touchet cried out in horror when she heard the sum he had in mind.
    â€˜You ask too much. You shame us by these demands, husband.’
    Lifting her chin with a blaze of defiance in her green eyes, Henriette challenged her mother. ‘Are you saying that I am of less value than a pile of old silver? Shall I not need to set myself up in a manner befitting my new status?’ In her heart she was secretly growing fearful of losing Henry, of her clever tricks failing to bring off this coup. There was still talk of an Italian marriage, but not for a moment would she admit these fears to her parents.
    â€˜On the contrary, we ask too little,’ Auvergne protested. ‘The King should treat her with better respect. This is not the first time Henry has willingly paid for a woman’s favours. But I note he still does not offer a crown.’
    Balzac frowned. ‘You are right, son. Does he imagine he can buy my daughter’s honour with mere money? I shall also request a suitable appointment for you, and for myself. He is hot for her and will pay whatever we ask.’
    The pair at once began to devise various military promotions which might be advantageous to them both. After lengthy discussions Balzac returned with a demand for one hundred thousand livres , plus suitable positions for himself and his son.
    Now it was the Comte’s turn to be startled. One hundred thousand was an unheard of sum, even for a maidenhead, and Henry was surely not fool enough to be convinced the girl was still in possession of it. But who was he to judge what a king would do to satisfy his lust? Skilfully masking his dismay, de Lude bowed deeply and quickly departed to relay these demands to his monarch.
    â€˜Are you never satisfied, husband?’ Marie protested. ‘Think of our daughter’s virtue which you so easily barter.’
    â€˜Silence, wife! I will not relinquish the family honour for anything less than the sum we demand, plus a crown.’
    Henriette burst into a tantrum of fury. ‘The King may refuse. How can we force him to agree to what we ask? We have no power.’
    â€˜We have more than you might think. Now do not spoil that pretty complexion with tears, and listen carefully, child, for I have a plan.’
    Henry heard the demands in silence. How different the bewitching Henriette was from his sweet Gabrielle. He had showered his precious angel with gifts and love but she’d had no desire for a crown, wanting only to marry and be respectable. In the end his persistence had paid off and he’d won her affection away from her previous lover. He’d loved Gabrielle sincerely, and would gladly have made her his queen. There would be no crown for Henriette but he wanted her all the same, and if a hundred thousand livres was the price to pay to purchase her favours, then so be it.
    The problem was that while he was ready and willing to hand over the sum demanded, Rosny put every possible objection in his path to prevent him from doing so.
    â€˜Does Your Majesty not appreciate how difficult it has been for the treasury to raise the required four million for the renewal of