Musketeer's Daughter:Unanswered Riddle

Chapter 25: An audience with the Queen-Mother

Any chance Ysabeau had of enjoying her stay was dashed by the moment of the King's attempted seduction. Her hands slipped from her eyes as she rested her face upon palms.

"I am terribly sorry, ma colombe." Andrién fitted his glove over his sleeve, and straightened his cassock. "I had thought he would not dare enter, knowing you are my niece."

"Would he have if I was your daughter?"

"Most likely not."

Ysabeau clutched handfuls of short locks and ground her teeth. "Then why the charade? What could be so precious to you that you must lie regarding my relation?"

He inhaled until his chest bulged, then, with a shake of his head, he released the breath. "There are many things of the court that you do not understand. Stay in your apartments. He will not bother you again."

"How do you know that?" She raised her eyes, frustration blurring his visage from her.

"Because I caught him."

"How does that work? The King gets what he wants."

"Relax and enjoy your morning. Take a walk through the Jardin de la Reine. I heard it is very beautiful." His left eye closed in a swift wink.

"The Garden of the Queen?" Ysabeau felt her blood drain. "Will she not catch me there? Will she know what had transpired last night?"

Andrién reached for his hat and held it before him. "She is much too busy scheming to notice who strolls her garden or not. Go. I will send Philippe to you since Marie is disgruntled."

"Marie." She had forgotten all about her. "Very well. Enjoy your morning and banquet and ball."

"Are you saying you do not intend to go to any of them?" He paused, his hand upon the handle. "There will be a picnic in honor of Her Majesty the Queen Catherine."

"And face the King? No, Andrién, I prefer not."

He clucked his tongue and shook his head. "Pity. You would enjoy the meal and the balls are always quite nice."

"If the King is watching me like I am his next meal, I would most certainly not."

"Fair enough. I have gotten what I wanted from you and that was to pass yourself off as a lady here at court—despite your debacle as a musketeer lad who would still be found at his mother's teet."

"Andrién!"

"Hurry and ready yourself. Philippe will be here in a moment."

By the time she slipped the paniers on and stockings and garters, her arms cramped. The door sounded and she jumped with a squeak. She rushed to the front, shouted to come in, then rushed back to her boudoir. The gown was ungainly as always, but she did her best and pieced together everything to a tight finish.