Chapter 5
“Wonder what’s keeping him?� Henry wondered aloud. He looked up at his father. “Do you think it’s that woman?�
Francis looked at him, a little puzzled. “Francois is seeing some woman? I thought he was a married man.�
Henry smiled. “He is a married man, Father, I was talking about his wife, Adrienne, you know, Danielle’s younger sister?�
Francis nodded. “Yes, I thought she was.� He looked at his son. “Didn’t they just have a little girl?�
Henry nodded. “Yes, they did.�
The King frowned. “And what about you? It’s been a little over a year, Henry. I am anxious to become a grandfather. I know that Auguste is. He’s been talking my ear off lately on that subject.� Francis shook his head. “Whose idea was it to have Danielle’s father and his wife, Annette come to Paris with us?�
“So that Danielle and Adrienne could keep an eye on him, you know that. He’s just had his second stroke, mild as it was. “
Francis laughed and nodded. “The court physician practically got on his hands and knees and begged me to take him. ‘How would it look,’ he said ‘if the father of new Princess is not being cared for.’ And that’s when Danielle and Adrienne joined in. Annette said she would care for him, but she was voted down. What could I do, Henry, I had absolutely no choice. I couldn’t leave him in Hautefort.�
“By the way,� Henry asked. “Where is the old man?�
“Under doctor’s orders,� Francis said. “Went out for his daily walk with one of the Guardsmen, I believe it was Emil.�
He changed the subject. “And what about my question, Henry. Your mother and I would like to…�
“I’m here, Henry,� a voice called out from his left. Francois had just arrived and with an extra horse.�
Henry turned toward it and smiled. “Saved by my cousin.�
Francis smiled this time. “Not so quickly, young man. You will answer my question.�
Henry shrugged as he climbed on the extra horse. “Don’t you even say hello to your own nephew?�
Francis smiled. “My namesake,� he said looked toward him. “How is your wife and your daughter, Francois? Are they well?�
Francois smiled. “Things are going well, uncle. Adrienne and little Marie are doing just fine.� He turned to face Henry. “By the way, cousin, what about you and Danielle? It’s been a year, you know.�
Henry looked at him and noticed his father smiling. “What is this, a conspiracy?� He looked from one to the other.
“You never know,â€Â? Francis answered, laughing. He looked at Francois who looked puzzled. “Come on, you two. It’s time to go. We will discuss this upon your return.”
“Thank you, Father.� Henry smiled. “I’ll take you up on that. Come, cousin, before we lose track of the hour.�
The King of France stood in the castle courtyard watching Francois and Henry ride off. He was about to turn and walk through the door when he heard the bells in the chapel strike one. And he was suddenly reminded of his old friend. “ Auguste has been gone a while now, I must have forgotten all about him.� He was just about to call out the Royal Guards when he remembered that Emil was with him. “He’ll be fine,� Francis said, “he is well protected. Emil is one of the best.� He smiled. “I am worried for nothing. I mean, how would anyone know that his daughter is married to my son.� And with that thought in his head, he walked inside.
“Your Majesty,� a voice cried out, “Your Majesty, please, help me.�
~~~~~~
“Where did you find him?� Francis asked Laurent after they put Alain into one of the guest quarters.
“He was lying in the woods, Your Majesty.� Laurent said. “He was wet and unconscious.� Laurent looked at the King. “I am afraid there was another body next to him, milord, but he was not alive. We couldn’t leave him out there so we gave him a proper burial behind the barracks.�
Francis frowned. “And why have you done that?�
“Because, Your Majesty,� Laurent said, looking into the King’s eyes. “His name was Emil du Pres, one of the best Guardsman and my right hand man.�