"Thibaut is no longer in office. Try your luck with his successor."
She leaned forward beseechingly.
"His name, sire?"
Louis looked at her thoughtfully.
"He is the Count of Montcorbier," he said. "He is a stranger in our
court, but he has found a lodging in my heart. He came under safe
conduct from the South last night. He is recommended to me highly by
our brother of Provence. I believe he will serve me well, and I am
sure he will always be lenient to loveliness."
The king smiled affably as the ready lies slipped smoothly from his
lips. He was amusing himself immensely with the threads of the fairy
tale he was spinning.
"You shall have audience with him." The king paused. He caught sight
on the steps of the dark familiar figure of the royal barber, who
was approaching him deferentially. He called to him:
"Olivier, by and by, when my Lord of Montcorbier takes the air in
the garden, bring this lady to him. You understand?"
He turned to Katherine again and once more tickled her chin with the
swaying rose.
"Now, go, girl, or my wife and your queen will be wanting her
roses."
Katherine again saluted the king and went slowly up the steps into
the palace.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101