Margaret Moore Read Online Free PDF Page A

dryly.
    Elissa’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she regarded Sir Richard. She was quite sure he saw through her apparently sincere apology, and that was most disconcerting—nearly as disconcerting at sitting at a table with the King of England. “Majesty, I am sure Sir Richard will understand that I did not think it an appropriate time or place for social niceties. Indeed, this is a far more pleasant place to make introductions than the crowded, filthy street.”
    The king chuckled. “Odd’s fish, Richard, that sounds like something from one of your plays.”
    Sir Richard looked thoughtful. “If I were to write such a scene, Majesty, I believe I would have the female character fall in love with the bold fellow who came to her rescue.”
    That response made the king laugh all themore-“Of course! What say you to that, Mistress Longbourne?”
    “Since I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing one of Sir Richard’s plays, I will have to assume that is a typical occurrence in one of his productions. Therefore, I shall also be forced to assume that he takes no trouble to present anything approximating reality upon the stage.”
    Sir Richard colored slightly, and Elissa finally felt some of her tension ebb. She would show this impertinent fellow that she was not an ignorant country widow to be threatened by anyone’s sardonic manner and supposed sophistication.
    Indeed, from what she heard of the king and his court, they were utterly at the mercy of their passions and so, she concluded, not as strong as she, who had conquered hers long ago.
    Or had them driven out, her conscience prompted.
    She forced herself to think only of the present, and to keep every sense alert until she knew exactly why the king had summoned her here.
    “Harsh words, Mistress Longbourne,” Charles noted. “This does not bode well for our delightful plan.”
    What anxiety had abated returned full force as the king looked at her with obvious disappointment, and perhaps even disapproval.“We have a plan to try to amend this unfortunate business.”
    “Business?” Elissa demanded warily.
    More than a hint of reprimand appeared on the king’s face. “Mistress Longbourne?”
    “Majesty,” she began again, trying not to sound as cowed as she suddenly felt, “I only wonder what unfortunate business you mean.”
    “For a woman who feels competent enough to criticize my work without seeing it, this incomprehension seems rather odd,” Sir Richard mused aloud, apparently to no one in particular. “Surely there is no need to dissemble. She must have guessed the nature of the business to be conducted here when she saw me.”
    To Elissa’s further chagrin, the king’s expression assumed a shrewdness she had not suspected he possessed. “We think he has you there, Mistress Longbourne, and he does not even know that you have brought your lawyer.”
    “Your lawyer?” Sir Richard repeated incredulously.
    “Then I gather it
is of
my son’s inheritance we speak,” Elissa said.
    “My family’s estate,” Sir Richard quickly amended.
    “Not after it was
legally
sold,” Elissa retorted. “My son is the rightful owner of the Blythe estate. It was fairly purchased and paid for, and bequeathed to him by my late husband.My lawyer has brought all the necessary documents.”
    “Come, come!” the king cried. His tone was outwardly jovial, but they both heard the undertone of royal displeasure. “We understand the legalities, Mistress Longbourne, and we trust you understand Sir Richard’s desire to have what he feels should be his not just by right of birth, but by virtue of the friendship and assistance he offered us during our long exile. Odd’s fish, madam, if it were up to us, we would have given him the estate the moment we set foot on English soil.
    “Sadly, as you so forcefully observe, the estate was legally sold—”
    “My uncle had no right to sell it!”
    “You were in Europe, Richard,” Charles reminded him, and Elissa marveled