Queen's Ransom Read Online Free PDF Page A

the word
Introduction
in smaller letters below the name of Catherine. “Now, listen,” said Elizabeth. “There are those who might not like this errand of yours. Let us hope they never learn of it! My private letter to Queen Catherine, you must therefore keep secret. But this letter of introduction, bearing my seal, will give you, effectively, the status of a royal messenger and together with the extra armed men, should give you good protection.”
    “Does Master Blanchard know about all this?” I asked.
    For the first time, Elizabeth smiled. “Of course. He will have to go with you to Paris. Cecil has told him. But Cecil has also assured him that your party now has complete diplomatic immunity and has pointed out that a visit to Paris, to the court, would be instructive for his young ward. Any inquisitive outsider can be led to believe that you are going to Paris purely to present my compliments at the French court. Cecil’s escort have already been told that, though they understand that importance is attached to it. Master Blanchard accepted all this quite willingly. He raised no objections.”
    I was sure he hadn’t. People did not raise objections to the queen’s orders, at least, not unless they were Robin Dudley or Cecil, or some equally privileged associate, and even they knew when to stop arguing.
    Nor could I raise objections now. Yet I could not quite hide my reluctance. As Elizabeth gave me the second letter, she saw it. She overcame it by opening my fingers and folding them over the parchment. For a frightful moment, I felt as though her fingers were a set of highly expensive, gem-studded manacles.
    “I know, Ursula. You want to escape from intrigue for a while, do you not?” I had never said so but Elizabeth had a disconcerting way sometimes of reading one’s mind. “England needs Protestant friends,” she said. “There are too many Catholic powers in Europe. I need the French Huguenots to survive and if a war breaks out over there, I fear for them. I said that both sides can field armies, but the Catholic army could well prove the stronger. I have something else for you.”
    For the third time, she dipped into the box, and brought out a small object, which she held out on her palm. “This is one more safeguard. Take it; wear it if it will fit. If you show it at the French court, you will have the right, at once, to a private audience with any member of the royal house. It is a quiet little reciprocal arrangement that I have with them. Agents, ambassadors, messengers from both countries, have sometimes found it useful.”
    It was a gold signet ring, heavy. The flat signet face was engraved with a lion regardant, surrounded by tiny fleur-de-lis. I tried it on and found that it fitted the long finger of my right hand very well.
    “I have done all I can for your safety and that of your companions,” Elizabeth said. “I may say that although the idea of sending the letter with you was originally Cecil’s, I am asking you to do this as a personal favor to me.”
    But she had left me no choice, of course. However subtle the coercion, it was there.
    “Sleep well,” said Elizabeth kindly, as I curtsied, and kissed those slender, jeweled, perfectly manicured fingers or gyves. “You need your rest, with a journey in the morning.”
     
    I went slowly back to my quarters. I had a small room of my own, a consideration that had caused some jealousy among the other ladies, especially those senior to me, for in many royal residences they had to share rooms or even beds. But my privilege was maintained in all the residences so that I would have no difficulty in talking to my servants in private. I needed to talk to them now. Brockley and Dale were still there, waiting for me, wondering what my summons to the queen had portended, and there was no thought in my mind of concealing my new task from them. I trusted them and had often needed their help.
    Briefly, I explained what the queen had asked me to do and