The Hostage Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

Condé, Rochefoucald, Andelot. And Coligny.’
    Catherine’s round eyes widened. Disposing of lesser men was never a problem to her, but s he had no wish to dip her hands in the blood of princes, or the great lords of the kingdom. Such lengths would be considered only as a last resort. ‘Coligny? How am I to take such a man?’
    ‘The Admiral has been like a father to me,’ protested the young King, unable to keep silent any longer.
    Alva barely glanced at the boy. ‘He is a Huguenot. No matter what the cost, these heretics must be dealt with. You are surely not a woman lacking in imagination, nor one to balk at their disposal. The destruction of Huguenots in France and Spain is essential. Death of their leaders is the only sure way to achieve that, by whatever means seem expedient. Otherwise . . .’ Here his eyes narrowed and hardened as he paused for effect. ‘. . . my royal master must needs consider more drastic measures to bring France back into the fold.’
    Catherine’s expression was glacial as she prudently made no reply to this implied threat.
    ‘The head of one salmon is worth the heads of a thousand frogs.’
    It seemed that the talks were over, a conclusion reached and a course of action set in motion which would surely have far-reaching consequences. The party of four left the gallery, anxiously turning over their separate thoughts, unaware that hiding in an alcove the entire time had been the young Henry of Navarre, who had heard every word.
     
    ‘The head of one salmon is worth the heads of a thousand frogs. That is what Alva said, Mother. I heard him with my own ears.’
    Following the talks, t he huge, unwieldy cavalcade had gone back on the road to proceed north through thick pine forests to Nérac. This was the home of Jeanne d’Albret, Queen of Navarre, and the stronghold of Protestantism. The town stood astride the river Baïse, north of Toulouse in the gently undulating country of Aquitaine.
    Whenever they’d stopped to rest in towns along the way, the young King and the entire French Court had been deeply shocked by the sorry state of the desecrated churches and ruined monasteries, evidence of Huguenot zeal. The instant Catherine came face to face with the Queen of Navarre, she’d ordered Jeanne reinstate the old religion and make recompense for the vandalism.
    His mother’s response had been dry. ‘You cannot plant by force what will not take root in the ground.’
    Now the colour drained from her angular face as she learned the full extent of Catherine’s betrayal, although Henry could see how she attempted to disguise her fear from him, her only son. ‘You have learned to spy in the French Court then, my Enric?’
    He gave his easy laugh, wanting to reassure her. ‘It is a requirement. I managed to hide without them seeing me. Knowing we would be calling at Nérac, I wanted to tell you what it was they discussed so secretly.’
    His heart had beat loud in his ears as he’d crouched in the alcove, unable to think what excuse he could offer were he to be discovered. Fortunately the group had been too absorbed in their conversation to notice him. Henry was afraid of the Queen Mother, dreaded to think what she might have done had she caught him spying on her. Yet she could equally well be amused by his antics. Like any plump, jovial lady, she would laugh out loud at the way he chased the girls, at his oaths and coarse jokes, and the manner in which he swaggered about court, aping his royal cousins. Now he puffed out his chest with youthful pride.
    ‘Am I not a diplomat, Mother?’
    She kissed his brow. ‘You are a true prince.’
    Even though he had spent many years away from his beloved mother, he remained very protective of her. Jeanne d’Albret was a formidable woman, stern and righteous, single-minded in her cause and a born rebel. At twelve years of age she’d had to be carried to the altar in order to be married to the German Duke of Cleves in spite of her defiance. The