There were several seconds of silence. Robert was aware of Frances whose eyes had widened with delight. He knew what she was thinking. For any man to strike another in the presence of the King was a crime to be severely punished; and the punishment was that the right hand of the offender should be struck off.
Somerset stood up.
He knew that everyone was watching. The Queen, Pembroke, Lake and all those who supported this man believed that by one rash act he had ruined his chances—and their hopes—of supplanting Somerset.
“You young fool,” he said. “To behave thus in the presence of His Majesty will bring its own reward.”
Young Villiers had turned pale, now looking more like the statue of St. Stephen than ever. He knew what Somerset meant because there was not a man at Court who was unaware of the penalty for striking another in the presence of the King. Those watching saw his left hand close over his right as though he would protect it.
“Come here, young man,” said James.
Villiers stood before the King.
“You’re over-rash, lad,” James continued.
The clear young eyes looked straight into his. James could not meet them. They were as beautiful as Robert’s had been when he was as young as this one. James’s eyes rested on that right hand; it was well shaped and the fingers were long and tapering.
Mutilate that beautiful body, thought James. Never!
“A fine coat spoiled,” went on the King and his mouth turned up at the corner.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” murmured the young man.
“But coats, lad, can be replaced; hands cannot.”
He saw the terror in the boy’s face; and he was aware of Robert, smiling almost complacently beside him. In that moment he began to turn away from Robert.
“Well,” he said, “ye’re young and a newcomer to Court. Guard your temper, lad, and dinna let such a thing happen again in my sight.”
When the young man knelt before the King and lifted his beautiful face, James was deeply moved. “Get back to your place, boy,” he said. “And remember my words.”
There was a rustle throughout the Court; there were sly glances and whispered comments.
Some fell from their horses; some boldly cuffed a gentleman in the King’s presence.
It did not matter. One way was as good as another for a handsome young man to bring himself to the King’s notice.
George Villiers had indeed come to Court.
“It could not be more opportune,” cried Pembroke. “The time had come to put Villiers in the King’s intimate circle. It is the duty of one of us to suggest to His Majesty that Mr. George Villiers would adequately fill the post which has fallen vacant.”
When the matter was suggested to James he was excited. He had not forgotten young Villiers and he would have been delighted to comply with the request; but knowing Robert’s feelings he hesitated and said he would think of the matter and give his answer in a few days.
This was a blow because Villiers’s supporters had believed that James would agree immediately.
Robert still had his friends who knew that if he were supplanted by Villiers their own careers would automatically suffer. So it was not long before Robert heard that Pembroke and his friends were trying to get the bedchamber post for Villiers.
He talked to Frances about this and her eyes grew dark with anger. She was throwing herself wholeheartedly into the conflict against Villiers; she found it stimulating to have something to work for; also it took her mind off that little band of blackmailers whom she was paying regularly.
“Villiers must not have the post,” she cried. “If he does, depend upon it, he will be in your place ere long.”
“He could not be. He is too young and inexperienced.”
“You were once.”
“It has taken me years to get to my present position.”
“Villiers looks a sharp one.”
“I see,” said Robert bitterly, “that you mean I was a fool.”
“You had friends to help you.”
“And so has he.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. He has powerful men behind him. You had my great-uncle, but he is dead now.”
“I would to God Overbury were here.”
Frances clenched her hands and screamed: “He was no good to you … no good to us. You were a fool over that man, Robert. For God’s sake try to have a little more sense.”
She ran from the room and Robert scowled after her.
