“Chris, who do you think waited on me yesterday?”
Christopher shook his head.
“Who?”
“Our new Earl!”
“What, Danby?”
“No less. Was it not amusing? I barely know him, and now, suddenly, he comes to see me!”
“Perhaps he has long been an admirer,” said Christopher, twinkling.
Her lightening smile flashed out.
“No such thing. He wanted to prove me concerning Jasper’s political sentiments.”
“Did he? What are his sentiments?”
“If I knew I do not suppose that I should tell you, my dear boy.”
“As I am aware that you do know, I take that as a very decided snub!”
“Soit! I’ll tell you: Jasper belongs to no party.”
“Wise man.”
“So I think. I mislike this Danby.”
“That is curious,” remarked Christopher. “I met Harcourt the other day and he said much the same thing.”
“Harcourt is very often right. Why does he object to Danby?”
“I forget. Something concerning bribery, I think. He mistrusts everyone. Even the King is not above reproach.”
“Oh?” Lady Frances studied her fan. “Of what does he suspect the King?”
“Some tittle-tattle about selling England to France. Harcourt swallows every wild rumour that is current and firmly believes in it. ’Tis the way of his party.”
“I don’t think that, Chris. Harcourt usually has grounds for his suspicions.”
“Oh, he hath for this one, the war with Holland, and Shaftesbury’s resignation.”
“Ah! By the way, Chris, is not Shaftesbury your friend?”
“Hardly. He was a friend of my father’s and he has been very kind to me. Lately I have eschewed his company as he cannot meet me without deploring my regard for Roxhythe.”
“I see. That regard is as strong as ever?”
“An hundred times more strong!” said Christopher warmly.
Lady Frances said nothing.
Not ten minutes after Christopher had departed, Montgomery came quickly into the room. Lady Frances laid down her embroidery.
“Well, Jasper?”
Montgomery flung himself into a chair. His face was overcast.
“Has His Majesty been at the House today? Is the dispute ended?”
“He has ended it very summarily.”
“Oh? What has happened?”
“We are prorogued.”
Lady Frances started. Her eyes crinkled at the corners; she laughed beneath her breath.
“My dear Jasper, he is a marvellous man!”
Montgomery shrugged despairingly.
“It passes all bounds. We were all in a turmoil over this question of privilege—Shaftesbury’s doing, of course. Had it to do with the Test, or had it not? The Houses were at one another’s throats; the King could do naught to settle the dispute. So he prorogued us. I tell you, Fanny, he’ll o’er-reach himself ere long. First we had Danby foisted upon us. By sheer force we made peace with Holland. That was February of last year. Did Charles recall the troops? No! He gives us shuffling answers. ’Tis my belief he is in French pay. There was dissension. Then Danby employs a little bribery, and all is quiet. The House turns against Lauderdale, as well it might. There was talk of impeachment. More bribery. No more talk of impeachment. Next we have the No-Popery cry, Danby heading it, the King—ostensibly—seconding.
“Then the bill offered to the Lords—no person to sit in either House, or to hold any office without declaring all resistance to the King’s power criminal, or without swearing never to attempt to alter the government of Church or State. Pretty, was it not? Well, the opposition arose and debated. So we have next a standing order attached: no oath should ever be imposed the refusal of which should deprive a peer of his seat or vote. Shaftesbury evidently thought it would pass, so what must he do but pick a quarrel with the Lords on Privilege. So were we all in a turmoil. Whereupon Charles prorogues Parliament. ’Tis a scandal, Fanny!”
She nodded.
“And the Bill?”
He pulled down the corners of his mouth.
“I’ll swear we have heard the last of that.”
“So it is ended. At least ’tis no triumph for Danby.”
“No.” He fell silent, watching her moodily.
“What of Scotland?” asked Frances at length.
“No decision; matters drift on. ’Pon honour, Fanny, the country is in a grievous state! A dissolute King, and a sycophant for minister! I had sooner have Shaftesbury for all his faults.”
“Yes. …” Lady Frances was frowning. “But Shaftesbury was not to be trusted.”
“As we have seen. I think no one is to be trusted save it be my Lord Halifax.”
“Oh, Halifax!” she laughed. “He’ll do naught because he cares not enough one way or the other. He hath the wit, though.”
“I have a great opinion of him. … Who has been here today?”
“No one of any moment. Millicent, and later, Chris Dart.”
“Dart. Fanny, have you ever learnt anything from that young man?”
“He knows nothing.”
“He could throw no light on these suspicions concerning the King and France?”
“He spoke of it today. He is quite in the dark.”
“So Roxhythe was not in any intrigue in that quarter?”
“I do not say that.”
“My dear Fan! If his private secretary knows naught—?”
Lady Frances laid down her needle.
“Roxhythe works alone. I believe that when Madame came to England in ’70, it was to negotiate with Charles for Louis. I believe also that Roxhythe was the King’s agent.”
Montgomery was worried, but still unconvinced.
“I do admire your intelligence, my dear, and true it is that all men eye Roxhythe askance since those rumours began. And yet. …”
“Wait,” said Lady Frances. “My instinct never errs.”
A servant came into the room, holding the door wide.
“My Lord Roxhythe, your ladyship.”
“Speak of the devil … !” muttered Montgomery. He rose.
Roxhythe entered. He was dressed in shades of mauve and silver.
Lady Frances laughed at him.
“Roxhythe, you are like an autumn evening!” she told him.
“Then I am inappropriately clad,” he replied, bowing over her hand. “Montgomery, ye seem mighty solemn.”
“Ay.” Jasper forced a smile. “You’ve heard the latest news?”
“I believe so. Fitzjoyce is engaged to fight Digby out at Islington. On account of Digby’s fair spouse.”
“I referred to State affairs,” said Montgomery stiffly. “The King has prorogued Parliament.”
“So he has. I remember now.”
“I fear he will go too far if he continues to behave in this wise.”
“Oh? His move is not approved of?”
“Hardly.”
Roxhythe handed Lady Fanny to a seat, and sat down beside her.
“Well, well. He will be distressed.”
Montgomery spoke boldly.
“Roxhythe, you possess more
