Daughter of Silk by Linda Lee Chaikin Page B

Sword of the Lord,” Fabien said. “The King of Spain was blessed by Rome to rid France and Europe of its heretics.”
    “You sound as though you may know something of this wealth of the New World, so freely bestowed by Rome to Spain.”
    “I assure you I am learning quickly enough. It is all so fascinating, is it not? This question of the divine rights of kings to become a sword in
    the mighty fist of religious Rome? Allowing no authority but their own, granting the holy right to torture?”
    She hid a shudder. Much blood had been shed in the last decade, many short-lived truces, many edicts signed, but the Guises cared not for truces, and Rome encouraged the breaking of them to rid France of its heretics.
    “As you say, Marquis, the sweetness of the lime blossoms beg a far different discussion.” She smiled.
    “Pardon! But the sharp weapon of Rome interests me, this Sword that sits in Spain. Spain’s galleons, her wanton treasure ships, return yearly to Madrid bringing great chests of gold, emeralds, and pearls.” His violet blue eyes hardened like jewels. “Do you know what Philip does with most of this bounty?”
    Rachelle looked at him dubiously. “I suspect he gathers it together with his other bounty, and showers it upon his numerous wives. I have heard he has had many, besides our own Princesse Elisabeth Valois.”
    “Now called Isabel, Mademoiselle. But no, that is not his purpose . . .
    though he no doubt tosses them baubles now and then. Philip uses the wealth of the Main to fund his wars of religion. Le Duc de Guise’s army is mainly financed by Philip through his treasure galleons. Philip collects the treasure of the Americas to feed and arm his soldiers and to pay his mercenaries to wage battle in the Netherlands, and yes, here in France.” “I have heard of men from England who attack these treasure ships
    and take the gold to the English queen.”
    His hand waved an airy dismissal. “Have you not heard of the Frenchmen who command their own ships?”
    “Corsairs, yes?”
    “Corsairs indeed! And they are not all English, many are French.
    They are galantes, Mademoiselle.”
    “My père would agree with you, Marquis. He has spoken of such Frenchmen.”
    “Do you know what would happen in Europe if Spain did not take gold from the Americas and from what some in England now call the ‘Caribbean’? Spain’s ability to buy mercenary soldiers and pay kings and queens to wage war against its Protestant subjects would shrivel and die. Without its treasure galleons, Mademoiselle Rachelle, Spain would
    come to naught. Yet, I am amazed our royal and princely families who fear Spain do not consider this and take action.”
    “Do you intend to enliven the interest of our king?”
    “With the House of Guise as Spain’s legates, I doubt the king will have opportunity to seriously consider it.” He looked at her. “Your leader, Coligny, knows the importance of France taking an interest in the Americas. He is sending men by ship to the Americas to begin a colony. They call it Florida. But we must keep our real intention from reaching the ears of the Guises.”
    “We? You are then, Marquis, interested in this colony?”
    “The voyage, Mademoiselle. As I say, it is intriguing. I will help sponsor the venture.”
    She glanced at him, thinking it was Fabien who was intriguing. The diamonds on his blue velvet jacket sparkled in the sunlight, and she noticed the armorial emblem of the House of Bourbon on his gold bracelet. Here was a man of the blood royal, and she found it exciting to be engaged in discussion with him on a matter that obviously held his heart.
    His gaze came to hers as though about to say something more on Spain. When he noticed her watching him, she f lushed and looked away quickly.
    “The sculptured staircase, Monsieur,” she said.
    She had brought him by a somewhat indirect route to a double stair- case under the central tower. The staircase appeared to be a giant f leur de lys in