The King's Mistress by Terri Brisbin Page A

Marguerite knew she felt confident that her message had been received. Over the next few hours, the women talked to her of their husbands and their lives, and most spoke in Norman. A few spoke in English and Lady Constance herself translated the words.
    â€œMy lady,” Marguerite said in English. “I have informed Lord Orrick that I can speak in your English.”
    Although the others looked surprised by her announcement, Lady Constance did not. The Scot must have confided in her or Orrick had. “I cannot speak it well and have difficulty understanding some of it. But I am able to understand the words if spoken slowly. And I would prefer to speak in my own language since you all know that.”
    â€œMy son has always favored the English of his upbringing rather than that of his Norman one. He prefers that we speak in English to aid your learning of it.”
    The challenge had been made.
    The rules were set.
    Everyone in the room waited for her objections or her acquiescence in the matter. Unwilling to give in and unwilling to make a scene, she stood and told Lady Constance—in Norman—that she needed a bit of air. Motioning to Edmee, she walked from the solar and left the keep with her maid trailing behind her.
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    â€œSo, how did you know?” Orrick asked as he and Gavin crossed the training yard to observe two men working with quarterstaffs.
    â€œI simply watched her reaction to words spoken around her. Although she controlled herself most of the time, the lady slipped up a few times.”
    â€œBut, Gavin, what made you suspect her of dishonesty? You know her not.” Orrick called out directions to the men fighting and waited for Gavin’s explanation.
    â€œShe has grown up in and around the king and his court. Subterfuge, deceit and dissembling are in their natures.”
    â€œHarsh words about my wife,” he said, noticing the frown that crossed his friend’s brow. “Am I never to trust her?”
    â€œShe must prove herself worthy of that trust before you give it, Orrick. Anything else will lead to nothing good.”
    He paused again to instruct the soldiers and then turned to face Gavin. “Has she no good qualities? Does her past color everything about her now?”
    â€œDo you ask this to convince me or yourself?”
    â€œNeither. I seek but to understand her. In each encounter, I see a different facet of her and do not know which is truly her.” Orrick dragged his hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face. “I think there is good in her, but that she has been taught and rewarded for behaving in certain ways.”
    Gavin snorted. “I would say so. The king had his uses for her and she—”
    Orrick waved him silent. “I refer not to her skills in bed.” Actually he did not want to think about that. The image of Marguerite beneath him, naked andwrithing in passion, was too powerful. “Her father raised her as the pawn he needed to remain close to Henry. She was groomed for the position and believes it was her due.”
    â€œAs are most noble and all royal women raised to be,” Gavin answered. “’Tis the way of things in your world, whether English or Norman or French.”
    â€œAnd you Scots? Are your women not used in marriage the same way? And sometimes outside of marriage?” Gavin glared his answer and Orrick continued. “She is not so different than other women.”
    â€œExcept that she is your wife. And she is more intelligent than any woman I have ever met. ’Twas a brilliant strategy to keep us believing she could not understand our words. It enabled her to learn much about us and yet she gave away nothing about herself.”
    â€œI have learned some small things about her. I do not claim complete understanding yet. But I will. Given time, I will learn the rest of her secrets.”
    Orrick nodded as the men finished their exercises and moved out of the way so