Threads of Silk by Linda Lee Chaikin

recall?
    “While a valiant monsieur who loved her, he held no liking for the Reformers. He connected the religion of Rome with the kingdom of France. To leave certain traditions was seen as betrayal of the country, the king, and the Bourbon family.”
    “Then Jean-Louis never learned about the Bible, or knew she taught you?”
    “Précisément. He would have been affronted to have it in the château.”
    “You sided with Marie-Louise.” She found his actions in shielding his mother a matter of commendation.
    “I was interested in the words she read me, so I kept her secret from him. Before she died of her illness, she called me to her and left the Bible to my care.”
    She remembered that his father married again. “Then your father married Sebastien’s eldest sister?”
    “Making the insufferable Maurice my cousin by marriage.” He stood, hands on hips.
    She clasped her hands together, intertwining her fingers, resting them on the lap of billowing green skirt. She smiled up at him.
    “And the French Bible?”
    “I hid it here at the castle for years. That was when my kinsman Prince Louis was made my protector and took me to court. There I joined a group of children raised and schooled with Francis, Mary Stuart, and others. I was then a bon Catholic. It suited my purposes.” Fabien met her gaze. “Even so, I never forgot what Marie-Louise taught me. When coming to Vendôme, as opportunity permitted, I would retrieve the Bible and read. Naturally some of it was difficult, but later, when I procured copies of the works of Calvin — I shall not say how — the Bible became more understandable.”
    “You never told me. Not even that night in Lyon at the Château de Silk when the religious differences between us seemed to hold us apart.”
    “I suppose I have not elaborated as fully as I might have. Though I possessed the Bible, I cannot say it truly possessed me. For personal reasons I did not desire to portray myself as a Huguenot. Remaining a Catholic allowed me the freedom at court to do as I pleased, to watch Guise — and avoid committing to you before I was prepared to do so.
    But then I realized I could lose you to James Hudson, an English Protestant and a couturier, surely an excellent match for your silk family.”
    “James Hudson? You thought I was in love with him?”
    “Non. I knew you loved me.”
    She lifted a brow rather haughtily, and he offered a light bow. “But time was working against me since I knew that Monsieur Arnaut would wish you to marry Hudson.”
    “Mère did wish me to marry Monsieur Hudson . . . and for Idelette to marry Andelot. That was before — ” Before Idelette was enceinte . She hesitated before going on, then smiled. “So you thought I would marry James Hudson?”
    “You are pleased I can see. Yes, I saw him at the court in London. He presented the queen with a gown that she and her ladies nearly swooned over.”
    Rachelle laughed with joy. “Oh, if I could have been there to see it presented to Her Majesty.”
    “Hudson presided over a grand display, I assure you,” he said dryly.
    “He boasted that you were coming to London to stay with his family and open a drapery for gowns and such. So you see, I was debating my return to Paris even before the Queen Mother’s lettre arrived. I decided it was time to declare my faith if I were to convince Monsieur Arnaut I should have his daughter. I intend to take Communion with you publicly when the Huguenot pasteur comes to marry us.”
    She stood and went eagerly into his arms. “Mon chéri, oh, I am overjoyed. If only Bertrand were here, he would be jubilant.”
    “He does know of my decision. Do not forget he went on that infamous voyage with me to sink Spanish galleons! We had many long discourses debating theology. An odd place to discuss such matters, but then again, perhaps not. He knew from my answers that I hold no faith in religious works and rituals for acceptance with God, but in Christ’s blood and