Read Online Louisa Rawlings by Stolen Spring - Free Book Online Page B

peace.” He stared thoughtfully at his wine cup.  
    Rouge wondered what this history lesson had to do with her. Louis didn’t encourage the men of his court to bother themselves with the business of government; to invite a woman’s interest in such matters was almost unheard of. “We all welcome peace,” she murmured.  
    “Charles of Spain is dying,” he said. “Without an heir. The Spanish Hapsburg line, it would seem, will be extinct.”  
    “Then who will rule Spain and her territories?”  
    “France, of course, has a claim. But so does Austria, related by birth and marriage to the Spanish throne. Naturally, we think our claim is the stronger, but…”
    Rouge helped herself to more food. Le bon Dieu knew where she would be supping tomorrow! “Could that mean war?”  
    “Yes, if Austria’s claim is honored. For we would be surrounded by the strongest power in all of Europe. The Dutch and the English, for their own safety, would like to see Spain partitioned, with all claimants taking a share. But Charles of Spain resists the notion of cutting up his holdings into little pieces. Our spies have just informed us that he means to make a new will. If that is so, it’s imperative that he name a French Bourbon prince as his heir. Not—God preserve us—an Austrian Hapsburg!”  
    Rouge frowned, thinking. The problem appealed to her orderly mind. “A Bourbon prince. Not Monseigneur the dauphin, surely. Not the heir to the throne of France.”  
    “Indeed, no. That would terrify all of Europe! And for the same reason, the dauphin’s first son, the Duc de Bourgogne, also would be unacceptable, since he’s in direct line to the throne.”  
    “The king’s brother, perhaps. Or his brother’s son, the Duc de Chartres?”  
    “The king’s brother has given himself over to corruption and debauchery. And Chartres is perverse and moody.” Torcy laughed shortly. “It is hard to decide whether he has too little ambition, or too much. No. The king hopes to propose Philippe, Duc d’Anjou, his second grandson, as heir to the throne of Spain. He’s a reserved and virtuous young man, not at all like his high-spirited brothers. He would, of course, renounce any claims to the French throne.”  
    Rouge was finding it more and more fascinating. “Will Charles agree to it, do you think?”  
    “Our ambassador to Spain is doing his best to persuade King Charles of the wisdom of that course. And we have heard that Charles has asked the Pope in Rome for his advice on the matter. It is, of course, vital to the Holy Father to keep Spain Catholic.”  
    Rouge nodded. “Rather than see the Protestant Hapsburgs on the throne.”  
    “Yes. But a little insurance does no harm. France also has friends in Rome who can plead her cause with the Pope. We wish to be certain that his advice to Charles benefits our own country.”  
    Rouge stared at Torcy. Surely it was very indiscreet for him to be telling all of this to her. She was loyal to France, of course. But what if she had been a friend to Austria? “Why do you tell me this?” she asked.  
    “I’ll get right to the point. There are always those, even among the king’s intimates, who have their own desires and causes. It’s important for me to know what goes on in the antechambers and cabinets of Versailles. I’ve watched you, Mademoiselle de Tournières. You’ve not been here at court for any length of time, yet you manage to have courtiers at your feet. You’re very beautiful, and very skilled at playing the coquette.”  
    Rouge pursed her lips in annoyance. “That scarcely sounds like a compliment, the way you put it.”  
    His eyes were cold. “I have no time for compliments. My concerns are with France. That can be a handicap, however. All the court knows who I am. Whereas you, mademoiselle—a charming creature, a creature of frivolity—can learn things, do things, that might be difficult for others.”  
    Rouge felt her blood run cold.