"Lee Edgar - Plot 03 - Plot For A King" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

of the United Provinces. The Pope has even offered his support through the Irish.’
‘I didn’t know that Prince Charles had become a Catholic,’ she said, suddenly concerned.
‘He hasn’t,’ Andrew said quickly. ‘In fact, he is determined to re-establish the Anglican faith in
England. The problem is that the Irish will only support him if he has England declared Catholic,
the Scots will only support him if he makes the country Presbyterian and the Dutch will support
him if he remains Protestant. So, he is in a cleft stick.’ He sighed. ‘If only they would all work
together, there would not be a problem.’
‘What would you see him do, Andrew?’
‘I really don’t know, Aunt Alice. I do believe in God, of course. But like Dad, I can’t somehow
relate Him to the pomp of the Catholic Church and, to me, Anglicans seem just like Catholics in
disguise.’
‘And Puritanism?’
‘Puritanism? I don’t know. It’s certainly more down-to-earth but somehow, too unreasonable. I’m
sure God didn’t mean us to be so strictly dealt with all the time.’
Alice laughed. ‘I think I know what you mean. When Puritanism started here, it was very
welcome, being a refreshing change to High Church practices. But, just lately, it seems to have
bred so many fanatics. I’m not sure of anything myself these days.’ She suddenly smiled. ‘Come,
let me give you something to eat.’
Andrew ate with gusto and, when he was full, they spent another hour discussing old times.
Then Alice showed her nephew into the spare room where he soon fell asleep. If he’d had any
idea about what was about to happen, it is doubtful he would have slept so peacefully.

Thursday 8th February 1649

The wind was icy cold as Carrie stepped down from the coach. It had not been a good journey
from the Channel coast and she rubbed her sore bottom. ‘Well, Mary Beth. This is to be our home
for a few days. What do you think?’
The unruffled teenager stepped down and looked around with her nose in the air. ‘Not much
different to England really. I thought it was supposed to be warm in France.’
Carrie laughed at her solemn face. ‘In summer, I’m told it is beautiful and, after the wedding, we
will be going farther south and there it will be much warmer.
Mary Beth shivered. ‘I certainly hope so. I’m frozen.’
‘Never mind, we’ll soon be inside.’
Carrie took her by the arm and they walked towards the big front door which opened by a
footman as they approached. They were shown into a large reception room where they were
greeted by a middle-aged woman dressed in black.
Princess Henriette Marie de Bourbon held out her hands to the friend who had hidden her often
whilst on the run from Parliament. ‘My dear Lady Caroline, welcome to Paris.’
Carrie curtsied low.
‘Come beside the fire and get warm. Tell me, how was the journey?’
‘Don’t ask. I’m never going to set foot on a boat again. I’ve never felt so ill in all my life. And that
coach... my bottom will be numb for a week.’
The Queen laughed. ‘I have arranged for dinner to be served immediately. You must be hungry
and, Mary Beth, you look frozen. Come nearer to the fire.’
Mary Beth sat on the edge of her chair and shuffled a little closer.
Henriette smiled. ‘Come on, dear, I shan’t eat you.’
Just then, a girl of about five came into the room and the Queen greeted her. ‘Come in, Minette.
Carrie, you won’t have met my youngest yet. Her name is Henriette Anne.’
 Carrie frowned. ‘But you called her Minette.’
‘Henriette Anne is her real name but young Charles started calling her Minette some years ago