Across the table. Lord Windham's lips curved into a smile as he watched the woman who had charmed everyone. The magnificent jewels at her ears and throat caught and reflected the light from dozens of candles.
A plan was growing in his mind. A plan that could bring down the Crown, Morgan Grey and everyone around him.
And in the process, Windham would wind up with the woman.
It was brilliant. And if handled correctly, he could not lose. The Frenchman's weakness could prove to be the key to everything.
Chapter Twenty-one
i pi 1 we hundred gold sovereigns, or the equivalent. " Lord Windham glanced out the window at the gray mist.
"Aye, my lord." Cordell felt a trickle of sweat beneath his tunic.
"As I said, I am a man of my word. I do intend to pay my debt. But if you could give me a few days..."
"You agreed to payment on the morrow. It is a new day, my foolish young man. And I expect payment, or I shall have to approach the queen about" -Windham paused for dramatic effect "--debtor's prison."
"My lord, I am a guest in your country. My resources are at my home in France."
"Your sister is married to a very wealthy man. I am certain that if you went to her..."
"Nay." Cordell held up a hand to interrupt him.
"I cannot go to Madeline and Charles. As you know, my sister has run up gambling debts of her own, many of them to you. I sense that Charles is very unhappy with what he considers her weakness. Their marriage is happy enough, but I think that this could prove to be too much of a burden." Cordell paced the room, his hands locked behind his back.
"If you would permit me to give you a note of indebtedness, I will be happy to send you the funds by courier when I return to France within a few days."
"Do you think me a fool?" Lord Windham's face was a sudden mask of fury.
"You will pay your debt, my young man. Or you will pay in prison."
Cordell crumpled into a chair and buried his face in his hands.
"Please, my lord. I cannot bring this scandal to my family. My sister has made a good life for herself here. She desperately loves her husband."
"Love." Windham gave a cruel smile.
"It is such a fragile thing. It can so easily turn to hatred." His voice frosted over.
"Have you no friends?"
"I am a stranger in your land."
Windham looked out the window, calculating how long before the young man would sink into despair. In silky tones he said, as though speaking to himself, "I suppose the tenderhearted young Scotswoman might be willing to come to the aid of anyone facing such bleak prospects as prison."
Cordell looked up.
"Do you think the Lady Brenna would settle my debt?"
"You saw the jewels our host has lavished upon her. And the ease with which he gave her the money to gamble. Two hundred gold sovereigns would be a paltry sum to her."
Cordell brightened.
"And the lady could be trusted to be-discreet."
"Aye." Windham watched the transformation in the Frenchman.
"The lady seems your best hope." He walked closer, pretending to be deep in thought.
He saw the frown of distaste etched on Cordell's face at the thought of baring his soul to the beautiful Brenna, and added hastily, "Best of all, your family's good name will not be marred."
Cordell thought about Madeline, whose husband enjoyed a position of such importance with the queen. She would be devastated if any scandal touched him. And dear sweet Ad- ri anna The look in her eyes each time she was with Richard Grey left no doubt. She was in love for the first time in her life. She would be shattered if her brother's gambling debts created a scandal.
"Do you really think the Lady Brenna would help me?"
Windham chose his words carefully. "The lady has sisters of her own.
If you are completely honest with her, and tell her your fears for your sisters, I have no doubt that she will come to your aid."
Cordell nodded.
"I will speak with her immediately."
"I would wait" -- Windham touched his arm as he opened the door to his chambers "--until you can speak with her privately. " Morgan Grey may not be as sympathetic to your cause as the Lady Brenna. "
"Aye, my lord. I will choose my time carefully." When he was alone.
Lord Windham walked to the window and stared out at the prosperous lands of the Grey estate. When the new king of England was crowned, perhaps he would settle Greystone Abbey upon the one who had been responsible for the downfall of Elizabeth.
It was all so easy. Everything in life was a gamble. But it helped if one saw to it that one were dealt the right cards.
"Another day and still it rains." The queen greeted the others in the refectory, then flounced to the windows to stare morosely at the leaden sky.
In an attempt to tease her out of her dark mood, Richard said, "I could beat Your Majesty at chess again today."
He sat beside Adrianna at the table. He was achingly aware of the young lass who looked as fresh and sparkling as a spring day. Last night, after all the others had retired to their chambers, she had sat talking with him until almost dawn. She had even permitted him several chaste kisses before hurrying off to her bed as the first pink streaks had colored the sky.
"I have some news that should brighten your day, Majesty."
Morgan placed a scroll before her on the table.
"The people from the village have proclaimed this as a day of festivities in your honor."
He saw the light that came into the queen's eyes. It was no secret that Elizabeth loved all the pomp and ceremony that accompanied her wherever she traveled. There were even those who whispered that the reason the queen moved from palace to palace throughout the kingdom was to meet the people. In every hamlet and village in which she passed the citizens turned out to pay homage to their monarch. Their outpouring of love delighted her. And though she often complained in private about their long-winded orations, in public she was the benevolent monarch.
"Have you responded?" Elizabeth looked up from the scroll.
"Nay, Majesty. A messenger just delivered this from the village dignitaries. They await your decision."
"How delightful." She glanced around at her ladies.