for as long as Buckingham has him in thrall I could not grant Sir Thomas so much as a shilling. But the late Queen bequeathed those jewels to me alone. If you recover them, I will restore your fortune – your husband’s too – and more besides.’
Frances curtsied and kissed the prince’s hand. ‘Thank you, Your Grace. But you must know that I am not undertaking this enterprise for material reward.’
Charles inclined his head. ‘When I am king – which, pray God, may not be for many years yet – I will surround myself with those who have proven their loyalty . . . and their faith.’
Frances’s eyes shone. It was as if God had shown his hand at last. Tom had not died in vain. Neither had everything that she and her husband had suffered been for nothing. This prince, whose heart was as pure as his father’s was corrupted, would restore the kingdom to the Catholic fold.
‘It is imperative that the King is kept safe from Buckingham until you return, lest the duke should grow impatient and put his plan into place before he has the jewels. My father has talked of going to Theobalds when the winter has abated. I will persuade him to make the journey earlier – already he grows restless for fresh hunting ground so it will be easy enough. I will go with him, as will Sir Thomas, of course. Buckingham will be content to remain at Whitehall if he is promised full authority during my father’s absence.’
Frances knew the truth of this. The duke had missed the last few hunting expeditions for the same reason.
‘You will not go to France alone, Lady Tyringham. The man I had in mind for the enterprise will accompany you. He has served in the King’s army for many years. I would trust him with my life – as I trust him with yours.’ He hesitated. ‘This scheme must be known to the three of us alone. The more people who hear of it, the greater the risk that Buckingham or the marquis will discover it. I must ask that you keep it even from your own husband.’
Frances felt uneasy. She longed to tell Thomas of what she had overheard, seek his blessing for the hazardous venture in which she was now embroiled. She had learned to her cost how destructive secrets were between them. But she knew, too, that if she told him of their plan, he would not let her go. After a pause, she nodded.
‘Anyone would think you had never bade me farewell before.’ Thomas grinned as she clung to him again.
Frances did not reply, but pressed her cheek against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent.
‘We will return within a fortnight – three weeks, at most. His Majesty will not want to be parted from the duke for longer.’ Frances caught the bitterness in his last words.
‘I wish I could come with you.’ That at least was true. She had felt her resolve crumble since her meeting with the prince. The enormity of what she was undertaking had tormented her as she had lain awake that night, the prospect of returning to England with the jewels – and her life – intact seeming more distant with every passing hour. She had hardly slept for the two nights since then, and her nerves had been worn to shreds by the long hours of waiting for the King and his entourage to depart for Hertfordshire.
Buckingham had seemed more reluctant to stay behind than the prince had calculated, and his sullenness had wrought tears from his royal master, who was loath to do anything that grieved his favourite. But Frances was convinced that it had all been for show. For as long as the Marquis de Châteauneuf remained at Whitehall, the duke would not wish to be far away.
‘The court will be depleted, it is true, but you rarely seek company here these days,’ her husband reasoned, interrupting her thoughts. ‘I am sure Lord Bacon would be delighted to receive you. It is many weeks since you have seen him.’
Frances said nothing. She did not wish to entangle herself in more lies.
‘You are sure all is well, my love?’ Thomas said, holding her at arm’s-length so that he could study her face. ‘You have been very quiet for the past couple of days. Is it George? His last letter can have given you no cause for anxiety. He seems to have forgotten all about the court