Margarite [Unobtrusively going about my business in a way that is not conspicuous or attracting undue attention, melding, invisible, in the guise of a uniformed grey maid. Going about mundane duties amongst the influential dignitaries at the court of the King fully aware of the responsibility which lay on narrow shoulders. Timidly I blench from courtier’s eyes as they pass suspicious of my purpose in their apartments, everting their gazes with head bowed, always looking down maintaining anonymity.
Never straying from the edges of the endless corridors away from light cast upward by the many torches blacken the ceilings with soot, conscience of time is of the essence, gaining entry I make observation vaporising into nonentity before I’m noticed.
The Châtelaine, @aimeemaid , requested that I service the wing allocated to the foreign diplomats emphasizing that the chambers will only be vacant for a short period, with her usual glare she ushered pacific orders to be finished before the occupant returns. glancing furtively down both side of the corridor before entering the chambers of the ambassador for Spain, @ViceroydeSilvawho appears to be a meticulous man everything in its place with a place for everything.
Diligently I set about the task without feeling any doubt or hesitation regarding the morality or propriety of my course of action. Place a basket on the floor containing cloths and cleaning materials, taking a cloth from within the basket and dabbing the end in a jar of paraffin oil mixed with beeswax, I quickly attend to cleaning the ornate furniture. Casually lifting items on the desk to dust under the neat orderly piles, flicking through certain document waiting for the ambassador’s attention. Without qualms using a hairpin pulled my hand perusing the scripted writing for anything of any interest. Alejandro De Santiago, Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores composed the letter the information is of importance, placing the letter back into the desk, sliding it closed once again inserting the hairpin into the lock, twisting it from side to side until the mechanism turns and locks. Making my way to the door looking back over my shoulder scrutinizing the room before leaving making sure nothing will draw attention to my activities, other than the duties of a maid.
I make my way silently along the corridor soft leather shoes make not a sound, on reaching the chamber of another diplomat, I brush down the plain uniform with the flat of my hands tidiness is next to Godliness, tucking back behind my ear a loose strand of hair which had work its way free when removing the hairpin. Breathing in preparing myself before knocking softly on to the chamber door, I wait, until it is opened.]
“Would it be convenient Sir to service your chambers?”
Lord Charles Fitzwilliam @charlesfitzwil 3.
“Slap me, Margarite! Come in. I’m bubbling over with good humor this morning. Would you believe me, I’ve just written to Mater!”
{Eyes close momentarily irritated by the pretence! Passing through the opened door passed Charles’s, turning to face him once safely inside the chamber.}
“Charles! Oh please! Can’t you rise above trivialities for once?”
Lord Charles Fitzwilliam @charlesfitzwil 3.
“Can’t rise above anything more than three syllables, my dear, don’t you know!” Now seriously Margarite, what news?”
MEANWHILE JOHN LOOKS FOR EXPLANATIONS!
JOHN @DUKEBRAGANZA 1.
*I sigh and stare at the pile of paperwork on my desk. Who would have thought so much correspondence would be an integral part in ruling a country? All I seem to do is read letters, write letters, and sign letters. I’m going to have to buy quills in bulk if this continues. I’m almost thankful for the warning knock at the door, announcing my visitor. I make a big show of shoving the paperwork and the quill to one side as Felipe enters the room.* Ah, Ambassador. How kind of you to agree to meet with me today. Please, take a seat. Would you care for refreshments? *A wave of my hand without even waiting for a reply sends a servant scurrying for the prearranged refreshments, while I shake hands with Felipe.*
Felipe {I take a deep breath and rub my temples as the aide ushers me into the room. My mind is still preoccupied with trying to work out what was out of place in my quarters, as I’m sure something was not quite right, and yet, I cannot quite put a finger on it. All looked as it should …. maybe I am just being paranoid. If Azorola was still in my retinue, I would swear this was his doing.} Please, please call me Felipe. After all, we are old acquaintances at the very least.
Let’s sit by the window. The light is so much better there. I don’t know about you, but I find these castles so dark and imposing. *Plus the window is far enough away from my desk that I won’t have to worry about you reading the papers on it.*
{Helps myself to a glass of wine, as Miguel positions himself to one side, blending into the background.} So, how are you finding rulership?
*I allow myself a small smile.* Oh, you know, it’s very tiring. People always wanting my ear or my signature. And the social life is a little wearisome.
{Nods at his reply, which sounds genuine to my ear. A soldier who has found leadership thrust upon him and, as yet, has not grown accustomed to the role. A fact which could be in my favour. I nod and stare out the window. Well, not out of it exactly, but rather at the Dukes reflection in the glass. I need to see his reaction to my next question without seeming obvious.} And how is your consort finding the transition?
*I half expected that question. No deep breaths. No change in my facial expression. Merely the flicker of a smile.*
Aurore? She loves the social life, the chance to meet new people and see the fashions of different countries up close.
*I lower my voice to a conspiratorial whisper.* Between you and me, I suspect she will soon be requesting her very own dress designer.
{Tries not to chuckle, but unsuccessfully.}
Charles! {Pushes him backwards a pace with my hand flat against his chest, as I always have in these situations!} You can stop the act now, we are alone after all! And if you don’t I will, I will “slap you”
Lord Charles Fitzwilliam @charlesfitzwil 42.
“Slap me” don’t you know! Odds fish Margarite you can try! Twoud suit me better, as a man of fashion, that you would make allowances for this ineffectual butterfly”
Charles stop it this instance you can play “A coxcombical” when not in my presence, but for now can we please continue with intelligent conversation!
Lord Charles Fitzwilliam @charlesfitzwil 40.
{Raises a congenial smile indulging Margarites irritation I’m gratified I raise her blood only rarely, due to our close affection.} Know I tease you dear heart Now do tell what have you uncovered then away it tis to your quarters before tongues wag and ruin your good reputation.
A reputation you say! it sours me to say that working with you has blemished my good name beyond compare! {The clock on the mantel strikes the hour.} Tis time to divulge hidden secrets, an easy task with a hairpin to unlock the desk draw in the Spanish ambassador’s chambers.
Lord Charles Fitzwilliam @charlesfitzwil 38.
{Deliberates the question, slender fingers reach inside the fob pocket where concealed a silver snuff box, opening the lid a pinch of snuff is taken between forefinger and thumb, sprinkling the powder on the back of a bent hand. Bringing my hand to just under my nose, pressing forefinger to the side of my nose sniffing in the back powder, first one side then the other!} Correspondence with Mater, I think my dear heart will be decided when we have a clearer understanding and what part Alejandro De Santiago and the Spanish King are playing in manipulation of the courts of England, France and Portugal.
Charles, I must away before I’m discovered. {Moving a little closer towards Charles a hand is laid upon his chest in concern.} Take good care dear one, these are troubled times and there are those who wish us harm. {A kiss placed on his cheek and I depart leaving the man dearest to me with his deliberations.}
{Gesticulates, impatiently brushing away the useless coat tail impeding any movement, my mode of dress becoming tiresome. Although one must admit it suits me well to be a gentleman of fashion and comes with its advantages! However not when the cut of the garment is fashionable ornate and far from practical, restricting one’s ability to sit down on the chair at my desk. Margarite has procured an Artichoke from the kitchens, I rarely know how she achieves such feats, I marvel at her resourcefulness, Margarite is an accomplished ‘she-Intelligencers’ a “Royalist heroine”! Catching sight of a perfectly manicured hand when stretching across the desk, gone the days when this useless appendage held a sword, fighting with iron rather than words.Extinguishing all thoughts from the past, I begin by pulling the small silver tray across the desk, on which a small plate margarite, has placed the artichoke, a knife and a spoon. Taking a small knife from the silver tray to prepare the artichoke, carefully cutting from the top to the bottom exposing the choke. Gentle lifting the choke out with the spoon, then pressing down with the back of the spoon until the juice slowly runs out onto the plate. Now I think, with a sigh, I must word the letter to Mater carefully so as not to raise suspicions from those who may intercept the letter. Taking a quill dipping the tip in the black ink well, with flamboyant verse, the tip of the quill scratches across the page, I find myself expressing the tiresome business at court in Portugal.
My dearest Mater, well Slap me life is tedious to say the least…….. Signing, three quarters of the way down the page with my usual flamboyant signature.
Changing to a new quill, carefully dipping the tip into the artichoke juice, and in as much detail as space allows the information acquired by Margarite is written invisibly in the juice from the artichoke, stating that we intend to discover to what extent Spanish involvement influences the civil war in England,and for that matter France and Portugal. Mater is “au fait” with our methods, and by holding the letter over a candle flame the writing will be revealed @palacemaid195 knocks and enters my chambers as I fold and seal the letter with wax. }
John @DukeBraganza 20 hours ago
*Pauses in the doorway. It is good of John to see me at such short notice, and, given a choice, I would prefer not to bother him with such trivialities, but needs must. Steps forwards, trying to sound cheerful and positive.* John. Good to see you, and I wish it could have been a much more informal meeting. Unfortunately, news from home means I must request your indulgence.
I cannot help but chuckle.* I would have no objections whatsoever. In fact, I think Porthos will fit right in as the temporary French ambassador. After all, have you met the Dutch contingent? Bart’s cousin, Jacob, is a little more refined than Bart, providing the rum is not flowing too freely anyway, but there isn’t much in it. *I pause, thinking hard.* A thought has struck me. I take it you have not yet procured passage back to France?
*Frowns, wondering where this conversation is heading.* No, not as yet. Why?
*I beam brightly.* I may know just the man for the job, and as luck would have it, he has been saying he needs to head back to Paris and London on … *I cough theatrically* … business.
*Closes my eyes and shakes my head. Really? Is he serious? A glance at John’s face, and despite the grin, I know he truly means this. He wants Bart to sail me homewards. Is it too late to send Porthos home in my stead?*
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