Philippe turned.

“Forgive me, Monsieur,” said the chambermaid. She was a plain girl with green eyes and a scar on her chin.

Philippe frowned and approached the girl. “What’s the matter?”

The maid began to weep, her shoulders shaking. Philippe reluctantly handed the handkerchief to her and she dried her eyes.

“The royal baby,” she said.

“We all have a heavy heart,” said Philippe.

“I…I saw something.”

“I do not understand.”

The maid sniffed. “The child was alive. And…and the strangest color.”

Philippe stepped closer. “What madness is this?”

“Sire, I beg you. I say this in the strictest confidence and the spirit of loyalty…my mother works for you at Saint-Cloud, thus I feel I must speak. Perhaps you might help me join her there in service?”

“There you are!” It was Chevalier in the doorway. He smiled a cool smile, walked over, and gave Philippe a passionate kiss. When Philippe turned back, the chambermaid was gone.

“Everyone is in a bad mood today,” said Chevalier.

“The King has lost a child. And I, a niece.”

Chevalier raised a brow then studied his fingertips. “Perhaps that’s it.”

“Do you take nothing seriously?”

“Not if I can help it.”

The royal orange grove was splendid. Another affirmation of the glory of the Sun King, another step toward the future. Now, however, it was this moment that mattered. The ministers were gathered in the War Cabinet room, seated at the table with Louis at the head. Bontemps stood apart, always listening, always waiting and ready for what his King might need.

“Without the documents of law before us,” said Louis, “my edict has no legitimacy. Where are the archives? Why are they not yet before us? Are they still on the road?”

All eyes turned to Louvois, who took a deep breath. “Sire,” he began. “The decision was taken to turn the caravan around.”

“What? Taken by whom?”

“The road from Paris is dangerous, especially as it approaches the royal lands around this lodge. We would not have court materials taken hostage.”

Louis stood, pressed his hands against the table, and leaned forward. The council leaned away as if he was the wind and they were weeds. “But that is exactly what has happened, Monsieur Louvois! The masters of the tailors’ guild arrived safely. One would think the King’s guard might also stand a chance of survival.”

“We think only of security,” said Louvois. “We merely serve Your Majesty.”

“For now,” said the King.

Louis could see in Louvois’ eyes that the man knew he had crossed a line. Louis stared at each of his ministers in turn and then dismissed them, leaving only himself and Bontemps in the room.

“If Monsieur Louvois does not soon hold his tongue,” said Bontemps as he watched the door close, “I may volunteer to hold it for him.”

Louis let out a breath. “I’d rather an honest critic than a false friend, Bontemps.”