Louis stared after her and then left his apartment, ordering Bontemps to stay behind, and with two guards following quietly and discreetly, he made his way down the palace’s widest corridor to the dining room. He found Madame de Montespan alone in the empty grand dining room where the serving tables were still spread with delectable pastries the courtiers had been too over-filled to consume. The Montespan gave him a coy smile as she lifted a macaroon from a platter. She held it seductively to her lips then took a bite. Louis moved close and picked up a macaroon, as well.

“I commend you on your excellent appetite,” said Louis.

“Why, Sire? You hardly know me or my needs.”

“I know you are still hungry.”

The Montespan wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth. “Perhaps. How many have you had?”

He stepped even closer. We are not talking food, he thought. “I do not recall.”

“In which case, why would another make any difference?”

Louis smiled and held her gaze. “Hard to tell without partaking.”

“I wonder why that is?” she asked. “After a certain time, it’s just a number. Isn’t it?”

“That depends on the number,” he said. Louis finished his macaroon, wiped his hands on a cloth napkin, and gave the Montespan a bow.

Henriette lay naked on her bed, clutching a pillow and smiling at the King as the earliest birds of morning stirred outside her window and began their noisy, pleasant calls to one another. Louis, seated on the bed’s edge, was dressed but for his boots.

“You’re bold,” Henriette teased, running her fingers through her tangled hair. “Coming to a lady’s chamber like you did.”

Louis lay back across Henriette’s legs and stroked her calf. He wanted to feel satisfied. As King, he should feel satisfied. Yet he was torn; his soul struggling. “I believe I was invited.”

Henriette reached down to stroke his cheek. “You’re tired.”

“I won’t sleep until I catch the men who murdered the Parthenays.”

“I hope you will sleep soon, then,” she said as he stared at the canopy overhead. “I want to do this every night. So I know you will keep me safe.”

Louis sat up and tugged on a boot. “Do I not already protect you, Madame?”

“Sadly, where Chevalier is concerned, I cannot see how anyone can. He caused my lady Angelique great pain.”

Louis turned to Henriette, his jaw tight. “Is it not enough that I protect you? Must I now protect your ladies?”

“He made up a terrible story and put a problem in my lap.”

Louis pulled on the second boot.

“And now you’re sad.”

Henriette got on her knees and put her chin on Louis’ shoulder. “Françoise Parthenay was very dear to you. I was even jealous of her for a silly moment.”