History's Great Queens 2-Book Bundle: The Last Queen and The Confessions of Catherine de Medici (69 page)

I was left to care for the children and Mary. Her sorrow roused frenetic concern in François, who couldn’t stand to see her distressed. The combination of her grief, undercurrents of intrigue at court, and daily visits from Monsignor proved too much and François fell ill again.

This time, the onslaught was merciless. Within days a monstrous fistula had formed inside his left ear and he writhed in agony, suppurating pus and soaked with fever. I ensconced myself in his chamber and held him while he shrieked and his physicians debated the feasibility of using a stronger dose of opiate.

“Fools!” I yelled. “Look at him! Dose him now or by God I’ll have your heads!”

Mary hovered nearby. I almost waved her out, thinking the sight of her would make François even more anxious, but she crept to his side and took his hand. I watched in awe as he went quiet, like a sick animal soothed by its master’s touch. She had a more calming effect than any opiate, and so I left her in charge of his care so I could contend with the growing anxiety at court.

Every time I emerged from his rooms to change my clothing or take nourishment, I found a host of whispering courtiers and dagger-eyed ambassadors waiting in the galleries, searching my face for any sign that death was about to claim my son. François was childless; his heir was my third son, ten-year-old Charles. I could almost hear the court’s avid speculation as they sensed the balance of power begin to tilt; and I took
to creeping down hidden back passageways to my rooms, where I stayed only long enough to recover my strength.

One night, bone-weary from my vigil, I entered my apartments in a haze. As I passed the alcove, I sensed a presence. I whirled about. I couldn’t contain my gasp when I saw Nostradamus materialize as if from nowhere. “You scared me to death! How did you get in here?”

“Through the door,” he said. “No one noticed.” He wore unadorned black, his collar high about his throat. He clutched a staff and held himself with an aged person’s focused poise, yet I heard wry humor in his tone. “You’d be surprised at how little attention old men get.” His voice softened. “I am sorry for your trials, my lady. I would not have come this far to trouble you had I not felt the need.”

I took a step back. “No. You must not say it.”

He tilted his head. “If I do not say it, how will you know?”

“I don’t want to know!” My voice cracked. “My son is dying! If you have any care for me, you’ll not speak of further suffering. I’m not you. I can’t bear to know the future.”

“And yet you must, for I have seen you in the water.” His voice turned dark. “‘The eldest branch dies before eighteen, without leaves and two islands in discord. The younger tree will rule longer, against those who would fill the realm with blood and strife.’”

A black wave crashed over me. “What … what does it mean?”

He shook his head. “You ask and yet you know.” He held up his hand. “I cannot give you something I do not possess. I do not hold the key. Only you do, for it is your path.”

He turned and walked out, leaving emptiness in his wake. I wanted to yell at him to come back. What good was a seer who spoke in riddles and disappeared like mist? How could his convoluted prophecies serve me now?

Then, without warning, I understood.

François was my eldest; he had no child. The islands in discord were the religions. And my next son, Charles—he would inherit. He would rule, much longer, against those who wished us harm. I knew who they were: the Guises, my mortal enemies. I had to fight. Charles would need me more than François ever had; he would need me to champion his rights, to thwart those who sought to rule through him and bring more havoc upon France.

Never forget that God has a plan for you. Without you, this realm will fall apart
.

I was about to lose a son. But in return, I now had the chance to save his kingdom.

I called for Birago. “Send out letters with my private seal,” I said in a muted voice. “Write to the constable, to all the nobles who would see the Guises fall. Tell them the Queen Mother urgently requests their presence at court. Tell them it is a matter of life and death.”

He nodded. “Is His Majesty …?”

“Soon,” I whispered. “We must be ready.”

Five days later, as I held his wasted hand, flanked by sobbing Mary and the grim-faced Guises, my son François II breathed his last.

He had not yet celebrated his seventeenth birthday.

I
DID NOT HAVE TIME TO MOURN
.

We returned to Paris with my son’s corpse, where he was handed over to the embalmers and Mary, our widow queen, was escorted by her Guise relatives to her cloister in the Hôtel de Cluny. Overnight, a frozen hush descended, mirroring the December snows blanketing Paris.

I moved at once to protect Charles and my other children. No one was allowed to see them without my permission, especially the Guises, and once I proclaimed our official mourning I embarked on my second order of business.

“The lords will be here by tomorrow,” Birago informed me as we sat in my apartments at night, haggard from our labor. “Letters have also been sent to Philip of Spain and Elizabeth of England, as well as the princes in Germany and the Low Countries, stating your case.”

“Good.” I undid my ruff, set it aside. “Is there any word from Queen Jeanne of Navarre?”

He sighed. “Yes. She wrote back to say she’ll consider your offer to receive her, but she does not think she can bear weeks of difficult travel across France in the dead of winter.”

“Is that so?” I snorted. “Well, that suits me fine. I’ve no desire to contend
with her or that Bourbon husband of hers. I offered as a courtesy, nothing more.”

Birago ran a hand over his balding pate. Now in his late forties, he’d lost most of his hair and his bare brow emphasized his sharp features and deep-set eyes, which were always alert, watchful, like a bird of prey’s. “
Madama
, much as I hate to say this I believe we should not dismiss Antoine of Bourbon so quickly. By law, Charles must have a regent until he comes of age. Antoine is of royal blood; he stands in the line of succession after your sons. He is also of the Catholic faith and therefore could stake a claim to the regency against you.”

I forced out a curt laugh as I trudged to my chair. My legs ached from the icy chill permeating the old Louvre, which no amount of fires in our hearths could mitigate. “Last I’d heard, Antoine’s sole faith was wine and vice. I hardly think such a louse poses a threat.”

“When it comes to power, even the worst sinner can repent.”

“In other words, he could become a Guise weapon.” I sat, considering. “Well, for now we can assume Jeanne has no intention of letting Antoine come to court. Like us, she must be aware that he has a right to the regency, and the last thing she’ll want is her husband, the father of her son, making an alliance with the Guises, whom she detests as only a Huguenot queen can. I don’t think we need worry on his account.” I paused. “Any news of Coligny?”

As I spoke, I kept my tone neutral, not showing the surge of anticipation I felt when Birago replied, “He wrote to say that the Huguenot leaders agree to refrain from further action until they hear the outcome of Your Grace’s edict.”

“And of our request to attend us at court …?”

“He cannot, for the moment. His wife is still quite ill, and he says he must be with her.”

I bit my lip, my enthusiasm fading into disappointment. Much as I yearned for him, I couldn’t expect otherwise. “So be it,” I said. “We’ll proceed without him. As soon as the lords arrive, call the Council to session. It is time I gave these Guises a well-deserved lesson.”

I sat at the head of the wide oak table as the lords filed in. I smiled at each in turn, noting the constable’s vigorous nod and Monsignor’s silken
smile. Though not pleased to find himself surrounded by old foes at court, he didn’t look like a man who was about to concede defeat.

“Where is your brother le Balafré, Monsignor?” I asked, and he replied: “He sends his regrets but felt he should inform our parlement of our late king’s funeral arrangements.”

“Oh?” I returned his smile. “He should have asked first. I sent word myself, days ago.”

The cardinal’s fine features tightened, his conciliatory mask slipping to reveal the despot underneath. A courtier first, his instincts honed for survival, he knew what was coming.

The others waited. With Birago seated beside me, holding his leather portfolio, I said, “I grieve for my son François. God has seen fit to take him from us and leave this realm to an underage monarch, our new king, Charles IX.” I paused. My mouth was dry. I took a sip of watered wine from my goblet. “To learn to rule requires time and France, as my lords know, is in dire need of a steady hand. I therefore propose to declare myself regent until Charles is of age.”

I saw gloating consent on the constable’s weathered face; he was now avenged for his exile by the Guises after my husband’s death. The others sat silent, almost quiescent; they did not worry me. I was concerned only with Monsignor. Though I had him cornered, he still had fangs.

His lips curled. “I assume Her Grace will retain this Council?”

“Yes, with one addition. At the appropriate time, Admiral de Coligny will join us.”

“Begging your leave,” Monsignor purred, “but isn’t he a heretic?”

“My nephew is as qualified as any lord present,” growled Montmorency.

“I don’t question his qualifications,” replied Monsignor, “but rather his role against us.”

“I make the decisions now,” I interrupted. “Coligny will serve, pending the king’s approval.” I looked at the others, found no visible resistance. Rumors of Coligny’s heresy might abound, but it seemed he had not openly declared his new faith.

Monsignor steepled his long fingers before his face. As silence fell, Birago took out the papers from his portfolio. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I have here the official proclamation of Her Grace’s regency, for your signatures.”

• • •

Hours later, I emerged to a cold supper. I devoured every morsel moments before Birago entered my room. Lucrezia cleared the plates as we sat by my fireplace.

“
Madama
, while we’ve won this day we are far from safe.” He stretched his feet before the fire. “My spies tell me le Balafré never presented himself in parlement. He went to Champagne, to the Guise seat of Joinville, where he has many retainers. I fear he plots against you.”

“I expect nothing less. But at best Joinville is a week’s ride from Paris. Whatever they plot, they cannot rouse an army without us learning of it first, yes?”

Birago nodded. “Indeed. I’ve almost as many spies as Guise has retainers.” Then he paused. “I know you hold Coligny in high esteem,
madama
, but seating him in Council might not be a wise decision. For now the Catholic lords accept your regency because they no longer trust the Guises, but they’ll not be so amenable should Coligny’s faith become common knowledge.”

In the quiet that followed his words, I heard the wind moan against the palace walls. Birago knew. My rooms were Lucrezia’s domain: she’d seen Coligny enter with me. I didn’t fault her. She must be worried; she wanted to protect me and confided in Birago, who was my adviser.

“Coligny holds significant influence with the Huguenot leaders,” I managed to say at length. “We need their cooperation to implement my edict.”

Birago looked directly at me. “I understand. However, I must ask that you not place your trust in him until he proves worthy of it.”

“Yes,” I murmured, “of course. I am grateful for your candor.”

Birago left me. Scooping up Muet, I went into my bedchamber. As I prepared for bed, in my mind I traced his taut body, felt his hands buried in my hair, his mouth on my breasts …

That night, I did not sleep.

Christmas was a gloomy affair; Mary remained in her cloister and a subdued funeral cortege accompanied us to my son’s entombment in St. Denis, after which I returned to the Louvre to assume charge of Charles.

I was gratified after the New Year when Monsignor, deprived of all power save his seat in Council, accepted an invitation to attend the Holy Council in Rome, which would assemble to discuss the spread of heresy in Europe. With the cardinal gone for what I hoped was months of theological debate and le Balafré kicking up dust in Joinville, I was at liberty to rearrange the court to my liking and institute a new regimen for Charles.