Crown in Darkness

Queen graciously granted you an audience during which you disturbed her. However, on the second occasion, she refused to see you and she will not see you now!'
    Corbett stared at the hard-eyed French envoy and realised that it was impossible to press the matter. The galley was well-armed and it was unlikely that Sir James would give any assistance. Consequently, he was rather surprised when Selkirk spoke out. 'Monsieur de Craon,' he said. 'Your ship is in our waters, the Lady Yolande was married to a Scottish King. We bear warrants from the Council of Guardians of Scotland and yet you ignore us. If you wish, go on your way, but we shall report your rudeness and obduracy to Philip IV of France, who would not be too pleased to see future delicate negotiations hindered by the ill-manners of one of his envoys.' Selkirk stopped speaking and Corbett saw de Craon flinch at what the Scotsman had said as he quickly assessed the alternatives open to him. 'Monsieur de Craon,' Corbett said tactfully. 'I assure you that I will not give any offence to the Lady Yolande. I beg you to allow me to speak to her for a few moments, and, if you would be so kind, also to yourself. In confidence,' he concluded. 'It will be in confidence, I assure you, and no affront will be given.' De Craon stared bleakly at the English clerk and shrugged to show his unease. 'Very well,' he muttered. 'You may see Lady Yolande, not,' he lifted a warning finger, 'not in her cabin! I suggest that a few moments here on deck will suffice.' Corbett agreed and de Craon disappeared for a while.
    The clerk heard voices raised in French and knew that Lady Yolande was protesting loudly at having to meet him. Nevertheless, de Craon's diplomatic skills prevailed and the Lady Yolande, a beautiful figure swathed in costly furs, came on deck and haughtily beckoned Corbett to her side. Corbett smiled wanly at Selkirk, nodded his thanks and walked over to join her. The arrogant princess refused to talk in English and Corbett had to use all his skill in French to conduct a conversation whilst ensuring he did not give offence. 'My Lady,' he began. 'I have simply one question to ask of you and, before you answer, I must inform you that I know full well the delicate details of your personal relationship with the late King.' He watched the woman's eyes widen in surprise. 'I assure you,' Corbett added hastily, 'simply one question.' 'Continue!' she commented tersely. 'Ask me the question! Let us have the matter done with!' 'On the night the King died,' Corbett replied, 'a message came saying that the King, would arrive at Kinghorn. So you expected the King?' Yolande nodded, watching Corbett closely. 'Well,' Corbett continued, 'the King did not arrive but Patrick Seton, the body-squire did. Surely you were concerned that your husband did not follow him? You must have thought that there had been an accident? And, if so, why did you not send Seton back to search for his master or send members of your own household to look for him?' 'Quite simply,' the French princess answered, 'Seton arrived at Kinghorn. I never liked him and I knew he hated me. I dismissed him as quickly as I could and later found that he had gone to drink himself into a drunken stupor. As for the King,' she edged closer to Corbett so only he could hear, her sweet cloying perfume catching his nostrils, until he almost thought that she was going to kiss him. 'As for the King,' the Princess hissed. 'I detested him. I hated his drunken ways, his many mistresses, his hard, scarred body. I could not have cared if he had been lying out on those wild moors bleeding to death. Do you understand me, English Clerk? I could not care! I was not concerned! Now, go!' Corbett, surprised by the venom and malicious hatred in the woman's eyes, hurriedly stepped away and watched as Yolande swirled off to her cabin. Corbett looked back across the galley to where Selkirk and de Craon were standing near the far ship rail. 'You have finished, Master Corbett?' de Craon called out sweedy, as if he was almost sorry at the reception the English clerk had received. 'I have finished, but I do have questions for you, Monsieur de Graon.' 'Then ask your damned questions,' de Craon snarled. 'For God's sake, ask them and let us go!' Corbett walked across and was grateful when Selkirk diplomatically moved out of earshot. 'Your questions, Monsieur?' de Craon tartly observed. 'They are ready?' 'Yes,' Corbett blundy replied. 'Did the late King ever