Improbable Eden (21 page)

But the stag was ambling toward Eden, its dark nose twitching eagerly. He stopped by the leaf, lowered his head with those wonderful antlers and began licking at the salt with enthusiasm. It was devoured in seconds. The stag raised great pleading eyes to his benefactress and waited patiently.

Eden had an inspiration. She kept the paper twists in one hand and grasped Circe's reins in the other. “Come along, my four-footed friends,” she said in a gentle voice. “We shall return to Dieren. I much prefer bringing home live animals.” With a triumphant little hitch of her tall riding hat, Eden led the way across the brook, around Warnsborne thicket and in what she prayed was the direction of the royal hunting lodge.

She was passing the edge of a meadow dotted with orange and crimson poppies when both animals stopped and tensed. Eden followed suit, hearing hoofbeats nearby. The hunting party, she thought, and wondered if the stag would take flight. But a moment later three soldiers rendezvoused across the meadow. Retreating into the thicket, Eden watched the men confer. No doubt they were on a scouting expedition, though it occurred to her that King William would hardly hunt in a vicinity where the enemy might be lurking. He'd just missed being assassinated on such an outing in England.

A single phrase, uttered with a laugh and carried by the gentle spring breeze, made her stiffen with alarm: “Prince Maximilian is too tall to hide under beds ….”

Fear enveloped Eden like a hostile hand. The men were going off in different directions. Clearly, they were searching for Max. Godolphin had said he was probably in Brabant. He might be wrong. He must be wrong.

Eden led her mare into the meadow. To her surprise, the stag followed, apparently craving more salt. Suddenly it dawned on Eden that if she sent both animals into the woods, it would create a diversion. If Max were hiding nearby, he might be able to slip away while the soldiers pursued the false quarry.

Wincing as she raised her crop, Eden whispered an apology to Circe. “I'm grateful for your gentle mien, but I really must spur you on. I'll find a dozen apples for you at Dieren.”

One slap was all the mare required before she bolted off across the meadow and into the woods. Eden sighed with relief, then turned to the stag. “Go!” she commanded. “Run! The hunters are coming!”

The stag stood motionless, the huge dark eyes reflecting Eden's anxious gaze. She was afraid to take the crop to the animal lest he retaliate with those dangerous antlers. Eden shook out another twist of salt. The stag lapped up the contents, then followed Eden as she began walking again.

After several false starts, Eden found her way back. The servants goggled when she walked over the bridge with the big stag ambling behind her. William was just as astonished when he rode toward the hunting lodge and caught sight of Eden approaching with her new pet. Indeed, she thought with a flash of foreboding, he looked out of sorts. Judging from the paucity of game, she could guess why. Except for half a dozen rabbits and two scrawny boars, the hunt had not been a success.

“
Mistress,” said William, waving away a groom who would have helped him from the saddle, “what is this?” The King brandished his riding crop at the great stag, which, at all the commotion, hesitated for the first time.

Out of the corner of her eye, Eden saw a disgruntled Bentinck, a curious Keppel and a bemused Godolphin. But before she could reply, the stag leaped, streaked past the assembled company and escaped through an opening in the stone wall.

“
Oh!” exclaimed Eden with dismay. “I had hoped he would make friends with the rest of you!”

William took a labored breath and a considerable amount of umbrage at Eden's candor. “We don't make friends with animals, Mistress! We hunt them, as sensible men and women do if …” he broke off, suddenly assailed by a coughing fit.

Keppel bounded to his master's side, proffering an elegant lace kerchief. “Enough, Mistress! You've upset the King!”

Unsettled by Keppel's reproach and William's severe hack, Eden bit her lip. “I apologize for causing any harm, but His Majesty's accusation isn't quite fair.” Shaking off her distress, she boldly interjected herself between the King and Keppel. “Here, Sire,” she urged, firmly gripping William by the elbows, “lift your arms and breathe deeply.”

The courtiers murmured with a mixture of amazement and censure, but the coughing stopped almost at once. “There,” said Eden with relief, “ 'twas only a
cris de nerfs
. Triggered here,” she added, tapping her temple, “rather than in the lungs.”

William eyed her with reluctant gratitude. “You practice medicine better than some of our doctors, especially that fool of a Radcliffe in London.” The voice was gruff, the brown eyes narrow. “Though you speak as bluntly as he. What do you mean about not being fair? We are known for our fair-mindedness.”

Eden avoided flinching under the intense dark gaze. “I meant with regard to the animals, Sire. Your Majesty is famous not only for hunting them, but for nurturing them in your tame zoo at Honselaardijk. What is the difference between capturing an elephant and a stag?”

The brown eyes went very still, then the hint of a twinkle surfaced. “The difference? My dear, have you ever tried to eat an elephant?”

At that sally, the entire company burst out laughing. Eden did, too, as merrily as the rest. With obvious diffidence, William took her hand. “We don't know your name. We have met, though we can't recall where or when.”

Eden felt the color rise in her cheeks. This was a critical response, and the only way she knew how to phrase it was with the bald truth. “I'm Eden … Churchill, kin to Milord Marlborough. My fan met Your Majesty's wig at Whitehall.”

“
Ah!” William put a hand to his graying hair. “Of course! You have a penchant for the extraordinary!”

Eden was encouraged by the faint smile on William's face. “What sort of mixture do your doctors prescribe for your cough?” she politely asked.

Before William could answer, Keppel put a hand on his master's arm. “Doctors be damned, Your Majesty. What you need now is a strong, cool drink and a lively game of cards.”

William of Orange seemed to shrivel as he leaned on his young favorite. “Excellent advice, my good Joost. There is, we fear,” he went on with a melancholy look at Eden, “nothing that helps, but we thank you for your concern.”

“
I beg to argue,” Eden said quickly as the King and Keppel started to turn away. “There are many beneficial plants and herbs I've seen on my short visit to your homeland. You must let me brew up some of them.”

Over his shoulder, William's gaze was skeptical. “Mayhap,” he said with a heavy sigh. “We shall consult with Dr. Bidloo when we return to the Hague.” His step dragged as he walked away with Keppel toward the ancient lodge.

The rest of the hunting party dispersed, leaving Eden alone in the courtyard. Despite William's apparent dismissal of her medical knowledge, she felt the faintest flicker of optimism. She had helped him stop coughing, she had made him laugh, and she had discovered that he did not hold her in contempt for the episode at Whitehall. While Eden could hardly chalk up these little accomplishments as a conquest, at least she felt less gloomy.

Or did, until a dozen soldiers rode up, one of them leading her horse. “We have a message for Milord Bentinck. Has he returned?” the captain called as Eden hurried to meet her mare.

“
Only minutes ago,” she replied, patting the animal's neck and marveling that for once she was glad to see a horse. “Milord Bentinck may be with the King,” she hedged. “His Majesty was unwell. I wouldn't disturb either of them right now.”

The captain, a tall, solidly built man of thirty, looked chagrined as he juggled his decision. “We'll wait. The news of our failure will not be warmly received in any event.” He dismounted and motioned to his men. “Come, lads, let's brace ourselves with a few cups of usquebaugh.”

The captain's words disconcerted Eden, but she did her best to keep her emotions hidden. “Your search party failed then?” The ebony eyes were deceptively innocent. “Perhaps Prince Maximilian has returned to Brabant.”

The captain studied Eden, clearly surprised that she knew their mission. Then his frank visage registered approval. “If he had any sense that's where he'd go, especially with half the court racing through the woods to add to the confusion. But there's no doubt he's close by. At least two farmers reported seeing him yesterday near Apeldoorn.”

Eden tilted her head as Circe nuzzled her shoulder. “Oh? Are they sure it was him?”

“
Aye, and why not?” Removing his helmet and wiping the perspiration from his forehead with his sleeve, the captain paused as two grooms came to take the horses away. “There's no mistaking the likes of that one. Who else looks like Prince Maximilian?”

Eden kept her expression blank as the soldiers began to amble off. “Nobody,” she said softly. “Nobody in the world even comes close.”

The luxury of hot and cold running water in a tiled bath was a novelty to Eden. William of Orange had installed the most advanced plumbing facilities in the world at Honselaardijk and was having similar baths built into the renovated wing of Hampton Court Palace outside London. While her fellow countrymen might scoff at such an obsession with cleanliness, Eden enjoyed relaxing in the warm, scented water.

Across the room, Elsa was laying out a quilted green silk robe and a pair of satin mules. “Ach,” the little maid exclaimed, “I forgot your petticoats.” Dispensing with a curtsy, she hurried out of the bathing room, her gold curls bounding under her stiff lace cap.

With her chin just above the water, Eden stretched out full length and admired the Jordaens frescoes that adorned the ceiling. She had seen William twice since they'd returned to the Hague, and on both occasions he had been polite, if distressed by Keppel's fawning attentions. Eden could almost sympathize with Bentinck.

At least, Eden reflected as she applied rose-scented soap to her breasts and shoulders, the King looked sturdier in the fresh air of his homeland. Yet she still believed that her gift of healing would provide the opportunity to win William's affection. And now, she knew, her efforts must be exerted not only on her father's behalf, but on Max's, as well.

She was deep in thought, soaping one raised ankle, when suddenly the door flew open. Expecting Elsa, she stood up. But it was Max who flung himself into the room, slamming the door behind him. Eden noted that he was dirty and unshaven, and that his riding clothes were torn. Yet somehow, he had never looked more handsome.

“
Max! Thank God! What's happening?” Her heart was pounding, and she was oblivious to her nakedness.

Max, however, was jolted by the sight of those lush curves shining with water and dappled with soap. “Eden you're …” he began, but quickly regained control. “It's Bentinck's men! I must hide!”

Eden scanned the tiled chamber, but there was no place to conceal a man as big as Max. Noting the helpless expression on his sunburned face, she fought off a wave of panic. There were footsteps in the corridor, men on the run, and heavy pounding on nearby doors. “Here!” She waved him to the bathing pool. “Can you hold your breath?”

Still rattled by the sight of her naked body, Max gave Eden a puzzled look. “Can …?” He managed to tear his eyes away long enough to glance at the bath. “If it's deep enough.” Without further preamble, he cast off his ripped cloak and stuffed it under Eden's dressing gown, then stepped into the bath, dirty boots and all. The water immediately turned color, and Eden winced. Perhaps the men wouldn't notice. With any luck, they'd refrain from bursting in on a lady in her bath.

But Eden had not given Bentinck's followers credit for thoroughness. Just as Max disappeared beneath the surface and Eden slid into the water, a trio of soldiers burst into the room. Their leader was the captain Eden had spoken with at Dieren; he, along with the other, blanched at the sight of Eden casually lathering her arms.

“
Zut
!” she cried, bobbing deeper into the bath and feeling Max's shoulder nudge her hip. “What is this outrage?”

“
We seek a fugitive traitor,” the captain replied, growing very red around the ears. “Prince Maximilian, you remember?”

“
Shame! Seek your rebels elsewhere! Are you intent on rape, as well?”

“
We're honorable men! We are obeying orders!” the captain declared, trying to hide his embarrassment behind bluster. With a final furtive glance around the bathing chamber, the trio backed out.

Only when the door was firmly shut behind them did Eden kick at Max to signal their departure. Sputtering and thrashing, he bolted erect, uttering a stream of garbled oaths. “Swine! I was trying to see the King! Bentinck not only intervened, he sent these villains to arrest me!” One by one, he lifted his boots from the bath and tossed them on the tiles to drain.

“
What happened?” Eden asked breathlessly, still submerged up to her neck. “I knew you were at Dieren.”

Max was stripping off his tattered shirt. “I've been everywhere. I now have proof that Rudolf has been dealing with King Louis. That's why I must see William.” He stopped, the hazel eyes on Eden's damp curls and anxious face. “
Schoft
. You look like a Lorelei on the Rhine.”