Eleanora held her head high. Standing on the second level balcony, she could see the tiny aristocracy enjoying the King's show. Â She had just sealed a great deal in the organization's history. She looked down at the men and women smiling and dancing in perfect ignorance.
She could see her sweet and mildly dull husband mingling with his potential business partners. While all had significant incomes and connections in various ports. However, the man in the yellow canary dress coat caught her attention.
"Why are you not entertaining the king?" William investigated.
Eleanora sighed. "It is not my job to entertain the King."
William placed a firm hand on hers and squeezed. "Your job is to do what I say, which is get information any way possible. Last time I checked your best method was on your hands and knees." William spat.
Eleanora was slightly surprised. His eyes were red; she hadn't noticed them before. His anger and maybe even fear blinded him. He could do nothing but stare at her waiting for an explanation why she wasn't in some dark corner getting rutted for information. More disgusted than scared she made a point to look at her hand, bored at this little dance of threat and flatter.
Her palm pressed uncomfortably against the marble. "Do you know what this king is known as?" She kept her voice calm despite William unsuccessful intimidation. "The Merry King. A man who enjoys parties. Paying and laying with his mistresses. But of all those little people down there, do you see a crown?" She waved her free hand to shift his focus from her.
"You my dear man fail to see the larger picture at play."
His hand slightly gave, but she did not move.
"For the last week, I have done a little digging around the new and luxurious house. Did you know my husband is a dear friend of the King? Well, it's more than just a passing affection for his highness, he even gave him the title he has."
"Everyone knows that." He said absently as he scanned the room for the King. Confirming her words.
"Oh I know, I am taking the long road for this little story." She smiled as the joy of having something William wanted to be bubbled in her chest.
"You see my husband is a trusted advisor to the King. One that even officials in court are not allowed to know about. My husband has been the hand that swept the remaining Cromwell's supporters and gathered intel on all the members of parliament."
Looking down at her husband he shook hand with the yellow canary. He looked at his hand completely confused by the gesture or the item in his hand.
"Now ask me William 'Why should I care?'" She mimicked his threatening tone.
He didn't ask, the confusion in his eyes was enough for her.
"The king is brought me in as an official consort for a special group to attain his ultimate goal." She watched Robert disappear past guards. They didn't even shift.
"What is his goal?" He asked.
Eleanora leaned into William's ear to whisper "He is going to dissolve parliament."
William looked shocked. "He can not do that."
Eleanora was satisfied by the switch in positions."He feels he is the absolute King appointed by God. Parliament is a hindrance."
He eyed her suspiciously, "You could care less about what God thinks. What do you get from this."
She pointed to the carved marble amulet pinned to her hip. "This will allow me to move freely throughout the palace. The King initially gave this to me in hopes I would meet him some late nights. But I made him swear I could use it to move freely throughout the palace."
She moved her hand from his grip. "This is not what we do; you are going rogue. The sisters will not like this" William
"The sisters are not my concern, there yours. But I will give you this." she opened her palm to show the carved marble coin in her hand. " I was given a second one; it could be your on one condition."
He eyed the coin like he was street urchin and it was fresh bread from the bakery. "whatever" he wanted the access.
Her confident smiled dissolved into the frustration she experienced entering the palace after her rendezvous with the king. "Who is Barbara Villiers, and why the fuck didn't you tell me you sent another handmaiden?"