Chapter 37
Chapter 37: May Day 1616
As Elizabeth had suspected, and likely the Austrians as well, the fugitives were indeed in the Switzerland. Specifically in Berne. It had been a rough overland flight, as though a boat on the Rhone would take them straight through the Confederacy, they had determined it unwise to spend too long in the Catholic portion of the Cantons.
The leaders of Berne had welcomed their guests, which was good because getting across the border into France was going to take more planning. Which extended their departure additional days that only added to Frederick's unease.
But finally word came that preparations were complete and an escort had been procured who could take them not only across the border but the rest of the way to Paris. They prepared the supplies they'd been given here and waited for their escort's arrival.
Ultimately a messenger arrived where they'd been housed. "Sir. Ma'am," the youth announced. Your escort is here."
"Thank you." Frederick exhaled, relieved. "Send him in."
But the second the Swiss boy was replaced by a Frenchman, Queen Marie stood up, alarmed. "Henri!" It was not the Henri that Frederick knew and was allied with.
The man bowed elegantly. His movement clearly aristocratic. "Your Majesty."
"No. This is a mistake," she exclaimed.
Frederick was surprised. Though she had been most reluctant to come with him, the Dowager had suffered in mostly silence all the indignities that they'd had to deal with. Recognizing that their escape was worth a lack of luxuries. It was unexpected for her to balk now. "What's wrong?"
Marie's lips were a tight line. "This is the Duke of Rohan. He is a Huguenot." Turning to Gin, she recognized that the American may not know what that was. "A protestant," she added.
Gin smiled sympathetically. "With all respect ma'am, we seem to be surrounded by them."
Rohan explained for the Dowager. "Her Majesty is no doubt worried that if you come with me, your next stop will be Vienna. But fear not. I have no love of the Empire. And if for no other reason than the admiration I have for her late, lamented husband, I will see you all safely to Paris."
"If we can have your trust, then you have our grateful thanks," Frederick began. He turned a questioning eye to the Dowager.
Marie considered them. "You imply another reason for your help, yes?"
Rohan smiled. "It would not hurt my cause if a Protestant duke and a Protestant elector were the reason why you escaped home. Nor if France and Britain grew closer."
"And you're aware if you WERE to betray us, the Elector could kill you before he were captured," she noted. "I understand that is also true of Lady Salisbury."
Rohan raised an eyebrow. "Another good reason to keep my word. Does that mean we're off?"
"I may well be for agreeing to this," Marie stated. "But there seems to be no choice."
Frederick grinned. "Be of good cheer, Rohan. Her Majesty had the same reaction when she came with me. Lead on."
Author's note: I'm so sorry about the character with the same name as a previous character as well as a realm of Middle Earth. I was hoping for someone Swiss but I couldn't find anyone suitable and when I read about Henri, duc de Rohan I thought he had the right energy needed for our little band.
As Elizabeth had suspected, and likely the Austrians as well, the fugitives were indeed in the Switzerland. Specifically in Berne. It had been a rough overland flight, as though a boat on the Rhone would take them straight through the Confederacy, they had determined it unwise to spend too long in the Catholic portion of the Cantons.
The leaders of Berne had welcomed their guests, which was good because getting across the border into France was going to take more planning. Which extended their departure additional days that only added to Frederick's unease.
But finally word came that preparations were complete and an escort had been procured who could take them not only across the border but the rest of the way to Paris. They prepared the supplies they'd been given here and waited for their escort's arrival.
Ultimately a messenger arrived where they'd been housed. "Sir. Ma'am," the youth announced. Your escort is here."
"Thank you." Frederick exhaled, relieved. "Send him in."
But the second the Swiss boy was replaced by a Frenchman, Queen Marie stood up, alarmed. "Henri!" It was not the Henri that Frederick knew and was allied with.
The man bowed elegantly. His movement clearly aristocratic. "Your Majesty."
"No. This is a mistake," she exclaimed.
Frederick was surprised. Though she had been most reluctant to come with him, the Dowager had suffered in mostly silence all the indignities that they'd had to deal with. Recognizing that their escape was worth a lack of luxuries. It was unexpected for her to balk now. "What's wrong?"
Marie's lips were a tight line. "This is the Duke of Rohan. He is a Huguenot." Turning to Gin, she recognized that the American may not know what that was. "A protestant," she added.
Gin smiled sympathetically. "With all respect ma'am, we seem to be surrounded by them."
Rohan explained for the Dowager. "Her Majesty is no doubt worried that if you come with me, your next stop will be Vienna. But fear not. I have no love of the Empire. And if for no other reason than the admiration I have for her late, lamented husband, I will see you all safely to Paris."
"If we can have your trust, then you have our grateful thanks," Frederick began. He turned a questioning eye to the Dowager.
Marie considered them. "You imply another reason for your help, yes?"
Rohan smiled. "It would not hurt my cause if a Protestant duke and a Protestant elector were the reason why you escaped home. Nor if France and Britain grew closer."
"And you're aware if you WERE to betray us, the Elector could kill you before he were captured," she noted. "I understand that is also true of Lady Salisbury."
Rohan raised an eyebrow. "Another good reason to keep my word. Does that mean we're off?"
"I may well be for agreeing to this," Marie stated. "But there seems to be no choice."
Frederick grinned. "Be of good cheer, Rohan. Her Majesty had the same reaction when she came with me. Lead on."
Author's note: I'm so sorry about the character with the same name as a previous character as well as a realm of Middle Earth. I was hoping for someone Swiss but I couldn't find anyone suitable and when I read about Henri, duc de Rohan I thought he had the right energy needed for our little band.
