Queen's disGrace Bk. 01 Ch. 02

"So, somewhere between 6000 and 9000 men total, and it will take over a month for them to gather. Is there anything else I'll need to tell the Queen?"

Stephan smiled at the obviously inexperienced Jacqueline and touched her arm. "She'll want to know the composition of the army. I think she can count on 600 knights, 850 archers, and approximately 5000 infantry." Stephan shrugged, "But I cannot be more exact without knowing which Lords will provide soldiers and which will provide scutage."

Jacqueline nodded in understanding. "I see."

"There is one other thing, Lady Jacqueline," Stephan hesitated for a moment before continuing, "relations with the Duke of Buiscard and his faction are poor, especially after the scene yesterday. I don't think we can count on their support unless the Queen finds some way to bring him around."

That's one more thing I can bring up with him when I find him, she thought. "Understood. Thank you, Lord Stephen, you've been most helpful." Jacqueline smiled brightly at Marguerite's cousin. "Will you be joining the Queen and me for the Church service celebrating the commissioning of the Grand Cathedral tomorrow?"

Stephen returned the smile and squeezed Jacqueline's hand. "I wouldn't miss it. We need something positive to unite the people, and this might be it."

"Then I shall see you tomorrow, My Lord."

"Tomorrow then, My Lady."

****

Marguerite groaned as she forced herself from the massive, oversized bed. Originally created to allow for a large number of sleeping companions during the Regency, she had banished them from her Chambers after ascending to the throne to secure privacy for herself. Having such an abundance of space to herself was one of the few luxuries the Queen indulged in. Well, besides the obvious, Marguerite thought while massaging her sore, aching back. She was starting to feel better after Jacqueline rubbed the ointment in, but in other circumstances would have postponed her appointment with Lorenzo DoCasta. I need that money, and I have to determine if it was him last night. Marguerite wasn't entirely sure how to do that, but meeting with him was the very least she could do to get started.

Jacqueline had delivered the Ledger containing the tax and income records for the Crown, and she had gone over it several times to refresh her knowledge for the meeting. A few moments later, there was a knock on the door, and one of her footmen stepped in. A quick check in the mirror confirmed that she was still presentable after lying in bed, so Marguerite made her way to her solar to await the banker's arrival.

"Your Majesty, Master Lorenzo DoCasta is here for an audience."

"Send him in." Marguerite watched carefully as the swarthy banker entered the room, a charming faux smile plastered on his face. Does he know anything? She scrutinized the banker but couldn't read anything from his expression. "Master DoCasta, how lovely to see you again."

"Your Majesty." Lorenzo bowed deeply, "You are looking ravishing this morning and have the most delightful glow. You must have slept like an angel."

Marguerite struggled to keep from scowling at the forward remark, which seemed so terribly on the nose. He has to know; why else would he say that? But still, she couldn't be sure and was compelled to continue to play along. "It was most restful; thanks be to the One God." She forced a smile for him as she continued, "And yourself? I trust your exploration of Parce's attractions did not keep you from a restful night's sleep."

"While your city is most accommodating, no, it was the anticipation and excitement of seeing you again and continuing our partnership which kept me awake all night, Your Majesty."

What a terrible flirt! He seems too jovial to be the man from last night, but what does that mean? "Indeed? Please, join me and tell me more. I'd be delighted to hear what you love most about Parce. We may not be the grandest city in Faithfuldom, but I'm quite proud of her." As Lorenzo sat on the chair beside her, Marguerite glanced at his hands. They looked stronger than she expected but still soft. They were not the calloused hands of a warrior, but that wasn't conclusive. It could have been him.

"The crypts beneath the Church of the Holy Martyr were fascinating, as were the reliquaries in the Church itself. But I find it is the people I have enjoyed the most. Though I am a foreigner, your subjects have been most kind and accepting of me." Lorenzo settled into his seat and looked around. "Where is the lovely Lady Jacqueline? Will she not be joining us today?"

"I'm afraid not. Lady Jacqueline is running a small errand for me."

"Ah, the life of a servant. Still, I shall count it a blessing to have you all to myself." Lorenzo chuckled softly and leaned towards the Queen ever so slightly.

"Indeed. I hope you'll forgive me for not offering wine again, but we have important business to discuss and must remain clear-headed." Marguerite gestured to the thick Ledger on the table sitting between their chairs.

"It will be hard to do so in your presence, but I shall try. Please, Your Majesty, help me to understand your ability to make good on a letter of credit for 10,000 Crowns payable in five years." The gentleness and humor in his tone evaporated and gained a much sharper edge as they moved onto business.

Marguerite reached out and touched Lorenzo's hand. "As the custodian of the Patriarch's funds and the Holy Tithes, I know you to be an honest man. I hope my trust in discussing the Crown's finances will remain confidential?"

"By the One God, I swear it, Your Majesty." Lorenzo half bowed in the chair before directing his attention fully to Marguerite again.

"Very well." Marguerite only demurred a moment longer before opening the large Ledger. "As you can see, the Crown controls 750,000 acres of farmland, divided into 6,250 hides of four families each, averaging 150,000 people. Now, they consume about 450,000 acres of food solely on subsistence, leaving 300,000 acres of production to the Crown. At 12 bushels an acre, and subtracting for our own needs, with an average price of..."

Marguerite went over the details of the income from renting to farmers, selling bushels of wheat, wool, and flaxen, as well as the various tariffs and other fees and assessments. The Queen concluded that after five years, LaRend would have enough to cover the cost of the credit with associated fees.

"I admit, your finances are in a better position than I was expecting, Your Majesty. No doubt they will be even better in five years, barring an unfortunate war with the Hoehns. Nonetheless, while your income is growing, your Ledger does not detail your debits. How much are you spending on maintaining your Court, bureaucrats, and your army?"

"That information is a little harder to explain, but you may rest assured that we are seeing a profit that will only grow through further development and investment." Marguerite tried to seem calm and offered Lorenzo a winning smile as she reached out to touch his arm, gently stroking the bicep. "We could go through all the documents, but the ministers individually tally them for all the various areas of the Court. It was simply impossible to collate all that information in a day." The Queen tittered softly.

He's got a surprisingly strong arm. Physically, he could have been the man last night. He's certainly confident enough and flirtatious, but I'm not picking up the same dominance from him. Not that he couldn't be restraining himself...

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Your Majesty. If I may be so bold, your record-keeping practices are outdated. At our bank, we use a double-entry system to track both credits and debits in a single ledger. It would please me greatly to assist your ministers in developing a similar method to better record the Kingdom's finances." Lorenzo looked slightly bemused at the Queen's touch and, placing his hand atop hers, squeezed it gently.

"That would be most kind. I'll instruct them to follow your directions. Does this mean that you'll extend the line of credit?" Marguerite looked hopeful, casting doe eyes up at the banker.

The look didn't seem to affect Lorenzo, but he nonetheless agreed. "Yes, but given what I saw about your income and the lack of what I saw about your expenses, we'll need to discuss a form of surety for your line of credit." Lorenzo smiled devilishly, sending a chill through the Queen.

Marguerite stopped stroking the back of Lorenzo's hand, only noticing now that she had been doing it at all. "Surety? Isn't a Queen's word enough?"

"We've been over that already, Your Majesty. This is the Patriarch's gold, after all." Lorenzo pursed his lips and grinned as he looked down at Marguerite. "But worry not, I am a reasonable man and am sure we can come to an arrangement. When two people want something the other has a deal can always be struck."

The look he gave her when saying 'arrangement' sent another shiver down her spine. Marguerite faltered briefly before responding, "Do I have something you want?"

"Many things, but in the context of our relationship," Lorenzo smiled playfully, "or should I say, in the context of this deal, I have a suggestion for surety which will meet both our needs."

"Please, tell me how we can both be satisfied?" What am I doing? I'm flirting shamelessly with him. I really shouldn't be encouraging this...but I need to keep him close to see if he was the man from last night and to make sure this deal goes through.

"Your Majesty, your finances need long-term, income-producing investments. I need collateral if you're unable to fulfill the terms of the credit. Here is what I propose." Lorenzo took a moment to form the words in his head, as he sat beside the Queen with his hand clasped over hers. "The heathens of Tinnis have been relentless in their raids and predations. They've taken the Faithful as slaves and stolen valuable cargoes and ships. We need to educate them on the consequences of their piratical activity."

Marguerite blinked at the unexpected turn in the conversation; whatever she had been expecting about his suggestions and arrangements, it wasn't this. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"An alliance between LaRend and Floreze. We supply the ships; you supply the soldiers. We attack Tinnis, free the Faithful slaves, and take the heathens' misbegotten wealth. Sack the city, and set back their predations a decade." The banker lifted Marguerite's hand and held it to his chest, as he looked down into her eyes. "We shall split the spoils, of course, but this is where the surety comes in."

"What do you mean?" What is he up to now? Marguerite wondered as she turned more towards Lorenzo so that the fabric of her dress brushed over his foot and her knees lightly touched his.

"What I propose is this: after deducting the cost of the campaign, your half of the spoils will be invested with my bank, which will, in turn, invest the money into LaRend, giving the Crown an ownership stake. This will improve your income and the economy of the Kingdom."

"However...?" Marguerite asked, though she already saw where this was heading.

"However, if at the end of five years you're unable to settle your debt with the bank, we'll take the ownership stakes as compensation. That is fair and equitable, isn't it, Your Majesty?" Lorenzo's voice, soft but somewhat melodious with his foreign accent, projected genuineness, but Marguerite still wasn't sure the terms were fair.

"Up to the limit of credit drawn upon that I'm unable to repay." Marguerite pursed her lips playfully as she curled her fingers and squeezed his hand.

"Of course, that should go without saying," Lorenzo replied in a way that made Marguerite feel it very much needed to be said.

"This could be possible." Marguerite's mind reeled as she further considered the proposal. Distracted by the talk of collateral, she hadn't time to digest the thought of going to war. "I'll have to consult with Lord Stephan and determine how long it would take to organize and supply an expedition."

"Naturally, but from what I've observed and learned about your Kingdom, I think there will be little issue organizing your forces for this campaign." Lorenzo reassuringly smiled as he leaned closer still. "Yours are a most efficient and dedicated people. You must be commended for surrounding yourself with such loyal and competent helpers."

"There is one glaring issue with your proposal." Marguerite narrowed her eyes as she watched Lorenzo closely for his reaction.

"Oh? Name it, Your Majesty, so I can allay your fears."

"That while my army is off sacking Tinnis, the Hoehns invade and seize the Freighen Lands."

"Ah. Yes, but that risk can be mitigated." Still clasping Marguerite's hand in his own, Lorenzo lowered them from his chest to his thigh. "King Victor is still consolidating his Kingdom, which is why he sent his brother here to treat with you. As long as you keep the negotiations open, he will not attack."

"You seem very sure of that, Master DoCasta." She scrutinized him even harder, but the banker's face gave away nothing. "How can you be so certain?"

"We have many agents spread out among the Faithful Kingdoms, and they hear things. The Hoehns are not postured for an attack on LaRend, as I'm sure your spies will confirm." Lorenzo leaned in again, so close now that his breath tickled her face. "But you must keep negotiations open with Prince Gailen. String him along, do whatever it takes until your army returns. By then, with your army well experienced, equipped, and funded, and with the Patriarch's support, King Victor won't dare attack."

"Speaking of which, if we embark on this campaign, I trust you'll ensure the Patriarch hears of it?" Marguerite slyly asked.

Lorenzo laughed softly. "I shall, and I think he'll be gratified to learn the Lioness of the Faith is taking decisive action against the heathens. It can only help your standing with the Church to fight its enemies while King Victor fights other Faithful."

"Then I am content, and we have a basis for agreement."

"Wonderful! Speak with your General. In a day or so, I shall return with a written contract to formalize our alliance." Lorenzo smiled. "In anticipation of our agreement, I brought a small token to celebrate." The banker released Marguerite's hand to reach into his pocket and retrieve a small piece of cloth. He unfolded the silk to reveal a dazzling silver necklace with inset diamonds.

Without awaiting permission, Lorenzo leaned forward and clasped the choker around her neck. Dangling from the front was a glittery chain of diamonds, ending in a large stone at the top of her chest. "You're a lovely and gracious Queen, Your Majesty, and deserving of fine jewels. I hope our partnership will be the beginning of your receiving everything you deserve."

At first, Marguerite was too stunned to resist, but once the necklace was in place, she rose to her feet and stepped away. To cover her retreat, she moved towards a large mirror. The jewelry was stunning and finer than anything she owned. It, indeed, was fit for a Queen. "This is most generous of you, Master DoCasta." I can't wear his necklace; everyone would take it to mean we're courting. "But I am not sure it is appropriate for me to accept."

As if reading her mind, Lorenzo quickly assured her, "Think of it not as a gift from me to you but from the DoCastas of Floreze to the Queen of LaRend."

I want it, I really do. Finally, Marguerite allowed herself to be convinced. "Thank you again on behalf of LaRend." Marguerite turned and smiled at the banker. "I look to your next visit when you have the papers ready for review."

"Until then, Your Majesty." Lorenzo bowed a final time and left, leaving Marguerite posing before the mirror.

****

Lady Jacqueline pulled the hood of her cloak tighter around her face, hoping to better mask her appearance as she cut through the streets to the Silver Belle. Although she had been coming here for years to set up appointments for Marguerite, those were always during the day when the club was mostly empty. This was the first time she was here at night when it was full of patrons who might recognize her.

Everyone will be wearing masks, she reassured herself for the hundredth time. It will be completely anonymous. But if it is, I don't know how I will identify any potential suspects? Nonetheless, she kept her cloak closed tightly around herself as she approached the club. She could already hear the sounds of laughter and revelry emanating from within and wondered how they could fit so many people in the building.

An oppressive heat washed over Jacqueline as she stepped through the club's doors. The main room wasn't as crowded as she expected; the patrons were just being inordinately loud. That was probably a good thing, as it covered up the whip cracking and the moans of the woman on stage.

Jacqueline watched her, a petite brunette with a rather large bust and rear, who was chained to a post on the stage. A thick leather blindfold covered half her face but left her mouth exposed and clear to cry out in delight. Already her fair skin was blazing in a series of red welts, but that didn't seem to diminish the girl's pleasure. Is that really what Marguerite enjoys?

Jacqueline couldn't help but picture Marguerite on the stage being abused for the crowd's amusement, then instantly felt guilty for the stray thought. That might actually happen sooner or later, depending on how far this man pushes things which is all the more reason to find out who he is. She tore her eyes away from the scene on stage and resumed scanning the crowd, trying to see if she could make out any familiar faces despite whatever disguise they might be wearing.

Before she could begin her search, a servant stepped behind her to take the cloak off her shoulders. Jacqueline tensed at the unexpected touch and at having the first line of her protection stripped away. She didn't protest, however, as the heat was overwhelming, and she didn't want to stand out as the only one wearing a cover. At least I still have my domino mask, she thought.

Even without the mantle, she was still comparably overdressed. Most women had removed the sleeves from their dresses, and some had forgone the jacket top and stood only in shift and skirt. Some were even further undressed, exposing their private parts to everyone. A hot flush spread through Jacqueline's cheeks as she watched one woman, her shift hiked over her waist, straddling a man while taking his shaft deep inside her. Not even in a private room!

Jacqueline had never seen a man's member before, and after initially averting her eyes, she found herself glancing back at it as best she could while it rammed in and out of the woman's vagina. The low light made it hard to see, as other than the stage, the rest of the club was illuminated only by a few sparse tallow candles. I suppose that makes it easier for people to remain anonymous.

In another area of the club, a woman took a man's shaft in her mouth. In yet another, a blonde knelt naked except for a collar and leash, like a hound at her master's side. How could I have thought this was a good idea? I'm not ready for this; I'm not even married, let alone been with a man! I'm not ready for this!

"You look a little overwhelmed, Lady Jacqueline."

Jacqueline gasped in surprised horror at the soft words whispered in her ear. She wheeled around in shock, her skin burning even hotter at finding herself face to face with the Duke of Buiscard."Your Grace, how did you—" It then occurred to her that she could easily recognize the Duke in spite of his mask, making her disguise equally useless.