The French Mistress
by Susan Holloway Scott.

NAL tradeback. 373 pages. 2009.
1668. France/England.


disliked by all, but not the king - she makes a good life for herself.

"I turned back towards him, letting him see the tears in my eyes. 'What if my presence puts the treaty in danger, and everything that you and Madame labored so hard to achieve? What if every time your people see me with you, they likewise only see what they fear most of France?' 

'What if they do?' he asked. 'What of it?' 

'Because I will hurt you, sir,' I said, letting the first tears trickle down my cheeks. 'Because being with you, I hurt you, and harm you, and put your person at risk. And I'd never want to do that to you, sir, never.' 

'You won't,' he said with a conviction that thrilled me. 'I won't let them.' 

'Oh, sir, you are so brave!' I whispered. Much of my speech might have been calculated, but this part was real enough. He did seem extraordinarily brave to me, always confronting his unruly people, the same people who'd martyred his father. 'Alas, I'm not as certain. I do not believe anyone would have noticed me with you at all until Mrs. Gwyn summoned their attention, and it - it frightened me, sir. I feared for you.' 

'I don't want you frightened,' he said firmly. 'You'll be safe, Louise. I'll see to that. You're far too important to me for it to be otherwise.' 

'But Mrs. Gwynn - 

'I'll speak to her,' he said. 'As droll as she was in the prologue, she shouldn't be using the stage to make light of our allies. Let her find sport in the Dutch, if she must.' 

'Oh, sir,' I said with a sigh of content, 'you are too kind to me.' 

'Not at all,' he said, and kissed me, taking advantage of my gratitude to press me back against the paneled wall." 
 

The daughter of an impoverished nobleman, Louise becomes a maid of honor in the court of Louis XIV. She becomes a favorite of the English princess, Henriette-Anne, married to Louis' horrid brother, Philippe. Later, she accompanies Madame (as she is called) to England for a month's visit as well as to work secretly on a treaty between the two countries.  

But Madame is suddenly struck down - poisoned by her husband some say - and now Louise is sent to England to be a maid of honor to Charles II's wife. She is also told to ingratiate herself to Charles, who is well known for his many mistresses and to spy for France. Already infatuated by this charismatic king, Louise is delighted. And he does pursue her, but they are in mourning for Madame so it is easy enough to fend him off and just be his friend. In time, it becomes harder, but thru her cleverness, Louise manages to provide a haven for Charles in the apartments he has given her close to his own rooms. How long can she hold him off? How long can she last when Charles has so many women?

I eagerly looked forward to reading this book as I had already read of two other mistresses of Charles II and this woman, Louise, was utterly perplexing. What made her so special? She certainly didn't sound special from the other stories. This was very interesting and I'm so glad I read it. Charles himself was a very interesting king and this time in history was fascinating as well. A must read, along with the previous two. Scott does a good job. 

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