The Comtesse’s eyebrows were raised in surprise. ‘Your Eminence would not introduce a woman of the lower classes to the King’s bed!’
‘Oh, no, that would be unthinkable. What we need is a woman who has charm, is of the nobility but not the haute noblesse, you understand. She must be discreet, glad to serve the King in this capacity and not ask too much in return.’
‘I will be frank,’ said the Comtesse. ‘I anticipated this call and I have already given the matter much thought.’
‘You have a suggestion?’
‘I have. I am thinking of the eldest daughter of the Nesle family, Louise-Julie. She is married to the Comte de Mailly. He is very poor and could be persuaded to stand aside, I doubt not. Louise-Julie is a pleasant creature. I would not call her beautiful, but she has great charm.’
‘The Nesle family,’ interrupted the Cardinal, his eyes sparkling. ‘I see that you have understood perfectly, Madame. But is not Madame de Mailly one of the Queen’s own ladies?’
‘It is true, but is that important? Kings have chosen their mistresses from their wives’ circles before this; and in any case, if she were not already one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, she would very soon wish to be so.’
The Cardinal nodded. ‘We will see what happens with Madame de Mailly. First we must bring the King to a receptive mood. I do not think it will be difficult. He is incensed with the Queen’s rebuffs, and his pride is hurt. I think at this stage we should call in the help of one of his close friends. I am sure the Duc de Richelieu would be only too delighted to help. I know he has long been trying to lure the King to unfaithfulness. I will send for him now, and we will put this project before him.’
When the Duc de Richelieu heard the plans of the Cardinal and the Comtesse he was much amused.
‘I approve,’ he said. ‘I approve with all my heart. If we do not do something for our beloved Louis he will become as dull as his Queen. We shall have him walking about the Court muffled in shawls, painting – Oh, God, preserve us from that! – playing the harpsichord and telling us that Madame Adelaide has taken three tottering steps, or has learned to say “Your Majesty”. No, something must be done.’
He gave them the benefit of his sardonic grin.
‘Madame de Mailly? H’m. Charming. She has such delightful legs. One of those women who have been given subtler gifts than beauty. Madame de Mailly would be ideal . . . for a start.’
‘Then I pray you,’ said the Cardinal, ‘prepare His Majesty to meet the lady. You could explain better than most . . .’
‘The delights of love!’ cried Richelieu. ‘But it is natural, is it not, that I, a sinner, should give a better account of them than a man of Holy Church.’
The Cardinal was too pleased with the plan to be irritated. Madame de Mailly would be an ideal mistress. He was certain that she would not only keep her fingers out of the great state pie, but prevent the King from dipping his into it also.
Richelieu winked lewdly at the Cardinal. ‘Leave His Majesty to me,’ he said. ‘The task of luring him from the virtuous paths of matrimony shall begin without delay.’
The King’s three principal valets de chambre, Bachelier, Le Bel and Barjac, were excited. Life had been a little dull. It was not very amusing to conduct the King to the Queen’s bedchamber every night, place the sword close to the bed, take the King’s dressing gown and slippers and come quietly back to the royal bedchamber to wait the return journey next morning and the conducting of the King back to the state bedroom for the ceremonial lever.
Now there would be more exciting times ahead; and if the King were going to develop a taste for women other than the Queen, the duties of the valets de chambre could become not only more interesting but more profitable.
Madame de Mailly, when approached by the Comtesse de Toulouse, was excited.
She had no love for her husband, her cousin, the mercenary Comte de Mailly who was continuously bewailing his poverty; moreover she had always greatly admired the King. She and Louis were both in their twenty-third year and she, in common with most, had always considered the King the most handsome man at Court.
A meeting was arranged between them, and Bachelier took Madame de Mailly to the King’s apartment; but when they were alone together they were both overcome by shyness.
Louis had up to this time never been at ease with women. The efforts, first of Villeroi and later of Fleury, to keep him innocent had had this effect on him which, even though he was a deeply sensual man, made it difficult for him to deal with a situation such as he now faced.
Madame de Mailly, who was by no means inexperienced, was half in love with the King, and for this reason found herself embarrassed. She could have wished that they had met at one of the gatherings at Rambouillet and become attracted to each other. That she had been brought to the King’s apartments by his valet added to her embarrassment.
She, who was noted for her vivacity and kindly wit, found herself tongue-tied. The King, unable to banish from his mind the erotic images which the conversation of the rake, Richelieu, had put there, was equally unable to make adequate conversation.
They were cool and polite with each other and the meeting was a failure.
She left the King, certain that she would never be sent for again.
Louis was not eager to grant her another private interview, and those who had planned for him were afraid that soon he would be the prey of any scheming woman who sought to rule France through him.
Madame de Mailly was severely talked to by her promoters. Doubtless she had behaved like a prim young virgin. Did she not realise that the King was in revolt against the primness of the Queen? She must greet him with voluptuous looks. She must not enter and curtsey. Let her be lying on a couch, say en déshabillé; her most attractive feature was her legs, which all admitted were the best at Court. Let her make the most of her charms. Would she try again?
She was eager to do so. All that remained was to persuade Louis to meet her once more. This was difficult but, when it was pointed out to the good-natured young man that if he did not see her, poor Madame de Mailly would be brokenhearted, he gave way.
His surprise was intense when he entered the intimate apartment to find her already there. He could only stand and stare at the half-nude young woman who was smiling at him seductively from the couch.
For a moment he was prepared to turn and escape; but Bachelier was behind him, and he did not want the valet to witness his embarrassment.
‘The lady awaits Your Majesty,’ said Bachelier, and in the excitement of the moment gave Louis a push which sent him reeling forward.
Madame de Mailly held out her arms and caught Louis in them, while Bachelier gently closed the door.
The seduction of the King was thus effected, and Fleury sighed with relief. He was now free to deal with state matters.
But first he presented the Comte de Mailly with 20,000 livres – his reward as a complaisant husband. Fleury was eager also that the affair should be conducted with as much secrecy as was possible. Versailles of course could not but be aware that the King had a mistress, but he did not wish the people of France to know of the King’s lapse.
At this time he was adored by his subjects; and although the squat and rather heavy Queen did not appeal to them as did their handsome King, they were ready to concede that she was a good Queen who had done her duty to the state. The people liked to think of their Louis as a sedate young man, eager to do his duty, a worthy husband and father – for all that he was handsome and looked god-like in his robes of state.