Page 95 of Weighed in the Balance (William Monk 7)

“Very great,” Florent agreed. “Both political and personal.”

“And what were her terms, Mr. Barberini?”

Florent answered intently, with no pause, no consciousness of the jury, the judge or the gallery listening.

“That he come alone,” he said. “She would not tolerate the Princess Gisela’s coming with him as his wife. She was to remain in exile and be put from him.”

There was a gasp around the court and a sigh of exhaled breath.

Gisela lifted her head a little and closed her eyes, refusing to look at anyone.

Harvester’s face was grim, but there was nothing for him to say. There was no legal objection.

Zorah remained expressionless.

Rathbone was again obliged to break all his own rules. He must ask a crucial question to which he did not know the answer, but there was no alternative open to him.

“And were these terms made known to him, Mr. Barberini?”

“They were.”

Again there was a rustle from the crowd, and someone hissed disapproval.

“Are you certain of that?” Rathbone pressed. “Were you present?”

“Yes, I was.”

“And what was Prince Friedrich’s answer?”

The silence prickled the air. A man in the very last seat in the gallery moved, and the squeak of his boots was audible from where Rathbone stood.

The bleakest of smiles flickered over Florent’s face and disappeared.

“He did not answer.”

Rathbone felt the sweat break out on his skin.

“Not at all?”

“He argued,” Florent elaborated. “He asked a great many questions. But the accident happened before the discussions were concluded irrevocably.”

“So he did not refuse outright?” Rathbone demanded, his voice rising in spite of his efforts to control it.

“No, he put forward his own counterproposals.”

“Which were?”

“That he should come and bring Gisela with him.” Unconsciously, Florent omitted the courtesy title of Princess, betraying his thoughts of her. To him she would always be a commoner.

“And did Count Lansdorff accept that?” Rathbone asked.

“No.” It was said without hesitation.

Rathbone raised his eyebrows. “It was not open to negotiation?”

“No, it was not.”

“Do you know why? If the Queen, and the Count Lansdorff, feel as passionately about the freedoms of which you spoke, and if those who would form any political fighting force do also, surely the acceptance of Princess Gisela as Friedrich’s wife is a small price to pay for his return as leader? He could rally the forces as no one else could. He is the King’s eldest son, the natural heir to the throne, the natural leader.”