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As I had assumed, the gossips were more than willing to attend yet another salon thrown by Margot and the Duchess de Nevers. Unlike me, Henriette's husband, Louis was more than prepared to allow the court to roam the halls of his home. A consummate politician and a pragmatist, Louis knew that a well-connected and popular wife meant advancement that constant warfare could hardly bring to their family. Unlike warfare, most of the combatants in the salons survived until the next morning.
The Queen Mother's tacit approval of my relationship with Anjou led to an immediate rise in my status. I quickly gained new "friends" at court and with their dubious friendship came more influence at court. Although the King rallied in late Spring, the court followed the fickle winds of power. The Dauphi
