Ten Years Later Chapter 64 - Madame's Four Chances

Ten Years Later Chapter 65 - The Lottery

In which the court assembles in glittering expectation for the queen-mother’s lottery, where wit, vanity, envy, and ambition circle like masked dancers round the splendid bracelets that Fortune has placed in the king’s hands.

Ten Years Later Chapter 64 - Madame's Four Chances

In which the ailing Queen Mother, Anne of Austria, endeavours to reclaim her fading influence by orchestrating a dazzling lottery featuring priceless bracelets, deftly weaving courtly intrigue to draw the young queen and other key figures into her sphere. Amidst whispered ambitions and delicate stratagems, Anne reflects on past friendships and present alliances, her ambitions shimmering as brightly as the jewels she offers.

Ten Years Later Chapter 63 - Toby

In which a mysterious letter and its unseen handling give rise to subtle suspicions among men of influence, leading to an unexpected disappearance that stirs unease and the need for delicate inquiry. The narrative delicately unveils the interplay of trust, intrigue, and the enigmatic motives of those enmeshed in the delicate affairs of courtly favour.

Ten Years Later Chapter 62 - The Shower of Rain

In which a sudden storm drives two men into a hidden grotto where they overhear the tender and cautious exchange between the king and a young lady, revealing the delicate nature of courtly affections amidst the tempest. Observing the king’s gallant protection and the subtle tensions of jealousy, the listeners contemplate how this meeting may alter the delicate balance of their intrigues and loyalties.

Ten Years Later Chapter 61 - The Storm

In which a dark and oppressive dawn sets a somber tone for a royal promenade, as King Louis, filled with anticipatory joy, navigates both political intrigues and personal desires under an uneasy sky. The company ventures into a quiet forest path, heedless of the looming storm, drawn by the king’s presence and the delicate unfolding of courtly affections.