Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Fallen Angel > Status Update

‘The King had given no indication of when or where this might take place; neither had he made any pronouncement about his wife’s passing. Upon hearing the news, he had retreated at once to his privy chamber, giving out that he was too grief-stricken to appear in public. Frances no more believed this than the rest of the court did.’

‘It was easy to see why he had so intoxicated the King. He was tall and lithe, and moved with an easy grace that drew all eyes to him. The skin of his face and long, delicate fingers was so white that Frances wondered if he used the same paste her mother had applied to the old Queen’s skin every day. She peered closer, as if focusing on the trivial detail would distract her from the rising agitation’

‘Frances experienced a jolt of envy. Bacon was respected as a man of science, and his interest in the natural world was therefore accepted and encouraged. If she spoke so openly of such matters, or was seen to be gathering herbs and plants with which to make remedies, she would be hanged as a witch.’

‘’Bravo, Steenie!’ the King cried, then strode forward to embrace the young man.
Frances had soon heard about the affectionate name James had bestowed upon Villiers. It was derived from St Stephen, who had the face of an angel. She and her companion watched as the King kissed his favourite on both cheeks, then whispered something in his ear.’

‘He was merely the latest in a long line of young men to bask in the King’s fleeting favour. Somerset had far more cause to feel uneasy than she did. But she had seen how Villiers eyed those he regarded as rivals - her husband among them. She had her suspicions, too, that it was he who had poisoned the King’s favourite buckhound. What better way to sever James’s trust in the man who cared for them?’