Read Online Jean Plaidy by The Reluctant Queen: The Story of Anne of York - Free Book Online

king’s brother?”
    There was feasting and revelry with the usual entertainments, but what struck me most was the show of affection between my father and the duke. They were cloistered together: one saw them walking arm in arm in the gardens and they were always deep in discussion.
    This meant something, I was sure, and I was soon to discover what. It was through Isabel, as usual.
    I had retired for the night and my woman had just left me when Isabel came in. She looked very pretty, radiant in fact.
    â€œThe most wonderful thing has happened,” she announced. “I am going to be married.”
    â€œWell,” I said. “It was certain to come sooner or later. You are no longer
very
young.”
    â€œWhy don’t you ask who my bridegroom is to be?”
    â€œYou know you are longing to tell me.”
    â€œIt is George.”
    â€œSo that is what all this is about.”
    â€œYes. He came here to ask me. Our father is delighted. So everything is just as it should be.”
    â€œAnd the king is pleased?”
    She looked at me blankly. “The king…?”
    â€œWouldn’t he have to give his consent? George is his brother.”
    â€œOf course the king will be pleased, and if my father wants it, it will be.”
    â€œIt is all very mysterious. What is going on between our father and the king, I mean. They are not the friends they once were.”
    â€œOh, be silent. You are jealous.”
    â€œI’m not. I’m just hoping it is going to be all right.”
    She sat on my bed. “I shall go to court. I shall wear wonderful gowns. George is so good-looking, is he not? They say he is remarkably like the king. Just suppose the king did not have any heirs…”
    â€œHe already has a daughter. You are going too fast. Let us get you married first. When is the wedding to be?”
    â€œHush. It is not to be generally known at first. You forget who George is.”
    â€œI certainly do not.”
    â€œThere are all sorts of things that have to be arranged. It is a secret so far.”
    â€œSo you immediately tell me!”
    â€œYou don’t count.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI mean you are my little sister, and haven’t I always told you things?”
    â€œYou have…now and then.”
    She flung her arms around me and hugged me. “I’m so happy, Anne. I always loved George, you know. He is rather wonderful, is he not? He’s always so merry and good at things…just everything.” She sighed. “He would make a very good king.”
    I could not help feeling a little uneasy—not only because of my father’s strained relations with the king, but there was something else. I confessed it to myself now. There was something I did not like about George. He was not exactly shifty but watchful. He had too much charm and it was not like the king’s, which appeared to be so spontaneous. There had always seemed to me to be something calculating about George. I had noticed a rather petulant look when his brother Edward’s name was mentioned. I had a feeling that he was furious with a fate that had not made him the first born. But then, perhaps I was comparing him with Richard.
    But I had to rejoice with Isabel. She was so pleased with life. She had wanted to be married for some time, but it had to be to the right person. It seemed to her now that George was that person. Brother to the king! She was thinking that a glorious future awaited him…and her.
    When my mother heard that Isabel had told me the news she sent for me.
    â€œAnne,” she said. “I want to talk to you. Isabel has spoken to you, I believe.”
    â€œYou mean about her betrothal, my lady?”
    â€œI mean that. She is so happy that she must talk of it, but your father does not wish it to be announced just yet. There are one or two little matters that have to be arranged first.”
    â€œYes, my lady.”
    â€œYour