Read Online The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Chadwick
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‘She will miss Joanna’s company and friendship, as I know Joanna will miss hers, but it is part of becoming a woman learning responsibility. She shall have an important role at home as chatelaine of the household.’ She sent her daughter a proud look and Belle responded with a modest half smile.
Afterthe children had retired, Alienor and Isabel talked long into the night over more wine.
‘Did you know about Rosamund?’ Alienor asked.
Isabel turned one of her rings. ‘Yes, but not until recently. I swear to you I did not know at Easter and neither did Hamelin.’
‘Henry did not tell him?’
Isabel rubbed her finger over the gem in the ring. ‘Hamelin keeps out of Henry’s amours. He focuses on his brother, not the girl in the bed behind him.’
Alienor almost laughed for Isabel’s comment conjured up a vivid image of Hamelin attempting to have a conversation with Henry while trying to ignore the mistress in her chemise. ‘Even if Rosamund desperately wants to be queen it will not happen,’ she said with weary contempt. ‘Knowing Henry, even if he does care for her, his eye is already on pastures new and untrodden. He would see marriage to her as just another trap. Ah, enough of this talk. What of other news?’
Isabel began telling her about the castle Hamelin was building on their land at Conisbrough in Yorkshire. ‘It is his retreat from the court and a secure fortress facing north to pass on to Will.’ She cast a glance heavenwards. ‘In truth, he has discovered such a delight in the building that at times I think I might as well have married a mason. You should hear him enthuse over the fireplaces.’
Alienor laughed. ‘I do believe that listening to Hamelin wax lyrical upon stone and mortar is a pleasure I can forgo, even if I do love him dearly for sending me gingerbread.’
In the morning they attended mass in the cathedral, and then with the clouds rolling in over the Downs, the visitors mounted their horses and prepared to return to Winchester.
Alienor kissed Joanna a final time. ‘I am proud of you,’ she said. ‘Be proud of yourself.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ Joanna’s response was dutiful, her gaze already on the path beyond the gate.
Alienorkissed John too. ‘Be honourable in all that you do, and whatever the circumstances of your match with Hawise of Gloucester, remember kindness.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ John gave her a warm, guileless smile that somehow managed to be as distant in its quality as Joanna’s stare.
When they had gone, Alienor walked around the perimeter of the walls encircling the hill like the bounds of a coronet. Queen of all she surveyed – for what little it was worth.
8
Winchester Castle, September 1176
Henry pressed a kiss on Rosamund’s soft pink lips and held her as close as he could, given that the curve of her belly was as round as a full moon. Rosamund stroked his beard and smiled even though she was unsettled and a little sad. He continued to call her his queen but nothing she said or did would spur him into making it fact. Instead he gave her jewellery or cloth for a new gown and cajoled her with empty words. Her only hope was that he would change when she gave birth to the perfect male child to eclipse his other sons and begin a new dynasty. She often shared that vision with the baby in her womb when it kicked and turned. She never, ever thought the word ‘bastard’ about their child because she wore Henry’s ring and was his wife in all but the vows made before a priest.
‘I will send word to you as soon as the baby is born,’ she said. ‘If you have a moment, think of us.’
‘Indeed I shall do, often, and pray for your safe delivery.’ He placed his palm on her belly in a salute that was also a preliminary to farewell.
Sensing his anxiety to be away, she turned his face to hers, makinghim meet her gaze because it was important to have that acknowledgement. ‘You promise?’
He grasped her hand in his. ‘I promise.’ An expression of
Afterthe children had retired, Alienor and Isabel talked long into the night over more wine.
‘Did you know about Rosamund?’ Alienor asked.
Isabel turned one of her rings. ‘Yes, but not until recently. I swear to you I did not know at Easter and neither did Hamelin.’
‘Henry did not tell him?’
Isabel rubbed her finger over the gem in the ring. ‘Hamelin keeps out of Henry’s amours. He focuses on his brother, not the girl in the bed behind him.’
Alienor almost laughed for Isabel’s comment conjured up a vivid image of Hamelin attempting to have a conversation with Henry while trying to ignore the mistress in her chemise. ‘Even if Rosamund desperately wants to be queen it will not happen,’ she said with weary contempt. ‘Knowing Henry, even if he does care for her, his eye is already on pastures new and untrodden. He would see marriage to her as just another trap. Ah, enough of this talk. What of other news?’
Isabel began telling her about the castle Hamelin was building on their land at Conisbrough in Yorkshire. ‘It is his retreat from the court and a secure fortress facing north to pass on to Will.’ She cast a glance heavenwards. ‘In truth, he has discovered such a delight in the building that at times I think I might as well have married a mason. You should hear him enthuse over the fireplaces.’
Alienor laughed. ‘I do believe that listening to Hamelin wax lyrical upon stone and mortar is a pleasure I can forgo, even if I do love him dearly for sending me gingerbread.’
In the morning they attended mass in the cathedral, and then with the clouds rolling in over the Downs, the visitors mounted their horses and prepared to return to Winchester.
Alienor kissed Joanna a final time. ‘I am proud of you,’ she said. ‘Be proud of yourself.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ Joanna’s response was dutiful, her gaze already on the path beyond the gate.
Alienorkissed John too. ‘Be honourable in all that you do, and whatever the circumstances of your match with Hawise of Gloucester, remember kindness.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ John gave her a warm, guileless smile that somehow managed to be as distant in its quality as Joanna’s stare.
When they had gone, Alienor walked around the perimeter of the walls encircling the hill like the bounds of a coronet. Queen of all she surveyed – for what little it was worth.
8
Winchester Castle, September 1176
Henry pressed a kiss on Rosamund’s soft pink lips and held her as close as he could, given that the curve of her belly was as round as a full moon. Rosamund stroked his beard and smiled even though she was unsettled and a little sad. He continued to call her his queen but nothing she said or did would spur him into making it fact. Instead he gave her jewellery or cloth for a new gown and cajoled her with empty words. Her only hope was that he would change when she gave birth to the perfect male child to eclipse his other sons and begin a new dynasty. She often shared that vision with the baby in her womb when it kicked and turned. She never, ever thought the word ‘bastard’ about their child because she wore Henry’s ring and was his wife in all but the vows made before a priest.
‘I will send word to you as soon as the baby is born,’ she said. ‘If you have a moment, think of us.’
‘Indeed I shall do, often, and pray for your safe delivery.’ He placed his palm on her belly in a salute that was also a preliminary to farewell.
Sensing his anxiety to be away, she turned his face to hers, makinghim meet her gaze because it was important to have that acknowledgement. ‘You promise?’
He grasped her hand in his. ‘I promise.’ An expression of
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