Read Online The Passionate Enemies by Jean Plaidy - Free Book Online

that stage in the ceremony when the crowns had been placed on the heads of the King and Queen and Ralph was so angry that many thought he would die on the spot.
    He approached the King. He cried out and his anger gave him some extra power because his words were distinctly heard by all those close to the King.
    â€˜Who has placed this crown on your head?’
    Henry was abashed. Who would have believed that this sick man could so quickly have followed him? He had deliberately arranged that the ceremony should begin very early so that it would be over before there was time for repercussions. Evidently they had not been quick enough for Ralph. Crowning was an even more important occasion than the marriage, and Henry should have known that if the Archbishop had been so determined to perform one he certainly would not willingly allow any but himself to officiate at the other.
    Henry was aware of the trouble that could ensue. It had been rash of him to attempt to placate Roger in this manner.
    He murmured: ‘If the ceremony has not been performed in a proper manner, it must then be done again.’
    The Archbishop retorted, his eyes flashing: ‘Indeed, my lord, it must be done again.’
    And with that he lifted the strap which was fixed under the King’s chin and by which the crown was held in place so that the crown fell sideways on to the King’s shoulder.
    There was a gasp of dismay from the spectators.
    The Archbishop then took the crown and placing it firmly on the King’s head proceeded with the Coronation.
    Consternation followed. There were also people who saw omens – good or bad – in every event; and the fact that the King had had his crown taken off his head seemed like a bad one.
    â€˜Nonsense,’ said the King, who like his father preferred to see good in omens. ‘This is a good sign. I lost my son, and though momentarily I lost the crown from my head, it was replaced. So shall my fair young Queen refill our royal cradle. Ere long our marriage will be fruitful I promise you, for I am a young man again, through my Queen, and I know that ere long she will give me the son I crave.’
    So there was rejoicing throughout the land and celebrations at Court; but, although the King and Queen prayed each day that there might be a sign, there was none.
    Why, oh, why, do my mistresses conceive and not my wife? the King wondered.
    Henry’s temper, which had improved since his marriage andthe hopes of getting an heir, now became easily frayed once more. He was restless. It was a month since the official marriage and there was still no sign that Adelicia was pregnant. It was not as though they had not attempted to get a child before that. Ever since that marriage at Ely he had spent each night in her bed. And still no sign! It was ironical that he had feared they might not have the official ceremony in time.
    Roger had returned to Salisbury and taken his Matilda with him. He missed their company. Stephen was amusing and his wife, another Matilda, was pleasant enough; his troubadours and minstrels did their best to entertain him but he was restless. He wanted to be young again. He was still a healthy man, but he was beginning to suffer from the irritating little ailments which came with encroaching age, and his digestion was not of the best. It was not that he was a man who overate or drank excessively. Indeed he was moderate enough – except where his favourite foods were concerned. He admitted to a certain greed over lampreys which his cooks knew how to stew and serve deliciously; and he sometimes took more of this dish than was advisable – but he was abstemious in most things. It had always been women and the chase – never food and drink – which had pleased him.
    He enjoyed the company of Stephen, but Stephen had changed slightly. He knew his nephew must have had hopes of succeeding him. He did not blame him. Such thoughts would have entered his own mind had he