Fountains of Glory by Fiona Harrowe

Author:Fiona Harrowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0 417 06260 5
Publisher: Magnum Books
Published: 1981-04-09T16:00:00+00:00

PART IV

MELISSANDE

Jerusalem A.D.1128

XIX

THEY WERE giving me the Angevin for husband.

“He is not the king you promised,” I said to my father, repeating myself for mayhap the fifth or sixth time. I remembered the count from childhood, a short, broad-shouldered man with red hair and pale-blue eyes, not at all my idea of a royal spouse.

“My dear child,” Father said with pained forbearance. “How often must I explain? A man of nobler blood, one of greater repute, does not exist in all the duchies of Europe. Few monarchs can boast a lineage such as Fulk’s. He traces his family back to Charlemagne. His children have married into reigning houses; his own grandson will some day be king of England.”

“Then give me the grandson.”

“Melissande!” Placing his hands behind his back, Father frowned, rocking a little on his heels. I knew that sign. His patience was wearing thin. “I have spoiled you, I can see. The Haute Cour, the pope and King Louis have blessed this union. Fulk has already invested his son with his holdings and is on his way here escorted with ships and men, the whole world is moving toward this wedding, and you pout like a child handed the wrong sweet.”

“Father…” I pleaded, tears gathering in my eyes.

“And don’t,” he said, shaking a finger at me, “don’t think that by squeezing a few salty drops from those pretty eyes I will give in. Weep, if you like, tear your hair, scream, beat your breast—but it shall not move me a dot.”

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