Gilded Cages by Ellen Jones

Author:Ellen Jones [Jones, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-8902-0
Publisher: Open Road
Published: 2012-12-13T16:02:00+00:00

Chapter 29

THREE DAYS LATER ON a chill bright morning in early March, Henry, ready to leave Limoges, strode briskly into the courtyard accompanied by Eleanor.

“Where is Harry?” The boy was vociferously protesting this journey and no doubt assumed that if he did not make an appearance, Henry would leave him behind. “If he is still sulking somewhere I will drag him out by force.”

“He only takes his leave of Marguerite and will be here.” She gave him a reassuring smile, then asked, “Your mind is totally set, then, about giving Harry’s castles to John?”

This was the first time she had broached the subject since Harry’s outburst, and Henry had been expecting it. Beneath her polite tone, he detected an undercurrent of something he could not quite put his finger on.

“Did you think that because Harry made me look a fool I would change it?” He slapped the black gauntlets he held in one hand against his thigh. “Considering your objections to this match I find it hard to believe that you did not know what the boys were up to. Perhaps you even instigated it, you and that mischief-making troubadour—I saw him whispering in Harry’s ear.”

“Why do you assume I am in their confidence? Or that they need me to help them voice their opinions? I think it is time you understood that your sons are grown and can think for themselves.” Her hazel eyes were guileless as they met his gaze.

Henry felt a stir of impatience. “Why can’t they see, why can’t you see, how much the Plantagenets stand to gain by this union?”

Grooms led horses and carts from the stables into the courtyard. Fewterers followed with coupled hounds on long leads.

“All I can see is that my son stands to lose three strategic castles, and John, a child of seven, is the one who benefits.”

Why was she being so obstinate? There must be more to this business than indignation over three castles. Henry knew, he had always known, that Eleanor hadn’t forgiven him for Rosamund de Clifford. Still, it was a dangerous leap from the animosity of a jealous wife nursing her wounded feelings to a vengeful mother turning her sons against their father. As he looked at her still-beautiful face framed in its cream-colored headdress, her upright, elegant figure under the black ermine-lined cloak, he found it impossible to credit Eleanor with such blatant treachery. Not after all they had meant to each other. No. He simply could not make such a leap.

“I’ve explained the advantages of this match. Can’t you see it as a rare opportunity to extend our power even farther afield? It is what we have always wanted, Nell, with Joanna soon to be queen of Sicily. Our children will rule much of Europe. Louis won’t like that, will he?”

She smiled. “No. He certainly won’t.”

Henry listened carefully but could only detect the usual note of contempt in her voice when she referred to King Louis. Alais must have misunderstood the nature of the communication between Eleanor and the French monarch.

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