Juana la Loca by Linda Carlino

Author:Linda Carlino [Carlino, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780955598067
Publisher: VeritasPublishing
Published: 2017-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

‘The time for mourning our late queen is past now. The time has come to look to the future.’

‘Dear uncle there is much to mourn. I mourn for those dear to me, but I also mourn for myself for the misery and hurt I am made to suffer.’ She tightened her grip on Don Fadrique's hands as she commanded Juan Manuel and Cisneros to stand aside that she and her visitors might have some privacy for their conversation. How she enjoyed this new strength drawn from her uncle.

‘Constable Bernardino, we have not met since your wedding in Toledo two years ago. How is my half-sister?’

‘You are most gracious to remember. My wife is well, I thank you.’

‘And my lord, Bishop of Malaga, you too are most welcome. I feel I should pinch myself to make sure this is not a dream. Am I awake, are you real?’

‘We are all real.’

‘Then tell me, uncle, for I have heard that you have been with my father; where is he now? Is he well? Philip sent him away without ever letting me see him.’

‘He is well, and yes, he is soon to set sail for Naples.’ Don Fadrique wanted so much to stop the tears he saw filling Juana's eyes.

‘Then I must write to him immediately. Come with me. As I write you must tell me all about him, what you talked about, how you are now reconciled.’

Don Fadrique laughed, ‘It would seem that there is probably little to tell, you know so much already. Someone keeps you well informed.’

‘Indeed, uncle. There is my informant,’ she whispered nodding in the direction of Marta standing in the shadows.

The letter was finished, hurriedly sanded, and given to the bishop, ‘It would be best if you hid this until you leave the palace, then see that my father receives it before he leaves for Naples.’

She rushed to the constable and asked too loudly, ‘How do you and your wife find your new home in Burgos? Is it to your liking?’ Philip’s footsteps announced his arrival and she was alarmed that he might discover the letter.

Juan Manuel and Cisneros standing by the door exchanged a few words with Philip as he entered. He went directly to the writing table.

‘An idle pen and spilled sand. Writing letters again, Juana? And who is the bearer of your tidings this time? It has to be the bishop. Hand it over good man. No? Then I shall find it myself.’

Juana held her head, dismayed, the bishop bore the indignity of Philip's hands searching inside his clothing until, ‘Ah here we are, tucked away in its little nest, keeping warm, thinking it would be quite safe, thinking only the bishop himself would ever put his hands there. Would you believe it, Juan Manuel, the bishop has a letter in his codpiece. Such imagination for a Spanish priest! You do surprise me,’ he dropped his sarcasm. ‘Get out! You will not be permitted to enter this court ever again.’

He read the letter. ‘Another little note from a loving daughter to her dear father; how touching.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.