The Fair Maid of Kent by Caroline Newark

Author:Caroline Newark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2017-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

8

The Prince 1345-6

One evening at the beginning of December we sat together in William’s room where the crackling fire gave out surprisingly little heat. It felt cosily domestic with just the two of us seated side by side in front of the hearth and one of William’s greyhounds stretched lazily at his feet. We spoke idly of household matters and whether or not Gascony would be the destination for the king’s army next year and I amused myself by wondering how I could persuade our neighbour to sell me his grey mare which I coveted. I regretfully came to the conclusion it would cost more than William could afford.

‘The king is to hold Christmas at Westminster,’ said William, not looking at me but staring into the flames.

I waited patiently as clearly there was more. This was William and in the past months I had studied him carefully and had begun to understand the devious workings of his mind.

‘I have received an invitation to join in the festivities and have decided to let you accomany me.’

‘Me?’ I said, startled out of my contemplation of the curve of his rather fine legs.

‘Yes, you are my wife. Why shouldn’t I take you?’

I smiled sweetly and murmured that there was indeed no reason.

‘Good,’ he said, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair.

Nothing was said for a few moments while he kept his face turned to the fire and I considered the exciting possibility of a new gown.

At last he spoke. ‘My Uncle Grandison tells me a clever man is one who knows the value of his worldly goods and how best to work them to his advantage.’

‘The bishop is truly a wise man,’ I said absentmindedly, wondering why after a year and a half of keeping me immured at Bisham my husband now wished to offer me up to public scrutiny. We had been content here these past months and I was nervous of anything which might disturb the calm waters of our marriage.

He slowly turned his head until he was gazing into my face.

‘You are my greatest treasure, Joan,’ he said leaning over and giving me a lingering kiss on my lips causing me to blush as I remembered his passionate embraces of last night. ‘At Westminster you will be by my side in the manner of a dutiful wife and I want you to use your influence on the prince.’

‘On Edward?’

‘Yes, I need his favour and you can get it for me. You know how to flatter a man. I’ve watched you weave your coils round those fat old knights who frequent our hall. It’s a skill some women possess. My mother had it and you have it too.’

‘You want me to flatter the prince?’

‘Joan, think for a minute. Every year Edward’s power advances and his influence on the king grows. If we are to further the fortunes of our family, I need to be the person who is of greatest importance to Edward. I won’t be pushed aside by men like Chandos.

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