The Queen's Companion by Maggi Petton

Author:Maggi Petton [Petton, Maggi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Lesbian, Fiction, General, Fantasy, Inquisition, Historical Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9781609106461
Google: N6A-YgEACAAJ
Amazon: B0050W9IAQ
Publisher: BookLocker.com, Inc.
Published: 2010-01-31T18:29:59+00:00

Chapter Thirty Four

Catherine and her entourage returned to the castle for a respite before resuming her tour of the kingdom. She was anxious to see how Ambrose was faring in his role as king. It would also be nice to bathe and sleep in her own bed.

The forward guard rode ahead to announce the return of the queen. The courtyard was full of families to greet the returning travelers. The soldiers who had come straight from Pienza to inform the king and Lord Giovanni about the unscheduled stop in Castiglione d’ Orcia had reported that life in Pienza was dismal, so many of the castle residents were present to find out what had happened. Even King Ambrose waited in the courtyard, most urgent to greet Sofia.

“My daughter has grown in her short absence from me!” Ambrose exclaimed as he lifted Sofia into his arms. He buried his face in Sofia’s neck and proceeded to make her shriek with joy. The king’s delight in his daughter was apparent. Catherine could not deny that he loved her, and Sofia was equally enamored of her father. Ambrose might lack in many areas, but his love for Sofia was not one of them.

At dinner in the Great Hall that evening, Catherine refrained from inquiring about the Privy Council. She had already arranged to meet with Ambrose tomorrow for details. He asked about the journey to Pienza and the subsequent change in plan to visit Castiglione d’ Orcia.

“Word reached us that things in Pienza were quite difficult,” Ambrose said.

“You cannot imagine,” Catherine answered. A server filled her goblet with wine and stood back.

“Were you in any danger?”

“Never.” She looked at him and detected his concern. “I would not have taken Sofia if I thought there might be any risk involved.” She was offended at the hint of concern over their daughter’s safety. But then she realized that Sofia was his precious child as much as hers and she added, “But I doubt I will take her on any more of these journeys. She will be better off here with you.”

He visibly relaxed. “What happened there? Can you tell me?”

“An entire town died,” she said sadly. “There are still people walking around, breathing, and eating. But they no longer really live. The heart and soul are gone from Pienza. I don’t know if it can ever return to what it once was…I doubt it.”

He reached out and patted her hand. “Let’s hope that Pienza is an exception.” His concern surprised Catherine.

“I will tell you more about it tomorrow. For now let us enjoy our meal. I am glad to be back.”

As Catherine pondered how much to share with Ambrose, her eye caught the blush of a young woman at a table off to the right. The woman had been obviously sharing a look with Ambrose. Ambrose tried to hide his smile at the woman, but his demeanor radiated as he looked at her. She wondered who the young woman was, for she did not recognize her.

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