Roselynde (RC 1) by Gellis Roberta

Author:Gellis, Roberta [Gellis, Roberta]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, General, Fiction
ISBN: 1419965379
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: 2011-01-05T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

When the Queen and her party arrived at Nonancourt, they found that the core of the trouble had preceded them. Longchamp, Durham, Lord John, and a concourse of barons and bishops were already in residence. The Queen was livid, quite literally, Alinor told Simon nervously.

“I thought she would die before my eyes.”

“I am not surprised. She does not roll the floors and bite the rugs like the Angevins,” Simon replied, “but she does not lack for temper. It was all arranged that we should leave earlier so that we could stop to settle Lady Alais into Rouen and still arrive with or before the others.”

A horrified pity filled Alinor’s eyes. “Oh, Simon, what is wrong with the Lady Alais? I could almost believe from her behavior that she was King Henry’s mistress. And do not close your face upon me. I do not run about speaking of this to others. I would not in any case. I am so sorry for her. Besides, the Queen says it is not true.”

“She would have to say that if her son is to marry the woman.”

Alinor glanced around to be sure no one was in hearing distance of the embrasure in which they sat. This was not so safe a place as the deep wall rooms of Roselynde, no more than a five foot hollow provided with a window with raised stone seats on either side. They had retreated to the spot after breaking their fast even though it was bitterly cold, because of the little privacy it afforded. Most of the Court idlers were grouped at the ends of the room where the fires roared. Those who passed turned politely away and did not linger. At the moment, no one was near.

‘‘He will not marry her,” Alinor said very softly, but not in a whisper. She had learned early, when she was a naughty little girl planning mischief, that whispers carried far and wide. Even if a hearer could not make out the words, the sibilant hiss betrayed that secrets were being told. “Messengers have already gone to Sancho of Navarre. Berengaria is the King’s choice.”

“How know you this?”

“I wrote the letter. Simon, part of the Queen’s rage is that Longchamp has tampered with her people. I am not sure how she came to know of it, but she has her ways. I write letters now that I wish I did not write. Let us not speak of this here. But I cannot understand Lady Alais. Why does she not protest her treatment. Even if she were guilty, she would do better to put a bold face on it. Yet she was happy to be left in Rouen. No, not happyrelieved.”

Simon looked fondly at Alinor’s animated face, her eyes sparkling with readiness for combat. Could she have instilled some of her spirit, perhaps Alais would have married Richard. God works in mysterious ways, Simon thought. For Isobel of Clare, it was a mercy that Alinor meddled. For Alais of France, it was probably far better that she remain in her luxurious confinement.

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