Daughters of Spain by Jean Plaidy, 6.95 Read Free Book Online Page A

look into her daughter's face at that moment. She knew that she was going to be reminded of her own mother, who was living out her clouded existence at the castle at Arevalo, unable to distinguish between past and present, raging now and then against those who were long since dead and had no power to harm her. There had been times when Isabella had dreaded her mother's outbreaks of violence, even as she now dreaded those of her daughter.
    How will she fare with Philip? was another question she asked herself. Will he be kind to her? Will he understand?
    'It is a goodly sight,' murmured the Queen.
    'How long before I reach Flanders, Mother?'
    'So much will depend on the weather.'
    'I hope there will be storms.'
    'Oh, my child, no! We must pray for calm seas and a good wind.'
    'I should like to be delayed a little. I should like Philip to be waiting for me ... rather impatiently.'
    'He will be waiting for you,' murmured the Queen.
    Juana clasped her hands across her breasts. 'I long for him, Mother,' she said. 'I have heard that he is handsome. Did you know that people are beginning to call him Philip the Handsome?'
    'It is pleasant to have a handsome bridegroom.'
    'He likes to dance and be gay. He likes to laugh. He is the most fascinating man in Flanders.'
    'You are fortunate, my dear. But remember, he is fortunate too.'
    'He must think so. He shall think so.'
    Juana had begun to laugh; it was the laughter of excitement and intense pleasure.
    'Soon it will be time to say goodbye,' said the Queen quickly. She turned impulsively to her daughter and embraced her, praying as she did so: 'Oh God, let something happen to keep her with me. Let her not go on this long and hazardous journey.'
    But what was she thinking! This was the grandest marriage Juana could have made. It was the curse of Queens that their daughters were merely lent to them during their childhood. She must always remember this.
    Juana was wriggling in the Queen's arms. It was not her mother's embrace that she wanted; it was that of her husband.
    Will she be too eager, too passionate? wondered the Queen. And Philip - what sort of man is he? How I wish I could have met him, had a word with him, warned him that Juana is not quite like other girls.
    'Look!' cried Juana. 'The Admiral is coming to us.'
    It was true. Don Fadrique Enriquez, Admiral of Castile, had appeared on deck and Isabella knew that the moment was at hand when she must say goodbye.
    'Juana,' she said, grasping her daughter's hands and forcing the girl to look at her, 'you must write to me often. You must never forget that my great desire is to help you.'
    'Oh no, I will not forget.' But she was not really listening. She was dreaming of 'Philip the Handsome', the most attractive man in Europe. As soon as this magnificent armada had carried her to Flanders she would be his wife, and she was impatient of everything that kept her from him. She was already passionately in love with a bridegroom whom she had never seen. The desire which rose within her was driving her to such a frenzy that she felt that if she could not soon satisfy it she would scream out her frustration.
    The ceremony of the farewell was almost more than she could endure. She did not listen to her mother's gentle advice; she was unaware of the Queen's anxiety. There was only one need within her: this overwhelming hunger for Philip.
    Isabella did not leave Laredo until the armada had passed out of sight. Then only did she turn away, ready for the journey back to Madrid.
    'God preserve her,' she prayed. 'Give her that extra care which my poor Juana so desperately needs.'

    Young Catalina was watching for her mother's return.
    This, she thought, is what will happen to me one day. My mother will accompany me to the coast. Perhaps not to Laredo. To what town would one go to embark for England?
    Juana had gone off gaily. Her shrill laughter had filled the Palace during her last days there. She had sung and danced and talked continually of Philip.