Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones Read Free Book Online Page A

penance employ before he sinned?” Marguerite sings. Fully awake now, she feels filled-with-air light, as if she might float like a bubble to the ceiling.
    “Your King Louis, that is who,” Uncle Thomas says as he joins them for the walk across the dew-damp grass. “Our friend Bertran d’Alamanon must have seen into the future when he wrote those lines.”
    “Or he knew the king’s mother,” Marguerite says.
    “Perhaps. But Blanche was not always such a model of piety,” Guillaume says.
    How the rumors flew after Louis’s father died! The most popular—and tenacious—tale involved Blanche and the handsome papal legate, and an illegitimate pregnancy. Blanche finally stilled the wagging tongues by stripping off her clothes before the barons’ council to show her flat stomach.
    “No one would start such a rumor today,” Thomas says. “Blanche de Castille has transformed herself into a veritable Virgin Mother.” By donning the mantle of a stern prioress, she avoided both scandal and marriage—and saved the throne for herself. Prising it away from her will be Marguerite’s task.
    The chapel is surprisingly full when they enter, of bleary-eyed barons and their rumpled wives, servants asleep on their feet, prelates fairly bouncing with zeal for God and their king—and, standing in the front, her husband and mother-in-law to be. Louis gives her a shy smile while his mother presses her lips together, disapproving of her late entrance. Marguerite smiles in reply, still thinking of Blanche in her underwear before the barons’ council. Who else on earth would dare? Tomorrow, Marguerite will arrive on time.
    After the service, she at last introduces the uncles to Blanche, who bats her lashes as though she had not recently snubbedthem. “I did not see either of you at our festivities last night,” she simpers. “But you must have been resting after your long journey. A dance today? But of course, monsieurs . I have had so many requests already, but I will certainly fit you in. You men of Savoy are renowned for grace and charm.”
    “Blanche is beautiful, but brittle about the edges,” Thomas remarks later, as he and Guillaume lounge in their apartment. “One can see why she never remarried.”
    “Do not underestimate the White Queen, my brother: She has never lacked suitors. She simply loves power too much to share it with a husband. Or with her son, I hear.”
    Aimée, styling Marguerite’s hair for the wedding, works silently so that they can listen.
    “Let us hope that she can relinquish her power when the time comes,” Thomas says.
    “She will have no choice. Margi’s coronation is tomorrow. The entire kingdom will know our niece as the new queen.”
    “And if she does not? Will Margi be able to stop Toulouse? Ramon’s health cannot withstand these attacks for much longer. Our sister says he collapsed on the journey home after signing the verba de praesenti for Margi’s marriage.”
    Marguerite gasps. “Papa! Is it serious?”
    “According to your mother, no. She blames fatigue, and your father’s sorrow over losing you to France. But as you know, his heart’s beat has become uncertain and erratic of late. He will not withstand many more weeks of battle. You must stanch the flow of French livres into Toulouse’s coffers, my dear.”
    “Stopping Toulouse will be my first priority.” Along with producing heirs: a queen consort’s primary role is that of mother, not ruler, her mama has taught. “But I would appreciate any help you might provide.”
    “Perhaps your handsome uncle Guillaume will revive his once-formidable seduction skills in order to win her favor.”
    Guillaume laughs. “Charming the ladies is your specialty, Thomas, not mine.”
    “I saw how the king looks at you, lady,” Aimée murmurs to Marguerite. “You will soon win his heart and then he will listen only to you, no matter what his mother desires.”
    That time cannot come soon enough. After this morning’s prayer