Hearts and Crowns by Anna Markland Read Free Book Online Page B

rid of the Angevin girl, and solve a potential problem to Maud’s succession. Ermintrude had expected the chit to request she be relieved of her duties as lady-in-waiting once she’d been given the odious chamber pot task. The girl evidently had more grit than Ermintrude had anticipated. Packing her off to her parents with her tail between her legs was not an option.
    But Maud would be glad of a chance to be rid of any Angevin, including her betrothed, were in within her power. She despised Geoffrey Plantagenet, but would not tolerate other women enjoying his affection.
    Ermintrude hastened to her mistress’s solar as quickly as her arthritic limbs allowed. Maud lounged on a chaise, listening to a lute player, the back of her hand resting on her forehead. When she looked up, Ermintrude bent to whisper in her ear, trying to ignore the spasm that surged up her spine. “A minor matter, Empresse .”
    Maud sighed deeply, dismissing the lute player with a wave of her hand. He ceased playing and tiptoed from the chamber. “What is it, Ermintrude? I have a headache.”
    “One of your ladies-in-waiting has become a problem.”
    Maud closed her eyes again. “Get rid of her, then. Why bring this to me?”
    Ermintrude’s heart fluttered in anticipation. “The girl is an Angevin.”
    “Send her back to Anjou.”
    “I cannot. Her misdemeanour involves your betrothed.”
    Maud sat up abruptly. “Adultery? The Angevin swine has betrayed me already? Then we shall have a hanging.”
    Ermintrude hesitated. She did not want the girl’s blood on her hands. “ Non , Highness. But he is taken with her. Public punishment would only embarrass you. I had hoped there might be a more discreet way. A betrothal, perhaps, to some noble family far away from Westminster.”
    Maud frowned. “Far from Westminster?”
    It pained Ermintrude that it was often necessary to explain every detail to her mistress. “Perhaps a powerful Norman family, whose loyalty needs to be assured with a betrothal to an Angevin.”
    Maud’s eyes widened and the corners of her mouth edged up into a sly smile. “Aha! I have it! We shall betroth her to that angry young pup, Montbryce.”
    Ermintrude clutched her gnarled hands to her breast, breathing a sigh of relief. “What a good idea, your Highness. Merci .”

CHAPTER NINE
     
    Gallien glared at his father. “Absolutely not.”
    Sitting in the lord’s chair in the gallery, Baudoin gripped his knees. “You have no choice.”
    Gallien folded his arms across his chest, his legs braced. “I will not submit to this decree. I concede I must marry again, but my bride will not be an Angevin. How can you support this outrage?”
    Baudoin shrugged his shoulders. “I have no choice in the matter either. I won’t jeopardise this family by disobeying a royal edict.”
    A river of ice flooded Gallien’s veins. “You will throw me to the wolves once again.”
    Silence followed. Gallien regretted his outburst. He could not look at his father, who had been as devastated as he at the outcome of his first marriage.
    They had all been blinded by Felicité’s fair face and noble upbringing. Her father had been indignant at their allegations, refusing to believe his daughter capable of such behavior. He had threatened retaliation for her death, only withdrawing when her dowry lands were returned to him.
    Gallien gritted his teeth, remembering the aroma of Felicité’s perfume and how it had intoxicated him. Lavender.
    What a simpering fool he had been, lusting for her even as she cuckolded him.
    He swallowed the lump in his throat. “ Je m’excuse , Papa. Forgive me.”
    Baudoin indicated the other chair by the hearth. “Sit here by me.”
    Gallien sat slowly then cradled his head in his hands, studying his feet. “Who is this girl? Why did they say nothing of the matter while Maud was here?”
    Baudoin steepled his hands. “The decree is from Henry, not his daughter.”
    Gallien stared into the ashes of the day’s