Plantagenet 1 - The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page A

scruples; she was very young; she was unmarried, possibly a virgin - he, the connoisseur, believed this might well be so, although it was a state from which the girl was longing to escape. A little dangerous in view of her relationship with the Queen, and the fact of course that she had no husband. He was a bold man; he had been frustrated too long by Petronelle’s sister. He would see how far he could go.
    He waylaid Petronelle in the alleyways of the garden.
    ‘What a delightful surprise,’ he cried as he came towards her.
    ‘Is it such a surprise, my lord?’ asked Petronelle, her head on one side, gaily provocative.
    ‘Well I will admit to a little strategy.’
    ‘It is always wise to admit that which is already known.’
    She had no doubt learned her repartee from her sister.
    ‘What joy to see you alone.’
    ‘Why? Do I appear different alone than when in the company of others?’
    ‘Yes. Do I to you?’
    ‘Naturally I must feel some alarm remembering your reputation.’
    ‘Ah, reputation! How cruel it can be! How false! How unfair!’
    ‘Have people been unfair to you, my lord ?’
    ‘So much would depend on what they said of me.’
    ‘They say you have known many conquests.’
    ‘I have committed myself with honour in battle, I believe.’
    ‘And in the battle of love?’
    ‘I do not regard love as a battle.’
    ‘Yet people talk of conquests.’
    ‘Perhaps I myself am in danger of being conquered?’
    ‘By your lady wife no doubt. And I believe my sister the Queen to have had some effect on you.’
    ‘Sometimes it is not as it appears.’
    ‘I understand you not.’
    He took a step nearer to her and grasped her hand. ‘Sometimes one does not look in the direction of the sun. It is too dazzling. One averts the eyes.’
    ‘Are you looking at the sun now, my lord Count?’
    ‘Right in its face.’
    ‘I trust you are blinded by it.’
    ‘Blinded to indiscretion. Made mad by it.’ He seized her suddenly and kissed her.
    Petronelle gave an exclamation of what she meant to sound like dismay, and breaking away from him ran through the alley to a more public place in the gardens.
    This was a beginning.

    Count Theobald of Champagne had arrived at the court of France. He was a man who had a reputation for governing his province with wisdom; he was a good soldier and Louis had counted on his help for carrying on the campaign against Toulouse.
    Eleonore was with the King when he received the Count. She made a point of being present at such meetings for she wanted the world to know that France had a queen as well as a king.
    ‘Welcome to Paris,’ said Louis. ‘I trust you are in good health.’
    ‘Never better, Sire.’
    ‘And in good fettle for the fight.’
    ‘If you are referring to this matter of Toulouse, Sire, I could not aid you in this. I do not think it would have the blessing of God.’
    Eleonore was frowning. ‘Perhaps you will explain,’ she said coldly.
    The Count bowed. ‘Indeed, Madame. I would not ally myself with it because I would consider it unjust to the Count of Toulouse.’
    ‘Unjust to wrest from a man that to which he clings when he has no right to do so!’
    ‘It would seem that he has the rights of ownership, my lady.’
    ‘Do you know that Toulouse came to my grandfather through marriage and that he set up Saint-Gilles as a custodian during his absence on a crusade?’
    ‘If that were so I cannot understand why it was not reclaimed ere this, my lady.’
    ‘Because the matter has not been resolved until now, but that is no reason why it never should be.’
    ‘I see many reasons, my lady.’
    ‘You forget that you risk the displeasure of your King and Queen.’
    The Count bowed and begged leave to retire.
    When he had gone Eleonore burst out in fury: ‘The insolent dog! How dare he tell us what our duty is!’
    ‘He has a right to express an opinion,’ Louis mildly told her.
    ‘Are you a king? Am I a queen? Shall we be insulted in our own castle? I tell you,