Spain for the Sovereigns by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page A

ourselves to the pleasure of reunion we must explore this desperate situation in which we find ourselves.’
    ‘You have heard?’ Isabella asked. ‘There are rumours that Villena and Arevalo are rebelling in favour of La Beltraneja, and that they are gathering partisans throughout Castile.’
    ‘That child!’ cried Ferdinand. ‘The people will never accept her.’
    ‘It will depend on what forces our enemies can muster, Ferdinand. Our treasury is depleted; I have discovered that we have no more than five hundred horse which we could put into the field.’
    ‘We must raise more men; we must find the means to fight these rebels. We shall do it, Isabella. Have no fear of that.’
    ‘I knew you would say that. Yes, Ferdinand, we shall do it. Oh, how glad I am that you have come. With you beside me, what seemed an insuperable task becomes possible.’ ‘You need me, Isabella,’ said Ferdinand fiercely. ‘You need me.’
    ‘Have I ever denied it?’ She was aware of a sudden fear within her. Was he going to demand once more that he be accepted in Castile on equal terms with herself? This was not the time for dissension between them. ‘Ferdinand,’ she said quickly, ‘I have news for you. I am with child.’
    She watched the frown change to a smile on Ferdinand’s face.
    ‘Why, Isabella, my Queen! That is great news. When will our son be born?’
    ‘It is too early yet to say. But I am sure I am with child. I hope that by the time this child is born our troubles will be over and we shall have prevented this threatened rebellion from taking place.’
    Ferdinand had taken her hands in his; he bent swiftly to kiss them. When he was in Isabella’s presence he could not help but admire her.
    ‘Come,’ he said, ‘let us examine our position. What men could be put into the field?’
    She answered: ‘I have been studying these matters.’ She led him to the table. ‘Ferdinand, my husband, I pray you examine these figures and tell me what, in your opinion, is best to be done.’
    She knew that Ferdinand was alert to the danger; that he would allow no friction to arise between them while it existed. She had been right to believe she could rely on him. There was not a man in Spain who was more suited to stand beside her in this fight for the crown. And if, on occasions, his desire for supremacy over her sullied their relationship, making it a little bitter, how could it be otherwise where a man as strong, as entirely masculine as Ferdinand was concerned.
    While they worked a messenger arrived at the Alcazar. He came from the King of Portugal.
    As soon as Isabella knew that he was in the Palace she had him brought to her. Ferdinand stood beside her and, as the man bowed and held out the dispatches, he lifted a hand to take them. But Isabella, who had anticipated this move, was anxious to take them as unobtrusively as possible – for she knew that with regard to this matter of supremacy she dared not give way even in the smallest matters. She took them before it was evident to any others that Ferdinand had attempted to do so.
    She dismissed the messenger and glanced at the papers.
    Then she lifted her eyes to Ferdinand’s face.
    ‘He asks us to resign our crowns,’ she said, ‘that the Princess Joanna may ascend the throne.’
    ‘He must be an imbecile,’ retorted Ferdinand.
    Isabella turned to the table on which the documents were still spread out.
    ‘I am informed,’ she said, ‘that he could put five thousand six hundred horse and fourteen thousand foot into the field. Perhaps he would say that we were imbeciles to oppose him.’
    Ferdinand’s eyes glittered. ‘Yet we shall oppose him, and we shall defeat him. You know that, Isabella.’
    ‘I do know it, Ferdinand.’
    ‘We have our daughter to fight for and our unborn son.’
    ‘And we have each other,’ she added, and smiled brilliantly. ‘I know, Ferdinand, that while we are together we cannot fail. And we must be together, Ferdinand, always. You