The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick Read Free Book Online Page B

Geoffrey remained, but he would soon go to Brittany.
    ‘Are you ready?’ Her smile was strained. She had been hiding in the garden, trying to gain the serenity to bid him farewell. He wore a guilty expression because he was leaving her, but she could also see the gleam of anticipation. He was impatient to be gone. Henry had given him funds too and the money would run through his fingers like water because he had no responsibilities to anchor him to reality. The coin would be squandered on clothes, on parades, on fine horses and days spent hunting and tourneying.
    ‘Yes, will you come and bid me farewell?’
    You are a queen
, she reminded herself.
That is what keeps you strong. That is what you tell your daughter.
‘Of course. I wish you were not leaving, but I know you must.’
    Sheset her arm on Harry’s sleeve and walked with him from the garden to the stable yard where everyone was gathered, either to ride out or bid Godspeed to those on their way. Some farewells would be longer than others. Her glance flicked to Joanna who had just embraced Harry’s wife Marguerite and was crouching to bid farewell to Marguerite’s fluffy little dog. Alienor suspected the latter was the greater sorrow of the parting, although when her youngest daughter became Queen of Sicily she could have as many lap dogs as she desired.
    Harry gave Joanna a pretty intaglio ring with a carving of a small lion. ‘I will escort you part of your way to Sicily after you have crossed the Narrow Sea and I promise to visit you when you are queen,’ he said, hugged her again, and then turned to Alienor.
    ‘Travel safely, my son,’ she said. ‘I may not hear word of you because of my circumstances, but know you are always in my heart.’
    He bestowed his brightest smile on her, the one he could turn on anyone and make them believe they were the most important person in the world. And then he grew serious. ‘I will not forget, Mama, on my soul, I won’t.’ He squeezed her hands. ‘He is my father, but I am also my mother’s son.’
    ‘And that is why you are taller than he is.’
    He laughed aloud, kissed her cheek, and turned to mount his horse.
    ‘Look after him,’ she said fiercely to William Marshal who was making final checks on the harness and equipment and giving orders to the squires. ‘I trust you.’
    ‘Madam, that is my life’s task and my honour,’ William responded with a bow. ‘I shall do everything I can to keep him safe.’
    They exchanged a meaningful look. To protect him from himself as much as from others was the awareness that went unspoken. William tugged a small jewelled cross from inside his shirt and kissed it; a cross she had given him in the dayswhen she had such largesse to bestow on those whose service she valued. Tucking it away again, he turned to his horse.
    Henry arrived at the last moment to bid his son farewell and gestured Harry to remain mounted. ‘Godspeed you,’ he said gruffly. ‘And try to keep your purse strings closed for once.’
    Harry gave his father an ironic salute, and turned his rein.
    Alienor watched them ride out, a handsome cavalcade with hawks and hounds, their harnesses jingling with silver bells. Silk banners fluttered in their midst and her throat swelled with emotion at the sight of such pride and beauty, and at the knowledge that she could not ride with them.
    ‘Well.’ Henry turned to her as the guards closed the gate. ‘You have had your time to think about Amesbury. Do you have an answer for me?’
    Alienor faced him. ‘Indeed I do, and it has not changed. Amesbury is out of the question. You may have your annulment if you set me free to go to Aquitaine.’
    His face contorted with a mingling of anger and exasperation. ‘Then you condemn yourself to a life of confinement. You leave for Sarum today – immediately.’
    ‘So you punish Joanna too?’
    ‘You think she cares about a mother such as you?’ he scoffed. ‘All the value you are to her is as an example of how