The Hammer of the Scots by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page B

significance in these matters. De Montfort was no saint. He was a traitor who rose against your father. That is something for which I shall never forgive him.’
    ‘I was always fond of my Aunt Eleanor. I think she loved him dearly.’
    ‘I remember that marriage well. Conducted in secrecy. Your father was furious when he discovered that Simon de Montfort had married his sister.’
    ‘But he knew of the wedding. He attended it.’
    ‘Only because Simon had seduced your aunt and he thought it best in the circumstances.’
    Margaret looked at her mother. That was not true, of course. King Henry had consented to the marriage because his sister had persuaded him into it, and afterwards, when he saw what a storm it aroused, he had pretended it was because Simon had seduced her first.
    But her mother had always believed what she wanted to and contradiction on such matters displeased her.
    ‘I wonder where they are now,’ she asked.
    ‘Who? The de Montforts? In exile in France, I believe. They had better not try to come back here.’
    ‘You mean Simon’s wife and daughter? What of her sons?’
    ‘Young Simon is dead. He deserved to die the traitor’s death but God took him instead. He was guilty of murder with his brother Guy who is the worst of them all. You know how they most brutally murdered your cousin, Henry of Cornwall, in a church at Viterbo. Oh, that was wicked. It broke your Uncle Richard’s heart. He adored Henry and Henry was a good man, faithful and loyal to your father and to your brother Edward.’
    ‘I know, my lady. He and Edward were brought up together – with the de Montfort boys. I remember seeing them together in the days before my marriage.’
    ‘There has been much tragedy in our family, Margaret.’
    ‘I know, my lady. But now Edward is home and the people love him. Perhaps we shall live peacefully.’
    ‘There is perpetual trouble. I shall not feel happy while these de Montforts live.’
    ‘I am sorry to have reminded you of them.’
    ‘Saints indeed! There was never one less saintly than Simon de Montfort.’
    ‘It is a pity he was killed so brutally.’
    ‘It was in battle. His side would have done the same to your father or Edward had they been the victors.’
    ‘I suppose Guy and the young Simon thought they were avenging him. It is understandable. It would be best if it could all be forgotten.’
    ‘My dearest Margaret, you were always the peacemaker. I should like to hear that the de Montforts were all dead. I like not to remember that Guy still lives and his brother Almeric too. He is with his mother, I believe, and the girl Eleanor. They call her the Demoiselle. It is a good idea. There are too many Eleanors in our family.’
    ‘’Tis true, lady. There is yourself and now Edward’s wife and Edward’s daughter and our aunt who married de Montfort and de Montfort’s daughter … I am so pleased I called my daughter Margaret.’
    ‘Which, my love, means that she can so easily be confused with her mother.’
    ‘I know, but Alexander wanted the name.’
    The Queen Mother took her daughter’s face in her hands and kissed it. ‘I know. He loves you so well, and would have your daughter named for you. I’ll warrant he tells himself she is growing up exactly like you.’
    ‘How did you guess?’
    The Queen Mother laughed happily. Her anger, aroused by the reference to the de Montforts, had evaporated.
    ‘Because, my dearest, he has the look of a happy husband. Now tell me, how did you think Beatrice was looking?’
    ‘Very well.’
    ‘She has given me five little grandchildren. I am very proud of her.’
    ‘I am sorry, dear Mother, that I have fallen short of that number.’
    ‘My dearest child, all I ask of you is that you are happy. You have my three little darlings and that contents me well. I’ll warrant Beatrice is with Edward’s wife. I hear they became great friends in Acre.’
    ‘Edward is fortunate in his Queen, my lady. She seems so gentle and devoted to