The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham Read Free Book Online

afterward. Even Hugh's father, who had taken part in the ceremony and who was one of the few men in England who supported Gaveston, was embarrassed for his king's behavior. Only Margaret, who wrote to her old friends at Amesbury that her husband had been the handsomest man in England that night, had no complaints.

    A couple of weeks later, at Westminster, the queen, who was fond of music and had learned that her new English attendant had a lovely voice, bade one of her chamber ladies to find Edward and see if he would lend her his crwth player to accompany Eleanor as she sang. One of the damsels would have happily gone, but Eleanor, slightly nauseated with her pregnancy and eager to walk in the fresh air in search of the king, offered to go herself.

    Edward was with his gardener when Eleanor found him. After he gave the man very precise instructions about some rose bushes—for Edward had very definite ideas about what the royal gardens should look like and would not have found life at all amiss if he had been born a gardener instead of a king— he turned to his young niece with his usual sweet smile. “What can I do for you, Nelly?”

    Eleanor gave her Isabella's message, and the king readily agreed. “So the queen is fond of the crwth? I did not know that.”

    “She is fond of many of the things you are, your grace.”

    “When will you learn not to your-grace me? Such as?”

    “She loves to hunt, she has told me. She is an excellent horsewoman; I've watched her ride.”

    “I'll take her tomorrow when Gaveston and I go, then.”

    Eleanor wondered if Gaveston could be left at home, but said nothing. The king continued, “Now tell me about the queen. Does she task you and the other ladies too much? I know that she has a trying temper. Even Queen Margaret has admitted as much.”

    “She is usually quite good-humored with me, your—Uncle.” After a moment or two of silence, she added, “She truly is beautiful. I was bedazzled when I saw her step off the ship.”

    Edward nodded. “Everyone tells me how beautiful she is. I can see it. But beauty is like a tapestry. What hangs well in one room may simply not in another.” He threw a stone in an ornamental pond. “Sometimes I wonder if she was not hung in the wrong room.”

    “Uncle, I really should not be hearing this.”

    “You're right.” Edward threw another stone. “Certain choices are made for us, and we must adapt ourselves to them, must we not? You are right to keep me from indulging in self-pity.”

    “Someday you will have a child, and that will give you a common interest and purpose.”

    “You are a wise as well as a beautiful young woman.” He smiled. “Speaking of which, Gaveston was not discreet, as usual, and told me what he probably should not have told me yet. You are with child.”

    “He can keep nothing to himself. I was waiting until I was further along to tell others.”

    “He knew it would please me, that's all. Don't be angry with him.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations.”

    She smiled her thanks.

    “They want to send him away, you know.”

    “Gaveston?” But she should have known better than to ask; no other “him” could be in her uncle's mind. “Why?”

    “To spite me, I think.” He scowled. “There seems to be a new reason every day. His title is too high; Cornwall should have been given to one of my half brothers. When he is closer to me than any brother. I consult him before I consult the barons; why not? He has my interest at heart; they do not. I give him jewels and land. They are mine to give, are they not? He insults the barons. My God, the pompous fools need a little insulting!” He smiled suddenly. “Have you heard the nicknames he has invented for the earls?”

    “Warwick is the Black Dog of Arden, I believe.”

    “That's his best, I think. He's always reminded me of a dog guarding his territory against an intruder, barking and snapping with as much show as