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

possible. Burst-Belly—Lincoln—was a bit obvious. Joseph the Jew—Pembroke—was another inspired one, I thought, with that dark visage of his.”

    “Lancaster is the Fiddler.”

    “Yes, he's always looking for someone to dance to his tune!” He frowned as he remembered the nickname his friend had coined for Eleanor's brother, the Cuckold's Bird. Edward had been rather hurt to hear it, directed as it was to Gilbert's mother, his favorite sister, who certainly had made a clandestine second marriage but who hardly deserved the epithet. Gaveston, seeing this, had quickly explained that cuckoldry was the only likely fate of a man married to a woman as young and lovely as Joan. Still, Eleanor was even less likely to appreciate the remark than Edward had, so he fell silent.

    “Does he have one for my father-in-law?”

    “Dear Hugh? No. Hugh's done nothing but be loyal to me. He's the only one who hasn't slighted Gaveston in any way. He understands what he means to me.” He smiled. “I'll never forget those little gifts he sent to me when I was estranged from my father, raisins and wine. Small things, but they cheered me.”

    “I am certain things will right themselves.”

    “We can only hope.” Edward gazed ahead moodily, then pointed a finger. “What do you think of having a fish pond put in there? I want the queen to like it here at Westminster.”

    “I think it would be lovely.” Eleanor paused and said gently, “But why not ask the queen herself?”



June 1308 to July 1308

    T HE BARONS HAD WON. GAVESTON WAS TO BE EXILED. THE BARONS HAD been relentless about his removal since the coronation, and Edward, to avoid a civil war he was not entirely sure he could win, and knowing that his French father-in-law might not be at all unwilling to intervene against him, finally agreed to his removal. As had happened when his father exiled the Gascon, there was time to prepare, and the friends went to Langley, Edward's favorite manor. Isabella went also, accompanied by Eleanor and her other ladies.
    If the queen was satisfied with Gaveston's removal, she kept it to herself. The king, working toward his friend's recall even before he left England, had finally granted her Ponthieu, and even as he sought to enjoy his last few days with Piers, he was careful not to neglect his wife. Eleanor wondered if he had finally consummated his marriage, but Isabella said no more on the subject. She was looking more womanly with each passing day, however, and the days when Edward could validly complain that his wife was but a child were quickly becoming numbered.

    The day was fine, and Isabella, having been given a hunting pack by her husband, had gone with some of her ladies and knights to try the hounds out, the king having stayed behind to attend to some documents before quickly giving up his duties for the day and heading outside with Gaveston. Eleanor, too far gone in pregnancy to wish to sit a horse, even if Hugh would have let her, stayed behind too, but soon found sitting by a tapestry rack insupportable with the birds chirping cheerfully outside and a light breeze rustling the curtains at the window. She heaved herself to her feet and went outside, where she walked by the river gathering wildflowers as her son—all the older ladies had declared she was having a son, and Eleanor saw no reason to gainsay them— kicked her vigorously as if himself eager to be outdoors.

    Soon the king and Gaveston rowed into view. If they had been doing anything besides sitting decorously on opposite sides of the boat before they saw Eleanor, it was not apparent.

    “Niece!”

    “Sister!”

    “Had we known you were around we would have had you join us,” said Edward.

    Eleanor laughed. “I'd sink any boat you put me into now. I am enormous!”

    “Nonsense, you look beautiful. But all women look beautiful when they are with child.”

    Gaveston hopped out of the boat while Edward tied it up and said, “But you of course look more