The Autumn Throne Read Online Free PDF

me,’ he said.
    His eldest daughter fetched her harp and perched on a footstool at his feet. Her plait of rich brown hair swung forward and she flicked it back with a graceful movement of her wrist and a smile for her father. She was an accomplished musician, her fingers pliant as ribbons, weaving the tune through the strings. Matilda clambered into his lap for a cuddle and he curved his arm around her lithe, small body in tender protection. Having been closeted with Henry for most of the day he was in desperate need of this family moment to cleanse himself of the murk of the court. He constantly praised God that he had such joy at the heart of his family when others lacked all sustenance.
    Later, after the girls had kissed him and retired to bed, overseen by their nurses, and his son had similarly departed, he turned to Isabel and patted the bench.
    ‘Come, you have been very quiet tonight. Bring me a cup of wine and sit a while.’
    She did as he asked, but he marked her preoccupation. Something was gnawing on her bones, but she would tell him in her own time and he was not the kind to seek trouble unnecessarily. He took the wine and stretched out his legs towards the fire. ‘I suppose you have heard about Henry’s plan to annul his marriage to Alienor?’ he asked.
    When she did not answer he looked up and was in time to see her face crumple as she burst into tears. Astonished and dismayed, Hamelin took her hand. ‘What is it?’ he asked. ‘What’s wrong?’
    ‘Nothing,’ she choked. ‘I will be all right by and by.’
    ‘Come now, is it what I have just said?’ He wondered if she believed her own position was threatened by the news. ‘It is not as though I am going to ask for annulment from you. Why are you so upset?’
    ‘I … I’m not upset,’ Isabel sobbed, mortified that she could not hold herself together in her own household which was supposed to be Hamelin’s haven of peace and tranquillity.
    ‘Tothe contrary I can see that you are. Tell me.’
    ‘It’s Alienor,’ she wept. ‘She … she turned on me when I suggested that an annulment was for the best. Told me to go away and that I did not understand. It was as if I was her enemy, and all I have ever done for her is as nothing!’
    Hamelin grimaced. Much as he loved his wife, her sensitivity sometimes made matters awkward, and he had no intention of becoming embroiled in a woman’s spat. Whatever Henry’s foibles, schemes and rages, they were far more easily dealt with than issues involving women. ‘Calm yourself, my love,’ he soothed. ‘I have lost count of the occasions Henry has ordered me from his presence because he has disagreed with something I have said, or just because he is angry with everyone. He needs me when it comes to the crux – as Alienor needs you, whatever she says to the contrary.’ He made a wry face. ‘We are their props even when they spurn us. Have some wine and dry your eyes. It will pass.’
    ‘So,’ he said when eventually her tears had turned to occasional snuffles and he had refreshed her cup. ‘Alienor is not disposed towards an annulment then?’
    Isabel gave a small shake of her head. ‘No. She was like a lioness when I said it might be for the best.’ She twisted the damp square of linen she had used to mop her eyes. ‘Even if Henry sends her back to Sarum or puts her in a dungeon, she will still refuse him.’
    A pained expression crossed Hamelin’s face. Henry and Alienor’s marital difficulties were a cause of friction far beyond their personal arena. He wasn’t at all surprised at Alienor’s contrary response to Henry’s suggestion.
    ‘Has Henry told you why he wants an annulment?’ she asked.
    ‘He says he desires a clean cut to sever himself from Alienor. She will be honourably occupied with duties at Amesbury and he will be free to continue with his own life.’
    ‘Alienor thinks Henry is belittling her.’ Isabel gave him a searching look. ‘The rumours have not gone away that