The Queen from Provence Read Online Free PDF Page A

feelers to Rome with the usual plea of consanguinity, but the Pope was not sympathetic; so at this stage Richard, being married to a woman who no longer pleased him, could view with interest a crusade to the Holy Land.
    Such a project needed a great amount of preparation and it would be some time before he could leave, probably a year or more; in the meantime he could enjoy the preparation.
    He was surprised when a messenger arrived from Les Baux with a package for him and he was amused and somewhat intrigued when he discovered the letter written in a good hand, but obviously by a young person which explained that the narrative poem was a gift to him from the daughter of the Count of Provence. She sent it because she had set her scene in Cornwall, a land which fascinated her and she knew that it belonged to him so it seemed to her that because of this he might consider her work with kindness.
    Puzzled he questioned the messenger.
    ‘It was given to you by the Count’s daughter?’
    ‘That is so, my lord.’
    Richard smiled. ‘I believe the Count has several daughters.’
    ‘He has four, my lord.’
    ‘And one, not so long ago became the Queen of France. It was the second eldest who gave you this?’
    ‘The Lady Eleanor, my lord.’
    ‘She is a young girl –’
    ‘Very young, my lord.’
    ‘So must she be for the Queen of France is but a child and the Lady Eleanor is younger.’
    ‘By some two years I believe, my lord.’
    Richard nodded and dismissed the man to his servants that he might be refreshed after his journey. Then he read the poem.
    It was good. It showed a style which was mature and the adventures of the knights were told with a verve and authenticity which was really amazing coming from a girl who could not be more than thirteen and had never set eyes on the terrain of which she wrote. An unusual girl, one might say a brilliant girl. Richard pictured an ardent little scholar peering at her books.
    He must write a gracious note of thanks and compliment her on her skill. Skill! For a girl of that age to write such a poem about a land she could never have seen was little short of genius.
    He sent for the messenger and when the man came to him he said: ‘Tell me about the Lady Eleanor. Is she handsome?’
    ‘My lord, she is said to be the most handsome of all the sisters and I doubt a more good-looking family could be found in France.’
    ‘Is that so?’ mused Richard.
    ‘My lord, it is. The lady is called Eleanor la Belle. Yet her sisters are beautiful girls also.’
    ‘The lady has done me much honour. I should welcome the chance of thanking her in person. Ride back to Les Baux and tell the Count of Provence that I shall be passing through his land and should feel honoured if I might call at the castle.’
    ‘The Count will be overjoyed, my lord, I doubt not.’
    ‘Then when you are refreshed ride off. I doubt not I shall be close behind.’

    Eleanor saw the messenger returning and hurried down to question him.
    ‘What said the Earl of Cornwall when he saw what the package contained?’ she demanded.
    ‘He wishes to come here in person to thank you.’
    She was elated. She turned and went without delay to search for Romeo.
    She found him with her father and she felt that there was no time for delay, so she blurted out what the messenger had said.
    ‘The Earl of Cornwall,’ cried the Count. ‘We must give him a good welcome. But how did this come about?’
    Eleanor looked at Romeo who said: ‘The lady Eleanor sent her poem to the Earl. It seemed it would please him since it was set in his country.’
    The Count looked from her to Romeo in disbelief.
    ‘It was on my advice,’ said the Lord of Villeneuve quickly. ‘I saw no reason why the Earl of Cornwall, being in the neighbourhood, should not be made aware of the lady Eleanor’s talent.’
    The Count gave a short laugh. ‘My dear Romeo, is this another of your schemes?’
    Romeo opened his eyes wide and said: ‘But it seemed so