The Queen from Provence Read Online Free PDF Page B

resist a visit.’
    ‘When a King comes travelling to France,’ Eleanor pointed out, ‘there would be many to suspect his reasons. He could not do so merely to see my father’s daughters.’
    ‘I see you are wise indeed. No, the King could not come here without much pomp and noise. There would be suspicions that he was asking the Count’s help against the King of France.’
    ‘He is our brother-in-law,’ piped up Beatrice.
    ‘So you see, my dear ladies, that there would be consternation if he came. How fortunate I am that I am merely his brother for I may come and go as I please. But rest assured I shall tell my brother of my visit here. I shall make him envy me … for once.’
    By which he betrays, thought Eleanor, that he has envied the King more than once.
    Then she begged him to tell her of England and she learned much of the Court and its ceremonies and how the ladies were so eager to show their hair that although they had elaborate head-dresses they often carried them in their hands; the gowns worn by the ladies were of similar fashion to those worn in Provence, for fashions passed from country to country; the nobles wore brocade and velvet, silk and fine linen and the poorer people spun their own cloth from wool flax or goat’s hair just as in Provence. The King was very interested in architecture and for this reason buildings were springing up all over the country. The King was a man who greatly enjoyed music and literature.
    ‘I shall show him your poem when I return to England,’ said Richard to Eleanor. ‘I know he will admire it very much.’
    Again Eleanor blushed and lowered her eyes. Triumph indeed. How wise Romeo was! This was the way.
    ‘Perhaps you will show it to his Queen as well as to him,’ she said.
    ‘My brother has no Queen.’
    ‘But very soon he will have one I doubt not.’
    ‘He must. It is his duty. Though while he has not I am heir to the throne you know.’
    Eleanor was alert. Here was a very ambitious man. Then would it not be to his interests to keep his brother unmarried? Oh no, he could not do that. It would not be permitted. Moreover, surely Henry as King would be the one to decide when he would marry.
    Richard went on: ‘Yes, I think he will eventually marry. In fact that day may come soon.’
    ‘He is affianced?’ asked Eleanor.
    ‘Not exactly, but I believe negotiations are going afoot.’
    Her heart was beating fast. Too late. It was too late. She saw this prize – the only remaining prize – slipping through her fingers.
    She felt a great sympathy with Richard of Cornwall. They had both been born too late.
    Richard started to tell them about the Court; the banquets that were given, the games that were played. Questions and commands was one of the favourites and also roy-qui-nement, the King does not lie, in which questions were asked and the answers given must be the truth; chess was played a great deal and without asking he knew that the girls were experienced at the game for to play well was considered a necessary part of the education of well brought up girls and boys; then there was a game called tables in which two people played draughtsmen, the moves being determined by throwing a dice; there was vaulting, tumbling, juggling and of course dancing and music.
    ‘And does the King ride through the country in royal progress?’
    ‘Indeed he does. My brother has a love of splendour. And this of course is reflected in his Court. The people like it.’
    ‘It is how a King should be,’ said Eleanor.
    ‘Lavish entertainments are arranged for him in the castles he visits. We have the jongleurs of course who come with songs and dances. Some of the jongleurs are women; they dance well and can sing; they are good mimics; they act little plays. I can tell you there is no lack of gaiety at my brother’s Court. He favours most the musicians though and the poets and those who perform a certain kind of dance. He was always more studious than I. I think he loves his