The Winter Crown Read Online Free PDF Page B

gathered.
    As dusk advanced, Alienor set down her sewing to rest her eyes. The winter light was not conducive to fine work, but the repetitive act of pushing the needle in and out of the fabric, creating the design, always helped her to think.
    ‘Madam, is there anything I may do for you?’ asked Isabel de Warenne, who had been keeping her company throughout the afternoon. Heavy-eyed, little Will snuggled against Isabel’s side, tucked in a fold of her cloak. He had been running round the room with his toy weapons earlier, but had paused for respite and the comfort of a cuddle. His baby brother slept in his cradle, watched over by his nurse.
    ‘No,’ Alienor said. ‘Other than bid the steward put bread and cheese under a cloth for when the King returns. He will be hungry. And summon Madoc. If I cannot sew, I will listen to music.’
    ‘Madam.’ Isabel tidied her sewing away with graceful, unhurried movements that soothed Alienor to watch and filled her with a glow of gratitude.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said, lightly touching Isabel’s sleeve.
    ‘For what, madam?’
    ‘For companionship without words.’
    Isabel’s face turned pink. ‘I could see you were troubled, but wished to keep your own thoughts. There is nothing I could say that would have been wisdom.’
    ‘And that is what makes you wise. If you had chattered, I would have sent you away.’
    ‘I learned discretion when I was at court before,’ Isabel replied with a small grimace. ‘Sometimes the silences have more substance than words.’ She started to rise, gently disturbing the little boy. ‘Come, my prince,’ she said. ‘Shall we find you some bread and honey?’
    Will rubbed his eyes and grizzled, but Isabel cajoled him until he brightened and put his hand in hers, the other clutching his toy sword.
    A sudden flurry at the hall doors and a blast of icy air heralded Henry’s return. With mingled relief and exasperation, Alienor glimpsed his ruddy hair and the swirl of his short green cloak.
    ‘Papa!’ yelled Will and dashed from Isabel’s side towards his father, brandishing his sword. He skidded to a halt in front of him, a look of surprise and consternation on his face at the sight of the other little boy standing at Henry’s side. He was older than Will and taller, but the resemblance between the children was clear for all to see.
    ‘This is Jeoffrey,’ Henry announced to Will, and crouched with his arm around the newcomer. ‘He has come to live with us and to be your companion and playmate.’
    There was a sick taste at the back of Alienor’s throat as she saw this cuckoo child standing in the curve of Henry’s arm, while her own son stood outside of it.
    The children eyed each other warily, and Isabel stepped into the gap. ‘Sire, I was just going to give my lord William some bread and honey; perhaps Jeoffrey would like some too.’ She smiled and held out her hand, her movement flowing and natural.
    Henry sent her a look filled with relief and gratitude. ‘That is kind of you, madam, thank you.’
    Isabel curtseyed and led the children off, one either side.
    Henry stood up and his gaze followed Isabel and the boys for a moment before he advanced to warm himself at the fire.
    Alienor felt raw, her pain exacerbated because she was containing words and emotions that could not be expressed before all these people who had seen him enter with the boy.
    Henry’s mouth was a set, thin line. He rubbed his hands together, and although his knuckles were red with cold, the action was tense rather than an attempt to warm his hands.
    A servant set down a glazed jug on a table near the hearth, and platters of bread and cheese. Henry waved the man away and dismissed everyone from earshot, before gesturing Alienor to sit down with him.
    Alienor took the cup of wine he poured for her, sipped, and almost retched because the drink was sour and her stomach queasy. ‘Why did you not tell me you had a son?’
    Henry shrugged. ‘It was none of your