Страница 27 из 84
‘But you have only just come.’
‘I know, my child, but there is a kingdom at stake. I must go back without delay.’
Joa
In some apprehension Eleanor took leave of her family and set out for England. She had been only three days in Sicily.
As she stood on the deck watching the land fade from sight she wondered how long it would be before the wedding did take place and if at the end of Lent Richard would find some other reason for postponing it. He must marry Berengaria. There would be war with Navarre if he did not. He could not afford to lose friends. None could understand the call of adventure more than she did but it was adventure enough for a king that he had a kingdom to govern. It was also a duty to marry and get sons.
All would be well, she assured herself. It was merely a postponement. The marriage would take place; the children would come.
She deplored the fact that she was growing old. True, she retained her energy. Most people of her years would have retired to a nu
When she reached Rome it was to find that Henry of Germany was about to be crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. It seemed to her politic that she should be present at that ceremony.
She quickly became aware that her reception by the Emperor elect was a cold one. And no wonder since his wife was Constancia, sister of the late King of Sicily, who considered herself the heiress of that island on the death of her brother. Joa
Richard had congratulated himself that he had come out of that affair well. He had forgotten that while he made his truce in Sicily he was making an enemy of the powerful Emperor.
Eleanor believed that Henry would have been a more useful ally.
She attended the ceremony at St Peter’s Church and saw Henry and Constancia anointed and proclaimed Emperor and Empress. There was one moment during the ceremony when she was filled with secret mirth. The Pope, who was officiating, sat on the Papal chair, the imperial crown placed incongruously on the floor between his feet. The new Emperor, his head bowed in reverence towards this awesome figure, received the crown when the Pope sent it towards him with a movement of his foot and placed it on his head. To show that he could without preamble dispossess him if he wished the Pope then lifted his foot and kicked the crown off Henry’s head.
Poor Henry looked extremely discomfited in spite of the fact that this undignified gesture was an accepted part of the procedure.
One of the Cardinals then picked up the crown and replaced it on the Emperor’s head and the ceremony continued.
It was a thoughtful Eleanor who continued her journey back to England.
Berengaria was a little bewildered. She could not understand why her marriage should not take place. She knew that Eleanor had been anxious about leaving her although she had impressed on her the fact that Joa
Berengaria could not help but be happy in the change, for although she had had the utmost respect for Eleanor she had been greatly in awe of her. It was comforting therefore to have as her constant companion a girl who was not in the least formidable.
The greatest similarity between Eleanor and Joa
Joa
‘It is only a delay of a few weeks,’ soothed Joa
Berengaria was only too ready to accept this explanation.
Joa
‘It is not quite what my father thought would happen when he told me I was affianced. I think he thought that Queen Eleanor would take me back to England.’
‘Without Richard! That is no way for a bride to live . . . apart from her husband! You would hate that. Do you not think he is the most handsome man you ever set eyes on?’
‘I do indeed, Joa
Joa
It was Joa
But Joa
‘Richard,’ she said, ‘what of your marriage?’
He frowned slightly and looked her straight in the eyes.
‘What mean you, sister?’ he said. ‘My marriage . . . it will take place at the right time.’
‘When will the right time be?’
‘It ca
‘But Richard, it is what we are expecting.’
‘Who is expecting this?’
‘Berengaria . . . Everyone.’
‘My dear sister, I am engaged on a holy crusade.’
‘But your marriage is important too, Richard. Berengaria has travelled far and has at last reached you.’
‘I know. We shall be married, but I could not allow the ceremonies to take place in holy week. You see that.’
‘I do, brother. I see that clearly but it will soon be Easter. We thought perhaps you had decided on Easter Day. We should like to know, for there are certain preparations we must make.’
‘Easter Day would be good indeed, but alas I must depart before that.’
‘Before Easter Day! But that is but a week away!’
‘I know it well. I must be sailing for Acre before that. The King of France is already on his way there and I have given my word that I will not delay longer. I waited here only for Berengaria’s arrival. I ca