Joanna looked at him in shock. ‘Surely Edward would not.’
‘I think it hangs in the balance. Edward is headstrong and ready for rule, but on the other hand, he is his own man and he is learning swiftly. He is ruthless, and I say this even though he is my nephew. He knows how to wind a thread around men and he is fast developing military skill and diplomacy. However, he lacks experience, and de Montfort will play it to his own advantage.’
‘What about the King?’ Joanna said anxiously.
‘Henry may seem weak, and he has made some bad decisions, but whatever de Montfort says of him, he is not stupid. He can be clever in ways so subtle that men who go straight in for the kill do not see the delicacy of the webs he weaves.’
Joanna gnawed her lip, unconvinced.
‘He may be in danger, but he is not helpless. He is here to make peace with the King of France, and Louis wants this treaty ratified too. He will do all he can to make sure Henry is secure on the throne. Moreover, Henry is his brother-by-marriage and a fellow king, and anyone who threatens that position will not be tolerated.’
‘But Queen Alienor backed de Montfort when we were forced to leave,’ Joanna pointed out.
‘Because we were a threat to her influence over Edward. Now de Montfort has taken our place as that threat and the wind has changed direction. She will not allow anyone to come between her and Edward – although Edward himself will battle her for the right to make his own choices.’
Joanna said shrewdly, ‘Do not dismiss Edward’s wife in this. She is like him – very young, but very astute. If he listens to anyone, it will be Leonora. While we bide our time, I think I should write her another letter.’
William nodded. ‘Yes, I think you should do so. For now, I shall go to Bigorre, but because it is to my future advantage, not because I am de Montfort’s puppet.’
34
The Limousin, France, November 1260
Banners flew from the pavilions in magnificent array and it seemed as if the Limousin had grown fields of flowers even though the trees were bare and the harvests all gathered in. Having returned from the final effort of his arduous task of truce-brokering for Simon de Montfort in Bigorre, William was directing the erection of his own pavilion of blue and white silk, ensuring enough space remained for Joanna’s entourage which had still to arrive. A feeling like a sunburst filled William’s belly, part tension, part glowing excitement. His life of exile might be ending, and the longed-for return to England was almost within his grasp.
The last pegs were driven into the soft winter soil and Elias and another attendant began carrying William’s bed and travelling chests into the tent and hooking up an internal screen to make a public space and a private partition.
‘William!’
He turned at the shout from a familiar voice and the sunburst expanded. With an answering shout of delight, he opened his arms to embrace John de Warenne and they fell on each other, slapping backs, laughing.
‘It is so good to see you!’ John cried.
‘And thanks to you I still have my head and my wife and my fortune. I owe you everything!’
‘You owe your wife most of it. I protected her as best I could, but all the ideas were Joanna’s. I admit I had difficulty at times selling the items she gave me, but we succeeded.’
‘Well, I am grateful, and hope you have not suffered for doing so.’
John laughed darkly. ‘No, I was glad to do it. No one guessed for a moment how valuable that cargo of wool Joanna brought to you really was.’
‘Do they know now?’
‘My brother Hugh suspects, but he is very good at looking the other way. Our conversations are often filled with interesting gaps and silences. I rather think Hugh and Roger will not object to your return to England. They are not as convinced as they were that reform under Simon de Montfort’s bludgeon is what they want.’
‘And the Queen?’
John shrugged. ‘I think she realises she overplayed her hand and is now suffering the consequences. She is also starting to realise with Edward that she must let him go in order to have any influence at all.’
William smiled bleakly. ‘I was thinking of the saying above the door in the King’s great chamber – about giving everything away in order to receive. How very true it has proved to be. Here, do you want some wine?’
John shook his head. ‘I have come to bring you to the lord Edward’s tent. He is asking for you.’
William’s gaze sharpened.
‘It’s nothing bad. I suspect you and Joanna will be in England by the spring.’
Leaving Elias and James with further instructions for the setup, William followed John through the camp. The sunburst was now full of tension. He had last seen Edward at Wolvesey while being besieged by Simon de Montfort and on the eve of being sent into exile. It seemed a lifetime ago, and perhaps it was.
