‘I am so sorry,’ she said, putting her arms around him. ‘What a terrible thing.’
‘There was nothing we could do except try and ease his suffering … nothing.’ William bowed his head. ‘He has been a part of my life since I was born … I have loved him unconditionally all my days.’
Joanna rubbed his back and murmured soothing words. ‘I know, I know.’ After a moment she brought him a cup of hot wine, and he drank it slowly and stared into the fire. He had Aymer’s cloak with him, and he smoothed it under his hands. ‘He asked while he could still speak for his heart to be removed, taken to Winchester and laid to rest in the cathedral that was his by right. I shall see to it; that is my duty, and the least I can do for him.’
‘I can think of nothing more fitting,’ she said. ‘He was a good man despite what many have said about him, and God has a fine servant beside him. Let that be your comfort now. You should go to bed and sleep for a little, if you can, and when you wake, we can begin organising all that must be done.’
‘Ah, Joanna,’ he said, pulling her close, ‘the world was a fine place when I had a cloak of innocence to cover me, but now I am threadbare.’
‘No,’ she said softly, ‘now you have a different cloak, that is all – one of experience, and it better protects you in the world you inhabit now. Everything changes. Water weathers stone, and stone grinds the ear of corn into flour, and flour becomes bread.’ She stroked his hair, and thought of the brother she had lost suddenly to sickness when he was little more than a boy. ‘Truly, I understand.’
‘Sensible Joanna,’ he said, and kissed her. ‘But you are wrong, for you never change – not for me. I will go to bed, but come with me. I need to hold you close.’
35
Rochester Castle, Kent, April 1261
Kneeling at Queen Alienor’s feet, Joanna made her obeisance.
‘Welcome home.’ Alienor kissed Joanna’s cheek, displaying more warmth than during their previous encounter over two years ago. ‘I am delighted that your husband has made his peace and returned to us.’ She gestured for Joanna to sit on a stool at her side.
‘I too, madam,’ Joanna said. ‘I have missed England and the court.’ She was not so sure about the peace. William had sworn at Dover to agree to the terms of the Provisions of Oxford, and to answer those who had claims against him, but it was mere lip service. Henry had succeeded in overturning the provisions in February by means of a papal decree, which Aymer, in the months before his death, had helped to obtain. William now had to navigate a careful path through the murky gutters of court politics. They also had their lands to repair following the depredations of their enemies.
Alienor indicated Joanna’s right hand. ‘I see you still have the ring I gave you.’
‘Yes, madam.’ Joanna stretched out her fingers and the ruby gleamed like a dot of blood. ‘I remembered what you said to me on the day I left and I have always borne your words in mind – and I am glad to wear it now, returning to you.’
Alienor’s expression softened. ‘We may have had our differences, but I have regretted our estrangement. Still, I do not expect you will be staying at court?’
‘Not unless you command it of me, madam,’ Joanna replied, thinking that the rapprochement was still tepid, otherwise the Queen would have insisted on her attendance. ‘I have my estates to put in order.’
Alienor graciously inclined her head. ‘I was sorry to hear about the death of your brother-by-marriage, and so sudden.’
‘Yes, madam, it was a shock to us all.’ Joanna kept her tone neutral, and lowered her gaze. ‘We are going to Winchester when we have completed our obligations here, to pray for Aymer’s soul and bury his heart in the cathedral, as was his wish.’
‘Indeed,’ the Queen murmured, her tone making it clear that she had no desire to take the matter further than platitudes. ‘But I hope you will return to us for the Feast of St Edward.’
‘Of course, madam.’
They would never regain their earlier rapport, but at least they had weathered the storm. Perhaps the Queen believed she had broken the bond between William, Henry and Edward, and that William had been suitably warned and punished by his time in exile. Besides, too, she needed William back in England as a counterbalance to Simon de Montfort and the baronial reform party.
‘Good. I admire your resourcefulness. Your husband has a treasure in you second to none.’
Joanna did lift her gaze to the Queen’s then, for the word ‘treasure’ had been spoken with deliberate emphasis. Alienor’s expression held knowing and grudging respect.
‘You have my leave to go,’ she said, ‘and my blessing.’
Joanna made her escape, relieved, almost euphoric, but still tense. It was like a chess game where she had made all the right moves so far, but one slip would mean her destruction. She had time to take a breath, but she dared not drop her guard.
Joanna was packing for Winchester next day when Leonora came to see her. ‘I hope all goes well for you,’ Leonora said, ‘and that your estates have not suffered too greatly in your absence.’
‘The King has promised his aid, and we are to be reimbursed from the treasure at the Temple for what went missing while we were gone,’ Joanna said. ‘He is also giving us some oaks from his forest so we can continue building at Goodrich and Sutton.’
‘Edward and I are returning to Gascony for a few months.’
‘So I have heard.’ Joanna folded a shirt. She could have left it to her maids, but the task gave her a sense of orderly satisfaction and it soothed her, especially when the linen was freshly laundered.
‘I think I may be with child,’ Leonora said after a moment, and blushed. ‘I am not certain yet, but each day makes it more likely.’
