William smiled at John. ‘Anyone you can recommend?’
‘I would not presume to pre-empt the King,’ John answered neutrally. ‘I am sure whoever he chooses will suit you well.’
‘But you must have some notion.’
John shook his head, refusing to be drawn, for which William respected him. The thought of wedding an unknown heiress constricted his chest and he had to gallop Neddy again to work off his tension.
People were assembling to dine in the Queen’s chambers and savoury aromas wafted as valets hurried to and from the kitchens bearing bread and dishes of meat and sauces, pottage, rabbits and salmon. Joanna had been coaxing a tired and fractious Edmund. His nurse had a heavy cold and Joanna and Cecily had been caring for him for the day.
Crossing the room, William de Valence diverted to pull out the bench for her and Cecily to sit down at the trestle. ‘Ladies,’ he said with a bow and a smile. ‘Who is this little one?’
‘The lord Edmund,’ Joanna replied, ‘the King’s youngest son. His nurse is unwell and I am caring for him today.’
‘So, this is my youngest nephew?’ William stroked Edmund’s cheek. ‘I can see my lady mother in him for sure, and he has our family chin.’
‘I am sure he will be very well pleased if that is the case,’ Joanna replied politely.
He bowed and moved on.
‘An interesting young man,’ Cecily said. It was not entirely a compliment.
‘Why do you say that?’ Joanna fussed with Edmund to settle her tension.
‘He is the King’s brother, and handsome to be sure. His smile is fine coinage and he has a way with courtesy and the easy remark.’
‘You do not like him?’ Joanna looked at the King’s table, where William had engaged Henry in conversation. Both men were smiling.
Cecily shook her head. ‘I do not know him, but what lies on the surface is not always the same as what you will find beneath, as you should know by now if you have listened to anything I have taught you. I reserve my judgement. He is barely out of boyhood. Girls are always swifter to mature. Which reminds me, did that official from the chancery speak to you today about the division of your uncle’s lands among the heirs?’
Joanna nodded. ‘Yes, the documents are with the treasury, and he is speaking with my lawyers later.’ She made a face. ‘Settling an inheritance seems to me like untangling a huge knot of embroidery threads where more keeps being added and pulled tighter. And I have to write to the steward at Goodrich about the wool clip and decide with his advice how much to keep and how much to sell.’
‘You have learned from your lessons in estate management,’ Cecily said equably. ‘Now is the time to put it all into practice.’
‘Yes.’Although apprehensive, Joanna felt a frisson of excitement at making decisions about her land and her property. It was a reaching out, an awakening of power.
Following the meal there was dancing. Joanna watched and cuddled a sleepy Edmund in her lap. All of the Lusignan brothers were fine dancers, even Aymer the bishop in training. William in particular had the grace of a cat. Aliza shone like a jewel, catching many a young man’s eye.
‘Go and join them,’ Sybil Giffard said, taking Edmund from Joanna. ‘We will look after him.’
Almost reluctantly, Joanna handed Edmund to Sybil, for his warm weight was a security, keeping her safe on the river bank rather than joining the flow. As she started to rise, a laughing Aliza darted over, grasped her hand and tugged her to the floor where a new carol-dance was about to start. ‘You should dance every opportunity you have,’ Aliza cried. ‘You can sit in the shadows when you are an old woman and your legs will no longer do your bidding!’
‘I thought you were considering becoming a nun,’ Joanna said with amusement.
‘Do you not think that nuns dance too?’ Aliza tossed her head and pulled Joanna into the circle.
Once she became involved in the movements, creating chains and patterns, heel and toe and heel and turn, Joanna began enjoying herself. She danced round the King who smiled at her, and then the Queen, who was laughing like a girl. Next came her cousin John, followed by Aliza, and then William de Valence. They bowed and wove forward and back, with a fleeting moment of eye contact, a half smile and a swift hand-clasp before moving on. No words were spoken, but Joanna experienced a brief frisson as their fingers touched.
When the dancing finished, William and John retired to a table to play a game of chequers. Edward joined them, leaning on William’s shoulder to watch the moves. William said something and affectionately tousled Edward’s thick blond hair. Joanna observed from her bench across the room with the women and thought that the presence of the de Lusignans had certainly enlivened and refreshed the court.
Next day the entire court went out riding in the park, taking hawks and hounds. William still lacked a horse, but Henry gave him a fine black palfrey with a white star from the royal stables. ‘I know you want to choose your own horses,’ he said, benevolently, ‘but Nuit here will tide you over for now and you may keep him or sell him on as you choose.’
‘Thank you, sire,’ William said, delighted by his good fortune. ‘I am honoured by your generosity.’
‘You are my brother,’ Henry replied. ‘Your presence alone does me more good than you can know – you mend my family and my heart.’
William was unsure how to respond as he caught a suspicion of tears in Henry’s eyes. ‘Sire, we are all grateful to be here,’ he said awkwardly. ‘We never thought to receive the welcome you have bestowed.’
Henry waved his hand in negation. ‘Our mother would have wanted us to be close, and by taking care of you, I respect her memory. I could not do it without you.’
