Edward trotted up on his pony. William noted that he rode remarkably well for his age. Henry was competent but lacked the enthusiasm of a born horseman. He clearly took great joy in the pleasure of others, but for him, this outing was of minor interest. Edward, however, showed off, galloping his mount in little surges of speed and watching William with alert eyes. Acknowledging the clue, William gave Edward a short race, allowing the boy to lead and encouraging him, holding his palfrey back to let Edward in front – ‘Go on, go on!’ – and then suddenly spurting out ahead of him, before slowing down, and finally manoeuvring the black back into place so that Edward now rode next to his father.
Henry looked quizzically at William.
‘I know what it is to be the youngest in a group and how a child can be overlooked by the adults, sire.’
Henry snorted, but regarded William with affection. ‘Edward will never be overlooked, and from now on, neither will you, but you are perceptive, and I am glad to see you already have a rapport with my boy.’
‘He is a fine young knight,’ William replied, experiencing a surge of anticipation at Henry’s words.
Edward puffed out his chest at the description. He was a little beside himself to have been winning, at least for a time, against his wonderful new uncle. ‘Are you good at tourneying?’ he asked William eagerly.
‘I train when I can, sire,’ William answered.
‘Are you going to train here, in England?’
‘In a while, when I have a horse – and it is for the King to say.’ He darted a glance to his royal half-brother whose lips had tightened at the mention of the word ‘tourney’.
‘We shall see,’ Henry replied in the tone of a parent kicking a request into the long grass. ‘There is much to accomplish first. I have plans in hand, my boy, never you fear.’
On returning from the ride in Woodstock Park, Henry sought solitude in his private chapel. Communing with God in beautiful surroundings always soothed his heart and soul. He had enjoyed the delight others derived from the exercise and it pleased him to please them, but he had little enthusiasm for it himself. His own pursuit was of beauty, of creating jewelled settings and perfect moments with everything smooth, orderly, and as rich as silk. All life should be expressed with beautiful dignity, especially the worship of God.
To him, reaching out to his half-siblings from the Limousin was like bringing fragments of his mother back into the family. Once trained, Aymer would enter the Church and become a bishop. Alienor’s uncle Boniface was Archbishop of Canterbury so she could hardly complain if he raised Aymer’s status. Guy would have money and resources for his crusade. Geoffrey would liaise between England and the Limousin, and Henry would give him money to support his endeavours. For Aliza he was considering a marriage that would suit both parties well, although he had yet to make the final decision.
Henry regarded his hands and twisted a ring on his finger. He had saved William for last in order to savour the moment. There was something very appealing about his youngest half-brother. He had handled Edward this morning with a perfect blend of good humour and courtesy, while demonstrating an ability to connect at Edward’s level.
Henry harboured a deep yearning to nurture William. His full brother Richard was close to his own age and shrewd and powerful. Richard would look at him in exasperation and cast his gaze to the ceiling if he thought Henry was being foolish, whereas with William, Henry could be the older, benevolent mentor, full of wisdom, kindness and largesse.
William needed a good marriage to set him up for life, and Henry knew exactly who to choose – a young woman of sense, practical and efficient like his own dear wife. She would keep William steady, and William would be grateful for such a magnificent gift and would not abuse it. He was bound to fall for her, for she was delightful as well as being a wealthy heiress. William would be enriched in all senses of the word and his bride would become part of his family by marriage.
Uttering a sigh of satisfaction, he rose from his knees and signed his breast, thanking God for helping him to think the matter through. It was all so wonderful – he felt like a gardener planting seeds.
Sleeves rolled up to her elbows, Joanna was helping the royal nurses to wash the children after they had finished their morning bread and milk. Edward, true to form, ran away and had to be caught, and he screwed up his face as she wiped his mouth with a cloth.
‘I don’t get dirty in the night,’ he protested. ‘I had to wash before I went to bed.’
‘But it honours God to wash in the morning,’ Joanna said firmly. ‘You are the oldest and should set a proper example to your brother and sisters. Come now, nearly done.’
Edward submitted, scowling but resigned. He had flashes of temper when there was no reaching him, but mostly, if a reason was framed in logical terms he would listen and at least digest what was said, even if he sometimes still chose to go his own way.
As soon as she released him, he ran off, leaving her to deal with Edmund, who lifted his face and giggled at her, a sunny, easy little boy. Task finished, Joanna rolled down her sleeves and prepared to join the Queen who was chatting animatedly over her needlework with Cecily and Sybil Giffard.
The King arrived, embroidered robes swishing and giving off the scent of incense. Apart from two attendants he was alone, when normally an entire troop of courtiers would follow in his train. He approached Alienor and made a courtly obeisance, before leading her aside to an empty embrasure, where they sat down to talk.
Joanna disposed of the washing water down a drain at the end of the room and finished tidying up.
‘Joanna, come here,’ the Queen called to her.
Joanna’s stomach lurched, for this too was unusual, and she wondered if she had done something wrong.
Henry smiled reassuringly and gestured at the cushioned seat beside the Queen. ‘Come, sit. I want to talk to you, my dear.’
Feeling tense, Joanna perched on the cushion and folded her hands in her lap.
Henry cleared his throat. ‘I would not have you think I have come to this lightly,’ he said. ‘But I have sought God’s help, and I am content that I have made the right decision.’
Joanna’s stomach continued to wobble. Henry was studying her with an expression compounded of mischief and pleasure. The Queen was smiling, but with slight irritation lining her brow.
Henry crossed one leg over the other, artfully displaying his red silk hose and an embroidered soft shoe. ‘As your sovereign and guardian of your welfare I have been pondering the matter of your marriage for some time, and I am delighted to tell you that my choice has fallen on my dear brother William de Valence. I believe he will suit you well – as I also believe you shall suit him.’
