Joanna could only stare at him. His words had taken her breath in shock, for although she had known this moment would come, she had not imagined it would happen so suddenly, like this. Between pushing up her sleeves and rolling them down, her life had changed.
Henry’s eyes twinkled. ‘Do not worry, I have chosen wisely. I have known you since you were a child serving at the Queen’s hearth. You shall have your heart’s desire and you shall be my sister-by-marriage – is that not a fine thing?’
Joanna’s mind was solid, like a wedged door. The King watched her with kindly amusement, and the Queen with quizzical interest. ‘Thank you, my liege lord,’ she managed in a constricted voice. ‘I am … I am honoured you should think of me with such diligence.’ She was overwhelmed and struggling. ‘I beg your leave, I am sorry!’ She stood up, mangled a curtsey in Henry’s direction, and fled.
Seeking refuge, she ran into the Queen’s wardrobe chamber, closed the door, and leaned against it. Surrounded by rich fabrics, furs, bags and chests, she put her face in her hands and fought for breath. She had known ever since Iohan’s death that she would be married. She was a wealthy heiress, seventeen now, which was old for a daughter of the nobility to wed; but even so she was not ready. Everything was turning and changing and she could do nothing to prevent it. No longer would she sleep with the Queen’s ladies, except on rare occasions. She would have her own household and would have to accommodate the tastes, ways and habits of a young male she barely knew.
William de Valence seemed pleasant enough, but he was not even knighted yet, and she had been expecting the King to present her with a husband of staid experience. How could someone who was a younger son barely older than herself administer a household and a barony? He was not qualified in military matters, diplomacy or in running estates. How could he be a safe pair of hands? But he was the King’s brother, which meant he would be in line for privilege and preferment. She would remain close to the royal family and doubtless they would live at court. She would always have the King’s protection.
They would have a marriage bed. Her mind darted to what happened in a bed beyond sleeping and she almost whimpered, but then pressed her lips firmly together. This would not do at all. She must be resilient and strong. She could not be ‘little Joanna’ for she would not survive.
There was a knock on the door. Swallowing, wiping her eyes, Joanna opened it and then dropped in a curtsey as the Queen entered, followed by a servant bearing a tray with a flagon and cups, which she put on a chest before withdrawing.
‘I am sorry, madam,’ Joanna said in a stricken voice. ‘I should not have run away – it was inexcusable.’
The Queen waved away Joanna’s apology and drew her to her feet. ‘I do not blame you; I blame that foolish husband of mine. I am as surprised as you are, for the King told me nothing of his intent either until now. Here, let’s dry those tears. All women come to this moment.’ She wiped Joanna’s eyes with a square of linen purloined from one of the fabric shelves, and directed her to pour wine. ‘I know you must be shocked at having this announcement sprung on you, but it is not so bad. The King acted from the best of intentions.’
Joanna swallowed. ‘I do not want to leave you or the King,’ she said from the place of the ‘little’ Joanna.
Alienor took the cup from Joanna’s hand. ‘Ah no, you shall not, save for small morsels of time. You will still be part of our family and dear to us.’ An amused glint entered her eyes. ‘We shall have more children to fill the nursery, and how wonderful that will be.’
Rendered speechless, Joanna stared down at her drink, heat scorching her cheeks.
‘Come,’ Alienor said, ‘what do you think of him really? He is handsome and a good dancer, no? And strong legs for all that he is as lean as a hound.’
Joanna gave a silent nod, unable to make a full reply.
‘And what magnificent hair!’ Alienor continued, enjoying the moment. ‘It shows his vigour. He will give you many robust and handsome children, and they will bring you great happiness as mine have to me.’
Joanna gasped, and the Queen laughed at her embarrassment. ‘Just you wait and see! Of course, he is still a youth, and girls grow into women far sooner than boys become men, but no matter. You will do well together I am sure, and you may come to me and ask me anything – anything at all.’ She gave Joanna a meaningful look.
Joanna swallowed at the notion of approaching the Queen on any such matters of intimacy. ‘Does he know?’
Alienor shook her head. ‘The King has gone to tell him now. He wanted you to be first, and I am glad. Women should be put first by their menfolk more often, I think – we are eminently more sensible than they are.’ She beamed at Joanna. ‘We have a wedding to plan. Drink your wine and let us give the other ladies the glad tidings!’
Joanna did as she was bidden, and accompanied the Queen with her head high, although she was still numb with shock. Everything had changed in an instant, but adapting to the new reality was going to take much longer.
11
Royal Palace of Woodstock, May 1247
Standing outside the Queen’s chamber, feeling sick, William wiped his hands down his tunic, not wanting them to be clammy and create a bad impression. He had been at court barely a week and Henry’s swift decision in arranging a wealthy marriage for him was an unexpected push from the side. Joanna de Munchensy was a great heiress with lands throughout England, Wales and Ireland as her portion of the great Marshal inheritance. They had exchanged only a handful of words but would be husband and wife by midsummer. He had known from her status that she would be a strong candidate when it came to Henry’s choice, but receiving the news had still been a jolt. Henry could easily have given him money and other entitlements as an interim arrangement.
William turned to John de Warenne. ‘What shall I say to her?’ he demanded. ‘You are her cousin and know her best.’
‘I would not say I know her best – what male understands the mind of a woman?’ John replied wryly. ‘But she is clever and conscientious, and dutiful. Her tutor is Cecily de Sandford and she is formidable.’ He gave William a pitying look.
‘Is that supposed to reassure me?’ The elderly woman who chaperoned Joanna always looked at him in a way that made him feel threadbare and unworthy.
John flashed a dour smile. ‘Forewarned is forearmed. Just be open and tell her what is in your heart. Joanna values truth and honesty above all else, but she is susceptible to sweetmeats as most women are.’
William raised his brows. ‘Meaning?’
John shrugged nonchalantly. ‘Pay her compliments. No amount can be too many – spoken sincerely, of course. Joanna will not be taken in by flattery. Present her with some little gifts and fripperies. Women set great store by such things.’
William eyed him narrowly. John was younger than him, but either he had a wealth of living under his belt or he was repeating words he had heard from someone more experienced.
John frowned, and said more seriously, ‘Joanna is dearly loved by the King and Queen, but no one could have foreseen that so much wealth and status would come her way and change her destiny. Perhaps you would do well to honour her by seeing her as she truly is and praise her for it.’
