‘I meant what I said a moment ago,’ he said quietly. ‘I swear I will honour and protect you, and treat you with respect.’
She inclined her head. ‘I meant what I said too.’
He drew her to the window, and she was stiff, knowing how avidly they were being observed. ‘Will you tell me about your family?’ he said.
Henry would have informed him of her circumstances, but William’s request and the genuine interest in his eyes helped to ease her tension and it was a step more intimate than talking about the weather. However, she had no wish to dwell on her parents, or the death of her brother. ‘My grandsire had ten children,’ she said, ‘so I have many cousins. I do not know all of them well, but John is dear to me.’ She gestured towards John de Warenne who was talking to Aliza and the Queen.
‘John has already become a good friend,’ he replied. ‘I know your grandsire was lord of Pembroke, and his tenure was through his wife, as mine shall be, so I am following tradition. I hear he had a reputation as one of the greatest tourneyers of his day.’
‘I believe so.’ Joanna noted the gleam in his eyes. ‘Do you tourney?’
‘When I have the opportunity. I would enjoy proving my valour in your honour.’
She tried not to think about what had happened to her uncle Gilbert.
‘Have you ever been to Pembroke?’
Joanna shook her head. ‘I grew up at Swanscombe and then at court. My lands and affairs are being managed for me while I am the King’s ward, but I should like to see them.’
He nodded. ‘You should know what you have beyond names in a ledger. You need to know who you employ and that you have their loyalty.’
‘I speak often with my lawyers and stewards,’ she said. ‘I would not have you think I am ignorant of my lands. I know what is mine.’
His ears reddened again. ‘Indeed not, I would never think that, but I would like us to view them together when we have the time and to see for ourselves. Then it becomes real.’
‘I would like that too.’ She met his eyes briefly before looking down. They were the colour of field flints but clearer and brighter.
‘Then we are already of one mind.’
He had to take his leave then with the other men, because both the King and Queen had other appointments and duties. William bowed over Joanna’s hand again. ‘Perhaps I shall see you in the hall later – with the Queen’s permission.’
Joanna curtseyed. ‘Perhaps,’ she answered with a demure smile.
He withdrew gracefully, backing from the room with a flourish. Joanna shivered when he had gone and sudden tears pricked her eyes as she released the emotion she had been holding at bay.
The Queen came and enfolded her in a warm hug. ‘Come, come, my dear, this is a happy occasion. You must not be upset.’
Cross with herself, Joanna wiped her tears. ‘I am not upset, madam. It is just that everything is so changed. I came to court after you and the King granted that favour to my father following my mother’s death. I had no fortune and I imagined a very different future for myself from this.’ She swallowed, her throat aching. ‘You and the King have been my family and my solace. I have no other duty. I take on this marriage willingly and with gratitude.’
The Queen’s expression softened. ‘Bless you, child, and I hope this will be a good match for both of you. That is a very beautiful ring.’
Joanna looked down at the sky-blue flower set in delicate gold. ‘Yes, it is,’ she said.
Alienor’s lips curved in a mischievous smile. ‘Would I be right in suspecting you might already have given him your heart?’
A reply was beyond her. Had she given her heart? Was that the reason for the hollow hunger she felt inside? Or was it fear and trepidation?
The Queen laughed softly. ‘Ah, you will know soon enough. Everyone gives their heart in their own way and you will do it as only you can, with courage and honesty. I admit I am looking forward, with your help, to bringing your young man into my fold.’
Joanna blushed again at the notion of William de Valence being ‘her’ young man. ‘I hope not to disappoint you, madam.’ ‘I know you will not,’ the Queen said with a meaningful smile. ‘Indeed, Joanna, I am counting on you.’
William breathed out and let his tension go as the door to the Queen’s chamber closed behind them. He could still hardly believe that he was going to marry the blushing, beautiful young heiress to whom he had bent the knee barely an hour since, and he wondered with self-doubt if he was up to the task. Joanna might be sweet and shy and delightful, but the women surrounding her were more daunting prospects. The formidable Cecily de Sandford had stared at him like a mother hen protecting a particularly delectable chick from the fox, and his half-sister Eleanor de Montfort had eyed him with near-contempt, as if he were an impostor wearing borrowed clothes to cover rags. The Queen had been warmly accepting on the surface, but she had been weighing him in the balance nevertheless. Even his own sister had been glued to his every move.
‘Well done, my boy!’ Henry declared, cupping William’s shoulder, his eyes bright with pleasure. ‘Our mother would have approved. You are precious to me because of her, but also because of yourself.’
William was unsure how to respond to Henry’s emotion. His softness was a constant surprise and not quite how he envisaged the estate of manhood or kingship. ‘I will strive to serve you honourably all my days,’ he said diplomatically.
‘I do not doubt it – and it was one of the reasons I asked you to come to England.’ Henry smiled wryly. ‘Affinities are stronger when the ties of loyalty and duty are bound by affection and blood. I am not as fond or foolish as some would have me.’
