*
Seated near the Queen, Aliza and Joanna were busy with their sewing and conversation. Aliza’s mind was largely focused upon John de Warenne, whom she was imminently to marry.
‘What colour do you think would suit him best for our wedding?’ Aliza asked.
‘Dark red for sure,’ Joanna answered, ‘with gold edging. He takes rich colours well.’
‘Yes, he does.’
Aliza sighed softly, and Joanna gave her a fond look, for she recognised the yearning and had it in her own heart, stomach and loins for William – although currently he, and the others, were foolishly indulging Edward as they played dice. The Queen had noticed and was not impressed.
There was a sudden flurry of action from the gaming board and with a gleeful yell Edward ducked away from William, the dice cup in his hand, and ran around a trestle where two scribes were playing chess.
‘Can’t catch me!’ Edward sang out, his eyes alight with mischief.
William pursued him but Edward was as lithe as a little monkey in the spaces between the tables. A cup of wine went flying and drenched someone’s expensive tunic. A dog joined in, barking and attacking ankles. Joanna put her hand to her mouth. The Queen sat up straight, her jaw taut with anger.
William finally caught up with Edward, his reach being longer, and after a bear-hug tussle removed the shaker from his hand. The dice went flying and landed on the floor.
‘Hah!’ cried Edward. ‘Two sixes, I win, I win!’ He capered, waving his fist in the air.
William stooped to pick up the dice and shook his head, although he was laughing. ‘Sire, I concede you the victory,’ he said, ‘but I believe you are summoned elsewhere.’
Edward’s face fell as he beheld Walter Dya, the master of the boys in the royal household. ‘Sire, your lady mother says it is time that you retired but she wishes to speak with you first – you also, sire,’ he added to William.
Joanna watched Edward and William approach the King and Queen, looking sheepish, but eyeing each other sidelong like fellow conspirators. She was mortified, for this was not the way she had envisaged her husband being singled out for royal attention.
The Queen fixed Edward with a stern gaze. ‘One day you will rule over all these people in the hall as your father rules now and this unseemliness is not the behaviour of a future king. If you cannot behave in a civilised fashion in company, you shall have to stay in the nursery with the little ones. Is that understood?’
Mutiny filled Edward’s eyes, but tempered by calculation. ‘Yes, my lady mother,’ he said. ‘I am sorry.’
‘I hope you are. Now, come kiss me; it is time you retired.’
Edward dutifully kissed her cheek, the same to his father, and departed with Master Dya, but threw a look over his shoulder at William on the way. ‘Will you take me riding tomorrow?’ he asked with an irrepressible grin.
‘If your lady mother permits, sire,’ William replied, bowing.
Joanna thought it highly unlikely.
The Queen turned her attention and her wrath on William. ‘My son is eight years old and I do not expect such conduct from him in the hall, but you do not have the excuse of childhood to defend your behaviour. We are doing our best to make a king of him and you are encouraging him to act in unruly ways. I will not tolerate such wild pranks.’
William bowed again. ‘I apologise, madam, I did not think, or if I did, it was of my childhood days with my brothers. I intended no malice.’ He flicked a glance at Henry, but the King said nothing, content to let Alienor deal with the matter. ‘I should have come to you to ask you to intervene.’
‘That would have been the better plan,’ she said frostily. ‘I shall pay my own heed to this incident and keep him away from your gaming in future.’
‘I will strive not to let such a thing happen again,’ William said. ‘I am truly sorry.’ He gave her a beseeching look from under his curls.
‘Make sure you do not. You are a grown man, a married one with responsibilities, and soon to be knighted. The time for unruly behaviour is over.’
‘It got out of hand,’ William said to Joanna as they lay in bed. ‘Edward was bored and snatched the dice shaker. What could I do?’
Joanna shook her head. ‘The Queen is right. You should have considered how it would look to others. You are the King’s brother. People will not listen to you in counsel if they see you behaving like a child.’
He tossed his head irritably and turned on to his back.
‘It reflects on me too,’ Joanna continued. ‘People will see you as a bad influence and blame me for not holding you to reason. In God’s name, William, think before you act or speak.’
‘I do not need a lecture,’ he said, sulky because he had been looking for support.
