In the early morning, before they went about their daily duties, they lay in each other’s arms, having made love again with leisurely affection. Edward gently stroked Philippa’s wide belly with its silvery striations, tracking the evidence of the ten children she had carried in her womb. She watched the slow movement of his hand, and returned the compliment, gently tugging on the stripe of hair that ran down his navel into the bush at his groin.
‘I have been meaning to talk to you about something else,’ she said.
‘Oh yes?’ Edward’s tone was warily amused. They both knew the game, and the penances involved.
‘About many things,’ Philippa said, ‘but one in particular because it worries my conscience.’
‘And what would that be?’
‘The matter of Jeanette of Kent’s marriage to William Montagu.’
‘Oh that,’ he said, and the amusement left his voice, like the sun vanishing behind a cloud.
‘Yes, that. Your son says that William is not content with the match, and Jeanette is insisting she was married to Thomas Holland, and forced by her mother and the Montagus into a marriage with young William. She won’t reconcile herself to her circumstances. In hindsight, we should never have promoted the match, even if it seemed a good opportunity to do a friend a favour, and even if we knew nothing about Thomas Holland’s claim then. Indeed, we do not officially know even now. It has all been hearsay and gossip behind curtains and tapestries – but it exists nonetheless.’
She felt the tension creeping into his body. ‘I do not see what we can do about it.’
‘Do you not? I can tell you a way, and it is one you may have been avoiding – perhaps as a result of pillow persuasion?’
‘I am not sure I know what you mean,’ Edward said stiffly.
Philippa gave a swift tug on the hair stripe running to his groin, but then moved her hand to soothe and venture lower. ‘You need to speak with Thomas Holland,’ she said. ‘You have Raoul de Brienne’s ransom to agree. Our son tells me you have been promising to do so, but avoiding the matter. We owe the Holland brothers a debt for their skills on this campaign, be it in battle or ensuring supplies and command. It will be some timebefore William Montagu will be of service to you, but you could be using Holland now by raising his status. Give him sufficient funds to at least have his case heard. That would be fair and just.’
Edward made a dubious sound.
‘Look at the weights in the scales,’ Philippa persisted. ‘William is still in wardship. You need not abandon him, but we should set this thing to rights and make it certain, whichever way it is adjudged.’
‘That girl has caused so much trouble,’ Edward said irritably. ‘If she and Holland had not overstepped the boundaries in Flanders, none of this would have happened.’
‘If they overstepped the boundaries, then what of the Countess of Salisbury?’ Philippa retorted. ‘Her exploitation of your weakness notwithstanding, she was responsible for Jeanette in Flanders and her lack of care permitted that relationship to flourish. Thomas Holland was led by his loins like so many men, but both he and Jeanette have been steadfast in their intent. Who are we to stand in their way?’
Edward looked away for a moment, his face flushing with chagrin and exasperation. He turned back to her. ‘How much do you think Thomas Holland should be given for this ransom?’
‘We can talk about that tonight,’ Philippa said, ‘and you should send Katerine from court. There is no reason for her to be here. Her son has able servants to run his own household. I do not want her among my waiting women, and I am sure she has business to conduct in England now she is a widow.’ Her voice was steely. ‘That is what I want, more than gifts and promises.’
‘Then you shall have it,’ Edward replied. ‘For I had no wish to hurt you, and I want us to be as we were.’
‘So do I,’ Philippa said.
They kissed again, and she smiled against his mouth.
24
Calais, Normandy, March 1347
Stiff with tension, Thomas knelt before the King in his private chamber. Edward was richly garbed in crimson velvet and gold. A hat of jewelled black velvet sat at an angle on his head. His right hand, adorned with several jewelled rings, drummed lightly on the arm of his carved chair. He commanded Thomas to rise and directed him to a small padded seat at his side.
Thomas swallowed. He had been waiting since well before Christmas for this summons. The Prince had been optimistic that it would happen, but Thomas had barely seen Jeanette, who continued to be closely chaperoned by the Salisbury women. When he did catch a glimpse of her, she was wan and pale, dressed in heavy garments that dragged her down, and so closely guarded that he had not managed to speak to her. Now the moment was in his hands like a set of reins, but with the sensation that they were slipping through his fingers and this was his last opportunity to seize and hold on. He had decided with advice from the Prince that the way to approach the King was to make the matter a general plea and not mention the marriage.
‘Sire, thank you for granting me this audience,’ he said.
‘Indeed,’ Edward replied, and his eyes were calculating, and held no warmth. ‘Decisions have to be made, and I admit I have neglected this piece of business while dealing with other matters. I know you have been waiting for some time, but you shall wait no longer.’
Thomas straightened his shoulders. ‘Thank you, sire. I ask you to facilitate the ransom of Raoul de Brienne, who has been in my personal custody since he surrendered himself to me at Caen. I have served you with loyalty throughout this campaign. Although I have incurred considerable expenses, I have only kept enough booty to support myself and pay my men. I have taken no liberties, but turned over the bulk to your household. However, I find myself beset by requirements beyond the reach of my purse.’
The King’s fingers continued to beat on the chair, but he nodded. ‘Go on.’
Thomas drew a deep breath. ‘Therefore, I call upon your generosity, your fairness and renowned wisdom to make a ransom agreement with me in the matter of Raoul de Brienne, according not only to prowess, but to need, and pray you might see your way to helping me with that need.’ Bowing his head, he set his right hand to his heart.
