The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [215]
“I do not intend to go his way. I shall be able to fight for my kingdom if necessary.”
“But it must not be necessary. Richard, I must go back. For your sake I must watch over England and Normandy and the rest of the provinces.”
“If you were there, I should know all was well.”
I sighed. “I had wished to see you married.”
“After Lent, dear Mother.”
“Will you promise me that you will marry Berengaria as soon as Lent is over? We cannot have her here like this . . . unmarried. Sancho will take offense.”
“I promise.”
I was relieved. I knew he would keep his promise.
“You will be leaving ere long,” I said. “Joanna can act as companion to Berengaria. It will be better that the two of them are together.”
“It shall be.”
“John and Longchamp are bickering together. Longchamp was not a good choice, Richard.”
“Perhaps not. But . . .”
“I know. He paid a good price for the post.” I shook my head. “This crusade is an obsession with you, Richard. I hope it does not destroy you.”
“Destroy me! My dear Mother, I am going to free Jerusalem for the glory of God.”
“It may be necessary to curb Longchamp. Have I your authority to deal as I think fit with them all?”
“You have.”
“And Geoffrey the Bastard? He is a good man. I believe John is trying to win him to his side. He should have the See of York. Your father always meant him to. I want to do all I can to get him installed in the post.”
“Do as you think fit. I know that will be the wisest and best for me. You have my complete trust.”
“And I have your word that the marriage will take place as soon as Lent is over?”
“You have.”
“Then I must return.”
I said a fond farewell to Richard.
“My heart goes with you,” I said. “And I long for the day when I shall see you again.”
He replied that he would think of me and he placed the care of his kingdom in my hands because I was the one whom he loved and esteemed beyond all others.
I was gratified, honored and touched, but I wished he had shown a little more enthusiasm for his marriage with Berengaria.
It was a sad parting with Joanna. “Such a brief meeting,” I said, “after all these years. Sometimes I wish I had been born in humble circumstances so that I could have my family about me.” I kissed her tenderly. I went on: “Take care of Berengaria. She needs your care. She will soon be your sister in truth, for the marriage with Richard is going to take place as soon as Lent is over.”
Joanna was wise and worldly. She understood that Richard was not eager for marriage and she was quite fond of Berengaria in a protective kind of way. I was glad of that.
Berengaria clung to me. She adored Richard and was happy at the prospect of marrying him, but she was a little afraid of him. He was not exactly an ardent lover, although always courteous to her in a detached way. She was proud of him because everywhere he went people deferred to him; there could never have been a doubt that he was the leader of them all. But I daresay she wished he would have shown a little tenderness toward her.
However, I must leave them. But for the urgent need to get Richard married I should not be here now. I was deeply worried about John and the incompetence of Longchamp; and in such a mood I set out on the long journey back.
When I arrived in Rome, I was received by Pope Celestine III, who was gracious and helpful over the See of York. He agreed with me that, as it had been the wish of the late King that his son Geoffrey should have it, illegitimate though he was, this should be done. I did explain that Geoffrey had always been treated as a member of the family and brought up in the royal nursery; he had been a good and faithful son and was with his father at his death.
“Then he is your Archbishop of York,” said the Pope.
I was very tired and feeling my age. But I had achieved a great deal. I had taken Berengaria to Richard and he had given his word that he would marry her. I did not believe he would break