The Autumn Throne Read Online Free

presence.
    This morning Henry had gone hunting with their sons, at pains to show her the hearty masculine rapport that existed between them.
See, they are mine. You tried to take them from me and you did not succeed.
That was the version he was vigorouslypromoting, but while it hurt like a ripped fingernail, she did not believe him.
    Joanna and her de Warenne cousins were occupied with small embroidery projects of their own, as were Harry’s young wife Marguerite and her mousy-haired sister Alais who was betrothed to Richard. Constance of Brittany, Geoffrey’s future wife, was reading to the women from a bestiary, and had just informed them, grimacing, that camels would rather drink dirty water than clean, stirring it up with their feet to create slime.
    ‘Did you see camels when you went to the Holy Land, Mama?’ Joanna asked. ‘Did they do that?’
    ‘Not that I noticed,’ Alienor replied. ‘You must remember that not everything learned men write is the truth. I rode a camel once in Jerusalem. Louis was horrified at the impropriety, but that did not stop me.’
    Joanna’s eyes widened. ‘What was it like?’
    ‘Sore.’ Alienor made a face. ‘And I felt sea-sick. They are taller than horses so you can see further, but they are not as sure-footed, nor do they respond as swiftly to commands. A fast Arabian courser though – ah, now that is different.’ Her eyes lit up at the memory. ‘Louis disapproved of that too. He hated to see his wife racing about the desert on a horse as fast as the wind. I suspect he thought I might run away from him – hah, and he was probably right! I wish I had an Arabian horse now, or even a camel; but then if wishes were horses, I would have been in Poitiers, in my own hall, long ago.’
    Isabel gently touched Alienor’s hand and gave her a sympathetic look that nevertheless held a warning.
    ‘Concerning the eagle,’ Constance’s light voice continued, ‘it is known that when the eagle is old, it becomes young again in a strange manner. When its eyes are darkened and its wings are heavy with age, it seeks out a fountain, crystal and pure, where the water bubbles up and shines in the clear sunlight. Above this fountain it rises high up into the air, and fixes its eyes upon the light of the sun and gazes upon it until the heat thereof sets on fire its eyes and wings. Then it descends intothe fountain where the water is clearest and brightest, and plunges and bathes three times, until it is fresh and renewed and healed of its old age.’
    Alienor’s eyes stung with tears. If only it were as simple as that.
    The reading was rudely interrupted by Henry who swept into the chamber from his morning hunt, all fiery with the energy of the chase. Mud stained his boots; there was a tear in his cloak and twigs in his hat. Alienor could smell his sweat. There was no sign of their sons, and Henry was minus attendants. Her heart started to pound. So now they came to it, the moment of barter.
    He tossed his hat and cloak to a duty squire, dismissing the youth at the same time, and approached the embrasure. ‘Leave, all of you,’ he commanded with a brusque wave of his hand. ‘I wish to speak with the Queen in private.’
    ‘I want to stay.’ Pouting, Joanna leaned against Alienor.
    ‘Want all you wish, but do as I say,’ Henry said shortly. ‘This conversation is not for you.’
    ‘Come, Joanna,’ Isabel cajoled, ‘I need to sort through my jewel casket and you and Belle can help me.’
    Joanna gave her father a swift look that was almost a glare but, unable to resist the lure of her aunt’s jewels, flounced him a curtsey and departed with Isabel.
    Henry hissed through his teeth. ‘Daughters,’ he muttered as he sat in the place Isabel had vacated.
    Alienor picked up her sewing. ‘It is to be expected. She is reaching an age when she understands a great deal.’
    ‘She is also reaching an age when she needs to behave with dignity and decorum,’ he said irritably, ‘and to