The Courts of Love: The Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine Read Online Free Page B

gross Louis became so reconciled to each other it is hard to say, but the fact is that Louis has persuaded Bernard to stand for Innocent; and that means that he will win the whole of Europe to his side with his honeyed words.”
    “So this matter will be settled then?”
    “What I am telling you is that there are some who still stand for Anacletus and your father is one of them.”
    “Is that why he is so troubled lately?”
    “It may well be.”
    “Why should we in Aquitaine be bothered by what is happening in Rome?”
    “What happens in the world affects us all. Does your father talk to you of these matters?”
    “Of some. He did not talk of this.”
    “I would guess that it is because it weighs heavily on his mind.”
    “What is Anacletus to him?”
    “It is hard sometimes for people to change a course when they have set out on it.”
    I knew what he meant. My father was a stubborn man and he would often cling to a decision because he had made it even when he discovered it could do him harm. He had an innate pride which would not let him do otherwise.
    Raymond was smiling at me. “Why do I talk to you so?” he said. “Eleanor, there are times when I forget you are so young.”
    “Then go on forgetting,” I begged him.
    He took my face in his hands and kissed me gently. I flung my arms about his neck and cried: “Do not go away. Stay here at our Court.”
    He sighed. “I would that I could!” he said.
    “Why not?” I demanded. “You are seeking your fortune. Why not do it here?”
    He laughed. “What a glorious prospect! Every day to be with Eleanor. Ah, the temptation is great. Tell me this, little wise one, why are the best things in life so often out of reach?”
    “The clever ones stretch out far enough to reach them,” I replied.
    Then he took me in his arms and held me tightly against him. I was deeply stirred, and if I could have shut out of my mind the knowledge that he would soon be going away, that could have been the happiest moment I had ever known.
    But he released me and said he must leave me. He had much to do and he must prepare for his departure and not delay too long or King Henry would have forgotten his invitation, and that would be another lost chance.
    When he went away, I was sad for a long time.
             
    The conflict between the Popes dominated the country. From what I could gather, we stood apart, for now that the King of France had persuaded Bernard to give his approval to Innocent, it seemed the whole world followed him. Bernard only had to appear with his spare, emaciated figure and his loud condemnation of sin, for people to know that they were in the presence of a saint. They immediately followed him—all except my father.
    “I will not be told what to do by this man just because he tortures his body and talks like a fanatic,” declared my father. “I will go my own way.”
    I was a little alarmed for him. To my way of thinking it was of little importance to us which Pope ruled. They were all the same, all in search of the same thing: self-aggrandizement, power.
    But my father was stubborn. When an invitation came for him to meet Bernard at the Abbey Montierneuf, he refused to go at first. It was only when he was advised that this was a dangerous attitude to take, for the King of France was firmly behind Bernard as was most of Europe, that he finally decided to go.
    I wanted to accompany him. I should have loved to see the celebrated Bernard.
    Of course I was not allowed to, and when he did come back I was amazed to see how chastened he was.
    “There is something about the man,” he admitted. “Something spiritual.”
    “Have you promised to withdraw your support from Anacletus?” I asked him.
    “I was bemused by him,” he admitted. “One really did feel that one was in the presence of a saint.”
    Now, I thought, all will be well. This silly business will be settled. We shall be at peace with our neighbors. Raymond would have said this was the