Читать книгу In The Shadow - Анна Морион - Страница 3

– You must greet them in such a manner that they will then recognise your face in the thousands of others. It is said that since the King's infatuation with Anne Boleyn, he, and his wife… How shall I say it softer… He has not been to her bedchamber for two years and spends all his time with his favourite…" Lady Gilda Norton said in a loud whisper as she helped her daughter change her wet dress into a magnificent, newly made, blue silk gown adorned with white pearls.

– Tighten the kirtle, mother… Yes, that's it, my waist should be as thin as a butterfly's waist and my breasts high and full of nectar," Alienor interrupted her mother: while Lady Gilda was dressing her to attract the attention of royalty, the girl was carefully combing her wet hair with a wide wooden comb. Fortunately, the hot fire of the fireplace by which the ladies were standing was able to dry Alienor's white curls almost completely. – But you are right, mother: all England knows about His Majesty's infatuation with Lady Anne Boleyn… What is there to know! All of Europe! The Queen's nephew must be furious, knowing the disdain in which her husband and half the royal court treat her!

– Not only him, but the whole of Spain is buzzing like a beehive! Henry had never missed an opportunity to bed young beauties before, but always returned to Catherine. But Anne Boleyn is different. She's been poisoning his mind for years now, and it's unheard of! He's never held on to the hem of the same lady's dress for so long.

– Then there is something special about this woman," Alienor concluded in a deep voice. – I do not pity the Queen one bit: she is older than Henry, and she has not brought him an heir, and he needs one. Not only the King needs him, but all England needs him!

– Hush, my love, keep your tongue! – hissed at her daughter Lady Norton and pulled so hard on the lacing of the kirtle that she even exhaled – so tight it was tightened. – Catherine is a great woman! Her parents are Isabella and Ferdinand! When she was young, Henry was delighted with her beauty and married her, despite neither the warning of his stern grandmother nor the displeasure of the court…

– You said it yourself, Mother: "When she was young!" – giggled the girl, setting aside her comb and straightening the folds in the hem of her rich dress.

– 'But you never saw her once; how can you laugh at her? – Lady Norton grumbled unhappily. – I saw her in the hall, and even dared to say a word to her, and she answered me so affectionately… Catherine is still beautiful, and her bearing is so majestic that you will know without a word that the Queen of England stands before you. She is beloved by the people, as is her daughter Mary. And mark my words, my dear: Anne Boleyn will not win the battle for Henry's heart. He will return to his lawful wedded wife's bedroom and conceive a son with her.

– And what will become of Anne? – Alienor asked indifferently.

– She will be sent home, or worse, banished from the court and her name shamed forever… Ah, my beautiful daughter! You shine like a ray of sunshine in a dark room! – Lady Norton walked round her daughter, and, taking her thin delicate palms in her own, added: – You will outshine everyone! Even that dishonourable favourite of the King's!

– Alas, mother, I cannot outshine Brigid," said Alienor, somewhat irritably.

Blond, with eyes as blue as the summer sky, Alienor was a beauty, and she knew the value of her beauty. Yet her humble friend, her named sister Brigid, copper-haired and blue-eyed, surpassed her in beauty. It was Brigid who was called the " The Flaming Rose," and at this moment, when the Norton castle was visited by the king, Alienor felt a slight envy for her.

"What on earth is that! Brigid is like a sister to me! If the king pays attention to her, it would be a sin not to be happy for her! – The girl's mind raced, and a slight smile appeared on her face. – And Brigid herself wants no other fate than to be the wife of that libertine William… He tried to kiss me. Twice. But I taught the fool a good lesson by tearing out a thick lock of his hair! And Brigid seems to be in love with him… Poor soul!"

– You may be second to her in beauty, but in all other things you are the one who holds the primacy: you play the lute and harp beautifully, sing as sweetly as the birds in May, and dance as gracefully as a white swan floating on the river. Why should you be afraid, my angel? – with a proud smile for her daughter's success, Lady Norton said.

– I'm not afraid, Mother! There is not a shred of fear in me! – Alienor frowned. – Find a maid to do my hair for me, and find me the prettiest hood the castle has to offer.

– To entrust such a thing to a maid! I will do your hair myself, my dear," said the lady of the castle, grabbed a comb and began to do Alienor's hair. – As soon as the king and Queen change their clothes, the feast will begin. Your father has ordered everything fresh for the table… Also, your favourite harp has already been laid out for you: we will make Henry hear your voice and fall in love with it… Ah, I hope he dances with you and never once looks at Brigid!

– Brigid is like a sister to me, Mother. Don't speak ill of her," the girl reminded her mother in a cool tone.

– Of course, my angel, I know that, and I wish her nothing but happiness," smiled Lady Norton, thinking to herself that in the struggle for the King's attention, friendship and sisterly love fade as quickly as the sun goes out on winter days. – I heard your cousin was interested in our beautiful Brigid… They would make a good match.

– Oh, no, he's not worthy even of Brigid's little finger. Skinny as a skeleton, ugly, stupid dwarf! – snorted Alienor.

– Owen is your uncle's heir, and when he dies he will inherit his lands and castle… Don't forget the position of the Guise family. Who else would want to marry the daughter of a disgraced former councillor?

– Someone will. She's so beautiful that if some single prince from Europe saw her, he'd take her away and put her on his throne without a word.

– That is why, my daughter, Henry should see and hear you and not her," said Lady Norton meaningly. – Shine like a gold ring in the sun, sparkle like a pure emerald, be lively and laughing, and the King of England himself will fall at your feet.

– Oh, mother, you forget that his heart belongs to Anne Boleyn! How can I compare with her in the art of seduction? No, I don't need a king for nothing! A handsome young duke is enough for me! – Alienor laughed, and her mother sighed patiently and continued her hard work.

When Alienor and Brigid, accompanied by her parents, entered the hall, which was already packed with at least a hundred guests who were part of the retinue of His and Her Majesties the King and Queen of England, their beauty was immediately noticed, and in a few moments the girls were surrounded by Henry's young retainers, including Anne Boleyn's older brother George. This nobleman hovered around Brigid, but quickly found her dull and dreary and turned his attention to her friend. Soon the copper-haired Miss Guise, despite her unique appearance, was standing against the wall, next to Queen Catherine's Spanish ladies-in-waiting, and Alienor was laughing and joking in the crowd of admirers. Indeed: Lady Norton had not lied when she said that Alienor always gets the upper hand over her almost-sister. Who needs a beautiful but dim jewel when you can have another, less beautiful but shining one?

Flirting with George Boleyn, who, however, was already tied to Jane Parker, the Queen's lady in waiting, Alienor discreetly sought out King Henry with her eyes. She knew that the king was tall and had a loud voice, but there was no man of that description among the guests.

The king did not appear. Neither did the Queen. And, hearing from one of the ladies in waiting that Their Majesties had decided to rest and would not join their hosts at the hospitable Norton Castle until tomorrow at breakfast, the diners in the dining room whispered. Some of the courtiers looked rather displeased, while an understanding smile shone on the faces of some, including the Boleyn family. The Boleyns knew: the king and Queen had had a big fight. For the umpteenth time. But it seems that Catherine of Aragon had hurt her husband so much with her endurance and firmness that he did not want to see anyone, not even his dear Anne, who, however, did not see fit to stay in her chambers either and was enjoying herself as much as all the other members of the royal retinue.

Some of the ladies close to Anne Boleyn were laughing and whispering so loudly that both Brigid and Alienor could easily hear their conversations, which even the musicians playing the lute, flute, rebecca and block flute could not drown out.

"Father's not happy… He's bound to break something out of anger!" she chuckled to herself. – Alienor chuckled to herself. She was not at all disappointed that she had not seen Henry the Eighth this evening, for the circle of admirers, who had written sonnets in her honour, had kept her busy. – But look at Miss Boleyn! What grace, what majestic posture, and the look of a she-wolf! But I wouldn't say she was beautiful. Yes, she's pretty. She has nice features, but that's all. Why did the King find her so fascinating? Her sister Mary is much prettier… That hair burning gold! Not without reason she was in his bed and bore him two bastards… Which, however, he never recognised. Two sisters, and both of them managed to win Henry over!

It must hurt Miss Mary to see her younger sister succeed… It must make her heart bleed that the father of her children chose her over her own sister!"

Alienor was right: Miss Boleyn, favourite of the King of England, rival of Queen Catherine, was not a beauty, but something in her was mystical, attractive, even witchy. Her eyes, graceful movements, high milk-white breasts, black hair … And the French accent, which she shamelessly used, not without reason she spent her young years at the court of the French Queen! This woman knew her worth and knew how to keep the king. She was stroppy and passionate, just as Henry wanted her to be. Anne saw how the King was irritated by his wife's obedience and calmness and played on it. Did she love him? Only she herself knew that.

Did Henry love Anne? He did. Desperately. He wished to possess her. He wished his wife would die and leave him a widower, so he could marry the woman he loved and crown her Queen of England. She would give him a long-awaited son, an heir. To the regret and annoyance of the favourite and her lover, Catherine of Aragon had iron health and was not going to die. They could only wait for the happy day when the Queen would leave this world and make way for Miss Boleyn.

The feast, at which roast pheasants, geese and a few young piglets, candied fruit, fish, egg and fruit pies, and many other exquisite and not so exquisite dishes were served, came to an end only at midnight, after the guests and hosts had eaten, gossiped, flirted and danced to their hearts' content.

– Ah, did you see me? I shone like a polished gold coin! – Alienor said dreamily to her friend as they went into her large, lavishly furnished room to discuss the past fun and guests.

– You are always shining. And this evening even Miss Boleyn paled beside your glow," Brigid smiled. – I wish the King and Queen had been there with us… I would have liked to see Catherine. I have never seen her, but my father told me a lot about her.

The girl delicately kept silent about the fact that her father did not miss a single opportunity to insult the name of England's favourite Spaniard: "She looks like an old goose. Just about to croak!", "It's high time she went to her grave!", "Let her make way for a decent English lady!" "Henry cares nothing for her. "He is wrapped up in the sharp vines of another Boleyn girl, and she is only happy about it.

– And what did he say? – Alienor responded with interest. She sat down on the scarlet velvet bed and gladly took off her new high-heeled boots made of soft leather.

– She loves her husband and he doesn't love her," Brigid said quietly and sighed heavily: she didn't know the woman or what she looked like, but she felt sorry for her.

It must be hard for a Queen to see her husband openly despise her and favour the court beauties… Both Boleyn sisters had been in his bed, and Miss Mary had even borne him two children. Yet these girls were just one of the unfortunate ones, in Brigid's opinion, who had no luck in attracting the king's attention. After all, if he wants to call a girl into his bedchamber, she cannot refuse him. He is a king. King of England.

– She's older than he is. What do you want? Of course he wants a younger, sweeter body," Alienor shrugged indifferently. – I wish he'd come down. I could have got him to ask me to dance.

– Oh, I have no doubt about that," Brigid said warmly. She went over to her friend, sat down beside her on the bed, and lovingly patted her cheek, ruddy from the wine and dancing. – 'Only I don't think Miss Boleyn would let him.

– She is only his mistress! – Alienor said ironically and squeezed Brigid in her arms. – You had better tell me, what of William? Has he already asked your father for your hand?

– I honestly do not know… I have not yet had a conversation with him on the subject… But he danced with me! He held my palms in his… I would have stayed with him in that hall, dancing and not saying a word! – whispered Brigid passionately. – Did he dance with you? I had to leave the hall… My mother called me: she said my face had become too ruddy.

– Your mother is a heartless woman, forgive me for saying it so plainly… But to make you leave the hall because you blushed with excitement after dancing with your beloved? And your future betrothed, as well! – Alienor grumbled unhappily.

– She cares for my reputation," Brigid said bitterly, and as her friend released her from her embrace, she rested her copper-haired head on Alienor's bare shoulder. – 'But did you dance with him?

– Just one dance. The fastest. He is as clumsy as a bear! – Alienor hastened to lie: she knew what love for William lurked in Brigid's heart, and she did not wish to provoke her jealousy. Besides, she was indifferent to the young man.

– And I thought we were floating in the clouds! – Brigid smiled and closed her eyes, once again seeing the beautiful proud face of her dear William in front of her. – I can't wait for the moment when he calls me his own!

– While you were dancing with the other men, William never took his eyes off you," Alienor smiled too. – Would you like some hot wine? Shall we call a maid?

– No need. It's so late… Do you think he loves me? – Brigid asked with a sinking heart.

– Of course he does! – Alienor squeezed her friend's palm with force. – Of course he loves you, and he's jealous of other men!

– I won't sleep tonight… I definitely won't sleep! – whispered Brigid.

Every cell of her body trembled at the thought that William Tury, the son of a rich nobleman and the chosen one of her young, pure heart, was reciprocating her love. Even if he did not show it as openly as she would have liked, even if he flirted with other ladies and danced with Miss Boleyn… He loved her and would make her his wife in the sight of God.

What happiness! What sweetness awaits her!

After kissing her friend on the forehead, Brigid wished her good night, took one of the candleholders, left the chambers and, lighting the corridor with the dancing light of a single candle, headed for her father's chambers: she had had enough of hearing him say that he was marrying her to William. She needed to hear it before she went to bed.

As she approached the door of her father's bedchamber, Brigid knocked timidly and immediately heard a sharp, "Come in!" This gave the girl courage, and, gathering more air into her lungs, she opened the door and entered the chamber.

Sir Richard had no thought of going to bed: he was sitting at an oak table, on which a candlestick with two candles burned dimly, writing a letter. The creak of a sharpened quill being pressed with force against the yellow parchment could be heard.

– Are you still awake? – Brigid smiled affectionately, standing in the doorway, hesitating to approach her father.

– As you can see," he said briefly, not even looking at his daughter. – What do you want?

– Father, I… I heard that William Tury has asked for a girl's hand in marriage today…" Brigid's breath came in short gasps of excitement, and the words she had so carefully chosen on her way to her father stuck in her throat.

– Asked," was her answer.

– When will we be married? – The girl's soul was filled with a divine light: it had happened! Soon she would marry the man she loved, and he would take her to his father's castle!

– Yours? – Sir Richard asked with a sneer in his voice.

The quill in his fingers froze.

– He has asked for my hand! – Brigid reminded him in a trembling and solemn tone.

– He asked for one girl`s hand. But not yours.

– Not mine? But… Whose?

– William had not spoken to me, but to Sir Norton. He asked for his daughter's hand.

– Alienor?! – The girl gasped, and a pain shot through her chest as if she had been pierced by the sharp sword that William Tury sometimes wore on his belt, in its gold-embellished scabbard. – And what… What did her father reply?

– He was pleased. The wedding is to be.