Читать книгу In The Shadow - Анна Морион - Страница 4

– My daughter, what have you been thinking? – Sir Richard frowned. – What nonsense lives in your empty head? Why would William Tury want you for a wife? I am poor! All the fault of that witch Anne Boleyn!

– But how? It cannot be, Father, you are mistaken! – burst from the poor girl's breast. Her lips trembled, and tears of disappointment and deceived hope came to her eyes.

How cruelly she had been mistaken!

– I have had enough of your foolishness! Go to your chambers! – Sir Richard threw irritably.

– 'Father, he could not ask for Alienor's hand…'

– I said out!

– Please…I love him! I love him with all my heart! – Brigid cried out in despair. – I think he was drunk… He got drunk and mistook Alienor for me!

– He asked her father for her hand in marriage," Sir Richard said, and resumed writing. – I am the unlucky one with a daughter. You are beautiful, but you are as good as this table, though the table is useful, and you are a waste. You're in your best shape, and still no one wants to marry you.

– It's all your fault, sir… You've brought our family into disgrace! – whispered Brigid, but so quietly that her stern, cruel father could not hear her and punish her with a wet rod.

– Learn from your friend. She knows how to interest a man, and you've been standing against the wall all night with a face like a sheep at the slaughterhouse. Go to your chambers. That's an order.

Her father's cold voice made Brigid flinch: he used his vocal cords with such skill that it was as if a cruel hard palm had struck her cheek.

– 'As you say, father. – She curtsied and stepped out into the dark corridor.

As Brigid closed the door, a gust of air blew out the candle she held in her hand, and the girl was greeted by the darkness of night, for despite his wealth, Lord Norton, the master of the castle, was unwilling to spend money on candles or torches in the corridors, for they cost a great deal and burned out quickly. But the darkness never frightened Brigid: it was her faithful friend when she could not sleep at night, and the girl imagined in colours William, her wedding to him and her first wedding night. But it was all just silly and unfulfilled dreams: William wants Alienor! She is the one he wants as his wife, the one he wants to caress in the marital bedroom, the one he sees as the mother of his children! And she, Brigid, is incapable of anything… That's what her father said.

Putting the candleholder on the floor, which made a muffled thud in the corridor, Brigid leaned her hand on the wall, for her legs could not hold her, and put her other hand on the gold chain with a cross adorning her neck. Her lungs, constricted by the tight kirtle, refused to serve her, and she caught the air with her lips like a fish that had accidentally jumped out of the water onto dry land.

How had this happened? Didn't she spend every day in prayer? Didn't she fervently ask the Almighty to give her William's love? Did she not pray enough? Did she not ask humbly enough? She was a dutiful daughter, and in spite of everything, not a single harsh word about her parents escaped her lips. And Alienor? What did she deserve?

"William… My William! For you do not even realise that you broke my heart! You gave me a dance and smiled at me, but your thoughts were not with me, but with her… And you, Alienor, my sister? Did you know of his love? You convinced me that he would be mine, but instead it was you who would walk down the marriage aisle… And it was your body he would caress, kiss your lips, and write sonnets about you… And I am nothing… Disappointment. But, dear sister, it's not your fault' thought the girl wistfully. The cup she was about to drink was not an elixir of happiness, but bitterness, and she drank it to the bottom.

Having recovered a little, Brigid made her way to Alienor's chambers. Her eyes, accustomed to the darkness, easily recognised the familiar path, and the soft light of the growing moon encouraged her to seek answers from her friend. Alienor wouldn't lie to her face, she never would, and if she had any tender feelings for William, she would suppress them, for she knew that Brigid had loved him first. Long ago, as little girls, the girls had sworn to each other that no man would separate them or threaten their friendship: the one who fell in love first would always be the first. Brigid hoped that Alienor had not gone to bed yet; she would not want to wake her after a tiresome evening, only to ask her a single question: "But how did it happen?"

Thankfully, Alienor was awake, and instead of her friend lying in bed ready to fall into the arms of Morpheus, Brigid saw her in anger.

– I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were having a family council," Brigid said quietly as Sir and Lady Norton frowned at the door and the unexpected visitor.

– You must have come to say good night to Alienor, my child. – Lady Norton smiled: Brigid was dear to her motherly heart, and she did not wish to offend her by ordering her out of the room.

– Ind, my lady… Good night, Alienor… Good night, sir, and Lady Norton… – Brigid made a deep curtsy and was about to leave her friend's chamber when she heard Alienor's loud firm voice.

– My dear daughter, Brigid is tired and…" Lady Jane began affectionately.

– Brigid, William Tury has proposed to me! And I swear I never thought he would want to marry me! – Alienor swiftly approached her friend, turned her round to face her, and, seeing that Brigid's violet eyes were full of tears, seized her in her arms. – I do not desire this marriage! I do not love him, and I never will!

– My dear, William is a handsome healthy man! Many ladies are in love with him, but he chose you! It's such an honour! He is the son of a nobleman, and such a chance is given only once in a lifetime! – Sir Norton said in a judicious tone.

– Say what you will! I will not marry him! And tomorrow I'll say it to his face! Myself! – Alienor said in a low, confident voice, still embracing her friend.

– You don't have to… You don't have to sacrifice your marriage for me! – Brigid whispered in her ear. – I will accept it… He is a fine young man and will bring you happiness!

– It's not me he should bring happiness, but you! – Alienor whispered stubbornly.

– My daughter, I've decided everything! I have already given William's father my consent! – frowned the master of the castle.

– You gave it without asking me, father, which means that this consent is worthless! – Alienor threw. She pulled away from her friend, put her warm palms on her cheeks and smiled: – He will marry you… Only you! I swear on my life!

– Don't say that… William doesn't want me! That's what my father said: we are too poor to find me a rich bridegroom, and William's family is famous for its wealth," Brigid shook her head stubbornly. – And even if my heart cries out in pain, I only wish him happiness…

– What nonsense! – Alienor wrinkled her nose, and then announced loudly: – That's it! It's decided! I will not marry William Tury! Never! And don't ask me to!

– But why not? – Her mother's hands wringing, her mother moaned. – 'My daughter, you are making a mistake! Just think what will be said of us! What they will say of you! "You've missed your happiness!"

– My happiness awaits me in the future, Mother. Who knows, perhaps I may become the Queen's lady in waiting! – Alienor turned to her parents, and there was such determination written on the girl's face that they despaired. – Father, all you have to do is whisper a few words to His Majesty and ask him to accept me into Catherine's entourage.

– If such things were so easy, my dear, all the royal palaces of England would be full of young beautiful ladies-in-waiting," Sir Norton said grimly. His daughter's obstinacy disappointed him, but he was more familiar with Alienor's character than anyone else, and he knew that she, not he, would have her way. At times like this, he regretted that he had failed to instil fear and respect in his daughter, instead spoiling her and deferring to her in every way. So should he blame Alienor for her selfishness and disobedience? No, he should be thanking himself: it was he, the gardener, who had raised this blue-eyed lily and given her too much freedom.

– Come, my dear… Our daughter has made the wrong decision, but we cannot force her to accept ours," Sir Norton sighed and gave his hand to his wife.

– Of course you can't, Father. I am not your servant to make my decisions for me," Alienor said coolly. – Good night, father, good night, mother.

That night Brigid stayed the night in her friend's chambers, and hugging each other tightly, the girls talked quietly by the light of a lonely candle.

– Do you really want to be Her Majesty's lady in waiting? – Brigid asked.

– Why not? – Alienor smiled. – To shine in the royal palace! Every girl's dream! And then my father will find me a husband with a title and a rich estate. But he must be as handsome as Miss Boleyn's brother, or I'll never share his bed!

– Yes, he is handsome… But his wife seems terribly jealous of him," said Brigid, remembering how Jane Parker had watched her husband all evening with a jealous gaze as if he were her property.

Alienor smiled dreamily.

– Someday I will be the wife of a great man… Not only rich and noble, but famous throughout Europe! So that even those wretched Frenchmen and Spaniards would say, "Oh, what a lucky woman this Miss Norton is! She's managed to win the heart of such a man!"

– I think your father will find one for you, and he'll see you and he won't be able to resist. He'll take you to the wedding! – giggled Brigid. – Will you… Will you speak to William? Will you tell him that I will be the most faithful, most obedient wife in the world? That I will bear him many children and make him happy? – she added quietly.

– I will do it tomorrow, before he goes to seek solace among the Queen's ladies in waiting," Alienor promised. – But let's go to bed. We have to get up very early in the morning: what if the king comes down for breakfast? We must shine like the brightest stars in the night sky.

The girl blew out the candle, and the friends quickly muttered prayers and fell asleep almost immediately.

Even before dawn, when the masters of the castle and their guests were peacefully asleep, the servants were up and about, dusting the floors, scrubbing the stairs, preparing all sorts of dishes for the breakfast of the noble lords, and doing it as quietly as mice.

Sir Norton was one of the first to wake up, and, like a host, quickly washed his face, combed his hair, ordered himself dressed in a blue velvet suit, and went downstairs to see to the preparations for the arrival of his guests. Sir Norton was a demanding host, but this time he was simply unbearable, and a few dropped grains he discovered on the thick carpet of the dining hall made him so angry that Sir Norton promised that as soon as the king and his retinue left the castle, he would give "careless and lazy" servants two strokes of the rod each. The frightened servants, cooks and cooks redoubled their efforts, and by the time His Majesties the King and Queen of England, dressed in their marvellous attire, entered the hall, the castle glistened with cleanliness, and all the great rooms and halls were filled with the sweet fragrance of wild flowers freshly picked in the meadows.

Henry the Eighth, accompanied by Anne Boleyn, entered the hall first. Queen Catherine walked behind them on the arm of George Boleyn. Anne smiled charmingly and winningly, while Catherine smiled a calm forced smile. This contrast was so marked that the Queen's ardent supporters frowned and shook their heads. The Boleyn family, treading just behind the king and Queen, walked with such proud faces as if Anne had already taken the rival throne, which angered their enemies and detractors. But etiquette is etiquette, especially in the presence of the wayward king, no one dared to open their mouths or mockingly smile. Everyone remembered the fate of the Guises, who had fallen out of favour because of the bluntness of the father of the family.

As Their Majesties passed by, Brigid and Alienor slowly rose from their floor-deep curtsies and fixed curious glances on the rulers of England. But while Alienor glided an appraising glance at Henry, her friend looked sympathetically at Catherine's tired, pale face, under whose beautiful eyes black circles were clearly visible, a sure sign that she had not slept a wink during the night. But the woman was smiling and friendly, and it made Brigid love her even more than she already did. As did many in this castle, including the servants. Everyone could see the disdain with which the king treated his lawful consort, the Queen, and the trepidation with which he held the palm of his favourite's hand in his palm. Anne was younger than Catherine, younger than Henry, and her youth, radiance, and talent for winning hearts made the king fulfil her every wish. Thanks to the Boleyn maidens, first Mary and then her younger sister Anne, their family rose to incredible heights and acquired so many new positions, estates and titles that they were the envy of all the other noble families, especially the Seymours, who were also trying to get one of their lovely daughters, Queen Catherine's ladies-in-waiting, under the lustful Henry.

Their Majesties approached the high table above the others, and the King had to reluctantly let go of Anne's palm to take a seat at the table, next to his wife, and Anne to sit at the table for the courtiers, although, God knows, in her mind she and all the Boleyns had already seen her banish Catherine to the convent, and the golden, ornate crown of the Queen of England descend on her, Anne's, dark-haired head. After all, when this happens, the Boleyns will not only gain even more power and influence, but will also become relatives of the future king, when Anne will give Henry the long-awaited desired heir, fulfilling the duty of a Queen that the Spanish princess Catherine was unable or unwilling to fulfil.

Alienor could feel the tension in the dining hall and the falseness of the entourage's smiles with all her being. She knew that, by fate, she was in the centre of royal court intrigues and the struggle for the right to possess a tall, broad-shouldered, red-haired man, to whom England belonged, to share power with him. Brigid knew one thing: Catherine of Aragon's calm smile hid her pain and disappointment, and she watched in silence as her own beloved husband preferred the pretty face of the young favourite to hers. Unwillingly meeting her gaze with the Queen, Brigid flashed and smiled, and when Catherine smiled back at her, the girl thought with delight: "You and only you are our true Queen! May God bless you! I will pray to Him to return to you happiness and peace!".

Alienor smiled, thinking of how naive and innocent Brigid was, when she noticed how enthusiastically her friend was admiring the Queen. Miss Norton herself was betting on Anne Boleyn and looked with interest at her thin face: olive-coloured skin, dark, almost black eyes that could drown in them, dark hair barely visible from under a richly embroidered gold threaded French burgundy hood. Nothing special, the most ordinary appearance, she is not even in a match for Brigid … But there was something attractive in Miss Boleyn, something magical and inexplicable that fascinated the perceptive Alienor. After comparing the old Queen and the young favourite, the girl decided without much thought which of them should be supported, and which of them would stay with Henry in the end. No, not the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand! Not that proud, stately Spanish princess!

"As soon as he is rid of his old wife, I will ask my father to send me to court, and let him make every effort to make me Anne's lady in waiting. There's no doubt about it: she'll sit on the throne. Sooner or later, Catherine will have to step aside. It's a pleasure to serve a Queen like the lovely Anne. It is a pity that Brigid's heart will be broken, but life is cruel, and he who is not afraid of high stakes wins," thought Alienor, and, deciding to play a little joke on her friend, whispered to her:

– Miss Boleyn will be a beautiful Queen. All of Europe will envy our king!

– That's not going to happen! Catherine, that's who was, is and will be Queen of England! – barely audible, with indignation in her breast, replied Brigid. – 'Alienor, I thought it would not be right if you talk to William about me and tell him of my love. I do not wish him to marry me out of compassion.

– As your heart desires. I promise I won't say a word to him," Alienor agreed. – But if he doesn't marry you, he'll be the biggest fool in the world! But I think I should explain myself to him: this morning, before breakfast, my father told his father that there would be no wedding.

– And what did he say? – Brigid asked.

– He was furious. But my father is in the King's favour, so Sir Tury had to swallow his resentment and accept my decision… Brigid? – Alienor looked worriedly into her friend's pale face and her wide-open violet eyes.

– I have to leave! – Brigid squeaked and wanted to leave her seat, but Alienor grabbed her by the wide, embroidered sleeve of her dress.

– Leave? It would be disrespectful to the King! What if he sees me?

– Tell him I felt sick… I'll explain it all to you later! – Brigid forcibly wrenched her sleeve from her friend's palm, ducked, backed up, freed herself from the crowd and hurried to the door.

Sir Guise, Brigid's father, guarded the door like a chain dog, hiding from Anne Boleyn's vengeful gaze. When he saw his daughter fleeing from the hall, he gave her a cold, murderous glare that gave her goosebumps, but he did not stop.

Alienor was so disturbed by her friend's sudden departure that she waited for the opportune moment when everyone would be seated at the table to follow and help Brigid. Hardly had she taken a step towards the door, however Lady Norton, who was suddenly at her daughter's side, took her gently but tenaciously under her arm and whispered in her ear: "Let her go. You don't wish the King to notice her and not you, do you? This is your chance to draw attention to yourself!"

Alienor sighed heavily, but her mother's fair words made her change her mind, and, together, the ladies made their way gracefully to the table.