Free The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

whore's tit."
       "It was hardly virgin plump to start with," William retorted. He scooped the small pile of silver into his palm and gave it to his squire. "Here, lad, find my almoner and tell him to give this to the leper hospital."
       John strolled over and joined them, cradling a cup of clovescented wine. "Lost again, brother?" he needled Salisbury. "That's another mark you'll be asking me to lend you." He flashed a sour smile at William. "Not content with Pembroke, Marshal, you fleece my coffers through my foolish brother who lacks the abilities of a sheep when it comes to such games."
       "Would you care to win it back, sire?" William gestured to the dice.
       "Not after you've given it to lepers," John declined and took a long swallow from his cup. Then he looked at the three men, dropped his voice, and said nonchalantly, "I am thinking of taking Aymer's daughter to wife."
       The news was no surprise to William after the way he had seen John looking at the girl yester eve, and the manner in which John and Count Aymer had been circling each other during the hunt. A glance exchanged with Baldwin confirmed that the latter had been expecting it too. Salisbury, however, stared, his mouth open. Then he shook his head.
       "The girl's very young. She won't be much support to you as a queen."
       John waved his hand in negation. "She's old enough to say the vows; she'll grow into the role fast enough. Richard's Queen spent most of her time living in seclusion and it didn't harm him."
       Salisbury voiced the obvious: "But she's already betrothed."
       "Christ, Will, are you sure you're the fruit of my father's loins?" John scoffed, causing Salisbury to flush. "You're far too innocent to be one of us! Any betrothal can be broken and a marriage annulled if the price is right. I cannot afford to let Angoulême and Lusignan unite. Aymer's salivating at the chance to have his daughter crowned Queen of England. He'd certainly rather get into bed with me than with Hugh de Lusignan—and I'll be delighted to share the night with his delectable daughter!"
       William said impassively, "You will earn the undying hatred of the Lusignans, sire. Personally it doesn't worry me to see them slighted, but they are accomplished warriors and know how to stir up trouble."
       "I can deal with the Lusignans," John said shortly. "If I marry the girl, my father-in-law will continue to keep them in check as he has always done."
       "I agree it will be awkward if Angoulême and Lusignan unite"—William nodded—"but as Salisbury says, the girl is perilously young—and she's narrow in the flank for childbirth. Has she had her first flux?"
       "Not yet, but she's ripening fast."
       The notion of a girl so young in John's bed made William uncomfortable. Twelve years old. He didn't want to think of Mahelt in such circumstances, but the match itself made sound political sense. Many men would wait on a wife's ripening, but he had seen the look on John's face when the girl was in the room. Besides, it was necessary for a king and the last direct male of his line to beget heirs as soon as he could.
       "You must weigh up whether this marriage will be more useful than the Portuguese one you had in mind before," he said by way of a caveat. "Perhaps you should find another husband from among your barons for the heiress of Angoulême."
       "The girl's father would not cooperate," John said. "As far as he is concerned, it is either England for his daughter, or Hugh of Lusignan."
       William succeeded in maintaining a dispassionate expression. "Then you must do as you see fit, sire."
       "Oh, I intend to." John gave a lazy lupine smile and raised his cup in toast. "I thoroughly intend to, my lords."
    ***
    In the guest house of the nunnery at Fontevrault, William bowed over Queen Eleanor's hand and pretended not to notice the dark splotches and the tremor of old age. Her nails were still tended and polished,