Free The Red Rose of Anjou by Jean Plaidy

and somehow in contrast to her sparkling intelligence which was obvious when she conversed.
    Agnès was delighted to see Margaret and her aunt Queen Marie expressed her pleasure too.
    ‘Now that you are growing up,’ she said, ‘you must be with us more often.’
    There was a great deal going on in Court circles at that time. For one thing the English Cardinal Beaufort was there.
    ‘He has come,’ Yolande told her, ‘to try to arrange peace. He is a wise man, this Cardinal. He knows that to continue the war can ruin his country.’
    ‘I am sure the King will agree with him,’ said Margaret. ‘In that case this must mean we shall soon have peace.’
    ‘The Cardinal unfortunately does not represent the whole of English opinion. You have heard of the Duke of Gloucester, brother to King Henry the Fifth and the Duke of Bedford. He is for continuing the war.’
    ‘Then he must be exceedingly foolish.’
    ‘I believe he is. He has done great harm to the English cause. He nearly brought about a quarrel between Burgundy and the English.’
    ‘That would have been a good thing.’
    ‘For France yes...for England disastrous. However, it is indeed good to see the Cardinal here. He is an extremely cultured man and one, I believe, who serves his country well.’
    Margaret was presented to the Cardinal. He appeared to be very interested in her. She talked a little about the affairs of her country and he listened to her with the respect he would have shown to one of the King’s ministers.
    He remarked afterwards that the daughter of the King of Naples was a most interesting young lady. Moreover a very good-looking one.
    ‘I see,’ said her aunt Marie, ‘you have captured the attention of my lord Cardinal. What did you say to him that impressed him so much?’
    ‘Oh, we talked a little of the war and its effects.’
    ‘That must have amused him...coming from one who could know very little about it.’
    ‘Oh, I do know something, Aunt. I have kept my ears open. In any case the Bishop seemed interested in my views.’
    The Queen laughed. ‘Well, my dear Margaret, it seems that you are being a success at Court. Your parents would be proud of you, I am sure. I am going to ask your grandmother to allow you to come again soon. You are getting too old to be shut away in the country all your life.’
    ‘Thank you, my lady,’ said Margaret fervently.
    When they returned to Angers life certainly seemed a little dull. Yolande noticed the change in Margaret and commented on it. She was not displeased. The girl was meant to take part in affairs. She had a lively brain. There must be more visits to Court and perhaps someone would be so impressed by her that he would think her a possible wife in spite of the fact that she would have no dowry to speak of.
    Yes, Yolande was determined that there should be more visits to Court.
    In the summer they went again. It did Yolande good too. She loved to be with Charles and she was delighted by the change in him. She spent a good deal of time with her daughter and with Agnès. The visits were stimulating.
    I am glad I have lived long enough to see the coming change,’ she said. ‘France will be great again. If the English had any sense they would get out now.’
    ‘They would,’ said Charles, ‘if it were not for Gloucester and his faction. I believe Beaufort will succeed though. The English must be tired of paying for a war which is bringing them nothing but defeat. You’ll see. We’ll have peace soon.’
    ‘What think you of my granddaughter?’ asked Yolande.
    ‘Margaret? A beauty and she has a sharp wit, too. Do you know I think she is going to be another such as her grandmother and that is the highest compliment I can pay her.’
    Yes, the visits to Court were certainly very agreeable.
    ###
    That winter was harsh. The snow came early and was piled high about the walls of the castle. It was difficult to keep warm in spite of the large fires. Yolande seemed to feel the cold more than