Free The Merry Monarch's Wife by Jean Plaidy

“Don’t forget you have to go through all this again.”
    I replied that I should be very happy to do so.
    Then the Duke of York kissed me and said most graciously how delighted he was that I had come to these shores to be his good sister.
    I was so happy. My cold had disappeared and I was now ready for that other ceremony which would take place later that day.
    Lady Suffolk helped to prepare me for it. Donna Maria clucked her disapproval and whispered with Donna Elvira, who shared it. They had been somewhat placated because of the earlier ceremony in my bedchamber. At least I was now Charles’s wife and that set their minds at rest. It was a pity, said Donna Elvira, that we had to go through this heathen performance.
    They did not approve of my wedding dress, which Lady Suffolk and I thought charming. It was cut according to the English fashion. “Disgraceful,” murmured Donna Maria.
    â€œToo low cut and showing too much of the shoulders,” added Donna Elvira.
    It was of the color of roses—a beautiful shade which would be becoming to my dark eyes, and there were little knots of ribbon all over it. I thought it was the most delightful dress I had ever seen.
    Communication was not easy. I knew that I must learn the English language as quickly as I could, for I could see many difficulties ahead. I thought: I will ask Charles to teach me. Perhaps I shall teach him Portuguese.
    â€œYou must not get exhausted,” warned Donna Elvira.
    â€œIndeed not,” added Donna Maria. “Do not forget that you have just arisen from a sick bed.”
    â€œOh, Maria…it was nothing.”
    â€œYou have to remember, my lady, how excitement upsets you.”
    I knew what she meant. Once or twice, when I had been overtired or became too excited, I had fainted, and this was accompanied by a tiresome bleeding of the nose. It had happened only a few times but that was enough for Donna Maria. She was continually reminding me of it. It had happened once in the convent and had alarmed the nuns. Donna Maria was now shaking her head prophetically.
    â€œI shall be watchful,” she said. “And if I see the signs, I shall
insist
on your returning to your bed—no matter who shall try to stop me. It was foolish to have two ceremonies on the same day. The morning’s was necessary, I agree, but this other…”
    â€œDear Maria, this is the one people here think is important.”
    â€œI can only wish that we had come to a country of the Faith.”
    â€œI’m happy here, Maria.”
    Lady Suffolk fortunately could not understand this conversation, so perhaps there was some advantage in the language difficulty after all.
    The ceremony was to take place in the great hall of this house, for which I was grateful. I was buoyed up by excitement, but I did feel a trembling of the knees, due no doubt to this excitement rather than my recent indisposition.
    The grand hall, or the Presence Chamber, where Charles received visiting emissaries and ambassadors, was an impressive room, especially as it was fitted up for this occasion. Two thronelike seats had been set under a canopy, and a rail had been put across the room to partition off that section where the nuptials should take place, separating us from the rest of the company. The place was filled with nobles and those of high standing in all professions.
    Charles led me to the seat under the canopy, and with us was the Bishop of London, who was to perform the ceremony, and Don Francisco with Sir Richard Fanshawe, whom I knew because of the part he had played in the negotiation of the marriage.
    Charles took my hand and the ceremony began.
    I could only nod my head when told to do so, for I was not able to say the words which were required of me.
    I learned afterward that when the Bishop proclaimed us man and wife, what the people were shouting was: “Long may they live!”
    There was to be a banquet and the King, holding me