Free The Merry Monarch's Wife by Jean Plaidy Page A

by the hand, took me to his apartment, the people following us.
    There we stood side by side and many came to congratulate us and to wish us a long and happy life together. Charles explained this to me. He looked very happy—and so was I.
    Lady Suffolk indicated that she would like one of the blue knots of ribbon on my dress. It would be a memento of this happy occasion which she would treasure all her life. I thought it was a charming suggestion, so I pulled one off and gave it to her.
    People pressed round and I realized that they were all demanding a knot of blue ribbon.
    â€œYou cannot refuse them,” said Charles. “You are going to be ribbonless before they will let you go.”
    It was all very merry and there was I, plucking off the knots of ribbon, which I knew later had been lightly tacked on so that they could easily be pulled off.
    I looked down with dismay at my denuded dress.
    â€œDo not regret the loss of the ribbons,” said Charles. “It still looks delightful, as any dress would on you.”
    I noticed that only one knot had been left, and Charles plucked it off. “This one shall be mine,” he said. He kissed it and held it to his heart. Everyone applauded.
    I turned to him and smiled. I was so happy. There was only one regret. My mother was not here to see my contentment, and the successful culmination of the dream we had shared through the years.
    Suddenly I felt almost faint and might have fallen if Charles had not put an arm about me.
    â€œYou are unwell, my dearest?” he said with concern.
    â€œNo, just a little tired.”
    Donna Maria, watching me intently, had seen what had happened. She was beside me, indignant and vociferous.
    â€œI should think so. You have had enough. It is time you were in your bed. You will be ill. I have never heard the like…two weddings in one day.”
    I was glad few could understand her.
    The Countess of Suffolk was talking to the King. He looked grave.
    Then he said to me: “They are saying you are overtired. This is too soon after your illness. The Countess thinks you should return to bed.”
    I said: “There is the banquet…”
    â€œYour good health is more important than all the banquets in my kingdom. The ladies are right. You must go to your bedchamber at once. You must rest.”
    â€œBut…,” I began.
    â€œYes,” he said firmly. “It is best. There is the rest of our lives for us to be together.”
    Donna Maria was chattering about the folly of doing too much too soon. Elvira was with her.
They
knew, they were saying, what was best for me.
    I said: “I shall miss the banquet…my wedding banquet…and I shall not be there.”
    â€œA plague on banquets,” said Donna Maria. “Your health comes first.”
    The King came with me to my bedchamber. Donna Maria pursed her lips and I wanted to remind her that he was my husband now.
    Lady Suffolk was there. She implied that she, with my ladies, would help me to disrobe.
    I lay in my bed. Yes, I was exhausted and it was a relief to rest. But I could not stop myself thinking of the splendid banquet, the merrymaking, and the King sitting there with an empty chair beside him, which made me feel a little dispirited, when the door was flung open suddenly, and two men appeared, carrying trays.
    I thought: I do not want to eat. Oh, how I wished that I had been able to hide my weakness.
    And then Charles was there. He gave an order to the men and one tray was set down on the bed. He seated himself on the other side of the tray, smiling at me.
    â€œWhat…?” I began in Spanish, and he answered in that language.
    â€œI could not sup on my wedding day without my wife.”
    Oh, what a merry meal that was! How we laughed and how we talked! It was so amusing for us because we found our Spanish not always adequate and must resort to miming.
    Charles said: “I wonder if you will share my view that this is