The Merry Monarch's Wife by Jean Plaidy

resourceful. She was the most remarkable person I had ever known.
    I felt the tears in my eyes. For the first time I fully realized what my departure would mean to me, because after I had gone, I might never see her again.
    She watched me, reading my thoughts.
    She said: “I could think of no other way.”
    â€œAnd do you think it will be accepted?”
    â€œI do not know. I can only pray. The Earl was astounded. He was not sure what he should do. He has gone away to ponder. I believe he must accept. How can he return without the bride? And what of Tangiers? After all, is the money so important beside Tangiers…and Bombay…and all the free trade which will come their way? And he is favorably impressed with you. I could see that. All will be well, daughter, I am sure of it.”
    It was agonizing to wait for the Earl’s decision. There had been so many obstacles to the marriage that I began to fear that this one would be insurmountable.
    How would the King feel? He was expecting money and would receive sugar and spices.
    Only my mother could have thought of such a plan.
    She came to me.
    â€œHe has agreed to accept,” she said. “I knew he would. What else could he do? It has gone too far. He could not leave now.”
    â€œHas the King agreed?”
    â€œMy dear daughter, how could there be time for that? It has to be the Earl’s decision. He is a worried man, but he sees the inevitability of this. There is only one course of action for him.”
    â€œIt is a difficult decision for him to make.”
    â€œWe all have difficult decisions to make, and he is a sensible man. How could he go back to England without the bride everyone is expecting? I have given him our bond that the rest of the money will be paid before the year is out.”
    â€œCan that be done?”
    â€œIt must be done. He knows that Diego Silvas, who has a reputation for honest dealing and shrewd bargaining, will see that the King gets his first installment as promised. So…we can forget our fears. In a short time you will be sailing for England.”
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    THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL of interest in the English court among those surrounding me; and there must have been gossip about its nature. I often marvel at the successful manner in which this was kept from me. It must have been on my mother’s orders, for both Donna Maria and Donna Elvira were fond of gossip.
    She had chosen these two to be close to me and to accompany me to England. There would be other waiting women, of course, but these two were in command. They had grown in importance and had increased their care of me—somewhat ostentatiously, I must admit.
    I soon realized they had something on their minds. If I asked them, they immediately became cautious, and it was almost as though they buttoned up their lips, because they were fearful that words would slip out.
    One day I heard Donna Elvira say: “I think we should speak to Donna Luiza. It is only right that the Infanta should be prepared.”
    To that Donna Maria replied: “It is a thought which has been with me for some time. The poor child will be unready for what she must surely find.”
    I confronted them and asked to know what they thought I should find.
    They blustered and said I must have misheard their words.
    Shortly after that, when I was with my mother, I decided to tell what I had overheard, and I felt there was something which was being kept from me.
    â€œThey seemed quite anxious about it,” I said.
    She hesitated for a moment, as though she were making up her mind. “Tell me,” she said at length, “what have you heard of the King?”
    â€œThe King? Charles? Oh, that he has been welcomed back…that the people are glad to have him…that he has made England merry again…that he fought valiantly and offered his life for his father’s…and that it is wonderful that he is back where he