The Merry Monarch's Wife by Jean Plaidy Page A

belongs.”
    â€œAll that is true, but there is more to know.”
    â€œIt is my desire to know all I can about him and his country.”
    â€œIt may be that there are certain aspects which you might not like.”
    â€œI do not understand.”
    â€œMy dear Catherine, you have lived what is called a sheltered life. You have hardly ever left the walls of the palace or those of the convent. Life can be rather different in certain places. You were very fond of your father. He was a wonderful man…devoted to his family…a good man in every aspect. He loved you children dearly and was a faithful husband to me.”
    â€œYes, I know.”
    â€œBecause you have seen so little of life, you might judge all men by him.”
    I was puzzled and wondered why she, who was usually so direct, should now be so hesitant.
    â€œThe King is thirty-two years of age. He is unmarried. He has led an adventurous life, wandering about the continent. Such is the nature of men that there will be women in their lives. Do you understand what I mean?”
    â€œMistresses?” I began.
    She nodded. “You see, the King has never had a wife…well, you see…it is only natural.”
    â€œYes…but when he is married, that will be over…”
    â€œOf course. But…er…”
    â€œPlease tell me, my lady.”
    â€œThere is talk that at this time he is enamored of a certain woman….”
    â€œOh, but now I shall be his wife. You saw the letter he wrote to me.”
    â€œYes, I saw it.” She smiled brightly. “It is just that we think you should know that there has been this woman. By all accounts, she is handsome and…very demanding. If you should hear of her, you must ignore her. Do not let her come to court. You should treat her as though she does not exist.”
    â€œBut of course I shall, and when I am married, she will certainly not be there. Who is this woman?”
    â€œHer name is Barbara Palmer, Lady Castlemaine.”
    It was the first time I heard the name of that evil woman.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
    ON THE TWENTY-THIRD OF APRIL, St. George’s Day, the time had come for my departure—and by a happy coincidence, St. George is the patron saint not only of England but also of Portugal. All I could think of was the parting with my mother and that this might be the last time I set eyes on her.
    My two brothers were with me and they escorted me down to the hall where my mother was waiting for me. She looked at me with such affection that I almost burst into tears. I knew I must not do that. She must not be ashamed of me. She was restraining her emotions and so must I mine.
    She held me tightly in her arms; and then it was over and my brothers were leading me to the coach. Surrounded by an array of the nobility, we went in procession to the cathedral. The bells were ringing and the guns were firing the salutes; there was music in the streets and the people cried: “Long live the Queen of England!”
    When the cathedral service was over, we made our way to the sea.
    I was surrounded by a great company led by my brothers. Don Francisco was present. He had recently been ennobled for the excellent work he had done in negotiating the marriage contract and had become the Marquis da Sande. That he was delighted in the manner in which everything had been resolved was evident.
    Waiting for us was a splendid barge which was to take us to the Admiral’s ship, the
Royal Charles.
    When I stepped aboard this magnificent vessel, the Earl of Sandwich was waiting to greet me, and my brother Alfonso formally handed me over to him. Donna Maria and Donna Elvira stood beside me, my protectors. The Admiral conducted me to the splendid cabin which had been prepared for me, and my brother said a sad farewell and departed.
    I was on my way to England.

MARRIED BLISS
    WE COULD NOT SAIL OUT OF THE BAY THEN AS THE WIND was too strong and I was told it