Chapter 114 - February 1102
Before Plantagenet - Chapter 114
February 1102 - Anjou, France
He did not understand how she had so much energy.
Foulques fell onto his back, breathing heavy, sweat glistening from his forehead. The chill of the room was probably unhealthy, but it felt good to cool off.
A glance over toward Ness revealed a sly grin on her moon-shaped face.
“Did you enjoy yourself, husband?” she asked.
He said nothing and her grin blossomed into a full on smile. Her confidence was higher than it may have ever been - she freely called him her husband now, even in Anjou, though she was at least smart enough to do it in private.
Her hand came to rest on the reason for that - her very swollen belly. A child likely conceived on the ill-fated hunt Philippe arranged, or perhaps in the days that followed.
The king’s final gift has proved even more lasting than expected.
Had he not named his last son with Haldora after the late king, he would have strongly considered doing so for this one. If it was a girl, he did consider “Philippa” as a possibility.
But it would be another son, if Ness was to be believed. Her reasons… well as he saw her feel around her swell, he knew he was to hear them again now.
“He kicks me,” she said, her smile now running ear to ear.
“Your nonsense with that,” Foulques said. “You do not know what you carry.”
“It is another boy,” Ness insisted. “He already knows he must defend his home… his keep. I am his keep, for now, and you are an invader. It is why he kicks hardest after we couple.”
Stupidity, but stupidity he would not mind turning out to be true. He was not sure why, but he did prefer she birth another son. His legacy likely secure between Geoffrey, the two Foulques - Geoffrey’s son and his own, Guilhem and Philippe. And yet, it would add to the certainty.
It also was pleasant to see Ness in such a joyous mood - she still beamed as she awkwardly maneuvered her swollen body to get some water - a stark contrast to what occurred around her. He might have joined her, but he was feeling the cold more strongly now, and decided to pull the linens over himself instead.
The court of Anjou had gone into near-total seclusion due to the smallpox epidemic that had now reached the county.
It had not gotten terribly serious yet - cases were being reported but it was not widespread - yet he could not take chances. Admittance to the keep was curtailed and no one was permitted to leave except on business of the utmost importance. Even Herve had been pulled off command of the Angevin levy in Poitou - which was now being commanded by the old mayor of Saumur, Renaud. A veteran of all of Foulques’ wars, he thought the old man able to handle crushing the paltry resistance Duchess Patricia was likely to offer.
The seclusion had begun not long after the coronation of Hugues, and by now, especially as they moved into the cold, dark winter months, the mood had dimmed in the keep.
“Are you not cold?” he asked as Ness stood at the table, drinking a cup of water, without so much as a robe to keep her warm.
“I run hot these days,” she said. “And do you not admire what you see?”
Ness’ brattiness had been curbed in her words, but her body language and expressions still exuded it - and made things difficult when Haldora saw her.
Foulques had done his best to avoid that - but with the keep locked down, it was hard to stop, even as Ness practically lived in Foulques’ chambers these days and did not leave them frequently. When she did, it was to visit her youngest sister Macarose. And only Macarose - Foulques learned through Alearde and Agnes that Ness and Marguerite were not talking.
Speaking of his daughter, he eagerly awaited news that she was with child, figuring the seclusion would at least help that along. But Agnes had said nothing of the matter to him.
Given that Agnes already had a daughter, there was no question of her ability to have children. It was early yet… but Foulques could not shake the fear that perhaps he had erred in allowing Henri to marry her.
Chancellor Godfrey was not present to see such doubts. He was in Normandy, dealing with the Prince, now Duke, Alphonse and discussions regarding the potential union with Bella.
It had been met with some initial skepticism, as she was only a bastard. But the value of having both Anjou and Aquitaine as potential allies proved too much of a tantalizing prospect for a prince whose grip on his place in the realm was tenuous. So it looked more and more that such a deal would be done soon.
He still had not told Bella of it - but he had Agnes and Alearde, the latter of whom practically lept into his arm. Foulques did warn her nothing was final yet, but Alearde’s smile seemed permanently re-attached to her face now - at least when she saw him.
And that proved to be even better than Ness’ joy, though the latter provided him with other types of pleasure.
Ness returned to the bed and moaned: “I am cold now. Hold me.”
Foulques pressed himself against her before wrapping his arms around her. She pulled his hand to her belly. Sure enough, it was not long before he could feel the squirming under his fingertips.
A knock on the door. Sufficiently cooled from before, Foulques did not wish to leave the warmth of his lover. But it was the steward Guilhem, and Foulques could not hear what he would try to say behind a closed door and across the chamber.
He pulled over a long shirt and made a dash - the cold floor quickening his pace - to make it to the door.
“My lord,” Guilhem said, “Your son has arrived.”
It was expected. Despite the lockdown on the keep, certain exceptions were permitted and Geoffrey, representing royal business qualified. He travelled to Anjou by boat to avoid the smallpox-afflicted areas the best he could. With parts of Tours still unaffected, it was possible.
“I will be down soon,” Foulques said. “Have his sister entertain him.”
Guilhem nodded and the door was closed. Foulques made another quick dash across the room only to be met by Ness’ pouting face.
“Do not leave me,” she purred. “I am still cold… at least on the outside.”
“It is Geoffrey,” Foulques told her.
“I heard who it was,” she said.
Apparently, her hearing is better than mine, he thought.
“Do you plan on having him stay in the same chamber as my sister?” Ness asked.
It drew a laugh out of Foulques. “He is the king’s chancellor, so I must be a little more guarded in how I deal with him.”
“He is still your son,” Ness said. “And he can be made to wait. He probably wishes to see his son. And after that, I am sure his sister will be happy to keep him occupied - she likely will be happy to see a different face for once. Besides - he comes to you. Did he not make you wait?”
An act already repaid, Foulques thought. But the invitation of his lover proved too hard to resist as he crawled back into bed with her. Once more she adjusted his hands, to make certain one rested on her belly and other on her breast. Meanwhile she rubbed her backside into him.
“How do you manage such energy?” Foulques asked her.
“You cause it, my love,” she said. “I see you, and feel our son move within me… and my desires overwhelm me. Do you not approve? Would you rather I suppress those urges?”
Her pouting lips formed a frown, and he knew at once it was not a serious question. Of course, he also suspected she played up such desires, but he could hardly complain.
It was what he had dreamed of. And so he began to kiss her neck… only to have her push him flat on his back and then heft herself on top to begin…
And his mind drifted, once more, to her mother.
….
Foulques found Geoffrey with his sister Agnes in the strategy hall.
The two appeared in a deep conversation but Foulques did not catch any of it, as when he closed the door, it got their attention, with Agnes pulling her cloak and shawl close tight around her.
“Do I interrupt important negotiations?” Foulques asked as he walked over, coming up beside his daughter. “Geoffrey has not tried to sell you on whatever the king hopes to push upon Anjou, has he?”
“No father,” Agnes replied. Her eyes fixated on her brother. “Geoffrey knows he cannot simply have his way with me, no matter how much he desires it.”
Geoffrey smirked at his sister. “You should have more faith in your daughter, father. She is not so easily cowed.”
“I do have faith in her,” Foulques said. “She is my regent. It is you I am not always certain of.”
“And here I thought we had come to a new understanding,” Geoffrey said. “Especially as Poitou goes well. I received word your man Renaud has taken Chatellerault by storm.”
“And what do your men do?” Foulques asked.
“We retake Saintonge,” Geoffrey said. “I thought it important - mother always said how you desired for it to once again fly our banner.”
“If you have no further need of me, father,” Agnes said. “I will leave you two.”
Foulques motioned that she could leave, though she and Geoffrey shared an embrace and kiss before she did. The elder duke did notice she gave her brother an odd, perhaps dirty, look before she left the hall.
“What was that?” Foulques asked.
“What was what?” Geoffrey asked.
“Your sister seemed… annoyed almost,” Foulques said as he poured himself some wine. “What did you say to her?”
Geoffrey grew wide-eyed for a moment. Picked up the cup on the table and swirled the contents before looked back at his father. “I think she did not like what I had to say of her husband.”
“And what did you have to say on her husband?” Foulques asked.
“I… accidentally spoke that I did not find him the most impressive,” Geoffrey replied.
“You let slip, is more like it,” Foulques said. “I do not think a word escapes your mouth without being carefully thought out.”
“I do not know whether that is a compliment,” Geoffrey admitted.
“Neither do I,” Foulques said. “So you dislike Henri. Why? I find little to dislike about him.”
“There is little to him,” Geoffrey said. “Which is an insult to my sister. She is a beautiful, wise woman who has saved the realm on one occasion. She should be the wife of an important man, not some insignificant welp.”
“Do you see any important men who desired her as their wife?” Foulques asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “I see one every day.”
Foulques did not expect to hear that. “What… what do you mean?”
Geoffrey shook his head. “The King of the Franks himself. He asked me directly if I believed he could have her hand just days after I became Chancellor. I regretted to inform him she had already been wed, to… well, her current husband.”
Now it was Foulques’ turn to grow wide-eyed. Agnes could have been a queen, had he waited another couple of months? After all these years… it seemed like a cruel joke.
“The king is married…” Foulques replied.
“He was not,” Geoffrey said. “He looked for a wife. He eventually settled on a daughter of a knight who served him when he was Bishop. Young thing. Just 16, though quite pretty.”
“But he asked for Agnes?” Foulques asked. “Specifically her?”
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “He fears becoming too reliant on Champagne so he wished to avoid marrying one of his daughters. Instead, he looked to my sister.”
“I do not believe this,” Foulques replied.
“As I said, my sister is a desirable woman on her own,” Geoffrey said. “And she comes with your friendship as well. When I learned of her marriage, I thought for certain that she was with child, and this was meant to save face. But she is not… and…”
“Enough,” Foulques told him. “I will not have you lecture me about how to handle my children’s marriages.”
“No, you are the expert,” Geoffrey said. “I know first hand.”
Foulques glared at him. “Perhaps I should pass back to the king how his chancellor antagonizes his most powerful vassal. I wonder what he shall say.”
Geoffrey sighed. “My apologies, father. I was out of line.”
“Humility,” Foulques said. “A change for you.”
“As you say, I represent the king,” Geoffrey said. “I do him a disservice if my conduct is poor.”
Foulques smirked. “And what representing of the king are you here to do?”
“Actually, as it turns out, to discuss marriages and what not,” Geoffrey replied. “There is talk you are close to sealing something with Duke Alphonse. Bella?”
Foulques eyed Geoffrey before nodding. “You hear right.”
“Is it done?” Geoffrey asked.
“Nearly,” Foulques said. “I have Godfrey there now. When he returns, we shall likely finalize things.”
“Nearly… but not completely,” Geoffrey said. “Which is good, because the king would strongly urge you to reconsider.”
“Urge me to reconsider?” Foulques replied. “He is unhappy that I would marry my daughter to his rival?”
“Duke Alphonse of Valois is not a rival of the king, for his father was not the rightful king of the realm,” Geoffrey said.
“Valois?” Foulques asked. “What is this Valois?”
“Yes, Alphonse has declared that is what he is to be called, rather than of Normandy,” Geoffrey said.
The boy gets hung up on names when there is much bigger things to focus on, Foulques thought.
“But yes,” Geoffrey said. “The king believes there is opportunity for our house alongside his.”
“Of course he does,” Foulques said. “He wishes to placate me.”
“And he wishes to free himself,” Geoffrey said. “Champagne has his hooks in him, and he looks for alternatives. I suspect the death of Philippe and the attempted murder of the royals have shaken him.”
“Shaken so much that Odo still lives,” Foulques said.
“The king has removed himself from that,” Geoffrey said. “It is a conflict between Alphonse and Champagne.”
Foulques chuckled. “The king certainly finds convenient times to excuse himself.”
“I agree,” Geoffrey replied, sly grin on his lips. “I merely pass on what is.”
“And I shall pass this on,” Foulques said. “If he wishes me to not go through with the marriage between Alphonse and Bella, he should provide me a better offer.”
“Why do you think I am here, father?” Geoffrey asked. “Bella could be duchess, now, yes. Or she could be queen later.”
“Queen?” Foulques asked. “Does Hugues already grow tired of his wife?”
Geoffrey laughed. “He is not you father. No, he seeks a bride for his son, Prince Henri.”
The older duke was still adjusting his thoughts to the idea that someone else was now second in line. He had seen Henri at the coronation, and briefly during his father’s accepting of oaths. The boy, around 20 summers, actually reminded him quite a bit of his uncle Philippe.
Foulques had heard a few positive things about him, but not much beyond it.
“Prince Henri,” Foulques said. “What do you know of him?”
“Little,” Geoffrey admitted. “His father speaks with pride of him, but I have met him for but a few moments in Melun during the swearing of oaths and the first council meeting after. He then returned to Bayeux, much to his father’s disappointment.”
Foulques, for a moment, felt a bit of sympathy toward the king over a son who did not heed his father’s counsel. But he returned to the matter at hand.
“So the king wishes to marry Bella to Prince Henri?” Foulques asked.
“That he does,” Geoffrey said. “Champagne, as he did with the king’s own marriage, presents his daughter. But… as with that, the king wishes a peace offering - a union between our houses.”
“And you believe him?” Foulques asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “And I also believes he wishes us to potentially put Champagne in his place. But… I do not think you would mind that these days.”
“I have no more wish to be a pawn of a king than I do Champagne,” Foulques said.
“Neither do I,” Geoffrey noted. “But this marriage does not do that. It positions us well, but does not commit us. And… think how happy Alearde will be when she learns of it.”
“What do you know of that?” Foulques demanded.
“Did I say something wrong father?” Geoffrey asked.
“How do you know she was happy over the possible marriage of Bella to Alphonse?!” he demanded.
“Agnes told me,” Geoffrey replied.
That would make sense, Foulques realized. The two did just speak, and Agnes would know.
“Your daughter… my sister… Queen of the Franks,” Geoffrey said. “A nice bit of influence, both now and in the future, don’t you think?”
Foulques eyed him. The future - Geoffrey likely was sold the moment he thought of what he would gain upon becoming Duke of Anjou.
But… it was tempting. And Alearde would be thrilled. There was no telling what she might do…
“What of Alphonse?” Foulques wondered aloud. “I am to toss aside a potentially powerful friend in the boy? Normandy comes with many troops. It was enough to conquer the Saxons for a time.”
“Valois, father,” Geoffrey said. “And I do not think it would be wise to completely align with the king. But even if we give Bella to Henri, you have other daughters. Other bastard daughters, in fact…”
“Antoinette?” Foulques replied. “She’s a girl of six summers.”
“And Alphonse is a boy of 16,” Geoffrey said. “He will have to wait, but he will have our friendship in the meantime. Which is what he needs more than anything - a wife to give him children does nothing if he has nothing to give them, or he dies first.”
“He will not like it,” Foulques said.
“But he will accept it,” Geoffrey said. “You are the most powerful single man in the realm, father. Everyone knows it. Alphonse is not so sure in himself that he can allow you to ally with the king without response. He will take what you give him, if it means a chance to keep up. And… it means we are not committed on either side.”
“What of Henri marrying Antoinette?” Foulques wondered.
“I asked,” Geoffrey admitted. “The king is insistent on Bella.”
“And you did not argue against him?” Foulques demanded.
“Why?” Geoffrey asked. “I think this is beneficial to us. And we do not wish to lose out further to Champagne. Furthermore, I am the king’s chancellor father. I cannot completely put aside his desires for those of our family. I would not last long if I did.”
Foulques stood in silence, contemplating. Geoffrey made good points. And whether he wished to admit it or not, his son did seem to be quite capable at negotiations such as these. Of course, he could not shake the feeling Geoffrey negotiated for himself, rather than the both of them.
He preferred a marriage of Bella to Alphonse because he had come so far in talks, and he felt almost obligated by his final conversation with Philippe. On the other hand… the opportunity was great.
I saved your son Philippe, Foulques thought. And I will not abandon him, just not give him everything.
“Tell the king I agree to the union,” Foulques said. “When does he wish for the wedding?”
“Excellent, father,” Geoffrey replied. “June. He will be very pleased to hear of your acceptance. And if you want… I can try to smooth over matters with Alphonse when I next head to Rouen.”
“No,” Foulques said. “Remain out of that.”
“As you wish,” Geoffrey replied. He raised his cup. “It has been a pleasure father, for a change. To the future of Anjou… and the realm!”
Foulques chuckled and raised his cup as well. “Yes, to the future.”
February 1102 - Anjou, France
He did not understand how she had so much energy.
Foulques fell onto his back, breathing heavy, sweat glistening from his forehead. The chill of the room was probably unhealthy, but it felt good to cool off.
A glance over toward Ness revealed a sly grin on her moon-shaped face.
“Did you enjoy yourself, husband?” she asked.
He said nothing and her grin blossomed into a full on smile. Her confidence was higher than it may have ever been - she freely called him her husband now, even in Anjou, though she was at least smart enough to do it in private.
Her hand came to rest on the reason for that - her very swollen belly. A child likely conceived on the ill-fated hunt Philippe arranged, or perhaps in the days that followed.
The king’s final gift has proved even more lasting than expected.
Had he not named his last son with Haldora after the late king, he would have strongly considered doing so for this one. If it was a girl, he did consider “Philippa” as a possibility.
But it would be another son, if Ness was to be believed. Her reasons… well as he saw her feel around her swell, he knew he was to hear them again now.
“He kicks me,” she said, her smile now running ear to ear.
“Your nonsense with that,” Foulques said. “You do not know what you carry.”
“It is another boy,” Ness insisted. “He already knows he must defend his home… his keep. I am his keep, for now, and you are an invader. It is why he kicks hardest after we couple.”
Stupidity, but stupidity he would not mind turning out to be true. He was not sure why, but he did prefer she birth another son. His legacy likely secure between Geoffrey, the two Foulques - Geoffrey’s son and his own, Guilhem and Philippe. And yet, it would add to the certainty.
It also was pleasant to see Ness in such a joyous mood - she still beamed as she awkwardly maneuvered her swollen body to get some water - a stark contrast to what occurred around her. He might have joined her, but he was feeling the cold more strongly now, and decided to pull the linens over himself instead.
The court of Anjou had gone into near-total seclusion due to the smallpox epidemic that had now reached the county.
It had not gotten terribly serious yet - cases were being reported but it was not widespread - yet he could not take chances. Admittance to the keep was curtailed and no one was permitted to leave except on business of the utmost importance. Even Herve had been pulled off command of the Angevin levy in Poitou - which was now being commanded by the old mayor of Saumur, Renaud. A veteran of all of Foulques’ wars, he thought the old man able to handle crushing the paltry resistance Duchess Patricia was likely to offer.
The seclusion had begun not long after the coronation of Hugues, and by now, especially as they moved into the cold, dark winter months, the mood had dimmed in the keep.
“Are you not cold?” he asked as Ness stood at the table, drinking a cup of water, without so much as a robe to keep her warm.
“I run hot these days,” she said. “And do you not admire what you see?”
Ness’ brattiness had been curbed in her words, but her body language and expressions still exuded it - and made things difficult when Haldora saw her.
Foulques had done his best to avoid that - but with the keep locked down, it was hard to stop, even as Ness practically lived in Foulques’ chambers these days and did not leave them frequently. When she did, it was to visit her youngest sister Macarose. And only Macarose - Foulques learned through Alearde and Agnes that Ness and Marguerite were not talking.
Speaking of his daughter, he eagerly awaited news that she was with child, figuring the seclusion would at least help that along. But Agnes had said nothing of the matter to him.
Given that Agnes already had a daughter, there was no question of her ability to have children. It was early yet… but Foulques could not shake the fear that perhaps he had erred in allowing Henri to marry her.
Chancellor Godfrey was not present to see such doubts. He was in Normandy, dealing with the Prince, now Duke, Alphonse and discussions regarding the potential union with Bella.
It had been met with some initial skepticism, as she was only a bastard. But the value of having both Anjou and Aquitaine as potential allies proved too much of a tantalizing prospect for a prince whose grip on his place in the realm was tenuous. So it looked more and more that such a deal would be done soon.
He still had not told Bella of it - but he had Agnes and Alearde, the latter of whom practically lept into his arm. Foulques did warn her nothing was final yet, but Alearde’s smile seemed permanently re-attached to her face now - at least when she saw him.
And that proved to be even better than Ness’ joy, though the latter provided him with other types of pleasure.
Ness returned to the bed and moaned: “I am cold now. Hold me.”
Foulques pressed himself against her before wrapping his arms around her. She pulled his hand to her belly. Sure enough, it was not long before he could feel the squirming under his fingertips.
A knock on the door. Sufficiently cooled from before, Foulques did not wish to leave the warmth of his lover. But it was the steward Guilhem, and Foulques could not hear what he would try to say behind a closed door and across the chamber.
He pulled over a long shirt and made a dash - the cold floor quickening his pace - to make it to the door.
“My lord,” Guilhem said, “Your son has arrived.”
It was expected. Despite the lockdown on the keep, certain exceptions were permitted and Geoffrey, representing royal business qualified. He travelled to Anjou by boat to avoid the smallpox-afflicted areas the best he could. With parts of Tours still unaffected, it was possible.
“I will be down soon,” Foulques said. “Have his sister entertain him.”
Guilhem nodded and the door was closed. Foulques made another quick dash across the room only to be met by Ness’ pouting face.
“Do not leave me,” she purred. “I am still cold… at least on the outside.”
“It is Geoffrey,” Foulques told her.
“I heard who it was,” she said.
Apparently, her hearing is better than mine, he thought.
“Do you plan on having him stay in the same chamber as my sister?” Ness asked.
It drew a laugh out of Foulques. “He is the king’s chancellor, so I must be a little more guarded in how I deal with him.”
“He is still your son,” Ness said. “And he can be made to wait. He probably wishes to see his son. And after that, I am sure his sister will be happy to keep him occupied - she likely will be happy to see a different face for once. Besides - he comes to you. Did he not make you wait?”
An act already repaid, Foulques thought. But the invitation of his lover proved too hard to resist as he crawled back into bed with her. Once more she adjusted his hands, to make certain one rested on her belly and other on her breast. Meanwhile she rubbed her backside into him.
“How do you manage such energy?” Foulques asked her.
“You cause it, my love,” she said. “I see you, and feel our son move within me… and my desires overwhelm me. Do you not approve? Would you rather I suppress those urges?”
Her pouting lips formed a frown, and he knew at once it was not a serious question. Of course, he also suspected she played up such desires, but he could hardly complain.
It was what he had dreamed of. And so he began to kiss her neck… only to have her push him flat on his back and then heft herself on top to begin…
And his mind drifted, once more, to her mother.
….
Foulques found Geoffrey with his sister Agnes in the strategy hall.
The two appeared in a deep conversation but Foulques did not catch any of it, as when he closed the door, it got their attention, with Agnes pulling her cloak and shawl close tight around her.
“Do I interrupt important negotiations?” Foulques asked as he walked over, coming up beside his daughter. “Geoffrey has not tried to sell you on whatever the king hopes to push upon Anjou, has he?”
“No father,” Agnes replied. Her eyes fixated on her brother. “Geoffrey knows he cannot simply have his way with me, no matter how much he desires it.”
Geoffrey smirked at his sister. “You should have more faith in your daughter, father. She is not so easily cowed.”
“I do have faith in her,” Foulques said. “She is my regent. It is you I am not always certain of.”
“And here I thought we had come to a new understanding,” Geoffrey said. “Especially as Poitou goes well. I received word your man Renaud has taken Chatellerault by storm.”
“And what do your men do?” Foulques asked.
“We retake Saintonge,” Geoffrey said. “I thought it important - mother always said how you desired for it to once again fly our banner.”
“If you have no further need of me, father,” Agnes said. “I will leave you two.”
Foulques motioned that she could leave, though she and Geoffrey shared an embrace and kiss before she did. The elder duke did notice she gave her brother an odd, perhaps dirty, look before she left the hall.
“What was that?” Foulques asked.
“What was what?” Geoffrey asked.
“Your sister seemed… annoyed almost,” Foulques said as he poured himself some wine. “What did you say to her?”
Geoffrey grew wide-eyed for a moment. Picked up the cup on the table and swirled the contents before looked back at his father. “I think she did not like what I had to say of her husband.”
“And what did you have to say on her husband?” Foulques asked.
“I… accidentally spoke that I did not find him the most impressive,” Geoffrey replied.
“You let slip, is more like it,” Foulques said. “I do not think a word escapes your mouth without being carefully thought out.”
“I do not know whether that is a compliment,” Geoffrey admitted.
“Neither do I,” Foulques said. “So you dislike Henri. Why? I find little to dislike about him.”
“There is little to him,” Geoffrey said. “Which is an insult to my sister. She is a beautiful, wise woman who has saved the realm on one occasion. She should be the wife of an important man, not some insignificant welp.”
“Do you see any important men who desired her as their wife?” Foulques asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “I see one every day.”
Foulques did not expect to hear that. “What… what do you mean?”
Geoffrey shook his head. “The King of the Franks himself. He asked me directly if I believed he could have her hand just days after I became Chancellor. I regretted to inform him she had already been wed, to… well, her current husband.”
Now it was Foulques’ turn to grow wide-eyed. Agnes could have been a queen, had he waited another couple of months? After all these years… it seemed like a cruel joke.
“The king is married…” Foulques replied.
“He was not,” Geoffrey said. “He looked for a wife. He eventually settled on a daughter of a knight who served him when he was Bishop. Young thing. Just 16, though quite pretty.”
“But he asked for Agnes?” Foulques asked. “Specifically her?”
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “He fears becoming too reliant on Champagne so he wished to avoid marrying one of his daughters. Instead, he looked to my sister.”
“I do not believe this,” Foulques replied.
“As I said, my sister is a desirable woman on her own,” Geoffrey said. “And she comes with your friendship as well. When I learned of her marriage, I thought for certain that she was with child, and this was meant to save face. But she is not… and…”
“Enough,” Foulques told him. “I will not have you lecture me about how to handle my children’s marriages.”
“No, you are the expert,” Geoffrey said. “I know first hand.”
Foulques glared at him. “Perhaps I should pass back to the king how his chancellor antagonizes his most powerful vassal. I wonder what he shall say.”
Geoffrey sighed. “My apologies, father. I was out of line.”
“Humility,” Foulques said. “A change for you.”
“As you say, I represent the king,” Geoffrey said. “I do him a disservice if my conduct is poor.”
Foulques smirked. “And what representing of the king are you here to do?”
“Actually, as it turns out, to discuss marriages and what not,” Geoffrey replied. “There is talk you are close to sealing something with Duke Alphonse. Bella?”
Foulques eyed Geoffrey before nodding. “You hear right.”
“Is it done?” Geoffrey asked.
“Nearly,” Foulques said. “I have Godfrey there now. When he returns, we shall likely finalize things.”
“Nearly… but not completely,” Geoffrey said. “Which is good, because the king would strongly urge you to reconsider.”
“Urge me to reconsider?” Foulques replied. “He is unhappy that I would marry my daughter to his rival?”
“Duke Alphonse of Valois is not a rival of the king, for his father was not the rightful king of the realm,” Geoffrey said.
“Valois?” Foulques asked. “What is this Valois?”
“Yes, Alphonse has declared that is what he is to be called, rather than of Normandy,” Geoffrey said.
The boy gets hung up on names when there is much bigger things to focus on, Foulques thought.
“But yes,” Geoffrey said. “The king believes there is opportunity for our house alongside his.”
“Of course he does,” Foulques said. “He wishes to placate me.”
“And he wishes to free himself,” Geoffrey said. “Champagne has his hooks in him, and he looks for alternatives. I suspect the death of Philippe and the attempted murder of the royals have shaken him.”
“Shaken so much that Odo still lives,” Foulques said.
“The king has removed himself from that,” Geoffrey said. “It is a conflict between Alphonse and Champagne.”
Foulques chuckled. “The king certainly finds convenient times to excuse himself.”
“I agree,” Geoffrey replied, sly grin on his lips. “I merely pass on what is.”
“And I shall pass this on,” Foulques said. “If he wishes me to not go through with the marriage between Alphonse and Bella, he should provide me a better offer.”
“Why do you think I am here, father?” Geoffrey asked. “Bella could be duchess, now, yes. Or she could be queen later.”
“Queen?” Foulques asked. “Does Hugues already grow tired of his wife?”
Geoffrey laughed. “He is not you father. No, he seeks a bride for his son, Prince Henri.”
The older duke was still adjusting his thoughts to the idea that someone else was now second in line. He had seen Henri at the coronation, and briefly during his father’s accepting of oaths. The boy, around 20 summers, actually reminded him quite a bit of his uncle Philippe.
Foulques had heard a few positive things about him, but not much beyond it.
“Prince Henri,” Foulques said. “What do you know of him?”
“Little,” Geoffrey admitted. “His father speaks with pride of him, but I have met him for but a few moments in Melun during the swearing of oaths and the first council meeting after. He then returned to Bayeux, much to his father’s disappointment.”
Foulques, for a moment, felt a bit of sympathy toward the king over a son who did not heed his father’s counsel. But he returned to the matter at hand.
“So the king wishes to marry Bella to Prince Henri?” Foulques asked.
“That he does,” Geoffrey said. “Champagne, as he did with the king’s own marriage, presents his daughter. But… as with that, the king wishes a peace offering - a union between our houses.”
“And you believe him?” Foulques asked.
“Yes,” Geoffrey said. “And I also believes he wishes us to potentially put Champagne in his place. But… I do not think you would mind that these days.”
“I have no more wish to be a pawn of a king than I do Champagne,” Foulques said.
“Neither do I,” Geoffrey noted. “But this marriage does not do that. It positions us well, but does not commit us. And… think how happy Alearde will be when she learns of it.”
“What do you know of that?” Foulques demanded.
“Did I say something wrong father?” Geoffrey asked.
“How do you know she was happy over the possible marriage of Bella to Alphonse?!” he demanded.
“Agnes told me,” Geoffrey replied.
That would make sense, Foulques realized. The two did just speak, and Agnes would know.
“Your daughter… my sister… Queen of the Franks,” Geoffrey said. “A nice bit of influence, both now and in the future, don’t you think?”
Foulques eyed him. The future - Geoffrey likely was sold the moment he thought of what he would gain upon becoming Duke of Anjou.
But… it was tempting. And Alearde would be thrilled. There was no telling what she might do…
“What of Alphonse?” Foulques wondered aloud. “I am to toss aside a potentially powerful friend in the boy? Normandy comes with many troops. It was enough to conquer the Saxons for a time.”
“Valois, father,” Geoffrey said. “And I do not think it would be wise to completely align with the king. But even if we give Bella to Henri, you have other daughters. Other bastard daughters, in fact…”
“Antoinette?” Foulques replied. “She’s a girl of six summers.”
“And Alphonse is a boy of 16,” Geoffrey said. “He will have to wait, but he will have our friendship in the meantime. Which is what he needs more than anything - a wife to give him children does nothing if he has nothing to give them, or he dies first.”
“He will not like it,” Foulques said.
“But he will accept it,” Geoffrey said. “You are the most powerful single man in the realm, father. Everyone knows it. Alphonse is not so sure in himself that he can allow you to ally with the king without response. He will take what you give him, if it means a chance to keep up. And… it means we are not committed on either side.”
“What of Henri marrying Antoinette?” Foulques wondered.
“I asked,” Geoffrey admitted. “The king is insistent on Bella.”
“And you did not argue against him?” Foulques demanded.
“Why?” Geoffrey asked. “I think this is beneficial to us. And we do not wish to lose out further to Champagne. Furthermore, I am the king’s chancellor father. I cannot completely put aside his desires for those of our family. I would not last long if I did.”
Foulques stood in silence, contemplating. Geoffrey made good points. And whether he wished to admit it or not, his son did seem to be quite capable at negotiations such as these. Of course, he could not shake the feeling Geoffrey negotiated for himself, rather than the both of them.
He preferred a marriage of Bella to Alphonse because he had come so far in talks, and he felt almost obligated by his final conversation with Philippe. On the other hand… the opportunity was great.
I saved your son Philippe, Foulques thought. And I will not abandon him, just not give him everything.
“Tell the king I agree to the union,” Foulques said. “When does he wish for the wedding?”
“Excellent, father,” Geoffrey replied. “June. He will be very pleased to hear of your acceptance. And if you want… I can try to smooth over matters with Alphonse when I next head to Rouen.”
“No,” Foulques said. “Remain out of that.”
“As you wish,” Geoffrey replied. He raised his cup. “It has been a pleasure father, for a change. To the future of Anjou… and the realm!”
Foulques chuckled and raised his cup as well. “Yes, to the future.”
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