opinions of the count and the duke. Then suddenly, angry words were spoken and the Angevins left!
Eleanor had never seen the likes of this before—a noble leaving in the middle of a parley, refusing all offers and demands and walking away without any resolution. She could tell from Louis’s expression that their behaviour surprised him as well, for his mouth tightened into a thin line and his brows gathered in a fierce frown. But, before they left the chamber, the duke caught her gaze and winked, giving her every sign that this was purely a manoeuvre meant to gain them leverage against their opponents.
The French nobles were insulted and demanded Louis take action, but he forestalled any repercussions with a word. Those in the chamber began to leave, both to see to their own issues and to spread the word of the outrageous behaviour they’d witnessed. With a nod to Louis, Eleanor found her maidservant and ladies waiting for her in the corridor and sought out her chambers.
Later that night, after sending the women away and discussing the day with her trusted advisor, Eleanor decided to enter into private communications with the Angevins. She believed she could aid them in moving across this quagmire safely and they could, in return, be the very thing she sought—someone, a nobleman, strong enough to offer a soon-to-be divorced queen sanctuary.…
Or something more than sanctuary…
A future that would see Aquitaine and Poitou joined to Normandy and Anjou in an alliance stronger than either thought possible.
More than that, the possibility that teased her far into the night and into the next days, weeks and months was one of finding a husband worthy of her and all she had to offer.
Could Henry Fitz-Empress be that man?
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