‘Of course, if Ximene does not marry the Prince it is quite possible you may father her child. Any child would become heir to the Trencavel lands. Sooner or later, your child would suffer all the enmity that is currently focussed on Ximene. So you see, John, no matter what may unfold, you will always be faced with difficulty and danger.’
John Stanley-21st June 1355
Eventually, Ximene and John reached the Château. It soon became obvious it was desperately short of accommodation.
Ximene and Lady Eleanor’s need for privacy obtained for them a window balcony, which had shutters both inside and outside of the enclosed space.
John helped the Prince, Sebastien and Guillam make up their beds in alcoves in the main hall.
Sebastien then took John to a storeroom above this accommodation. ‘A room with a view,’ he said, pointing out the arrow slits on the outer three walls of the room. ‘It used to be the accommodation for the lords of the Château; it is the ultimate strong point.’ He peered through an arrow slit. ‘Now that the function of the Château is entirely military, we store the essential supplies here.’ He pointed to the barrels and boxes lining the walls. A side of beef hung at the end of the room, barely visible through a gauze screen. ‘All this would help the garrison survive a siege.’ He smiled at John. ‘I think you will find just about enough room to lay out a mattress.’
It was now after midday. The Prince groaned. ‘Thirty hours without sleep, we must all get some rest’. Sebastien offered to stand guard while they slumbered and his offer was gratefully accepted. The Prince then put his hand on John’s shoulder ‘You are the commander again. Share the guard duty with Sebastien.’
He went to walk away but then hesitated. ‘I am not absolutely sure I can give you orders anymore but wake me if there is anything that arouses suspicions. Anything at all.’
While everyone settled down to sleep, John was given several hours in which he was free to explore the Château and enjoy the magnificent views. At first, he was shown around by Sebastien but later he explored on his own. His presence aroused no suspicion among the members of the garrison. They talked to John quite openly about their role, seeming to assume John was an expert in some aspect of fortification or siege warfare. Comments about John’s apparent youth took the form of admiration rather than suspicion. As John looked out from the walls of the Château, it felt as though Monségur was higher than the surrounding peaks. Then he felt he was above the earth, suddenly separated from the material world and on the fringe of the spiritual realm. For perhaps the first time in his life, he was acutely conscious of his inner spirit.
The Château included a bathhouse, where two wooden tubs could be supplied with hot water from cauldrons simmering on an adjoining terrace. Later in the evening, the ladies were offered first use of the bathhouse.
While the ladies bathed, John nibbled some food but was so tired he was not hungry. However, he consumed several mugs of wine. He retired to his storeroom, desperately wanting sleep. He stretched out on his mattress, which he had carefully stuffed during the afternoon.
Whilst he was drifting towards sleep Lady Eleanor climbed up the stairs. ‘Oh that was such a pleasant bath,’ she said. She dragged her own mattress into the storeroom and placed it on top of a box under one of the arrow slits. ‘I have come up here because the sun is about to set and the views from here,’ she indicated the arrow slits, ‘are just amazing. Bring your mattress up and lie alongside me. Look, John. You may never have another opportunity to see a sight like this. It will be magnificent.’
John looked quizzically at Lady Eleanor. She rolled on her stomach to watch the sunset. He obeyed her instructions but found that to look out of the arrow slit he had to push close against her. Sweat trickled down the inside of his arm. Ximene had talked about the older woman. Her grandmother had already given him instruction at Foix. Surely Ximene would not have asked her grandmother to make love to him!
Lady Eleanor talked on about the wonders of the sunset. Eventually, when it was totally dark and Lady Eleanor had not moved for a quarter of an hour, John lit a torch and moved it to illuminate Lady Eleanor’s face.
She blinked into the light and lifted her head. ’John, we must talk of worldly things.’ She continued, hurriedly, one word falling over another. ‘Ximene is finding it difficult. All she wanted to do was escape. She…we have used the Prince and yourself to achieve that aim. We... Ximene knows that this has created problems for you. However, we now know that the Prince has released you from your vow of homage so that you can serve Ximene without compromising your honour.’
John’s eyes opened wide. ‘How can you possibly know that?’
‘It is a different world John, Ximene was told before you were.’
John gulped and sat on the edge of the crate. making sure he left a space between them.
‘Tell me, John, how would you like to be Viscomte of Carcassonne?’
He studied Lady Eleanor’s face to gauge her seriousness. He found himself unable to reply, his mouth gaped open.
‘I am serious. One way out of Ximene’s dilemma could be to call upon the lords who support her and throw out the Franks.’ She hesitated, ‘perhaps with the support of Aragon or Castile.’ She now waited for John’s reply.
He made no sound while he considered this information. He recalled when he had first become a trainee squire, what Lord James had told him.
Express your true opinion. Say what you believe, not what you think someone wants to hear. Remember that in turn you will be judged by the judgements you make.
John started, somewhat hesitantly, by recounting Ximene’s statement that she would rather be a clerk in the back streets of Naples or Palermo than the Princess of Carcassonne in circumstances which exposed her subjects to risk.
After another short delay, he said, ‘If Ximene does choose to be a clerk, I would still pursue my suit with vigour. In time, she may find my attentions acceptable. At the moment, with all the complications we face, this would, in fact, be my preferred solution.’
The look on Lady Eleanor’s face had not changed. She expected more!
‘I know that Ximene has a determination to allow your faith to survive and to prevent the persecution of those who follow its teachings. Whatever danger that route may present, if that is what she wants to do, I will help her achieve that end.’
Nodding, Lady Eleanor smiled, sat up and reached out to touch his hair. ‘Of course, if Ximene does not marry the Prince it is quite possible you may father her child. Any child would become heir to the Trencavel lands. Sooner or later, your child would suffer all the enmity that is currently focussed on Ximene. So you see, John, no matter what may unfold, you will always be faced with difficulty and danger.’ Lady Eleanor sighed. ‘I believe that if she were to opt to commit herself to lead an independent Occitan, some of the danger could be mitigated.’
John winced.’If Ximene doubts that the Prince could help her withstand a Crusade then what hope would there be for an independent Occitan, even with the support of Aragon? With respect, Milady, I doubt whether the question you have asked has any real meaning.’
He could see from Lady Eleanor’s face that she did not consider the answer to be complete. John struggled. ‘However, suppose she was to marry the Prince the chances of his supporting her would be greater, I have learned that dynastic marriages are not necessarily for love. I would find it possible, no matter what future awaits Ximene, to continue to pay court to her. Perhaps she would eventually find a way to honour me with her attention.’
There was now silence for a long time.
Lady Eleanor’s face was thoughtful. She spoke with heavy emphasis. ‘My weakness is that for a long time I favoured a union with the Prince and though I no longer favour that solution, there is still a possibility Ximene will choose to marry him. If she did so, she would still need you. She will need you in every way.’
John could not imagine where she was leading him. He turned his head slightly away from her and looked at her through one eye.
‘If Ximene does marry the Prince then, in the same way, that the Earl has provided cover for Joan of Kent, Ximene could give Pipa a place at court and she would provide the perfect cover for your ongoing relationship.’
He shook his head. ‘How could Pipa provide cover?’
‘As Pipa’s husband, no one would be surprised to see you in Ximene’s company. It would be easy for Ximene to visit you.’
John stared at Lady Eleanor in disbelief. So that was where the suggestion he should spend time with Pipa had come from!
‘Just a suggestion, John, but you ought to know that Pipa would not object.’
John shook his head. ‘You are leading me into a different world.’
Lady Eleanor smiled. ‘Yes, yes, I suppose I am. For an instant, she bowed her head but then she raised it again and looked John directly in the eye.
‘It is the fact that you are prepared to face such a future, without the promise of any specific reward that makes you special. Thank you, John. Whether you know it or not, you have given me the perfect answer.’ Lady Eleanor’s throat caught over her words. She gathered her breath and her eyes misted. ‘For me, this has been an emotional moment. There is little more I can do for my granddaughter. She is aware of the content of what I have said to you, but she is not necessarily aware of the emotion that I feel. Tomorrow I will return, with the Prince to Aquitaine. I will go to Clermont and eventually, my beloved Guillam will join me. I will live the rest of my life as Lady Clermont.’
John’s own eyes misted over. She smiled again, leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek. Studying his face silently, she pressed the palm of her hand against his cheek. ‘John, only two weeks ago I willed you to accept responsibility for Ximene. I would now like to take that one step further. You have my blessing—no, my request—to enter into whatever relationship Ximene may permit.’ She stood and smiled down at him.
He hurriedly scrambled to his feet. She held his hands and kissed him again. This time firmly, on the lips.
John felt Lady Eleanor’s love for her granddaughter flow into him and take possession of him. All his fears and apprehension were swallowed in a surge of emotion. Lady Eleanor smiled again. ‘I can do no more. My hopes, fears and aspirations for my granddaughter are now in your hands. Whatever happens, as long as I live you will always be welcome at Clermont.’
She turned and left, slowly and graciously.