68 Golden Girl

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‘I have no long-term objections to you being Ximene’s occasional lover, my darling, but in the short term we must give the opportunity for other, more important, things to happen.’

 

 

Phillipa de Roet – 21st May 1355

Pipa pushed the golden doors open with some force. She firmly believed in the value of making a dramatic entrance. She wore a short gown, a very short gown. She glided to the balustrade of the terrace and poured herself a glass of wine. She was working on her image and hoped she looked confident, beautiful and sensual. Propping herself against the balustrade, she positioned herself to be silhouetted against the evening sky, her long legs stretched out in front of her.

She realised that she had interrupted a conversation and looked from Guillam to Eleanor and back again. ‘Well?’

‘We were just talking about Joan of Kent and the Earl of Salisbury. Did you learn anything from your experiences as serving wench?’

Pipa took a large drink from her glass and rolled it around her tongue. ‘I learned that beer does not compare with wine!’ She laughed. ‘No, I think my idea of my pretending to be your maid and mixing with the servants was a good one. I enjoyed myself, mixing with people of my own age. However, though I learned a lot about people’s beliefs and prejudices, none of it was really useful.’ She pursed her lips. ‘In the event, I was able to find the Earl of Salisbury’s squires; nice boys and adventurous.’ She smirked. ‘They sneaked up the hill and watched the beginning of the festival of Selene but my judgement is that they know absolutely nothing, or if they do they conceal it well. There was no mention of Ximene. Until the competition, I don’t believe they knew Joan of Kent was there, despite the fact that they serve the Earl.’

She pulled a face in disapproval. ‘Which is in itself surprising…If you want my opinion, they are a bit slow. I made it clear that I liked the one who won the archery championship, John Stanley, but he did not show any sustained interest. Not even after I got Guillam’s fletcher to provide the arrows which won him the championship!’ She paused. ‘I still haven’t forgiven him for making no attempt to thank me.’

‘Those arrows cost a fortune,’ Guillam grumbled gently.

Lady Eleanor smiled. ‘Don’t despair, Pipa. Your charms are not diminished. You must remember that John was brought up in the Roman Church. He will probably have been taught that even to admire a woman is deeply sinful. To harbour thoughts of gaining sexual pleasure is even worse.’

‘Hmm, I saw no sign of that. Initially, he was interested. Anyway You suggested that he might be one of Joan’s conquests.’

Lady Eleanor said teasingly, ‘Of course, it is possible you were not his type, my dear.’


Pipa went quiet as she considered this possibility. ‘Oh, really,’ she said. ‘Then perhaps I should arrange for him to see me in a more interesting situation. He is going to Muret with the Prince, perhaps that would be possible?’ She placed her glass on a nearby table, very slowly removed her gown and pirouetted on the spot, joining her hands together above her head. She was careful to make sure that she was still silhouetted against the sunset.

Guillam applauded slowly and gently but finished with a louder double clap. The music changed instantly to a softer languorous melody. Guillam sang in a clear but deep voice.


Pipa, you are,

Perfection in all you do.

Pipa, Pipa,

None can compare with you

I have to thank dear Eleanor,

For allowing your entry through the golden door,

For letting me watch as you undress,

And twist and turn to me impress.

Your long, long legs and silken thighs,

Bring great joy to this old man’s eyes.

Pipa, you are,

Perfection in all you do.

Pipa, Pipa,

None can compare with you.

I admire your face, I admire your hair;

At your neck and breasts, I love to stare.

But yet! I now must tell no lies,

I have a love which never dies.

Though the sight of your beauty may make me sigh,

It is in Eleanor’s arms I wish to lie.


Guillam ended with a burst of applause.

Pipa and Eleanor laughed delightedly and returned the applause.

Pipa threw her head back, making sure she showed off her breasts to advantage before she slid into the bath. ‘Only you Guillam could manage to complement two naked women in the same ballad and please both of them!’

After a moment, the musicians recommenced their own programme of music.


Pipa became aware that Eleanor had put on her serious face.

‘Pipa, we need to tell you something. Since the death of Ximene’s mother and father, I have been totally responsible for her welfare. She is very unhappy with a situation in which her future is being traded as if she was a commodity in the marketplace. She recognises that because of her inheritance she will probably have to make a dynastic marriage, but she wants to have control of the process. Therefore, in the near future, Ximene will be removed from Gaston’s care. A relative of mine, Don Fernandino Perez, has arrived from Sicily. He will organise Ximene’s kidnap during Gaston’s summer hunt. His task will be to kidnap Ximene in such a way that it appears that none of us has any involvement. She will be taken to Sicily and from there can consider her options without undue pressure.’

Pipa thought for a moment. She knew all this, but something told her it was best not to reveal her knowledge. She thought for a moment. ‘All I have got to say is that wherever Ximene goes, I want to go with her.’

Lady Eleanor smiled. ‘I have no long-term objections to you being Ximene’s occasional lover, my darling, but in the short term we must give the opportunity for other, more important, things to happen.’ Her smile broadened. ‘But it is good to know we are agreed. Ximene is going to Sicily.’

‘And I am going with her.’ Pipa thought. She could not prevent her eyes from sparkling. A second not entirely compatible thought crossed her mind. ‘ What is more, I haven’t completely given up on John Stanley.’

 

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The most dangerous woman in the world

The Treasure of Trencavel

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.