Charles rode round the field with Agnès and even the Queen joined in the applause.
It was while this was happening that there was a sudden commotion around the royal loge where the ladies were seated. Ferri de Vaudémont had stepped up to Yolande and taking her hand had walked with her across the field. Intent on the glittering Agnès and the homage done to her by the King, few had noticed. And then Ferri had set Yolande on a horse and himself mounting behind her, with a company of five or six friends began to gallop away.
René was the first to notice. He shouted: ‘After them!’ And several of his men gave chase.
The King was astonished. Instead of admiration for his beautiful Agnès there was a tittering in the crowd and everyone was agog to know what had happened.
He ordered that a troop of guards be sent out to see what the disturbance meant and to bring back the fugitives.
Ferri’s attempt to abduct his bride was short-lived; perhaps he had intended it should be so and his motive in making it had merely been to call attention to his case. Within a few hours he was brought before the King.
‘What did you mean by behaving in such a way at my tournament?’ demanded Charles.
‘Sire,’ replied Ferri, ‘I had to call your attention and that of others to the situation in which King René has placed not only me but his daughter. Yolande was sent to us as a child. We have grown up together. She wants to marry me as I do her and yet again and again the ceremony is put off simply because the King of Naples does not wish to honour his agreement.’
‘I will speak to the lady,’ said Charles and ordered that Yolande be brought before him.
‘You have been the victim of an abduction,’ said Charles. ‘How do you feel about that?’
‘I was very willing that the abduction should take place. Sire.’
Charles began to laugh. ‘And doubtless planned it with your abductor?’
‘You are right. Sire.’
‘And you want to get married. You are a year older than your sister, eh, and she is now marrying. Is that what you feel?’
‘It is, my lord.’
‘For my part I see no reason why we should not have a double wedding. Perhaps I should speak to King René.’
The two young people fell on their knees and kissed the King’s hands.
‘Enough,’ said Charles. ‘I know you will be grateful if I persuade René to allow the marriage to take place. So, let me see what I can do.’
He sent for René. Agnès was with him when René arrived.
‘So your daughter was abducted?’ he said.
‘It is an outrage. It changes everything. It releases me from my bond. I shall take my daughter back with me.’
‘Nay, nay. You go too fast. In the first place it does not release you from your bond. The marriage was at the root of the agreement you made with the Vaudémont when you were beaten in battle by them. You must remain faithful to the laws of chivalry, brother-in-law.’
René was silent. He had always prided himself on keeping those rules.
‘Be reasonable. The marriage must take place if you value your honour. The young people are eager for it. Why delay?’
‘There are certain matters which have to be arranged.’
‘Oh come, René, how many years have you had to arrange those matters?’
Agnès said: ‘If I may say it, my lord, it would seem to me that much expense would be spared if Yolande and Ferri were married now. Margaret could share her celebrations with those of her sister.’
Charles laughed inwardly. Trust Agnès to find the right answer.
René was wavering. The expenses of a daughter’s wedding were great. He was deeply in debt everywhere. Of course if the wedding took place now Charles would be paying for everything.
He said: ‘To abduct her in that way...’
‘Poor young man. He was desperate.’
‘You must forgive him,’ said Agnès gently. ‘Remember it was for love of your daughter.’
‘Well,’ said René, ‘since it appears to be your wish, Sire, and yours my lady...’
‘Let us send for the happy pair and tell them the good news,’ said Agnès.
So Yolande and Ferri were married and the jousts and the entertainments continued.
Charles talked to Agnès about the alliance of Margaret and Henry. He was sure it was a good thing for France.
‘It is an indication of the change which has come about since his father married a French Princess. The Fifth Henry had the daughter of the King of France. Our dear Margaret is a very minor Princess—in fact some would say no true Princess at all.’
‘Well, her father is the King of Sicily and Naples.’
‘Poor René, do you think he will ever see Sicily again?’
‘No, but it gives him some satisfaction to call himself King.’
‘And it has brought a crown for his daughter. I doubt she would have been considered if she had not borne the title of Princess...minor though it is.’
‘I hope the dear child will be happy.’
‘She will rule Henry, I am sure of that. He is a weakling, you know, and she is the sort of woman to rule. I shall never forget her grandmother...’
Agnès put her hand over his. ‘I know how dear she was to you.’
‘She was such an extraordinary woman. I was sad to lose her. Thank God I had you, Agnès, then.’
‘I shall always be beside you.’
‘It must be so,’ he said. ‘It would be too hard for me to live without you.’ He was thoughtful for a while. Then he said: ‘It is very good for France to have a strong Frenchwoman Queen of England.’
‘Remember she is very young.’
‘I do. But she is clever, and I think she will remember her duty to France. I will send for her and talk to her, and then you shall tell me if you think she will be good for France when she is in England.’
Margaret was pleased to be summoned by the King. She had become very fond of him. He was always kind and treated her as though she were his daughter. He had made a great effort to give her a splendid wedding and, although she knew that this was to impress the English, at the same time he had delighted to please her. Moreover he had brought about the marriage of Ferri and Yolande, for if he had not made it his business René would have found excuses to put it off again.
He received her informally and kissed her tenderly. Agnès did the same.
‘So,’ said the King, ‘we now have before us the Queen of England. How does it feel to be a Queen?’
‘I am scarce that yet.’
‘‘Tis true you have not seen your bridegroom and have had to take old Suffolk in his stead.’
‘The Marquess of Suffolk has been a good friend to me, as has the Marchioness.’
‘It is well that you make friends. You may need them when you get to your new home. So you have taken a fancy to the Suffolks. And the Talbots too, I believe.’
‘I have found them to be very kind to me.’
‘So they should be...to their Queen. It is going to be a difficult path you have to follow. Sometimes it is necessary to pursue a devious policy. You are very young and there are those who will seek to exploit your youth. You will have to be watchful, Margaret.’
‘I know that it is not going to be easy...’
‘But you are a clever girl. Often I see your grandmother in you and your mother has always had my greatest admiration. You are another such as they are, and I can tell you that you will find the King easily led. Margaret, make sure you are the one to lead him.’