I watched you talking to the Queen, Geoffrey said.
We exchanged a few pleasantries, Henry said guardedly, filling his goblet. He never discussed his dealings with women with his father.
It looked like a lot more than that, Geoffrey accused him. I know you, Henry. Remember, boy, she is the Queen of France, not some trollop youd screw in a haystack. And weve only just made peace with her husband the King.
I know all that, Henry replied mulishly. Im not an idiot.
Convince me of that, his father retorted. I saw you looking at her lustfully. And I saw her casting her unchaste eyes on you. You know, Henry, she has a reputation.
So rumor has it, Henry said. But there is no proof. Her husband has not cast her off for infidelity. Maybe the rumors have wronged her.
Her husband, Geoffrey said carefully, does not know the least of it, I am sure.
It ill becomes you to impugn her honor, Father! Henry snapped.
Oh, so you are hot for her, Geoffrey observed dryly. Then his tone hardened. Listen, my son. I say this for a very good reason. I absolutely forbid you to touch her. Not only is she married and the wife of your overlord, and therefore doubly prohibited to you, butand here the count hesitated and looked awayI have known her myself.
I dont believe you, Father, Henry retorted. Youre just saying that to warn me off.
Its true, God help me, Geoffrey insisted, his voice sounding wistful. Five years ago I had a secret affair with her, when I was seneschal of Poitou. She was there raising support for the crusade. It was just a brief thing, nothing serious, and fortunately nothing came of it. We were never discovered.
Henry snorted. So what of it? What difference does it make to me having her now? You clearly dont want her anymore.
You dont understand, boy, Geoffrey hissed, grasping Henry firmly by the shoulders. If you bed her, you commit incest. Such a relationship is forbidden by the Church.
Henry glared at him and wrenched himself free.
By the eyes of God, I care not a fig what the Church says! he snapped. A lot of things are forbidden by the Church, but they go on, and neither you, my lord, nor anyone else can stop me having my will of herand not only my will, but a whole lot more besides. In case youve forgotten, she is the greatest heiress in Christendom.
Geoffreys handsome face registered shock. He shot to his feet, sending his empty goblet clattering to the floor. She is married to the King of France, he hissed.
She can be unmarried! Henry answered. I keep my eyes and ears open. Have you not heard what is being said at this court? That the marriage is invalid and should be dissolved? The barons believe it, the Queen is said to have urged it, even our friend Bernard, God damn him, is of that opinion. Only the King is obdurate.
He will not relinquish her domains, Geoffrey said. It is too rich an inheritance to give up, so you can forget it.
No, Henry defied him. Louis cant keep hold of Aquitaine. His authority counts for little there. Theyre an unruly lot, Eleanors vassal lords. Even her father couldnt control them.
And you think you could! Geoffrey taunted.
Id stand a better chance than they, Henry assured him. Louis hasnt the resources. But when England is mine, along with Normandy, I will be ready and able to enforce my rule.
You run ahead of yourself, boy, Geoffrey said wearily. There is no guarantee that England ever will be yours. God knows your mother and King Stephen fought bitterly over it for years, but Stephen is still enthroned there, despite what people say about God and His saints having slept through all the terrible years of his reign; and he has an heir, Eustace, to succeed him. Against that, the claim of your mother, a woman, however rightful, is tenuous indeed. She lost all hope of success years ago when she upset the English by her haughty ways. His tone made it clear that he too had been alienated by them.
Thats unfair! You never loved my mother, Henry flung at him.
Weve always cordially hated each other, you know that, Geoffrey replied sanguinely. But thats beside the point. Those whom God hath joined must learn to put up with each other, or live apart, as we have. As for you, my son, just forget this harebrained scheme to snatch Queen Eleanor from her husband. You will live to regret it, I promise you.
There would be no snatching involved. I know, as sure as God is God, that she would come to me quite willingly.
Then
Henry replied. I feel the same, and it is a delight to me that we are equal in our passion.
It had to be destiny, Eleanor was certain. She was filled with a sense of it, and of elation. God had led this man to cross her path, this man who had the power to satisfy not only her body but also her ambition. She had known, in the moment they had joined as one, that their coming together would have far-reaching consequences, and with a sudden flash of perfect clarity, she could see what those consequences would be. She would leave Louis and break their marriage. She would go back south to Aquitaine and reclaim it as her own. Then she would give it, with herself, as a gift to Henry. Together, with her lands joined to his coming inheritance, they could build an empire such as Christendom had never seen, and Aquitaine would become a great power in the world. And with Henrys backing, she would quell her turbulent lords and rule it wisely and well.