– If I were a man, I would be happy to have a woman like Catherine of Aragon as a wife! – said Brigid firmly, displeased at her best friend's sympathy for the horrid, vile woman who broke the heart of the Queen of England. – Ah, Alienor, how can you like that lecherous woman? They say all she does is party, dance and get gifts from the King!
– That's exactly what I like about her! She's not boring, which is more than I can say for your favourite Catherine," said Alienor. – I like to live and be merry, and to spend the whole day in the prayer room, like the Queen and her ladies in honour, would make me dull with boredom… Oh, my dear, don't be sad," she added affectionately, seeing the sadness on Brigid's face. – The king will not marry her. As long as Catherine lives…
– I pray to God that the Queen will live long and happy years, – bitterly whispered Brigid and shook her head. – But I don't want to hear any more about all this. The only thing I wish for is William Tury, but it is time for me to tear him from my heart. He wanted to marry you, Alienor. – A flame of envy flickered in the girl's eyes, but it was not black or evil. – He asked for your hand in marriage.
– My sweet, kind, and naive Brigid," Alienor sighed patiently. – He did not want to marry me. The purpose of his proposal was to be related to my father. You do remember the influence that Lord Norton wields at court, don't you?
– Are you sure? What if he sees you in his dreams?
– It's not me he sees in his dreams, it's how he's going to get into the King's retinue. The King is always lavishing favours on his retinue. And I'm the only way William Tury can get into the palace.
– Miss Guise! Your father told me to find you! – they heard behind their backs, and turned round to see a servant girl walking quickly in their direction.
– Father is calling…" Brigid said thoughtfully. – I must go.
– I'll be in the garden. I felt like writing a couple of sonnets to nature today," Alienor smiled encouragingly.
Brigid smiled and headed for the castle, wondering what her father wanted from her, as he had said he would be very busy today and asked not to be disturbed.
***
Lord Norton walked slowly across the garden, re-reading for the umpteenth time the little note he had received from London only a few minutes ago. His full lips, hidden beneath a thick golden moustache, smiled enigmatically.
– How nice to see you so happy, father," said a woman's gentle voice behind him, which made Sir Norton shudder with surprise and laugh heartily at himself.
– Ah, it is you, my pearl! – He went up to his daughter and kissed her white, high forehead. – Are you walking alone? Where is Brigid?
– 'Her father sent for her…' Alienor shrugged her shoulders, and then bowed her head and squinted her sky-blue eyes. – You shine like the midday sun. And what has made you so happy?
– I can't hide anything from you, my beauty! – Sir Norton bent down to the girl's ear and whispered softly: – 'News from London! Do you remember how quickly His Majesty left our castle?
– How could I forget such a thing? Oh, don't let me die from curiosity! – whispered Alienor impatiently.
– Henry has sent an ambassador to the Vatican to bring the Pope's consent to the divorce of our King and Queen Catherine! My secret attorney also reports…" Lord Norton whispered quickly, quickly.
