Judith, Twice Queen of Wessex

by Lesley Jepson

  ‘And who are those guests, I wonder?’ Her hand slid up his jaw and he turned his lips to kiss her palm. Judith felt the familiar bubble of desire in her stomach and she beamed at him.

  ‘My father, my love, come to greet his grandson. And your brother Louis to see his nephew.’ Gently, Baldwin pulled her by the hand towards their salon, and although she would have preferred to dress in one of her better gowns to greet the Count and her brother, she realised Baldwin couldn’t wait to see his father again.

  Her husband opened the door and their visitors got to their feet, bowing their heads respectfully as she entered the room. With a delighted giggle, she held out her hands to greet her brother.

  ‘Louis! Dear, dear Louis. How wonderful to see you.’ Her brother kissed her knuckles, and then both her cheeks.

  ‘Judith. I am so p..pleased to come. R..relieved to come. I w..want to see m..my n..nephew. And we have n..news.’ He beamed at her and then tipped his head at the Count, just taking a cup of wine from Baldwin’s hand.

  ‘News, Count?’ Judith smiled broadly at her father-in-law and he stepped forward and lifted her hand to his lips. Judith gave an excited squeak and threw her arms around him, embracing the old man firmly as Baldwin grinned at her.

  ‘Yes, Princess. News from your father the King.’

  Judith swallowed a laugh, hearing in her mind Ghislaine saying ‘blessankeepim’, and regarded both their guests with a bright, excited expression.

  ‘An invitation to come home, my love.’ Baldwin couldn’t contain himself any longer, and toasted the group with his goblet. Judith raised a sceptical eyebrow and took a seat on the chaise, arranging the skirts of her robe modestly.

  ‘Really? And what are the conditions of this invitation, I wonder?’ Judith looked between the Count and her brother, inviting their response, and Louis shook his head emphatically.

  ‘N..none, Sis. The land of F..flanders is offered for B..baldwin to rule, along with a t..title for your children to inherit.’

  Judith moved her gaze from her brother to Baldwin’s father, and he nodded. ‘The King wants you to return, my dear. The hunting accident that involved Prince Charles has shown him that life is fleeting, and he wants a rapprochement with you so he might meet his grandson. He does have one request, however…’ the Count spread his fingers placatingly as Judith snorted and Baldwin stiffened, waiting for the King’s conditions.

  ‘And that is?’ Judith’s voice was tight. If it involved stepping anywhere near a convent, they would stay in Lorraine for the rest of their lives.

  ‘That you and my son have another celebration of your marriage at the cathedral in Auxerre.’

  Judith saw Baldwin raise his brows, and she darted a suspicious look at the Count, her tone terse. ‘So that he is satisfied in his own mind that we are truly married?’

  ‘No, my dear. Not at all. Simply because you are a Princess of Frankia, and it is your due.’

  ***

  Chapter 133

  A sharp rap came at the door.

  Judith stood in the centre of the chamber, allowing her demoiselles to scurry around helping her into her wedding finery. She had chosen a heavy golden brocade for her surcoat and gown, edged with white coney fur and with an embroidered silk kirtle beneath. The kirtle sleeves were tight down to her wrists, banded with embroidery and pearls that matched the pearls in the wrought-gold girdle she wore. Elin and Alys had worked diligently on the tiny swans hidden within the pattern, each with a pearl for an eye, and Judith was thrilled that her favourite birds could accompany her on this most important day.

  ‘Princess. The guard says your brother wishes to see you.’ Ghislaine blinked at her in surprise, and Judith grinned back.

  ‘It will be Lothaire, Ghislaine. Allow him entry, and then you can all go and get into your gowns while we talk. There is plenty of time for you to come back and finish fitting my veil.’

  Judith smiled at her ladies as they left, a wide-eyed Ghislaine holding open the door for Lothaire to stride into the room and then bobbing a blushing curtsey as she hurried away.

  ‘Lothaire!’ Judith held out her hands in pleasure to greet her brother. ‘How do you come to be here today, of all days? And looking like that?’ A soft chuckle bubbled from her throat in surprise at her brother’s appearance.

  Lothaire bent and kissed his sister’s cheek, and then dropped into one of the chairs, dwarfing it with his lanky frame. He swept his hat from his hair and grinned conspiratorially as Judith poured him a goblet of wine.

  ‘I couldn’t possibly miss your wedding, sister. I wanted to see you finally happy.’

  ‘Had we known, brother, you could have performed the service and married me.’

  ‘Oh, no.’ Shaking his head, Lothaire yelped a laugh and took some grapes from the bowl, tossing one into his mouth and chewing with a sly grin. ‘I want to enjoy myself today. Watching Hincmar squirm as he reads the blessing His Holiness has sent will be a delight. As will meeting Father. Which is why I look like this.’ He nodded towards his attire, chuckling as he ate another grape.

  Lothaire stretched out his long legs, clad in soft black leather trousers tucked into tooled leather boots. His jerkin was of velvet fitted with silver clasps, and his cloak was made from finely woven wool, held to his shoulders by two ornate brooches of wrought silver set with cabochon amber jewels that caught the light.

  Judith gazed at him in wonder. At not quite fourteen, he was so much taller than she was, not as tall as Baldwin perhaps, but at least their father’s equal. Lothaire tipped his head toward his boots.

  ‘A parting gift from His Holiness, sister. The sole of this one looks a little strange when I am seated.’ Judith regarded the boot in question, seeing the built-up sole that enabled her brother to walk with hardly a perceptible limp. ‘But it is lined with lamb’s wool and is very comfortable when I stand and walk.’

  ‘I’m glad, Lothaire. Pleased you have found something to help at least.’ She frowned slightly. ‘But why have you not come as a Bishop?’

  ‘Because today I am a Prince of Frankia, Judith,’ he scoffed. ‘I am your brother and at your wedding. I am to travel into Auxerre and take up my position, but I thought to come here first. Listen to Hincmar, watch Father and Charles. See their reaction to me.’ He sipped his wine and Judith saw another wry smile steal over his face.

  ‘And what does His Holiness’ blessing say, Lothaire?’ Judith pushed away a shudder at the thought of the Pope’s cold clammy hands on her body, blessing her unborn son.

  ‘It praises you to the skies, sister. I’d hazard old Hincmar will writhe with embarrassment as he reads the Pope’s words aloud.’ He laughed and helped himself to some more of the grapes in the dish. ‘It urges the people to take you and Baldwin as their example of a true family, blesses you both, and your children. Eulogises your love, and the importance of your union, and holds you up as a shining example of beauty, grace and virtue.’ The grin on Lothaire’s face as he spoke made Judith chuckle.

  ‘So I look forward to Hincmar choking on the words, and Father and Charles having an apoplexy as they listen to the list of your virtues after the way they treated you.’

  ‘Charles won’t be able to attend, Lothaire. And Mother is still abed from the birth of her latest child, another daughter.’ Judith told Lothaire about the attack from Charles on their way home and explained that they were keeping the real reason for his injuries from their father. ‘But Louis will be there, and he will be thrilled to see you looking so well.’

  ‘And I will be glad to see him, Sis.’ He swallowed the rest of his wine and stood. With a brief flash of memory, Judith noted that he still seemed to steady himself before taking a step, and again her heart ached for the innoce
nt, lame little boy he had been. ‘But I must not delay you any longer. Your ladies will wish to finish getting you ready for the blessing of your marriage.’

  ‘I think it will almost be another wedding, Lothaire. Father can’t bear the fact that we were married by a simple priest, so I have no doubt Archbishop Hincmar will be performing every rite he can muster to ensure I am properly wed.’ Judith wrinkled her nose ruefully at the thought of the endless ceremony that was before her.

  ‘As long as he reads the lesson the Holy Father has sent, Sis. Watching him will doubtless prove an amusing diversion for you.’

  Judith stood, shaking out her gown, and Lothaire pecked her cheek. ‘I will go and find Louis, sister, and I shall see you at the banquet later.’

  She watched him stride from the room, his new boots levelling his footsteps and his sumptuous cloak drifting around his thighs. From the rear, she saw his fine golden hair was imperceptibly tonsured, and she suddenly wondered how devout a clergyman he would be. Then her ladies entered her chamber and all thoughts of her brother fled as they fussed around her, setting a diaphanous silk veil on her hair and fixing it in place with a filet of gold.

  ***

  Chapter 134

  Judith stood in the doorway of the church, pushing away the memories of her last wedding in this place. This time the man she loved was waiting for her at the altar, and she would walk to him unaccompanied by her father.

  She was no longer his to give away.

  Ghislaine was at her shoulder as they waited for the signal, Elin and Alys behind her, arranging her train and making sure nothing would catch on the length of her gown.

  ‘You look beautiful, Princess,’ whispered Ghislaine, and Judith clasped the girl’s fingers in a sudden attack of nerves. Ghislaine returned the pressure and leaned forward so Judith might hear her words. ‘And you are so lucky, having a second wedding to the man you love, and who adores you in return.’

  Ghislaine sighed, and Judith saw her head drop slightly. ‘I wish I could have that, Princess. I am not so much younger than you, yet I’m still unmarried, not even betrothed, and you are already carrying your second child.’

  Judith gasped and clutched Ghislaine’s hand tightly, oblivious to the waiting congregation in the church or the signal that would come at any moment.

  ‘How did you know? Have you told anyone?’

  Ghislaine giggled softly and shook her head. ‘No, Princess, I haven’t told anyone.’ The girl gave her a knowing look and a brief, unladylike snort. ‘I know because I tend to your linens. If Elin wasn’t so wrapped up with her own forthcoming wedding to my brother, she would have noticed, but as it is, she notices nothing but what else she needs for her trousseau.’ Ghislaine pursed her lips, as if she had spoken a little too freely, and Judith sympathetically pressed her hand again.

  ‘I am sure it will soon be your turn, Ghislaine.’

  An excited expression passed over the girl’s face and she whispered eagerly, ‘Why? Has Gozfrid said something to Lord Baldwin? He hasn’t asked Ralf, I know that.’

  ‘I’m sure he will, Ghislaine. Once we are settled and he can provide a home.’ Judith tried to sound reassuring, but still Ghislaine’s face fell.

  ‘I don’t care about that!’ she shrugged. ‘We will still be living with you in any case, Princess. Neither Gozfrid nor I would want to leave you and Lord Baldwin.’ Ghislaine gave a huge sigh of longing, and Judith had to push away the urge to giggle; the young demoiselle could be so overly dramatic at times.

  ‘But I wish he would ask me, Princess.’ A look of mischief came into her eyes. ‘Perhaps I should try and make him jealous. Your brother Lothaire is very good looking, really. Despite his crooked foot.’

  Judith didn’t know whether to be shocked at Ghislaine’s devious train of thought or outraged at the cavalier way she dismissed Lothaire’s handicap. But amusement at the girl’s self-centred approach to life overcame everything else, and she chuckled softly, clicking her tongue in mock reproof.

  ‘He is a Bishop, Ghislaine. He will not be able to take a wife.’

  Ghislaine slid her eyes sideways to meet Judith’s gaze with a shrug and a wry smile. ‘Hmmph. Then I hope Gozfrid hurries up and asks, before I dry up inside like Sister Blessankeepim.’

  Judith’s laugh echoed around the vestibule, and impulsively she pecked the girl’s cheek affectionately.

  ‘Ghislaine, you couldn’t be less like Sister Seraphina if you tried. And I’d hazard within a year you’ll be wedded and bedded and on your way with your first child.’

  The girl shimmied her hips in delighted anticipation, then the huge portal opened and Judith was beckoned forward. As she clasped her hands together at her waist, she caught sight of the silver swan brooch pinned inside her cuff and a beatific smile spread over her face. She squared her shoulders, straightened her spine and lifted her head to meet Baldwin’s eyes as he stood before the altar.

  Lost in their hazel depths, Judith glided, swanlike, down the aisle towards the man she loved.

  ***

  Epilogue

  Dearest Ӕlswith

  I write to you as the newly-created Countess of Flanders, wife to the Margrave. My second wedding to Baldwin was a very grand affair when compared to the simple ceremony we had in Senlis. Archbishop Hincmar officiated in the cathedral at Auxerre, although I think it almost choked him to say the blessings out loud. But my brother Lothaire, whose benefice Auxerre actually is, brought another blessing with him from the Pope on our union, so the Archbishop had little choice but to perform the service.

  My father has annexed part of his land for Baldwin to rule, and to protect from Danish invasion. Both of us are excited at the prospect of ruling our new domain, and making a difference to the lives of the people there. We embark on our journey to Ghent very soon, after Ralf marries Elin, and our next child will be born in our new land. Yes, my dear, I am again joyfully with child and can confirm that my husband is of the same mind as yours, loving me very much and very often.

  My mother has recently given birth to another daughter whom she has named Hildegard, although she takes little interest in the child. She is a delightful little girl and is safely in the nursery with my own baby boy. Perhaps I will ask if Hildegard can travel to Flanders with us.

  Ghislaine is determinedly courting Gozfrid, and although he treats her with good humoured affection, he is careful not to damage her reputation. Neither Baldwin nor Ralf would permit him to dishonour her, although I think no-one has asked Ghislaine her opinion and she pursues him relentlessly. We are hopeful of another wedding when we are in Ghent.

  Please remember me to your delightful family, and to your brothers when you see them, and remind darling Frytha of her promise to come and visit me. Assure her I am asking every prince I meet whether they like cats.

  I send you blessings and much love, my dear Ӕlswith, and hope to hear your news soon.

  Your friend

  Judith, Countess of Flanders

  ***

  Afterword

  Judith had three sons with Baldwin, one of whom inherited his father’s title to become Baldwin II of Flanders and who married Princess Ӕthelfryth, youngest daughter of King Ӕlfred the Great of England.

  Judith was also an ancestress of Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror who successfully led the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

  Baldwin held Flanders against the Danes for many years, first for King Charles, and then for Prince Louis who succeeded his father as King in 877.

  Prince Charles died from head injuries suffered in a ‘hunting accident’.

  Lothaire became Abbot of Saint-Germain and Auxerre.

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**

  If you have enjoyed this book, you might want to read others by Lesley Jepson

  Mollie, Duchess of Nona

  Believing her fiancé Gregory has been killed in a shipwreck, Mollie Lovell travels to Italy to make a new life. Promised by adventurer Amilcare Passavente that he will make her the Duchess of Nona, she is befriended by Fiametta, mistress of Cesare Borgia, and becomes unwittingly involved in an assassination plot. Will she pay the ultimate price, or will Gregory, still alive and searching for the woman he loves, arrive in time to save her from the wrath of the enemies who hate Duke Valentino?

  A Tangled Web – Mollie Lovell Book 2

  Safely back from Italy with husband Gregory, Mollie Lovell’s life returns to normal. Then a case of mistaken identity leads to Greg being thrown into Launceston gaol for highway robbery. Can Mollie prove his innocence, or will Sir Tyco Brocklebank sentence him to hang? How will Amelia, Sir Tyco’s niece and trapped in an unhealthy relationship with her tyrannical uncle, escape to her own happiness? And why does Greg’s brother need to keep their sister’s betrothal such a secret?

  On the Altar of England – Tudor Chronicle Book 4

  In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Lettice Knollys committed the unforgiveable sin of marrying Robert Dudley, the man with whom Elizabeth herself was in love. Banished by a vengeful Queen from all aspects of court life, Lettice must make a life for herself and those she loves. But Elizabeth’s jealousy is endless, and Lettice finds even her own children are endangered by the whim of the Queen, for whom no sacrifice is too great on the altar of her beloved England.

  The Last Howard Girl – Tudor Chronicle Book 3

  Henry VIII is dead and Elizabeth is at the court of her brother Edward VI. Tainted by the twin stains of illegitimacy and heresy, she meets and falls in love with Robert Dudley, himself almost ruined by rumours of treason and unfortunately married. When his wife dies in suspicious circumstances the way is clear for him to marry again. But can Elizabeth the Queen, beset on all sides by demands to marry for the benefit of England, follow her heart? And will Robert remain loyal and wait for her, or find another to share his life?