The Three Crowns: The Story of William a - By Jean Plaidy Page 0,35
error there was no resounding box on the ears; and since she was not forced to eat soupe maigre, life in the convent was so delightful by comparison with that of the ducal palace that Mary Beatrice decided that she would become a nun and spend the rest of her days there.
This was the state of affairs when she was recalled from the convent to the ducal palace.
Her mother received her with more warmth than was usual and Mary Beatrice knew that she was secretly pleased.
“Sit down, my daughter,” said the Duchess. “I have news for you, which I think you will agree with me is excellent.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“The Duke of York will most certainly be the next King of England.”
The Duchess paused. “You do not seem to understand.”
“I am sorry, Madame, but I have never heard of the Duke of York nor of England.”
“Your education is being neglected. What do you do in your convent?”
“We pray, Madame. We meditate. We …”
The Duchess waved an impatient hand. Religion was an important part of life, but it was necessary to learn something of the outside world. Never heard of England! What did this girl know of the politics of the world? Had it been a mistake to send her to a convent? Should she have been brought up in a more worldly manner? There was nothing to complain of in her religious education, but …
“England is one of the most important countries in the world,” said the Duchess sharply. “I will see that you are instructed in its history—and its importance to Europe and ourselves—without delay. The King of England has no son or daughter who would inherit his crown; but he has a brother who is heir presumptive to the throne. This is the Duke of York; and he is asking for your hand in marriage.”
The girl turned pale. “Marriage, Madame? That is impossible. I am to be a bride of Christ.”
“I was not aware that I have been consulted, daughter.”
“Madame, my life is in the convent. I belong in the convent.”
“You are too young to make decisions affecting your future. You are not yet fifteen and—naturally—you will do as I say.”
“Madame … the idea of marriage is repugnant to me.”
“You know nothing of it. I shall decide.”
The girl was suddenly rebellious. “I shall not marry,” she cried. “I shall not!” And she fell into such a passionate storm of weeping that even the Duchess could do nothing to restrain her.
She looked at her daughter, that rippling jet black hair, that delicate skin, the dark firmly marked eyebrows, the heavy lashes, the perfect oval face and thought she was so beautiful that she must be one of the loveliest girls in the world.
The Duchess imagined her daughter—fourteen years old, married to the Duke of York, twenty-five years older than herself, already a father; and his reputation, although not quite as bad as that of his brother, the King of England, was decidedly tarnished.
Imagine this delicate—and surprisingly passionate—creature in his hands!
For the first time in her life the Duchess wavered. The honor of union with England should not be missed, but for Mary Beatrice, no. It was too much.
Perhaps the attention of the Duke of York could be diverted to one of the other princesses of Modena, someone older, more knowledgeable in the ways of the World.
The Duchess would try it before she forced her innocent young daughter into the arms of the over-amorous and, by reputation, even lascivious Duke of York.
During the next days Mary Beatrice grew so pale and despairing that her uncle Rinaldo d’Esté conferred with the Duchess concerning the proposed marriage, and when they called in the Duchess’s confessor, Father Garimbert, they all agreed that, while the immensely influential union could not be abandoned, they must try to find another bride for the Duke of York.
“Twenty-five years her senior,” mused Rinaldo, shaking his head.
“That will be less noticeable as she grows older,” put in the Duchess, “and he is more likely to cherish a young girl than an ageing woman.”
“The Princess should never be allowed to mate outside her religion,” added Garimbert.
“Nor would she,” was the Duchess’s answer, “for the Duke of York is known to be a Catholic.”
“A secret Catholic. I like that not,” replied Garimbert, whose views always carried great weight with the Duchess. The outcome of these interviews was that the Earl of Peterborough should be invited to the Court; that he should be asked to suggest another Princess of Modena to his master; and