A Queen's Ambition. A Kingdom on the Edge. Blog Tour and Book Excerpt for "Leonor"

BOOK EXCERPT

Four years after Ferdinand is crowned King, Leonor returns to Lisbon with her sister Joana to visit their sister Maria. In the four years since she was last at court, she has borne a son.

NOVEL EXCERPT #1 (of 3)

Two days later, Maria announces they are going to dine in the great hall with the court in the early evening. Leonor and Joana ask excitedly what they should wear, for this is the most exceptional event of their lives since the birth of baby Álvaro. Because their new clothing ensembles are not ready, they go to Maria’s rooms to borrow surcoats and crespinas. Maria is beside herself with laughter as her two sisters fuss and preen in preparation. Leonor does not care if Maria thinks her silly, for Maria has no idea what it is like to be trapped in a dull household with nothing to look forward to.

Because mid-March is in Lent, when few guests come to Lisboa, Leonor feels the eyes of those courtiers present look them over with keen interest as they enter. When the king arrives, they drop into a deep curtsy.

“Who might these two beauties be?”

Leonor looks up into the eyes of King Ferdinand, and a hot blush suffuses her neck and face. She licks her lips.

“My lord, I present my sisters, the Lady Leonor of Pombeiro and the Lady Joana.”

“Lady Maria, I had not thought it possible your beauty could be equaled. I would have required these two sisters of yours to attend court sooner, had I known they existed. A charming way to brighten our Lenten meal.” And the king is off to the high table.

Leonor finds herself staring at the king. She thinks he even returns her gaze. She holds this information close, as she fears her sisters would think her vain for imagining a king would notice her presence. Supper is indeed spare, in keeping with the season’s habits, with no meat course. They return to Maria’s solar to sit before a fire and sip wine. Though it is confusing, Maria tries to explain who many of those are at the meal and what their roles are at court.

Unlike her last visit to court, this time Leonor met the king. With new clothes coming soon, she will find a way to gain the respect due to her station. She will not be silent. This is her golden opportunity to change her fate. She is not sure what doing so entails or how she will do it. But do it, she will.

(A couple of weeks later)

For Holy Friday’s solemn procession from the castelo to the cathedral, she wears no jewels to adorn her new black velvet houppelande over a black wool cotte. An austere black velvet hood covers her hair while highlighting her pale coloring and high forehead. She holds her candle in cupped hands in front of her heart. She adds the smallest of sways to her solemn steps. In Pombeiro, no one gives her a second look. Here, as they walk measured of pace, she senses eyes on her. When she glances one way or the other, she catches one man or another staring, and she responds with a small smile and dip of her head. It is not lost on her that several of the women are frowning, a fact which amplifies her newfound sense of power. I am someone, she thinks. As they enter the church, their candles are extinguished. Darkness descends on the world. One central candle remains, casting shadows as a lone voice chants Psalm 51. The service draws to a close, and the candle goes out as Christ dies on the cross. Solemnity and silence enshroud the congregants. In the midst of people jostling towards the open doors, she and Joana hold hands. She stiffens as a different hand strokes her back. While momentarily offended, she then smiles a smile no one can see.

Leonor and Joana treasure the red-and-gold-leaf-decorated eggs each receives at the Easter feast. After Saturday, the whirlwind Easter week of activities ends with a grand hunt and celebration. Easter Monday is a lovely spring morning, yet it feels dull with no plans for the day. The two women, joined by Maria, spend some time walking in a garden and watch as older plants are replaced with new spring and summer flowers and shrubs.

As they cross a courtyard, the king and two men are examining some pups being offered to the royal kennels. Maria introduces her sisters to Gomes da Silva and J. Rodrigues Pereira, close friends of the king. The pups are passed around, examined, and discussed in great detail. The king selects one and hands it to the kennel master.

“Did you enjoy yourselves last week?” da Silva asks the three sisters.

A chorus of ‘Yes’ replies erupt. “What especially?” the king inquires.

Leonor answers first. “To say Easter, for it was a magnificent service, is too obvious and easy. I treasure my decorated egg, which is spectacular. For me, it was on Saturday at the baptisms of several infants.”

“You wish to be a mother?” da Silva asks.

Leonor pauses perhaps a moment too long.