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though he kept his disappointment from Blanche.
    They called the girl Elizabeth and he loved her even as he loved her elder sister Philippa, but he went on longing for a boy.
    His bitterness was great when news came from Aquitaine that Joan had produced a fine boy. There was great rejoicing throughout the court and the country. It was fitting that the Black Prince should give the country an heir who would be exactly like himself. They christened the boy Edward. There was a feeling that that was a kingly name. People forgot that there had been one Edward – the Second – who had been slightly less than kingly. The Prince was there to step into his father’s shoes, already loved and revered by the people – and he had not disappointed them. There was another Edward and a little one in his cradle to grow up in the light of his father’s wisdom – a little king in the making.
    John curbed his disappointment. He would have hated Blanche to know his feelings. His love for her was idealised, as was hers for him.
    He could talk to Isolda about the new turn of events, but she continued to look wise – almost as though she were some soothsayer who could see into the future. He half believed that she feigned this for his pleasure; but sometimes he felt that she had some insight and she continued to insist that there was a crown close to him.
    Blanche was once more pregnant. So was Joan of Kent.

    The King was in close conversation with his son and on the table before him lay letters from Bordeaux.
    ‘Your brother is eager that you should join him,’ said Edward, ‘and I am sure when you know the reason you will be eager to do so. The King of Castile is at Bordeaux.’
    John knew that there was trouble in Castile, because Henry of Trastamare, Pedro’s bastard brother, had for some time believed he had a right to the throne and would rule better than Pedro.
    ‘Henry of Trastamare now reigns in Castile and Pedro is asking our help to regain his throne,’ went on the King.
    ‘Is it any quarrel of ours?’ asked John.
    ‘Your brother believes and I with him that it is no good thing for bastards to depose legitimate heirs. Moreover Pedro has promised to make little Edward King of Galicia and to reward well those who help him.’
    ‘If he can be trusted that seems fair enough.’
    ‘I am sure your brother agrees with that. He asks that you join him there. My dear son, it is my wish that you make preparations to leave without delay.’
    John bowed his head. He was not averse to the adventure and it was true that legitimate sons could not stand aside and allow bastards to triumph. It was a dangerous precedent.
    Blanche was apprehensive when he told her he must prepare to leave, but as the Queen pointed out to her women in their positions must learn to accept these separations.
    Bravely Blanche said her farewells. ‘And when you come back,’ she added, ‘I trust I shall have a fine son to show you.’
    ‘We’ll have him yet,’ replied John. ‘Never fear. Isolda swears it and she is a wise woman.’
    So he left her and sailed for Brittany and when he reached the shores of that country, a message awaited him from his brother.
    ‘On the morning of Twelfth Day Joan bore me another son. The child was born in the Abbey of Bordeaux. A boy. God be praised. A brother for little Edward. Truly I am pleased in my marriage. There is great rejoicing here at the coming of Richard of Bordeaux.’
    John ground his teeth in envy. Another boy. Another to stand between him and the throne.
    Whatever Isolda said fate was mocking him.

    Blanche had decided that her child should be born in the Lancastrian castle of Bolingbroke. This had been one of her father’s castles which was now in the hands of her husband. She had always had a fancy for the place although many of the servants believed that it was haunted. A very strange kind of ghost was this one. It was said to be the spirit of some tormented soul which took the shape of a hare which had