The Dragon and the Rose

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Book: Read The Dragon and the Rose for Free Online
Authors: Roberta Gellis
Tags: Fantasy
Perhaps he would have resisted had Edward's offer been less fair. The king of England said the realm was quiet and content and that he no longer feared rebellion. It was time to seal the breach between York and Lancaster. He would give his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, to Henry as his bride.
    Only chance brought Francis news of negotiations for the betrothal of Elizabeth to the dauphin of France. Fearing treachery and an alliance fatal to Brittany, he sent men thundering after the envoys to bring Henry back.
    Francis's men found Henry still in Brittany. He had taken to the tricks of his childhood and made himself sick. The English envoys dared not cross Henry while still in Francis's duchy and had agreed to let him seek a physician. It was all the leeway he needed to escape into a church and claim sanctuary. This was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that Henry's quick wit saved him from death.
    When they were reunited, Francis told Henry what had caused his change of heart. "Of course, Edward has two other daughters, but I will wager that neither of them was meant for you."
    Henry shrugged. "Even if one were, my every word and move would have been watched. I would have been a prisoner in a gilded cell. You must know he would never trust me in arms, nor in government."
    "No, I suppose not. Henry, do you seek such duty?"
    "I am no idle popinjay."
    "True. My son, do you long for England?"
    "My lord, do you never look back on your childhood and it seems an enchanted time of joy with no pain? Yet you know the happiest child suffers much. When I look back, it seems that England was a land of milk and honey, and I dream. But my waking mind knows better. I love my dream as a dream. I do not believe it to be a real thing. In truth, I can say to you that I do not long for England." God forgive me for the lie, thought Henry.
    "It is well, for I believe there is no place for you there nor ever will be. That will be England's loss and my great gain, for you were born to rule, Henry."
    Henry stepped back nervously. If Francis should suspect him of unhealthy ambition, his state would be desperate.
    "Yes. My first wife, may the good Lord protect her soul, saw it when you were but a child, and I have seen it grow in you. Did you know my first duchess urged me to find a means to make you my heir?"
    "My lord!" Henry's even manner never betrayed surprise, but so wild a plan shocked him out of his cultivated sangfroid.
    Francis chuckled. "Well, she was a good woman and followed her heart. I knew it was impossible then to force you, who had no slightest kinship with me, upon the barons. Now, however, there is a means to bring us into the closest kinship. What say you to being my son by marriage, Henry?"
    For a moment Henry stood stunned, then dropped heavily to his knees. "Whatever I could say would be an insult by expressing too little gratitude. That you should give even a single thought to such a union gives me greater joy than—"
    "Save your fine speeches, my son. You will need that golden tongue of yours to move others than me. Mind, I love you, but I did not think of this plan to benefit you alone." Francis allowed Henry to kiss his hand and then raised him. "Any other man of high enough birth would scarcely wish to leave his own land, and, even were he willing, Brittany would not be first in his heart."
    Henry was bold. "My lord, I do not hate England, but you may be sure I will never further Edward's interests over Brittany's."
    "That had passed through my mind," Francis said with a laugh. "You love me, Henry, and, living here, you might win Anne's love and make her happy while you cared for the land."
    "I would try—but I am twenty-two, my lord, and she is but a baby. Also, I understand men—women are another matter."
    "You should apply yourself more to their study," Francis gibed, for he had heard that Henry was a pious prude with regard to women.
    "I will certainly set myself to study Anne." He flushed faintly. "If anything

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