“I beg you, Afonso, do not ask me that again. I assure you that you should not worry. Believe me. I will help you until you feel comfortable being a strong ruler.”
Noticing Afonso looked like he was about to protest, Pedro deftly changed the subject by turning to the duchess. “Dear Isabella, did you only inquire about the academic progress of my oldest nephew or both?”
Isabella replied: “Of course, I also inquired about infante Fernando’s progress. All his teachers except one assured me that Fernando is just as successful in his studies as Afonso.”
“You said, ‘except one,’” the duke asked with a slight frown.
“That’s right. His dance teacher.”
“What’s wrong?” asked the duke with surprise.
Fernando shrugged. Isabella continued, “His teacher said Fernando does not work very hard, especially when paired with a partner.”
“In pair dances?” asked the duke.
The duchess nodded. She planned to continue speaking when infante James unexpectedly broke into the conversation.
“Mother,” he said, “hard work has nothing to do with it. Fernando is just clumsy. Many of the senhoritas with whom Fernando danced told me. They all complained that the infante had stepped on their toes.”
“Clumsy? It can’t be!” the duke retorted. “I have often watched with delight how well Fernando skillfully wields a wooden sword in combat lessons. There he has no equal among his peers. Isn’t it true, Fernando?” The duke turned to the infante.
“Right,” answered Fernando proudly.
“So what is this report of alleged clumsiness in dancing?” the duke asked.
“I …, I …,” Fernando stumbled over his words.
Eight-year-old Phillipa exclaimed: “I know what it is! Fernando’s dance partners make him feel sick when he dances with them. So he deliberately steps on their feet. That way, he doesn’t have to dance with them.”
“Philippa!” exclaimed the duchess. “Why are you making up such a ridiculous story?”
“I’m not making anything up,” infanta Philippa said. “Fernando told me this in confidence. He also said it didn’t matter if you chose partners for him from the families of barons, counts, marquises, and other nobility. Just because they are noble doesn’t mean they are attractive. Tell them, Fernando. Fernando lowered his head and said: “I know now that I can’t share secrets with you, cousin, and I can’t trust your word.”