Brigid smiled and headed for the castle, wondering what her father wanted from her, as he had said he would be very busy today and asked not to be disturbed.
***
Lord Norton walked slowly across the garden, re-reading for the umpteenth time the little note he had received from London only a few minutes ago. His full lips, hidden beneath a thick golden moustache, smiled enigmatically.
– How nice to see you so happy, father," said a woman's gentle voice behind him, which made Sir Norton shudder with surprise and laugh heartily at himself.
– Ah, it is you, my pearl! – He went up to his daughter and kissed her white, high forehead. – Are you walking alone? Where is Brigid?
– 'Her father sent for her…' Alienor shrugged her shoulders, and then bowed her head and squinted her sky-blue eyes. – You shine like the midday sun. And what has made you so happy?
– I can't hide anything from you, my beauty! – Sir Norton bent down to the girl's ear and whispered softly: – 'News from London! Do you remember how quickly His Majesty left our castle?
– How could I forget such a thing? Oh, don't let me die from curiosity! – whispered Alienor impatiently.
– Henry has sent an ambassador to the Vatican to bring the Pope's consent to the divorce of our King and Queen Catherine! My secret attorney also reports…" Lord Norton whispered quickly, quickly.
– Wait, wait! Father, are you sure about this? – Alienor's eyes widened and she said aloud: the news her father had shared with her astonished her, and her whole being could not believe that King Henry had decided to divorce his old wife after all. How could such a thing be possible? And how had Anne Boleyn managed to induce him to take such a serious, ungodly step? Did he not care at all what his subjects had to say about him?
"But why am I surprised? It was so obvious! The old faithful horse is going to the stall, and the young and stroppy one is preparing to be ridden," thought the girl with a sarcastic smile. – Catherine had better kindly, quietly step down and give her place to her rival, for she has long since won their duel for the heart and favour of this lustful fool!"
– Have I ever been wrong, my rose? – replied the girl's father ingratiatingly, and bent again to her ear: – A man loyal to me, a courtier who is among Henry's closest friends and favourites, has also reported that Catherine, that Spanish fox, has somehow discovered about her husband's secret messenger to the Pope, and has also sent a man to the Vatican… But this is but the last agony: once the King has made his decision, he cannot be changed, however foolish it may be… Do you realise what awaits us all now, my daughter?