Chapter 9
Marriage to Tondbert AD 652Etheldreda told her father that she was to take the veil, and that she would stay at court only long enough to see him married to a new wife who could take over her duties.
‘I will not take a new wife,’ said Anna. ‘If you go, I will be alone.’
‘Then that is your choice,’ Etheldreda said firmly.
Anna sat for a long time after she had left the hall, chin sunk on his chest, his eyes dark and deep under his heavy brows.
The decision he had to make was not easy. As the only marriageable daughter of a much respected king, beautiful, cultured and charming, Etheldreda was a prize much sought after. Anna and his council had spent a great deal of time recently weighing up the relative merits of those who would be glad to seal an alliance with him by marrying
