Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Indeed, the marriage to Celia Clemence, that is the ceremony and party, is fun and games for Merivel. The marriage has been arranged so that the King's other mistress, Barbara Castlemain, who knows something is afoot between the King and Celia, will be pacified. If Celia is a married woman, the King can continue both affairs with a minimum of turbulence. The wedding and ceremony is therefore a sham, a fraud on the King's subjects. Merivel doesn't like Celia, and Celia loves only the King. Following the traditional meeting between Merivel and Celia's father (who probably is in on or knows about the scam) and the courtship of the bride, (all the meetings between prospective bride and groom are held in the King's presence with Celia devoting all her attention on the King) comes the wedding day and night. The couple...