Текст книги "The Sun in Splendour"

Автор книги: Jean Plaidy

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'By God's blood, this would be no light amour. I swear to you that never in my life have I been so affected.'

'That is often the impression at early encounters, and if you do indeed feel strongly drawn towards me it could not be love you feel, since you do not know me. If you had, my lord, you would never have expected me to become your mistress on a first meeting.'

Edward saw a glimmer of hope. He had been too quick. Very well, he would be prepared to wait a little—but only a little—for such a prize.

Elizabeth realized what was in his mind.

She said quickly: 'My lord, you should go away from here. Pursue your light o' loves, if you must. I have been a virtuous wife to the noble Lord Grey of Groby. I am not of a nature to become any man's mistress.'

The words were ominous if taken seriously. Edward had heard them once before. He did not wish to recall that time when he had been guilty of a certain indiscretion which was best forgotten. He hardly ever thought of Eleanor Butler nowadays. She had gone into a convent. . . . That matter was all over.

Now he was all impatience to become the lover of this woman.

'Moreover/ she went on, 'I am several years older than you are.'

That is impossible.'

'Yes/ she said. 'I am five years your senior. I am the mother of two boys/

'I find these matters no obstacle to my devotion to you.'

'My lord, do you not understand? My mother is of the House of Luxembourg. She has brought her children up to respect their honour and their virtue. My father is a baron, but he was not bom to high station. My mother married him for love, but she married him, my lord. I beg you, put all thought of me from your head. I am not for you by nature of my upbringing and my convictions. Never will I become your mistress and no other relahonship is possible between us.'

'I will not accept this,' he cried.

'I fear you must; I shall forever remember you with gratitude. You have restored my estates and for that I give you my heartfelt thanks. Alas, my lord, it is all that I can give you. And now may I have your leave to retire.'

He caught her hand as she rose but she withdrew it gently.

'Good bye, my lord. It is the only way.'

He sat staring after her as she went. Wild thoughts crowded into his mind. He could abduct her, force her. . . . Some of his acquaintances indulged in adventures like that. He never had. He had always jeered at them, explaining, 'My friends, I have never yet had to force a woman.'

And Elizabeth Grey of all women. There was something aloof about her. She was cool. She did not respond as most women did, and yet at the same time she liked him. He was sure of that. There was a note of tenderness in her voice when she spoke of her dead husband. She had clearly been fond of him. She was a good mother, it seemed, to her boys; he had sensed that when he saw them together under the oak-tree. In fact the boys had added a little to the charm of the picture which was engraved on his mind and which he felt he would never forget.

It was maddening that she had these ridiculous notions of morahty—although he admired them in a way. She was no light of love, that was clear enough. She had looked like a queen when she had drawn herself to her full height and stood there facing him.

He would have to go away and forget her.

It was hard to do that. It was the first time he had ever been refused. Oh no . . . not quite the first. There had been Eleanor Butler. In a way this Elizabeth reminded him of her. That was why the Butler affair had been brought to his mind for the first time in several years.

Jacquetta came into the hall.

'My lord, you are alone. What happened to my daughter? She cannot have left you thus. . . .'

'Alas, she has wounded me deeply.'

Jacquetta looked alarmed. 'Unwittingly I promise you,' she said.

'No, with intention.' He looked at Jacquetta. A beauty herself, with quick warm eyes and understanding of human needs. There was about her an easy friendliness, the right amount of deference for a King and yet the implication that she herself was royal. She could feel completely at ease with him as he could with her.

'Ah, you have been making suggestions to her.'

'You have guessed.'

'It did not need the powers of witchcraft to do that.'

He looked at her sharply. He had heard it whispered that Lady Rivers, who had been Duchess of Bedford, was some sort of sorceress. Was it true? he wondered. Many people were accused of that quite unreasonably.

'My lady, are you mistress of such powers?' he asked.

'Nay, nay. I am just a wise woman—at least I think I am.'

'I believe I world quickly share that view. So you know your daughter has refused me and made me utterly desolate.'

'Oh my lord, you must not despair.'

He looked at her hopefully. She said quickly: 'My daughter Elizabeth would never be any man's mistress. I know that well. You must go and never let your hunting bring you near her again. There are many other forests in which to exercise your talents.'

He looked at her, liking her more each moment, and laughed. 'Oh I do not give up as easily as that,' he said.

'Nor does Elizabeth.' She leaned towards him confidentially. 'She was the most strong-willed of my brood. Did you know that I had seven girls and seven boys? We are great breeders, you see. Ah, what a joy is a family. But it brings its sorrows. But knowing them, having them there in one's life . . . though they are scattered far and wide, that is a boon from heaven, as you will

find, my lord, when you marry and settle down.'

'I want your daughter/ he said.

She sighed. 'I know it well. She is beautiful. . . incomparably so. But perhaps I, as her mother, see her through loving eyes. I tell you this, my lord, she will never give in. For your own peace of mind leave her. To pursue her will mean nothing but frustration and disappointment. You are handsome, you are royal, and there are few women who would resist you. But Elizabeth is one of them. My dear lord, I feel as a mother to you. You have come here, and graced my home. I shall feel it honoured ever more. We were Lancastrians . . . we shall be so no more. I shall not rest until my husband and every son of mine tears the red rose from his coat and his heart. From now on, the Rivers are for you, my lord. We shall stand for your cause. We shall be your good servants if you will allow us to be for I have in these few days seen a man who is indeed a king and the only one living in this realm whom I would accept as mine. My husband is away at this time. When he returns I will ask him to come to you. Will you receive him? He is a man who will be faithful to you if you will forget he once served Henry of Lancaster. He believed him to be the true King. You understand that, my lord?'

'Indeed I understand. He was faithful to what he believed right. I respect that in men. Fidelity is what I look for in those around me,'

'When I have talked to my husband, when 1 tell him what I have seen this day 1 know he will understand. England needs a strong king and you are that, my lord. I promise you that the Rivers will serve you well.'

Edward kissed her hand. She was an unusual woman. He was drawn to her, partly for herself and partly because she was Elizabeth's mother. And she was his friend. Somewhere in his mind was the thought that she would help him if she could.

She was implanting that thought there, trying to draw him into the family, visualizing a glorious prospect for Elizabeth without giving him a glimmer of what it was ... in fact, she scarcely admitted it to herself, because it seemed impossible.

'We shall serve you,' she said. 'Elizabeth will be your faithful subject but never never anything else.'

'My lady, I believe you to be my friend. You will make my cause yours.'

'The King's cause shall be mine,' she answered solemnly.

'Bless you, my bonny lord. I shall wish for you everything that will serve you best/

He rode somewhat disconsolately away from Grafton. He was beginning to believe that Elizabeth meant what she said. She was a virtuous woman. She would not take a lover outside marriage.

Marriage! But he was the King. That was impossible.

Edward was so quiet in the days that followed his visit to Grafton that his friend Hastings was quite concerned for him.

He enquired how the King had fared with the beautiful widow lady.

Edward shook his head.

'She was a disappointment/ said Hastings. 'I thought she might be. There was a frigidity in her. A plague on frigid women.'

Edward was not pleased to hear Elizabeth discussed lightly as though she were the participant in some ordinary brief affair.

He said shortly: 'She is the most beautiful woman I ever saw.'

'Oh, I grant you that. But I personally have no fancy for statues.'

'It would avail you nothing if you had/ said Edward shortly.

'Do you mean to tell me that it did not come to fruition?'

'Lady Grey is a virtuous widow.'

'A plague on virtuous women . . . widows especially.'

'I have no wish to discuss the Lady Elizabeth Grey with you, Hastings.'

God in Heaven, thought Hastings, what has come over him? The lady refused him. It must be the first time that has happened. Well, it will do him no harm. But it has affected him considerably.

He did not mention the visit to Grafton Manor after that.

At Westminster the Earl of Warwick was impatiently waiting. Edward always felt a slight deference in the presence of Warwick, who was known by the soubriquet of Kingmaker. Everyone was aware, and Edward would be the first to admit it, that but for Warwick's prompt action in marching on London after the Yorkist defeat in the second battle of St Albans Edward might not be king today. Warwick was not going to let anyone forget it. Nor did Edward want to. He was grateful for his friends and Warwick had been his hero from childhood. Ever since his early days in Rouen where he and his brother Edmund had been bom he had

known he was destined for greatness. His mother Cecily Neville had made him aware of that; and Warwick's father was her brother, so there was a bond of kinship between him and the great Earl, and Warwick had always been part of his youth. Warwick was fourteen years older than Edward and had seemed almost godhke to the boy.

If Edward had the bearing of a king, Warwick had an even more powerful image. Kings were glorious but they depended on kingmakers and Warwick fitted without doubt into the second category.

Warwick spoke with authority. Ever since the first battle of St Albans which had been won by his strategy he had been distinguished throughout the country; and when he had become Captain of Calais and had held that important port for England and the Yorkists, he had won the hearts of the English by his exploits against the French; he had seized their goods and played the part of pirate-buccaneer with such verve that he was accepted as a great hero, one of that company of men of which England was in need since the disastrous losses in France.

The Earl had never been one of Edward's boon companions such as Hastings and men of that kind. It was a serious relationship between them. Warwick did not frown on Edward's adventures. They had kept the young man occupied while Warwick ruled. That was all very well when Edward was in his teens, but he was now twenty-three years of age and Warwick had plans.

They embraced when they met and Edward's affection for his cousin was obvious.

'You are looking pleased with yourself, Richard,' he said. 'What have you been doing? Come, tell me. I know you are longing to.'

'I am as you notice rather pleased with my negotiations at the French court. We must have peace with France and, Edward, you must marry. The people expect it. They love you. You look like a king. They smile at your pursuit of women. They expect a young king to have his romantic adventures. Not too many though, and they want a marriage. The people want it, the country wants it . . . and that is a good enough reason. What say you?'

'Well, I am not averse.'

Warwick looked at the King with affection. He had made him and he would keep him on the throne. Edward was amenable. He was the perfect puppet; and while this state of affairs remained

Warwick could rule without hindrance. It was what he had always wanted. Not for him the heavy crown of office; how much more comfortable to rule behind the throne, to be the Kingmaker rather than the King. And Edward was the perfect tool. His easy-going, pleasure-loving nature made him that.

Then let us get to business. Do you realize you are one of the most eligible bachelors in the world? Not only are you King of England but the whole world knows that in addition to your crown you have an outstanding charm of person.'

'You flatter me, Richard,'

'Never will I do that. But let us face facts. I have become on excellent terms with Louis. I can tell you he treats me as though I were a king.'

'Which you are in a way, Richard,' said Edward.

Warwick looked at him sharply. Was there something behind that remark? Was Edward growing up, resenhng someone else's use of the power that was his? No, Edward was smiling his affable, good-natured smile. He was merely reminding Warwick of his power and implying that he felt it was right and proper that it should be his.

'I have decided against Isabella of Castile. Her brother is eager for the match. He is impotent, poor fellow and it is certain that there will be no children, so Isabella would be the heiress of Castile.'

'But you have decided against her.'

'I think, Edward, we have a better proposition. My eyes are set on France.'

'Ah yes, you are on such good terms with Louis.'

'We must have peace with France. The best way of making peace is through alliances as you well know. So I turn away from Isabella, and back to France. Louis suggests his wife's sister. Bona of Savoy. She is a beautiful woman and one who will delight you, Edward. Louis and I agreed that we must not lose sight of the fact that you must have an attractive wife. You are very well experienced in that direction and we want you to be happy.'

'You are most considerate,' said Edward.

'She is a very beautiful girl and it will be a successful match. The great thing is heirs. We must have an heir to the throne. The people are always uneasy until they can see their next king growing up ready to take his popular father's place.'

Edward was scarcely listening. He was thinking of Elizabeth.

What a wonderful project it would have been if she had been a Princess of France or Savoy or Cashle! How joyously he would have contemplated his marriage then, for of course he must marry. Of course he must produce an heir.

If only it could be with Elizabeth!

'I see no reason why we should not complete these arrangements with Louis immediately/ Warwick was saying but Edward scarcely heard him for his thoughts were far away in Grafton Manor.

One of his squires came into Edward's chamber to tell him that there was a man who was asking for an audience.

'And who is this?'

'My lord,' said the squire, 'he is a Lancastrian, a traitor who had fought for Henry of Lancaster.'

'Why does he come here?'

'He says he has something of importance to say to you.'

'Ask his name.'

The squire disappeared and came back almost immediately. 'It is Lord Rivers, my lord.'

'Ah,' said Edward, 'I will see him at once.'

The squire replied: 'My lord, I will see that the guards are within call.'

'I do not think you need to go to such lengths.'

The squire bowed, determined to in spite of the King. He was not going to put Edward in any more danger than could be helped.

He hesitated.

'I have asked you to bring Lord Rivers to me at once,' Edward reminded him.

'My lord, forgive me, but should there not be guards in this very chamber?'

'No. I do not think Lord Rivers has come here to harm me.'

At length Lord Rivers was brought in. Undoubtedly he was handsome. Edward had been learning something about the family since the encounter under the oak. So this was the man for whom that rather enchanting Jacquetta had defied convention and given him fourteen children to boot, and among them the delectable Elizabeth.

'Well, my lord/ said Edward. 'You wished to speak with me?'

'I have come to offer you my allegiance.'

'Odd words for one who has supported the cause of my enemies for so many years.'

'Times have changed, my lord. I was for Henry because he was the anointed king. I do not change sides easily. But Henry is little more than an imbecile; he is far away somewhere in the North in hiding, but if he returned he could never give England the rule she needs. And now we have a king who has more claim to the throne than Henry had. I shall work now to keep us in this happy state.'

'What has brought this change of heart?' asked Edward. 'Tell me, I am interested to know.'

'I have been to my home at Grafton Manor and talked with my wife. You may know that she was the Duchess of Bedford before our marriage. She is astute, and has an understanding of affairs. She tells me that she had the great honour of entertaining you briefly and she was so convinced that you were our rightful lord and monarch that she wished us to change our allegiance without delay.'

Edward was smiling. 'I did have the good fortune to hunt near your place and I met both your wife and your daughter and her sons. Did your daughter agree with her mother that you should cease to be Lancastrian supporters and turn to York?'

'My daughter gave no opinion, my lord. I discussed the matter only with my wife.'

'I see. Well, Rivers, you shall take a goblet with me and we will drink to your future alliance. I am always ready to offer friendship where it is given in the right spirit.'

'You honour me, my lord.'

'I respect your courage in coming here. And I liked your wife . . . and your daughter.'

Wine was brought and as he drank Edward was thinking of Elizabeth. He could not forget her face. He had believed he would ride away and take up with some woman and in a brief time forget the aloof Elizabeth. But it was not so. She had spoiled things for him, and his desire for her showed no signs of diminishing. Rather did it increase.

Edward enjoyed talking to Lord Rivers. It gave him a certain comfort to be with someone who was close to her. Lord Rivers was astonished by the King's interest in his family. Jacquetta had

mentioned nothing of Edward's passion for Elizabeth for she knew that would have alarmed him. He would have had no wish for their daughter to become one of the King's mistresses. They enjoyed too short a reign and Edward's reputation with women was such that no woman who valued her good name should be involved with him. She would immediately be classed with the army of merchants' wives who had pandered to the King's lust, and satisfied him temporarily until he passed on to the next.

Jacquetta had told her husband that the King had called briefly and she had seen that their adherence to Lancaster was a mistake. Edward had obviously come to stay on the throne and Henry was quite unfit to rule, and she believed that, for the good of the family, they should turn from a cause which was dead in any case and offer their services to the crowned and reigning King. She had in due course convinced him as she invariably did.

So he had called not expecting this warm welcome and he was really astounded when Edward wanted to know much about the intimate details of his family life.

Edward asked about his marriage with Jacquetta.

'A bold action to take,' said Edward. 'I'll swear her family were planning some grand marriage for her.'

'They were indeed, but Jacquetta had made up her mind and in the family we have all learned that once that happens, there is no gainsaying her. Jacquetta is a wonderful woman, my lord.'

'I gathered that in our brief acquaintance. And you were happy in this marriage?'

'My lord I have never regretted it for one moment. We have a fine family of beautiful children.'

'I have seen your eldest daughter. Her beauty is remarkable.' The King spoke with an emotion which Fevers did not notice.

'There are Anthony, John, Lionel and Edward, my sons who have survived. Then there are my daughters, Elizabeth whom you have met, Margaret, Anne, Jacquetta, Mary, Catherine. . . .'

'You indeed have a goodly brood and a handsome wife into the bargain.'

'My lord, I have been a very happy man and most singularly blessed when Jacquetta came into my life. We risked a great deal to marry and I never cease to thank God that we did.'

'Boldness often pays in life. So I have found and I am glad to welcome you to our side. Lord Rivers. I trust I may see you often. I liked your place at Grafton. When I am hunting that way... for

there are fine deer at Whittlebury, I will call on your family.'

'My lord, you overwhelm us.'

When Lord Rivers took his leave of the King he was quite bewildered. He had expected to be called on to prove his loyalty before he was admitted to such a favour. He had heard that Edward was an easy-going man, not in the least vindictive. But such a reception was strange indeed.

The King's friendship with Lord Rivers was noticed, and not without a little rancour. He seemed to have taken more to this man who had fought against him in several battles than he did to his friends.

Warwick said: 'What is this intimacy with Rivers? I should hardly have thought he qualified for such favour.'

'Oh, he is a pleasant fellow,' replied Edward. 'I like his company.'

'And his son's too, it seems.'

'Lord Scales.'

'Is that what he calls himself now?'

'He is Lord Scales, Richard. He married Sir Henry Bourchier's widow and got the title of Scales through her.'

'You seem to have made rapid friendship with them. I never thought much of the Woodvilles.'

'Did you not?' said Edward coolly.

'No. It is not so long ago that we made them look silly . . . very silly indeed. Rivers and his son Anthony. It was Dynham, you remember him?'

'I have heard something of this exploit. It was well talked of, I believe. You saw to that.'

'They were the enemy. Stationed at Sandwich preparing a fleet for Somerset to come and drive me out of Calais. Dynham landed at Sandwich and caught the pair of them in their beds. He brought them over to me . . . just as they were.'

'Had they not been in their beds it might not have been so easy to surprise them. It does not need a great deal of valour to surprise a man asleep and unprotected.'

Warwick was quite unaware of the asperity in the King's tones.

'I let them know how I scorned them when they arrived in Paris. Low-born traitors I called them. Rivers' father was just a

squire. . . . Henry the Fifth knighted him on the field of battle so I think. They gave themselves airs I told them and they should be careful how they conducted themselves in the presence of their betters.'

There are many,' said Edward pointedly, 'who attain their honours through brilliant marriages, or some such turn of fortune. Perhaps one should not probe too much into how people rise. Suffice it that they have the wisdom or the bravery to do so.'

This was a direct hit at Warwick who had acquired the noble title of Earl of Warwick and vast lands through his marriage with Anne Beauchamp, Warwick's heir. But Warwick did not see this. He had determined to warn Edward against showing too much favour to the Woodvilles and he had given that warning as he had on so many other occasions when he thought the King's conduct was not quite what it should be.

Warwick was becoming overbearing, thought Edward. Indeed, one would think I were a child instead of the King.

'You'll be pleased to know,' Warwick was going on, 'that negotiations with Louis are going on apace. He's delighted about Bona of Savoy. We shall soon be able to make an announcement.'

But Edward was not listening.

It was impossible to stay away. He had to be there again. He could find no delight in any other woman. He had made several attempts. They all ended in failure.

He would go hunting, he said, in Whittlebury Forest. He had found the game there as good as anywhere in England. Hastings said that he could remember nothing special about it and had thought their efforts had been even less rewarding than usual.

Edward looked sharply at his friend. He was not amused.

Heaven help us, thought Hastings, he is taking the widow very seriously indeed.

Usually Edward liked to laugh and was prepared to do so, within reason, against himself. Now, he was very definitely not amused.

Caution, Hastings warned himself.

Of course he left the party and Hastings knew well enough not to try to follow him. Let him go alone to Grafton and call on the reluctant lady.

Edward felt frustrated and wretched to discover that Elizabeth was not at Grafton. She had gone to Bradgate. Lord Rivers was also absent. But Jacquetta was there. She received him with a great warmth and declared that she was honoured indeed.

'Elizabeth went off to Bradgate with such joy,' she told him. 'She lived there with her husband, you know. Both the boys were borh there. She says she could never be grateful enough to you for your goodness in restoring her estates.'

'She did not seem to be over grateful.'

'Oh, my dear lord, you mean because she would not be your mistress. It is quite impossible for a lady of her upbringing. You are not still thinking of her in that respect, are you?'

'I shall never cease to think of her.'

'You must. It is the only way. I daresay she may marry again in due course. She will marry for love, I do believe. There is no other reason why she need now that you have been so good to her.'

'Do you really think she had some regard for me?'

Some regard! My lord, she thought very highly of you. She admitted to me that she had never seen a man so handsome, so kingly ... so much to be admired save in one respect.'

'And that respect?'

'In making suggestions to her which she considers immoral, you hurt her a little.'

'/ hurt her! I would rather lose my crown than hurt her.'

'Do not speak of losing your crown. That is unlucky talk. Let us talk sensibly as people such as we are can do. The fact is, my lord, you are the King. When you marry it must be a royal Princess and you must take her because my lord Warwick will choose her for you and it will be for the good of the country.'

'Why should my lord Warwick choose my bride?'

'Because my lord Warwick makes all the decisions for the good of the country, does he not? And he would consider the marriage of the King a matter of the greatest importance to the country and one which only he could decide.'

Edward was staring blankly ahead of him. There was a certain twist to his mouth which was not lost to Jacquetta. She laid a hand on his knee and then withdrew it with an apology.

'Forgive me. I forget my place. I have grown so fond of you. I am beginning to look upon you as a son. . . .'

She turned away and then stood up. There was a faint pinkish colour in her face.

'My lord/ she floundered, 'I think you must excuse me ... I am overcome by the honour you do us. I. . . .'

Tray sit down. Your affection moves me. Do not apologise for it.'

She smiled at him. Then I will be frank. You must not try to see Elizabeth again. She is my daughter and you know I am of the royal House of Luxembourg. I have brought her up to have a great regard for herself. I married as they said beneath my station. / did not consider it so. I married one who was the best husband in the world to me. But in doing so I lost my standing. I was no longer considered royal. And that is the plain fact. Elizabeth will never be your mistress and you could never make her your wife . . . which is the only way that you could be together. It is a cruel hard fact, my dear. Listen to an old woman whom you yourself have called wise. Go away from here. Make the marriage Warwick will arrange for you and try to be happy. I know you will find it very hard to forget Elizabeth. But it cannot be, my dear dear lord. The only thing that could make her yours is that which you, in view of your position, cannot give her. There, I have said it and now I am overwrought. I have spoken too clearly. I have forgotten to whom I speak. I pray you forgive me. Give me leave to go and you, my lord, must join your friends. It is better for us all if you never come here again. . . .'

With that she rose and kneeling before him kissed his hand.

Then she left him.

She went to her bedchamber and from her window watched him ride away.

I wonder, she thought. Is it possible? No, Warwick will never allow it. But if it did come to pass, what great good fortune their beautiful Elizabeth could bring to the Woodvilles!

THE SECRET MARRIAGE

There was an air of suppressed excitement in the household of the Duchess of York. The King was coming. He had promised his family that he would be with them for a while and he was always one to keep his promises. Cecily, the Duchess, now mother of the King was said to be the proudest woman in England. She would naturally have been happier if her husband had lived and taken the crown, but that Edward should have it was the next best thing of course. Cecily's greatest ambition had been to become Queen and when she thought how narrowly she had missed it she was filled with regrets.

But now she revelled in her new state. She would never forget that there was royal blood in her veins for her mother had been Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and Catherine Swynford. It had seemed only right that her husband should take the throne, descended as he was from two branches of the royal family, and it had been a great tragedy when he had died at Wakefield. She could not bear to think of that day when she had heard that they had stuck his head on the walls of York with a paper crown perched on it. Ah, it was different now; and their son, their beautiful Edward, was King.

Handsome Edward had always been her favourite. He had always been a big boy and now growing to his full height he towered above all those about him. He had not taken after his father who had been dark and rather short in stature. Edward was the golden Plantagenet born again. It was wonderful to contemplate that he took after his ancestors the sons of Edward III, Lionel and John of Gaunt. Edward was the perfect Plantagenet. He was a popular king. He looked like a king; and while he had good advisers like her nephew the Earl of