The Sun in Splendour - Plaidy Jean - Страница 15

'I can't believe that.'

'I tell you he is. He has sent to me commanding me to make the arrangements.'

'It will have to be a proper marriage.'

'Do you think I will not see to that! I never dreamed of such triumph. I hoped of course . . . but that he should really give way, that is hard to believe.'

'You don't think there is some trap in it?'

'Of course not. I shall not tell your father.'

'No, he would be alarmed.'

'Yes, he would see all sorts of trouble. As for ourselves, we will get the marriage celebrated and think of difficulties afterwards.'

'They will never accept me . . . men like Warwick. . . .'

'My dear Elizabeth, you will have the King yours to command.'

'For how long?' asked Elizabeth cynically.

'For as long as you both live—if you act wisely.'

'There will be other women.'

'Of course there will be other women. Our stallion cannot be faithful to one mare. None but a fool would expect that. Let him have his women, Elizabeth. Understand his need for them, as long as you keep command of him and let none of the others do that. Think of what this is going to mean to the family.'

'I am afraid there will be some hitch.'

'I tell you there will be none. The ceremony will take place and then you will go to bed with him. You should get pregnant as soon as possible.'

That is a matter over which I shall have no control.'

'You will give him many children. A good fine lusty son is what will set everything to rights. And when you have that the people will forgive you ... if some of the mighty lords don't.'

'There is Warwick. What will he do?'

'As I see it Warwick's power is on the wane. This marriage will show others that as well as Warwick.'

'And do you thiiUc they will stand aside and give up their power?'

'They will have no alternative. We shall create new lords to stand by the King. They will be the ones who have the power.'

'New lords?'

'The Woodvilles, my dear daughter. We have a large family. This marriage is going to bring good . . . not only to you but to us all.'

'I shall not believe it until it happens.'

'That will be very soon. Now I must make sure we are ready when he comes.'

It was the end of April. Never had the trees flowered more richly. The horsechestnut, the hornbeam, the alder and the birch with the wild cherry were bright with springtime blossom. The birds seemed to have gone wild with joy as though they knew this was a time for rejoicing.

So thought Edward as he left his company at Stony Stratford and rode over to Grafton where Jacquetta was waiting for him.

'All is ready?' asked Edward.

'My dear lord, I have forgotten nothing.'

'Where is Elizabeth?' he demanded.

'She is waiting for you.'

'Take me to her.'

There she was in a blue robe looking very much as she had under the oak in Whittlebury Park, her long hair falling about her shoulders.

Edward took her eagerly into his arms.

'My love,' he said, 'at last. It has been long waiting for this day.'

'My dear husband,' replied Elizabeth. 'I too have waited for this day.'

'Let us get on with the ceremony/ said Edward. There must be no more delay/

Jacquetta was well prepared. She led him and Elizabeth to a chamber where a priest was waiting. There were also present two gentlewomen of Jacquetta's household and a young man who would sing with the priest.

The ceremony was performed and there at Grafton Manor, Elizabeth Woodville became the wife of Edward the Fourth.

As soon as the ceremony was over Jacquetta conducted the married pair to the bridal chamber which she had prepared.

Cursing because he must leave Grafton Edward rode back to Stony Stratford.

Hastings was astonished to find him so preoccupied.

'You have enjoyed good hunting, my lord,' he said. T see that.'

'Yes, Hastings, yes,' said Edward shortly and returned to his own chamber.

He was married. Elizabeth was his. There would be consequences but he did not care. It was worth it. It was the only way with a virtuous woman like Elizabeth. She was wonderful; she was beautiful; and he cared nothing for Warwick or any of them. He had said he would marry where he wanted to and he had.

The next day he said casually to Hastings: 'Before we move I shall send a message to Rivers and tell him I would like to stay a while at Grafton to enjoy some hunting in Whittlebury.'

'A pleasant spot,' replied Hastings and thought: So the Lady Elizabeth has been amenable after all. It must be the case. So many of them were reluctant at first. They thought it added to the pleasure of the chase.

And so to Grafton.

There Lord Rivers greeted him and there was an especial warmth in the greeting his lady gave to the King.

Elizabeth did not appear. I believe the virtuous lady is not at home, thought Hastings. In which case he probably does like the hunting. He seems on special terms with the lady Jacquetta but she is a little too mature to interest him I should have thought.

So discreet was Jacquetta that no one guessed that when they had retired she conducted the King to her daughter's bedchamber.

'\ pray she is pregnant before the storm breaks/ said Jacquetta to her husband. The people will at least be more lenient at the prospect of an heir.'

Her husband, less adventurous than his wife, was very alarmed by what they had done without consulhng him.

But Jacquetta shook her head. 'You will see what good comes of it for the family,' she told him.

And so Edward spent four days at Grafton where he was conducted every night to Elizabeth's chamber.

It was with great reluctance that he tore himself away. It was necessary. Warwick was waiting for him in the North.

He would tell no one—not even Hastings. As yet the marriage should be a secret; and although it could not remain so for long, he must choose the right moment to make it known.

In the meantime he could think of Elizabeth, long for Elizabeth and take every opportunity of being with her.

He was deeply in love as he had never been before. He regretted nothing.

THE QUEEN'S REVENGE

Edward paused at Leicester where he received news of battles in the North.

'It will be necessary for us to gather together more men/ he said. 'We should tarry here awhile until we have a larger army. I should think that in a week or so we should be ready.'

Hastings was amused. Groby Castle was not very far—an hour or so's riding and of course Groby Castle was part of that estate which Edward had so nobly returned to the widow of his old enemy Lord Grey.

Hastings smiled inwardly. So the ice maiden had relented. She had melted before the warmth of kingly passion. He was not surprised. It had happened that way before. He would help his friend all he could in his adventuring.

So they rested awhile at Leicester while Edward enjoyed a clandestine honeymoon riding over to Groby every day and staying there until early morning of the next.

It was charming, thought Hastings, but really there was no need for the lady to be so coy.

Warwick of course was getting impatient and they could not rest for ever and they had to go all too soon for Edward, whose passion was growing instead of abating. A very unusual state of affairs, thought Hastings. The lady must indeed be a real charmer. Perhaps when Edward tired of her—and he inevitably would—he, Hastings, might make her acquaintance.

Poor Edward, he was indeed downcast and it was impossible to lift his spirits. One thing Hastings had observed and that was that references to Lady Grey were coldly received, which indicated that the King undoubtedly was emotionally involved.

By the time the party reached York, Montague had won the