The Sun in Splendour - Plaidy Jean - Страница 8

Although Edward showed no sign of his frustration he was decidedly piqued. He did not see Elizabeth in the morning. Jacquetta told him that Elizabeth had been with one of the boys who had developed a fever during the night and could not leave his bedside.

'You know what mothers are,' she murmured.

It was a feeble effort to offer an explanation why Elizabeth had not been in her room on the previous night; but he knew well enough why. She had really meant it when she had hinted that his attentions would not be welcome. She was indeed a virtuous woman. But she had been clever enough to make sure that her husband's estates were returned to her. She should take care. He could easily rescind that order.

He took a cool farewell of Jacquetta and thanked her for her hospitality. She went up to the top turret and a few hours later saw the royal party riding away.

Elizabeth joined her.

'So he has gone. Do you think he will refuse to honour the return of John's property?'

'I think not.'

'Was he very angry?'

'It is hard to say. He was disappointed. But extremely courteous and thanked me pleasantly.'

'Then if I have regained my estates this will have been a good day's work.'

'It may well be that we have not heard the end of this matter/ said Jacquetta.

'I sincerely hope so. I shall claim Bradgate and Groby without delay. Perhaps I should leave at once.'

'1 should wait a little while. It would be unpleasant if the King did rescind the order. And what if he came to you there and you were unprotected? Here you are in your mother's care.'

'And you think he would consider you a stalwart protector?'

'I fancy he has a little regard for me.'

'Then what?'

'Wait a little. See what happens. This may be the end and perhaps we shall hear no more of the King. In that case you will have regained your estates which was what we set out to do.'

'I should like to return to Bradgate.'

'AH in good time.'

In her heart Jacquetta was certain that the King would not let the matter rest there. Elizabeth was outstandingly beautiful and men to whom conquests came easily were invariably intrigued when they did not.

She was right. Within a few days he was calling once more at Grafton.

Jacquetta saw his arrival and hastened to call Elizabeth.

'He is determined/ said Jacquetta.

'And so am 1/ answered Elizabeth.

'You are going to find it difficult.'

'I shall not become his mistress. I promise you that.'

Jacquetta lifted her shoulders and went down to greet the King.

He kissed her heartily on either cheek. He found her attractive although she was not a young woman but she had great charm and vitality and Elizabeth's looks resembled her mother's in some ways.

'My lord, can it truly be!' cried Jacquetta. 'Once more you honour us.'

'To tell you the truth, my lady,' he said with a disarming charm, 'I did not want to come, but I found it impossible to keep away. Is the Lady Grey at home?'

'She is on the point of departing for Bradgate.'

'Then I am in hme. Take me to her.'

'I will tell her that you are here, my lord.'

Jacquetta curtsied and left him standing impatiently in the hall.

Elizabeth was in her chamber, combing her hair, piling it up on

her head; she was twisting a rope of pearls in it. Her gown was of blue and white silk; she looked regal.

'He is asking for you,' said Jacquetta.

'I will see him/ answered Elizabeth.

'Have a care, daughter.'

'You may trust me. Mother.'

'Yes,' said Jacquetta, 'I believe I can. But remember my dear, it may be a dangerous game you will be playing.'

'I will let him know that I have no intention of being his mistress. Then perhaps he will go away.'

As she came into the hall he ran towards her. He took her hand and kissed it with fervour.

'My lord,' she said coolly. 'So you have returned to hunt here. I believe there are especially good bucks in Whittlebury.'

He laughed aloud and would have drawn her to him but with an imperious gesture she held him off.

'I know not how fine the bucks in Whittlebury may be but I do know this: the fairest lady in the land lives here at Grafton.'

She inclined her head, again with a regal gesture.

'Your friends are close by?' she asked.

'Let us not talk of them. I have come to see you. I want to talk of us . . . Elizabeth.'

'What could there be to say of the King and his humble subject?'

'I am the King it is true, but you humble . . . not you, Elizabeth! You are beautiful and well you know it and one with beauty such as yours could never be a humble subject. My dear lady, ever since I saw you under the oak-tree I have thought of nothing but you. I want to put my arms about you and tell you of the devotion you have inspired in me. I want us to be together. I am full deep in love with you.'

'My lord, I do not see how that can be when you scarce know me.'

'I know you well enough to know my feelings. Come, let me show you. Tonight we will rest here in your parents' home and tomorrow you and I will go away together. You will join me. You shall have apartments of course. Ask anything and it shall be yours.'

She opened her eyes very wide and regarded him with a display of astonishment.

'My lord, I do not understand your meaning.'

'Have I not made myself clear? Have I not told you in a hundred ways that I love you?'

Then I am sorry/ she answered. 'For naught can come of that in view of our different stahons. You must go from here, my lord. . . .'

'Indeed I will not. I will not be cheated as 1 was last time I was here.'

'Cheated, my lord?' She retreated from him and opened her eyes very wide with reproach. 'In what way, I beg you tell me, were you cheated?'

'I came to your room. You were not there. I did not see you again.'

'My lord, I think you are mistaken in me/

'No. You are the most desirable and beauhful woman I have ever met. There is no nnistake about that.'

'Even here in the country we hear rumours of one so prominent as the King/ said Elizabeth coolly. '1 know your customs, my lord. You have a deep interest in my sex. But allow me to assure you that we are not all alike. There are some of us who have a respect for morality and I am one of them. I do not enter into light amours.'

'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.'