The Sun in Splendour - Plaidy Jean. Страница 7

She led the way to a window-seat and sat down; he was beside her.

When he took her hand and kissed it, she withdrew it with a hint of hautiness. She was wondering whether this was a clever project after all. She might regain her estates but the King would want to strike a bargain and all knew the kind of bargains he would be likely to make with attractive women.

'I trust the hunt was successful,' she said.

'I know not whether it was or was not. My thoughts were all of an encounter under an oak-tree. By God's Faith when I saw you standing there I thought I had never seen a more lovely sight in the whole of my life.'

'I am sure my lord has seen many such pictures that attracted him. If one is to believe. . . .'

'The rumours about me. Never believe rumour, dear lady. It always lies.'

'Does it not have some foundation in truth?'

'That must be admitted but should we not beware of exaggeration?'

'Always,' she said. 'I am one to prefer plain truth.'

'Then you are a lady after my own heart. To tell you the truth your beauty has overwhelmed me.'

'You said you would consider my poverty.'

'It is a crime that one so beautiful should be poor.'

'You could change that with a stroke of a pen, my lord.'

'So could I, and so am I inclined to. I believe we can find a solution to these matters. We must talk of it, get to know each other. It was for that reason that I called on you this day.'

'It was a most gracious act.'

He had moved a little closer to her. 'I hope we shall be even more gracious to each other.'

Oh no, thought Elizabeth, this is moving too fast. Surely this was not what my mother intended? I am not going to be one of that army of women who share his favours for a week, even if it means the return of my estates. He must be reminded that my mother is of the noble House of Luxembourg even if my father is of little account—and a Lancastrian at that.

She was relieved to see that her mother had come back to the hall.

'I have told them all what an illustrious visitor we have. My lord, you will have to forgive their clumsiness, for they are overwhelmed by the honour. We did not expect this ... in our wildest dreams. You must I fear take us as we are.'

'There is nothing,' said Edward, his eyes on Elizabeth, 'that would please me more.'

'Would you allow us to conduct you to your bedchamber.'

'I would be delighted,' said Edward. 'Perhaps the Lady Grey. . . .'

'We will both show you,' said Jacquetta.

Elizabeth realized as she had on other occasions that there was a certain royal dignity in her mother. She was after all a Princess of Luxembourg.

When they were alone together Elizabeth said to her mother:

'Did you foresee this?'

Jacquetta was thoughtful. 'I saw it as a possibility.' She surveyed her daughter. 'You are so beautiful that you could not fail to impress him. He will return your estates.'

'He has already implied that he expects me to become his mistress. That I will not be.'

Jacquetta watched her daughter slyly.

'Your refusal may well increase his ardour. Do you think he has ever been refused in his life?'

'It will be good for him to find there is someone who can say no to his advances.'

'Is he not handsome? What a fine figure of a man. I knew him the moment he stepped into the hall. Perhaps I had been expecting him. But his looks and manners are such to distinguish him anywhere. He could never hide his identity.'

'He is all you say he is. He is also a libertine. He makes sport with the merchants' wives. He will have to learn that I am not a merchant's wife.'

'I do not think you will have much difficulty in teaching him that.'

'I want a return of my estates. Do you think I shall get that?'

'I should ask for that immediately. Then when he comes with his request you can play the innocent and the virtuous. You can do that very well, because, dear Elizabeth, although you may not be innocent you are virtuous. I do not believe your thoughts ever strayed from John Grey while he lived.'

'I was never deeply attracted by that which seems to dominate the King's life. I assure you all his wiles and good looks will offer me no temptation.'

'That is good. That will leave your head clear and calm for reasoning.'

'Dear Mother, you will be with me in this.'

'I am always with you, and everyone of the family, as you know. If we succeed in getting the return of your estates nothing will please me more.'

'I am glad you are here. I feel safe with you near. I think he will attempt to seduce me tonight. It is a pity he is staying here.'

'I think he plans to make the attempt. It is a strange situation. He should be travelling with a party of friends. It is dangerous. How does he know that a Lancastrian assassin is not lurking in this Lancastrian household? It is clearly true that he plunges recklessly into dangerous adventures. One cannot help but admire him. Elizabeth, you will need your powers of determination to resist him.'

'If you think that you do not know me. I can resist him very well. I can assure you I have no desire to become his mistress.'

The dreamy look was again in jacquetta's eyes. 'We shall see,' she said.

They supped and Edward sat beside Jacquetta with Elizabeth on the other side of him. That he was enjoying this was obvious. When the musicians played he applauded and called for more. He let his hand rest on her thigh but with tact she withdrew herself. He smiled at her reluctance. He had met that once or twice in his many amours, but it had never lasted and he had come to realize that it was part of the game of courtship for some women. He was not averse to playing it for a while, but not too long; he was growing more and more impatient for this fair widow.

During the meal he had promised that her estates should be restored.

She was grateful and immediately after supper she was going to take him to her mother's chamber and there he should give the necessary documents which should be witnessed by two of the esquires as well as her mother.

Yes, yes, he agreed to that. But why did they not sign it in her bedchamber? Wouldn't that be more appropriate?

'My mother would expect it to be done in hers. It is more grand than mine.'

He would like to see hers. Would she show it to him?

There was that in his eyes which told her it might be unwise to refuse to do so before the documents were signed.

So when they went to her mother's chamber she pointed out her own which was quite close. He looked in and said that it was especially interesting to him. He liked to imagine her sleeping in that bed.

The papers were signed and he was duly conducted to his chamber.

Elizabeth immediately went to that of her mother.

'He will be here shortly. It will be hard to ward him off. He might even be capable of rape which he would call his kingly rights.'

'I don't think that. He would pride himself on never having to resort to such methods with a woman. He tells himself that they are all eager to fall into his hands.'

'Even when they have shown that they are not?'

'He wouldn't accept that as true reluctance.'

'He has asked where my room is. He will be in there at any moment. I shall stay with you this night.'

Jacquetta nodded. 'But, dear child, he will know where my room is also. That is why I have had a chamber prepared for us in the east wing of the house.'

Elizabeth laughed at her mother.

'You think of everything,' she said. 'I do believe you are in truth a sorceress.'

'If I am, dear child, rejoice in it, for every power I have will be used in the service of my family which is dearer to me than my own life. Now, we will waste no time. I have a feeling that he will not want to either. So let us go.'