The Lion of Justice - Plaidy Jean. Страница 46

And they laughed together.

Now her cousin Owen son of Cadwgan had arrived at the castle and one encounter with the young man had been enough to tell Nesta that he would soon be attempting to share her bed.

She was amused by him. He was a fiery youth and as it was a long time since she had had a visit from the King, she was not averse to a new adventure.

Henry would not expect absolute fidelity from her any more than she would have done from him. They were of a kind; and this had served them both well. There were never any reproaches when they met.

Owen could see nothing but Nesta and when in the banqueting hall at Carew they were seated side by side at the board his hand sought hers.

‘You are the most fascinating woman I ever saw.’ he told her.

She smiled at him lazily.

‘We must be together...alone.’ he went on urgently.

‘Listen to the minstrel.’ she answered. ‘He sings a song of longing, of unrequited love. Is that not suited to the occasion?’

‘Nay.’ cried the young Owen. ‘For I will not allow that to be. I have never seen any woman like you, I would rather die than forgo your favours.’

‘Shall I tell my husband? Perhaps he would send someone to dispatch you to the other world.’

‘You jest, Nesta.’

She studied him appraisingly. Young, impetuous. A good lover she doubted not. There was no real substitute for Henry and she knew that there was none to take her place with him, but he had his Matilda and perhaps she would test this Owen.

‘You hesitate,’ he said.

‘Under my husband’s roof...’ she began.

‘Oh come, we know that the King often visits you...under your husband’s roof.’

‘The King is the King and master of us all.’

‘Not in Wales. By God, no.’

‘Treason?’ she said.

His hand was on her thigh. ‘When?’ he said.

She pretended to consider.

He went on: ‘I will come to your bedchamber.’

‘And share my bed with my husband?’

‘That old man, that...that...Oh God, I’ll show you.’

‘I have been shown before, you must know.’

‘That is what excites me about you. I never felt so before.’

‘My dear cousin, if you are wise you will go back to your father’s castle and take a mistress or a wife of your own age. You will see the wisdom of this.’

‘Wisdom! What man was ever wise when he looked on you?’

‘Gerald was wise. See what a fine castle he has got for himself for marrying me.’

‘And in his feeble way he loves you too.’

‘Go home, cousin, and forget Nesta.’

That was impossible. Nesta was amused, wondering what he would do. She even believed that he would break into her bedchamber and take her before Gerald’s eyes. Poor Gerald, he would be powerless to resist the strength of this young man who was growing more and more maddened by his desire for her every day.

He caught her eventually, as she intended he should. It was in the grounds of the castle where any might have come upon them. It gave a certain fillip to the occasion which pleased

Nesta and afterwards lying on her back staring up at the blue sky she said: ‘Now you are satisfied.’

‘Never!’ he cried. ‘I could live a hundred years with you and never be satisfied.’

‘Alas, I cannot put you to that test.’

She was amused by her cousin. They made love in various parts of the grounds and in the countryside, in the castle and in their bedchambers.

Then Owen’s father called him home.

‘I cannot leave you.’ he told Nesta.

She was beginning to be a little disturbed by the fervent nature of this young man.

‘Your father calls for you.’

'I'll take you with me.’

‘You are talking nonsense. Of course I must stay here. What think you the King would say if he came riding by and found me gone?’

‘I care nothing for the King. I care only for you.’

‘Hush! That’s treason.’

‘I care nothing for treason.’

‘You would if the King had your eyes put out.’

That sobered him.

‘You would plead for me, Nesta.’

‘Perhaps.’ she answered gently.

He seized her hand. ‘Would he be angered? You must have had other lovers.’

‘Yes, I have had others.’

‘And he knows?’

‘We do not speak of such things. We are too worldly.’

‘And I am not? So you prefer him to me.’

‘He is the King.’

‘He married that Saxon woman. Did you know what they call them? Gaffer Goodrich and Goody Maude! She does good works and the King finds her very dull. Who would not seem dull after Nesta?’

‘I believe the King to be well satisfied with his Queen.’

‘She has given him two children. You, too. By the Saints, Nesta, you shall bear my children.’

‘It’s to be hoped not, cousin. I do not want too many little bastards about me.’

‘Nesta, you madden me.’

There was nothing to do but make love.

He was a fair lover but he was too young and impetuous and she was not ill pleased when he was finally obliged to leave.

* * * * *

She should have known that that would not be the end.

Instead of satisfying him that she was just one of many women she had convinced him, as she seemed to have convinced the King, that she was unique. She was sensuous in the extreme, sexual desires were as demanding in her as in her lovers, and try as she might she could never stop herself implying that to each one he was the best lover she had ever had; and as she was known to have had many this was the greatest compliment she could pay, and such a one that it never failed to increase a lover’s ardour.

Cadwgan, father of Owen, had heard rumours of what had happened during his son’s sojourn at Carew Castle and knowing full well the unequalled charms of its chatelaine he was well aware of the effect she would have had had on Owen. Therefore he would not allow his son to visit the castle again.

The desperate Owen sent one of his servants to the castle to entreat Nesta to come to him.

‘He declares,’ said the messenger, ‘that he is mad for love of you. If you will come with me I will take you to him and he will defy the whole country including the King, and he will take you where you can live in peace.’

‘Go and tell him he is indeed mad.’ said Nesta. ‘We have had a pleasant friendship but it is over now. Tell him to obey his father for he is very young and he must forget me.’

The messenger shook his head and said: ‘My lady he will never accept that.’

Nesta was then a little uneasy and she was watchful night and day for what folly her cousin might commit.

* * * * *

Nesta awoke. Something had startled her. She looked at Gerald sleeping beside her.

Yes, there were shouts from below. She ran to the window and called down: ‘What is happening down there?’

One of the grooms looked up. ‘My lady, it is young Owen, son of Cadwgan, who is below.’

She ran to the door and drew the heavy bolt. Then she turned to Gerald who was sitting up in bed.

‘Owen is here. He is storming the castle.’

‘For what purpose?’

Poor old man! Did he not guess?

‘I think he has come for me. Dress quickly. There is no time to lose.’

‘What shall we do?’

‘He may kill you. He is a reckless, foolish young man. I would he had never come here.’

Gerald was trembling and she felt a compassion for him. Poor Gerald, he had had to marry her because the King commanded it. And trust Henry to choose an old man who could not rival him!

And now if that headstrong Owen forced his way in, which he undoubtedly would, and saw Gerald in her bed he might be capable of any act of folly.

Already he was trying the door. Finding it locked he hammered on it.

‘What do you want?’ cried Nesta.

‘You know full well. I come for you.’

‘Get you gone.’

‘When you come with me.’

‘I am in bed with my husband.’

‘I will run him through and take his place.’

‘I shall not come out. You can never break down the iron door. Go away. It will go ill with you if you do not.’