Thwarted Queen Part 4

"Brancepeth," says Richard.

"Aye, he would," mutters Salisbury, flicking mud off his blue velvet tunic. "We have not a moment to lose." He claps his hands. "We ride to Raby."

"To Raby!" shout the men in response.

I follow Richard as he strides beside Salisbury into the great hall of Castle Raby. They bow before the high table, where Mama presides in state. Before her stands a tall young man I do not recognize.

"He's already here," mutters Salisbury.

The stranger turns, and I draw breath, for Sir Ralph Neville the Younger is the veritable image of my lord father. Salisbury smiles and takes the new Earl of Westmorland by the elbow. "Congratulations, my lord, on your new t.i.tle." He looks meaningfully at the servants. The entire household rises to its feet, and the steward proposes a toast.

"Wa.s.s-hail," they roar. "May you have good health." A great noise fills the hall as they clank cups and goblets, precious metal, clay, and pewter, to drink to the new earl.

The second Earl of Westmorland flushes with pleasure and rubs his hands as he looks around the handsome old hall. His gaze lights on me. "Is this little Cis?"

I make my curtsey.

"Yes, my lord," says Mama. She makes a small gesture in the direction of Richard. "Are you acquainted with my lord of York, her betrothed?"

Richard inclines his head. Sir Ralph makes a perfunctory bow in return and continues to stare at me. I lift my chin, a flush mounting into my cheeks.

The new earl chuckles. He turns to Salisbury. "When do you and your lady mother leave for Bisham Manor?"

The great hall grows silent as Salisbury narrows his eyes. At last, he says: "I thought you knew-"

"Knew what?" snaps Westmorland.

"I thought you knew that your grandfather left most of his lands to my lady mother."

I glance at Mama.

"No!" roars Westmorland. "I am the heir of the late earl's eldest son. These lands are mine by the laws of England."

Salisbury beckons to his scribe. "Show my lord of Westmorland a copy of his late grandfather's will."

Westmorland glances at it, then b.a.l.l.s the doc.u.ment between his fists. "G.o.d's teeth!" he explodes. "I am to be Earl in name only!"

"You get Brancepeth," says Salisbury.

"Aye, but Castle Raby, Sheriff Hutton, and Middleham with all their vast holdings go to that-" he breaks off abruptly and flushes.

"They go to my lady mother," says Salisbury.

"Which you get when she dies."

"I do not think we should be talking of the death of my lady mother."

"As if you don't have enough land, with all those rich holdings in the south your wife brought you when you married."

"My lord father did not want my lady mother to be dest.i.tute."

"And what do I get? Nothing, except for Brancepeth and a few paltry manors in the north of this country on poor land."

"You are the Earl of Westmorland."

The new earl glares, his blue eyes looking as icy as his grandfather's. He stalks out of the hall.

There is silence for a few moments, then conversations rumble.

Richard turns to Salisbury. "What do you suppose he'll do?"

Salisbury sighs. "I know not. But we haven't seen the end of this."

"He'll go to the Percies to seek their aid in taking our land," says Mama. "I heard he plans to marry Lady Elizabeth Percy."

"But she's old enough to be his mother!" says Salisbury.

Mama purses her lips and shrugs.

"I must see to our defenses." Salisbury bows and leaves.

Richard glances at me, but I take my place beside Mama. Richard looks around the room, as if seeking someone, then bows to Mama and leaves.

Mama puts down her knife and draws a handkerchief from her sleeve. I see that she is weeping.

"Mama," I say softly.

She takes my hand and attempts a weak smile.

"Papa?"

She nods. "Your brother tells me he didn't suffer." She gulps. "But I miss him so. I can't believe he's no longer here."

"But-" I don't quite know how to put this. "You didn't always agree."

She brushes her tears away and takes me gently by the shoulders: "Understand this, my love, your father and I were the best of friends."

"But-"

"Of course, we didn't always agree. You'll understand when you're a married lady yourself."

I frown.

She leans forward and whispers. "Look what he did for me. He left me everything of value in his will."

I look at her, and it is as if everything becomes lighter. I smile.

Mama smiles back.

"My lady!" The steward appears, bowing. He engages Mama in a long discussion.

I pick at my food, but can't eat. Suddenly, the hall seems unbearably hot and stuffy. I long to get outside. I want to think about everything Mama has told me. When the steward has gone, I lean forward. "Mama," I say. "It's such a glorious day. May I ride out on Doucette?"

Mama nods absently.

I rise, filled with sudden energy. After a year of being mewed up in the castle keep, I will be alone.

I run.

I run with a speed I didn't know I had, my heart pounding in my chest.

I don't know where I get the energy, for I haven't run in such a long time.

I head for Bulmer's Tower and fly up the stairs towards Mama's bedchamber. I fling myself onto her bed, gasping and sobbing.

Audrey appears. "My lady Cecylee. Whatever has happened?" She takes me by the shoulders. "Why, child, you are a sight to behold, your headdress gone, your hair wild, your clothes torn-" She pales. "Did someone try-?"

I nod, unable to speak.

"Who?"

"The new earl," I manage to gasp out.

It is nearing dusk by the time brother Salisbury returns, followed by Richard and a large party of men-mostly untrained recruits carrying pitchforks, shovels and other farm implements.

I doze in Mama's bed, dressed in a clean silk chemise. I've been given a bath, my bruises and sc.r.a.pes treated with a salve. Mama strokes my hair and tells me I've been very brave, that I did right to run away. She promises she'll take care of matters, that I should worry no more.

I gaze at her, unable to speak, tears sliding down my cheeks. I can feel his slimy hands cup my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, smell his foul breath on my cheek. Every time I think of it, I s.h.i.+ver violently and retch into a bucket.

Mail-shod feet pound up the stairs. Audrey opens the door a crack and drops a deep curtsey. Mama rises from her place on the window seat, taking Salisbury into an adjoining room.

Eventually Salisbury leaves. I hear him speaking to someone outside: "My lady mother wishes to see you." Then I hear the bang, bang, bang of feet going downstairs.

There is silence for a while, then Richard's voice fills the room. "I am more sorry than I can say about the death of your lord husband."

"I dare say you are."

Silence. I hear the rustle of parchment, as if someone is searching for something.

"We came back as soon as we could, madam."

Silence. More rustling. A chair sc.r.a.pes. "I hold you responsible for Lady Cecylee's safety. It is your duty to protect her."

"But Cis does not welcome my visits."

"Why did you leave?"

"To help Salisbury raise his men."

"Did you not notice the way Westmorland stared at her?"

Dead silence.

"I thought you hadn't noticed."

"Did he not ride to Alnwick?"

"I had no men to spare to see that my daughter was safe."

"I thought it made sense to help Salisbury with his levies."

"If her hound had not bitten Westmorland, Lady Cecylee would have been ruined."

"Ruined?"

"I am saying she would have been forced to marry him."

"Marry him? But I thought he was going to marry Lady Elizabeth!"

"Are you so doltish you could not see what his game was?"

Silence.

"He could have demanded Castle Raby and the other manors as her dowry. And we would have been unable to refuse."

I am a p.a.w.n in the greedy and unscrupulous hands of men. I lean over the bucket and retch up the rest of my dinner.

"If you want Lady Cecylee, impress me. Show me you are truly worthy."

"I am a Plantagenet, the Duke of York."

"An empty t.i.tle. Where are your lands? Held by the Crown. Because your father was executed as a traitor."

"But I have been promised my lands back once I reach my majority."

"You're only fourteen now. That's seven years away."

I hear a crackle, someone opening a doc.u.ment.

"I will continue to hold your wards.h.i.+p, but I think you should reside with your brother-in-law."

"I will go to Sir Thomas Grey directly," says Richard. "But in the matter of my wards.h.i.+p, I beg you not to break my betrothal to Cecylee. I consider the promise I made that day a sacred vow."

"You are not married to Cecylee. I made sure of that."

"I would like to see Lady Cecylee, to bid her farewell."

My heart drops into my stomach. I'm so ill, I'll humiliate myself in front of him.