The Sun in Splendour (The Plantagenets Book 6) by Dymoke Juliet

Author:Dymoke, Juliet [Dymoke, Juliet]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Three Castles Media Ltd.
Published: 2016-05-09T04:00:00+00:00

In September Richard of Gloucester returned to London, a satisfactory truce concluded with the Scots. He came at once to Westminster and found the King there with the Queen and her ladies, the Duke of Clarence and their uncle Lord Essex. It was still some time before supper and Richard was welcomed, wine passed round, and for a while the talk was of affairs in the north, of Northumberland's effusive loyalty now that Edward was once more securely on the throne.

‘He entertained us well,’ Richard said. ‘Alnwick is a fine castle and we had good hunting, but a little of Henry Percy's company goes a long way. I am glad to be back.’ He glanced across at his brother George. ‘Where are my sister-in-law and the Lady Anne? Are they not at court?’

‘Not today,’ Clarence answered negligently. ‘Isabel has a slight cold and Anne would not leave her. She is a good sister and cares for my wife – as I care for my own.’

Bess, seated with Lady Scrope on a bench behind the Queen, laid her sewing in her lap. There had been no mistaking the undertone in Clarence's voice, nor his attitude, as he stood, shoulders against the stone mantel, looking down on Richard.

The Queen laughed. ‘You are prickly today, George. Do we not all care for our own? I am always being accused of seeing that my family prospers, but who does not?’

Clarence shrugged and the King said affably, ‘I hope the Lady Isabel will be recovered enough to attend the tourney on Saturday. Our friends from Holland will provide a challenge for us. It is a pity Anthony is away.’

‘Good God, he is not the only jouster in England,’ Clarence said. ‘We three Plantagenets will make a spectacle of the affair.’

‘I'm sure you will.’ The Queen's voice was silky. ‘You always do, George.’

Lord Essex quickly began a ponderous reminiscence of a tourney on London Bridge, and in a low voice Richard requested a few words in private with the King. They disappeared into an inner chamber, George stayed where he was, kicking idly at the stonework, the others listened to the Earl's tale and finally supper was announced. The King and Richard reappeared and neither spoke of what had taken them apart.

Bess made up her mind to risk calling at Le Herber, the fine London house that had once belonged to the Earl of Warwick and that Clarence and his wife now occupied. She had an uneasy feeling concerning Anne and the next day on being admitted learned that the Lady Isabel was still confined to bed. Anne, however, was pathetically glad to see her and they sat for a long while talking in her chamber along the gallery. Though neither said it, both were glad that the Duke was not in evidence and Bess repeated what had occurred the evening before. ‘I am certain my lord of Gloucester approached the King concerning you,’ she said, and saw a tinge of colour warm Anne's pale cheeks.

''Was

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