The mellow sun slanted in through the tall windows of Derby House and Margaret, stitching a tracery of delicate leaves into her tapestry work, enjoyed the warmth of the autumn day.
The door opened and Margaret saw with surprise that Thomas was leading a young, golden-haired girl towards her.
“My dear,” he said, his eyes alight, “may I present Princess Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward.”
There was a sudden hush in the chamber as the company waited for Margaret’s response. Recovering quickly from her surprise, she drooped into a curtsey and immediately, like roses bending in a gale, the other ladies followed her lead.
“The Princess will be lodging here with us for a time,” Thomas said easily. “She has come straight from the sanctuary of Westminster.”
Elizabeth of York smiled warmly. “And most happy to be away from there. You are so kind to have me, Lady Margaret.”
Margaret inclined her head. “Perhaps you would like to rest? Come, I will show you to our best chamber. I only hope you will be comfortable here.”
Elizabeth laughed good-naturedly. “I’m delighted to be in a house that does not ring with the sound of chanting day and night.” She glanced at Margaret quickly from under pale lashes. “I don’t mean to be irreverent, but the sound of prayers can become monotonous after a time.”
Margaret smiled. “I’m sure Westminster must have seemed dull to you after the gaiety of the Court.” She paused a moment. “How is your mother, the Dowager-Queen? I trust she is well and in good spirits?”
Elizabeth’s expressive face drooped into lines of sadness, and she shrugged her slim shoulders.
“She worries about my young brothers. Poor Edward and little Richard must be missing her sorely.”
Margaret warmed to her. She was such an open-hearted girl, obviously capable of great love. Unbidden, the thought entered her mind that the Princess Elizabeth would make an admirable wife for her son, the Earl of Richmond.
For a moment she was back at the Court of the poor mad King Henry the Sixth. He had called the Earl of Richmond England’s hope, and declared that he would unite the red rose and the white. Was it possible that somewhere in his disturbed mind he had foreseen the future?
She shuddered a little and brought her attention back to the present.
“Here, my Lady Elizabeth, I hope the chamber will be comfortable.”
“It is so warm after the coldness of the abbey. It is no wonder that monks must wear stout robes. It is to prevent them catching the lung fever!”
Margaret smiled. “If there is anything you need, you have only to ask. I will leave you to rest now.”
She closed the door gently, and made her way back to where Thomas was waiting for her.
He took her arm and drew her to one side. “The Duke of Buckingham wishes to talk with you,” he said quietly. “He will be on the road between Worcester and Bridgnorth two days from now at about noon. I believe he has a plan he wishes to put to you.” He stared down at her warningly. “You must understand that I will disown any knowledge of this if it should come to King Richard’s ears.”
Margaret clasped his hand, hope building inside her. “It is about my son, is it not?”
He shook his head sagely. “All I know is that you intend to make a visit of devotion to Our Lady of Worcester.”
Margaret nodded her understanding, her eyes bright. “It may well be the wish of Our Lady and all the saints that my son return from France,” she said quietly and Thomas smiled drily.
“Be sure your prayers are made in discreet tones, that’s all I ask,” he cautioned.
“I will be very discreet,” she said happily. “Wasn’t I the soul of discretion at the coronation? Did I not do you justice?”
Thomas kissed her cheek. “I was very proud of you, Margaret. You were the most beautiful woman there.”
She slipped her hand through his arm. “I’m very glad I married you, Thomas Stanley,” she said, and her eyes were shining.
“I am delighted to meet you in this way, my lady.” The young Duke of Buckingham dismounted from his horse and bent over her hand.
“It is a wonderful coincidence, is it not?” Margaret could not keep the twinkle from her eye. “My word, you grow more like Henry Stafford every day. He will never be dead while you are alive.”
Buckingham inclined his head. “You do me honour, my lady. I always did admire Uncle Henry. After all, he had the good taste to make you his wife.”
Margaret glanced round at her retinue. “I think I will rest in the shade for a moment. Perhaps, Buckingham, you will be so kind as to accompany me?”
As soon as they were out of earshot, Margaret put her hand on the young duke’s arm.
“What was it you wished to speak to me about? Is it something to do with the Earl of Richmond?”
Buckingham nodded. “Some of us feel that Richard is not the rightful king,” he said gruffly. “We feel that Lancaster has the greater claim.”
Margaret forced herself to nod and smile pleasantly as if they were discussing nothing more important than the weather.
“I believe you would consider the Princess Elizabeth as wife to your son?” Buckingham spoke rapidly. “If this could be achieved, the Earl would have greater claim to the throne.”
“I am prepared to help in any way I can,” Margaret smiled up at him. “I have money and you will need a great deal if the plan is to work properly.”
“Good, then we will arrange for the Earl to land on the coast of Britain as soon as possible. Have you anyone you can trust to help us, my lady?”
“There is Reginald Bray, Steward of my household. He has been with me for many years. And there is my physician, Lewis. He is a Welshman and would die for the Earl, if necessary.”
Buckingham nodded, well pleased. “Your physician can carry messages to the Dowager-Queen in sanctuary without being suspected. We must ask if she is in favour of her daughter marrying the Earl of Richmond.” He smiled drily. “I don’t expect her to refuse her consent. She is heartily sick of hiding away from Richard, and will agree to any plan that shakes him from the throne.” He bowed to her once more. “I will take my leave of you now, Lady Margaret, but I will be in communication with you before long, never fear.”
Margaret stood and watched him ride away, and there were tears of gratitude in her eyes.
“May I sit and talk with you for a little while, Lady Margaret?” Princess Elizabeth stood diffidently at the door of Margaret’s chamber, her blue eyes as appealing as those of a helpless puppy.
“My dear Lady Elizabeth. I am always at your disposal.” Elizabeth settled herself quietly at Margaret’s side, her tapering fingers resting lightly on the velvet cover of the primer Margaret was reading.
“I am not very clever, unfortunately.” Elizabeth sounded wistful, and Margaret smiled warmly at her.
“You are young and beautiful, my lady,” she said quickly, “and you have a quality of innocence which is very unusual in these troubled days.”
Elizabeth held herself in unconscious dignity, her slender neck straight and her head high.
“You are so kind to me, Lady Margaret. I hope one day I may be able to repay you in some measure.”
“Don’t think any more of it. You are a joy to be with.” Margaret leaned forward suddenly. “My lady, do you know that your mother the Queen and I are making plans for your future?” She paused and looked around cautiously. “At the moment they must be kept a secret.”
Elizabeth regarded her with trusting blue eyes. “I’m sure any plans that you care to make must be for the good. I will leave myself in your hands.” She smiled a little impishly, and a sparkle came into her eyes. “I believe your plan includes your son, and if he is anything like you in character, he must be a very good man.”
Margaret put a warning finger to her lips. “Be careful, my dear, I would not like it if you placed yourself in any danger.” Elizabeth was dignified once more. “I have been in danger since my father died. It is not a new companion, but for your sake, I will speak no more about what you have in mind.”
Margaret smiled, her liking for the young princess was strengthened with every day they spent together.
“Never mind, Elizabeth. It may soon be that you will never have to think about danger again.”
“Lady Margaret, may I speak to you in private?” Lewis bent over her hand, his dark eyes looking directly into hers.
She led him into an inner chamber, her heart beating so quickly that she could hardly breathe.
“In a moment, I will be needing your services!” She smiled and beckoned for him to come and sit at her side.
“The Dowager-Queen agrees to the plan,” he said immediately. “She is tired of sanctuary and fears for the lives of the young princes who are still incarcerated in the Tower.” He paused, mopping his round face with his kerchief. “It is my belief that she sees the Earl, your son, as no more than regent until Prince Edward is older.”
Margaret shook her head. “Does not the Queen realise that there is no chance of her son becoming king while there is evidence that she is not legally married to Edward? Richard himself has taken the crown using the very fact that he regards the boy as illegitimate to consolidate his claim.” Lewis frowned anxiously. “She does not realise how tenuous her own position is. She believes that soon she will come from sanctuary and take once more her place as queen.”
Margaret sighed. “I cannot help but feel sorry for her. Perhaps if the late king had named her as regent, all might have gone well for her, in spite of Richard.”
Lewis rose to his feet. “Has the Earl been informed of what is taking place, my lady?” he said, rubbing his plump hands together and Margaret smiled.
“Yes. Hugh Conway has gone to Brittany with a large sum of money for my son. Hugh is a trustworthy friend and I rely on him entirely.”
Lewis nodded his greying head. “Quite so, my lady, and may I say I hope with all my heart that fortune smiles on you and the Earl of Richmond.”
After her physician had taken his leaves, Margaret went in search of the young princess.
“Lady Elizabeth,” she said cordially. “Your mother has agreed to the union. Now all we have to do is wait until my son lands on England’s shores once more.”
Elizabeth looked at her quickly. “I am happy for you, my lady, and yet I cannot help feeling sorry for my Uncle Richard. He has always been kind to me.”
“Quite right, Elizabeth, you should retain old loyalties. But Richard won’t be harmed if he will only accept the situation sensibly.” She glanced shrewdly at Elizabeth. “After all, he was never meant to be king, was he?”
“No, of course he wasn’t.” Tears came to Elizabeth’s blue eyes. “If only Father had not died so suddenly. None of us were prepared, and my brothers are so young.”
“Everything will be all right, if only you will have a little patience, my lady. At least you know that you have your mother’s approval in this matter.”
Elizabeth sank down into a chair. “Perhaps you will show me those new stitches, Lady Margaret,” she said quickly. “I feel I must not think about the future too much, just in case anything goes wrong.”
A sudden shadow seemed to settle around Margaret. She quickly made the sign of the cross.
“Don’t speak of things going wrong, my lady. We must be hopeful and think of all the good things that are before us.” She brought her tapestry to Elizabeth’s side and tried to concentrate on the tiny flowers she was working, but at the back of her mind echoed a small voice that persisted in saying over and over again that nothing must go wrong. At last she rose to her feet.
“Excuse me, my lady,” she said quickly, “I must go outside into the fresh air.”
But even in the sunshine, a gloom seemed to hang like a mist around her head.