“Something has gone wrong.” Margaret paced the room in great agitation, clasping her trembling hands before her in an unconscious gesture of supplication. “If all was well, I would have had news of my son’s landing long ago. I can barely endure this waiting.”
Elizabeth of York rose from her chair, her young face troubled. “Please do not distress yourself, Lady Margaret. There is always some delay in these matters. The time seems longer to those who wait.” She leaned near the sill, her clear skin and bright hair accentuated by the pale sunlight. “You know what they say. No news is good news.”
Margaret shook her head. “Not this time. I feel in my bones that something has gone wrong.”
She covered her face with her hands, sending up a prayer to the saints that Henry, Earl of Richmond, should be spared Richard’s anger if the plot to remove him from the throne had misfired.
“Lady Margaret, someone is riding this way!”
Elizabeth forgot her royal dignity and scrambled on to a chest beneath the window in order to have a better view of the man riding his horse at full gallop across the green.
“It is Reginald Bray. I must hurry to meet him!” Margaret’s gown billowed around her as she took the stairs quickly, her heart pounding fiercely within her.
“My lady.” Reginald Bray flung himself from the saddle and knelt at her feet and there were tears on his weatherbeaten face.
Margaret’s heart turned over in fear. “Tell me at once. Is my son all right?”
“It is all over, my lady.” He could not bring himself to look at her. “Heavy rains flooded the Severn, and my Lord Buckingham and his men were unable to ford it.”
“But what of the Earl of Richmond?” Margaret asked in anguish.
Reginald shook his head. “I saw nothing of him whatsoever, my lady. It may be that he was warned in time and set sail back to France.”
Margaret could scarcely breathe, “And it could be that he lies dead on the shores of England,” she said bitterly.
Elizabeth came and took her arm, and with Elizabeth of York supporting Margaret on the other side, together they took her back to the chamber.
Elizabeth hurriedly brought some wine, handing the cups round with fingers that trembled.
Margaret’s colour returned somewhat after she had rested for a moment.
“Tell me everything you know, Reginald,” she said in a whisper. “Leave nothing out.”
He sat opposite her, awkwardly aware of his mudstained appearance.
“When the river flooded, my lady, Buckingham was prevented from joining forces with the Courtenays.” His tone was bitter. “When it was known that Buckingham was not with us, the Marquis of Dorset and Lord Welles had no choice but to flee the country. I believe they made for Brittany.”
“Thank God that at least my brother, Lord Welles, is safe,” Margaret said softly. “And what happened to Buckingham?”
“He was basely betrayed by one of his own men.” Reginald’s face clouded with anger. “When Richard caught up with him at Salisbury, the Duke of Buckingham was immediately executed.”
Margaret looked down at her trembling hands with eyes blurred by tears. “He must be safe. The Earl of Richmond must be allowed to try once more to deliver England from the wickedness of Richard the Third.”
With an effort, she rose to her feet and made a small curtsey to Elizabeth of York.
“If you will all excuse me, I will retire to my room. I need to be alone for a time, to think and pray.”
With shoulders straight, Margaret walked across the long chamber and from her appearance no one would have guessed that her heart was breaking into a hundred pieces.
Thomas stood before the roaring logs, a worried frown on his broad face.
“I’m sorry, Margaret, but the King has ordered me to keep you away from Court. You are to be confined to these chambers, and all of your companions must be sent away lest you bribe someone to carry messages to your son.” Margaret looked down at her hands. In spite of her husband’s words there was a look of serenity on her face.
“Very well, Thomas, it shall be as you say. I thank the saints every day for keeping Henry safe, and when the time is right he will try to make for England once more, whether I communicate with him or not.”
Thomas knelt before her and took her hands in his.
“You know I would do anything for you. I was hard put to keep you from being charged with treason,” he smiled a little ruefully. “I talked so well that I amazed myself as well as King Richard.”
“I realise how wonderful you have been to me throughout this time of worry, and I know how difficult it must have been for you to face the King concerning my actions. It will not be forgotten, I promise you that.” She smiled at him warmly. “The time will come when my son, Henry, may be in a position to help you greatly. He will know to whom he owes the greatest debt of gratitude.”
Thomas looked uncomfortable. “Margaret, please, you must allow no one to hear you speak that way. It is highly dangerous.”
She kissed his cheek gently, her eyes alight. “I have grown very fond of you, Thomas Stanley. Could it be that our marriage has turned out to be more than one of convenience after all?”
He smiled and shook his head. “I will never understand women if I live to be a hundred. They swing from one subject to another so easily, and I am a mere man and completely baffled.”
He kissed her fondly, and for a moment, Margaret thought she saw a tear sparkle on his dark lashes. But then he was on his feet.
“I cannot stay here, idling my time away.” He sounded gruff. “I must ride back to Court to see if Richard’s mood has improved a little during my absence.”
He stood near the door for a last look at her; then he made her a quick bow and left her alone.
The days passed quickly, and Richard’s mood did not improve. He continued to regard Margaret, Countess of Richmond, as his bitter enemy.
Once more, Thomas Stanley returned home to inform her of the King’s latest move against her.
“My dear Margaret, there was nothing I could do.” Thomas raised his hands expressively. “The King has called a Parliament which has passed bills of attainter against the Earl of Richmond and yourself.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “So my son will be made a penniless rebel! How could you allow it?”
Thomas sighed deeply. “Have you any idea of the seriousness of your act?” He strode to and fro in agitation. “In Richard’s own words, you have conspired and committed high treason against him.” He stopped pacing and stood before her. “It is only the King’s fear of turning me against him that has saved your life!”
Margaret bowed her head. “I know. I’m sorry, Thomas. I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“Come, don’t be downcast.” He smiled at her jovially. “The King still trusts me. He has given me the position of Constable of England in place of Buckingham, and all your estates are transferred to me for life, so you may still regard them as your own.”
Margaret looked at him in surprise. “Why is Richard being so generous to you? Surely he suspects that you were involved with me in the plot to put my son on the throne?”
“But I was not involved! Not in the least. You see, my dear, I took the wisest course. They do not call me the wily fox for nothing!”
Margaret smiled in spite of herself. “I know you were not with me in my plan, but you were not against me either.”
“That’s right,” Thomas said drily, “though as the days go by, I begin to be more and more convinced that Henry Richmond would make a better king than Richard the Third.”
Margaret’s eyed widened. “Do you mean you would help us?” Colour flooded into her face and her breath almost left her.
His face was inscrutable. “I will look into the matter, Margaret. But you must not expect too much.” He smiled down at her. “Now I want you to put on your prettiest gown and we will eat here in your chamber. We will drink wine and laugh and forget our troubles just for tonight. How do you feel about that?”
She nodded, catching his mood. “Very well, Thomas. I haven’t been very good company lately, but I’ll try to make it up to you.”
She chose her blue velvet gown trimmed with fur and jewelled at the shoulders and cuffs. The new lady of the bedchamber was deft, and her fingers moved swiftly and surely, braiding Margaret’s hair and settling a pearl-stuffed coif on her head.
She stepped out of her chamber feeling much more cheerful than she’d been for days. Thomas was right; it was time she took herself in hand. There was nothing to be gained from moping around the place in a bad humour.
It seemed very quiet in the corridor and Margaret made her way to the great hall, a feeling of apprehension slowing her steps. She pushed open the doors and the chill of emptiness greeted her as she stared along the empty walls. She heard a step behind her and turned to see Thomas, his forehead furrowed into a frown, walking towards her.
“Where has everyone gone?” she said in confusion, hardly able to think straight.
He took her arm and led her back to the chamber. “I said we would eat in your room, didn’t I?” he reproved gently. “I didn’t want you to know tonight, but the fact is, I’ve sent everyone away as the King commanded.”
“What about my friend, Elizabeth?” Margaret said in consternation. “She has been with me ever since I was a child at Bletsoe. I cannot manage without her.”
“You must manage without her, at least for the time being.” Thomas led her into the warmth of her own room and settled her into a chair. “They have all gone, including Princess Elizabeth of York. She has returned to her mother in sanctuary. She will at least be safe there.”
“What do you mean?” Margaret asked quickly. “Did Richard threaten her?”
“Not exactly,” Thomas said. “There was talk that he wished to marry her himself.”
“But that’s impossible!” Margaret was outraged. “He has a wife already.”
“She is ailing and isn’t expected to live long. As I said, it is only talk, so far.”
Margaret was silent for a moment, then she looked up at Thomas anxiously. “Is young Charles Somerset taken away from me too? And Reginald Bray? And my good physician, Lewis?”
He nodded his head. “It will only be for a short time, Margaret. Once the King’s anger dies, he will forget all this and gradually I shall be able to return your loved ones to you.”
She fingered her cross. “It was bad enough before, to endure life waiting and hoping for news of my son, but now without my friends around me, I shall be desolate.”
“I will do my utmost to bring Elizabeth back to you. I know how much you mean to each other. She cried bitter tears when she was forced to leave.”
Margaret blinked quickly. Her own eyes filled with tears, thinking of Elizabeth with her homely, ample proportions, cast away from the home and the people that she loved.
“I have become like a daughter to her,” she said softly. “She will pine so badly. I must have her back.”
Thomas patted her hand kindly. “I have said I will do my best, my dear.” He sat down at the table. “In the meantime, you will have to make do with the servants I have provided. Now let me see you eat a little meat and drink. Some of this sparkling wine will put colour back into your cheeks. And you must keep up your strength, my dear.”
To please him, Margaret ate a little, though the food was like dry dust in her mouth. Never in all her life had she felt so desolate, and a cloud of utter hopelessness seemed to hover above her head.
“Elizabeth! Oh, how good it is to see your happy face again.” Margaret, torn between tears and laughter, hugged her friend and then turned to embrace her husband. “Thomas, you are so very good to me. How did you manage to bring Elizabeth home?”
He smiled in mock innocence. “Do you know each other? What a coincidence. This dear lady just happened to be looking for a place to stay and I thought she would make an ideal companion for my wife. If you know each other, then it is no concern of mine.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, I’ve missed you so much,” she smiled through her tears. “I have had no one to scold me into resting, and no one to mix up healing potions when I have been chilled. I don’t know how I have managed without you.”
Thomas smiled good-naturedly over their heads. “Perhaps, my dear wife, you would spare me just one moment of your time,” he said wryly, “though I realise that I am interrupting your delirious reunion.”
Margaret turned to him contritely. “Thomas, I can’t thank you enough, but I think you must know how I feel.”
He bent towards her and kissed her cheek lightly. “The happiness in your face is reward enough for me,” he said. “But before the both of you run off to compare notes, I would like to speak to you.”
Margaret nodded. “You go ahead to my chamber, Elizabeth. I will join you in a moment.” Margaret turned to Thomas and led the way to the wide window seat. “What is it, my lord? Not more bad news, I trust?” She regarded him steadily, though her heart was beating rapidly and fear clutched at her with icy fingers.
“There is nothing for you to worry about, my dear,” he said quickly. “It is just that I must go away for a time. The King has granted me leave to go up to my estates in Lancashire. I have told him I have business to attend to while I am there.” He smiled at Margaret. “It is a fabrication, of course. I just feel I’d be better off away from the Court for the present time.”
She looked up at him questioningly. “Are you telling me you have come over to the side of my son?” she asked breathlessly.
Thomas shook his head. “I will say just this, Margaret. I feel there is a great deal of merit in your son’s claim to the throne, and Richard has no real right to be king. He virtually stole the crown from young Prince Edward, and you know I have never agreed with having the princes locked away in the Tower.” He frowned thoughtfully. “I would feel better about it, if Richard had brought the boys out to make public appearances on occasions, and so would the people. It is being rumoured that the princes are dead – murdered.”
“Oh no! Richard could not be so heartless as to have two small children done to death; and the sons of his brother at that.” Margaret shuddered, her eyes dark with horror.
“I don’t say that Richard would have ordered such a thing himself, but he is away so often on campaigns. One of his followers might have thought it wiser to put the princes out of the way.”
“It does not bear thinking about,” Margaret said, and hastily made a sign of the cross. “What must the Dowager-Queen be suffering locked away in Westminster, unable to lift a finger to help her own children?”
“Remember, there is no proof of this, Margaret. It may simply be an evil piece of gossip put about by Richard’s enemies. In any event, do not let the servants hear you utter a word of it. They are all in Richard’s service, and have been sent here to keep a check on your actions.”
Margaret put her hand on his arm and he gently drew her close to him.
“You have become very dear to me, Margaret. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy, but I beg you to be cautious, if not for your own sake, for the sake of your son. Let Richard believe that you have given up any notion of helping the Earl of Richmond to land on the shores of England again.”
Margaret smiled up at him from the warm circle of his arms. “I can promise you this, my lord. Henry Richmond will not land on English shores again.” She laughed, enjoying his bewilderment.
“Have you really given up all your plans, then?” He looked at her almost with dismay.
She shook her head. “Not at all. But my son will return through the land that was his father’s. He will sail into the tiny harbour of Dale, on the coast of Wales. There are many to follow him from there – supporters of my brother-in-law Jasper Tudor, and his father Owen before him. And this time, my lord, he will be successful. I know it as surely as I breathe.”
Thomas stared at her almost fearfully. “You speak with such conviction, Margaret. I cannot help but believe you are right. But where have you received this information? I did not know you were still in touch with your son.”
Margaret’s eyes gleamed. “There are some things, Thomas, that are best kept secret.”
He looked at her in admiration. “For a frail woman, you have a will of steel, Margaret. I’d prefer to be with you than against you.”
Margaret smiled softly. “I feel the same way about you, my dear Thomas. It seems to have turned out that we are a pair well matched. The more I think about it, the more I believe it.”
His eyes were warm as they met hers, and the kiss he bestowed on her was like the sealing of a promise.