A Dangerous Love (15 page)

“Then my niece had become reconciled to the marriage?” the duke queried.

“Nay, my lord. She despised him, and he, I think, thought little better of her. But he had great pride in being the Earl of Stanton, and he tried hard to be possessive of her, and master of Stanton, but she would not allow it,” was the reply.

“Do you think there might be a child?” the duke said.

“You would have to ask her women that question, but 
I would wager he never got into her bed, my lord,” Andrew Lynbridge replied.

The Duke of Gloucester nodded. Then he sighed. “I do not fear telling my brother this news, but the Earl of Pembroke is another matter. Jasper Tudor doted upon the lad, though frankly I never understood why. The boy was ignorant and prideful. He had little to recommend him that I could see. I tried to talk the king out of making the match, but my brother would not listen.”

“Perhaps the Earl of Pembroke had a particular fondness for the boy’s mother,” Andrew suggested.

The duke nodded. “That could very well be it,” he agreed. “She died when her son was born, and dead mistresses, I am told, always hold a warmer place in one’s memory than discarded mistresses. Well, the boy is dead, and there is an end to it. Perhaps I will wait a bit before informing the king of these unfortunate events.”

“I should not, my lord,” Andrew said. “The young earl’s body servant, a Welshman called Anfri, believes that the countess caused her husband’s death. He said so, and the morning after the lad was slain he was gone from the hall. I suspect he has fled south to tell Jasper Tudor his version of what has happened. As he was not there he has nothing but his suspicions and dislike of the countess to speak on to the Earl of Pembroke. That could cause great difficulty for the countess.”

“And you would not like that,” the duke said slyly.

Andrew Lynbridge grinned. “I will admit that before I learned that she was the Countess of Stanton, and not simply the lady of the hall, I considered courting her.

And before the king sent her a husband. My grandsire was extremely annoyed to learn that. He has always coveted the Stanton grazing meadows.”

“And would the lady consider your suit if you approached her?” the duke pressed.

“I have no idea, my lord,” Andrew replied candidly.

“Once I learned she was wed I did not even consider it.”

“You’re a baron’s son,” the duke said. “Your blood is 
every bit as good as Radcliffe blood. John Radcliffe was a baron, and gained a greater title only by letting my brother futter his pretty wife. Jane served the queen, and though Edward pursued her she would have nothing to do with him. So my brother made an arrangement with Radcliffe, and Radcliffe told his wife to please Edward. They are no great family.”

“But the lady is the king’s blood,” Andrew Lynbridge said.

“If you care for her, court her before my brother decides to barter her off again to some minion in order to obtain something he wants,” the duke advised. “I would not be unhappy to see a loyal ally at Stanton Hall. Adair is strong for a woman, but I do not see her holding her home against the Scots. They have been restless and raiding of late. Now that it is known she is back, a young, pretty widow alone and ripe for the picking, she is in danger. My wife’s relatives, the Nevilles, will be interested, as will all the Percys. I am Adair’s uncle, and I would approve a match between you,” Richard of Gloucester said with a small smile. “I can certainly assure my brother of your utmost loyalty.”

“She will want to mourn FitzTudor, if for no other reason than good etiquette,” Andrew Lynbridge said.

“She is proud of her name, my lord. And any who weds her must take that name, for the king promised John Radcliffe.”

“You could be the Earl of Stanton,” the duke 
tempted him. “Six months mourning a boy you didn’t know, and who was with you less time, is enough. We have a border to protect, and having one of my former captains at Stanton would please me.”

“I’m not even certain she likes me,” Andrew said slowly.

“She didn’t like FitzTudor, but had he been a man he would have gotten between her legs, and it is possible her attitude would have changed. I have known Adair since she was a little girl. She needs a man she can re
spect first. Gain her respect, and you could gain her heart,” Richard of Gloucester said quietly.

“Perhaps,” Andrew Lynbridge said, “when I return to Stanton Hall with your message of condolence, you might tell the lady that you would wish me to stay on to oversee the defense of her home, as the Scots are being troublesome of late. She does have a good captain of her men at arms, Dark Walter, but he is not as experienced as he could be. I know she loves you, my lord, and if you wrote her that it would please you, then she would acquiesce, I am quite certain,” he concluded.

The duke chuckled. “A worthy and clever plan, Andrew. Go now, and pay your respects to my wife. We will speak again before you depart back for Stanton tomorrow.”

Andrew Lynbridge bowed politely and left the duke.

He found the Lady Anne with her women in the solar.

The Duchess of Gloucester looked up with a sweet smile as he entered. “Andrew, how good to see you.

What brings you to Middleham?” She was a pretty young woman with pale blue eyes and long golden hair, the braids of which were looped up about her small head. She was not strong in body, but Richard of Gloucester adored her.

He kissed the delicate little blue-veined hand she offered him, and then at her invitation sat down to tell her his tale.

She listened with great interest to what he had to say, and when he had concluded his narrative she said, “Poor little Adair. I know she did not want a husband now, but still, to lose him in such a manner. Of course Jasper Tudor will not be pleased at all by this turn of events.”

“The boy was brave,” Andrew Lynbridge said.

“Did she love him at all?” the duchess wondered.

“I do not believe she did, my lady,” he replied.

“She will be alone now,” the duchess remarked.

“Should she be alone, I wonder? We must invite her to Middleham to visit. Little Neddie adores her.”

“The duke has asked me to return to Stanton and take charge of its defenses,” Andrew told the duchess.

“Aye, that is wise,” Lady Anne agreed. “I have a cousin, Rowena Neville, married to Baron Greyfaire.

Their keep, much like Adair’s, is on the border. Of late my cousin writes that the Scots have been raiding more frequently. A young girl alone would be considered fair game to any of the border lords.”

“I will do my best to keep Stanton Hall safe,” he promised her gallantly, and the Duchess of Gloucester smiled at him.

“He misses you,” she told Andrew Lynbridge.

“I miss my good lord’s company too, my lady, but I am, it seems, good only for warfare,” Andrew replied.

“Praise God and his blessed Mother Mary, England is a peaceful land. Yet it is difficult for a soldier in peace-time, my lady. My brother is our grandfather’s heir, and he has sons already. I am grateful for my lord’s desire to see the defenses at Stanton Hall strengthened, and for his faith in me to do it. I hope the lady will be as grateful to her uncle for his concern.”

The duchess chuckled. “Adair is a bit prickly at times,” she said. “But you have charm, Andrew, and I am certain that you will win her cooperation easily.”

Andrew Lynbridge was reminded of Anne Neville’s words several days later, when he returned to Stanton Hall to tell Adair what the Duke of Gloucester had requested of him. He had stopped first at Hillview Court on his return to tell his brother and grandfather what the duke desired of him.

His grandfather had nodded. “Then you’ll be back in Gloucester’s service again,” he said. “He’s given you coin for your trouble, I hope, eh? Give it here, lad. We’re always short of coin in this family.”

“He’s given me his blessing if I can convince the lady
 
to marry me,” Andrew replied. “I think that’s more than enough, Grandsire.”

“He should have given you coin,” the old man 
grumbled.

“I can’t stay,” Andrew said. “I want to reach Stanton by nightfall. Farewell, Grandsire.”

“He gave you coin,” Robert said as he walked with his brother back to the courtyard where his horse was waiting.

“He did,” Andrew admitted, “but I may need it myself.”

“Aye, you may,” his brother said. “The old man doesn’t need it. He’s just a greedy bugger.” Robert chuckled. “Do you think the girl will marry you if you ask her?”

“My first order of business,” Andrew answered, “is to see to the proper defense of Stanton. I barely know the girl, nor she me. Good marriages, I have seen, come about when friends marry friends, as you and Allis did.”

“You’ll be an earl if you can wed her,” his brother remarked.

“And I’ll be a Radcliffe, for it was her father’s request of the king, and he agreed. Any man who marries Adair Radcliffe must take her surname. Grandsire will hardly take kindly to that.” Andrew chuckled. He mounted his horse. “Farewell, Robert.”

“Farewell, my lord,” Rob gently mocked him.

And now in the same day he found himself standing before Adair Radcliffe as she read the Duke of Gloucester’s missive. He watched as her brow darkened in annoyance. Then she looked up at him. “You know what is written in this letter?”

“I do, my lady,” Andrew said politely.

“I do not like it,” Adair said, looking him straight in the eye.

“Nay, I imagine that you do not,” he agreed pleasantly. “Nonetheless, it is the duke’s wish that Stanton 
Hall be better fortified, as the Scots are becoming more active again along the borders. Had the hall been better fortified in your parents’ time it might not have been taken then. The duke feels it is important that all the great homes in this area be protected better. He desires your safety above all, my lady.”

“How is he?” Adair’s tone had softened.

“Well, and the Lady Anne too. He is content being his brother’s voice here in the north. He keeps his own court at Middleham.”

“Have you eaten?” Adair asked him, and when he answered in the negative she ordered food be brought and led him to the high board to sit down, pouring liquid into his goblet. “My uncle Dickon does not like the queen or her family. He thinks them upstarts, and the queen has proven most greedy, as have her relations. He loves the king, but he has never been one for the court his brother keeps. And since their brother George was slain four years back, he has stayed away almost entirely. He blames the queen for that death. They say the Duke of Clarence drowned in a vat of malmsey, but he was imprisoned in the Tower at the time for the latest of his rebellions against the king. I would not have thought they had so large a supply of malmsey in the Tower,”

Adair mused. “But Uncle Dickon loved his brother for all his imperfections. He was always attempting to teach him the same loyalty that he practices. But George would not learn, and his spirit was so restless. Three such different brothers. The king a man who indulges his lusts, loves luxury and having his own way in everything to the point that he wed an unsuitable wife. Yet he has proven a good king, and the people love him un-questioningly. Then George of Clarence, jealous of Edward’s every accomplishment and possession except perhaps the queen. And always in the midst of some plot or scheme to bring down the king so he might have his crown. And finally Uncle Dickon, totally devoted to his eldest brother. A man of discipline, strong faith,
 
ethics, and deep loyalties. He would never betray the king, or any he loved.

“Did you know that when Lady Anne was widowed of her first husband, Prince Edward of Lancaster, George, who was wed to her older sister, Isabel, attempted to prevent Uncle Dickon from wedding Lady Anne? And why? Because he didn’t want to share the Warwick inheritance, which had been divided between the two sisters. But Uncle Dickon and Lady Anne had been in love with each other since a shared childhood.

Only that her father insisted, and made her wed Henry VI’s son, were they separated.

“I was not sorry to see George dead. Few were except Uncle Dickon. He always believed that he could help his brother to change his ways, but of course he could not. Uncle Dickon believed the queen and her minions were responsible for Clarence’s death. After that he came rarely to court, preferring to remain here in the north. The queen would bring him down if she could, but she can’t. Everything he does is for the benefit of King Edward. He is no rebel like Clarence.”

“Aye, and there is a matter upon which we will always agree,” Andrew Lynbridge said quietly. “The duke is an honorable man.”

“How long were you in his service?” Adair asked.

“Many years, and now it seems I am again,” he answered her.

“Dark Walter has trained his men at arms well,”

Adair said. “We can defend ourselves against the Scots.

Did you not tell the duke that?”

“Call Dark Walter and Albert to you, my lady,” Andrew said. “Let me explain to you exactly what it is the duke wants. Then see what they have to say.”

“That is fair enough,” she agreed, and sent for the two men.

Andrew Lynbridge plunged a spoon into the trencher of rabbit stew that had been placed before him. Used to eating on the run, he had it finished by the time Dark 
Walter and Albert had arrived. He sat back and listened as Adair began to explain.

“The duke thinks we need to strengthen our defenses against the Scots—” she said.

“Aye!” Dark Walter interrupted her. “We do. And I hope he has sent the wherewithal to do it, my lady.”

“He has,” Andrew spoke up. “He wants walls built.

The hall is not a castle, but six-foot walls about the house could help to deter an assault.”

“Aye, they surely could,” Dark Walter agreed, and Albert nodded.

“I thought this was to be my decision,” Adair said pointedly.

“The duke assumed you would see the wisdom of his plan once I explained it to you,” Andrew Lynbridge said smoothly. “He does not want to see you dead in your courtyard like your poor mother, my lady. He seeks only your safety.”