Thwarted Queen (38 page)

“But you know how much I like male company—”

“How could you agree to it?”

“—and I’ve had three husbands taken from me.”

“You know folk will not be kind.”

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t marry this charming young man.”

“She’s trying to humiliate you. The Serpent wants your money. After burying three husbands, she knows you to be wealthy.”

“But he’s sweet!”

“I’m going to see her now.”

“But Cis—” Cath plucked at my sleeve.

I brushed her off. “This isn’t about you, Cath. She’s trying to humiliate the Nevilles, the House of York, and me. I must put a stop to it.”

I came upon the Serpent seated on a gilded chair with her ladies around her. She was embroidering a magnificent altar cloth made of cloth of gold and purple velvet. She wore a silver dress that reflected the blood-red rubies at her throat and on her fingers. She looked up as I entered, but did not rise.

“Good Morrow, Mother.” She signaled to her ladies to put the altar cloth away and bring out refreshments in the form of oranges, figs, nuts, and warm spiced wine.

“I wish to talk to you.”

“About your sister’s forthcoming nuptials?” The Serpent leaned back in her chair as she peeled an orange with a bejeweled dagger. While she talked, the blade flashed as it went in and out, separating the peel from the sweet, luscious fruit within.

“I cannot allow it to happen.”

“And what does your sister say?”

I hesitated. The room rustled with the sounds of the ladies’ heavy skirts dragging across the Turkish carpets as they went about their duties. Finally, they took up position around their mistress. A sea of staring eyes met mine.

The Serpent paused, holding the dagger balanced between thumb and finger, and studied me for a moment. “Your sister is
older
than you, is she not? Surely old enough to decide her own fate.”

A murmur of laughter ran around the room.

“When I told her of my plans, she seemed delighted. As I remember, she called my brother John a
sweet boy
. So I made the old dame happy. What’s wrong with that?”

“You know what’s wrong.”

The Serpent put her dagger down and stared: “My sweet brother is delighted to make your sister happy. Your sister is happy with my choice of bridegroom, so what could
your
objection be?” She paused for a moment, put her hand to her head, and frowned in concentration as her ladies tittered behind their hands.

“It couldn’t be my brother’s—bloodlines, now could it?”

I glared.

“I believe that the last time I had the pleasure of your company, you described my father as ‘jumped up.’”

“I did. I also said—”

“Perhaps it would help, good mother, if I told you more about Maman, my mother.”

“
Your
mother? She was the cause of a great scandal. She was the king’s aunt, and she married well beneath her.”

“I would like to tell you about Maman’s family,” said the Serpent, handing her cup to one of her ladies and rising. She took my arm.

“My mother has many interesting people she can claim relation with. Surely you know that my mother’s father, the Count of St. Pol, was related to the Holy Roman Emperor. Or that my mother’s mother was an Italian princess, descended from the Orsinis?”

She turned to look at me. “You look surprised, good mother,” she cooed. “I see you did not know that.”

The candles flickered as my vision narrowed. I knew her mother Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, was of a higher social station than her father, for I remembered well how she would constantly talk of her family in France. But I’d never really believed her connections were so illustrious. Perhaps because it seemed obvious she would exaggerate in an effort to cover up her husband’s humble origins.

“Are you not descended from Queen Alainor of Aquitaine?” said the Serpent.

“Indeed I am.”

“And would you have been happy if your son, the king, had married one of Queen Alainor’s descendants?”

I gripped the back of a chair. If he’d done that, wouldn’t everything have been different?

The Serpent turned slightly, the silver dress fanning out across the floor in a curling wave. She smiled.

“You see, Mother, your son was dutiful after all. I also am descended from Queen Alainor.”

I glared at her. How like her mother, to exaggerate her claims.

“That’s not true.”

“Indeed it is. I am descended, by my mother, from Simon de Montfort and his wife, the Lady Eleanor, one of Queen Alainor’s granddaughters.”

I shook my head, but could not rid myself of a pounding headache.

“So you need have no further worry about allying yourself with the Woodvilles.” The Serpent drew her arm through mine and ushered me out of the room. “We are truly blue-blooded. Your sister will be safe with us.”

The door closed shut and I was left in a dark corridor. I shivered with cold. The Serpent’s family had fought against the House of York in the war. She was responsible for the murder of Richard, of Salisbury, and of Rutland. Her people were the ones who’d put their heads on top of pikes at Micklegate Bar. She should not be Queen of England.

Within the month, Cath was married to the Serpent’s brother John. Much sport was had at poor Cath’s expense. One wit described her as a
slip of a girl
. Another referred to this sham arrangement as the
Diabolical Marriage
. I was forced to attend the wedding ceremony, which I found humiliating in the extreme. Just as the Serpent had intended.

Chapter 54

Greenwich Palace, London

Feast of Saints Philip & James

May 3, 1465

At nineteen, Margaret was the most beautiful lady at Edward’s court. She greatly resembled her dead sister Joan, with her flawless lily-and-rose complexion and chestnut brown tresses. On this birthday, Edward held a feast followed by dancing to celebrate. Margaret stood in a circle with other young folk, following the beat of the drum first left, then right, that accompanied the recorder and dulcimer, while the dancing-master instructed them on the latest dance steps.

I stood in the garden, enjoying the music while I gave directions to Edward’s head steward, having taken in hand the lavish preparations for Margaret’s feast.

An unpleasantly shrill voice made me turn.

“Nineteen, is she not? ‘Tis full time she was married.”

As soon as my eyes met the Serpent’s, she took my arm. She chose her moment well, for she was in front of hangers-on and had a vice-like grip that was not easy to dislodge.

“My brother
Ned
would be the perfect match for Margaret,” she remarked. “Why, the king, your son, thinks highly of him.”

My cheeks warmed as my stomach turned over. Ned Woodville was one of those gentlemen who seem always to be underfoot, dicing, singing, and not doing anything in particular. Why the king had made him Admiral of the Fleet, heaven only knew. Doubtless it had something to do with the Serpent, for he had no qualifications that I could see, having never fought a sea battle in his life. His bleary eyes and late risings rather told me that he led a life given over to debauchery and drink. Unfortunately, Edward seemed to attract many such followers to his court.

“No need to gape, good mother: You have been remiss. Why haven’t you married her off before?”

Why indeed? Margaret was my youngest daughter. I could not bear to part with her. Of course, I must one day. But only to someone who was worthy.

The Serpent continued, “’Tis four years since Edward became king. You’ve had plenty of time to choose a suitor.”

“No.”

“’Tis true, I tell you. Why, he was crowned king in June of 1461, near unto the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul. You cannot tell me your wits are so addled—”

“Out of the question.”

“Why?” The Serpent opened her gold-brown eyes wide. “You don’t mean to say my brother is not good enough? That is absurd. Your son, the king, has heaped honors on him. I’m sure he would agree to the match.”

The ground heaved and the Serpent’s voice receded into the distance as she said, “Think on it, good mother, I beseech you. ‘Tis time for her to be married. ‘Tis full time.”

Her mouth widened into a smile as I sank onto the nearest seat.

She left, followed by ladies who did not trouble to hide their smiles.

I must protect Margaret at all costs. Where was Edward?

When I arrived at the king’s apartments, Edward was closeted with Warwick.

“We need an alliance with France,” said Warwick as I entered.

“But an alliance with Burgundy would bring in more trade,” replied Edward.

“It is imperative that we seal a compact with King Louis,” said Warwick. “Otherwise, he’ll give shelter to the Lancastrians.”

“Louis is too slippery to be trusted,” remarked Edward, “so he might do anything. But the London merchants need the trade with Burgundy.”

He caught sight of me and instantly came forward. “Mother?”

I sank wordlessly onto a seat while Edward waved away Warwick and sent for wine.

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

I sipped my wine, playing for time. Now that I was with Edward, I had no clear idea of what to say.

“I’ve never seen you look so upset, Mother. Whatever has happened?”

My intuition told me not to mention the Serpent by name. On the other hand, discussing Margaret’s marriage with Edward when I had not prepared him for this topic of conversation was going to make me look ridiculous. But I had no choice, so I plunged ahead.

“It’s about Margaret.”

“Margaret?” Edward’s brows furrowed. “You do not mean to say she has gone off and married without my permission?”

“Nothing like that. But I am anxious that she marry well, and marry soon.”

Edward’s blue eyes bore into mine. “Is that all? Why, Mother, you do surprise me. I thought something truly awful had happened.”

“Edward, I need your help. Margaret must be married, and married soon.”

“All in good time, Mother. Why the rush now?”

I avoided looking at him. “Is there no prince or duke abroad who needs a wife? I would have my Margaret make a splendid international match.”

Edward picked up a scroll of paper and began tapping it with his ring finger. “I have received news that the Duke of Burgundy’s heir needs a wife.
Charles of Charolais
was married to Isabelle of Bourbon. The news from Burgundy is that Countess Isabelle has recently died. Now that would be a good match.”

“Oh, yes, Edward. That would be just the thing for her.”

“But what of your nephew Warwick? He wouldn’t be pleased if you supported a Burgundian alliance.”

It was true. Warwick and Edward did not go in the same direction regarding England’s foreign policy. They were like an ill-yoked pair of mules, with Warwick pulling towards France and Edward pulling towards Burgundy. I had hitherto supported Warwick’s efforts in gaining an alliance with France. I felt that I should stand by him after Edward betrayed him by secretly marrying the Serpent. Now, matters were different: I would do anything to save Margaret from a Woodville alliance.

I rose and assured Edward I would deal with Warwick provided Edward gave his solemn oath that he would lose no time in seeing about a marriage between Margaret and Burgundy’s heir.

Edward threw back his head and roared with laughter.

“Really, Mother. There’s no need to be so anxious. You know I’m very keen on the Burgundian alliance. I assure you, I will do all in my power to see to this match.” His eyes bored into mine. “Mother,” he remarked. “You have been acting oddly, you know. Am I missing something?”

I smiled as warmly as I could and assured him that standing in the sun had not agreed with me.

Then I hurried back to the garden and spoke to the steward once more about the arrangements for Margaret’s birthday feast.

Chapter 55

Greenwich Palace, London

June 1465

The Serpent was crowned Queen of England on Whitsunday, just at the end of May. I did not attend. While I lay in bed, I braced myself for what might follow.

She didn’t keep me waiting long.