The Forbidden Queen полностью

‘Short of locking us up, how can he? And that is what you will tell him. You will live where you choose.’

So I would. I would call on all the respect and honour I had worked for in my role at Young Henry’s side and I would challenge Gloucester. I would demand that Owen and I be left alone. How I wished I had never set eyes on Edmund Beaufort with all his worldly charm. But it was done and I must work with the consequences.

‘Will you stay?’ I asked him.

Owen lifted his chain over his head and cast it onto the bed. ‘I have no duties for the next hour, so pour me a cup of ale, woman.’ But as I walked past him with a little laugh to do just that, he caught me by the wrist and pulled me close. ‘And then I will kiss you,’ he murmured, his mouth against mine, ‘and I will unwrap for you the pleasures to be found in healing a disagreement between two lovers.’

And so he did. He turned to a new page, to a new bright illustration, that filled my mind with its beauty.

My son must be informed, I decided, and although Owen raised his brows, I took him with me from the Rose Tower to the royal apartments where Young Henry, at his lessons, smiled vaguely at Owen. He reluctantly took his attention from the book he held open on his lap, but he stood, laid the book down and bowed.

‘Good morning, maman.’ His manners were improving. He kissed my cheek.

‘I have married this man,’ I said without preamble. I had learned with Young Henry that to get straight to the point was good policy. He lost interest quickly.

‘Have you?’ he asked, looking at Owen. ‘I know you. You are Master Owen. You are Welsh.’

‘I am, my lord.’

‘I have never been to Wales. I wished to go to St Winifred’s well but they would not let me. Is Wales a wild place?’ he asked. ‘Have you ever lived there?’

‘Yes. And it is, my lord,’ Owen replied solemnly. ‘A land of mountains and rivers.’

That did not interest my son. ‘And do you speak Welsh?’ he asked. ‘I do not.’

‘I do, my lord.’

‘Say something to me in Welsh.’

Owen bowed very formally. ‘Yr wyf yn eich was ffyddlon, eich mawrhydi.’

Henry laughed in quick astonishment. ‘What does that mean?’

‘I am your loyal servant, Your Majesty.’

‘I like it. I like your new husband, maman.’ He turned back to his book. ‘I don’t think I will learn Welsh. I must know Latin and French. Perhaps I will send you a gift.’

We left him to his preoccupations. Henry was always generous with gifts.

‘You charmed him!’ I accused. ‘Just like you charmed me with a few Welsh words!’

‘Of course I did, annwyl.’ But although he slid an arm around my waist, his face was grim. ‘We might be in need of all the friends we can get. Even a nine-year-old boy, when he happens to be the boy-King.’

I sighed as Warwick eyed us with a disapproving air. It seemed that I would have to explain myself to every man at Court. Yes, I had known it would be like this but I felt that I must be constantly on the alert, quick with an answer. I was already weary of justifying myself and I had not been wed longer than a se’ennight. Warwick’s observation was trenchant.

‘Well, Katherine, this will stir up a hornet’s nest.’

‘Yes, Richard. I am aware of that.’ I raised my chin. ‘I do not regret it.’

‘I suppose there’s no point in me telling either of you that it would have been better not to do it.’

‘No,’ I replied.

‘Better for whom, my lord?’ Owen added. His patience was also wearing thin but his demeanour held all its old dignity.

‘Richard.’ I touched his arm when he shrugged his incomprehension. ‘I know what I have done. I know that I must answer for it. Will you support me before the Council?’

‘It’s not my support you need.’ His tone was bleak. ‘It’s Gloucester’s. And I don’t see you getting that.’

‘Why would it matter so much?’ I glanced at Owen. ‘We would not draw attention to ourselves. It is my wish to live privately in one of my dower properties. I would not bring disgrace on the Crown or my son. I have little place in his life now.’

‘Gloucester won’t see it like that. You defied him, Katherine. He’ll not brook defiance, not from anyone. You saw the battle royal that developed between him and Henry Beaufort. He’ll not tolerate opposition to any degree.’

‘He never did approve of me, did he?’ I smiled a little sadly.

‘No, he didn’t. He acknowledged your usefulness, but he has no admiration for the Valois. But now you’ve made a bitter enemy of him.’

I thought about the three brothers. Henry, who tolerated me. Gloucester, who actively disliked me. And Bedford, the only one to show me and my plight any understanding.

‘I wish Lord John were back in England. He would not be unsympathetic. He might sway the Council,’ I hazarded.

‘No chance of that.’ Warwick grimaced. ‘Affairs in France are too crucial and not in England’s favour.’

So I was on my own.

But I was not. Owen was all the strength I needed. His arm was warm and strong around my shoulder. I needed it.