Thy Name Is Love (The Yorkist Saga) (3 page)

BOOK: Thy Name Is Love (The Yorkist Saga)
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CHAPTER
FOUR
Early the next morning, a timid rap at the door alarmed her for a
moment, until she recalled that her bridegroom could never be
described as timid.
She pictured him standing there, hat cocked, elbow resting
nonchalantly on the wall.
Her heart was thumping by the time she opened the door.
To her relief and disappointment, it was Richard's wife Anne, her
slight figure dwarfed by the elaborate silver tray she held, which
was heaped with pastries and a goblet.
"Good morrow, Dove. The servitors said they believed you ill, so I
brought some sweets to cheer you."
She entered the chamber and placed the tray on the bed, turned and
grasped Denys' hands in hers.
"Thank you so much, Anne. I could use something sweet."
"I was so pleased to hear of your betrothal to Valentine. He has
been an exemplary knight, a most trusted advisor of Richard's and
mine. The north country is far better off having received him
here."
Denys' hand slipped out of Anne's and she sat on the edge of the
bed, her eyes averted from the tray beside her.
Then she realized she was being rude, and looked at Anne. She
focused upon her abdomen, as flat as the day she'd first met her.
"Are ye with child, Anne?" she asked, seeing in Anne's eyes a
mirror into her own future.
She smiled joyfully. "Aye, Dove, I suspect I am three months along
already! Richard has been longing for a son so badly. I shall be
honored to give him his heir."
She gave Anne a nod and replied in a congenial tone, "I give you
my best."
Anne lifted Denys' chin with her forefinger, forcing her to look
into those young brown eyes, now round with concern. "Are you sure
you are feeling right? I can summon the physician. Is it a
digestive ailment?"
Her voice was so caring, so sincere, Denys began wishing she'd had
a sister like Anne.
Perhaps she
did!
came the unbidden thought.
"I'm fine, Anne," she rasped, then shook her head.
No, the truth was she was not fine, and every man she had ever
relied upon had let her down. Was trying to dictate what was best
for her regardless of her own thoughts or feelings upon the
subject.
Her voice steadied and she found herself desperately pouring out
her feelings to the stunned young woman.
Anne sat silently as Denys told her everything that she had
revealed to Richard. For the most part, she remained silent, only
asking a question here or there as the whole sorry tale was told.
At the end of her saga of searching for her family, her encounters
with the Queen, and now Valentine's insistence that they be
married, she said, "Oh Anne, I once believed Valentine Starbury
was everything I'd ever wished for. But he is so ambitious, so
confident that he can conquer any enemy single-handed, he's blind
to what I want and need. Even if he were innocent of all I have
suspected, he meddled in my life, and nearly caused my death
because of it!
"His meddling and flirtatious wiles have forced me to marry him,
or face scandal and ruin. I long to feel safe and loved within a
caring family, not disregarded and relegated to the role of a mere
pawn in some game I know not the rules of!"
"I am sure he would never—"
Denys cut Anne off with a shake of her head. "A man can do what he
likes with his wife, and his wife's property, as we both know."
"But he has told you it was a mistake, and that he intends to live
up to every vow he takes before God. That still does not satisfy
you?"
Denys sighed heavily. "I cannot be clear in my mind about any of
this."
"Why not?"
She sighed heavily. "I have such mixed feelings about him! I long
for him one minute, am frightened by him the next, harbor anger
yet the following moment. None of these feelings include love. So
Elizabeth Woodville got the last laugh, marrying me off to a man I
can never love or trust. That rankles most of all."
Anne sat next to her on the bed, pale as the day outside, her
young skin still glowing with that alabaster translucence of
childhood. A tendril escaped her headdress and coiled about the
dark hairs at the nape of her neck.
She shook her head mildly and said, "Perhaps that is the trouble.
You are thinking with your heart, not your mind. Feelings can be
fickle things, Denys. And as you admitted, and Valentine pointed
out, despite all your encounters, many of them alone and hardly
suitable given your respective situations, you don't know each
other.
"He wants to give you time to do so, yet you hide in your room.
Even if he were evil-intentioned toward you, he certainly would
not harm you here under Richard's own roof, now would he?"
"Nay, but if he and Richard were—"
Anne's lips thinned. "Richard loves you better even than his own
sisters, though he has a hard time showing such an emotion to
anyone, even me. There is no plot in his mind, with or without the
Queen."
"Then why—"
"Elizabeth hardly got the last laugh. If she really wanted to hurt
you, as you believe, there are much worse punishments she could
have inflicted upon you, were she truly cruel. She could have
dredged up some paunchy old gudgeon after all. There are certainly
enough of them here in England." She grimaced comically, causing
Denys to laugh despite herself.
"Valentine is the most eligible man in the kingdom, and even in
France. I think she does you a great favor. I trust you and your
common sense, my dear. That once you calm down and think, and get
to know him, you will grow to love Valentine, Dove.
"He is so devoted to the kingdom and our subjects, I can hardly
see that as a flaw. He will make just as devoted a husband. As for
his political ambitions, his father having perished in battle
makes him all the more determined to carry on his work."
"But he doesn't want to stop until he's achieved the highest
offices in the kingdom. Devotion? Anne, to me it looks more like a
thirst for power."
She shook her head vehemently. "Oh, nay, Dove. Richard trusts him
with his life. Surely you don't doubt Richard's judgment of
character?"
Denys honestly couldn't admit Richard's choice of a wife was a bad
exercise in judgment, but men just didn't judge each other the
same way.
"But I fear him, Anne, despite all you say. And truth to tell,"
she said in a lower tone, "I also fear
for
him. He thrives
on political intrigue. He will surely get himself embroiled
somehow in things he ought to stay well clear of. While other men
run from danger, well—" She sighed. "'Tis as if he seeks it."
"Ah, but he is a man. A man of action, for all he tries to be a
clever courtier. Give him a chance," Anne said, her voice on the
edge of pleading. "He thinks the world of you."
Now that didn't sound like Valentine. He thought the world of two
people, himself and Richard, no doubt in that order.
"He has been so busy preparing Lilleshal, he's ordered the most
exquisite marble and tapestries and furnishings—"
Her mouth turned down. "So I heard. He likes luxuries. What of
it?"
"Oh, but that is not all. ‘Tis not only the house. ‘Tis what he
speaks of when he talks of the house, and the way his eyes light
up. ‘Tis
you
.
He speaks of you incessantly. Even before the betrothal, he always
spoke of you, the woman he met in the rose garden."
Her eyes lightened and her mind unclouded for the first time since
arriving here, sharpened by curiosity. "Of what part of me does he
speak?"
Anne laughed, and Denys saw her touch a protective hand to her
abdomen.
"Oh, he is smitten as any man I've ever seen. He speaks so highly
of your determination to find your parents, for one."
"So he told you about my having been adopted by...her." The
mention of the Woodville name repulsed her like leeches on her
skin.
"Nay, Richard told me first, but only because he thinks of you
like family. Do you object? I shan't ever tell a soul."
"Nay, what is the harm in your knowing? Of course, I shall try my
best to find the good in Valentine, especially since he's going to
be my... My husband."
Her voice broke as she nearly choked on the word. "But even you
must have discerned that strong streak of zeal in him. Of the way
he talks of King Edward dying in battle, and Richard bestowing
high positions upon him. It's as if his political agenda is
already mapped out, and it scares me to hear him talk that way. I
love Uncle Ned. And we need stability after so many years of war."
"I agree, and may God grant it," she said, crossing herself
devoutly.
"He tells me he means no disrespect or harm, and is simply trying
to be prepared for any contingency, but well, Uncle Ned has heirs
besides Richard. I hate to say it, but the next step after
thinking is treason. Read your history, Anne. He wouldn't exactly
be setting a precedent. Especially not with George around!"
Anne patted her on the shoulder soothingly. "You really are
letting your fancies run away with you, my dear. Valentine is
thoroughly immersed in his business here. Neither he nor Richard
have any particular desire to return to court, and King Edward has
many years of rule yet before he yields the throne to his son."
She shivered with dread at the very thought, and began to toy with
the edge of the pastry tray Anne had brought. "For that I am
grateful, because court is the last place I ever want to return
to. Oh, to be out of there. 'Tis like being released from the
Tower dungeons. I cannot tell you how it feels to be free, even
for just for this pitifully short time."
"Then what are you doing up here, sequestered in these dark
chambers, when you should be out enjoying whatever the countryside
hereabouts has to offer?" Anne asked with a gentle smile. "The
seasons change, you know, winter to spring. Perhaps your feelings
for Valentine can blossom, too."
As Anne waved towards the window, Denys caught sight of a slice of
sunlight peeking out from behind a bluish-white haze. She turned
to her friend, and could see Anne brimming with love for her
lands, her life here in the north.
"The sun may be hiding, but it's warming up, and the grass is so
moist and dewy, why, I just saw Valentine this morn, running
through the garden barefoot like a colt. He certainly makes the
best of what life has to offer, for indeed, like Richard, his path
has been hard ever since he was young. He definitely doesn't want
to continue suffering once he is married."
Denys nodded. "Nay, you are right. He said as much to me when he
came here yesterday to try to explain."
"There, you see, you are in agreement, then. Life is too short to
dwell in misery." Anne rose, and her gown's coppery sheen echoed
the blaze of joy in her eyes. "Come, Dove, please do eat, and join
me for a ride over the moors."
Anne was smiling so genuinely at her that it almost lifted Denys'
heart. "Very well," she agreed with a sigh, finally inhaling the
pastries' freshly baked aroma. It reached the bottom of her
stomach, evoking growls of hunger. "I shall be down shortly."
"Chera will be bridled and saddled for you. I shall see you anon.
Tra-la!" And then she was gone, vanishing with a flounce of satin
and rosewater.
Denys indulged in a few of the sweets, and then a long luxurious
stretch on the bed. Perhaps Anne was right. Life was meant to be
lived, not hidden from like a scared child.
She reached for some rich marzipan, savoring every mouthful now,
rather than wolfing it down as she had done with the first treats.
Then she washed it down with the creamy milk Anne had brought, and
rubbed her belly with satisfaction.
They certainly lived well here in the north, she noted, looking at
the tray, and the array of foods upon it. The Queen had never
permitted such luxuries except on the most special feast days, and
even then, they had pretty much been for her and dutiful family
and her favorites only. Certainly not for the likes of Denys….
She got up, washed her face and hands, and donned a blue cap to
cover her bright silvery hair. Fetching her cloak, she decided a
ride would be just the thing. Anything rather than be a prisoner
in her own home once more.
Anything rather than dwell on the fact that the appointed time to
marry Valentine was fast approaching, and she still could not
decide whether to agree, or flee…

 

CHAPTER
FIVE
Denys had a wonderful afternoon with Anne, enjoying the beautiful
rolling countryside around Middleham Castle.
Only toward the end of the day did her mood turn sour, for despite
her friend's intended kindness, she turned Anne's tailor away.
Denys did not want a new wedding dress. She only regretted she had
nothing somber and sedate as befitting a funeral, for she did not
feel jubilant as a bride should.
The night before the wedding, Anne came to her chambers with a
luscious creamy satin gown, lined with diamonds and pearls, the
skirts bejeweled with colored gemstones in diamond patterns.
Sable-lined, the billowing sleeves were embroidered with gold
roses. The veil was just as splendid, with yards of lace and a
circlet of heart-shaped pearls.
"Anne, this gown is exquisite! Wherever did you get it?" Denys
said, smiling despite her determination to not get excited about
her impending nuptials.
"It was my dear mother's wedding gown. Both she and my sister
Isabel were married in it. Since my own wedding—well, as you know,
it was so rushed, I had not time to fetch it from home, I want you
to wear it. As Valentine and Richard are like brothers, you will
be my sister."
Tears welled up in Denys' eyes then, and she knew that she could
never reject the kind gesture, even if she really wished to. But
the truth was, the gown was such a one as she had longed for in
her more romantic days, before all had gone so awry with
Valentine.
Denys carefully took the gown and veil from Anne's arms and spread
them on the bed. "Thank you so much, Anne. I know not what to
say."
It was such a contrast with the tawdry red wedding dress the Queen
had tried to force her to wear when she had first demanded that
Denys wed Valentine, she felt as though she would weep. How could
her own aunt detest her so? But then, that was the whole point.
She wasn't really
her aunt….
"Say naught," Anne said with a gentle smile. "Just give Valentine
a chance to make you happy. Let our children grow old together."
Denys lost her composure completely then.
As the tears spilled, Anne wrapped her arms around Denys, holding
her close.
She could feel the slight swell of Anne's middle between them, and
at that moment she realized what carrying a child would feel like.
She would have a tiny being inside her, who would love and trust
her always….
Something shifted inside Denys at last. The cold fist of fear
which had squeezed at her heart ever since she had nearly been
killed in the fire finally let go of its chilling grip.
Denys was not going to be a victim. Life was all about risk, but
there were rewards, too. She was going to live her life on her own
terms, and seize all of the bounty it had to offer.
She could not change the past. The only thing she could alter was
her attitude toward the future. The future she would have with her
new
husband
.
Valentine might well be all those things she feared and more, but
to hold herself back from the chance at love and a child and
family of her own was the act of a coward. And whoever her real
family might be, she was sure they were no cowards.
She wanted them to be proud of her. She needed to be able to hold
her head high no matter what the Queen had done to her in the
past, or would try to do in the future. But as Valentine's wife,
she would have status, and be free of the guardianship of the
Woodvilles at last.
Free to be the woman she wished to be, and yes, free to be the
wife Valentine claimed he wanted. If she opened her heart and mind
to him, she could become a true helpmeet and consort, as Anne
clearly was to Richard, one of the most important princes of the
realm.
She had two choices. Be Elizabeth's powerless ward, or Valentine's
powerful wife.
She squared her shoulders, and nodded. "Yes, yes, I will wear it,
thank you.
Sister
."
Anne's radiant smile was all the reply Denys needed.
BOOK: Thy Name Is Love (The Yorkist Saga)
11.67Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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