Page 2 of Love, Remember Me

"This is really the most wonderful opportunity," Blaze said to her husband, who was drawn back to reality by hearingthattone in her voice.

"Opportunity for whom?" he demanded. "And for what, madame?"

"Our children, Tony! Nyssa, Philip, and Giles. Now that the king has ceased mourning Queen Jane and is betrothed to the Princess of Cleves, his mood should be very good—particularly if the hunting is excellent tomorrow morning and the repast I serve him is particularly to his taste."

"What is it you are planning, Blaze?" the earl asked her.

"I want places at court for Nyssa, Philip, and Giles, Tony. They need the polish, and we have settled no matches on any of them yet. I think Nyssa can attract a good husband at court. Perhaps the boys will appeal to certain fathers; not the high and mighty, of course, but good families looking for good matches. Philip will be the next Earl of Langford, and I have given Giles my manor of Greenhill with its comfortable income. Our two eldest sons are most eligible catches," she finished with a smile.

"I do not know if I like the idea of Nyssa going to court," the Earl of Langford said. "The boys, yes, I agree with you there, but not Nyssa."

"Why not Nyssa?" she pressed him. "There is no one hereabouts to whom we would marry her, nor is there any who takes her fancy. The Princess of Cleves is, I am told, a most gentle and refined lady. If Nyssa could find a place among her maids, she would be protected, but she would also have the opportunity to meet the eligible young men she otherwise would not meet. If the king still harbors tender feelings for me—and I know he does, for Hal is a sentimental man who remembers what pleases him through a rose-colored mist—then he will be willing to do us this kindness, and place the children at court. Ohh, Tony! We will never again have such an opportunity to advance the future of our children. And the people they meet at court may be of help to our other sons when they are old enough to go to court. The others, not being propertied, will need all the help they can obtain."

"Richard may take holy orders one day," the earl said. "What need will he have of a visit to court?"

"The archbishop goes to court," Blaze returned with a smile. "What a fine contact for our son!"

Anthony Wyndham laughed. "I had forgotten how resourceful you can be, my darling Blaze. Ohh, very well, make your plans. If God wills it, then so be it. Nyssa, Philip,andGiles will go to court, and Richard will one day meet the archbishop." Reaching out, he patted her very distended belly, for Blaze was in the final days of a pregnancy. "And are you certain that this is a son also?"

"You only seem to sire sons on me, my lord," she said with a smile. "Five fine boys I have had by you."

"And Nyssa," he said.

"Nyssa is Edmund's child," she answered him softly. "You have been a good father to her, Tony, but she is Edmund's blood."

"My blood as well," he insisted, "for were not Edmund and I related? He was my uncle. I loved him well, Blaze."

"He was more a brother to you," she said. "You were but a few years apart in age, and your mother, his elder sister, raised you both."

"My mother!God's blood, Blaze! Did you send to Riverside for her? She would want to pay her respects to the king."

"The messenger going to my parents stopped at Lady Dorothy's home first," Blaze said with a chuckle. "Poor Hal! He knows not what awaits him when he pays his little call tomorrow."

THEking arrived late the following morning. His mood was a most jovial one. He had personally taken two does, plus a stag with a set of antlers unequal to any his companions had seen before. His successes made him feel young again, but he was not young. It had been over three years since Blaze had seen him, and she was shocked by his appearance. The king had put on a great deal of weight. His girth strained the seams of his garments visibly. His once fair complexion was now florid. Sweeping him a deep curtsey, her apple-green silk skirts spreading gracefully about her, the Countess of Langford strove to remember the virile, handsome man who had once been her lover. It was not easy.

Henry Tudor took her hand and drew her to her feet. "Get up, my little country girl," he said, the familiar voice taking her back in time. "I know you are ever my most loyal servant." The royal eyes twinkled at her with the memory of a shared but private jest.

"My dear lord!" Blaze answered him, smiling up at him, standing upon tiptoes that she might kiss the kingly cheek. "It is good to see you once again. Our hearts and our prayers are ever with your majesty, and Prince Edward. You are most welcome toRiversEdge!"

"May I echo my wife's sentiments, Your Majesty," the Earl of Langford said quietly, stepping forward.

"Ahh, Tony! You shall hunt with us this afternoon," the king said. He turned to his companions. "Why did no one think to invite my lord of Langford this morning? Must I think of everything?" His blue eyes narrowed irritably.

"I shall be honored to join your majesty," Anthony Wyndham said quickly, attempting to forestall Henry Tudor's ire. "Will you come into the hall now and break your fast? Blaze sets a fine table."

The Countess of Langford slipped a hand through the king's arm. "Come, Hal," she said, using his nickname, as she had always done. "My parents and Tony's mother have come to meet you. They await your majesty within the hall, and I've a fine side of beef waiting for you. And there is partridge pie too. As I recall, it was always a favorite of yours. I've made it with a wonderful red wine gravy, tiny shallots, and new carrots as well." She smiled up at him again, and led him into the house.

"Will you join us, gentlemen," the earl invited the king's companions, and they followed after him as he conducted them into the Great Hall.

There the earl found his wife already introducing the king to her parents, Lord and Lady Morgan, and his mother, Lady Dorothy Wyndham. His brothers-in-law, Owen FitzHugh, the Earl of Marwood, and Lord Nicholas Kingsley; and their wives, Bliss and Blythe, also greeted his majesty. Lord Morgan presented his two youngest sons, Henry and Thomas, who were young men of sixteen now.

The king was in his element, for he very much enjoyed the adulation of his subjects. He greeted each of them graciously, praising the Morgans for the fine family that they had raised; asking Lady Dorothy why she had not come to court of late. "There is always room at court for another pretty woman, madame," he said, chuckling.

Lady Dorothy, now sixty-five, replied, "Alas, sire, my son will not let me go. He says he fears for my virtue."

The king guffawed loudly. "Indeed, madame, and he is probably right." He turned back to Blaze. "And where is your fine brood, my little country girl? The last time I heard, you had four lads and a lass."

"We've five sons now, my lord. Our Henry was born two years ago this June past, and named in honor of your majesty," Blaze told him, "and as you can see, I shall shortly deliver an eighth child."

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