Page 97 of The Forsaken
“Queen Elizabeth and her mother, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, the newly minted Countess Rivers.”
“Is there anything in it?” Hugh asked.
“Who knows? I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side, I’ll readily admit that. I’d be hard pressed to believe the rumors of our queen, but her mother is a different matter. That woman is either as clever as Warwick or has the ear of the devil himself. Ever since she came to court, the king has been handing out titles and lands to the Woodvilles like sweets to children at a fair. Jacquetta’s husband has been created Earl Rivers, and she’s using their newly acquired status to marry off her children, of whom there are many, into the greatest noble houses loyal to York. The king is supporting these unions, and in doing so is creating a solid base of support among the queen’s family, ousting Warwick and diminishing his power.”
“I can’t imagine that my lord Warwick is taking that lightly.”
“He isn’t. He made the king, and he can unmake him, at least in his own estimation.” Guy had heard Warwick express that particular sentiment several times before leaving his service, and hoped the words were more bluster than threat. After a period of uprisings and rebellions, the country was finally settling into Edward’s reign, and deposing him would destabilize the fragile peace so recently achieved.
“So, what do you think is the price of his loyalty to the king?” Hugh asked. He seemed remarkably sober, given how much wine he’d consumed throughout supper and afterward.
“He’s set on having his daughters marry the king’s brothers and become royal duchesses,” Guy explained. “That would bring them one step closer to the throne, and should Edward fall…”
“The throne would pass to George Plantagenet, the Duke of Clarence, and his wife, Isabel Neville, would become queen,” Hugh finished for him. “How likely is that to happen?”
“Edward is not Henry. He leads his army in battle, and is as likely to die on the battlefield as any man.”
Hugh shook his head in disgust. “The Duke of Clarence has no business being king. He’s ruthless, conniving, and utterly devoid of compassion.”
Guy tried to mask his chuckle behind a well-timed cough. Hugh had just described himself, but clearly, he didn’t think a man with those qualities should ever be in power. Guy happened to agree. Seeing Kate and Eleanor after his prolonged absence had proved a shock. Kate looked worn and frightened, and Eleanor, although lovely as ever, drooped like a wilted flower, desperate for attention and affection. The only woman who appeared to be thriving at Castle de Rosel was Nurse, who was as autocratic as ever, ordering Kate and Eleanor about as if she were the lady of the house. Guy was in no doubt that Nurse wielded more power overHugh than either his wife or his sister-in-law and did much to influence his decisions, particularly when it came to Eleanor.
Preventing Eleanor from remarrying kept Hugh firmly in control of family finances and allegiances, and he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his position. Adam was only eight, which left Hugh in charge of the estate until Adam was knighted at twenty-two. Much could happen over the course of fourteen years, and if anything happened to Adam during that time, Hugh would inherit the title and estate he so coveted.
“I agree with you there, Hugh, but if His Majesty continues to antagonize Warwick, there’s a very good chance Warwick will take matters into his own hands and commit treason.”
Hugh leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed and his head tilted to the side as he considered the implications of Warwick’s possible rebellion. No doubt he was trying to assess how such a turn of events would affect the country and his own personal situation. If Warwick managed to depose the king and take the throne for himself, Hugh would find himself distant kin to the king of England, an enviable position even for someone who stood to gain little by the association. “It’s only treason if you lose,” he mused, watching Guy to gauge his stance. “Should such a thing come to pass, our loyalties would come into question. Whose standard would you ride out under?”
“Warwick’s been good to me, but if he took up arms against the king, he’d be condemning all those who answered his call to death. My loyalty is to the House of York,” Guy said. “I’ll not be switching allegiances every time the wind blows in a different direction.”
“You’ve changed, brother,” Hugh said with an indulgent smile. “I’d not have thought it of you to become so politically savvy. Or maybe I’ve just grown more complacent, cooling my heels here in the frozen north and keeping my nose clean.”
“We live in dangerous times, Hugh, and any misstep, no matter how innocent, can cost you not only your life, buteverything you hold dear. Just look at what happened to the Duke of Somerset.”
Hugh laughed uproariously. “Somerset hardly made an innocent misstep. The man was as wily as a fox and changed allegiances as often as he changed his hose.”
“Nevertheless, his lands and titles are forfeit, and his head is no longer attached to his body. He’d made one misstep too many.”
“Good thing we’re not in line for the throne then,” Hugh joked and slapped Guy on the shoulder. “Our beautiful new queen had better produce a son, and soon, or Edward’s reign won’t be secure.”
“I heard she’s already with child, if court gossip can be relied upon,” Guy replied.
“Unlike my dear wife, who’s as barren as winter rain,” Hugh spat out bitterly.
“I’m sorry your hopes haven’t been realized, Hugh, but surely there’s still time,” Guy replied carefully.
“She’s not getting any younger, Guy, and if she hasn’t conceived by now, chances are she won’t in the future. I had such hopes for this marriage, but none of them came to fruition.”
“Through no fault of Kate’s,” Guy argued.
“Well, it’s certainly through no fault of my own,” Hugh replied belligerently. “I’ve worked every angle, pursued every opportunity, and plowed that furrow often enough to plant at least one stalk of wheat, but nothing. I’ve no fortune, no title, and no son. My life has been an utter failure.”
“Yes, I believe it has,” Guy replied. He smiled to let Hugh know that he was agreeing with him in jest. “Go to bed, Hugh. You’ve grown too maudlin to tolerate any longer. I’m for my bed.”
“Good night, Guy. I always feel better after talking to you,” Hugh said, wrapping his arm about Guy’s shoulder in a gesture of affection.
“Glad I could help. Now, off with you.”
Hugh stumbled off to bed, leaving Guy to ponder his brother’s assessment of his situation. Guy supposed Hugh wasn’t all wrong, but in his eyes, Hugh was the luckiest man alive, just by virtue of having Kate.
