Page 71 of The Raven and the Rose
Eyes blazing, he walked out into the small dressing room.
* * *
Many ceremonies were planned at Westminster for the week to come, but Roger closeted himself with Edward and begged to be excused from the christening. The King waved his hand. “It’s not important to me; it’s just a formality. But Elizabeth won’t forgive.”
“I think it best to remove Roseanna while she is in Elizabeth’s good graces. If Elizabeth ever found out she was your lovechild, all hell might break loose.”
Ned sighed. “At the moment other things occupy her mind. She is bent on revenge and urges me to it every waking moment. I’d like your advice, Roger. Northumberland, Warwick’s brother, stayed loyal to me through all this. I think I should honor that loyalty. Divide and conquer makes good sense in my book, although Elizabeth is in a rage that I should honor Warwick’s brother.”
“Honor his son instead. Give him a dukedom. It will bind Northumberland and his son yet will not offend Elizabeth so greatly.”
The King nodded. “I am going to give Elizabeth’s brother Anthony his father’s title of Lord Rivers.”
Roger asked bluntly, “Will you arrest George?”
Edward shook his head regretfully. “Behind bars someone would find a way to dispose of him. I’ll not be party to it. Though I doubt my brother’s loyalty to me, I shall remain loyal to him.”
Baron Ravenspur and his wife headed the cavalcade of their knights and men-at-arms traveling from Westminster to Ravenspur, which was located halfway up the east coast of Lincolnshire on that beautifully sheltered bay known as The Wash. The men knew they were going home only for a couple of weeks before riding off to wild Wales on the opposite coast. Although their lord and lady rode abreast, she held herself aloof and only spoke to Ravenspur when it was necessary. They broke their hundred-mile journey at Cambridge, where Ravenspur spent the night with his men.
Next day, all about them lay signs that spring would be early this year. The stark silhouettes of the winter trees were softened by new buds, and birds were busily building their nests.
When they reached Ravenspur land, Roseanna was pleasantly surprised by its beauty. She was amazed when she saw Ravenspur Castle. She turned to her husband, momentarily setting aside her hostility. “Why, ’tis not a castle at all, really. ’Tis more a palace!”
Ravenspur Castle was built in the shape of the letter H, with magnificent outdoor terraces surrounded by what would be breathtaking gardens once everything began to bloom. It was a lovely, soft, rose-colored brick edifice, half covered by ivy. It sat in its own parkland where deer roamed about beneath the trees.
Tristan rode out to meet them with his little daughter before him in the saddle. Roseanna’s face softened with love as she saw the three-year-old child. “Oh, Tris, this must be Becky,” she said happily.
Tristan shrugged. “Her mother’s under the weather again. I’m glad you’re here, Roseanna. You’re just what Rebecca needs.”
“I’ll come and see her tomorrow. But couldn’t I take Becky? Just for tonight?”
Tristan looked questioningly at Roger, who nodded slightly.
“You’re welcome to her if you don’t think she’ll be too much trouble.” Tristan grinned.
“Thank you,” she said, reaching up her arms for the child. “I’ll bring her home safely.” She trotted her horse into the stables, holding the child with great care. The first to come forward to help her was old Dobbin. Roseanna gave a little cry of delight, for it was a sign that all their people were at Ravenspur. “Look after Mecca for me, Dobbin. He’s worth his weight in gold.”
The old man’s eyes twinkled. “There’s summat in that stall over there will take yer fancy.”
She took Becky by the hand, and they went to investigate. A soft-eyed spaniel had a litter of puppies about six weeks old. The child was delighted at their antics. “May I have one?” she implored.
“I think they’re old enough to be weaned. Pick one out, and we’ll take it to the house with us.”
At the front door she was greeted by Alice and Kate Kendall. At the sight of their dear, familiar faces, she realized how much she had missed them. The sight of Kate’s capable face also eased some of her fears of childbirth. She wouldn’t have to face the ordeal alone; Kate would be there. Roseanna said, “I have so much to tell you, I don’t know where to begin. First you can show me all of Ravenspur. I’d no idea it was so lovely.”
Kate looked doubtfully at Becky and the pup. “You’ll not be taking that wee imp of Satan to be peeing in every room!”
“I don’t pee my pants!” said Becky indignantly.
“No, sweetheart, Kate meant the pup. Alice, take Becky and the puppy and find them something good to eat. Kate, there are four beautiful floors here to stretch my legs over. Come on.”
“When you’re my age, a house with four stories is more of a curse than a blessing,” grumbled Kate.
The first floor east housed kitchens and laundry rooms and in the west was the men’s barracks. In between was a vast complex of armor, gun, and map rooms. The second floor east comprised living quarters for the married knights and their wives, while the vast number of servants who ran Ravenspur were housed on the second floor west. The third floor held a ballroom, large and small dining rooms, magnificently appointed receiving rooms, a dozen guest bedrooms, and a nursery. Lord Ravenspur occupied the west wing of the top floor. He had a comfortable living room, library, bathroom, dressing room, and large bedchamber. The four-poster in its center was massive, but it was raised so high up from the floor that three small steps were mounted on its right side to assist anyone under six feet tall in climbing up onto it.
The wall at the foot of the bed boasted a white marble fireplace with a black bearskin rug in front of it. The color scheme of black, red, and white was repeated in the oriental lacquered cabinets and wardrobe against the opposite wall. The chamber was filled with costlyobjets d’artthat his ships had brought from exotic lands. A magnificent screen stood in one corner inlaid with mother-of-pearl and lapis lazuli, and behind it sat a bright red enameled hip bath. A discreet cough behind her told Roseanna that Mr. Burke was also here.
“Welcome to your home, Lady Roseanna. May you know happiness here.”
