Page 24 of The Raven and the Rose
“Warwick thinks he is still the kingmaker. His brother Northumberland holds the North, and his youngest brother, the Archbishop of York, holds Hertfordshire. It runs alongside Warwick’s holdings in Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire.”
“Which conveniently converges with your brother George’s estates,” said Roger dryly. “Add to all this that Warwick is still Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports with the warship Trinity at his command, and I tell you he has too much power!”
“He was my mentor for the first twenty years of my life—yours also, Roger. It isn’t easy to betray him. Harder still to betray a brother.”
“Yet they will betray you,” said Roger flatly.
“Two wrongs never made a right. They must act first; only then will I be truly convinced.”
Roseanna went back down to the stables, ostensibly to check on her horse but really to find Sir Bryan. It was not many minutes before he was beside her. They slipped down past a long line of animals and into an empty box stall. The miasma of horses, leather, and oats tickled her nostrils, and she suppressed the urge to sneeze.
“Bryan, are you all right? Ravenspur’s men didn’t threaten or ill-treat you, did they?”
“No, no, we have become good companions. I don’t think the thought even entered Ravenspur’s head that we were running off to get married.”
“Well, things have probably worked out for the best. I’m going to see the King and tell him that I want to wed you, not Ravenspur.”
“My God, don’t do that, Roseanna. I’ll disappear off the face of the earth and never be heard from again!” he said, greatly alarmed.
“Don’t be silly. My family will arrive in a few days, and we can be married properly with the King’s blessing rather than run off to Scotland. Bryan, the King won’t deny me my heart’s desire.”
“You must have great faith in him to risk my safety,” he said quietly.
She reached up and kissed him on the mouth. “Of course I do,” she promised. “In the meantime there is a whole wing set aside for my family, so you can stay there.”
“I think I’ll slip home for a fast visit to Marston Moor. I’ll return tomorrow or the next day,” he promised.
“Then take care, my love, and don’t worry about me. Everything will be the way we want it,” she assured him.
Before she kept her appointment with the King, she removed her cloak and brushed out her long dark hair. She had packed no veils or posy caps, so she fastened it back demurely with a pink ribbon unthreaded from her garter. As she was ushered into the King’s presence, she made a low curtsey until the last of his attendants departed. It was a beautiful room filled with priceless tapestries, but Roseanna concentrated on what she had come to say. She sat upon the window seat, which was piled high with velvet cushions, and Edward joined her there.
“Father, I beg you to release me from the pledge to marry Ravenspur. Instead, I wish to marry the knight who gave me safe escort here, Sir Bryan Fitzhugh.”
Everyone, including Roseanna, assumed Edward was good-humored to a fault. He was not.
“You are my ward, Roseanna. No better husband than Roger Montford could be found for you in all of England.”
She flared, “He’s had much practice at being a husband, but his wives are in the grave and cannot recommend him to me!”
Edward was used to haughty, high-handed, spoiled women. He was married to a woman who acted as if she were Queen of Heaven rather than of England. “Roger suffered grave misfortunes in both his marriages. No doubt he will reveal all to you in his own good time, and it will put to rest whatever gossip you may have listened to.”
“I thought you of all people would understand that I have a sweetheart and wish to marry him!” she cried piteously.
“A young knight is not what I would wish for you,” he pointed out patiently. “Someday you will very likely need the protection of wealth and strength, which Ravenspur offers.” He tried for a lighter tone. “If I refuse him, the damned fellow would think nothing of running me through!”
“Sir Bryan’s father died trying to protect your father,” she flung at him. Tears stung her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
He knew that Sir Bryan’s father was brother to Henry Fitzhugh, who in turn was brother-in-law to Warwick. “Sir Bryan’s father was a loyal man,” the King said enigmatically.
“What does that mean?” she demanded.
“Nothing, really. Just that Sir Bryan was in my brother’s service and has yet to prove his loyalty.”
“Must he die to prove that loyalty, as his father did?” she cried.
“Roseanna, twenty thousand men died at Towton to put me on the throne. You think I want more deaths on my conscience?” he asked quietly.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she said, appalled at herself.
