The King's Bishop by Candace Robb Read Free Book Online Page B

him. How could she be so cruel? Was not his beloved to stand beside him when all deserted him?
    And then, miracle of miracles, Mary appeared at Ned’s door the afternoon before he was to leave.
    ‘Mary! Sweet Heaven, I am glad to see you.’ Ned dropped down to his knees, wrapped his arms round her legs before she had time to back away. ‘Mary, my love, forgive me for my foolish jealousy. It was only that I could not imagine a man looking on you and not wanting you as I do. I should have listened to you. I vow I shall be your obedient servant all the rest of my days.’
    Mary smoothed his hair. She had the gentlest touch. ‘Peace, my love. Peace,’ she whispered.
    My
love
! Ned rose and, cupping her lovely face in his hands, looked deep into Mary’s eyes. ‘You love me?’
    ‘You know that I do.’
    ‘You turned me away, Mary. Twice! I could never tum you away.’
    Her sweet eyes swam with tears. ‘Oh, Ned, I have been so miserable!’ She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
    Blessed Mary, Mother of God, thank you for hearing my prayers
. Ned covered Mary’s face with kisses. Then, holding her close to him, he edged slowly backwards, drawing her into his room.
    Breathlessly, she whispered, ‘I must not stay long. Mistress Alice will miss me.’
    ‘Just a little while, my love,’ Ned begged as he closed the door with his foot. He let her go, brought the lamp closer to see her.
    Mary pushed back the hood of her cloak, shook out her hair. The dark cloud fell softly round her face, tumbled about her white shoulders, which were partially bared by her low-cut gown – his favourite silk. It whispered at her slightest move and gave off her exquisite scent. ‘Say but that you shall remain at Windsor and all is forgiven,’ she whispered, moving towards him.
    Bless her innocent heart that beat so softly under those white, white breasts. Ned had to clear his throat before he could speak. ‘Sweet Mary, would that I might say yes. Ask me anything else. But I cannot stay; I am ordered north on the King’s business. I must go.’ He reached for her hands.
    Mary hid them behind her back. Her face was flushed. ‘Is that truly the only reason you go?’
    ‘What other reason could there be?’ Ned could think of none.
    ‘That you fear what Daniel’s friends might do to you.’
    Ned’s heart sank. Still she gnawed on that bone between them. ‘You know that is not so, Mary. I am no saint, but neither am I a coward. I do not run from my troubles. In better times you worried that I was incautious.’
    Mary bit her lip, which Ned read as a hopeful signthat she was listening. ‘I think the King is sending you away to protect you,’ she said, ‘because Mistress Alice told His Grace that you could not have followed Daniel from the hall that night.’
    ‘That may be His Grace’s reason, but not mine.’
    ‘Then stay.’ Mary said it with a thrust of her chin, challenging him. ‘Do not let the King make you act the coward.’
    Would that Ned might accept the challenge. He gently pressed Mary’s shoulders. ‘Please, Mary, let us not argue. I must obey the King; I am in his service.’
    Mary retreated from him. ‘You are in the service of the Duke of Lancaster.’
    Ned nodded. ‘And the Duke left me here at court to learn from and serve the King, his father. Now the King has need of me. The Duke would expect me to obey.’
    Mary turned away from Ned, stood with one hand to her chin.
    ‘Mary?’ Ned whispered.
    She tossed her hair, took a deep breath, spun round prettily on her slipper, her silk rustling. ‘Perhaps I can change your orders.’
    Ned grinned. ‘You, Mary? And how would you do that?’
    She stood quite straight, her hands clasped behind her. ‘Mistress Alice might intercede for us. I shall tell her I cannot bear to be separated from you.’
    In her innocence she was but a child. ‘You have forgotten what your mistress thinks of me. She would never succumb to such a plot. She does not support our union. In