The Star of Lancaster by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online

was no time to think very much about anything but the approaching wedding. She was in a state of blissful happiness, but the rapidity with which everything was happening could not fail to make her feel somewhat bemused. She had expected betrothal but not this hurried wedding. It was not that she had any doubts about her love for Henry. She wanted to marry him; but she had naturally thought that in view of their ages they would wait for a year at least.
    But no, said the Duke of Lancaster. They would have this happy matter settled without delay. Henry wanted it. She wanted it. And the Duke wanted their happiness.
    In the circumstances he thought it wise that the ceremony should take place at his palace of the Savoy. It would be simpler than having it at Cole Harbour which he believed was an uncomfortable draughty place.
    Mary confirmed that this was so. ‘There is Pleshy,’ she suggested.
    The Duke said hastily that he thought the Savoy would be more suitable.
    ‘It is one of our homes,’ he said, ‘and one particularly dear to me. After the ceremony you and Henry can go to Hertford or Leicester or perhaps Kenilworth. I think Henry will want to show you Kenilworth. I believe it to be his favourite of all our castles.’
    Mary said she would be pleased to go wherever Henry wished, which made the great Duke take her hand, kiss it and declare that Henry was indeed lucky to have found such a bride.
    They were wonderful days. She and Henry rode together through the forest. He told her of how he hoped to stand beside his father and bring glory back to England. He seemed to her so knowledgeable of the world. He was on intimate terms with the King. ‘We’re cousins,’ he said, ‘and of an age. Three years ago we received the Order of the Garter together. That was when the old King was alive. It was just before he died. He was a sick old man then. I remember him as little else, but people say that when he was young he was goodly to look on. Then he was a faithful husband and a strong King.’
    She loved to hear of these matters many of which she had heard discussed at Pleshy but they seemed more colourful and exciting coming from Henry. Or it may have been that as his wife she would have her part to play in them.
    He talked of Alice Perrers, the loose woman of whom the old King had become enamoured. She had bewitched him and robbed him and had even started to do so before Good Queen Philippa died.
    ‘I shall be faithful to you for ever, sweet Mary,’ vowed Henry.
    She swore that she would be true to him.
    They were idyllic days.
    But there was one small fear which had started in her mind. She had overheard women talking as women will – and all the talk at Arundel was of the coming marriage.
    ‘Oh ’tis a wonderful marriage. The best for the little Lady Mary. Why young Henry is the cousin of the King and the grandson of great Edward and the son of the great John of Gaunt. How much higher could she go than that . . . lest it was the King himself?’
    ‘But she is so young. Are they going to put them to bed together . . . Two children like that.’
    ‘The Earl of Derby is not so young. He’s rising fifteen. I have known boys of that age give a good account of themselves and I’ll swear young Henry is no exception.’
    ‘I was thinking of the Lady Mary.’
    Talk like that disturbed her; and it was not once that she was aware of these allusions.
    Henry noticed that she was disturbed and she told him why.
    He was all concern. Yes, there was that side to marriage but she need not fear. He knew what must be done and she could leave it to him. ‘You see, because of who I am we have to get children. We want sons.’
    ‘I always wanted children,’ she told him. ‘That was one of the reasons why I hesitated about going into the convent.’
    ‘Always remember that I saved you from that.’ He laughed at her fears. ‘Nay, there is nothing to fear. You will like well what must be done. I promise you that. We’ll have lusty