The Follies of the King - Plaidy Jean (электронная книга TXT) 📗

Warenne was not the most reliable of allies; his loyalties wavered, not so much because he sought his own gain as that his opinions changed from time to time. He had hated Gaveston from the time the latter had humiliated him at the Wallington joust but he had disapproved of Gaveston’s murder and had been of the opinion that the favourite should have been brought to trial as had been promised him.

His domestic affairs gave him great cause for concern as he hated his wife Joan of Bar and had been trying for some time unsuccessfully to divorce her. He had several children by his mistress Matilda de Nerford and being devoted to her and to them, was anxious to see her securely provided for. The King had been sympathetic to him on these matters and at this time Warenne was veering

towards Edward.

It was on Warenne’s advice that the King called together a council at

Clarendon. Here it was decided in secrecy that an attack should be made on Lancaster, and Warenne himself would be in charge of this.

In due course Warenne with a selected band of troops marched north to

Pontefract but as he approached Lancaster’s country and realized the wealth and power of his opponent he suddenly took fright and made up his mind that if he attacked at that point he would most certainly encounter defeat.

He called a halt and decided to return south and think up some other plan of action.

On the way he was joined by one of his squires who had been travelling in

the south-west. This man had stayed at Canford in Dorset where Lancaster had estates, and while there had been the guest of Lancaster’s Countess. He had quickly realized that she was an unhappy woman.

‘She confided in you?’ asked Warenne in surprise.

‘In a manner,’ was the answer. ‘Of course, my lord, it is no secret that the Countess finds little satisfaction in her marriage.’

Warenne nodded in commiseration. He of all people knew what it meant to

be unhappily tied to someone from whom it was difficult to escape.

‘A most charming and beautiful lady, my lord. And in despair, I think.’

‘I am not surprised. Lancaster must make a sad bedfellow.’

‘So it would seem.’

‘I should like to meet the lady,’ said Warenne.

‘There is a whisper, my lord, that the lady has found a lover.’

It was then that the notion came to Warenne. ‘We will ride to Canford,’ he said. I should like to meet the lady. I would condole with her and perhaps help her in some way.’

She was most hospitable, my lord.’

‘Would she not be to her husband’s enemies?’

‘Doubtless especially so to them, for if they were his enemies they might be her friends.’

Warenne laughed aloud.

‘You have a point there, my friend.’

—???????

Alice de Lacy welcomed the visitors.

The Earl, she told them, was in Pontefract. She had heard there had been an assembly at Clarendon which he had not attended.

She was indeed a beautiful woman and sprightly. Lancaster should have

counted himself lucky, since as well as all that charm and dignity she had brought him Lincoln and Salisbury.

That she hated her husband was obvious.; his name only had to be

mentioned and there would be a flash of contempt in her eyes.

Warenne’s sympathies were touched. These arranged marriages could ruin

one’s life. How different it would be if he had never been married to Joan and if he and Matilda had met before he had been forced into marriage. Then he would have stood against all coercion. It would have been so simple. All this fuss with all the frustrations could have been avoided. The children would have been secure? Life would have been so much more smooth and easy. Yes, he had

great sympathy with Lancaster’s wife.

‘The Earl is rarely under your roof, my lady, I believe.’ he said.

‘Tis so, and thankful I am for it,’ she replied.

He did not press the matter then, but as the evening wore on and the

minstrels sang songs of hopeless love, he talked of his own predicament.

‘Married when one is too young to protest, and then to find oneself unable to escape. My dear lady, I have been unhappily married for years. I get no help from Rome. I have a lady who is devoted to me, who has given me the home I have ever really cared about. There, does that shock you?’

‘Indeed it does not. I rejoice for you, my lord. You have been bold and your boldness is rewarded. Have you any children?’

‘Yes, Matilda and I have a fine family. Would my son could inherit my title and lands. Our laws can be ridiculous at times. Would you not think that if two people were suited it should be the easiest thing in the world to untie the knot?’

‘Alas my lord,’ sighed the lady. ‘You are not the only one who is in this

position. I can think of one who is far less happier than yourself. What think you it is like to be married to Lancaster?’

Warenne nodded gloomily as though there was no need for words.

‘I had no wish for the match,’ she went on. ‘It was made for me. My father thought it good for me to be allied with Lancaster and Lancaster had his eyes on Salisbury and Lincoln.’

‘They greatly enriched him.’

‘They did not make him more acceptable to me. I would I could be free of

him. You at least my lord are not forced to live with a partner you so dislike.’

‘No, I left my wife. I went to Matilda and we share a home. I found someone who I could love and cherish.’

‘And I?’ said the Countess and stopped short.

Warenne allowed a short time to pass in silence.

‘I talk too freely,’ said the Countess.

‘My lady, you may talk to me as you will and I promise what you say will

go no further than these four walls.’

‘It is a great relief to talk? and to someone who has suffered similarly.’

She told him how she had been riding one day and had met a man who had

helped her with her horse which was in difficulties. They had met again.

‘Charming,’ murmured Warenne.

‘We are in love,’ she said, ‘but what hope is there for us? What chance have we of happiness?’

‘That is how Matilda and I used to talk and then we learned that

opportunities have to be seized, that if one is bold enough, fearless enough, most things are possible.’

‘You left your wife and sent up house with Matilda. It was easy for you.’

‘My dear Countess,’ replied Warenne. ‘Would you have the courage to do

what I did?’

She was looking at him with shining eyes.

‘I am a woman,’ she answered. ‘It is not so easy.’

‘True, but still not impossible. Matilda did it.’

‘You mean, I could? if I were brave enough? leave this place? leave

Lancaster and set up house with Ebulo le Strange.’

‘You could. Who is this man? I know him not.’

‘You would not. He is merely a country squire.’ Her voice softened when

she spoke of him. ‘Oh how I long to share his house, to live quietly? to live in harmony, to have children?’

‘Then go to him.’

‘My lord of Surrey, can you really mean that!’

‘Yes,’ cried Warenne, ‘go to him.’

‘How could I? Could I take my servants with me? his servants? Would they come? How could I trust them?’

‘Go without servants.’

‘What would Lancaster do to him? Lancaster is the powerful man in the

country.’

‘His power is waning. He is a fool. He had everything? all the power a man could have but he has not been clever enough to use it. Now he is fast losing it.

If you want to leave Lancaster, now is the time.’

‘I would do it, but I fear for Ebulo. He would trump up some charge against him. Ebulo is nothing but a humble squire. Lancaster’s power may be waning but he is the King’s cousin still.’

‘If you were given shelter in one of my castles, somewhere where Ebulo

could visit you in secret, none need know that he was involved.’