Beatrix of Clare | Page 7

Hastings, and Stanley, and we are of
the one mind that he must be Lord Protector. Tell him we pledge to him
our whole support if he will give us his countenance in this crucial
struggle against the Woodvilles.'"
"Did he say nothing as to the present status of the situation?" inquired
Gloucester quietly. "I am far from Court and know little of its
happenings."

"With them, my lord, I am fully acquainted," said De Lacy, "both from
my own observation and by the Duke himself."
"How stands the matter, then?"
"Rather favorable to the Queen's faction than otherwise. The King's
coronation has been fixed for the first Lord's Day of the coming month
and His Majesty is to be escorted from Ludlow by two thousand men.
The Marquis of Dorset has seized the treasure in the Tower and Sir
Edward Woodville has been tampering with the navy, and methinks not
without result. The Queen and the whole family are catering to the
populace and spare no effort to win their favor. Only action sharp and
sudden will enable the Barons to prevail."
For a moment Gloucester made no response, but sat with his head bent
upon his bosom, as was his habit when in thought. Presently he said:
"How do you know that the King's escort will number two thousand?"
"The Council so fixed it, and very much against the wishes of the
Queen."
"She wanted more, I doubt not," said the Duke meditatively.
"She long held that less than five thousand would not be fitting the
dignity of a King."
Gloucester looked up with a trace of a smile around his eyes.
"Will the Earl of Rivers accompany his nephew?" he asked.
"It was so reported to His Grace of Buckingham; and further, also, that
they would not start from Ludlow until the feast of St. George had
passed."
"Did Stafford advise no plan in case I fell in with his desires?"
"None. The lords will follow whatever course you fix. All that they
urge is haste."

"How long does Buckingham remain at Brecknock?"
"Until he receive word from you--or failing in that, until there be but
time sufficient to reach London for the coronation."
"Was it his purpose that you should carry my answer?"
"Nay, my lord Duke," said De Lacy. "Here ends my mission for
Buckingham. It was but as friend for friend that I bore this message. I
am not of his household nor was it his business that brought me here."
"What brought you to Pontefract then, Sir Knight?" said Richard
sternly. "As Buckingham's messenger you have received due honor;
that aside, your name alone commends you."
"I sought Pontefract," De Lacy replied, "for the single purpose of
tendering my sword to the Duke of Gloucester, hoping in his service to
brighten the dimmed lustre of my House."
Not for an instant did the searching eyes of Richard leave the young
Knight's face.
"Why do you prefer the Boar of Gloucester to the Stafford Knot?
Buckingham is most puissant."
"A De Lacy, my lord," answered Aymer proudly, "follows none but
Plantagenet."
"Bravely spoken," said Gloucester, suddenly dropping his stern air,
"and worthy of the great name you bear. I accept your sword. Nay,
kneel not, sir; Richard Plantagenet deems himself most fortunate to
have you at his side."
At that moment the arras was drawn aside and a young and slender
woman entered. Her gown was black, unrelieved by any color, save the
girdle of gold; her face was almost flawless in its symmetry; her
complexion was of a wondrous whiteness; and her eyes, of the deepest
blue, soft and melting, and shaded by lashes long and heavy, were of

the sort that bespeak the utmost confidence and know no guile. She
hesitated as she saw De Lacy and was about to withdraw when the
Duke glanced around.
"Nay, sweetheart," said he, rising and going toward her; "do not
retire. . . . Sir Aymer de Lacy, I present you to the Duchess of
Gloucester."
De Lacy advanced and sinking upon one knee touched his lips to the
hand she extended to him.
"Surely, Sir Knight," she said, in a voice whose sweetness struck even
his Southern-bred ear, "a De Lacy should ever be welcome in the halls
of Pontefract."
"Your words, most gracious lady," answered Aymer, "are almost those
used by my lord, the Duke, and to a wanderer's heart they are very
grateful."
"You are an errant, then; a Sir Guy or Sir Lancelot," said the Duchess.
"Nay. Only a poor and simple Knight whose highest honor is that he
may henceforth follow the banner of your great husband."
"Then must hauberk sit easy as velvet doublet or I know not my lord,"
and she smiled at Richard.
"Do not," said he, "give to Sir