‘He will have written to my brother,’ replied Isabella. ‘My dear love, soon it will be impossible for us to remain in France.’
‘And it is equally impossible for you to return to England. We must gather together an army. We must be certain of a good reception when we do return to England. If only we had a few more months.’
‘My brother cannot force me to go.’
‘I fear he can. And he doubtless will if Edward continues to demand your return.’
‘There must be a way,’ cried Isabella. ‘We have come so far we cannot throw everything away now. Moreover in spite of Edward’s protestations, I would not give much for my chances with the Despensers if I returned to England.’
‘Let us not show panic. Let us see what is the effect of the letters Edward will have sent to your brother.’
‘There is something else,’ cried Isabella. ‘He will have written to my son.’
There was silence. ‘I must go to Edward and see what his father has written.
The boy is asking direct questions.’
‘He will not wish to leave you,’ Mortimer assured her. ‘You have cast a spell over him as you have over us all.’
‘It is true that he loves me well, but he is clever. He thinks often of when he will be King.’
‘There is no harm in that. The sooner he is, the better.’
‘Still, Stapledon instilled some filial feeling in him. A curse on that man!
These letters are the direct result of his escape and reporting to the King.’
‘It is done. Let us go on from where we now stand.’
‘You are right, my love. I will go at once to young Edward.’
The young Prince was at that moment reading the letter from his father.
Very dear son, As you are young and of tender age, we remind you of that which we charged and commanded you at your departure from Dover and you answered then, as we know with good will “that you will not trespass or disobey any of our injunctions in any point for any one.” And since that your homage has been received by our dearest brother, the King of France, your uncle, be pleased to take your leave of him and return to us with all speed in company with your mother, if so be that she will come quickly and if she will not come, then come you without further delay, for we have great desire to see you and to speak with you; therefore stay not for your mother, not for anyone else on our blessing― Of course they must return to England, thought Edward. He wondered why his mother waived the matter every time he suggested it. It had been pleasant at the Court of France but he was looking forward to returning home. He would speak to his mother at the earliest possible moment.
He did not have to wait long. As he was putting the letter into a drawer his mother came into the room.
‘Oh Edward, dear son,’ she cried embracing him, ‘did you enjoy the hunt? I hear you brought in a fine buck.’
‘I don’t think I ever saw a finer,’ replied Edward enthusiastically. ‘My lady, I have heard from my father.’
‘So have I.’
She waited and Edward said: ‘He is impatient for my return. He wants us to leave as soon as we possibly can.’
She went to him and slipped her arm through his.
‘Edward, my dearest,’ she said, ‘I have begun to rely on you. I look upon you as my protector. You wouldn’t allow any harm to come to me, would you?’
Edward flushed. ‘I would protect you with my life.’
‘Oh my darling child, what should I have done without you? Mine has not been a happy life you know. Your father and I―’
Edward frowned. He hated to be disloyal to his father. Walter Stapledon had impressed on him that the King was supreme and must always be obeyed. But at the same time he had been taught to protect the weak; and he had sensed that of late he had become very important to his mother and he knew that she spoke the truth when she said she relied on him to be beside her. When he came into a room her eyes sought his at once. An understanding always passed between them. She was saying to him, he fancied, that she felt safe now he was there.
And he replied to her that he would always be at her side if she needed him.
‘This is not easy for me to say, dear Edward. May I proceed?’
‘You must do as you wish, my lady.’
‘You will understand I hope and not think badly of me.’
‘I could never think badly of my beloved mother,’ answered the boy.
‘Then I will speak― but with reluctance. You know there is much discontent in our country.’
‘Yes, I do.’
‘Your grandfather, whom you so strongly resemble, knew how to keep the barons in order. England needs a strong King, Edward. You are going to be a strong King. I have heard it said that it is a pity you are not older and that the crown is on your head.’
‘But my father has many years before him yet.’
‘Dear love, it is your father of whom I must speak. That is why I hedge and prevaricate because I cannot bring myself to say it.’
The boy was suddenly firm, giving a hint of what he would be when he came to the throne. ‘You must tell me. It is not fitting that I of all people should be kept in ignorance.’
‘So thought I as I wrestled with my conscience. You shall know. Your father is not like your grandfather. Your grandfather was a good and faithful husband.’
‘My father is unfaithful to you!’
She nodded. ‘Not with women. Dear Edward, you must have heard of Gaveston. He was the love of your father’s life while he lived. Those who cared for this country’s well-being took him out to a hill and cut off his head. Then he was replaced by Hugh le Despenser. You are old enough to know what humiliation I suffered.’
‘Oh, my dear mother!’
‘I knew your sympathy would be for me. For years I endured this humiliation. I even forced myself to bear children because I thought it was my duty to provide heirs for the country. Now my life is in danger. If I go back to England, the Despensers will kill me.’
‘They would never dare!’
‘They would do it subtly, as I have tried to explain to my brother. Edward, if we return to England now, in a few months time you will have lost your mother.’
He turned to her and put his arms about her. She embraced him fiercely.
‘You will not let that happen to me, my son.’
‘I would kill any who attempted to harm you.’
‘So thought I. Cursed was I in my husband but blessed am I in my son.
Edward, I have good friends here. You know how they rally round me. Good men all. They knew what was happening in the court. They understand the power of the evil Despensers. I must stay here for as long as I can. Will you bear with me? Will you turn from your father’s pleas?’