The Sun in Splendour

He did not answer and he saw the relief in her face.

She slapped his arm playfully.

'You always did like to tease your mother,' she said.

There was news from Warwick in the North. The Lancastrians were by no means beaten there and until they had made Henry their captive there would continue to be risings.

Warwick was with Lord Montague and the former thought Edward should join them.

Edward therefore took leave of his family and set out. Cecily watched him go with pride. She had stopped thinking about that strange conversation. His latest inamorata was this Elizabeth Woodville she supposed. There would be another before long. Strange that talk about marriage! But she suspected it was because she had said something about Warwick's choosing his wife for him. No man liked to have another do that and that was why Edward had made this ridiculous suggestion.

It was nothing more than that. Edward's position was too unsettled for him to take such risks.

There he goes/ she said to her sons. 'Are you not proud to be his brothers?'

Richard declared with fervour that indeed he was, but George said nothing. He was wishing he was in Edward's shoes.

There was never a man more fitted to be king/ said Cecily and Richard heartily agreed.

Edward rode out of London. He had made up his mind. He was going to do it. He could wait no longer for Elizabeth and if marriage was the only way, then marriage it must be.

He sent a messenger on to Grafton with the news that he wished specially to see Lady Rivers. He wished her to arrange everything. She would understand.

As soon as Jacquetta received the message she went to Elizabeth who fortunately was at Grafton, for it would have meant delay to have to send for her.

'He is going to marry you,' Jacquetta told her daughter.

'I can't believe that.'

'I tell you he is. He has sent to me commanding me to make the arrangements.'

'It will have to be a proper marriage.'

'Do you think I will not see to that! I never dreamed of such triumph. I hoped of course . . . but that he should really give way, that is hard to believe.'

'You don't think there is some trap in it?'

'Of course not. I shall not tell your father.'

'No, he would be alarmed.'

'Yes, he would see all sorts of trouble. As for ourselves, we will get the marriage celebrated and think of difficulties afterwards.'

'They will never accept me . . . men like Warwick. . . .'

'My dear Elizabeth, you will have the King yours to command.'

'For how long?' asked Elizabeth cynically.

'For as long as you both live—if you act wisely.'

'There will be other women.'

'Of course there will be other women. Our stallion cannot be faithful to one mare. None but a fool would expect that. Let him have his women, Elizabeth. Understand his need for them, as long as you keep command of him and let none of the others do that. Think of what this is going to mean to the family.'

'I am afraid there will be some hitch.'

'I tell you there will be none. The ceremony will take place and then you will go to bed with him. You should get pregnant as soon as possible.'

That is a matter over which I shall have no control.'

'You will give him many children. A good fine lusty son is what will set everything to rights. And when you have that the people will forgive you ... if some of the mighty lords don't.'

'There is Warwick. What will he do?'

'As I see it Warwick's power is on the wane. This marriage will show others that as well as Warwick.'

'And do you thiiUc they will stand aside and give up their power?'

'They will have no alternative. We shall create new lords to stand by the King. They will be the ones who have the power.'

'New lords?'

'The Woodvilles, my dear daughter. We have a large family. This marriage is going to bring good . . . not only to you but to us all.'

'I shall not believe it until it happens.'

'That will be very soon. Now I must make sure we are ready when he comes.'

It was the end of April. Never had the trees flowered more richly. The horsechestnut, the hornbeam, the alder and the birch with the wild cherry were bright with springtime blossom. The birds seemed to have gone wild with joy as though they knew this was a time for rejoicing.

So thought Edward as he left his company at Stony Stratford and rode over to Grafton where Jacquetta was waiting for him.

'All is ready?' asked Edward.

'My dear lord, I have forgotten nothing.'

'Where is Elizabeth?' he demanded.

'She is waiting for you.'

'Take me to her.'

There she was in a blue robe looking very much as she had under the oak in Whittlebury Park, her long hair falling about her shoulders.

Edward took her eagerly into his arms.

'My love,' he said, 'at last. It has been long waiting for this day.'

'My dear husband,' replied Elizabeth. 'I too have waited for this day.'

'Let us get on with the ceremony/ said Edward. There must be no more delay/

Jacquetta was well prepared. She led him and Elizabeth to a chamber where a priest was waiting. There were also present two gentlewomen of Jacquetta's household and a young man who would sing with the priest.

The ceremony was performed and there at Grafton Manor, Elizabeth Woodville became the wife of Edward the Fourth.

As soon as the ceremony was over Jacquetta conducted the married pair to the bridal chamber which she had prepared.

Cursing because he must leave Grafton Edward rode back to Stony Stratford.

Hastings was astonished to find him so preoccupied.

'You have enjoyed good hunting, my lord,' he said. T see that.'

'Yes, Hastings, yes,' said Edward shortly and returned to his own chamber.

He was married. Elizabeth was his. There would be consequences but he did not care. It was worth it. It was the only way with a virtuous woman like Elizabeth. She was wonderful; she was beautiful; and he cared nothing for Warwick or any of them. He had said he would marry where he wanted to and he had.

The next day he said casually to Hastings: 'Before we move I shall send a message to Rivers and tell him I would like to stay a while at Grafton to enjoy some hunting in Whittlebury.'

'A pleasant spot,' replied Hastings and thought: So the Lady Elizabeth has been amenable after all. It must be the case. So many of them were reluctant at first. They thought it added to the pleasure of the chase.

And so to Grafton.

There Lord Rivers greeted him and there was an especial warmth in the greeting his lady gave to the King.

Elizabeth did not appear. I believe the virtuous lady is not at home, thought Hastings. In which case he probably does like the hunting. He seems on special terms with the lady Jacquetta but she is a little too mature to interest him I should have thought.

So discreet was Jacquetta that no one guessed that when they had retired she conducted the King to her daughter's bedchamber.

'\ pray she is pregnant before the storm breaks/ said Jacquetta to her husband. The people will at least be more lenient at the prospect of an heir.'

Her husband, less adventurous than his wife, was very alarmed by what they had done without consulhng him.

But Jacquetta shook her head. 'You will see what good comes of it for the family,' she told him.

And so Edward spent four days at Grafton where he was conducted every night to Elizabeth's chamber.

It was with great reluctance that he tore himself away. It was necessary. Warwick was waiting for him in the North.