Elizabeth stared at her mother. Jacquetta had always been bold and sometimes her schemes had worked out. It was only necessary to consider how she had married the man of her choice in view of the opposition of powerful men.
Jacquetta had gone to the cupboard and was pulling out dresses.
'This blue is most becoming. It is very simple too. I think it suits you as well as anything you have. Looks such as yours show to perfection against simplicity. Your hair should be quite loose . . . no ribands to bind it. . . nothing ... no ornaments of any sort except this silver girdle to stress how small your waist is. At ten o'clock the party sets out. They will have to pass the oak if they are hunting in this forest. If you are waiting there. . . .'
Jacquetta had not mentioned the King but Elizabeth knew that he was in her mind.
So she must play the suppliant, something her proud nature rebelled against. But she was tired of being poor, of seeing no way out of her predicament but marriage to someone who could give her a little comfort and help her sons to make good marriages. It was a dreary prospect.
If she could regain her husband's confiscated estates she would at least be free. Then she could choose a husband if she wanted to marry again and at least her children would have what was due to them.
But why should the Yorkists reward those who had fought against them? Was it not a hopeless cause? Jacquetta did not think so and Jacquetta had that strange prophetic look in her eyes.
It was true that Elizabeth was at her most beautiful that day. The excitement of this project had set the faintest colour in her cheeks so that she looked like a statue that was just coming to life. That touch of animation enhanced her charm and even Jacquetta
who was more than prepared for it was again astonished by the beauty of her daughter.
'None will be able to resist you/ she said, 'if you play your part well.'
It was a short walk to the oak-tree.
The boys were asking questions. Why were they going there? Was it some game?
'We shall see the huntsmen ride by if we are lucky.'
That pleased them. They were both eager to see the huntsmen ride by.
She came to the oak-tree. It was a great sight, that tree, standing apart as it did from the others. It had a majestic air, an air of grandeur almost as though it had set itself apart and forbidden others to approach.
The morning wore on. The boys were getting impatient when suddenly they heard the baying of the dogs and the galloping hoofs of the horses.
With a fast beating heart she stepped out from under the shade of the oak. She saw them emerge from the trees. They were coming this way.
She took her sons by the hand and stood waiting.
Edward was slightly ahead of the others. He saw her standing there with the sun gleaming in her golden hair and glinting on the silver girdle at her little waist.
She looked like a goddess in her simple blue gown and Edward thought he had never seen such a beautiful woman.
He pulled up sharply.
'God's mercy,' he cried. 'What do you here, lady?'
She knelt and her beautiful hair fell forward sweeping the ground. She whispered to her children to kneel also.
'Lady,' said Edward, 'I beg you rise. I see you know me.'
She shifted her beautiful blue-grey eyes to his and said: 'My lord, who could fail to know you? You are distinguished among all other men.'
Edward laughed. 'You have not told me what you do here.'
'I am Lady Grey,' said Elizabeth. 'These are my sons. My husband was killed at St Albans.'
'Grey,' said the King, noting the sweep of golden lashes against her smooth delicate skin. 'Can he be Rivers' son-in-law?'
'It is so, my lord.'
'And you are Rivers' daughter?'
She bowed her head.
'He must be a proud man to have such a daughter ... a proud man but a misguided one. Lady Grey, what would you have of me?'
'My lord King, I come here to beg you to restore my husband's estates to me.'
'You have a strange opinion of me. Lady Grey, if you believe I will give estates to those who have shown themselves to be my enemies.'
'/ never was,' she said with a hint of passion. 'Nor were these innocent boys.'
The party had arrived and were waiting nearby watching. Many a covert grin was exchanged. The woman was a beauty and everyone knew Edward's inclinations. It was clever of her to find such a way of bringing herself to his notice. And she looked very appealing standing there holding the boys by the hand.
'It is a sad thing,' said Edward, 'when widows and orphans must suffer for the sins of their husbands and fathers.'
'My lord, if you can see your way. . . .'
Edward leaned forward and touched her hair. He let a strand of it linger in his hand.
'I can consider this,' he said. 'I do not care to see beautiful ladies in distress.'
He was gone. She stood there under the oak-tree watching him ride away. Then she walked slowly back to the manor.
Jacquetta was waiting for her.
'Well, well?' she asked eagerly.
'I saw the King.'
Jacquetta clasped her hands. 'And what said he?'
'He was kind.'
'And will restore the estates?'
'It was a sort of promise. I daresay he will forget he made it within the hour.'
'My heart tells me that we shall hear more of this,' said Jacquetta.
It was late afternoon when a rider came clattering into the stables of Grafton Manor.
He leaped from his horse and called to a bewildered groom to take it. Then he strode into the house.
He stood in the hall and his voice echoed up to the vaulted ceiling.
'Is no one at home?'
Jacquetta appeared.
'A traveller?' she said. 'Are you seeking shelter, my lord?'
'The answer to both those queshons is Yes, dear lady.'
Jacquetta descended. 'We are humble in our ways,' she said, 'but never turn travellers from the door.'
'I knew that you would offer me right good hospitality.'
'Do you require a bed for the night?' asked Jacquetta.
'There is nothing I desire more,' was the answer.
'Then you shall have it. We sup shortly.'
'My lady, you overwhelm me with your goodness. Tell me, is your lord at home? Have you a family?'
'My lord is from home and my daughter is with me. A widow who has lost her estates because her husband was fighting on the wrong side at St Albans.'
'A pitiful story.'
'Pitiful indeed, my lord, that she should be punished for something in which she was not allowed a choice.'
'She is a Yorkist at heart?'
'My lord, have you seen the King? One onty has to look at him to know that he is the man England needs.'
Elizabeth had appeared on the stairs. She was still wearing the blue gown which she had worn in the forest and her hair was loosely tied with blue ribbons to match the colour of her dress.
The traveller stared at her.
He was smiling. 'I have met your daughter before, my lady.'
Elizabeth descended the stairs and coming to stand before the man who could not take his eyes from her she knelt.
'Elizabeth. . . .'beganJacquetta.
'My lady,' said Elizabeth, 'do you not know that this is the King?'
Jacquetta, having known all the time and having expected him to do just this, feigned to be overcome by embarrassment—which she did so well that if she had not known her better Elizabeth might have believed genuine.
'Pray rise, dear lady,' said Edward, 'that I may look on your face for by my very faith I never saw a fairer.'
'We are overwhelmed by the honour of your visit,' said