‘So you have made friends already? Show me.’
I slipped into the pen, crouching low. As usual the pup trotted forward, its liquid brown eyes gazing up at me as I fondled its ears.
The Duke said quietly, ‘You’ve chosen well, for all Master Gygges’s talk of runts. You must know, Matt, that its mother is a special dog, the finest I have ever owned. She was given to me by my brother George, his last gift to me before… before he died.’
I glanced up. Who was the brother he spoke of?
For a moment, a distant look clouded his eyes. Then they snapped down to me.
‘And what to call it?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said again, racking my brain for an idea.
‘Why not name it after me? “Old Dick”. Isn’t that what you pages call me? Then you will not forget me, even when you are both grown and have left my service.’
Hearing the detestable name said in that casual manner stung me. I threw myself down on one knee before him, scattering the pups.
‘Your Grace, I’ve never called you that. And I swear I’ll never leave your service.’
He grasped my shoulder and pulled me to my feet.
‘Be not so serious, Master Wansford. I know that I am so called by some – it doesn’t bother me. But I thank you for your loyalty – and accept your willing service. Now come – what name, if not Old Dick?’
‘My lord,’ the huntsman protested, ‘it is a she-pup.’
‘Indeed, Master Gygges, I was only jesting. Matthew does well to choose a she-pup, don’t you agree? They are more loyal than their brothers – and when she is older she will provide you with royal pups, Matt. Her father is one of the King’s hounds. But Matthew, don’t let her wed too young – it isn’t good for them.’
‘What about Murrey?’ came Alys’s voice.
I had almost forgotten she was there, and the Duke also looked surprised.
‘Murrey?’
‘After the colour of your device, Your Grace. She is a dark red after all.’
‘True. Matthew?’
I nodded. It suited her well.
‘And now you, Alys. What reward would you have? I have brought jewels.’
He tapped the wooden box sitting on the wall of the pen.
‘Your Grace, I would as soon have another of Florette’s pups. Perhaps that white one there. She looks just like her mother.’
‘As you wish. Matthew, if you please.’
I picked up the pup she’d pointed to, together with my Murrey, and let myself out of the pen.
As I handed the white pup to Alys, the Duke asked, ‘And is it for Matthew to name your choice?’
‘Oh no, I shall think of a name in my own time. And don’t worry, Your Grace, I shall not let her marry too young either.’
She said it merrily enough, but her words reminded me of her betrothal to Hugh’s cousin. Perhaps the Duke recalled it too. A shadow darkened his eyes as he bid us farewell and strode away with Master Gygges.
*
In the days that followed I saw nothing of Ed as he recovered from his illness, but rather more of the Duke. He would go away for a day or two at a time on business and before long news came that he was summoned to London to attend Parliament in January. But, despite having much to arrange, it didn’t stop him riding out with Roger, Alys and me many afternoons when he was at home.
‘It gets me out from under the nurses’ feet in the sick room,’ he joked.
Alys whispered to us that he often took a turn watching his son all night during his sickness and the Duchess had urged him to go riding for fresh air and exercise. But why he chose to ride with us rather than the gentlemen of his household was at first a mystery.
Then one fine clear day, he rode with us to the top of Pen Hill. There he turned Storm around and, as our chatter died away, gazed back towards the valley. Most of the snow had melted away, just pockets remaining in sheltered hollows. The hills in the distance were blue, like smoke.
His hand shielding his eyes against the low winter sun, the Duke said quietly, ‘This was my favourite place when I was a page. I would ride up here with Francis in all weathers and hawk, or chase, or simply watch the folk go about their business in the dale.’
There was no emotion on his face, but was there a tug of wistfulness in his voice?
Roger shattered the stillness of the moment.
‘If you had said before, Your Grace, we could have brought Lady and another hawk and seen if we could raise some sport.’
The Duke shook his head, as though scattering his memories.
‘Nay, lad, not today. I think I prefer a quiet ride in these days. But perhaps you could bring Edward when he is well again. I would that he could become strong and happy amongst his friends as I did.’
The meaning of his last words escaped me then, and for many weeks after, but we all three promised to do our best for his son.
On those rides, we always brought Murrey and Alys’s pup, by now named Shadow as it followed her everywhere. They scampered after our ponies, learning to keep out of the way of their hooves, and were picked up to be carried across the saddle bow or tucked into doublet or mantle when they tired. On this afternoon Murrey, as usual, was the first to flag. She whined plaintively as her spindly legs began to wobble and she dropped behind.
As I swung down to scoop her up, the Duke reined Storm back to wait. Alys and Roger carried on ahead, unaware, Shadow still bounding along at their heels.
Murrey was soon snuggled within my doublet, her tiny head sticking out the unbuttoned top, eyelids drooping with sleep.
As we set off again, riding side by side, the Duke spoke.
‘Matthew, as you may know, I must soon ride to London. I will be away for Christmastide as a guest of the King. Then I must stay while Parliament conducts its business.’
‘I have heard, Your Grace.’
‘Have you ever been to London?’
‘No, but my father has. He travelled there once on business. He said it was the most wonderful city in all the world, and he has been as far as Ghent and Antwerp. He said the people wore the finest clothes, the houses were the tallest he had seen, the river the most marvellous —’
Doctor Frees had often drummed into us that pages should speak to Duke Richard only when necessary and when directly spoken to. But my tongue ran away with me as I remembered all that my father had told – until it struck me that my listener had of course seen all of this and more, on many occasions. And that he must think me a fool. A boy who had never left his home town before he came here.
I ground to a halt, with a lame, ‘That’s what he said anyway.’
But the Duke only smiled.
‘Should you like to go to London yourself, then, Matthew?’
‘Oh, Your Grace, of all things that would be the best!’
‘Then you shall be part of the company if you wish it. I own that when I am away from home I miss your singing at Mass. And for our quiet evenings’ entertainment. I keep no singers at my house in London as I am there so rarely, and I do believe my brother’s household contains no voices as good as yours. Will you come?’
I was stunned. I’d had no thoughts of visiting London so soon, let alone to be asked to accompany the Duke. It was a golden chance.
But at the same time, what of my friends? How could I leave them so soon after finding them – and when Ed had been so ill?
Yet it would not be for long…
‘You need not give me your answer at once. Think about it for a few days. You were apprenticed to the household here, not my personal retinue. If you don’t want to miss your lessons, your friends…’
‘Edward, Your Grace?’
‘Ah, yes. I will regret taking you away from him. It is perhaps selfish of me. But while he is still recovering, you will not see so much of him. Perhaps you can write while you’re away – of all those wonders you’ll see. And when you return, the weather will have improved and you can all go out riding together again.’
&n
bsp; ‘Improved?’
‘Parliament will begin in January, and will last a month, perhaps six weeks. We will leave London by the end of February, unless… well, unless the King hears you sing. He may wish to keep you with him for spiritual guidance.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t stand so aghast, lad. I jest. I’m sure my brother has no need for extra guidance. You’ll be back home with your friends before spring.’ He paused. ‘If you choose to go.’
How could I not? Not only to see London, but maybe also the King himself and the court. I might never have such a chance again.
‘Of course I’ll go, Your Grace, if you truly wish it. Can I take Murrey?’
*
I spilled out my news to Alys and Roger as soon as we were back at the castle.
Alys said they would miss me, that the Christmas festivities would not be as much fun without me.
Roger spoilt it by saying the Duke might have other reasons for taking me.
‘Maybe he’s worried that you’re becoming a bad influence on Ed.’
He said it with a grin, but it sounded too much like Hugh for me to smile too. Had Alys said anything more to him about the hunt? I asked her when we were next alone.
‘Of course not,’ she said. ‘He’s just being daft as usual. And he’s probably jealous.’
‘But he went with the Duke to London before.’
‘Yes, but he would dearly love to go again. And the pleasures of Christmas at court… well, we’ll have nothing like it here, particularly with the Duke gone. But don’t worry about Roger, Matt. Go and enjoy yourself. And don’t think too much about your friends stuck up here in the frozen North.’
But, for all her joking, I couldn’t banish the guilt I felt. Especially about Edward.
Although I hadn’t seen him since our return from Jervaulx, he was often in my thoughts. He reminded me more and more of my brother Pete, especially now I knew he suffered from a similar sickness. Ed would have loved to help me train Murrey, and would no doubt have filched tidbits for her from the Duke’s table as he often had for Lady. And I would miss him when I was away, as I did my own brothers and sisters.
So, when I was finally allowed to visit him, I knew it would be hard to tell him that I was going.
Alys said he’d often asked for me during his illness, but his nurse had refused to let any of the ‘rough boys’ in to see him. But at last the Duchess overruled her and insisted I be admitted, if only for a few minutes.
I took with me a favourite romance in case he wanted me to read, or wasn’t well enough to talk. But as I was ushered into the private chamber, I found it wouldn’t be needed.
‘Matt, at last! I’ve been so longing to see you. Alys says you have a hound. Mother says you’re going to London. And I’m stuck here. Life’s so unfair!’
He was half-sitting, half-lying under a mound of rugs and furs on a couch drawn close to the blazing fire. On his lap lay two or three books and a dish of sweetmeats. His face was pale and thin, but he was no longer the ghostly figure I had last seen.
I drew up a footstool alongside him.
‘Yes, yes, and yes. But as my father says, we can’t always have what we want.’
‘But I’m the son of a Duke.’
‘Perhaps that can make a difference. But maybe not when you’re ill.’
‘But I’m not so very ill now.’
‘But you were. You quite scared Alys and me, Ed.’
His smile disappeared.
‘Yes, I know. My father told me. I don’t remember any of it. At least, not after seeing poor Lord Scrope gored and then following the boar. My father says you saved my life – you and Alys. Thank you, Matt.’
I didn’t know what to say, but Ed barely gave me time to think.
‘He says that’s why he gave you the hounds. When can I see Murrey, Matt? I’ve already seen Shadow. Alys brings her to me sometimes. She says you’re training them together.’
I might not need the book, but I had brought something else with me.
I knelt down beside the couch and unbuttoned my doublet. Ed craned forward and his eyes brightened. Murrey was curled up there fast asleep against my chest.
‘Oh, Matt, she’s beautiful. Can I stroke her? I hope my father will give me a hound of my own soon.’
So the breaking of all my news had been done for me. I was glad – and to see Ed looking and sounding better.
A few minutes later the nurse got up from her chair across the hearth and flapped her hands to shoo me out. Ed made a grab for me, catching the hem of my doublet as I rose to my feet.
‘I shall miss you, Matt, when you go.’
‘And I you, Ed. And the rest of the Order. But your father says I may write to you while I’m away – he will send the letters with his own.’
‘Oh, please do. Tell me all about London, and court, and my uncle if you see him, and my cousin Edward – if he is there with his father. You know, I have never met him. Do write and tell me what he’s like.’
I promised, just as the nurse succeeded in unfastening his fingers from my clothing and propelling me out of the room.
His final words as he waved me off left me wondering. He had a cousin he had never met? I had so many cousins at home in York that it was difficult to turn a corner without bumping into one.
I visited Ed twice or three times more before I left for London. Each visit he was stronger than the time before. The nurse allowed Roger to join us too. Perhaps she realized he was a less ‘rough’ boy than me by far.
Neither Ed nor Roger bothered to hide their envy over my coming journey and they talked endlessly about people and things I would see in London, mentioning names that meant nothing to me.
Not wanting to appear ignorant about Ed’s family, I waited until I was alone with Roger to ask him about the unknown cousin.
‘Oh, that Edward,’ he said. ‘You know, the King’s oldest son – Prince of Wales.’
‘But why hasn’t our Ed met him? And why wouldn’t he be at court with his father?’
‘Matt, haven’t you learnt anything here?’
‘Oh, is he training to be a page, like us? Even the King’s son?’
‘Not so much that. He lives out on the Welsh borders somewhere, learning to rule them. It’s a bit different I suppose. But otherwise he probably learns much the same as we do – he’s about our age or a little younger. He lives in the household of one of his other uncles.’
That reminded me of another question.
‘How many uncles does he have? I thought Duke Richard was the King’s only brother. But he mentioned another one the other day, George, but said he’d died.’
‘No, this one’s an uncle from the Queen’s family, the Woodvilles. That’s probably why Ed’s never met him. People say the Duke doesn’t like them very much.’
‘Why not?’
‘Well, there was a scandal when King Edward married the Queen. The Earl of Warwick didn’t approve. You know, the Kingmaker? He was the King’s cousin of course. He wanted him to marry a foreign princess, not a commoner like Elizabeth Woodville. So the King married her in secret. And then, my father says Duke Richard blames her family for his brother’s death.’
‘And that’s his brother George?’
‘Yep, George, Duke of Clarence.’
‘So how did he die?’
‘He was executed. For treason.’
‘Treason? Against the King?’
‘It usually is against the King.’
‘No, I mean, against his own brother? Why?’
‘People say he’d been plotting to seize the throne for years. The King finally lost patience, tried him for treason and had him executed. Duke Richard begged him not to, but apparently the Queen persuaded the King not to listen. She and her family didn’t like Duke George.’
‘Why not?’
‘He didn’t like the marriage either, and then he sided with the Kingmaker in his rebellion. The King forgave Duke George then, but something happened years la
ter to change his mind. So the Woodvilles got their way in the end. It’s partly why Duke Richard doesn’t go to London much now. Though he’s not the only one who doesn’t like them. Plenty of people seem not to for one reason or another.’ He paused, smiling at my puzzlement. ‘Tricky things, royal families, aren’t they?’
He was right. But family complications were only one of the things on my mind as I prepared for my momentous journey.
I was going to London, to court – and to the court of a king who had executed his own brother.
Chapter 13
A Long-Awaited Journey
The day of our departure arrived at last. It was not a good day for travelling.
November’s snow was a distant memory, replaced by constant drizzle and fog, rolling down from the hills. Roger lent me his second-best riding cloak for the trip, but even so I knew I would be soaked through before we’d ridden half a mile from the castle.
Sir William excused me from singing at Mass that morning. He joked that Duke Richard would be hearing enough of me over the next few weeks, but maybe he noticed how nervous I was. For a day or two, my voice had wavered at the highest notes, echoing the quivering in my stomach at every thought of the journey.
Alys cornered me as I left the chapel.
‘Are you sure you want to go? You’ve been fretting all week.’
‘Of course I want to. I’ll be fine once we’re on the road. I can’t let the Duke down.’
But it was also for myself. I couldn’t wait to see London. Of all my family, only my father had travelled so far. If I wanted to see the world and have adventures, this was my chance to make a start.
After an early breakfast, it was time for goodbyes.
As always when the Duke was setting out on a long trip, all the castle turned out, and most of the villagers as well.
Despite the rain coursing down my face, I held my head up high as I walked past rows of drenched squires and pages lined up in the inner court. Among them I glimpsed the scowls of Hugh and Lionel. I had hardly seen them since their disgrace on the hunt. As punishment Master Gygges had kept them out of lessons, to do menial jobs around the kennels and stables, and they served the grooms at mealtimes as the lowliest of the low.
The Order of the White Boar Page 11
