The Follies of the King - Plaidy Jean - Страница 54

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‘No,’ she said, ‘not the Marcher country. That could be unsafe. You must go to France.’

‘And you?’

‘I would find some means of joining you there. My brother would help us.

And we would come against Edward and the Despensers. I will get my son with me and I shall be fighting to put him on the throne. You and I, gentle Mortimer, will rule for him until he is of age.’

‘If this could but be achieved?’

‘Why should it not? The people love me?’ She paused. They had loved her

because they said she was not only beautiful but virtuous; she had allowed herself to be humiliated by Edward and had still borne him children. When they knew that Mortimer was her paramour would they love her just the same? But of course they would. She would charm them with her beauty and she would only be giving them her son— so like his grandfather— in place of their dissolute King.

‘Yes,’ she went on, ‘the people would be on my side. They hate the

Despensers. They want them banished. We should have the people with us.’

‘It shall be,’ cried Mortimer. ‘Oh, my Queen, you have brought love such as I never dreamed of into my life and with it hope.’

She had never been so excited. Everything she had always wanted was

coming to her. She had always known that hers was a sensuous and passionate nature and she marvelled that she had been able to suppress her natural desires so long. But then she had needed a Mortimer to arouse them. And here he was and with him came the possibility that the dreams she had long cherished were about to come true.

What she had wanted was a strong man to stand beside her. Here he was

without the slightest doubt. And this man, who was to have her complete trust and who was to stand beside her no matter what happened to them, must

inevitably be her lover.

Life had never seemed so promising.

Now she must give herself to the task with her unbounded energy. It would

help to take her mind from the yearnings of her body.

And that task was to free Mortimer from the Tower.

???????

She rode out of the Tower. She was leaving the palace for a few days. It was better so in case there should have been talk. Moreover she had work to do. She was going to see Adam of Orlton, the Bishop of Hereford.

It was never easy for the Queen to go anywhere without taking with her a

large company so it was fortunate that Adam was at this time in London and she could ride out as though merely taking the air.

The Bishop received her warmly. He was in disgrace with the King but the

Queen had never been unfriendly towards him. He was against the Despensers and none could be more so than she was. She believed that she could rely on Adam’s help.

He himself would have been in the Tower if it had not been that he was a

churchman and under the protection of Canterbury and York so she could be

sure of his sympathy.

‘My lord Bishop,’ she said, ‘I have matters of great moment to discuss with you. I need your help.’

‘My lady,’ replied the Bishop, ‘if it is in my power to give it, that help is yours.’

‘I can no longer endure the rule of the Despensers.’

‘My lady, you are not alone in your feelings. If it could be put to the country I’ll warrant there would be few who did not agree with you.’

‘It is time they went. The King should never have recalled them.’

‘Alas, he has done so.’

‘My lord Bishop, it is clear to me that if we rid ourselves of the Despensers before long they would be replaced? even as this young Hugh has replaced

Gaveston.’

The Bishop nodded in agreement.

‘It must not be allowed to happen, my lord Bishop,’ insisted the Queen.

‘My lady, can it be prevented?’

‘In one way. The King’s son and mine is growing fast.’

‘But a boy yet, my lady.’

‘Old enough to be crowned King. There have been others of his age.’

‘A Regency?’ asked the Bishop eagerly.

‘Chosen with care. My lord Bishop, what we talk of is of the utmost secrecy.

It is only because of the dire need that I would speak thus.’

‘I know it well, my lady. But these matters are in men’s minds and it is well that they be spoken of? among those who could have it in their hands to avoid disasters.’

‘Even so. I need your help, Bishop. There is a man in the Tower who has

sworn to stand with me.’

The Bishop raised his eyebrows and waited.

‘Roger de Mortimer.’

Adam nodded. ‘A strong man, indeed. He ruled the Marcher lands with his

uncle and he was as a king there they say.’

‘His uncle has perished in his prison. His nephew still lives.. He is young and vigorous. He would stand with us.’

‘You have tested him?’

The Queen smiled slowly: ‘Aye, my lord Bishop, I have tested him.’

‘Yes,’ said the Bishop, ‘a strong man. He could rouse the Marcher country.’

‘He must first escape.’

‘From the Tower! I’ll swear he is most rigorously guarded.’

‘He has friends.’

‘Who, my lady?’

‘The Sub-lieutenant, Gerard Alspaye.’

‘That is good. He could do much.’

‘My lord Bishop what could you do?’

‘Nothing from inside the Tower. Outside. I could have horses waiting at an agreed spot. I could have a boat waiting to take him across the river to that spot and another at the coast.’

‘And would you do this, my lord?’

‘I would do my best for you, my lady.’

‘I thank you with all my heart.’

‘If we can rid this country of its evil influences the whole of England will thank you with all their hearts.’

‘I can and will with the help of God and my very good friends.’

‘Then the first thing is to get Mortimer from the Tower. What will he do in France?’

‘Go to my brother. Let him know how I am held here. Get help from him. I

shall try to join him? if that is possible. But I must have my son Edward with me.’

‘I see. It would mean civil war.’

‘If the King can find any to stand with him.’

‘There will be some I doubt not. The Despensers will be there and mistake

not behind the pretty face is a wily mind.’

‘I know it well. But first we must free Mortimer. I pin my hopes on him. My lord Bishop I rely on you to provide what we shall need once Mortimer is free of the Tower.’

‘Let the rest be arranged from within and then we must be sure that we work together.’

‘God’s blessings on you, Bishop. You are a good friend to me and to your

country.’

With God’s help, my lady, I will serve you both until He sees fit to take me.’

She was satisfied. Her excitement was intense. All was going as she could

wish.

???????

There were whispered conversations in the darkness of the night. They were getting reckless. The need to be together obsessed them; as did the knowledge that soon they must be parted. Alspaye was getting anxious. It was possible to arrange these meetings but they must necessarily become increasingly

dangerous as suspicions must inevitably arise. It might be feasible one night, or even two, to leave a door unlocked, a corridor unguarded, to make guards sleepy with wine. But these occasions were becoming too frequent.

‘We must not jeopardize the plan,’ said Mortimer.

‘Indeed we must not,’ agreed Isabella, ‘but when you are in France we shall no longer be together.’

‘But you must follow me. You must use all your skill to do so.’

‘I shall. I shall. You may rely on me.’

They embraced passionately; they talked earnestly; and they continued to

meet.

Gerard de Alspaye was uneasy. What would happen to him, he wondered,

when such an important prisoner as Roger de Mortimer escaped from the

Tower? He would be blamed. His head would not be worth much he was sure.

There was only one course of action for him to pursue, said Isabella. When Mortimer went, he must go with him.

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