“But the lady is the king’s blood,” Andrew Lynbridge said.
“If you care for her, court her before my brother decides to barter her off again to some minion in order to obtain something he wants,” the duke advised. “I would not be unhappy to see a loyal ally at Stanton Hall. Adair is strong for a woman, but I do not see her holding her home against the Scots. They have been restless and raiding of late. Now that it is known she is back, a young, pretty widow alone and ripe for the picking, she is in danger. My wife’s relatives, the Nevilles, will be interested, as will all the Percys. I am Adair’s uncle, and I would approve a match between you,” Richard of Gloucester said with a small smile. “I can certainly assure my brother of your utmost loyalty.”
“She will want to mourn FitzTudor, if for no other reason than good etiquette,” Andrew Lynbridge said.
“She is proud of her name, my lord. And any who weds her must take that name, for the king promised John Radcliffe.”
“You could be the Earl of Stanton,” the duketempted him. “Six months mourning a boy you didn’t know, and who was with you less time, is enough. We have a border to protect, and having one of my former captains at Stanton would please me.”
“I’m not even certain she likes me,” Andrew said slowly.
“She didn’t like FitzTudor, but had he been a man he would have gotten between her legs, and it is possible her attitude would have changed. I have known Adair since she was a little girl. She needs a man she can respect first. Gain her respect, and you could gain her heart,” Richard of Gloucester said quietly.
“Perhaps,” Andrew Lynbridge said, “when I return to Stanton Hall with your message of condolence, you might tell the lady that you would wish me to stay on to oversee the defense of her home, as the Scots are being troublesome of late. She does have a good captain of her men at arms, Dark Walter, but he is not as experienced as he could be. I know she loves you, my lord, and if you wrote her that it would please you, then she would acquiesce, I am quite certain,” he concluded.
The duke chuckled. “A worthy and clever plan, Andrew. Go now, and pay your respects to my wife. We will speak again before you depart back for Stanton tomorrow.”
Andrew Lynbridge bowed politely and left the duke.
He found the Lady Anne with her women in the solar.
The Duchess of Gloucester looked up with a sweet smile as he entered. “Andrew, how good to see you.
What brings you to Middleham?” She was a pretty young woman with pale blue eyes and long golden hair, the braids of which were looped up about her small head. She was not strong in body, but Richard of Gloucester adored her.
He kissed the delicate little blue-veined hand she offered him, and then at her invitation sat down to tell her his tale.
She listened with great interest to what he had to say, and when he had concluded his narrative she said, “Poor little Adair. I know she did not want a husband now, but still, to lose him in such a manner. Of course Jasper Tudor will not be pleased at all by this turn of events.”
“The boy was brave,” Andrew Lynbridge said.
“Did she love him at all?” the duchess wondered.
“I do not believe she did, my lady,” he replied.
“She will be alone now,” the duchess remarked.
“Should she be alone, I wonder? We must invite her to Middleham to visit. Little Neddie adores her.”
“The duke has asked me to return to Stanton and take charge of its defenses,” Andrew told the duchess.
“Aye, that is wise,” Lady Anne agreed. “I have a cousin, Rowena Neville, married to Baron Greyfaire.
Their keep, much like Adair’s, is on the border. Of late my cousin writes that the Scots have been raiding more frequently. A young girl alone would be considered fair game to any of the border lords.”
“I will do my best to keep Stanton Hall safe,” he promised her gallantly, and the Duchess of Gloucester smiled at him.
“He misses you,” she told Andrew Lynbridge.
“I miss my good lord’s company too, my lady, but I am, it seems, good only for warfare,” Andrew replied.
“Praise God and his blessed Mother Mary, England is a peaceful land. Yet it is difficult for a soldier in peace-time, my lady. My brother is our grandfather’s heir, and he has sons already. I am grateful for my lord’s desire to see the defenses at Stanton Hall strengthened, and for his faith in me to do it. I hope the lady will be as grateful to her uncle for his concern.”
The duchess chuckled. “Adair is a bit prickly at times,” she said. “But you have charm, Andrew, and I am certain that you will win her cooperation easily.”
Andrew Lynbridge was reminded of Anne Neville’s words several days later, when he returned to Stanton Hall to tell Adair what the Duke of Gloucester had requested of him. He had stopped first at Hillview Court on his return to tell his brother and grandfather what the duke desired of him.
His grandfather had nodded. “Then you’ll be back in Gloucester’s service again,” he said. “He’s given you coin for your trouble, I hope, eh? Give it here, lad. We’re always short of coin in this family.”
