“Yes, it was,” the duchess admitted. “Andrew Lynbridge is old Sir Humphrey’s grandson, as you know.
The family has held its lands as long as the Radcliffes.
Your blood is slightly better by virtue of your paternity, but in all other ways the Lynbridges are equal to the Radcliffes. As Andrew was in my husband’s service I have known him for many years. He is a good man, Adair. He would not mistreat you, and he would make you a good husband,” the duchess concluded.
“He seems to know and understand the land,” Adair replied. “And the Stanton folk do like him. So much so I am almost jealous,” she admitted.
“Your people want a master, Adair. Aye, you are the countess, the acknowledged daughter of Earl John, but they need a man to guide them, I fear. It is their way.
Country folk are simple and uncomplicated in their outlook.”
Adair sighed. “I suppose you are correct,” she replied. “I just don’t like turning over my responsibilities to someone else. Lady Margaret always taught me that a woman is perfectly capable of managing her own affairs.”
“Lady Margaret is a strong woman, as all her husbands and her son would attest, but her place in our world is greater than yours, Adair.”
“I am the Countess of Stanton in my own right,”Adair said proudly.
“But Lady Margaret descends from King Edward the Third. She is mother to Lancaster’s heir. She stands high in favor at court. She may think and say things other women might not, and few will think badly of her. She is a most unique woman of eminent common sense.”
“I have always admired her,” Adair admitted.
“But you cannot be just like her,” the duchess responded. “You are indeed the Countess of Stanton in your own right. But the countess must have a husband now, Adair. Dickon has kept my Neville relations and the Percys from your doorstep all summer by virtue of the fact that you are supposed to have been mourning young FitzTudor. They cannot be kept at bay much longer. Stanton lands are very good lands. You cannot protect them alone. And your neighbors have sons and other male relations they need to match favorably. Is there someone upon whom you dote and would wed? If he is suitable I am certain Dickon would permit it.
When your unfortunate husband died my husband asked the king for your wardship. Edward was more than glad to grant it. The Earl of Pembroke was very saddened by his son’s death, but grateful for your respect of the boy.”
“He sent me no message of condolence,” Adair said.
“Perhaps FitzTudor’s servant, Anfri, poured his poison into Jasper Tudor’s ear.”
“If Anfri went south he never saw the earl,” the duchess said. “I know, for Dickon inquired about it.”
“How odd,” Adair responded. “He was gone from Stanton the day after FitzTudor’s death. No one has seen him since.”
“You have not answered me,” the duchess told Adair.
“Is there someone you would wed?”
Adair shook her head. “Nay,” she admitted.
“Then will you accept the duke’s wish that you marry Andrew Lynbridge?”
“I suppose better the devil you know than one you don’t,” Adair replied pithily. “But he must take the Radcliffe name, your grace. That was Earl John’s wish, and the king agreed it would be so. If Andrew would be the Earl of Stanton he will be a Radcliffe earl. I wonder if his family will like that. His grandsire has always wanted my lands for his estates, but the Radcliffe name must remain. And I must have a little time in which to grow used to this decision of Uncle Dickon’s. Has anyone bothered to speak to Andrew about it? He may not agree.”
“He will agree,” the duchess said. “He has never failed the duke in anything.”
Adair laughed softly. “You make it sound like some military campaign that Uncle Dickon would plan, and Andrew execute.”
Lady Anne laughed too, her soft blue eyes twinkling.
“It is, in a manner of speaking,” she agreed. “I know that Dickon will be very pleased with your agreement and sensible manner. Most of us do not get to marry for love.”
“You did,” Adair said.
“Aye, but not until the second time. You will remember that my father was not a man to be disobeyed or thwarted when he made up his mind, Adair. When hefell out with King Edward and turned on him to support poor old Henry the Sixth and his son he was determined that I be queen of England. God forbid! I barely knew Edward Lancaster, but I was married to him nonetheless. And because my father trusted no one we were put to bed, and the prince forced to consummate the match so there might be no annulment later on the grounds of nonconsummation. That unfortunate prince did not want me for his wife, and he had a mistress he loved at the time. Still, we were wedded and bedded for the sake of political expediency. It was not a happy time. But you have the advantage at least of knowing Andrew Lynbridge. He is pleasant-looking, and seems kind.”
Adair considered the duchess’s words. “Aye, I suppose he is pleasant-looking, and I have never seen him unkind. And he was the duke’s captain. When we marry he will be the Earl of Stanton. Will he still be kind then?”
“It is a chance all women take when they wed,” the duchess answered. “The ram sheep may turn out to be a wolf garbed in fleece. But women, once they have gotten the lay of the land, usually manage to cope, Adair.”
