“I shall speak with the countess herself and explain what has happened. I believe it is past time, Rosamund, that a husband was chosen for you. If you are given a husband, Prince Henry will leave you in peace. You will have lost your allure. There can be no scandal, my lady of Friarsgate, over the prince, for his prospective in-laws of Spain are most strict in their moral code. The Spanish ambassador is most watchful and careful for the Princess of Aragon’s happiness.”
“Will I go home if I am given a husband?” Her voice quavered.
“It depends upon the man they choose for you,” he said. “But after what has almost happened here, my lady, it is obvious that you must have a husband to protect you.”
Part Two
THELADY OFFRIARSGATE
ENGLAND 1503–1510
Chapter 7
It was after the mass the following morning that Sir Owein Meredith came to the Countess of Richmond as she was departing the chapel and said in a low voice, “I would speak privily with you, madame, on a matter most urgent.”
“I will see you after I have broken my fast,” the Venerable Margaret replied, never breaking stride as she returned to her apartments.
Their eyes met for a moment, and then he moved off, seeking Maybel. Finding her, he asked, “Did your mistress explain what happened yesterday afternoon? Your quick actions prevented a travesty.”
“He should be whipped,” Maybel replied indignantly. “I don’t care if he is to be England’s king one day; he should be beaten. What kind of a man, young or not, deliberately sets about to despoil an innocent young girl, sir? I know Sir Hugh, God assoil his good soul, meant well by entrusting my sweet bairn to the king, but I wished to God that we were safe at home again at Friarsgate!”
“I will protect her as best I can,” Owein assured Maybel. “I have been granted a private audience with the countess after she has eaten her meal. She will not be happy to learn of her grandson’s misbehavior. She will want to blame Rosamund. I will not allow it. But she will understand the difficulties of the situation. I am going to suggest that she choose a husband for Rosamund immediately and marry her off before the young prince manages to seduce the lady of Friarsgate, thereby ruining her reputation. Rosamund is intelligent, but she is also naive. She is drawn, I fear, to Prince Henry, despite her better judgment. It is exciting for a young country lass to be pursued by a prince.”
Maybel nodded. “’Tis the truth you speak, sir, but there is something else that could lead to her downfall. Her juices are flowing now. She is indeed ripe for a husband, and if not a husband, then a lover. She is too inexperienced to understand that she cannot help herself. She needs a good man in her bed, and better it be a husband.”
Sir Owein nodded. “Aye,” he agreed, a small hint of a smile touching his lips. “Do not fear, Maybel, I will speak with the countess, and you will stay with your mistress as much as you can. Do not leave her alone.”
“I won’t, sir,” Maybel promised.
Just after nine o’clock of the morning, one of the countess’ women came to fetch Owein Meredith. She led him to a small paneled room with a corner fireplace that blazed brightly. There were two high-backed tapestried chairs before the little hearth and a round table set between them. Margaret Beaufort was ensconced in one of the chairs, garbed in her usual black, an arched headdress covering most of her snow-white hair. She motioned him to seat himself in the other chair as the departing serving woman closed the door behind herself.
“Sit down,” the king’s mother said, “and tell me what it is that you would have a private audience with me, Owein Meredith.”
The knight sighed. “I beg your highness’ indulgence, and your forgiveness also, for what I am about to relate, but I cannot keep silent lest an innocent girl be wronged, and one you hold dearly be guilty of a terrible crime. Will you give me leave to speak frankly, knowing that I make no judgments in this matter? I simply wish to prevent a tragedy, dear madame.”
“You have never been a man to put himself forward and involve himself in what does not concern him, Owein Meredith, so I certainly must accept that what you have to say is indeed serious. You have leave to speak. I shall not hold you responsible for your words, whatever they may be,” she told him. “Say on, sir.”
“Your grandson, the prince, has been tempted into an act that would dishonor him, madame. Wagers have been placed on the outcome of this act. Charles Brandon advised against it but holds the wagers nonetheless. Richard Neville has been the chief instigator in this mischief.”
“Indeed,” the Countess of Richmond remarked dryly. “Why am I not surprised to find Charles Brandon being politic and the Nevilles being troublemakers? Go on.”
“The prince, being young and filled with the juices that young men his age are filled with, thinks himself enamored with Lady Rosamund Bolton of Friarsgate. There have been shy kisses exchanged between them on one occasion. The prince would have more of the girl, but she is careful for her reputation and will not give it. Neville and the others have wagered that Prince Henry can, or cannot, seduce the lady of Friarsgate. Yesterday when you took the princesses and your ladies to the river, the prince bribed your remaining women to leave your quarters where young Rosamund lay sleeping. The prince entered the girl’s chamber and attempted to force her. Only the timely intervention of her servant, who ran for me, saved the Lady Rosamund and her good name.”
“God’s nightshirt!” the Countess of Richmond swore. “I will have him whipped!”
“Good madame, I beg you, hear me out. Prince Henry cannot help being filled with the joy of life and a bit of lust. He is young, and God only knows he is as big as any man, in many cases bigger. He is beginning to have a man’s desires. But it is his pride that is at stake here more than anything else. The situation can be easily and quickly diffused, for the prince is honorable at heart, and having been chased off yesterday probably prays for a solution that will leave his pride intact as well as Lady Rosamund’s virtue.”
“What do you suggest, Owein Meredith?”
“Rosamund Bolton was sent here because her uncle has mistreated her and attempted to steal what is hers. Sir Hugh Cabot sought to protect his wife. He knew that Rosamund must wed again, but he did not want her forced into a marriage with her five-year-old cousin so that Henry Bolton could hold on to Friarsgate. I have met the man, madame. He is not an honorable fellow. Choose a husband for Rosamund, and the prince will step back; I guarantee it. Rosamund will be safe, her reputation intact, and the prince can retain his pride. Even Richard Neville would not dare suggest that the prince seduce another man’s betrothed wife, madame.” Sir Owein sat back in his chair and waited for the countess to speak.
“It is my granddaughter’s wedding that has taken up all of my time now that her mother is dead and cannot attend to it. In just a few weeks the Queen of the Scots must go to her husband, and her marriage must be celebrated. And there is poor Spanish Katherine to place as well. The king is very unhappy that King Ferdinand has not completed the payments on the girl’s dowry. Especially as he intends to eventually marry her off to Henry. I have heard rumors, Sir Owein, that my grandson enjoys the ladies. Is he not overyoung for it?”
“In the prince’s case I would say not, madame,” the knight replied, wondering just how much the old woman knew about her randy grandson and his sexual adventures.
“I had intended to find a husband for the Bolton girl after Margaret was sent off, but I suppose something else would interfere and the girl would be twenty before I remembered her. You brought her down from Cumbria last year, did you not?” The Venerable Margaret leaned toward the fire to warm her hands.
“I did, madame.”
