William held her hand, stroking it as she told them of how Robert had led her out of the castle and through the encampment surrounding the motte.
“Did they strike you as men ready to fight?” Dominic asked.
“They struck me as men I didn’t want to see my face,” she replied. “I don’t know what a force ready to fight looks like.”
“What about Robert?” William interrupted. “What did he say about his father?”
“He said that if he has not brought Northumberland to surrender by nightfall tomorrow, he will leave the postern gate I came through unbarred and Dudley badges cached to get a handful of you through the camp.”
Dominic and William shared a considering glance. That was further than Dominic had thought Robert would take it. Persuading his father to wisdom was one thing—opening a back door to an enemy force was pure betrayal. “Were we wrong about Robert’s involvement in his father’s plots?” Dominic asked.
“When I spoke with him, Robert all but admitted to Alyce de Clare. Although…” Minuette hesitated. “He did seem genuinely surprised to find that someone tried to poison me.”
“It’s irrelevant,” Elizabeth broke in. “All that matters is getting Northumberland out of that castle without bloodshed. If Robert can bring that about, then he’s useful. For now.”
Dominic wondered how much that apparent indifference cost her. She had left court in the latter part of August and he had not seen her again until one month later, when Northumberland released her. In those weeks, Elizabeth had aged; though her beauty was untouched, her spirit was darker. But then again, it had always been Robert who had brought out the lighthearted side of her.
“Right.” William nodded. “Elizabeth, take Minuette to your tent. As soon as the sun rises, the two of you will ride out.”
“No,” Elizabeth said. “Not until it’s over.”
“It is over. You are both safe now.”
“I’m not leaving until Northumberland is in your hands.”
“This is nothing to do with you. If you hadn’t been so stubborn and secretive, you’d never have been caught in this mess at all!”
“And that’s why I’m staying!” Elizabeth shouted back. The siblings were on their feet, glaring at each other. Dominic felt the brush of Minuette’s fingertips against his. He nearly grasped her hand, but William’s distraction wouldn’t last forever.
Elizabeth’s voice cracked once before she got it under control. “Northumberland might never have taken this stand if I hadn’t made it easy for him. There are women and children in that castle who do not deserve to be caught between the two of you. I am staying until the innocent are safe and Northumberland is in your hands.”
“Are you sure you’re not staying to plead for Robert?”
“I am finished pleading for Robert Dudley.”
William scowled and shook his head, but said grudgingly, “Fine. But only because I expect the rest of my troops tomorrow. The morning after the soldiers arrive, you and Minuette are on your way no matter how matters at the castle stand.”
But as dawn broke just a few hours later, ushering in a misty, chilly morning, one of William’s sentries intercepted a rider from Dudley Castle, carrying a white banner of surrender.
William and Dominic rode to the castle with an impressive contingent of royal guards and heavy cavalry. More out of respect for Northumberland’s dignity than to intimidate him, Dominic thought. William had his father’s gift for merciful symbolism once he’d established his authority. Northumberland waited outside the Triple Gate surrounded by three of his sons: Robert, Ambrose, and Henry. The duke knelt before William. In a clear, carrying voice, he submitted himself to “the sovereign it is my good pleasure to serve in the name of God and my own conscience.”
Northumberland and his sons were arrested. The women and children were allowed to remain at Dudley Castle under royal control. William had named the Earl of Arundel temporary governor of Northumberland’s estates. Very temporary, Dominic thought. He didn’t know if William was looking forward more to executing the duke or confiscating his lands and wealth.
Robert, uncharacteristically, was completely silent save for one question. “Is Lord Rochford marching with your troops or does he remain in London?”
William studied him for a minute before replying. “Rochford’s in London. As Lord Chancellor, he will oversee your reception at the Tower.”
And just like that, it was over. Dominic spurred his horse ahead of the rest, to see Elizabeth and Minuette on their way before the prisoners were brought into camp.
Both women were dressed for riding in the princess’s clothing that Northumberland had sent to the camp upon Elizabeth’s release. Meant for riding and hunting, the gowns were less elaborate than the typical court wardrobe: dressed so similarly, Elizabeth in red and Minuette in blue, they almost looked as though they could be sisters.
“It’s done,” Dominic informed them tersely. “William wants you away before the prisoners get here.”
Elizabeth nodded once in acknowledgment, then turned away to mount her horse. The women had an escort of one hundred armed men—no chance of being waylaid or changing their minds along the way. Elizabeth was returning to court. But Minuette had persuaded William to let her go to Wynfield.
As Dominic moved to help her mount, she asked appealingly, “You will come, won’t you?”
“It’s not wise.”
