‘I do not expect that,’ she said. ‘I will not starve for food or clothes unlike some of the poor wights who beg in the streets. Nor shall I want for love or protection, for you shall give me those in abundance – more than I have ever had in my life, and that matters more. I have fine gowns and jewels already. We shall have a sufficiency of everything, love most of all.’ She drew away to look at him, her gaze serious. ‘To possess the freedom to ride my horse and fly my hawk as I choose and not be a prisoner is the greatest gift in the world after what I have known. Thosewho matter most to us know who we truly are. I tell you again, I care not, and I mean it with all my heart. I would follow you barefoot in my shift, this I swear.’
He swallowed emotion, and kissed her tenderly, and they remounted the horses to make their slow return to the palace.
‘I do wonder if the King has forgiven us,’ he said thoughtfully.
‘Forgiven us for what?’
‘Well, he has surely lost face because I went to the papal court, and because he was complicit in arranging this match with you and Montagu, only to find I had already married you in Ghent without permission. He was accepting when we knelt to him, but I do not know if we shall find favour in future.’
‘He is no fool when it comes to playing the great game,’ she replied. ‘He needs your skills and he is fond of me. The Queen is favourable to us, and he desires her goodwill, and his eldest son’s approval. Edward will always speak for us.’
Thomas smiled at her. ‘I suspect the Prince is rather smitten by you.’
‘It is only that he has known me since he was born,’ she said defensively. ‘He has had mistresses and the business of being his father’s deputy to keep him occupied, and he will make a diplomatic match when it is time. You do not become smitten by someone who stuffs hay down your tunic in the stables and calls you names.’
Thomas arched his brow. ‘I am not so sure.’
Jeanette felt her face growing hot. ‘Are you jealous?’
He shook his head, looking amused. ‘I have no cause. I am grateful for his aid and support and I will gladly serve and support him in my turn. Perhaps I am a little sorry for him because he does not have you.’
She reached across their horses to touch his hand. ‘We grew up almost as siblings,’ she said. ‘One day he will be a king and he will wed to the dictates of duty. I hope he finds love andpartnership within it. For me – I am hopelessly in love with my husband for ever.’
He took the hand she had reached out and raised it to his lips. ‘For ever and a day,’ he said.
Seated at the feast, enjoying roast fowl in the great hall, Jeanette was slipping morsels to Nosewyse and Snowflake under the trestle when she saw an usher sidle up to the King, murmur in his ear, and give him a sealed letter and a ring. Edward glanced at both, then broke the seal and read what was written on the parchment. Then he spoke quietly to the Queen, rose to his feet, and left the table. His exit caused a hubbub of speculation. The Queen clapped her hands and bade everyone continue eating – a matter of business had cropped up that would be dealt with.
‘That does not look like good news,’ Thomas said.
Jeanette set down her knife. Someone must have died, but she couldn’t think who, because the senior courtiers were gathered in the hall. However, the King had gone white as he read the message. She could feel Thomas’s coiled tension responding to the hint of a threat.
Other ushers entered the hall. One of them went to Prince Edward and spoke to him quietly, and then to Sir Walter Manny and Sir John Chandos before arriving at Thomas.
‘Sire, the King requests your presence in the ante chamber,’ he murmured.
Thomas wiped his lips on a napkin, and stood up. He pressed Jeanette’s shoulder. ‘I shall return as soon as I may, my love.’
Jeanette watched him leave with the other summoned men – all knights of the Order of the Garter and part of the King’s inner military council. Something momentous was afoot.
Thomas and his companions found the King conversing with a dark-haired man with a thick beard and travel-stained clothes.Thomas immediately recognised Amerigo di Pavia, an Italian soldier who was serving as constable of one of the harbour guard towers in the port of Calais.
The King beckoned his knights to gather round. ‘Gentlemen, we have some treachery afoot in Calais.’ He gestured to di Pavia. ‘Tell these men what you have just told me. Do not worry, you shall be well rewarded, and you have saved your own skin in coming to us.’
Di Pavia’s fists tightened, and Thomas saw that beyond the tension the man was deeply afraid. ‘Messires, as I have told the King, Calais is in imminent danger. I wish I was not the bearer of this news, but for my honour, I had no choice.’ He licked his lips. ‘I have been approached to betray my post as the King’s liegeman, and I cannot confront these traitors on my own, so I come to tell you what has happened, and to clear my conscience. The ring I showed you is a token of my good faith and the truth of what I say, for it was given to me by the man himself as you see engraved, who wishes to betray all agreements previously made, and to enter the town by stealth and take it from you. I have no love for this man and the position in which he has put me.’ His eyes flashed with indignation. ‘I am no traitor and I would rather die than give in to this plot.’
The King handed the ring around the gathering. Thomas took it at his turn and hefted the weight. It was strong, solid gold, set with the private seal of the French knight and adventurer Sir Geoffrey de Charny, a man with a shining reputation for honour and chivalry. The irony was not lost on him.
‘What exactly is this plot?’ he asked. ‘Just how does de Charny intend to enter Calais?’
Di Pavia’s brow creased with worry. ‘It is the weather and the stage of the moon that holds them back,’ he said. ‘They are waiting for a light night and low tide. Then they will come across the marshes to my tower and knock on my door. I must givethem my son as a hostage for my good intent and in return they promise me riches beyond counting. But it is dishonourable and I do not trust them. I have agreed to their terms, but I would rather die than lose my honour!’
The King set his hand to di Pavia’s shoulder and gripped hard. ‘I am sure that is the case – I know you for a good and loyal soldier. And in my turn, I promise you will be well rewarded for your loyalty to me in refusing to be a traitor.’
The Italian nodded and looked relieved, although his body remained stiff with tension. ‘He broached this plan to me two days ago and I sailed straight here to bring you the news, but he will come very soon – there is not much time.’
‘We will have to go over there and counter it,’ Prince Edward said. ‘We will lose Calais if we do not act immediately.’
‘We must decide swiftly what to do,’ his father agreed. ‘We must go there in haste and hope we are in time.’
