It was true that Elizabeth was at her most beautiful that day. The excitement of this project had set the faintest colour in her cheeks so that she looked like a statue that was just coming to life. That touch of animation enhanced her charm and even Jacquetta who was more than prepared for it was again astonished by the beauty of her daughter.

‘None will be able to resist you,’ she said, ‘if you play your part well.’

It was a short walk to the oak-tree.

The boys were asking questions. Why were they going there? Was it some game?

‘We shall see the huntsmen ride by if we are lucky.’

That pleased them. They were both eager to see the huntsmen ride by.

She came to the oak-tree. It was a great sight, that tree, standing apart as it did from the others. It had a majestic air, an air of grandeur almost as though it had set itself apart and forbidden others to approach.

The morning wore on. The boys were getting impatient when suddenly they heard the baying of the dogs and the galloping hoofs of the horses.

With a fast beating heart she stepped out from under the shade of the oak. She saw them emerge from the trees. They were coming this way.

She took her sons by the hand and stood waiting.

Edward was slightly ahead of the others. He saw her standing there with the sun gleaming in her golden hair and glinting on the silver girdle at her little waist.

She looked like a goddess in her simple blue gown and Edward thought he had never seen such a beautiful woman.

He pulled up sharply.

‘God’s mercy,’ he cried. ‘What do you here, lady?’

She knelt and her beautiful hair fell forward sweeping the ground. She whispered to her children to kneel also.

‘Lady,’ said Edward, ‘I beg you rise. I see you know me.’

She shifted her beautiful blue-grey eyes to his and said: ‘My lord, who could fail to know you? You are distinguished among all other men.’

Edward laughed. ‘You have not told me what you do here.’

‘I am Lady Grey,’ said Elizabeth. ‘These are my sons. My husband was killed at St Albans.’

‘Grey,’ said the King, noting the sweep of golden lashes against her smooth delicate skin. ‘Can he be Rivers’ son-in-law?’

‘It is so, my lord.’

‘And you are Rivers’ daughter?’

She bowed her head.

‘He must be a proud man to have such a daughter ... a proud man but a misguided one. Lady Grey, what would you have of me?’

‘My lord King, I come here to beg you to restore my husband’s estates to me.’

‘You have a strange opinion of me, Lady Grey, if you believe I will give estates to those who have shown themselves to be my enemies.’

‘I never was,’ she said with a hint of passion. ‘Nor were these innocent boys.’

The party had arrived and were waiting nearby watching. Many a covert grin was exchanged. The woman was a beauty and everyone knew Edward’s inclinations. It was clever of her to find such a way of bringing herself to his notice. And she looked very appealing standing there holding the boys by the hand.

‘It is a sad thing,’ said Edward, ‘when widows and orphans must suffer for the sins of their husbands and fathers.’

‘My lord, if you can see your way ...’

Edward leaned forward and touched her hair. He let a strand of it linger in his hand.

‘I can consider this,’ he said. ‘I do not care to see beautiful ladies in distress.’

He was gone. She stood there under the oak-tree watching him ride away. Then she walked slowly back to the manor.

Jacquetta was waiting for her.

‘Well, well?’ she asked eagerly.

‘I saw the King.’

Jacquetta clasped her hands. ‘And what said he?’

‘He was kind.’

‘And will restore the estates?’

‘It was a sort of promise. I daresay he will forget he made it within the hour.’

‘My heart tells me that we shall hear more of this,’ said Jacquetta.


It was late afternoon when a rider came clattering into the stables of Grafton Manor.

He leaped from his horse and called to a bewildered groom to take it. Then he strode into the house.

He stood in the hall and his voice echoed up to the vaulted ceiling.

‘Is no one at home?’

Jacquetta appeared.

‘A traveller?’ she said. ‘Are you seeking shelter, my lord?’

‘The answer to both those questions is Yes, dear lady.’

Jacquetta descended. ‘We are humble in our ways,’ she said, ‘but never turn travellers from the door.’

‘I knew that you would offer me right good hospitality.’

‘Do you require a bed for the night?’ asked Jacquetta.

‘There is nothing I desire more,’ was the answer.

‘Then you shall have it. We sup shortly.’

‘My lady, you overwhelm me with your goodness. Tell me, is your lord at home? Have you a family?’

‘My lord is from home and my daughter is with me. A widow who has lost her estates because her husband was fighting on the wrong side at St Albans.’

‘A pitiful story.’

‘Pitiful indeed, my lord, that she should be punished for something in which she was not allowed a choice.’

‘She is a Yorkist at heart?’

‘My lord, have you seen the King? One only has to look at him to know that he is the man England needs.’

Elizabeth had appeared on the stairs. She was still wearing the blue gown which she had worn in the forest and her hair was loosely tied with blue ribbons to match the colour of her dress.

The traveller stared at her.

He was smiling. ‘I have met your daughter before, my lady.’

Elizabeth descended the stairs and coming to stand before the man who could not take his eyes from her she knelt.

‘Elizabeth ...’ began Jacquetta.

‘My lady,’ said Elizabeth, ‘do you not know that this is the King?’

Jacquetta, having known all the time and having expected him to do just this, feigned to be overcome by embarrassment – which she did so well that if she had not known her better Elizabeth might have believed genuine.

‘Pray rise, dear lady,’ said Edward, ‘that I may look on your face for by my very faith I never saw a fairer.’

‘We are overwhelmed by the honour of your visit,’ said Elizabeth, ‘and filled with hope for I think it means you are ready to give an ear to my request.’

‘I would be inclined to grant any request you made to me.’

‘You are gracious indeed.’

‘My lord,’ said Jacquetta, ‘are you alone?’

‘I am, dear lady.’

‘I was wondering how we could feed a party. It is rare I think that you travel thus.’

‘My friends are not far away. I escape their attentions sometimes and then they know better than to attempt to stop me.’

Jacquetta asked leave to retire. She must give orders to the servants. Perhaps Elizabeth would speak with the King while a room was prepared for him. He must indeed take them for what they were – impoverished by the war.

‘And being on the wrong side,’ added Edward with a smile.

‘Not all of us, my lord,’ said Jacquetta; and left him with Elizabeth.

‘Would you care to sit down, my lord,’ said Elizabeth. ‘My mother will not be long.’

She led the way to a window seat and sat down; he was beside her.

When he took her hand and kissed it, she withdrew it with a hint of haughtiness. She was wondering whether this was a clever project after all. She might regain her estates but the King would want to strike a bargain and all knew the kind of bargains he would be likely to make with attractive women.

‘I trust the hunt was successful,’ she said.

‘I know not whether it was or was not. My thoughts were all of an encounter under an oak-tree. By God’s Faith when I saw you standing there I thought I had never seen a more lovely sight in the whole of my life.’

‘I am sure my lord has seen many such pictures that attracted him. If one is to believe ...’

‘The rumours about me. Never believe rumour, dear lady. It always lies.’

‘Does it not have some foundation in truth?’

‘That must be admitted but should we not beware of exaggeration?’

‘Always,’ she said. ‘I am one to prefer plain truth.’

‘Then you are a lady after my own heart. To tell you the truth your beauty has overwhelmed me.’

‘You said you would consider my poverty.’

‘It is a crime that one so beautiful should be poor.’

‘You could change that with a stroke of a pen, my lord.’

‘So could I, and so am I inclined to. I believe we can find a solution to these matters. We must talk of it, get to know each other. It was for that reason that I called on you this day.’

‘It was a most gracious act.’

He had moved a little closer to her. ‘I hope we shall be even more gracious to each other.’

Oh no, thought Elizabeth, this is moving too fast. Surely this was not what my mother intended? I am not going to be one of that army of women who share his favours for a week, even if it means the return of my estates. He must be reminded that my mother is of the noble House of Luxembourg even if my father is of little account – and a Lancastrian at that.

She was relieved to see that her mother had come back to the hall.

‘I have told them all what an illustrious visitor we have. My lord, you will have to forgive their clumsiness, for they are overwhelmed by the honour. We did not expect this ... in our wildest dreams. You must I fear take us as we are.’

‘There is nothing,’ said Edward, his eyes on Elizabeth, ‘that would please me more.’