The Everlasting Covenant (49 page)

It was a full ten days before her husband left Westminster with Gloucester. Anne let all the emotion flood from her then, when Clifton was far away and could not question her. To have Dylan love another was almost as painful as the thought that he might wait for her and be lonely for the rest of his life. She tried to remember the exact tilt of Dylan
’
s head, the glint in his eyes. Did he love another now, finally? It was a look of parting, she told herself. She had told him she loved him no more. In eleven years she might have glanced at him eleven times. Nothing could endure as long as that. There was no point in keeping the flame of hope alive, Clifton was not ancient or doddering and he was secure in his possession.

In the following days she turned her attention to Deirdre, almost hoping Dylan had likewise joined the duke
’
s campaign to Scotland. She was not sure she could bear even another look.

Deirdre had only been with the court for a few months, but she had thrived during that time, and Anne knew she had been right to get her daughter away from Clifton and Ayliffe. Deirdre had changed
–
she had grown into a woman. In November an especially festive celebration following a noble wedding was held at Westminster, hosted by the queen
’
s company. There were plentiful food, drink, music, games, and dancing. The young people enjoyed it more than their elders. She had not seen Dylan nor Lady Daphne in the room, and was happily watching the performance of a dance.

Deirdre was led to the floor by a handsome young courtier, and Anne lifted a brow, smiling, actually hoping. Deirdre danced with skill, something she had obviously learned at court. She was a magnificent beauty
--
lithe, graceful, stunningly attrac
tive with her golden hair, her warm brown eyes, and pink lips. Her eyes were focused on the young man with a look that Anne suddenly realized was not only adoring, but familiar.

All at once the music seemed distant and Anne
’
s head was
filled with other sounds, sounds that were not in the room. There were voices from her past, stories told about her at court, whispers, music that had no real melody, wind and the crashing of the sea against the rock. Her vision began to blur slightly. Then, beyond Deirdre in the distance, amidst the gallery of observers, she saw Dylan. There was no Elise Debarge on his arm tonight. Not far from him stood Daphne. She was transfixed by the imaginary triangle the three of them seemed to form around the dancing couple
--
all three of them watching with sad, pained eyes. Her head pounded with the voices, the sounds, the music. Her hands trembled with sudden vision. She asked herself, why, why, why.

“
Madam, I should like to present Sir Justin deFrayne,
”
Deirdre said, smiling.

Again and again it happened. First with Daphne and Ferris, then with Anne and Dylan, and now
--
Deirdre.

“
Madam? Mother?
”

“
Ah,
”
she sighed, shaking herself.
“
A pleasure, sir knight,
”
she said, extending a hand to be kissed. Deirdre looked at her mother in bemusement and then, shaking her head patiently, pulled her young escort away from Anne, going again to the dance.

She felt a hand on her elbow. She turned her own tearing, bewildered eyes to find Daphne looking at her with sympathy.
“
There is only one way to finally stop it, my dear,
”
she said, her soft voice still clear and youthful, though Daphne was nearly seventy. The dowager was stately still and, though of small build, she emanated a feeling of strength and power. Anne could not respond, but only looked at the older woman in shock, amazement.
“
I don
’
t know why it keeps happening, over and over again. Perhaps it is only because it has been so long for
bidden. Who can say?
”

“
But ..
. Deirdre does not know--
”

Daphne turned Anne so that they looked at the young couple together. Deirdre and Justin laughed, touched cautiously, looked deeply into each other
’
s eyes. Among the observers on the other
side of the room, Dylan also watched them. He did not attempt to approach Anne, although he surely must know that Clifton was not present.

“
If this goes on, forbidden as it has been,
”
Daphne said,
“
have you any idea of the terrible possibilities we face? Aye, we all thought we were
the first, and most forlorn ..
. but look. One day, will brothers and sisters fall in love? Had Dylan had a daughter, would Sloan love her?
”

Anne
’
s head jerked in Daphne
’
s direction. She knew! But Daphne did not respond to Anne
’
s shock.

“
Perhaps it will be Deirdre
’
s child, or her grandchild. What
ever this is, whatever pulls these opposing families together, seems to be forever sealed with the secrets of greater powers, but it happens over and over again. End it, dear Anne. Let them have each other.
”

Anne listened, but her eyes were locked into Dylan
’
s, though the distance was great. There was a faint smile on his lips, but hers were slightly parted in wonder, awe. How does this happen?

“
My husband,
”
she said, her voice trembling like a young girl
’
s.
“
He will never allow ...
”

“
Sometimes we must take grave risks. Perhaps there is a greater plan.
”

Anne looked back to the young couple, and beyond them.

“
He will not approach you,
”
Daphne said.
“
I am to tell you that if you need his help, only send word. He is at your call.
”

Help,
Anne thought.
Not love
... he did not tell his mother to pass the word that she should call only if she needed his love. Oh, and she needed love as never before. After all the hard years with Clifton, all the loneliness, all the regret.
But it was help he offered ..
. because she struggled alone to protect his sons. Dylan was still a man of honor, though undoubtedly he had finally overcome their youthful covenant.

She turned toward the older woman then, regaining her for
mer composure and determination.
“
Oh, madam, not again,
”
she said passionately.

“
My dear Anne, not only again, but it appears until the end
of time.
”
Daphne laughed lightly.
“
Do you doubt that they will find a way? Do we give thanks, or curse the gods? Or ... do we simply not question these strange miracles?
”

“
Madam, there is nothing
I
can do! Sir Cliff will surely be driven to madness by this!
”

Daphne frowned and squeezed Anne
’
s hand.
“
Do be cautious, my sweet child. I could not bear to see you hurt.
”

Chapter E
ighteen

Sir Clifton
returned from the Scottish campaign in an exhilarated mood. During his years of hovering protec
tively over Anne, he had personally avoided every major royal call to arms by sending soldiers in his stead. In the midst of his melancholy, while he suffered the feeling that his fighting days were fast fleeing, Gloucester demanded his support. Once the choice was taken from Clifton, he found new promise in revis
iting the field. He had done well, laid waste to every town en route to Edinburgh, and was highly sung as a glorious warrior. He was created the baron of Wressel, and though it was not much, and far to the north for better access to the Scottish border, he was full of his good fortune. Additionally, a court that had snubbed him when they did not ignore him completely now sang his praises. England was always and forever impressed with men who could fight battles and win. The young duke, the king
’
s brother, favored Clifton.

Clifton did not wish to retire to Ayliffe. The quiet of the coun
try did not appeal to him now. He had business in the north with Gloucester, and business at Westminster with the king. Dylan deFrayne was not present, and Clifton was free to enjoy
himself. Anne watched her husband warily. An interest in pol
itics, in playing these courtly games, was a side of Clifton she had never before seen. For the first time since they had married, he wished to remain with the court for the holiday festivities.

“
And what of Wressel? Are there lands, keeps?
”
she asked.

“
There is a property, the keep is li
ttle more than a fortification –
thick walls that can hold a thousand men, but no luxuries what
ever. I would not put a family there. But, it would do as a property for Gage.
”

“
Need you be there?
”
she asked.

He laughed.
“
Nay, madam, my work is to provide armies, amass la
nds. Richard depends on me now –
he wishes more of me. I will transfer some of Ayliffe
’
s men to Wressel, for now.
”

“
For ..
. now?
”

“
Perhaps I should call Sloan home. I will need him.
”
He laughed again.
“
He will need me.
”

She frowned slightly. Ambition did not seem to fit well on Clifton. But his mood was so high, his excitement so fierce, she said nothing. It was the first time they had ever been away from Ayliffe that he did not scan the crowds for a glimpse of Dylan deFrayne. Clifton had not even
asked her his usual questions –
it was almost as if his jealousy was forgotten because he had some recognition from the royal family. Taking this as a good sign, she brought up the subject of Deirdre.

“
My daughter has been courted by a young man of some considerable worth and repute, my lord,
”
she said cautiously. Clifton raised a brow and waited.
“
Sir Justin deFrayne.
”

His eyes hardened and he held silent for a long time, staring at her. He knew nothing about Justin, as far as Anne knew, but he knew that Dylan had no sons he could claim.
“
Nay,
”
he said finally.
“
No deFraynes.
”

“
Your quarrel has never been with
--
”

“
Nay!
”

Anne looked down into her lap, feeling a familiar tightening in her stomach. Silence as thick as fog hung between them. When Clifton did speak, it was of other things.

“
Ayliffe does not need so many –
we will move a number of
men to the demesne that the earl settled upon Sloan. He should begin to command them soon. When I must call on Sloan
’
s arms, he should
be ready. He is old enough ..
. and quite soon I will be commanding both my boys and their arms.

“
I commanded a sizable troop when I was little older than Sloan,
”
he went on.
“
At Ayliffe, do you remember? I was already saddled with that whiny bastard, Brainard. Ha! Brainard, the slimy lizard. We do not often hear tales of his doings
--
you may thank me for that. His banishment from Ayliffe could not have been supported so well by anyone else.
”

She wanted to ask him if he had ever considered what would happen if she died, but she held her tongue. Brainard
’
s title was, thus far, secure under King Edward. Brainard would return to Ayliffe one day, possibly with royal support for his claim, to do the like to Clifton. Anne, alone, but for Brainard himself, held the secret that Brainard was not a legitimate heir. And she held it for Sloan
’
s sake. She thought that Clifton was oblivious to the greater complications of his life, but she was wrong.

“
Soon, when the moment is right, I will have a long talk with Richard about Ayliffe
’
s heir. Brainard has not been within the wall in many years, and he proved himself a traitor during the Warwick uprisings. Sloan would be better placed as the next earl. I think it can be fixed so.
”

Her husband rattled on about his plans. He would wait upon the king for a while, send a letter to Sloan to bring him home from Calais, take Gage with him as he installed his forces around various family holdings in England
--
all holdings that belonged to Anne and her children, with the exception of this new prize of Wressel.

She poured wine while he talked and carried a goblet to him. He took it from her, his eyes lively as he figured his plans aloud, pausing only to take a gulp.
She used his pause, perhaps un
wisely.

“
Deirdre is my daughter. I will wed her where I feel Lord Forbes would have wished.
”

He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes darkening with anger. She did not even see him raise his large hand, but he
slapped her fast and hard across the face, causing her to drop her own goblet of blood-red wine and reel backward.

“
No deFraynes,
”
he stormed.
“
Not now, not ever!
”

***

Christmas passed as Clifton hung close to the court. Glouces
ter had retired to Yorkshire for the winter, the king
’
s son was with Anthony, Lord Rivers, at Ludlow Castle, Dylan had taken Justin out of harm
’
s way to Nowlan, and Clifton had the king as much to himself as he ever might. Anne penned all the many letters that Clifton wished to send to the Duke of Gloucester and others. Although she found her husband
’
s politics inexpe
rienced and clumsy, she finally knew that the only thing worse than Clifton
’
s jealousy was his ambition. Once she had suffered be
cause he was overly possessive –
now she would suffer because he had many plans to elevate himself.

“
If Richard Woodville can be elevated to the post of Lord Rivers through his daughter
’
s marriage, and if Anthony, only a simple knight himself, can assume his father
’
s title and become the governor of Ludlow
–
if young Grey can become the Marquis of Dorset, I can in like assume a higher station through my guardianship of Ayliffe, and the marriage of Deirdre, and per
haps even Sloan and Gage.
”

Clifton failed, in his dissertation, to name the important con
nection the Woodvilles had to this fast-rising wealth and power. They were the queen
’
s family. She did not bother to tell him it mattered not to anyone, least of all the king and Richard of Gloucester, whom Deirdre wed. While Anne lived, Clifton com
manded ten thousand Ayliffe men.

“
King Edward loved Lord Forbes. ... I do not know if we should expect him to expel the heir
--
”

“
Lord Forbes has been dead a long time. Did you think I would be content to be your lackey forever? Nay, we will see this done my way, and you will not argue.
”

Over the winter Clifton had slowly developed an intense infatuation with the court and began copying their habits. Whereas he had once served the king at a great distance, now he wished
to be a close vassal. While her husband enjoyed Edward
’
s heavy tables and full casks of drink, Anne went to Elizabeth.

“
The feud between the families is alive again in my husband,
”
Anne told the queen.
“
He hates all deFraynes, though he is pledged to King Edward, and
the deFraynes have a strong rep
utation for loyalty to the king. He should welcome such an association, but he forbids it.
”

“
Your husband.
”
Elizabeth huffed.
“
He has lately become quite a figure in the king
’
s company.
”
Elizabeth curled her lips slightly, obvious in her distaste.
“
I had thought to help you by approving your request to wed the knight, but now I wonder. I liked him better before we became acquainted. How can you curb his passion for a title?
”

“
I cannot, Your Majesty. Clifton listens to me least of all. But for Deirdre I would have young deFrayne, despite my husband
’
s protests. DeFrayne is rich
and strong ..
. and loyal to the crown.
”

“
Humph, it says something of your husband
’
s own loyalty that he will not approve the marriage for you. I think he puts his own desires ahead of the realm.
”

“
If approval does not come by your hand, Your Majesty, I cannot see them wed.
”

“
My hand?
”
The queen laughed ruefully.
“
And what will his hand deal you, my lady?
”

“
Perhaps the king ..
.
”

“
If Shore
’
s wife puts his majesty in a soft mood, I will have a royal seal delivered to you, sanctioning the marriage.
”
Mistress Jane Shore was the king
’
s mistress, and Anne almost smiled to think that Elizabeth was clever enough to control her own jeal
ousy and use the situation to an advantage.
“
I would prefer to have one of the Ayliffe heirs settled with a deFrayne than to see my husband bequeath more power to Sir Clifton. Deirdre
’
s dowry is fat, with one of the king
’
s best vassals putting it to use, my son
’
s future in this realm is more secure. DeFrayne it shall be.
”

Anne received the document bearing the royal seal within a fortnight. Justin deFrayne was not in London, and Anne did not tell poor Deirdre, but had to let the brokenhearted lass endure
the belief that she was forbidden to have her chosen knight. Anne had to bide her time past the new year and into early spring, waiting for an opportunity to take Deirdre to Justin. Clifton was busy at court and would not leave Westminster.

After returning from a hunting trip in March, King Edward fell ill. On April 9, 1483, he died. He was only forty years old, but he had lived a life of drink, gluttony, and general decadence for at least the last five years. To Clifton, who felt he had only just discovered life in his own decadence and ambition, the death came hard.

To Anne, the death came harder still, for she had not seen her daughter wed in time.

“
I
must ride to Gloucester,
”
Clifton informed Anne.
“
He is the protector of the princes and I need to be his ally now. Time is short.
”

“
Why, Clifton?
”
she asked. “
The princes are young, Richard will be their guardian for a long time.
”

“
Time is short for me,
”
he said angrily.
“
I am older than Edward –
I do not wish to die as a simple knight.
”