Виктория Холт - Epitaph for Three Women

He noticed then that Bedford’s companion was Anne. Burgundy studied his sister as though seeing her for the first time. She has a stately air, he thought; and she is comely. It struck him that Bedford seemed to think so too. He was talking to Anne with the utmost respect and somehow gave the impression that he regarded her as a very great lady.

That pleased Burgundy. So he should, of course; but he must not forget that Bedford was a very important man. Many would say the most important in France at this time.

Anne was eighteen. There had been offers for her but their father had always been too occupied with other matters to give them the consideration they deserved. There is time, he used to say; and as Anne showed little enthusiasm for them they had been set aside. He supposed it was now his duty to find a good match for Anne.

He went down to greet Bedford, trying to hide his wariness as he wondered what had brought the Regent to him in this informal manner.

‘I have long wished to talk with you,’ said Bedford. ‘There are several matters of importance which I want to lay before you.’

Anne inclined her head towards Bedford and smiling at him said she would leave him with the Duke.

Bedford’s eyes followed her as she disappeared.

‘Your sister is a charming and gracious lady,’ he said.

‘Oh, yes, I agree. It is good of you to come to see me. Have they taken your horse? Have you friends with you? Have they looked after you?’

‘Only a party of six. They are in the stables now. I do not imagine my affairs will take long.’

‘Then come in. You must refresh yourself.’

‘Thank you, my lord.’

‘You have come from Paris?’

Bedford nodded.

‘You will take wine now. I hope you will dine with us.’

‘I will take a little wine. Then I will be off. I want to be on my way before nightfall.’

Wine was brought and looking into his goblet Bedford began: ‘I would ask your advice. This country is in a sorry state.’

‘The country has fought a bitter war … and lost,’ said Burgundy.

‘I sometimes wonder if any country ever truly wins. War brings hardships.’

‘ ’Twere a pity your brother … and those before him did not consider this before making war on France.’

‘Alas, it was not only the English who were making war in France.’

The Duke nodded gloomily.

‘We want to undo the effects of war as quickly as we can. I want to bring prosperity back.’

‘You have yet to face the Dauphin who calls himself King Charles VII.’ Burgundy’s face grew dark when he mentioned the Dauphin’s name and Bedford noticed that with pleasure. There was a hatred there which would never pass. Bedford rejoiced in what had happened on Montereau Bridge; it had made Burgundy the Dauphin’s enemy for ever and any enemy of the Dauphin must be a potential friend for the English.

‘We will deal with him, my lord Duke. He is a nuisance, nothing more. I have no great respect for that young man.’

Burgundy was silent.

‘The currency has been greatly debased,’ went on Bedford. ‘I want to encourage trade. Rouen has been sadly battered.’

‘The siege all but destroyed it,’ agreed Burgundy.

‘Aye, a great and valiant people. My brother had deep respect for the citizens of Rouen.’

‘I know it. They would have fired the city rather than surrender it.’

‘And he was lenient with them. Like the great conqueror he was he was always merciful in victory.’

‘And what would you ask of me?’

‘Advice … and help.’

There was silence. Burgundy was no fool. He knew the reason for this flattering show of deference. Bedford wanted to make sure of his friendship. And yet they respected each other. They must do: Bedford to come here and speak almost humbly; and Burgundy to shed his haughty indifference enough to listen.

‘I want to let the people of Rouen know that I plan to revive the woollen trade. I want to make them prosperous again.’

‘That is the best way to win their favour, my lord.’

‘I thought you would agree. I want your help in doing this. I want you to advise me. You know these French better than I ever can. A prosperous country and an end to strife … that will be good for Burgundy no less than France.’

‘It is true enough.’

‘Then to reform the currency, to get the wool trade on its feet again. Then there are the silk weavers of Paris …’

‘You do not talk like a soldier.’

‘Nay, it will please me to have done with wars. Would that please you too, my lord? To live in peace and prosperity … is that not to be preferred to the ravages of war?’

‘If it can be achieved with honour, most certainly.’

‘I want you to help me achieve it with honour.’

Burgundy was pleased and he made no attempt to disguise the fact.

‘You speak good sense … Regent,’ he said, and Bedford felt he was getting on very well.

‘There is one other matter,’ he said. ‘Your sister.’

Burgundy narrowed his eyes and regarded Bedford somewhat sardonically. Now he understood the meaning of this show of friendship.

‘I have seen little of her, too little. But it is enough. She impresses me greatly. Perhaps I am a sentimental man. My brother was the same. He took one look at Katherine and was in love with her.’

Burgundy smiled but it was not an unpleasant smile. ‘I think, my lord, he was more than a little in love with the crown of France.’

‘There you speak truth. But he delighted in Katherine. He said he was the luckiest man on earth because he would have them both … the crown and Katherine. And let me tell you this, my lord Duke: if the King of France had had no daughter my brother would still have had the crown of France. Nay, he took one look at Katherine and was in love with her. Thus do I feel regarding your fair sister.’

‘Like Katherine my sister has much to recommend her.’

‘My brother had a crown to offer Katherine. She is Queen of England now and was as soon as she married my brother. I cannot offer your sister a crown, but I can give her almost anything else she might desire.’

‘It may be that she will not desire you, my lord. Have you thought of that?’

‘Yes, I have,’ said Bedford, ‘and so great is my esteem for her that I would not have her forced to a marriage if it were distasteful to her.’

‘You are a gallant suitor, my lord Regent.’

‘She fills my thoughts. My brother was a simple man, and so am I. Perhaps like him I lack the ability to make flowery courtship but my heart is sturdy none the less and my feelings go deep.’

‘Then you would take my sister without a great dowry, I daresay.’

Just a moment’s hesitation then Bedford said: ‘I would not demand what the great House of Burgundy could not give but knowing its wealth and power I doubt it would wish one of its daughters to be sent to her husband like some low-born woman.’

Burgundy began to laugh.

‘You have approached my sister?’ he asked.

Bedford shook his head, and looked shocked. ‘My lord Duke, I am surprised you could suggest I should be capable of such indiscretion.’

‘Nay, I did not think you would for I fancy you would not wish to displease me.’

‘It is the last thing I would wish.’

Burgundy nodded. It all made sense. Cement friendship with Burgundy. It was the wisest way Bedford could act. His respect for the Regent had always been there; it was growing fast.

And it would be wise. By God’s Head, thought Burgundy, if I stood with the English what chance would that miserable little monster who calls himself the King of France have against us?

He would see him humbled. It would be a shock for the silly young fool when he heard that Burgundy’s sister was betrothed to Regent Bedford.

‘You raise my hopes, my lord Duke,’ Bedford was saying.

‘Such matters cannot be decided in a moment.’

‘Nay, but I see you are prepared to give consideration to this.’

‘It would depend on my sister Anne. I know not what she feels about the English.’

‘She seemed ready to show friendship to this Englishman.’

Burgundy nodded.

‘If you gave your consent,’ went on Bedford, ‘if we could come to some arrangement agreeable to us both I should be the happiest of men.’

It was clear that Burgundy was not ill pleased with the idea. Now was the time for John to hint at the matter which was the real reason for his seeking this interview with the Duke of Burgundy.

‘I have heard disturbing news of my brother Humphrey,’ he began.

Burgundy raised his eyebrows. He was clearly surprised by the change in the conversation.

‘Oh, forgive me burdening you with these matters. But the lady concerned is a connection of yours … in a manner of speaking … and this affair is much on my mind. You know my brother is of a somewhat impetuous nature. It was a source of great anxiety to my brother Henry. Humphrey acts first and then faces the consequences afterwards. They are not always pleasant. To tell the truth he has made a foolish marriage … or not in truth a marriage … but it could be awkward. It is the lady in question, you see.’

‘What lady is this? Is she of my acquaintance?’

‘Well … she is in truth a kinswoman of yours. I refer to Jacqueline of Bavaria.’ The Duke was astounded.

‘Married!’ he cried. ‘Did you say … married to your brother Humphrey!’

‘I did.’

‘It’s nonsense. She is married to Brabant so how can she be married to your brother Gloucester?’

‘It seems there has been some sort of annulment.’ Burgundy looked as though he was going to strike his guest. It was clear that he was deeply shocked. John congratulated himself on having put him in a mellow mood before he gave this news.

‘Annulment!’ cried Burgundy. ‘How could that be?’

He had arranged the marriage between his cousin of Brabant and Jacqueline who was also his cousin and he had his eyes on those important territories Hainault, Holland and Zealand. It was not going to be difficult for powerful Burgundy to wrest them from the one-time Bishop of Liège and soon he had thought they would be back where they belonged – ostensibly with Brabant which meant with Burgundy.

Bedford was eager to soothe him. ‘It is not a true annulment. Benedict XIII pronounced it.’

Burgundy was relieved.

‘Ah, it is no true marriage then,’ he said.

‘You can understand my anxiety,’ said John.

‘Your brother clearly has his eyes on her lands. What does he propose to do? To attempt to take them?’

‘He will plan that most likely. But whether he will carry it out, who knows. He tires easily of his projects.’

Burgundy was clearly disturbed.

‘I shall find some way of dealing with him,’ said Bedford. ‘I am sure I can rely on your help.’

‘You may rest assured that I shall not allow my cousin to be treated in this way. Those lands came to him with his wife.’

‘ ’Twas a pity Brabant passed them over so lightly to the old Bishop of Liège.’

‘Like your brother he is not always wise.’

They looked earnestly at each other. ‘We shall know how to deal with this matter,’ said Bedford.

As he rode away he was congratulating himself on his cleverness. He had broken the news of Gloucester’s folly to Burgundy himself, for it would never have done for the Duke to hear of it from another source, and he had turned it to good account, he believed. It might even have strengthened the bond between himself and Philip of Burgundy.

LIFE was pleasant at Windsor. Katherine knew that it could not go on like that. She would not be allowed to keep her baby to herself and live apart from ceremony. There had already been one occasion when she had had to take Henry to London for the meeting of the Parliament. So ironical it had seemed to have the King present, arriving in his mother’s arms, lying there looking with interest at those around him, laughing suddenly as though he found the proceedings ridiculous and then dropping off to sleep as if he found it after all unworthy of further attention.

How the people had cheered as she had ridden through the streets seated on a kind of moving throne drawn by white horses. Afterwards she had sat with her baby on her knees while the lords came up one by one to salute him, and they all said he had behaved with becoming gravity which was an indication of future wisdom.