Warwick, with daughters likely to be left in the matrimonial wilderness.
Edward’s first response was a hoot of laughter. “She’s old enough to be his grandmother! And thrice-wed! Isn’t young John a little intimidated at the prospect of wedding a woman who has already conveyed three husbands to the grave?”
“Not at all. And no one is pretending it’s a love match. The only point is to provide John with an income and estates commensurate with his position as brother-in-law to the king. You don’t object, do you?”
“If the principals don’t, why should I?” He was no longer amused and was looking thoughtful. No doubt it had occurred to him that the dowager duchess, Katherine Neville, was his mother’s sister, which meant that she was Warwick’s aunt too, and Warwick hadn’t taken the Maltravers match too well. “But I’m wondering what young Mowbray will have to say. Have you approached him yet?”
Young Mowbray was the third duke, a rather silly youth but technically still head of the house.
“Yes, and he was very sensible about it. He said her two subsequent marriages have taken her so far from the Mowbray name that he doesn’t care what she does.”
“I see,” he said, and stifled a yawn. “Then if all parties are agreed, I can see no impediment. Can I go to sleep now?”
I stroked his jaw with my fingers and then let them trail over the magnificent planes of his chest. “My sweet lord,” I murmured, “not yet.” And his tiredness promptly vanished.
……….
Of course Warwick had his say about the matter. As I was leaving the chapel one day, he fell into step beside me. I had no choice but to acknowledge his presence, which he obviously took to be an invitation to speak with his usual bluntness.
“You are to be congratulated, Madam. You have swept up all the noble bachelors in the kingdom,” he said, affecting a tone of utterly false jocularity.
“Naturally it is my duty to promote the interests of my family. I note how assiduously you have worked on behalf of your brothers. It is the way of the world and the world would look askance at a man or woman who failed in their familial obligations.” The only difference was that the Wydevilles were ‘upstarts’
“In my opinion, Madam, some of your kinfolk are aiming too high.”
“Well, my lord. I have come to the conclusion that at court opinions are like pins: a halfpenny for a gross.”
“Buckingham now. A duke for sister Katherine.”
I had been granted the wardships and marriages of young Henry Stafford and his brother, who had joined my household along with my own children and younger siblings. Because Edward adored me and wanted to please, after some coaxing, I had my way in that too.
“For the sister of the queen,” I pointed out. Since I had wed the king, how could anyone imply that my sister wasn’t good enough for a duke?
“You have certainly become adept at snatching up titled bachelors, not to mention ladies in their dotage,” he said, provoking a titter of laughter from among his attendants. “My lady worries about where we will find husbands for our daughters.”
“That is surely no concern of mine.”
I was no good at trading barbs and only wanted to get away from him, but as fast as I walked he had no difficulty keeping up. Then I remembered something and came to a halt, turning to that vulpine profile.
“Marriage seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. One would think I had introduced a new fashion. I hear you have proposed a double match between your two daughters and the king’s two brothers. Now that is reaching high,” I said to a gratifying smatter of laughter from my ladies.
Warwick’s half-jesting manner changed in an instant. He sucked in his breath sharply, his nostrils flaring. “It is an eminently suitable match. Where could the king’s brothers find better? More of your sisters perhaps?” he
Edward’s first response was a hoot of laughter. “She’s old enough to be his grandmother! And thrice-wed! Isn’t young John a little intimidated at the prospect of wedding a woman who has already conveyed three husbands to the grave?”
“Not at all. And no one is pretending it’s a love match. The only point is to provide John with an income and estates commensurate with his position as brother-in-law to the king. You don’t object, do you?”
“If the principals don’t, why should I?” He was no longer amused and was looking thoughtful. No doubt it had occurred to him that the dowager duchess, Katherine Neville, was his mother’s sister, which meant that she was Warwick’s aunt too, and Warwick hadn’t taken the Maltravers match too well. “But I’m wondering what young Mowbray will have to say. Have you approached him yet?”
Young Mowbray was the third duke, a rather silly youth but technically still head of the house.
“Yes, and he was very sensible about it. He said her two subsequent marriages have taken her so far from the Mowbray name that he doesn’t care what she does.”
“I see,” he said, and stifled a yawn. “Then if all parties are agreed, I can see no impediment. Can I go to sleep now?”
I stroked his jaw with my fingers and then let them trail over the magnificent planes of his chest. “My sweet lord,” I murmured, “not yet.” And his tiredness promptly vanished.
……….
Of course Warwick had his say about the matter. As I was leaving the chapel one day, he fell into step beside me. I had no choice but to acknowledge his presence, which he obviously took to be an invitation to speak with his usual bluntness.
“You are to be congratulated, Madam. You have swept up all the noble bachelors in the kingdom,” he said, affecting a tone of utterly false jocularity.
“Naturally it is my duty to promote the interests of my family. I note how assiduously you have worked on behalf of your brothers. It is the way of the world and the world would look askance at a man or woman who failed in their familial obligations.” The only difference was that the Wydevilles were ‘upstarts’
“In my opinion, Madam, some of your kinfolk are aiming too high.”
“Well, my lord. I have come to the conclusion that at court opinions are like pins: a halfpenny for a gross.”
“Buckingham now. A duke for sister Katherine.”
I had been granted the wardships and marriages of young Henry Stafford and his brother, who had joined my household along with my own children and younger siblings. Because Edward adored me and wanted to please, after some coaxing, I had my way in that too.
“For the sister of the queen,” I pointed out. Since I had wed the king, how could anyone imply that my sister wasn’t good enough for a duke?
“You have certainly become adept at snatching up titled bachelors, not to mention ladies in their dotage,” he said, provoking a titter of laughter from among his attendants. “My lady worries about where we will find husbands for our daughters.”
“That is surely no concern of mine.”
I was no good at trading barbs and only wanted to get away from him, but as fast as I walked he had no difficulty keeping up. Then I remembered something and came to a halt, turning to that vulpine profile.
“Marriage seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. One would think I had introduced a new fashion. I hear you have proposed a double match between your two daughters and the king’s two brothers. Now that is reaching high,” I said to a gratifying smatter of laughter from my ladies.
Warwick’s half-jesting manner changed in an instant. He sucked in his breath sharply, his nostrils flaring. “It is an eminently suitable match. Where could the king’s brothers find better? More of your sisters perhaps?” he
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