chosen because he lightened Henry's mood. They gambled together with straws or pebbles as stakes, because Brandon was really penniless and Henry had not a penny to waste on play. They played crude jokes on others, roaring so infectiously with laughter that the butt of the jest joined the fun rather than taking offense. Henry always seemed younger and more human in Brandon's company. When he and William appeared together, men relaxed and spoke more freely than when Henry was alone.
To the constraint that most men felt in Henry's presence, Edward Poynings was an exception. Jasper reasoned correctly that his fearlessness had recommended him to Henry's notice. Besides this, however, there was outwardly nothing to set him apart from the many other gentlemen refugees. True, he was a big man, almost as strong and almost as good with lance and sword as Brandon, but so were many others. He had no notable special talents, no family or friends of great influence, and nothing beyond respect marked his manner to Henry. Yet of all the group, he was the one most often sent for in the dark watches of the night, and Jasper had once or twice seen a fleeting expression of pity and pride on his face when Henry had spoken to him and passed on.
Except for warning Henry against Dorset, however, Jasper had not expressed his opinion about his nephew's choice of advisers. More and more Jasper followed Henry's orders without comment and was satisfied to do so, satisfied that what Henry decided was best. He felt no resentment. It seemed such a natural thing, because Henry's manner was as sure and authoritative as that of the best of reigning monarchs'.
When Jasper thought of the situation at all, he felt only astonishment that the tiny infant he had not believed would live, the loving child he had played with, had grown into such a man. Yet both the frailty and the love were still present, Jasper was reminded as he came into Henry's chamber in response to a summons. Henry was too pale, and mauve rings of fatigue showed under his eyes, but he smiled gaily and took Jasper's warm hands into his cold ones.
"Uncle, I do not see enough of you."
"I have been busy—on your affairs, Harry."
"I know," Henry sighed. For a fraction of a second he looked uncertain. "Will we ever have time to talk and laugh as we used to?" Jasper made no reply, and Henry's troubled expression was replaced by a mischievous smile. "It is time to sting Richard again. Are you willing to put your neck in a noose for me?"
"Why not? A man can lose but one head, and mine is forfeit on my own account. I have little to fear in serving you."
Henry had not released Jasper's hands and now pulled him closer to kiss him. "You make yourself always less than you are. Uncle, I would have you summon every Englishman of note who is committed to my cause to be at the cathedral at Rennes on Christmas Day."
"Secretly?"
"No. If there are any spies of Richard's among us, give them every chance to be present. The more, the merrier. I will have all those present swear fealty and do me homage as if I were already crowned king."
Jasper did not question the bold move but set about his task. When he arrived at Rennes, he realized that Henry and his council had also been busy. By and large the refugees were a ragged lot, but they would not appear so on the great day. Rich clothing and masses of jewels had been begged and borrowed from wherever available, and those too destitute to provide their own finery were appareled in borrowed plumes. The richly clad, bejeweled mass would make a brave show of power and plenty.
They were fortunate in everything, for Christmas Day dawned bright and clear. The rich colors of the robes glowed, the jewels glittered, spirits were lifted by the frosty air, and the voices of the choir sounded like those of angels filling the heavens. The interior of the cathedral, so oppressive and gloomy on a bleak day, was transformed into glory by the sun, which patterned its interior
To the constraint that most men felt in Henry's presence, Edward Poynings was an exception. Jasper reasoned correctly that his fearlessness had recommended him to Henry's notice. Besides this, however, there was outwardly nothing to set him apart from the many other gentlemen refugees. True, he was a big man, almost as strong and almost as good with lance and sword as Brandon, but so were many others. He had no notable special talents, no family or friends of great influence, and nothing beyond respect marked his manner to Henry. Yet of all the group, he was the one most often sent for in the dark watches of the night, and Jasper had once or twice seen a fleeting expression of pity and pride on his face when Henry had spoken to him and passed on.
Except for warning Henry against Dorset, however, Jasper had not expressed his opinion about his nephew's choice of advisers. More and more Jasper followed Henry's orders without comment and was satisfied to do so, satisfied that what Henry decided was best. He felt no resentment. It seemed such a natural thing, because Henry's manner was as sure and authoritative as that of the best of reigning monarchs'.
When Jasper thought of the situation at all, he felt only astonishment that the tiny infant he had not believed would live, the loving child he had played with, had grown into such a man. Yet both the frailty and the love were still present, Jasper was reminded as he came into Henry's chamber in response to a summons. Henry was too pale, and mauve rings of fatigue showed under his eyes, but he smiled gaily and took Jasper's warm hands into his cold ones.
"Uncle, I do not see enough of you."
"I have been busy—on your affairs, Harry."
"I know," Henry sighed. For a fraction of a second he looked uncertain. "Will we ever have time to talk and laugh as we used to?" Jasper made no reply, and Henry's troubled expression was replaced by a mischievous smile. "It is time to sting Richard again. Are you willing to put your neck in a noose for me?"
"Why not? A man can lose but one head, and mine is forfeit on my own account. I have little to fear in serving you."
Henry had not released Jasper's hands and now pulled him closer to kiss him. "You make yourself always less than you are. Uncle, I would have you summon every Englishman of note who is committed to my cause to be at the cathedral at Rennes on Christmas Day."
"Secretly?"
"No. If there are any spies of Richard's among us, give them every chance to be present. The more, the merrier. I will have all those present swear fealty and do me homage as if I were already crowned king."
Jasper did not question the bold move but set about his task. When he arrived at Rennes, he realized that Henry and his council had also been busy. By and large the refugees were a ragged lot, but they would not appear so on the great day. Rich clothing and masses of jewels had been begged and borrowed from wherever available, and those too destitute to provide their own finery were appareled in borrowed plumes. The richly clad, bejeweled mass would make a brave show of power and plenty.
They were fortunate in everything, for Christmas Day dawned bright and clear. The rich colors of the robes glowed, the jewels glittered, spirits were lifted by the frosty air, and the voices of the choir sounded like those of angels filling the heavens. The interior of the cathedral, so oppressive and gloomy on a bleak day, was transformed into glory by the sun, which patterned its interior
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