"Aye, Richard, much rather, much rather," she replied instantly.
He put his hand on her fair hair and stroked it softly. "Nay, dear,
the wearisome work is over now, I trust. Henceforth it will be
pleasanter . . . Pardieu! was there ever another woman, I wonder, who
needed encouragement to wear a crown?"
"A Neville once refused one," she replied.
"True, indeed; and gave it back to the miserable Henry. . . You
resemble your great father in many ways--and may our own dear son be
like you both."
"You are very good to me, Richard," she said, taking his hand.
"But much short of what you deserve, dear one."
Suddenly a bugle rang loudly from before the barbican, followed in a
moment by the rattle of the drawbridge and the clatter of hoofs on the
planks.
"It is Beatrix and Sir John returning from their ride," the Queen said.
"It was not De Bury's call," he answered.
"Why, it is Sir Aymer de Lacy!" she exclaimed, as a pair of horsemen
cantered across the inner bailey.
Richard nodded. "And a day earlier than I anticipated . . . but he has
a good excuse."
"And a bit of disappointment also, that Beatrix is not here to greet
him."
"He can spare her until he has supped, I fancy."
"She would not be pleased to think so."
"A woman wants a man to think of naught but her," he smiled.
"Yes, she does--and even though she know it to be futile . . . it is
foolish, doubtless."
"It is more than foolish; it is unfortunate. It annoys the man and
grieves the woman."
"Nay, Richard, you look at it with a man's view only."
"And you, my dear?"
"I?--with the proper view, of course."
The King laughed aloud; and as De Lacy, who had just dismounted before
the keep, recognized the voice and glanced up, Richard leaned over the
parapet and beckoned to him.
"We are glad to see you," he said, as the Knight presently bent knee
and kissed the Queen's hand.
"Yes, Sir Aymer, you are always welcome," she added.
"Your Majesties overwhelm me."
"Well, if our greeting overwhelm you," the King remarked, "the Countess
of Clare's wilt likely end your life."
"I am very anxious to risk it, Sire," De Lacy answered quickly.
"Beatrix has left the castle," said Richard.
"Gone!" Aymer exclaimed.
"Oh . . . only for a ride."
"A ride--at night?"
"Surely--why not--on a fine night and with a gallant escort?"
"Nay, Richard," the Queen broke in, "do not distress him. Sir Aymer,
Beatrix is with her uncle, and as they have been absent since before
vespers, they must soon return."
De Lacy's face cleared so quickly that Richard smiled.
"A bad case, truly," he commented, putting his arm about the Queen.
"Has the lady the disease so deep?"
"I would not tell you even if I knew," she answered.
"Nay, I only jested. . . But seriously, De Lacy, why should the
wedding be delayed . . . why not have the ceremony here at Pontefract
before we go Southward?"
"That it has not already taken place is no fault of mine------"
"It is, sir; you should have won the Countess to consent," the King
interrupted.
"Her wish runs with mine."
"Then what ails the matter? . . . Not De Bury surely?"
"Sir John is as willing as we. It is the behest of the dead Earl that
bars."
"Beatrix's father?"
"Yes; she promised him she would not wed before her twenty-fifth
birthday."
"Peste! A senseless thing to exact; she was little more than child.
As King I can absolve her from it."
"I fear that would not help the matter, Sire; Beatrix regards it as
sacred--it was given at the Earl's deathbed."
Richard made a gesture of annoyance. "Does no consideration lift the
obligation from her?" he demanded.
"Naught, as she views it now, but a question of life, honor, or
imperative necessity."
"Now may the Devil fly away with such foolishness! Wherefore shall the
dead rule the living? . . . How old is the Countess?"
"She was four and twenty last month."
"Great St. George! You have a wait, indeed; and ample time to pray for
the imperative necessity. Meanwhile, best continue to keep the
betrothal secret. It will likely save you both some embarrassment and
considerable gossip at the long delay."
Just then another bugle blared from the barbican.
"Sir John and Beatrix!" the Queen exclaimed.
Richard shook his head.
"It was Ratcliffe's call," he said.
A moment later the Master of Horse came at full gallop across the
courtyard.
Jumping from saddle and letting his horse run loose to be caught by the
grooms, he sprang up the steps. In the anteroom the page met him with
the information that Their Majesties were on the wall and were not to
be disturbed. But at the first word, Ratcliffe dashed into the King's
chamber and thence to the ramparts. Richard saw him coming and went
quickly to meet him.
"What is it?" he demanded.
"Where is De Bury?" Ratcliffe asked.
"Gone for a ride with the Countess."
"I feared it. I found his horse at the foot of the hill, trotting
toward the castle from the West. There is blood on the saddle cloth,
and the rein is cut in twain at the bit."
"Foul work!" the King exclaimed. "Send an order to the camp for a
hundred men to scour the country toward the Aire, and let another fifty
muster before the barbican at daybreak; then come to me." . . . and
turning, he sauntered back to the Queen. "Come, my dear, let us go
in," he said, putting his arm through hers, "I must take up some
matters that Ratcliffe has brought. And do you remain, De Lacy;
perchance you can aid me."
"Will you be occupied very late?" she asked, as he held back the arras.
"Only a short time, my dear. I will come to you presently," and
himself closed the door behind her.
"Are you very weary?" he asked De Lacy.
"Fit for any service Your Majesty may wish."
"It will be your own service."
"Mine! Mine! . . . You cannot mean----" taking a step forward.
"Steady, man, steady! I mean only that Sir John's riderless horse has
just been found near the castle, with severed rein and bloody saddle."
De Lacy passed his hand across his forehead.
"And Beatrix?" he asked huskily.
The King shook his head.
Again Aymer passed his hand across his eyes; his brain was working very
slowly how.
"You have given orders?" he asked.
"One hundred men-at-arms are seeking for a clue. Fifty others will
await you at the barbican at daybreak."
"Meanwhile I, too, will seek," and he sprang toward the door--and into
Ratcliffe's arms.
"Stay, Sir Aymer," said the King; "it would do no good for you to
search at night--you may go far astray. All that can be done till
daybreak the scouts will do. . . You gave the orders, Ratcliffe?"
"I did, and venture to amplify them by sending twenty men along the
North road as far as the Aire for any trace of Sir John or of the
fight--for, of course, there was a fight."
"And a passing hard one ere De Bury was unhorsed," said Richard.
"The remaining eighty," Ratcliffe continued, "I divided into bands of
ten and five, bidding them follow every cross-road or bridle-path, and
inquire for information from every traveler and at every habitation.
The instant aught is discovered you will be advised."
The King turned to De Lacy. "You rescued Sir John when he was attacked
last April near his own castle; might this be the same band?"