Author: John Reed Scott
Category: Adventure
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VIII
THE INN OF NORTHAMPTON
When De Lacy--now in ordinary riding dress, his armor having beenrelegated to the baggage beasts--reached the main highway the followingmorning, he looked in vain for the dust of Gloucester's column or theglimmer of sun on steel. The road was deserted. Not a traveler was insight, and there being no means of ascertaining if the Duke had passed,he adopted the only safe course and took up the march for London.Presently, upon cresting a hill, they met a pair of Black Friarstrudging slowly along towards York; but little information was obtainedfrom them, for they had not been on the road yesterday, having spentthe last week at a neighboring monastery, which they had quit only thatmorning. It was rumored there, however, that the Duke of Gloucesterhad passed southward the prior day with a great train of attendants.This, at least, was some slight indication, and thanking themcourteously De Lacy jogged on; but it was not until they reachedDoncaster, about noon, that accurate knowledge of the Duke was obtained.
Halting before the inn of the "Silver Sun," a ramshackle old house,from over whose door, as proclaiming the character of the place,projected a long pole with a bunch of furze on the end, De Lacy called,"Ho, within!"
The landlord, a big, blear-eyed rogue, much the worse for wear and ale,came shambling out at the summons. His listlessness vanished quicklyenough, however, at sight of the Knight and his following; and bowingto the ground he asked how he might serve them.
"With food and drink, good fellow," said De Lacy; "and that rightquickly."
"Your worship shall be accommodated immediately with what I have," saidthe man with another bow that almost overbalanced him, "but if it ismeagre, blame the Duke of Gloucester and his men."
"His Grace has passed?" asked Aymer.
"God's truth! he has," said the fellow. "He precedes you by a day.And, saving your lordship, if you travel to the Coronation, methinksyou will have but scant fare along the road. They eat things clean asthey go--but pay good silver for it."
"How many has the Duke in his train?"
"At least six hundred, I should say."
"He has doubled his force since he left Pontefract," observed Aymer tohis squire, as the inn-keeper retired. "And there may be truth in whatthe rogue says--we may find slender provision in the wake of such acolumn."
"If there be enough for the horses, we can soon overtake them," saidthe squire; "for the men, it matters little: we all are soldiers."
De Lacy nodded. "We will push on steadily, and though I know little ofthis country, I fancy we will come up with the Duke by to-morrow night."
"By your lordship's permission," said old Raynor Royk respectfully, whohad overheard the conversation, "we shall not see the White Boar bannerthis side Leicester town, and we shall scarce reach there before theevening of the second day from now."
And the old veteran, as events proved, was correct in his calculation.
When De Lacy entered Leicester, he hailed the first soldier he chancedupon and was informed that Gloucester lodged at the "White Boar," nearthe center of the town. It was a large and handsome stone house, withthe second floor of timber overhanging the street; and before it swungthe painted sign: a white boar and a thorn bush, indicating that theplace was named in honor of the Duke. And De Lacy smiled as he thoughthow, to his own knowledge, at least half a dozen inns on the Continenthad been hastily compelled to rechristen themselves when, from somecause or other, the particular individual whose name or arms they borefell suddenly into disgrace. That such might happen in this case,however, never crossed his mind.
Passing the guards, who knew him and saluted, he entered the house, butwas stopped at once by two strange squires, who informed him that theDuke was at present engaged. But even as they spoke, the inner dooropened and Sir Richard Ratcliffe came out.
"Welcome back, Sir Aymer," he exclaimed. "The Duke has inquired foryou. Why were you not announced?"
"I was told he was engaged," said Aymer.
"That was because they did not know you were of the Household. Come--"and himself admitted him.
The Duke was alone, seated before a rough table with his head upon hishand, and he did not stir until De Lacy stood directly before him.Then raising his eyes he fastened them intently upon the young Knight'sface, though without sternness.
The Duke fastened his eyes upon the young knight's face.]
"You stopped at Pontefract," he said.
"I did, so please you," replied Aymer promptly. "I could gain butlittle by going farther that evening."
"And might gain much by staying," said Gloucester, sententiously."However, I am glad, since you can give me word of the Duchess. Howfares she?"
"As when you left, my lord. She sent her loving wishes to you."
Then drawing out De Bury's letter, he presented it without remark.
Richard read it carefully, and inquired regarding the journey toCraigston Castle. De Lacy narrated briefly the incident of the attackupon Sir John, but detailed at length the conduct of the Abbot ofKirkstall. The Duke, however, seemed more interested in the assaultthan in the priest, and asked particularly concerning the assailants.But on learning that neither De Bury nor the veteran Royk hadrecognized any of them, he dropped the matter with the remark:
"You have profited by your experience on the Continent. Not many wouldhave thought to investigate these seeming outlaws."
De Lacy thanked the Duke for his words, and after being informed thathe was to lodge at the inn with the rest of the suite, and that themarch would be resumed an hour after daybreak, he withdrew, and havingdismissed the squire with the horses went in search of Dacre or DeWilton.
It was a brave array that passed out of Leicester that Tuesday morningbehind the royal Duke, and in soldiery fitness, man for man, its likewas not in England. But it was a peculiar march, withal. No flourishof trumpets heralded the advance; no gaudy costumes clothed theattending Knights. The bugles were hushed, save where necessary toconvey an order; the banners were bound in sable; upon every man wasthe badge of mourning; Richard himself was clad in black, and thetrappings of his horse were raven-hued. Not since the great Henry diedat Vincennes, sixty and more years before, had England mourned for aKing; and as they passed along the highway and through the stragglingvillages, the people wondered at the soberly garbed and quiet column,forgetting, for the moment, that Edward the Fourth was sleeping in thechapel of St. George at Windsor and that his successor was not yetcrowned.
All morning Gloucester rode steadily onward, halting near noon at awayside hostelry for refreshment. The keeper, unnerved at the suddenadvent of such a guest, could only stand and stare at the Duke,forgetting in his amazement even the accustomed bow with which he wouldhave greeted an ordinary wayfarer, until a sharp word from Catesbybrought him to his wits.
When the meal was almost finished, a sudden commotion arose outside,and the door was opened to admit one whose appearance showed everyevidence of a rapid ride.
"Speak," said Richard.
The messenger saluted. "So please you, my lord, His Majesty will reachNorthampton by four o'clock this afternoon."
Gloucester nodded; then arose and drew on his gauntlets.
"Gentlemen," said he, "we may not dally longer. Order up the horses,Ratcliffe, and let the route be sounded; we must be at Northampton erethe vespers chime."
"There will be some shrewd tongue play, methinks, and perchance sharpaction this night," remarked De Wilton to De Lacy as, late in theafternoon, the towers of Northampton lifted before them. "Rivers andGrey are with young Edward--it will be Woodville against Plantagenet,and England for the stakes."
"A royal game, indeed," said De Lacy; "yet, surely, Edward's kingdom issecure."
"Pasque Dieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "I can answer that better after heis crowned. All that I think now is that the situation is very grave.This meeting in yonder town is big with fate."
"I fear I am too new to my native land to appreciate the presentsituation," replied De Lacy; "yet I hope that
war may be averted.There has been bloodshed enough in this fair land since the Roses wereplucked."
"By St. George! my heart is with yours," returned De Wilton instantly;"yet, mark me, this night will make history for England. If not, thenI mistake the Duke of Gloucester. It is obvious now that, to him, thismeeting is no accident--it was timed for most adroitly. Why did hetarry so long at Pontefract, unless because it were easier to prick theWoodville bubble at Northampton than in London?"
"You know the Prince far better than I," said De Lacy, "but perchanceyou do not know that with Rivers ride two thousand men. If Gloucesterintended such a course, why did he not bring a larger following? Hewas fully advised of the number of the King's escort."
"Because it would have aroused instant suspicion and left him norecourse but to force. He has some other plan, I warrant. Yet, shouldit come to blows, Richard himself is equal to a thousand men."
"Scarce so much as that, I fancy," said De Lacy, with a laugh."Nathless, sooner will I ride behind the Boar of Gloucester with sixhundred swords than under the Woodville banner with thrice the number."
"Well said, by St. George!" De Wilton exclaimed. "No Lancastrianupstart for me."
"Be not so energetic, Sir Ralph," said De Lacy, as Ratcliffe, hearingthe words, looked back. "But tell me, I pray, who are these thatapproach?"
"Your eyes are keener than mine," returned De Wilton, "for I can scarcediscern them at all. Is there any banner displayed?"
"Aye, but I cannot yet distinguish the device. . . . There are atleast fifty of them, and they are riding most marvellously fast. BySt. Denis! they cannot travel far at such a pace. When the sun nextfalls athwart the banner, I will try to make it out. . . There . . .Pardieu! it is a queer bearing: _argent, a la fasce-canton a desire degueules_. Do you know it, or have I not read it aright?"
"Nay, your heraldry is not amiss," said De Wilton. "It is the red fessand canton of the Woodvilles. Yonder comes Lord Anthony of Scales andRivers."
"Then the struggle is on, I ween," remarked De Lacy. "Let us movecloser to the Duke. I would not miss this meeting."
When the horsemen were a short distance away, they broke from a handgallop into a walk, and then all halted except the two who were infront. Of these, one was a man nearing middle age, of most courtlybearing and noble countenance; while his companion, who resembled himsomewhat, was considerably younger. Meanwhile, Gloucester had keptsteadily on; but when the others dismounted and advanced on foot, heinstantly drew rein, and as Ratcliffe threw himself from the saddle andheld the stirrup he stepped to the ground.
"Welcome, noble Rivers and Grey!" he exclaimed. "How fares HisMajesty?"
The two men bent over the Duke's hands, and the elder replied: "Fit asa King, and most anxious to greet his great and noble uncle."
"Not more than is his uncle to greet him," said Gloucester; and Riversread two meanings in the words. "Therefore, let us proceed; and do youand Sir Richard ride beside me; I have questions by the score to ask."
Presently, as they neared the gate of the town, Gloucester turned tothe Earl.
"Where does the King lodge--at the castle?" he asked.
"His Majesty," replied Rivers, with a quick glance at the Duke, "has aboy's eagerness to reach London, and insisted upon pushing on as far asStoney Stratford--this afternoon. He had already left Northampton whenwe learned of your approach. A moment more and we also would have beengone, for it found us with foot in stirrup."
There was a smile on the Duke's lips as he listened to this unexpectednews.
"I do not wonder at Edward's haste," he answered lightly. "Who wouldnot be impatient when a crown is waiting for him?--though I regret thatit postpones our meeting till the morrow."
"You will not follow the King to-night?" asked Rivers quickly.
"No, I shall lie here if you and Sir Richard will bear me company. Butif you rejoin him, I must perforce go, too--for me now to remain herealone would be discourteous."
"Your Grace honors us overmuch; we shall stay and gladly," repliedRivers readily. "Edward has the others of his Household, and can spareus for one night."
"Marry, yes!" said Richard. "Vaughan and Croft and Worcester's Bishopcan hold him tight enough, else has the Welsh air changed them greatly."
At the large inn near the market-place the party halted, andGloucester, after a few words aside with Ratcliffe, summoned Catesbyand retired to his room. An hour later he descended and requestedRivers and Grey to join him at the evening meal.
Scarcely had it begun when down the street came the rattle ofbridle-rings and the click of many hoofs. Rivers glancedapprehensively at the Duke, and then at Grey, and then back again atthe Duke, who was sipping his wine apparently quite oblivious of theapproaching noise. In another moment, at the outer door an imperiousvoice demanded:
"Is His Grace of Gloucester within?"
At the tones, Rivers started and dropped his knife upon his plate; hisbrows contracted slightly and a troubled look dawned in his eyes.
"Ha, De Lacy, well met!" came the voice again.
"By St. Denis! my lord, I am glad to see you," was the response. "Itis a pleasure I had not counted on this side of London. Have you seenthe Duke?"
"I arrived but this moment. Will you take me to him?"
"Assuredly--he is now at supper, but I shall venture to admit you."
They crossed the outer room, the door opened, and De Lacy steppedwithin and announced:
"The Duke of Buckingham!"
The man who entered was full six feet in height and slender, and borehimself with the easy assurance of one accustomed to respect anddeference. His face was handsome in general outline and effect, thoughthe features were not accordant with one another. Beneath a mass ofruddy hair, a broad, high forehead arched a pair of shifty grey eyesand a large, full nose overhung a mouth of indifferent strength, whilethe whole was gripped by a chin that was a fit complement to theforehead. He paused for an instant, as his glance fell on Gloucester'scompanions, and his surprise was very evident--then he doffed bonnetand came forward.
"By St. Paul!" exclaimed Richard, rising and extending his hand, "it isso long since I have seen the Duke of Buckingham that it was well toannounce him formally."
"It is only those with the fame of a Gloucester that require nointroduction," replied Stafford, with a graceful bow that included alsoRivers and Grey.
"Come, come, Sir Duke!" said Richard, "this is too much of a familygathering for the turning of compliments."
"In truth, yes," returned Buckingham--"a half-brother and three unclesof our King--but, pardieu! where is His Majesty? Methought youtraveled with him, fair brother-in-law."
"Edward lies to-night at Stoney Stratford," replied Rivers.
"Aye, it is unexpected all around, this meeting, it seems," saidRichard suavely. "And, by St. Paul! a happy chance indeed. Come,Buckingham, the gross chare grow cold; take place and fall to. . .Catesby, tell the cook to sauce another capon and unbrace a mallard."
In all history there scarce had been a supper party such as this.There, about that table in this humble hostelry, were gathered fournoblemen--three of them the most powerful in all England--who werearrayed against each other as leaders of the two factions that wereplaying for the highest stakes a mortal knows. Every one knew therelative positions of the others (for Rivers naturally judgedGloucester to be against the Woodvilles); that, within a few shortdays, the final move must be made; and that all their gayety andjocosity were hollow, and assumed but as a mask. At that very moment,while they smiled and played at friendship, Rivers and Grey wereconsumed with anxiety at this sudden appearance of Buckingham, theirarch-enemy, and were hating him and Richard with fierce intensity;Buckingham was regarding them with all the fervid resentment the oldNobility had for this upstart family; while Gloucester, with neitherhatred nor resentment in his mind, but with the cool, calm judgmentthat ever rose above the pettiness of personal feeling, was viewingthem only as pawns that hampered his game of statec
raft and thereforemust be swept from the board.
It was near midnight when they quit the table and retired to theirrooms above. Richard dismissed Catesby, who as Chamberlain was waitingfor him, and drawing the rude chair to the many-paned window he openedit, and sat looking out upon the street below. Comparative quiet hadsettled over the town, broken now and then by a noise from the camp, orthe shouts of some roistering soldiers far down the road. Around theinn there was only the tramp of the guards, the rattle of their arms,or the low word of greeting as they met. Presently there came an easyknock upon the door and Buckingham entered and shot the bolt behindhim. Gloucester had turned his head at the first sound, but saidnothing until the Duke was beside him. Then, pointing toward theheavens, he remarked, as he closed the casement:
"It will be a fair day to-morrow."
"All days are fair for some purposes," said Buckingham quickly; "andthe sooner the day the fairer to my mind."
Richard smiled. "Patience, my dear Stafford, patience. It will comesoon enough even for your eagerness, I fancy. Did I not say to-morrowwould be fair?"
"You are pleased to speak in riddles."
"Not so; you used the riddle and I but spoke in kind. However, triflesaside. Your arrival was well timed; you should have seen Rivers' facewhen he heard your voice; it was worth a Knight's good fee. For thefirst time he began to see how he had blundered. By St. Paul! a childcould have done better. The game is easy now."
Buckingham looked puzzled.
"What do you mean, my lord?" he said. "I have been following blindlyyour direction in this affair, and I must admit that the point is veryhazy to me."
"Do you not see," said the Duke, "that by remaining here and sendingyoung Edward ahead at my approach, Rivers and Grey have overreachedthemselves completely? In their desire to keep me from the King--forplainly they did not know of your coming--they have separatedthemselves from Edward and his two thousand men; and in so doing havelost both Edward and themselves."
"Yet the two thousand men are still with Edward, are they not?"Buckingham insisted. "I have three hundred, but methinks even thoughyou ride with twice that number we would be utterly outmatched."
"Nay, you do not perceive my plan," said Richard. "It will not benecessary to fight. I could win now with but a hundred men. Wewill------"
At that moment a clear voice came up from the street. Richard listenedan instant and then opened the casement.
"De Lacy," he called, "come hither. . . I want you," he said when theyoung Knight entered, wrapped in his long cloak, "with all possiblesecrecy, to secure all the doors of the inn and bring the keys to me.At any that cannot be locked, post two of my personal retainers withorders to permit no one to depart the place. That done, take fifty menand station them along the road to where it joins the Roman highwaythis side the Ouse. Bid them allow no one to travel southward eresunrise without express authority from me. Act instantly."