What fierce eyes he had— large dark passionate eyes. She had sensed the vitality of him— the essential masculinity. ‘All that time incarcerated in the Tower,’ she murmured. ‘Recently bereaved of a beloved uncle and yet I never saw a man who had more fire in him. How his eyes flashed when he spoke of Gaveston and the Despensers! How such a man as he is would despise such as them. How he would despise Edward!
Mortimer— the King of the Marcher lands. Such a man― she thought― I have wanted to meet all my life.
She must see him again soon. She would make Alspaye understand that he was to be taken to the garden on the next day and she would be there.
Perhaps she should be a little more discreet. But she was tired of discretion.
She had been humiliated too long and it might well be that this was the time for action.
She scarcely slept that night. She could only think that somewhere in this Tower he too was sleeping.
Alspaye was eager to please the Queen. He was also under the spell of Mortimer; she saw that and she was not surprised. Alspaye was delighted that the Queen was interested in his prisoner.
The Queen joined them in the gardens.
‘You see your vision has returned, Mortimer.’
‘To put such hope in my heart that I dare not believe in it,’ he replied.
‘You would dare anything,’ she answered.
‘I was once known for my daring,’ he agreed.
‘And will be again, I doubt not.’
‘That is for the future.’
‘And you believe in your future?’
‘I am beginning to, my lady.’
‘Rest assured, your faith will not be displaced.
‘You are good to me,’ he said.
‘I like your kind, Mortimer,’ she answered.
He understood at once that this was a reference to the King and his kind.
He answered: ‘When a man has lost his freedom he is reckless of what else he might lose. He speaks his mind. I will say this that I have always felt deeply for you. If you had raised an army to drive out of the country those who displeased you, I should have been at the head of that army.’
‘Yes, Mortimer, you speak rashly indeed when you talk of raising armies.’
‘How could I raise armies, madam, when I am a poor prisoner?’
‘But a moment ago you admitted that was but a temporary state. One of these days―’
He turned to her and they faced each other. Some understanding passed between them. In that moment they both realized the deep significance of this encounter.
‘Mortimer,’ she said, ‘I believe there is much you and I should say to each other.’
‘Standing here with you,’ he answered, ‘is for me, complete delight. Here am I a prisoner, death could steal up on me at any moment, yet I can say that I never was as happy in the whole of my life as I am at this moment.’
‘And why is this?’
‘Because I have found you.’
She was shaken with emotion and she said: ‘It was I who found you, was it not?’
‘Let us say we found each other.’
‘We have met but twice and that in this prison garden with Alspaye keeping guard on you.’
‘Alspaye is a good friend to mc. He hates the Despensers.’
‘How many people in this country hate the Despensers?’
‘Myriads. We have but to find them― to rouse them. Then I swear to you in a very short time the pretty Despenser will go the way of Gaveston.’
‘How you hate the Despenser.’
‘I hate him more than ever now I have spoken with my incomparable lady Queen.’
‘The King is as he is―’
‘It is no way for a King to be.’
‘He has done his duty. You know I have a fine son― two sons.’
‘Young Edward is growing up. That is a matter for rejoicing.’
‘You are speaking treason, Mortimer.’
‘I know it. How could I help but be treasonable to the King when I am standing so close to the Queen.’
‘You mean―’
‘I mean what is best not said. But being a woman as well as a queen you will know.’
She said: ‘I must not stay here. What if we were seen?’
‘It would be noted.’
‘And then we should meet no more.’
‘My lady, we must meet again.’
He had taken her hand and the pressure of his fingers thrilled her. She thought: I have waited too long. Mortimer is the man for me.
She said in a somewhat breathless voice: ‘I will arrange it.’
She sent for Alspaye.
‘Your prisoner Mortimer interests me,’ she said.
‘Yes, my lady.’
‘When I talked with him in the gardens he spoke very freely.’
‘Prisoners become reckless, my lady.’
‘It occurs to me that I should have further talk with him. I should discover what is in his mind.’
Alspaye bowed his head. ‘Do you wish to go to his cell?’
‘That would create certain speculation, would it not?’ She thought of the cells, damp on the walls, airless and stuffy. No, that was not the place where she and Mortimer should be together.
‘If I sent for him to my apartments―’
‘He would come with his guards, my lady. The King’s orders were that he should be very specially guarded.’
‘Yet he walks with you in the gardens.’
‘Twas so, my lady, but the guards were behind the doors which led to the gardens. It was only because he was with me that they allowed him out of their sight.’
‘And if I sent for him, to have talk with him― here― say in my apartments―’
‘Then I should bring him and stay within call, my lady.’
‘And his guards?’
‘They would expect to escort him and be at hand.’
She felt irritated. There was no way in which she and Mortimer could be alone without its being known.
.She did not mind Alspaye’s knowing. He was a man of discretion and had already witnessed their meeting in the garden. But she must be free to be alone with Mortimer. The desire for excitement and adventure, having been suppressed all these years, would remain so no longer. She was ready to take any risks.
‘I doubt not the guards take a little wine now and then.’
‘When they are on duty my lady they take very little. There is much carousing when they have their free time though. Life in the Tower seems to give them a fancy for wine.’
‘Let them be given extra wine and make sure that it is potent.’
‘Drugged, you mean, my lady?’
She did not answer but her smile was enough. ‘When they are asleep let Mortimer be brought to me― by you. I will be responsible for his safety.’
‘If you will be responsible for him, my lady―’
‘I have told you I will.’
‘Then I will see what can be done.’
‘Not only see,’ she retorted, ‘but do it. I shall remember you with gratitude, Lieutenant.’
He came into her apartment. He looked different. He wore his confidence like a garment.
He came swiftly towards her and taking her hand, kissed it fervently. His lips were warm. Then he raised his shining eyes to her face.
She stepped towards him and laid her hand on his shoulders. It was enough.
The next moment he had picked her up in his arms and held her closely against him.
She felt his lips on hers, demanding, certain of himself ― Impertinence! she thought indulgently. Am I not the Queen? She was laughing to herself.