He went to the Tower and when he saw Richard Henry broke down. He wept silently for a few moments and then he said sadly: ‘At least you have come to me, brother.’
‘Henry,’ said Richard, ‘I understand full well your feelings. Have I not a son of my own? I should be desolate if my Henry ever seemed to turn against me. But why don’t you see Edward? I hear you have refused so far.’
‘I could not see him. You know my love for him. If he stood before me now I should not be able to stop myself kissing him.’
‘Which would perhaps be good.’
‘What of the Queen?’
‘The Queen is torn between the two of us. She will hear no ill of Edward.’
‘Henry, Edward is no longer a boy. He is going to be a great King one day … though that will be far distant I hope. He has, it is true, listened to Simon de Montfort and, make no mistake, that man has a certain greatness in him. It is true that the people are in revolt against the immense taxation which has been levied upon them. You must agree to this. I am sure that is all Edward has done and he will be most distressed if you allow him to go on believing you think he is against you. It is the last thing he is. He is loyal to you, but there are certain matters which he wishes to reform. After all de Montfort is our brother-in-law.’
‘Would to God I had never allowed it.’
‘Our sister was determined on it and you would not have been able to stop her.’
‘I only gave way because he had seduced her.’
‘Both he and she have given the lie to that … and it is a matter of which they would have all the evidence. Nay, brother, they are married. You consented to the marriage. Let us forget that. It is not the issue. What I want is an end to this difference between you and your son. See him. Listen to him. He will tell you his feelings in the matter.’
‘It may well be that you are right, Richard, but when I see my son I know all feeling will desert me except the joy it will give me to look on his face.’
‘Then relish that joy … and talk afterwards. I am sure you will see that you have been mistaken.’
‘Oh, Richard, if I could believe that you are right in this.’
‘Give yourself the opportunity of finding out.’
Richard lost no time in sending a message to Edward.
Edward came to the Tower accompanied by his mother. Eleanor had been with her son trying to understand what this matter was which had come between them.
Edward swore that he had no intention of working against his father. He had listened to Simon de Montfort, certainly. There was much wisdom in what he had to say. He firmly believed that his Uncle Simon was the King’s loyal subject and was genuinely concerned at the growing discontent in the country.
He went in alone to see his father and when he saw him he rushed into his arms.
Henry embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks and their tears mingled.
‘My dear, dear father, how could you ever have thought I would be against you?’
‘Forgive me, Edward. Forgive me. I listened to evil tales.’
‘I had seen de Montfort it is true. Father, he is a man of honour. He means you no harm.’
‘He has seduced you with fair words, my son. He and I have had our differences. I do not believe he will be a friend of mine until I do as he says. But no matter, you are here. You have come to me. You have assured me of your love. That is enough for me.’
‘Never believe I would stand against you.’
‘I do not believe it. I never did … in my heart.’
‘It is merely that I felt there was sense in what Simon de Montfort told me. But if he were to be against you then I would bring whatever strength I had to stand against him. Never think, Father, that whatever the cause I would stand against you.’
‘This is a happy day for me, Edward. I could almost be glad of my wretchedness because it has made me so joyous now.’
‘Let us tell my mother that all is well between us. It has been a most anxious time for her. She came with me. She was so happy that you had sent for me. I will bring her to you.’
So she came and the three of them were together.
‘This must never happen again,’ said Eleanor. ‘Nothing on earth will ever mar our unity. We are as one. Oh please, my son … my husband … remember it.’
There were tears in Henry’s eyes and Edward said: ‘Who was it who brought these tales to you, Father? Methinks he is no friend to you nor to me.’
‘It was Gloucester,’ said Henry.
‘I shall regard him as my enemy until one of us dies,’ declared Edward.
So there was reconciliation and Edward was constantly in the company of his parents until he left for France, for there was to be a great tournament at the French Court and he was anxious to play a part in it.
CONSPIRACY IN THE BEDCHAMBER
Edward was in France; Beatrice had gone; there was frustration over Edmund’s accession to the crown of Sicily which the people of England were so much against; and Henry longed to raise the Queen’s spirits.
He had an idea and without telling Eleanor, for if it failed he did not want disappointment to make her more melancholy than ever, he sent a messenger to Scotland with the suggestion that the Scottish King and Queen should come to England.
He knew that if it were possible Margaret would agree immediately; and he was right. His messenger brought back a letter from Margaret in which she said that they were preparing to set out at once.
Gleefully he went to Eleanor.
‘News from Scotland,’ he said carelessly.
‘Margaret is well?’ she asked quickly.
‘It seems she is very well.’
‘Thank God.’
‘And very eager to see her mother … and I believe she takes some pleasure in her father’s company.’
‘What do you mean, Henry?’
‘I mean, my love, that our Margaret is coming to see us. At this very moment she is on her way.’
‘Oh, Henry!’
‘I knew that would please you. That is why I arranged it.’
‘And said nothing to me.’
‘Because I feared it might not be possible. I could not bear that you should be disappointed.’
‘Henry, you are so good to me.’
‘No more than I should be, my love.’
To go home! Margaret’s spirits leaped at the thought. To leave grim old Edinburgh for beloved Windsor, Westminster or even York. What mattered it as long as it was England. The South was better though because it was farther away from Scotland.
To go home again! To be with those beloved parents. To talk over everything with her mother …
To talk over everything! Oh, what good luck that she had not told anyone, for if she had they would have done everything they could to have stopped her going.
She had almost told Alexander, but she had wanted to be sure. She had not wanted him to be disappointed. Now she was sure and had been on the point of telling but mercy of mercies she had not.
She could imagine those grim old lairds. ‘The bairn must be born in Scotland. In view of her condition the Queen must not travel.’ They would enjoy stopping her pleasure. She knew them well. So thank God, she had told no one.
There was a lot of dour shaking of heads over the proposed visit. They would like to shut her and Alexander up as they had when she had first come here. But they were taught a lesson then. Her dear parents would not allow her to be treated like a prisoner. The Scots knew it and it was important that they did not offend the English.
What joy to turn the head of her horse southwards. How she laughed to herself when they crossed the border. Soon she would be home.