Виктория Холт: The star of Lancaster

Her hands went to the girdle at her waist. It was not over elaborate, not to be compared with the kind Eleanor wore— but it would have great value in the eyes of some needy vagrant.

There was another sound. There was no doubt now. Someone was coming nearer. She walked on, quickening her pace.

Whoever it was quickened pace also. So she was being followed.

She was now really afraid.

She started to run. Was she going in the right direction? So many trees, so many bushes, that looked alike and she had been too absorbed in her thoughts to notice landmarks.

Could she be sure that she was going the way she had come, that the trees would be less dense in a few moments and she would be able to glimpse the grey walls of the castle?

Whoever was following her was running now.

"Wait!" called a voice.

She ran on.

Someone was immediately behind her, and a hand was laid on her arm. She started violently as a voice said: "Good day to you, my lady."

She turned sharply. It was a boy—a few years older than herself, tawny-haired, blue-eyed and fairly tall.

"Why do you run from me?" he asked. "You are quite breathless."

"What do you want?" she asked and instinctively her hands went to her girdle.

He stood back a pace and bowed low. "To serve you," he said and there was a slightly mocking look in his eyes.

"Then show me the way to the castle."

"You have not come far."

"Am I on the right path?"

He shook his head. "You will need my help."

"You will want payment for it, I see. Never fear. Take me back to the castle and you will be rewarded."

"How did you come to lose your way?"

"No matter, I have lost it. Are you going to show me the right path?"

"Follow me," he said.

She was relieved for a moment. He walked ahead of her. She noticed his well shaped head and how his tawny hair curled softly; he held himself proudly. She thought he might be the son of some neighbouring squire.

After a few minutes she said: "I do not remember coming this way."

He turned to smile at her and there was a hint of mischief in the smile. "Ah, but you lost your way."

"Are you sure this is the way back to the castle?"

"I swear that I will show you the way."

They had come to a clearing in the trees.

"I did not see this before."

"It is a pleasant spot," he said.

She had become very frightened. He was not leading her to the castle. It seemed rather that he was taking her away from it.

"Please show me the way at once," she said.

"You are tired," he answered soothingly. "Rest awhile. Then I promise you that I will show you the way back."

"I have no desire to rest."

"I think you have. You are flushed with exertion and alarm. Sit for a few moments. Look, there is a pleasant spot under the trees there."

"I have no wish to. Good day to you."

He had thrown himself down under a tree and looked up at her smiling. She thought: How insolent he is, this son of a squire! My uncle would punish him severely for this.

She turned away and immediately asked herself which way to go.

She hesitated and she heard his voice. "You will go farther into the forest. Better wait for me."

She came back to him. "If you will take me back now, I will pay you well."

"Later," he said. "Later."

He indicated the spot beside him. She hesitated for a second and seeing that she needed his help she sat down beside him.

"You must know how eager I am," she said. "It is not very gallant to behave as you do. You should study the manners of knighthood, even though you may not be of noble birth."

"You ask too much of one ... not of noble birth. You are, indeed. I guess that. You are a guest at the castle."

"The Earl of Arundel is my uncle. He would be displeased if he knew of your conduct."

"I wonder what my punishment would be. Perhaps I shall find out when you betray me."

"I will say nothing of this if you take me back to the castle without delay. Indeed I shall see that you receive a good meal and some reward."

"I am overcome with gratitude."

She leaped to her feet. "Then, show me the way back, now"

He did not rise but lay back smiling at her lazily.

"Very soon," he said. "I promise you. You have not told me your name but I believe you are the Lady Mary de Bohun who is at this time visiting her aunt and uncle at Arundel"

"How did you know this?"

"We humble folk discover these matters concerning the great ones."

"Then as you know who I am you will realize the need not to offend me ... or my uncle."

"It is a great need," he said. "You have not asked my name."

"It is of no importance to me."

"That was scarcely friendly. Then I will tell you. My name is Henry."

"Then Henry, it is time we left this place."

"Such a pleasant place" he murmured. "It has been a happy adventure for me."

"If you will not show me the way back I shall attempt to find the way myself. And rest assured I shall tell of your knavish behaviour to me. You will regret it."

"You are not often angry are you, my lady?"

She turned away.

"But you are angry now because you are frightened. Please do not be, Lady Mary. I want you to like me."

"I shall not do that after your behaviour. Take me back at once."

He stood up meekly and said: "It was only a game. Come. It is here. You will be surprised how close you were to the castle. The trees grow so thickly and the bushes so high that even in winter weather it is easy to lose the way."

She walked beside him uncertainly. From time to time he glanced at her almost appealingly as though begging her to forgive him; and strangely enough because he was rather handsome and seemed really contrite and was after all only a boy, she found she could, particularly when she saw the castle a little way ahead.

At the edge of the wood she paused to bid him good-bye and thank him.

"You shall be rewarded," she told him. "I will tell my uncle."

"I shall come to the castle for my reward," he said.

She hesitated. Perhaps that was the best way. He could go to the kitchens and be refreshed there and be satisfied.

They came to the drawbridge. There were men-at-arms there now and they bowed both to her and her companion.

Together they passed under the portcullis and into the courtyard.

He was preparing to accompany her into the hall and she said to him: "You must go through that alley there. You will come to the kitchens. You may tell them I sent you"

"I prefer to enter by way of the hall"

"But you do not understand."

He raised his eyebrows. He was a most unusual boy. He had, she noticed now, an air of arrogance which implied that he thought himself equal to anyone.

"My uncle ..." she began.

And at that moment her uncle came into the hall and with him was the Duke of Lancaster himself. Even at such a moment she could not help but be overawed by her guardian.

He was a tall man, commanding in appearance. His deep-set eyes were a vivid blue and his hair tawny as a lion. He had the long nose and narrow cheeks of the Plantagenets, and on his tunic was emblazoned his emblem of the lilies of France and the leopards of England.

Beside him her uncle looked insignificant.

For a moment she forgot the boy at her side and then she was afraid for him. It was one thing for him to venture into the hall of the castle but to come face to face with her uncle and the great Duke of Lancaster was another.

"It is Mary herself," said the Earl.

She walked forward and to her astonishment so did the boy.

He stood beside the great Duke who did not display any surprise at this strange behaviour.

Apprehensively she curtseyed, wondering how she was going to explain.

The Duke lifted her up in his arms and said: "Why, Mary, you have grown since we last met. You have already made the acquaintance of Henry."