Free The Confession of Piers Gaveston by Brandy Purdy

the best of it,” I smiled and gently tucked a stray wisp of gray hair back inside her wimple, “and I shall continue to do so. What other lover could keep me even half as well as the King of England? Experience has made me rich, and this is my crowning achievement! Do not worry for my sake, Agnes, I
    will be fine.”
    Edward’s banging took on a renewed vengeance.
    “Piers! Open this door! Christ’s Blood, my hands will be bruised black and blue from knocking!”
    “Well said, Nedikins!” I shouted. “No one could resist a plea as tender and loving as that!”
    Edward fell silent for a moment then called sweetly: “Perrot! Please open the door; it is your Nedikins who loves and wants to see you!”
    I stood up, stepped into my shoes, and snatched up my hat—a soft black velvet cap with a jaunty red plume—and snapped my fingers for Blanche. I lingered a moment beside the door to take a deep breath and brace myself before I unlocked and opened it.
    Edward greeted me with open arms and a broad smile. And around him, to both left and right, a large audience of curious and appalled courtiers and servants had gathered.
    “I am taking Blanche out for a run in the garden,” I announced, shunning his embrace. “The performance is over!” I added for the benefit of our audience. “Pass the cap, why don’t you?” I suggested tartly, taking my cap off and thrusting it at Edward. And, without a backward glance, I sauntered briskly down the corridor.
    When I returned to my room I found my cap lying on the bed. Edward had filled it with gold coins. And there was a note: “If I visit you tonight will you be sweet to me?”
    An hour in the palace gardens romping with Blanche had cooled my temper and I laughed merrily and rang the bell to summon a pageboy. By this point in my life, I was surrounded by so many pageboys that I felt like I was shepherd to a flock of green and yellow sheep. Edward chooses them for me himself; he thinks it a grand sight to see them wait upon me. All of them are little green-eyed blonde-haired boys clad in my green and yellow livery, the better to contrast my black hair and dark eyes. He chooses them then is consumed with worry that I might succumb to the temptation to take these golden-haired lads to bed. It is a wonder, Agnes says, that jealousy hasn’t gnawed holes in his stomach. Actually, there is no foundation for his fears; they do not tempt me at all, I have never lusted after children’s flesh. But I don’t tell Nedikins that; I refuse to give him the satisfaction or the peace of mind.
    “Go to the King,” I bade my page, “and tell him that if he visits me tonight I will be sweet to him.”
    Ignoring all objections, including my own, Edward decided I must have the grandest wedding England had ever seen.
    We spent hours arguing about my wedding clothes, shouting and nearly coming to blows amongst swathes of velvet, satin, silk, taffeta, and lace.
    Edward would have me arrayed in celestial blue silk.
    “You will look heavenly!” he enthused, draping the costly sky-colored silk about my shoulders.
    “A heavenly fool, you mean! It is the color of purity and therefore best left to virgins and brides! This marriage is mockery enough without my very garb making a joke of me! Nay, take it away!” I thrust it aside. “Send it to Meg for her marriage gown if you like, but I will not have it! Methinks I shall wear this sea green satin embroidered with vermilion instead,” I announced, draping it round me and turning to consult my mirror. “Do you not think it fine, Nedikins? The delicacy of the green with the fire of the red!”
    “Ah!” Edward sighed, clasping his hands and looking fit to swoon. “None shall be more beautiful than you!”
    “Ungallant!” I charged. “What of the bride?”
    “None!” he emphatically declared.
    And soon I found myself standing before the church doors with Edward at my side watching the bridal procession wend its way towards us.
    “I love