Free The Star of Lancaster by Jean Plaidy

he could see that they must wait a few years before they lived together. Yes, he could do nothing but agree.
    The Countess was triumphant. John of Gaunt was absent in Scotland on the King’s business so he could raise no objections. Eleanor and her husband were no longer interested now that her share of the de Bohun fortune was lost to them.
    She had only to tell Mary and as soon as the girl was well enough to travel they would leave.
    Mary listened attentively to her mother.
    ‘My dearest child,’ said the Countess, ‘I was very sad when you left me to go to your sister. It was no wish of mine, you know.’
    ‘I do know,’ said Mary fervently.
    ‘It is so wrong when a child is taken from her rightful place just because she happens to have a fortune. Oh that fortune! I could wish that your father had been a much poorer man. Your sister coveted it . . . and so did her husband. They would have had you in a convent for the sake of it.’
    ‘I was fortunate to meet Henry,’ put in Mary. ‘He does not care for my fortune.’
    The Countess was silent. Did he not? She would be surprised if this were so. In any case there was one who cared deeply and that was Henry’s father, John of Gaunt.
    Thank God he was in Scotland and could not interfere. And would the King? He had given the wardship to his uncle John. No, she had nothing to fear from Richard. He was only a boy. If need be she would see him and explain; she was sure she could touch his pity for a mother who was concerned about her child.
    ‘My dear,’ went on the Countess, ‘you know very well that you have been very ill. There was a day when your life was despaired of. The fact, daughter, is that you are too young as yet to bear children. Henry agrees with me that you must wait for a year or so.’
    ‘Wait . . . what do you mean?’
    ‘You and Henry will be as betrothed . . . There will be no more marital relations between you.’
    ‘I must ask Henry . . .’
    ‘I have already spoken to Henry. He sees the point. He agrees with me.’
    She looked relieved. Then she said in alarm: ‘Do you mean I shall not see Henry?’
    ‘Of course you will see Henry. He will come to Leicester to visit us. He will stay and you will sing your songs and play your guitar together. You’ll pit your wits at chess. It is simply that you will be as betrothed . . . as though the actual ceremony of marriage has not yet taken place.’
    She was silent. And her mother burst out: ‘You shall not be submitted to that pain again. You are too young to bear children as yet. Your body is not ready for it. All I ask is for you to wait for a year . . . for two years perhaps. In fact I am going to insist.’
    ‘As long as Henry agrees . . . and I shall see him.’
    ‘But of course you shall. Dear child, understand all I ever want is what is best for you.’
    So it was arranged and when Mary was well enough, the Countess left Kenilworth with her daughter.

Chapter III
THE LORD HARRY
    F or more than three years Mary lived with her mother during which time Henry visited her whenever it was possible for him to do so. Her mother explained to her that when one married a man who was of such high rank one must be prepared for him to have many duties outside his domestic life to claim him.
    Mary was resigned. She eagerly learned how to manage a large household; she spent long hours in the still room; she studied the various herbs and spices and how to garnish dishes with them; she could brew ale to perfection; her mother allowed her to instruct the servants on those occasions when important visitors were expected and the Countess insisted that they all realised that in spite of her youth, Mary was the Countess of Hereford and wife of the son of the great John of Gaunt. Nor was she allowed to neglect the finer pursuits. She must learn the latest songs and dances which were fashionable at Court and she played the guitar and sang to guests. The finest materials were sent to the castle for her to choose