The Dragon and the Rose

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Authors: Roberta Gellis
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surrender."
    "Francis will not yield him. You need not fear for that, and Richard loves your husband too well to harm you."
    "Loves him so well that he imprisoned him when Hastings was taken. You know Lord Stanley had no part in Hastings's doings. Whom does Richard love or trust?"
    "He has ventured much and has gained much. When he is sure of his gain, he will grow more trusting."
    "And others have ventured much and gained little, not even trust, perhaps?"
    Buckingham did not answer but sat his horse studying Margaret. Finally he said, "How old is Henry?"
    "Twenty-six, and so prudent and discreet that Francis seeks to make him heir to Brittany through marriage with his eldest daughter, Anne."
    "Is he betrothed already?" Buckingham asked sharply.
    "No. I thought perhaps he would do better with an English bride, if one of high enough lineage could be found for him. He is the last of John of Gaunt's line."
    "Ay. So he is. Perhaps such a girl might be found. But Margaret," Buckingham said with a complete change of expression from thoughtfulness to gallantry, "no one would believe you have a son of such years. Why you appear scarce older yourself, hardly less fresh than a young maid."
    "My lord, my lord, you flatter an old woman shamelessly," Margaret jested in reply.
    She had made her point and Buckingham had indicated his interest in it by agreeing that Henry might do better with an English bride. The rest could be left to Morton, and Margaret cheerfully helped support the light conversation that occupied the rest of the time she and Buckingham shared the same road. Mostly they spoke of the past—the only conversation safe in these times, and Margaret applied a smooth coating of flattery herself when she touched lightly upon the peculiarity of fate that made Henry VI give her to Edmund Tudor rather than to Buckingham himself as bride. It had been her choice, not the king's, but Margaret submerged that memory in a good cause.
    "Henry might have been your son" she smiled "had matters fallen otherwise."
    "So he could, and likely we would all have been dead. Still, I may yet stand as father to him in some ways."
    With that they came to Bridgnorth where Buckingham had business. Margaret remained as his guest that night, planning to ride on to Shrewsbury the next day, but they spoke no more of serious matters. There were too many ears in a town to make such discussions comfortable.

    Margaret and the duke of Buckingham were sensible enough to confine their conversation to small talk that would not betray what really filled their minds and spirits. The dowager queen had no such self-control. She was incapable of holding her tongue and, bereft of her brothers, she was greatly in need of a safe audience. Thus, even though she understood that it was not wise to wake her daughter Elizabeth's easily aroused emotions, she could not put off involving her at once in order to have someone to discuss the matter with. She brusquely ordered Elizabeth to write a letter of acceptance of a proposal of marriage from Henry of Richmond. Elizabeth looked at her mother with wide, frightened eyes.
    "But, mama, I have not received any such proposal, and I do not think—"
    "I have received the proposal, as is right and proper. What have you to do with such a matter? And you are not required to think. Do as you are told."
    "Mama, I am very ready to be obedient to you, you know I am, but—"
    "But? But what?" The dowager's voice was shrill and furious.
    Elizabeth quelled her internal trembling with an effort. She knew her mother could not and would not harm her. She would rather, in fact, be slapped than screamed at. The high, irrational shrieking made her nauseous and dizzy so that she could not think, and she needed to think.
    Over the years Elizabeth had learned that her mother was not very wise. Leaping this way and that, like a fish after first one and then another, larger fly, the queen often ended with nothing. What Elizabeth needed to sort out in her

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