Chapter Nineteen: part 2
On the third night of Christmas, the king had given orders for a tournament to be held. All the men of the court dressed in their armour and carried fluttering favours from the ladies. Bella squealed excitedly whenever anyone took a hit. Jane and Kat gripped Guilford’s sleeves and pretended not to be afraid, especially when Ned took his turn.
He waved up at his family before shutting down his visor and raising his hand to indicate that he was ready. The flag dropped and the two men spurred their horses on. Lances clashed, each finding its target and pushing the other rider off balance. The king stood up in his stirrups for an instant, then managed a final thrust which sent him reeling and his opponent crashing onto the ground. The king lay breathless on the floor while his horse trotted back to its groom. But the other man was caught up in his harness and was dragged along for twenty or thirty yards by a frightened horse, kicking and bucking.
The crowds gasped and watched in horror. Only Kat leapt up from her seat and ran heedless to the tournament ground. She dodged the groom and ran, not towards her brother, but to his opponent who now lay crumpled in a heap while three men led his sweating steed away.
Edward walked over slowly and laid a hand on his sister’s shoulder.
‘I’m sorry, Kat. How is he?’
Kat gave a long shuddering breath. ‘Not speaking. I need… I… someone…’ She looked round wildly.
‘They’ll bring a doctor and some men to carry him from the field, Kat. Will you stay by him?’
So the court watched as the king and his sister accompanied the motionless body of the younger son of a lowly baronet from Devon, when it was carried from the field.
Before night fell, his eyes had opened and he had taken food. He could move but slowly and painfully. Kat sat beside him, holding one hand between both of hers. When he woke, he said nothing but looked straight at her. She smiled softly and pressed his fingers.
The king returned to check on the wellbeing of the man he had bested, noting immediately his sister’s presence but making no comment on it. When he withdrew, he indicated that she should follow.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Tell you what?’
‘That you love Jamie De Vere,’ he said, as if it were obvious.
Kat gasped. ‘I… I… don’t… he… we…’
‘Oh, I see.’ Edward smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Katie-cat.’ He called her by the name he hadn’t used since they were children and reached to touch her cheek.
The Council weren’t happy. They had had high hopes for the Dutch scheme, but Edward was firm. His sister was not to be sold like a mare at foal. She had made her choice and she had chosen a good man. An English man, he reminded them and they were not slow to take the hint. It seemed their king had a fancy for an English girl.
De Vere was walking again, though not far and not for long. He had endured embarrassing visits from both the king and his father. The Duke of Clarence had been under the misapprehension that he had an understanding with the Princess Katherine.
De Vere shook his head as vehemently as he dared. ‘I have not spoken with her on such a matter, sir. I hope I know better than to presume. I am not a wealthy man, my lord Duke. My father is a man of good standing in our locality but my place at court is only by the gracious favour of my lord, the Duke of Cornwall. He has been very good to me and my brothers.’
‘How many brothers have you?’
‘Four.’
Guilford frowned. ‘I don’t remember…’
‘No, sir. I am the first to come to court.’
‘And how long have you loved my daughter?’
The young man flushed a bright red and turned his head away. ‘Well, I… Sir, I didn’t mean…’
‘I know. Now listen. You are to take your time and gain your health. If Kat chooses to sit with you while you recover, she may. If when you are well, you find you are still both of the same mind, come to me again. Our daughter is very dear to us, Mr De Vere. Her happiness is not a matter that her mother or I take lightly. Bear that in mind.’
The king was much more direct. ‘Listen, Jamie, if Kat wants you, then no one would be more glad than I. There will always be a place for you here at court and she will have a substantial purse. Before God and your king, remember that you are her equal, and do not be afraid.’