VVD0D95
Banned
Chapter 99: Possessions
September, 1458
September, 1458
“You know it would probably be easier to read if you didn’t sit like that.” Margaret said to her husband as she came to sit in the chair next to him.
Her husband, the Earl of Rutland, was currently sat leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his head jutting forward. The book was before him. Without looking at her he said. “I know, but I wanted to try something.”
“What did you want to try?” Margaret asked, wondering what new experiment her husband was doing.
“I wanted to see how long it would take before you came in and said what you said.” Edmund replied straightening out and grinning at her.
Margaret looked at him and wasn’t sure what to think. Her husband was a curious man, he wasn’t as open and frank as his brother, the Earl of March, but he was much kinder than March was. He spoke in riddles sometimes, but always made sure she had what she wanted. It was hard to know where she stood with him. “And why would you want to know that?”
Edmund’s grin widened. “Because it is important to know what you would say when you saw me doing something quite so ridiculous.”
“Why?” Margaret asked, unsure of whether her husband was testing her or not.
Edmund stood up and the book fell to the floor, he raised his hands and yawned, then said. “Because we live in testing times.”
“You mean because of what happened up north?” Margaret asked, referring to what she had learned from her sister in law Margaret about the fight between Warwick and Northumberland.
“Yes.” Edmund said. “Father has gone to meet with Lord Salisbury and with cousin Warwick.”
There was a hint of concern in her husband’s voice. It was subtle, but Margaret had found herself adjusting to ensure she could catch such things. She wondered if her husband had done the same with her. “What do you think they will discuss?” She asked.
Edmund sighed. “Whether to depose the King or not.”
His bluntness surprised her, she had not thought he would be quite so honest with her. She tried to mask her surprise, but before she could, Edmund continued. “It makes no sense to hide anything now.”
“Why?” Margaret asked, wondering what else her husband had hidden from her.
“You are my wife.” Edmund said, but the way he said the last word, made Margaret wonder what was bothering him. She decided against pursuing that line of inquiry, and instead focused on their initial point of discussion.
“So, do you think they should depose the King?” Margaret asked.
“I do not know.” Edmund replied, sighing, his entire body moving with the gesture. “King Henry was chosen by God.”
“So was King Richard, but he was deposed.” Margaret pointed out. “King Henry’s grandfather removed a corrupt and incompetent King and the realm eventually prospered.”
“After a decade of civil strife.” Edmund countered.
“Strife that was only prolonged because those who were leading it refused to acknowledge that King Henry had some sense in what he had done.” Margaret said.
“Do you think it will be different if my father deposes this King Henry?” Edmund asked, not sounding convinced himself.
Margaret hesitated. She knew her husband was not naïve, and she herself was not naïve enough to believe it would be an easy road, but she also knew that her father in law was smart, hardworking and most importantly he had allies amongst the aristocracy, the major landowners such as Salisbury and Warwick supported him. That was something Henry IV had not had initially. “I think there will be difficulties, but ultimately I think Lord York will triumph.”
“Why?” Her husband asked.
“Because he has allies but most importantly, he inspires devotion.” Margaret said, and as she said those words she realised how true they were. She had heard and seen how Lord York’s tenants and servants spoke and acted around him. They adored him. Such a thing was not easily won. As her own mother, had found after father had died.
“Devotion does not win a crown.” Edmund said.
“No,” Margaret agreed. “but it can keep it.” She took a breath and then added. “You think that in the depths of winter when there are enemies all around that someone like Northumberland would stick by my uncle Somerset?”
“No.” Her husband answered immediately.
“But someone such as Warwick would stand by Lord York.” Margaret said. “Why?”
Her husband said nothing, his face became lined with concentration, and for a moment Margaret wondered if she’d perhaps gone into this too quickly. Her husband was not stupid, far from it, but sometimes, one could not lead a horse to water if the horse was scared of it. Eventually though, her husband replied. “Because Warwick knows my father, he trusts him, and that trust is enough to lead him through several types of hell.”
“Exactly.” Margaret said. “Lord York and Warwick have fought together, they have bled together, and that as you have said so many times before breeds a certain bond. The King does not have that bond with anyone.”
“But, he is still the King.” Edmund said.
“Yes, but does he act like one?” Margaret asked.
Again, her husband fell silent and Margaret worried that she may have pushed too hard. She was also distinctly aware that the questions she was asking of her husband bordered on treason, but she wanted to see what he would say.
“No.” Edmund replied. “He does not.”
“So, why should anyone fight and die for such a man, if he is not willing to do the same?” Margaret asked. “God does not command us to follow those who will not protect us.”
Her husband sighed again, he surprised her then by taking her hand and kissing it. “You are right, of course. But then, we must ensure this does not set a precedent.”
“I agree.” Margaret said, but she was confident that her father in law would find a way to ensure that it didn’t. And if he couldn’t then her mother in law would.