Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

ISMAY MAY 1453

In these times sprang up between King Henry VI and Richard, the Duke of York, those quarrels which ended only with the deaths of nearly all the nobles of the land. For those who were rivals of York brought accusations against him of treason, insisting that he was endeavoring to gain the kingdom for himself and his sons. A solemn oath was demanded of York that he would never aspire to the rule of the kingdom, and he was most strictly ordered not to go beyond his own estates or to pass the boundaries of his castles. Many of York's friends took it very much to heart that injuries so great should be inflicted upon an innocent man, and they determined to remove York's enemies from the side of the king.

Ismay Deacon stood as tall and straight as any fine lady as she waited in Ludlow Castle's hall to meet her new guardian. Ten years old was practically grown-up, and so what if the Duke of York was the richest man in England behind the king? Ismay was a descendant of Scottish kings, and she must do her mother proud.

But thoughts of her mother threatened tears, so she blinked hard and made herself think of other things. Ludlow was a fine castle, bustling and busy with the duke's household. Seven children survived, and Ismay had memorized their names: Anne, Edward, Edmund, Elizabeth, Margaret, George, Richard. It was a little bit frightening for an only child. Now an orphaned only child.

A burst of noise made her flinch, and before she could locate the source, someone barreled into Ismay hard enough to knock her over.

"Sorry! I didn't see you there. Are you all right?"

Ismay swallowed hard and looked up at a very tall boy, who bent over and offered his hand to help her up. Maybe not so much a boy. He had blond hair and a breathtaking smile that didn't waver even when a commanding female voice said, "Edward! What have I told you about playing games indoors?"

"Sorry, Mama. At least I didn't break anything this time. Or I don't think I have." He looked at Ismay quizzically. "I haven't broken you, have I?"

She shook her head, for her voice had deserted her. So this was Edward of York. He seemed much older than eleven.

Duchess Cecily came down the steps and turned her gaze from her son to her new ward. "Forgive my son, Lady Ismay. His carelessness is exceeded only by his impudence." But there was more affection than criticism in her voice.

"I am all right," Ismay said. "I wasn't paying attention."

"You've had a long journey. My husband is away for several days. Until his return I have put you in a private room. I know you are unused to other children."

"Thank you, my lady."

"I'll show her, Mama," said Edward.

The offer terrified Ismay. She would never be able to think of anything to say to him that wasn't childish or stupid.

But the duchess shook her head. "You were expected with the clerk fifteen minutes ago. You have business to attend to."

Edward grinned and kissed his mother's hand before taking the stairs two at a time.

The duchess studied her as though she were a perplexing household problem. She was as terrifying as her oldest son but in an entirely different way. Ismay's mother had been all laughter and music. Cecily of York looked as if laughter would be beneath her.

In the flow of people that had continued in and out of the hall, one caught Lady York's eye and she motioned. "Will you show Lady Ismay to her room? It's in the same corridor as mine."

It was another boy, younger than Edward, a slightly paler copy, but clearly related. "She's not to be with the girls?" he asked.

"Not just yet. Your father will decide." The duchess turned her cool regard on Ismay once more. "I will have a maid bring up water to bathe. You may dine in your room tonight. In the morning I will send for you."

It might have sounded as though Ismay was being accorded great favor as an honored guest, but for all that Duchess Cecily called her Lady Ismay, she knew that she was being kept apart from the York children until such time as the duke decided whether she was good enough to remain in their household. Just because they wanted the wealth of her wardship didn't mean they needed to keep her. She could just as easily be sent to a convent.

She thought a convent might be very nice. Quiet, at least. And no superior duchesses or beautiful boys who could talk rings around their mothers.

She felt a tentative touch on her shoulder. "Are you all right?"

It was the other boy asking, in a much kinder way than his brother had. As though he truly cared.

Ismay nodded, then found that her voice had returned. "It's a long way from Havencross."

"And you came by yourself?" He managed to ask without sounding judgmental or pitying.

She lifted her chin, feigning bravery. "I had no one to come with me."

I have no one , she repeated in her head. I am alone in the world.

"Well, you have us now. If you want us." His smile was not as breathtaking as Edward's. "I'm Edmund," he said. "Welcome to the family."