14 - The Burgundian's Tale Read Free

nowadays, his dislike of the Queen and her family being so intense.’
    Timothy settled himself more comfortably, belched loudly and nodded. ‘That’s true, but in a few days’ time, the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy is to pay a visit to the the land of her birth and the whole family – or as many members of it as can be assembled – have been summoned to London to do her honour. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s presence has been particularly requested by the King.’ Timothy grimaced. ‘Easy to guess why, of course. George of Clarence was always Duchess Margaret’s favourite sibling. Her first meeting with the Woodvilles and brother Edward since George’s death is likely to be awkward, to say the least. Duke Richard, who not only had no hand in that death, but protested vehemently against his brother’s attainder and execution, will be the buffer, the pourer of oil on troubled waters, the mediator between the English and Burgundian courts. Young Lincoln and his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, will be three others. Also Duchess Cicely has already left Berkhamsted and taken up residence in Baynard’s Castle, where the Dowager Duchess Margaret and some of her retinue will be housed. The two women will no doubt have a lot to say to one another in private concerning the Queen and her numerous kinfolk, but the King can depend on his mother to ensure that all her children behave themselves with dignity and propriety in public.’
    I interrupted. ‘Is this a state visit on behalf of the Dowager Duchess’s stepdaughter? Or just a family reunion?’
    Timothy pulled another face. ‘A little of both, perhaps. The Dowager Duchess hasn’t set foot on English soil since her marriage to Charles of Burgundy almost twelve years ago, so in one way, yes, I suppose it is a sentimental journey for her. And there are members of her family – although not, of course, the King and Duke Richard – whom she hasn’t seen for the same length of time. But it’s also a formal visit on behalf of the Duchess Mary and her husband, Maximilian of Austria, to renew old ties with England – ties that have been somewhat eroded in the last three years since Duke Charles was killed. As you may or may not know – and this benighted city never seems to have any idea of what’s happening anywhere else in the world except Ireland – King Louis has wrested back great swathes of Picardy, Artois and the Franche-Comté for the French Crown.’
    I flung up a hand. ‘Spare me the politics, Timothy! I do know King Edward has done nothing to support Burgundy because he receives a fat annual pension from King Louis … Oh, don’t pretend to look surprised. I was in France with Duke Richard, if you remember, when the Treaty of Picquigny was signed. So, how does Duchess Margaret’s visit affect me? King Edward surely can’t be in need of
my
diplomatic skills.’
    Timothy shuddered. ‘Heaven forfend! You’d be like a bull let loose among the stalls on market day. No, no! But he does want his sister kept sweet and happy during her visit. Or as sweet and happy as possible considering that the young son of Duchess Margaret’s favourite waiting-woman has recently been murdered. There’s nothing His Highness can do about that, but he and the Duke of Gloucester would at least like to satisfy their sister’s desire for vengeance by bringing the killer to justice.’
    I was a little confused. ‘Wait a moment! Where exactly did this murder take place? In Burgundy?’
    ‘Of course not! Would I be asking for your help to solve it if it had? No. The young man was done to death in London.’
    I was even more confused. ‘What was he doing in London? I thought you said—’
    It was Timothy’s turn to hold up his hand. ‘Let me explain. I think perhaps I’d better start at the beginning.’
    I nodded vigorously. ‘I think perhaps you had.’
    So Timothy talked. I listened.
    Throughout Margaret of York’s troubled childhood, when, with her two