Читать книгу Forbidden Lady - Anne Herries, Anne Herries - Страница 8

Henry Tudor had brought a force of more than two thousand men with him when he landed at Milford Haven on the 7th of August 1485. He sent out his messengers from the town of Haverfordwest, which he had occupied, appealing to the men of Wales on claim of descent from Cadwaller the one-time King of the Welsh.

Rob had raised a force of nearly two hundred strong, including archers, miners and men-at-arms. A few had failed but most came in in answer to his summons. They rode to greet Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, as he marched across the borders of Wales into England, his army swelling with growing numbers of men who flocked to his banner.

When he greeted Henry Tudor, the earls greeted him warmly. Robert of Melford had brought in a strong body of men and was therefore doubly welcome. Henry Tudor’s army was reinforced by the arrival of Gilbert Talbot with a force of five hundred men, which raised the numbers beyond four thousand. The struggle for the throne of England had begun.

Watching the huge body of men assemble, Rob was aware of a growing feeling of excitement. While Henry Tudor remained in France it had been merely been a dream, but now it had become a reality. War was imminent, for reports had reached them of the King’s efforts to raise men in his cause, but as yet many of the powerful lords had decided to sit on the fence and wait until they saw who seemed likely to win the coming struggle.

Owain found Rob when they were camped in the countryside around Leicester.

‘I have come as I promised.’

‘I had given you up,’ Rob said. ‘Where did you go?’

‘I had to discover what had happened to my lady,’ Owain replied. ‘She sent word by the priest that she was being forced to marry against her will. He left her message at the Abbey, and it was by chance that I went there to ask them something.’

‘Against her will?’ Rob’s eyes narrowed. ‘You are sure that it was against her will?’

‘They have taken her north to Whitbread’s kinsman. She will be kept a prisoner at the home of the Earl of Gifford until she is wed to the Marquis of Leominster. But he will have brought his forces south to meet Richard and the wedding must be delayed until his return.’

‘Good grief! What kind of a man would give his daughter to that monster?’ Rob was horrified at the news for he knew of Leominster’s reputation.

‘A man who would let his bastard split your cheek to the bone and send you to your death with your hands bound behind your back.’ Owain answered him straight, his look unflinching even though such plain speech might cause offence.

Rob’s gaze narrowed. ‘Did she go willingly?’ She must have! For if she had not, why had she not begged him for help? She must have known that he would give it, despite all that had happened between them. He had helped her in the forest, and though he had been cold to her, he had delivered her safely to the Abbey. She had no reason not to trust him.