Chapter Twelve
Tower of London
Henry the Sixth of England was a boy of nine years of age, to be ten years of age in December, and Gisella decided within the first few moments of seeing the young king that her sense of pity for the boy was not an overreaction.
It simply confirmed what she had observed before on the two instances when she had been in the same hall with him.
The young king was controlled like a puppet.
He had a retinue of advisors hanging around him, including the two severe women she had seen before.
They hovered over the king, handing him things if he pointed to them, making sure he had a pillow behind his back, making sure his feet were on cushioned rests.
She was sure they did everything but breathe for the lad.
To her, he appeared smothered and there was something in his dark eyes that suggested misery.
They met Henry not in the White Tower but in the St. Thomas Tower, in the young king’s chamber that looked as if an old man lived there.
Nothing in the room suggested that a boy of nine years of age resided within those walls.
There were crosses and at least two Bibles that she could see on the table, rare and precious books.
She had heard rumor that the young king was quite religious and the ambiance of the chamber did nothing to dispel those rumors.
It seemed like a holy, humorless place, steeped in the traditions of kings long past.
So she stood back while Bastian spoke mostly to the king’s advisors, men who were well aware of Bastian’s role in the king’s court.
Although the major players were not present – men like Bedford, Gloucester, or de Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick, standing among the physicians and servants of the body was Sir Thomas de la Pole, younger brother of the Earl of Suffolk.
He was young and ambitious, and wielded his brother’s influence like a mallet.
Everyone knew who he was, including Gisella.
He had attended several of Lady Gloucester’s events and rumors about the man and his shady dealings flew fast and furious in the gossip circles.
Given that he wanted power, and enjoyed using his brother’s authority, he had regarded Bastian with suspicion since the moment the man had entered the room.
In fact, he was unhappy about his presence and didn’t care who knew it, including Bastian.
It therefore made for an uncomfortable situation as he eyed Bastian, and Gisella to a certain extent, and whispered to those around him, those who listened because they had to, because he was Suffolk’s brother.
Bastian ignored him completely but Gisella didn’t.
She knew the man had the tongue of a viper.
By whispering about Bastian, the young lord had evidently hoped Bastian would notice him, but he did not.
Finally, the younger brother of Suffolk would no longer remain in the background.
“Sir Bastian,” he said, addressing Bastian after the man had finished a brief conversation with the young king’s personal physician.
“You have been fighting in France for many years. Surely you are uncomfortable and unaccustomed to being relegated to a personal protector. Surely this must distress an honored knight such as yourself.”
Bastian looked at the young lord. Already, he didn’t like him. He’d been quite aware that the young man was whispering about him but he didn’t care in the least. Bastian had no real use for the Earl of Suffolk and he could see that the man’s brother wasn’t much different.
“I am honored to serve the king,” he said simply.
Sir Thomas was expecting more of an answer than that. He lifted his dark eyebrows for emphasis. “Is that so?” he said, almost mockingly. It was clear that there was a good deal on his mind. “May I speak freely, Sir Bastian?”
Bastian’s eyes narrowed. “You may not.”
His voice was low and threatening, meant as a warning, and every man in the room but Thomas took it as such. As Bastian turned his attention towards the young king to address him, Thomas spoke again, more loudly this time.
“Forgive me, but on behalf of the king and his safety, I must speak,” he said.
“We have all heard the regular reports from France, and Rouen, and many of these reports involved you specifically. We have all heard about your fascination with the Maid and I beg you to clarify these rumors. If you are to be so close to our king, then it is imperative that we all understand the truth behind these reports so that we may understand the character of the King’s Protector. ”
Bastian looked at the young lord, his jaw flexing dangerously.
The very subject that had been kept quiet, or spoken of in hushed tones, was now being laid bare for all to scrutinize by the brash young lord who had no sense of tact.
Obviously, the young man had no fear of Bastian in a room full of advisors, but that was his mistake.
Bastian had no qualms about moving against Suffolk’s brother should it be necessary.
He would not submit to this idiotic young lord, not now, not ever.
“Gloucester and Bedford trust me,” he rumbled, “and that is good enough for you. You are in no position to judge as a foolish idiot who hides behind the shield of his brother.”
Thomas lost some of his confidence at the blatant slander. “We are all concerned for the king,” he pointed out. “If you do not dispel these rumors, what are we to think?”
Bastian didn’t even reply. He wasn’t going to waste his time. He turned back to the young king, who was watching the entire exchange with rather wide eyes. The lad appeared frightened. Bastian held out a hand to the boy.
“Your Grace,” he said politely. “Would you please attend me? We have a few items to speak of without the presence of your retainers.”
Young Henry wanted to go with him. That much was evident.
He knew of Sir Bastian de Russe, the man called Beast, and knew he was the greatest knight in all the land.
He admired that greatly. But he was timid, and uncertain, thanks to the fact that he was never allowed to make a decision on his own, so he looked to his two severe-looking nurses for approval.
The women, however, appeared indecisive in their own right, eyeing Bastian suspiciously, so it was the personal physician who finally told the young king that he could go with de Russe.
As the young king rose stiffly to his feet, Thomas spoke again.
“Why can’t you speak to the king where we can all hear what you will tell him?” he wanted to know. “If you do not dispute these rumors about the Maid, have you mayhap brought her poison here, now to deliver it to the very king you have been sworn to protect?”
Bastian wanted to respond, he truly did, but he kept his mouth shut.
It was better that way, as he would not dignify de la Pole’s remarks.
Without a word, he quit the chamber, escorting his young ward out into the corridor beyond.
When the old nurses tried to follow, the physician called them off.
This caused a great panic for the nurses but the physician assured them the boy was safe with de Russe.
For the young king to be without his retinue was an uneasy concept, indeed.
The moment the door shut, Gisella turned in de la Pole’s direction.
She made her way to the man, casually, but there was pure venom in her intentions.
No man was going to speak to Bastian so disrespectfully and get away with it.
Besides, she was not beyond playing hard politics when the situation called for it.
She was going to put de la Pole into a hole and keep him there.
“I have been introduced as Lady de Russe, but do you know who I am, Sir Thomas?” she asked, pretending to be polite. “Do you recall meeting me at Bella Court?”
Thomas was frustrated that he’d been unable to engage de Russe in a confrontation and turned to Gisella prepared to vent that frustration on her.
“Nay,” he said flatly. “I do not remember you and I do not care.”
Gisella smiled thinly. “That is unfortunate,” she said, “because I remember you. I also remembering hearing a few less than flattering rumors about you as well. If you show such disrespect to my husband again, I may be forced to tell him what I have heard about you and a certain golden salt cellar that turned up missing from Lady Gloucester’s collection.
Several people said they saw you smuggle it out of Bella Court after the duchess’ summer festival last month and there is further rumor that you sold it to pay for your habit of the young boys that you purchase on Watling Street.
Do not look so shocked. Did you think no one knew about you and your penchant for abusing children?
Odd how none of these advisors know of it when you are so close to the king.
Rumors can end your ambitions, my lord. Beware you do not offend the wrong people. ”
There was no mistaking her meaning. Thomas stared at her, a startled expression on his face.
He had no idea what to say to her or how to deny the rumors that were, in fact, total truth, only no one ever spoke of them.
No one would dare approach him with these tales, but de Russe’s wife had no fear about it whatsoever. His mouth worked, spittle on his lips.
“You are mad,” he hissed. “You have dredged up these lies against me!”
Gisella was quite cool. In fact, she was rather enjoying his upset.
“Then you will not mind if I announce the rumors to all of these people,” she said calmly.
“I will tell them everything I have heard, from Lady Gloucester no less, and I do believe that her word will supersede any excuses you can give. True or not, it will cast tremendous doubt upon you and your days of political maneuvering will be over.”