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sheets of our lodgings. On occasion our accommodation was an abbey or the home of family friends and relatives who curried favor with Giles Beaufort. They eyed us with the keen interest of those seeking allies in a dangerous world of shifting favors.
    I noted Giles had changed into a stronger, more capable man these past weeks, with broader shoulders and harder muscles straining against his clothing. I suspected before we reached Somerset that the absence of my courses was a sign of a child growing in my belly but I kept my counsel, preferring to dwell upon my condition alone.
    Tall, green trees lined the long avenue leading to the entrance of a castle that stood magnificent in the distance, even on this dreary day. My husband beamed as we finished the last few miles of our travels and as we sighted the cluster of bodies huddled under an archway waiting to welcome us. Giles yelled out excited greetings.
    The horses halted under the shelter above our heads and I prepared to see my new home and meet my new kin. I doubted they welcomed a Yorkist amongst them but Giles ruled the house, and as his wife I would soon rule them.
    The staff bowed in deference to their master and in turn to me, all except for a woman who stood to one side with a look of hatred upon her twisted yet beautiful features. Her belly caught my notice, as big and round as a cooking pot, it strained against the thin fabric of her clothing. Giles ignored her but she stepped forward, agile for a pregnant woman, and slapped his face hard.
    “My child will be born a bastard now, because of you and your traitorous wife.” I received a look of contempt that forced me back half a step. She whirled on her feet and rushed into the dimness of the inner castle.
    Giles shook his head and turned to the keeper of the castle. “I see her mood has not improved much. Have her confined until the babe is born, she’s not long due and ‘tis not proper for her to be seen.”
    A chill ran up my spine. Giles kept a mistress and she carried his child. If he thought for one moment I would allow such a woman to live under my roof he was much mistaken. A red mark glowed brightly on his cheek but he carried on greeting his staff with the Langley household in our wake. He made arrangements with the castle-keeper to settle everyone and then, taking me by the arm directed me to a spiral staircase at the far end of the entrance hall and guided me to the top. Evening closed in and we were tired and hungry. The staff had readied their master’s chamber in preparation of his arrival. Bread, cheese, honey and wine awaited our pleasure, set on a silver tray.
    “If you don’t mind I’d prefer to seek my own chamber tonight,” I stood apart from him, cool and calm.
    “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
    “Why not? As your wife I’m entitled to rooms of my own.”
    “In good time you will have them.” He lifted a cup of watered wine and drank deeply.
    I seethed at the inconvenience but guessed at the reason. Dare I complain to him after that woman took the liberty of slapping him in public? I wanted to know what she meant to him but good reason left me as the food restored my spirit and I pushed my husband too far.
    “I suppose your whore languishes in my rooms preparing to calve the next Beaufort bastard.”
    “Blanche, you may be of highborn blood but remember you have few friends and many enemies in England. You’d do well to cultivate my favor, for Lancaster rules England, not York.”
    “Do not think I don’t remember every day that you and your like have ruined our country. Edward and Richard were fine men, guiding England on a far better path than the latest pretender.”
    Giles banged his goblet on the table. “Richard turned on Edward, as did his brother George and their Neville cousins. England was doomed under their rule.” His temper flared but the image of a pretty, dark-haired woman with a round belly fired my anger.
    “At least they were not misbegotten fools