Diana and the Gypsy: A Medieval Trilogy, #3

By Margaret Lake

As she prepared for bed, Diana was feeling pretty satisfied with herself. She had managed to put a little dent in Davi's normally calm exterior; something she hadn't had the opportunity to do in far too many years.

 

The Trouble Twins had pushed Davi beyond endurance quite a few times. It had been Davi who had given them that name and they'd become rather proud of it. But when he called them disease and pestilence, they knew they had gone too far and scampered away as far as they could get.

 

Diana snuggled under the covers and bid her sister good night, but she was far from sleepy. She was home, Will was home and Thomas would be here in the next day or two. They would finally all be together. Not for long, she knew.

 

Will would return to Dilham with Grandfather, Thomas would be knighted and enter the king's service (another price paid for supposedly supporting Richard III) and Elizabeth would journey to Fallonslair to foster with Cousin Catherine. Only she and Hal would be left.

 

Diana sighed and rolled over, twitching the covers securely around her shoulders once more. She had learned long ago to make the best of any situation and could not let herself be gloomy when all was right with her world.

 

And Davi? Diana was surprised when he popped back into her thoughts. There must be a reason she would think of him now. Of course, Davi had been like a member of the family since before she was born. In fact, her father had actually saved his life some twenty years before. But he was still a young man, not a blood relative, and most decidedly good-looking. Considering his reaction to her earlier, he might be a good candidate to practice her womanly wiles. Not that she had many wiles with which to practice, but she had to start somewhere.

 

With a very satisfied smile at her newest and most daring plan ever, Diana fell peacefully asleep.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jobree Publishing
• Release date: Aug 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781386923466

Margaret Lake

Margaret Lake was born in New Jersey, but moved to Florida in her early teens and has lived there ever since. Reading has been her favorite activity since she was ten years old. Even after purchasing a Kindle, she still had seven large bookcases filled with paper books. It took years for her to part with the majority of them. Her other passion is history, especially English History, dating from when she first read "Katherine" by Anya Seton. When the inspiration came to write her first novel, she naturally gravitated to the Wars of the Roses because of that book. Her favorite author is Susan Howatch, her favorite book is "Outlander" and her favorite series is Harry Potter. She led a Harry Potter book club at the elementary school and helped with the chess club at both the elementary and high schools. Margaret rescued a nine-year old Jack Russell Terrier named Angelo who passed at the age of 15 on December 3, 2017. Now she has Mikey, a teeny-tiny two year old chihuahua mix (actually 50% chihuahua, 25% miniature poodle, 12.5% maltese and 12.5% terrier according to his DNA), adopted from the Humane Society on March 7, 2018. Mikey has gone a long way toward filling the empty space in her heart left by the loss of Angelo.

Book preview

Chapter One

July, 1492

Diana mounted Lightning, her beautiful white mare. She wore a voluminous skirt so she could ride astride - a small concession to her mother - but as soon as she was out of sight of her home, she dismounted and tore off the gown to reveal a man's tunic and hose. The knee-length tunic was another concession to modesty, but the sides were split to her waist to allow her more freedom. And freedom was the one thing Diana couldn’t get enough of.

Her twin brother William was coming home. It had been five years, and she couldn't wait to see him.

Even better than seeing William was knowing she could ride whenever and wherever she wanted. After being confined in the abbey for those five years with Elizabeth Woodville, the dowager queen, this was heady stuff indeed.

That hedgerow up ahead was just what she needed. It had been a long time since she had jumped a horse, but she had every confidence that she would make it easily. She urged Lightning to greater speed and felt the mare's muscles tighten as she prepared to jump. Then they were flying through the air and Diana laughed out loud with the joy of it all.

The landing was not as much fun. When Diana threw her head back to laugh, she jerked on the reins and the mare was off-stride when she landed. Lightning stumbled and threw her off. Diana landed in a clump of gorse and quickly rolled herself off the prickly stuff, splashing into a muddy creek below.

She spit the mud out of her mouth and wiped her eyes and then wished she hadn't. Two mounted men were staring at her, trying hard not to laugh.

Does this mud hen belong to you, Will?

I am afraid she does, Davi, Will sighed. I recognize Lightning, so this must be my sister.

Diana fumed with embarrassment. It was bad enough her prim-and-proper twin had to see her like this for the first time, but Davi’s being there was even worse. The leader of the gypsies who wintered on their land most likely still viewed her as a thirteen-year-old brat, always getting into trouble.

William's deep guffaws were the last straw. She came up out of the creek with a fistful of mud and flung it as hard as she could at her brother. Unfortunately, only a few drops spattered William's dappled gray mount and, well-trained as he was, he barely flicked an ear.

Life in the abbey seems to have spoiled your aim, sister, grinned William.

Diana had been afraid that being Baron Layne and heir to their father and grandfather's earldoms might have changed Will into a pompous prig. His letters certainly seemed to be full of brotherly lectures and advice. But it was the other half of the Trouble Twins that sparkled out of green eyes that matched her own.

And you have forgotten how to treat a lady, Diana shot back.

Will jumped off Thunder and moved menacingly toward his sister. When I see a lady, I'll treat her like one.

Davi knew well the look that passed between the twins and he prudently backed his mount out of harm's way.

Diana knew just as well as Davi that Will intended mischief. She backed up further into the creek until the water came up to her knees.

Come and get me, brother, if you are not too afraid of ruining your pretty boots, she taunted.

Will looked down at his boots. They were new, after all. Ah, come on, Dee, Will pleaded with her. It is our birthday celebration next week. Can you not behave yourself for a few days?

Diana gave William a skeptical look, then shrugged her shoulders. Finally giving her brother a huge smile, she splashed her way out of the water. Throwing her arms around him, Diana landed wet, smacking kisses all over his face.

Leave off, girl, he laughed. You will have me as wet and muddy as you.

The twins had forgotten there was someone else watching their reunion until Davi cleared his throat to get their attention.

Much as I'm enjoying this tender scene, Will, you might want to cover up your sister lest the whole countryside see that the brat has grown into a woman.

Diana stamped her foot in frustration. How dare you call me brat, she fumed. A woman I am and a lady as well.

Both men stared at her very unladylike appearance until they began to snicker and then laugh out loud. It wasn't long before Diana realized the absurdity of the situation and joined them.

Will slipped the cloak off his shoulders and wrapped it around Diana, covering the soaking garments that clung to her like a second skin. Sorry, Dee, he laughed, but Davi is right. Mother has no idea where you are, does she?

Of course she does, Will. I would not just leave without telling her, Diana replied, tossing her sodden curls.

But she certainly doesn't know you are dressed like a boy, Davi said sternly.

And she does not have to know, Davi, she replied, giving him stare for stare.

Davi threw up his hands. Your sister, your problem, Will. I'll just go get Lightning so we can be on our way.

Really, Dee, Will admonished her. How do you get yourself into so much trouble? I would think your years at court and in the abbey would have taught you how to behave.

Oh, I behaved well enough when I had to, Diana replied airily, mounting Lightning as she spoke. I will need to stop to pick up my gown.

Do you think that is going to help when Mother sees you? Will asked.

She will be so happy to see her favorite child, I will be able to sneak right past her, Diana replied confidently. She kicked Lightning into a gallop, not waiting to see if the men followed.

Davi and William rolled their eyes at each other before taking off after her at a slower pace. Do you mind if we stop when the mud dries so I can brush myself off? I would like to present myself properly to my parents.

What about Diana? Don’t you want to take part of the blame for her? You always did in the past.

That was when we were children, Davi. As you so rightly pointed out, Diana is a woman now. William shook his head. She may not act like a lady, but she is going to have to grow up sometime.

It may be that your parents are so happy to have her back, they will indulge her more than they should.

My father always did, William sighed.

And your mother did the same for you, Davi laughed. I have known Ariana and Jeremy a long time, Will, and I think the only times I heard them quarrel were over you and Diana.

I am afraid we were quite a trial to them, Will grinned ruefully.

"And well I know it. Do you remember the day you two acquired Thunder and Lightning?"

Will pulled up the dappled gray he was riding and arched his brows at his friend. Never going to let me forget that, are you?

I think not. You never told me how you convinced your parents to let you keep them.

Diana, of course, not me. The whole month we spent mucking out the stables, she made sure Father saw her covered in filth. She even smeared dirty straw over both of us to make it look worse. William chuckled at the memory. She always made sure Father was alone and then she would go in first, giving him those wide-eyed looks of hers.

And I am sure you were innocent in all of this? Davi asked.

Well, not so innocent. You see, Dee always had a plan. After she made sure Father knew she was dutifully carrying out her punishment, we would go find Mother. I had to go in first to see her, looking miserable and repentant at the same time.

How did you manage that?

No easy task, I tell you. But Diana made me practice different looks until she was satisfied I had it right.

What a little schemer your sister is, Davi grinned. The twins may have aggravated him beyond endurance more than once, but they always made him laugh. Then what did she do?

Sent the head stableman, Ralf, to tell Father the horses were healed and would he come see for himself. We made sure they were well groomed and looking their best. We hid in the stalls wanting to know what he said.

William pulled up Thunder and dismounted. We are getting close to home and I need to clean up.

Please, keep on with your story.

Will took a brush out of his pack and began dusting off the dried mud. Father questioned Ralf about our behavior; did we take good care of the horses, did we listen to everything Ralf said, did we behave ourselves. Then we learned that Father had instructed Ralf to teach us everything he could about caring for horses. Ralf said we had learned our lessons well. Then Father told him we would be coming down to the stables until our birthday. That is when Diana nearly lost her temper and spoiled everything.

Why am I not surprised? Davi chuckled.

She has always made worse trouble for us, William grumbled. I had to hold my hand over her mouth and got bit for my trouble. She kept quiet, though I swear she was so angry that her hair turned even redder than usual.

That must have been a sight. Did she give you away?

Nay, and a good thing, too. Father told Ralf we only had to muck out Thunder and Lightning's stalls, and that we would be allowed to exercise them. We had only ever ridden ponies before, so we were pretty excited. I guessed quicker than she did that Father intended to give them to us for our birthday all along.

Jeremy is a good man. You should know that by now.

Aye, Davi. A good man and a good father. That was the day I learned never to underestimate him.

You two still got up to a lot of mischief, though.

Of course, William grinned, mounting Thunder once again. We are the Trouble Twins, after all.

––––––––

Diana put her gown on over the boy's clothing she had worn for riding, but knew she would never get away with the deception. She was still damp and muddy and her hair was soaked. Not wanting to face her mother just yet, Diana thought she could hide in the stables until everyone was busy in the hall.

Well, not 'hide' exactly, she thought. Just taking the time to make myself more presentable.

Diana bit her lip and sighed. Barely home after being away for seven years, and already a disappointment to her family.

As she brushed and curried Lightning, she let her thoughts wander back to that summer day in 1485 when Henry VII had taken the throne and questioned the loyalty of any who had supported the Yorkist kings.

Her own father had ridden to London to take the oath of fealty to Henry, but in many cases, that wasn't enough. Even after the oath, there were those who had been imprisoned and their lands taken.

The first to feel the heavy weight of Henry's hand were those who held fortified castles and had a great many knights in their service. It was said that Henry feared an uprising against him and wanted to destroy anyone or anything that could be used against him.

Jeremy Gowen, Earl of Pemdale, was one of those. Also weighing heavily against him was the fact that he had fought with Richard of Gloucester in the border wars against Scotland. Jeremy had been elevated from Baron to Earl for his distinguished service in those battles.

Henry had married Elizabeth of York on January 18, 1486, confident that the Papal Bull acknowledging him as the rightful King was on its way. When it arrived in March, he had it copied and delivered to every castle, city and town in the land.

It hadn't taken long for one of Henry's lackeys to come slithering into the castle to question her father's loyalty to the new king. The moment Diana laid eyes on Sir Randall Coombs, she knew he was a danger to them all.

As soon as he arrived, he demanded that the Earl attend him immediately. The man didn't even take the time to brush himself off, much less wash and change.

Jeremy had taken his time responding to the command and when he came down the stairs, Ariana on his arm, both were finely dressed.

Sir Randall, Jeremy nodded his head, I apologize that we were not suitably dressed for visitors when you arrived and took so long to welcome you.

Diana had been hiding behind a settle and barely repressed a snigger. In one short sentence, her father had neatly put the dirty and disheveled knight into his place.

Perhaps you wish to wash and rest before the evening meal. I will have someone show you to a room, added Ariana graciously.

Diana knew that that tone well. The softer her mother's words, the steelier the glint in her eye.

I'll have neither, Sir Randall grated, stung by the rebuke. I'm here at the king's command.

Jeremy raised a brow. Your credentials, sir, if you please.

Coombs thrust a much-creased paper with the king's seal affixed under Jeremy's nose.

Thank you, sir, Jeremy bowed graciously, taking the paper. Without looking at it, he turned to see that Ariana's uncle by marriage had quietly entered the room. Ah, Thomas, will you see that refreshment is sent to the library? He turned to the knight. If you will come with us, sir. Not caring if he followed, Jeremy took Ariana's arm and walked away.

Diana pressed on the carving in the panel behind the settle and scrambled into the opening. This old castle was riddled with secret passages that weren't such a secret. Their great-uncle Thomas knew them all and he delighted in sharing them with the twins. She got to the peephole above the library just as her parents entered the room.

Jeremy sat behind his desk and, with Ariana looking over his shoulder, carefully read Sir Randall's credentials. He looked up as a maid entered the room with a tray of meats and cheeses, bread and ale. She set the tray on the desk and Jeremy waved the knight into a chair, pouring him a mug of ale. Please sit down, Sir Randall. We'll talk when you are ready.

The knight gulped down the ale without taking a breath. I'll sit when I'm ready and I'll do the talking. I'm charged by the king himself with ferreting out secret Yorkist sympathizers.

Jeremy reached into his desk and retrieved a paper with his signature and seal. My oath of fealty to Henry VII, signed, sealed and accepted within the proscribed time.

Yet, you fought for York, did you not?

I fought for England, sir, to protect our borders, Jeremy shot back.

So you say, Coombs sneered. It seems you care not who sits on the throne as long as your precious estates are safe.

Henry VII is King of England by right of conquest, by proclamation of Parliament and by Papal Bull, and I, sir, am a loyal Englishman, Jeremy thundered, no longer able to control his temper. He settled back down when Ariana gripped him firmly by the shoulder.

Sir Randall nodded at Jeremy with eyes narrowed as if he had got what he wanted. If you are indeed a loyal Englishman, you will have no trouble doing as your king commands. He refilled his goblet with ale and sipped some before continuing.

You currently maintain fifty knights and one hundred men-at-arms. He stopped to tear off a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth. You will send half your force to the king. Henry intends for his to be a peaceful reign and you'll not have need for so many men.

And who is to maintain peace along our borders?

If you are under siege, send word and the king will organize a punitive expedition against your attackers.

I'm sure my wife and children will find that a great comfort, Jeremy retorted acidly.

Coombs ignored the remark. You have a son, William, Baron Layne.

We do, Jeremy got out through clenched teeth.

Present him to me at once, Coombs demanded.

From her vantage point above the room, Diana could see her father clench