Under One Sceptre, or Mortimer's Mission: The Story of the Lord of the Marches — John Shaqi
Under One Sceptre, or Mortimer's Mission: The Story of the Lord of the MarchesHolt, Emily Sarah
General
Under One Sceptre, or Mortimer's Mission: The Story of the Lord of the Marches
Holt, Emily Sarah
Historical fiction; Mortimer, Roger de, Earl of March, 1328-1360 -- Fiction
Sir Gerard calculated rightly that this consideration would have some
weight. Roger was sensitive to the opinions of other people, and
particularly of those much above him in rank.
"I don’t see why Lolly could not go!" said he with a pout.
"We shall see," said the tutor. "Perchance, if your Lordship order
yourself after his will, my Lord may give leave that you shall choose
whom you list."
The Earl, on being appealed to, carelessly replied that Roger might take
the man in the moon, if he wished it, provided he were fittingly
attired. Roger, who had got over his pet—indeed, his pets were less
frequent than they used to be—submitted with nothing more than a little
impatience to the tedious ceremony of his own arraying. Mistress
Grenestede was very particular, for she desired Roger to make a good
impression on the Princess, upon whom she looked with very different
eyes from his. When the young Earl’s attiring was over, he found
himself in a long robe of apple-green satin, edged with cloth of gold,
ruby-coloured hose, over which the garter was clasped, and a cap adorned
with a very full, long plume of white feathers. His shoes were
slate-coloured, with a red diamond pattern. Gold buttons ran all down
his sleeves: a rich golden girdle, set with gems, clasped his waist; a
golden collar, with diamonds and rubies, was round his neck; and, in
compliment to the Princess, her badge of the white hart gorged and
couchant was suspended at his breast from a rich gold chain. Thus
splendidly arrayed, Roger marched into the hall, where three persons
awaited him, clad in his own livery, blue and gold, guarded with white.
These were two squires and Lawrence. With considerable impatience the
young Earl sat on the form awaiting Sir Lewis Clifford, who was punctual
to his time, though Roger could hardly believe it. The party then
mounted their horses, and rode away to Kennington Palace, where the
Princess was at that time.
Kennington Palace was then in a neighbourhood at least as rural as
Hampton Court is now. Sir Lewis led his youthful charge, followed by
the attendants, into a pleasant chamber hung with yellow say and
panelled with cedar. Here were two ladies and a gentleman—the former
seated at work, the latter standing in the window. Sir Lewis, leading
Roger up to one of the ladies, dropped on one knee to say—
"Here is the young Lord of March, to wait on my Lady’s Grace."
[Illustration: "Here is the young Lord of March, to wait on my Lady’s
Grace."]
With some curiosity Roger looked up, and saw a short, smiling,
exceedingly fat woman, clad in a crimson damask dress embroidered with
rings of gold. Threads of silver were mingled with her golden hair, and
the remains of what had been extreme beauty could be traced in her
countenance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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