The White Lord of Wellesbourne by Kathryn Le Veque

time.”
    La Londe often knew things that
Howard did not. He was far more into Henry Tudor’s inner circle than Terrington
was.
    “What do you mean?” Howard asked
leadingly.
    Dennis turned from the window. “I
mean exactly what I said. There will be no long wait for our plans to come to
pass.  What will happen at Wellesbourne will happen with deliberate purpose to
coincide with Henry’s imminent arrival.”
    Although Howard had been hearing
rumors about this for quite some time, it was the first confirmation he had
received. It was what every Tudor ally had been waiting for.  “Henry is finally
coming? When?”
    “Soon,” La Londe said vaguely.
Howard Terrington was not someone he wanted to divulge everything to, at least
not all at once. “Within the month we will unleash our army inside the walls of
Wellesbourne and effectively cripple a great deal of the king’s support. By the
time Henry reaches England’s shores, Richard’s strength will be compromised. 
This is exact as Lord Sutton had intended, Howard. Bring down Wellesbourne and
you cut off Richard’s right hand.”
    “And weaken his resistance.”
    “Exactly. But there is more, mon
ami .”
    “What more is there?”
    “Wiltshire and Pembroke are
moving their armies to Shrewsbury. So are several other nobles. And do you know
why?”
    “Nay.”
    La Londe lifted an eyebrow.
“Because it is the midsection of the country. Occupy it, fill it, create a
noose around it and effectively cut off the north from the south. Separate
Richard from his allies.  And then the noose shall tighten as Henry arrives
with his army of French and Teutonic mercenaries to assume his rightful place.”
    Howard could only think of what
he would gain once Henry took the throne. “So it comes,” he muttered, more to
himself than to La Londe. “We’ve waited so long that I can hardly believe it.
And to know that my niece will play a part in it…”
    “As I said, her marriage to
Wellesbourne could not have come at a better time,” La Londe reiterated. “You
should be congratulated. Your niece will accomplish what hordes of men could
not.  The fall of the White Lord of Wellesbourne will be a great feat.”
    It was why Howard had married her
off in the first place. He could see that his place of respect with Henry Tudor
would be assured. “Do not forget that, as the widow of Wellesbourne, she will
be a very wealthy woman and much desirable as a reward to a worthy ally.”
    La Londe looked at him as if he
was daft. “Why do you think I am here?” he said. “Never imagine that I have
maintained my contact with you all of these years simply because I enjoy your
company.  I want something from you, Terrington.”
    Howard was astute enough to
understand the implication. There could be no other choice. “You want my niece?”
    La Londe nodded slowly, his
pale-colored eyes narrowed and glittering. He was a terrifying man at times. “I
have met the Lady Alixandrea. She is quite a prize. With Wellesbourne’s wealth,
she will be more than adequate compensation for my loyalties.”
    As much as Howard was fairly
indifferent to his niece, he wasn’t at all sure he wanted to see her wed to La
Londe. But the man had indeed risked himself to support Henry Tudor’s cause and
had earned such compensation.  In fact, it was only through such adequate
recompense that La Londe sold his powerful loyalties.
    “Fair enough,” he said. He
drained the last of his wine. “But we must veer back to the subject at hand; if
Henry’s arrival is as imminent as you say, then we must waste no time. The
wheels must be put in motion.”
    “But the wheels are already in
motion,” La Londe barely let him finish before he was responding. “There are
two purposes at heart, mon ami . Not only must we destroy the
infrastructure of Wellesbourne, but in capturing the castle we must draw
Richard’s troops away from Henry’s arrival. While some of the York allies are
concentrated on regaining