This went on until one day she heard a rider gallop into the country yard. She knew only one person who rode at that breakneck sped, slithering abruptly to a halt, his mount rearing dangerously. It couldn’t be the king. But she was on her feet, running down the hall and through heavy door. He strode toward her, and she was in his arms. His voice was scarcely audible as he kissed her hair.
“As beautiful, more beautiful, than ever.”….Edward looked only at her. He slipped the snood from her hair , let the bright strands flow through his fingers. His voice was thick.
“I shouldn’t be here. My army is on the way to Hexham, and I’m playing truant. My staff thinks I’m with some – God, knows what they think. If they saw you, they would understand I couldn’t bear to be a few miles away and not come to you. Have you missed me, my Elizabeth?”
She couldn’t speak, but her joyous smile and the thudding of her heart when he held her to him must have been answer enough.
excerpt from The Royal Consorts by Anne Powers (via edwardslovelyelizabeth)
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