She knelt to kiss the Duchess's hand, and as she did so Margaret
raised her, kissing her brow, and saying with a clear full voice, "I
greet you, Lady Copeland, Baroness of Whitburn. Here is a letter
from my brother, King Edward, calling on the Bishop of Durham, Count
Palatine, to put you in possession of thy castle and lands, whoever
may gainsay it."
That Leonard started with amazement and made a step forward Grisell
was conscious, as she bent again to kiss the hand that gave the
letter; but there was more to come, and Margaret continued -
"Also, to you, as to one who has the best right, I give this
parchment, sealed and signed by my brother, the King, containing his
full and free pardon to the good knight, Sir Leonard Copeland, and
his restoration to all his honours and his manors. Take it, Lady of
Whitburn. It was you, his true wife, who won it for him. It is you
who should give it to him. Stand forth, Sir Leonard."
He did stand forth, faltering a little, as his first impulse had been
to kneel to Grisell, then recollecting himself, to fall at the
Duchess's feet in thanks.
"To her, to her," said the Duchess; but Grisell, as he turned, spoke,
trying to clear her voice from a rising sob.
"Sir Leonard, wait, I pray. Her Highness hath not spoken all. I am
well advised that the wedlock into which you were forced against your
will was of no avail to bind us, as you in mind and will were
contracted to the Lady Eleanor Audley.
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