For indeed the day had gone well at the Manor House. The master of the house, Lord Roger de Couverley, had received Sir Thomas de Montfort and his retinue, who had brought good news from King Edward that the fair Princess Anne was to be betrothed to Lord Roger's son Richard. Sir Thomas de Montfort owned rich lands in the neighbouring county, and could provide finance for Lord Roger's army if they joined forces. There had been much feasting, dancing and playing of music that day, good food had been served, and good wine partaken of. Lord Roger was pleased.
By midnight all were replete with good food and wine, retiring to their respective chambers within the Manor House as the night sky descended and the moon and stars held sway. The Princess Anne, still in her rich gown, looked out through the panelled glass window, with its latticework panes worked in lead, and surveyed the garden, taking in the maze, the enclosed flower beds, the herb garden and the turf seats.
There he was! Princess Anne had seen Richard walking in the garden the previous night at this time, as if he were looking for someone or something. From the bodice of her gown she brought out the decorated wooden charm in the shape of a mouse, which he had given to her during tonight's entertainment with a slight smile and courteous incline of the head, but saying nothing. She looked at it in the moonlight, turning it over, then hid it safely in a box with other treasures. This man Richard was to be her husband, and she had met him in person for the first time only yesterday. Neither of them was under any illusion that this was to be anything but a marriage arranged for political reasons, but nevertheless she found him handsome, and felt that such a marriage was more tolerable than with an elderly, rich bachelor from one of the neighbouring estates.
Anne watched Richard retreat in the moonlight, and out of curiosity crept along her landing and down the stone western staircase, pulling carefully to the heavy door to the outside. A lackey was sitting asleep, and she did not wake him as she walked silently by. A few rapid steps around the edge of the lawn, so as not to be seen from the house, and she was just a few yards behind him, creeping behind the trees so that he did not see her. As the garden opened out to the grassy dell which preceded the meadow, so Richard stopped, and looked all around him, then back at the house, as if waiting for something. His right hand went down to his loins, and closed around the heated parts. His eyes closed, and his breath slowed.