Bessie (29 page)

“He was here later. I think he has been coming in here nightly. I was not imagining his presence all those other times. Don’t you see?”

“I see a bag of candles, a half-dressed lady, and an angry finger pointed at me. I should have stayed abed and pretended illness.”

“He said once that we needed a picnic. In my chamber. With a sturdy bed, heavy cream, and lots of candles. Do you see now? This is the proof. He was here.”

“He said such a thing? Good night! No wonder you’ve been unable to sleep.”

“Yes, he said it, and yes, he was here. He uses the window. That’s why the shutters won’t stay latched!”

“He climbs through the window? Surely, you are mistaken.”

“I had the clue the entire time! Will told me he learned it from Devon. And now he probably won’t even talk to me! Don’t just stand there, help me!”

“You’ve put your chemise on backwards.”

“I haven’t got any time to waste. He doesn’t know! Blast it, anyway!”

“But, you just said he did.”

“Yes, I did...didn’t I? It’s so wondrous! But so unfair of him at the same time.”

“Unfair? Weren’t you the woman pretending to be two bodies? What kind of fair play is that?”

“Oh, help me, Roberta! Why doesn’t this under-garment have sleeves?”

“You’ve got them wrapped about your waist. Here, let me.”

“I have to hurry! I have to find out what he’s doing. I have to. He doesn’t know. He may be hurt. I would be. What am I saying? I was terribly hurt. Oh, please, hurry!”

“Hurt?”

“It’s your fault, too! You were the one who sent me to his room.”

“That was an excellent plan.”

“Not when he waiting for me in this one!”

“How was I supposed to know he’d do that? Here, best have at least one petticoat on. You’ll shock the younger ladies.”

“Oh Roberta! He wasn’t in anyone else’s arms last night! I thought he was. I’ve been so distraught...and—he was here!”  Bessie hugged her arms about herself and twirled in place.

“I believe I’ll go inform the ladies we are almost ready. You are ready, aren’t you? You need help with your weeds?”

“I am not wearing them. You can burn them. He was here! He knows everything. And that must mean he loves me, he does! He must. Why else would he be so patient? It was in front of my nose the entire time, and I missed it. Come! I’ve got to find him and let him know. Heaven knows where he thinks I was.”

“I’ll vouch for you, my lady, should it come to that.”

“Oh. He’s a fool if he thinks me anything but his. And I know now, the man is no fool. He is everything I’ve ever looked for! Oh, Roberta! I am so lucky! Come along!”

“You will let me burn the weeds? You promise?”

“Oh, yes. Every single one.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

The queen was in residence at Stansbury Hall.

Bessie knew it before they came within view of the Tudor Standard high atop the flagpole. It didn’t come simply from the plethora of striped tents littering her parade grounds, nor the festive peddlers all about the roadside, intent upon selling their wares. Nor was her knowledge of Queen Elizabeth’s whereabouts based on the crowds of peasants, courtiers, and vagabonds their driver had to steer the carriage through. She knew for a certainty the queen had moved the court to Stansbury Hall, due to the retinue of guards that came over the hillside and surrounded their carriage. She felt the same start of fear, too. It took a moment to stifle it.

“Is the Lady Hilde with you? Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, commands her presence immediately at the Hall.”

Bessie recognized the Captain-of-the-Guards. She scooted toward the door to answer. “We are in the process of journeying there as we speak, Sir Stratton.”

“You? Uh. You...are Lady Hilde?”

“Why, yes.”

“The woman known as The Widow?”

Bess smiled. “The very same.”

“You can’t be. She’s—I mean...we thought—”

His men were having the same problem as their captain. She could tell as their horses moved closer to crowd about the carriage window.

“I can see I’ve surprised you, captain. Why...the next thing you’ll be saying is how lovely I am, or something along that line.”

“But...you are.”

“You see? You’ve a pretty tongue, captain. Why are you holding us up, again?”

“I’ve orders to escort you to the queen. Come. We’ve brought a mount for you.”

“I can attend Her Majesty when we arrive at the Hall. I am with my family. As you can see, you are frightening them.”

Bessie watched his glance flit about the interior of the coach. She could tell he was impressed for he pulled the helmet from his head and tipped his head in a deferential bow. He was just as she’d remembered, too. Fit. Blonde. Blue-eyed. Handsome.

“You do see that I’ve my sisters’ welfare to see to, don’t you?”

“These ladies are your sisters, then? All of them?”

“Say good day to the captain, girls,” Bessie said.

He was smiling as Olivia spoke first, and the others followed. The gesture highlighted his handsomeness.

“Will you be attending my masque this eve, Sir Stratton?” Bessie asked.

“I’ll be free to do so, if I like.”

“Your wife is not attending?”

“I am not wed, my lady. Never have been.”

“Oh. Yes. I was simply refreshing my memory. I’m sure I speak for my sisters when I say I hope you do attend. A handsome man is a welcome addition to any fete. We look forward to seeing you there. Don’t we, ladies?”

Alicia was noticeably flustered, Olivia blushed, and Regina giggled.

“I see no reason why we should separate you from your sisters, my lady. We’ll escort all of you. I’ll give the order.”

“Why, thank you, Sir Stratton. I’m properly grateful.”

Bessie shut the drape and sat back, between Roberta and Regina. Alicia was still very pink-toned on her seat beside Augusta.

“I cannot believe he let you change a royal command. I can’t believe what I just heard, either. You were flirtatious.”

“Yes, Regina. I was. It comes in handy at times. Besides, it will do her good to wait, for a change. My guardian always gets her way.”

“You are flirting with trouble, my lady.”

“Oh, Roberta, only if she finds out.”

“She can find out anything, remember?”

“I only said that as a caution to the girls. I was trying to get all of you to understand court life. Nothing you do or say is private. It can always be held against you. If Her Majesty found out I wasn’t hastening to her side, I’d be properly chastised. I think we’re safe enough, though.”

“Why?” Alicia asked.

“Who is going to give me away? The same guards who are disobeying their orders as we speak?”

“This is all very interesting. There’s a certain knack to getting your own way, even at court, isn’t there?” Olivia remarked.

“Especially if one has a pretty face. I don’t think it will be much of a problem for any of you.”

Olivia seemed satisfied with the answer and sat back into the slice of seat on the other side of Augusta. Bessie smiled as it was only a moment later before Olivia was checking her image in a little mirror she brought in her bag.

“I wonder what she wants,” Alicia whispered.

“I am trying to pretend I don’t.”

“I hope it isn’t anything bad.”

“It is always bad. Don’t let it put a damper on anything. We’ve a gala to attend and handsome men, like our escort, the captain, to impress. I do hope you’ve got everything for your costumes.”

“I’ll look magnificent as the black swan. I’m going to look so mysterious. I’m so glad Regina decided to be the fairy.”

“You told me you’d strip the black swan from my back if I tried to take it,” Regina complained.

“You are going to have the men prostrate with longing, Olivia. I can see it, already. I do hope you’ll be easy on them. Take the captain, for instance. He certainly looked interested.”

Olivia made as if to kick Regina. The younger girl lifted her feet onto the cushions, and out of the way. Bess watched Alicia frown at both of them. Alicia would make Sir Geoffrey an excellent mate, if she still had eyes for him after meeting the queen’s Captain-of-the-Guards.

“Doesn’t it bother you, even a little?”

“What, Alicia?”

“The summons. The queen wants to see you. I’d be frightened out of my wits. You won’t let her take you away?”

“I am sure it’s nothing like that. Don’t you worry about it for a moment. I’m not.”

~ ~ ~

The last was a lie.

It became obvious as Bessie was escorted up her own staircase to the master suite. Sir Geoffrey lifted his eyebrows apologetically when she’d caught his eye. She knew he wasn’t to blame for her chambers being confiscated. If the queen decided to visit with her court, she could oust anyone from any chamber she liked.

Bessie only hoped Geoffrey hadn’t given out all the rooms.

“The Countess of Hilde, Sire. Lady Elizabeth Hildebrand.”

Bess moved just inside her door and sank into a deep curtsy. The queen was sitting before the fireplace, highlighted by the glow. She was in an enormous chair set atop a pedestal. She was having her fingernails attended to. Bessie waited. The chair was a new addition to the bedchamber, as was the dais it sat atop. It was an effective setting. It instantly put everyone else on a lower level.

Queen Elizabeth finished ignoring her and looked toward the door. Bessie was still holding her deep curtsey, despite how her legs trembled.

“Leave us now. All of you. I can see to my own welfare and comfort while I visit with my ward. Now, go.”

The attending ladies both bowed and then backed away. Bessie rose from her act of deference to move from the doorway for their departure. She kept her gaze on the floor the entire time. She didn’t want any listeners, either, but she was probably safer if they’d stayed.

“Come closer, Elizabeth. Sit beside me. We’ve much to discuss.”

Bess lifted her eyes, took a shuddering breath, and gathered her courage. “I’d rather stand, please.”

“Oh, child. You’ve always did look at me with such a leery expression. I wish I’d known another way, but I didn’t.”

“I’m...sorry.”

“Don’t ask forgiveness for such a natural thing. I know you fear me. I wanted to make certain the entire court knew of it, too. It was better that way.”

“Your Majesty?”

“I’m asking you to understand me a little.”

“I will...try.”

“You father was one of my privateers, Elizabeth. I was distraught when his ship disappeared. He was a favorite of mine, you see. I suppose that is why he left guardianship of his only child to me. I...cared for him. I have always cared for his daughter, as well.”

“You…cared for me?”

“More than you realize. I just didn’t dare let anyone guess at it. I couldn’t risk it. Especially when you grew such glorious red hair. Can you imagine what would have been said? You, of all members of my court, know what my enemies are capable of, and how many of them there are. You would have been a target. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Do you know how difficult it is to be the Queen of England?”

“I…uh. No.”

How was she supposed to answer such a question? No one could possibly know how it felt to be the most powerful woman on earth.

“Will you come and sit beside me now? I’d move, but my legs give me quite a bit of trouble. Sometimes, they’re so numb, I can’t stand. No one knows, though. God forbid Queen Elizabeth exhibits a weakness. Have you any idea what havoc that would cause?”

“I’m sorry...about your legs.”

“I know you are. You were always so honest. I wish I could have shown you sooner how much it meant.”

“You truly cared?”

Bessie advanced into the chamber, gathered a handful of her skirts and sat on one of the stools at Queen Elizabeth’s side. Her Majesty didn’t look as mighty up close. She was already wearing white lead paint on her face. She had a red wig on her head. A many-tiered collar of perfectly matched pearls. An ice-blue satin gown. But under all that she looked ill. And tired.

“I had reports brought to me of you. I had your every moment watched and recorded and reported to me. If I couldn’t be the one tending to your needs, I could certainly make sure they were met, couldn’t I?”

“You had me watched…because you cared?”

“Is it so hard to believe?”

“But, I don’t understand—you’ll think it impertinent of me.”

“You’ve never been that, Elizabeth. Never. Ask. That’s why I had you brought to me. We’ve got so much trouble to clear up. If you don’t ask, how will you find out the truth?”

“Why did you wed me to Stansbury? And to Crump?”

“I notice you don’t mention Bargerelle. He was a manly sort, wasn’t he? I thought at the time, I was doing such a service to you. Why, if I had been anyone except the queen, I’d have been pleased with the union.”

“You had me imprisoned over him.”

“Oh, Elizabeth. Never that. Trust me. I spent so much time at the Tower I keep forgetting it has other uses. I put you there to protect you. Bargerelle wasn’t a patient man. Once he got my agreement to the marriage, he wanted you delivered to him post-haste. You were still a child. I had to keep you out of reach.”

“I wasn’t a prisoner?”

“Only of your own beauty, Elizabeth.”

Bess sucked in her breath at that. Her Majesty noticed, for she chuckled.

“Why do you think I’ve commanded you to wear weeds all these years?”

“To make me ugly.”

“Excellent! You were always so sharp. It made me more than proud. The weeds worked, too. Do you have any idea what happened every time you were seen? I had to fend off offers for your hand. You ask of Crump and Stansbury? Forgive me, child. I had no other choice. I owed them too much.”

“You owed them?”

“They advanced enormous sums to the crown. I couldn’t have floated one ship, let alone a fleet of them against the Spaniards without loans from the nobility. And...I am not my father. What I owe, I repay.”

“Lord Crump...asked for me?”

“He saw you and offered me a deal. He cancelled out my entire debt for your hand in marriage. I made him pay, though. Why do you think I had the betrothal worded as it was? If you had no heir, he lost everything. It gave me some pleasure when that happened, too.”

“And you owed Stansbury?”

“I owed the old goat a fortune. Look about you. The man had such rich lands and no wife. And then he saw you and I had no choice.”

“Thank you for telling me this. I understand now. I do.”

Bess had to look down or she’d lose out to the emotion she was keeping at bay. The one thing the queen had taught her was self-control. Losing it now would be an insult.

“There’s more we need to discuss, Elizabeth. I didn’t just bring you here for this, although it’s something I’ve needed to say for some time, and something you needed to listen to. I want you to know your husband, Lord Hildebrand, came to me this morning. He asked me to have this marriage set aside.”

Bessie’s head came up. She knew the tears would be impossible to miss. The queen was shimmering through a blur of them. “Devon asked...? No. He didn’t. You can’t. Please don’t say you granted it. Please?”

“My favorite courtier asked for an audience. What did you expect me to do? Deny him?”

“What…did you do?”

“I acceded to his wishes, of course, but I cannot tell you how disappointed I am. That is a lame word. I’m positively staggered. This is the best match I have ever set up. I wasn’t lying when I told you at the ceremony that it gave me joy to wed you two together, and what happens? He asks to be set free.”

“You…acceded?”