Queen of This Realm - Plaidy Jean. Страница 85

“Sheffield? Oh… not really. He died rather suddenly… dysentery, I think. It carried him off as it does so many. What thought Your Majesty of the bear?”

“A most unpleasant creature who deserved his fate.”

“If he has amused Your Majesty for a short while, he has served his purpose.”

“The little boy diverted me. I thought him a most delightful child.”

Robert was uneasy, eager to divert me in order to stop my insistence on talking of the child. I took a shot in the dark.

“He reminds me of someone.”

The shaft went home. Robert was very disturbed now. “He seemed to be fond of you, Robert,” I went on. “Oh, children's fondness is not to be relied on.”

“I suppose you seem very magnificent in that little one's eyes. He looked at you with something like adoration.”

“If only I could arouse such feelings in one other! Do you remember the boy who brought you flowers and carried words of hope from you to me when we were in the Tower together?”

“I remember it well. How different life is for us now! We should be grateful for what God has given us, Robert, and not hanker for more.”

“A man cannot help his dreams, Elizabeth.”

I said: “Remember that there is always hope.”

I saw the light leap into his eyes. I saw the fierce longing. He took my hand and kissed it and his eyes lifted to mine were full of adoration. This was how I liked to see Robert. That was how I wanted him always to be. Mine. The man who loved me throughout his life, whose love never swerved, he was always there, waiting, hoping that the word would be given which would make me his wife. Only Robert could fill that role for me; and he did it to perfection. I wanted it to remain thus and I was determined that it should; and no matter what he did outside that relationship I would accept—as long as it did not interfere with his devotion first to me.

All the same I was going to watch Lady Sheffield while I was here at Kenilworth.

I WAS, HOWEVER, not deeply concerned about Douglass Sheffield. It was Lettice Knollys whom I could not get out of my thoughts. That the woman was up to some mischief I had no doubt; and some instinct told me it was with Robert.

The Essexes' home was Chartley—not so very far from Kenilworth— and I had a desire to see what her family was like. She had four children, I knew, for when she had waited on me I had made her talk of them; and having an excellent memory for such details about the people who interested me, I remembered that there were two girls and two boys.

The day after the bear-baiting when I had seen the little boy, I went along to pay my daily visit to Mary Sidney. Although she preferred to stay at her home at Penshurst, Robert had prevailed upon her to come to Kenilworth. I would never command her to do what she did not want but I did add my pleas to Robert's and on this occasion she had agreed. Robert had arranged that she should have her separate apartments in the castle and she did not join in any of the festivities. As for myself I could never be grateful enough to her for ruining her beauty for my sake. She was a selfless woman, and always had been; and now lived chiefly for her family.

During our conversation on that day I asked her if she knew Chartley well.

“Not well,” she said. “I have visited it. It is a pleasant spot and the beautiful estate is set in the midst of some of the best scenery in Staffordshire.”

“It's Walter Devereux's place, I believe,” I said.

“Yes. It has been in the Devereux family since the days of Henry VI. Then Agnes de Ferrers, a daughter of the Earl of Derby, married into the Devereux family and took Chartley with her.”

“It is not very far from here. I thought we might stay there for a few days on our way back from Kenilworth.”

“The Earl of Essex is in Ireland, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, but the Countess is not. She is here at Kenilworth.”

“Your Majesty would not mind staying there in the absence of the Earl?”

“My dear Mary, I know my cousin Lettice, and I am sure she would be capable of doing the honors.”

“If that is what Your Majesty wishes…”

I nodded. “Your Philip seems in good spirits here at Kenilworth.”

“He is always happy to be with his Uncle Robert.”

I smiled tenderly. “It is heartwarming to see the affection between those two.”

“Robert looks upon him as a son. It is a pity…”

I looked up sharply. Gentle as I was with Mary, I would not have her reproach me.

“It may well be that Robert has a son…or even a daughter… somewhere.”

Mary was startled. “Your Majesty!”

“Oh, I daresay Robert has his adventures.”

“Your Majesty knows well that Robert cares for one… and one only.” Dear Mary! So loyal!

I sighed and said: “Your Philip is less sensitive now, I trust. We don't want him going about challenging noble earls to duels.”

“Your Majesty will understand that Oxford provoked him.”

“I know, I know. Mary, send for the Countess of Essex and tell her that I wish to call at Chartley when I leave here. Tell her that your brother has suggested that our party stay at Chartley and that she is to leave at once.”

“Has he?”

No. But he will when I have spoken to him. She will need to make sure that the place is sweetened for our stay. Let her believe that the suggestion came from Robert. I will tell him and he will see you and work out the arrangements. Your Philip can accompany Lady Essex and help her since her husband is away. But I want Lady Essex to leave for Chartley tomorrow.”

Mary Sidney was surprised; but she was accustomed to my sudden and often unpredictable commands, and she knew better than to question them.

I kissed her tenderly and left her.

Now Lettice, I thought, your pleasant days at Kenilworth are cut short. I very much look forward to seeing you in the midst of your family at Chartley.

I WAS RIDING beside Robert at the head of the cavalcade and we were a mile or so from Chartley when we encountered Lettice, who had come with a party to greet us.

She looked very fresh and beautiful in a coat of mulberry velvet, a hat sporting a magnificent feather perched rather jauntily on her head. She was certainly a very fine-looking woman. I watched Robert furtively as she approached.

I could not find fault with her manners. She was effusive in her welcome, at the same time stressing the fact that I would find Chartley a somewhat humble residence after Kenilworth and my own royal palaces.

I said: “We have chosen to come, cousin, and I believe you have a way of concealing your possessions.”

I saw the wary look come into her eyes and I decided once more that she was a rather devious young woman.

I bade her ride on my left side; Robert was on my right; and so we came to Chartley. It was a charming little castle with a circular keep and two round towers; and as we rode through the park Lettice pointed out the cows which were smaller than normal and of a sand-white color with ears, muzzle and hoof tipped with black.

“They have been here at Chartley for generations,” Lettice told me, “and they are always that sand-white color. Well… not always. There are occasions when a black one is born, but very rarely. Then there is consternation at Chartley because it is supposed to mean the death of the head of the house is imminent.”

“I trust there will be no black cows born to your herd, cousin,” I said. “You must be anxious for your husband.”

“He is doing Your Majesty's work in Ireland and for that I applaud him,” she said demurely.

“You must miss him sadly.”

“Alas, Madam.”

“But you are a mother of four, I understand.”

“That is so.”

“I look forward to meeting the children. They must be a joy to you.” She admitted that they were.

Robert was silent during this conversation, but I could feel a tension in the air and should have liked to know the real meaning of it. With Douglass Sheffield I could feel sure, but in the case of Lettice it was different.