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When he was arrested and sent to the Tower, along with his assistants, it was learned that Sir William's brother, Edward, had been seen frequenting the astrologer-sorcerer's establishment in Red Cross Street, and the Court was abuzz with the shocking news that Edward St. Loe had tried to murder William and Bess.
“Darling, they won't arrest Edward unless you press charges against him.” Bess would have felt much safer with Edward St. Loe in the Tower with his evil associates.
“My dearest, I have no proof that Edward was involved, but even if I had, the scandal would be horrific. For your sake I don't want notoriety connected to the St. Loe name. There is a better way to be sure no further attempts will be made upon us. Today I made an indenture to hold my lands jointly in both our names. When I die you will get all the lands, so the incentive for Edward to get rid of me has been removed.”
“Oh, Will, you are so generous. How can I ever thank you for all you have done for the children and me?”
“Consenting to be my wife is all the thanks I will ever need. You fill up my heart, Bess.”
She could not help feeling guilty, for though she loved Sir William St. Loe, she was not in love with him, and Bess wished with all her heart that it could be otherwise.
“You need a change of air, dearest. A summer at Chatsworth will do you a world of good. I'll go over to Eton College and make the arrangements for the boys to take their holidays.”
“You are coming too, Will. You look positively haggard these days. Elizabeth works you far too hard.” Bess knew he would never criticize the queen, so she did it for him.
The week after they arrived at Chatsworth, Bess's stepfather, Ralph Leche, passed away. After the funeral Bess crossed herself, realizing this was the third death. The following week Sir William received a dispatch from the queen, requesting his immediate return. Elizabeth had decided to move her Court to Greenwich Palace for the summer and could not manage without her captain of the guard and chief butler of England.
“Damn Elizabeth; she treats you like a lapdog. The minute you leave her side, she calls you to heel.” Bess vented her anger, because Syntlo looked as if he needed a rest. “I shall come back with you. It is my duty as your wife to see that she doesn't work you day and night!”
“My love, I am used to the queen's whims and know how to take care of myself at my age, I should hope. I think you should stay here to comfort your mother in her loss. The summer is so short, my dearest. Spend it with the children and your family. Perhaps you will get the third story of Chatsworth finished this year.”
Bess felt humbled. He was such a devoted man, who always put her needs before his own. She felt torn, but in the end Chatsworth won. Bess was afraid that it always would.
When he returned for her at the end of August, however, Bess regretted her decision. Her husband looked as if he had aged ten years in one short summer. He was stooped and his pallor was yellowish, making Bess fear that the poison he ingested had permanently damaged his liver.
Marcella dosed him with the herb allheal, which had a hot, biting taste and was extremely good for the liver and spleen. The jaundice disappeared, but unfortunately the stoop was permanent.
When the door closed on their luxurious bedchamber at Chatsworth, Bess was happy that Syntlo became excited at the thought of sleeping with her, but an hour later, when he had not been able to achieve an erection, she became concerned.
Sir William flung himself from the great carved bed in frustration. “I'm sorry, Bess, I'm useless!”
“It's all right, Will, it doesn't matter.”
“It matters to me! My God, I've dreamed of you every night. You wouldn't believe how erotic those dreams were, and now this!”
“Come back to bed, Will. Perhaps it was something I did, or didn't do. Come, we'll try again.”
After much persuasion he got back into bed and lay staring at the canopy. Realizing he was afraid of failure, Bess moved close and lifted his arm about her. Then she began to kiss him. Her kisses were not aggressive or demanding in any way, but soft and gentle. Slowly, she stroked her hand down his chest, across his hip, then cupped him with the palm of her hand. When he grew half-erect, she closed her fingers about him and squeezed. Then, with featherlike strokes, she drew her fingers up his shaft to the head and pulsed her fingertips until he engorged with blood.
He gasped and moved over her immediately to mount her, but his erection shriveled instantly. Bess was willing to keep trying, but Sir William was not. “It's too humiliating. I'll never be able to satisfy you.”
“Hush, Will,” Bess soothed, “it's probably the herbs Marcella dosed you with. It will be fine tomorrow. Let's get some rest.” She enfolded him in her arms and cushioned his cheek against her breast. It was another hour before she heard his breathing alter and she knew he slept.
As she lay quietly beside him, her heart overflowed with compassion. She didn't believe that their sex life was completely over, but she was wise enough to realize that this episode of failure and frustration would not be the last.
Bess was most happy the Court had moved from Greenwich back to Windsor before she returned, not only because their apartment at the castle was so spacious, but because her sons were close by at Eton. Queen Elizabeth's birthday was September 7, and Windsor was a hive of activity, preparing for the celebration.
A great masque was being planned. The Presence Chamber would be decorated to look like an underwater kingdom, and those invited would be costumed as Neptune , Poseidon, water sprites, and mermaids. The days leading up to Her Majesty's birthday were filled with frenzied activities.
There was a great hunt, then a medieval tournament with jousting. There was a large hawking party and daily contests with rich prizes at the archery butts. The courtiers were almost worn out before the big day arrived, yet at her birthday masque, Elizabeth danced until dawn.
Bess helped Elizabeth out of her crystal-encrusted gown and long green wig. The dressing room adjoining the queen's bedchamber was in chaos, with garments lying everywhere, but Elizabeth told Bess to leave it and attend to it later, after the queen had three or four hours of sleep. Bess withdrew to the anteroom, sank down in a soft chair, and put up her aching feet.
She didn't awaken until after nine o'clock and wondered why one of the other ladies-of-the-bedchamber hadn't come to relieve her. Mary and Lettice both must have slept late. Bess stood up and stretched. It would feel good to get out of her gown and climb into her own bed. She went through to the queen's bedchamber and drew back the heavy curtains on both windows.
“Good morning, Your Majesty; it has gone nine o'clock.”
“Good morning, Bess; that was the most glorious birthday celebration I've ever had!”
