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Bess pulled away from him angrily. “This is insanity. We cannot carry on like this. It's your son and your daughter's wedding! 'Fore God, if you don't control yourself, we'll be coupling under the hedge like a pair of gypsies!”
Suddenly, they both heard someone shouting. They stopped talking and listened. There seemed to be a general outcry from the castle. “Obviously something's wrong; go quickly,” she urged.
Bess waited a few minutes, then, keeping to the shadows, made her way across the gardens and back to the castle. She was in time to watch George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, gently pick up his countess, Gertrude, from where she lay on the floor and carry her up the great ornate staircase to her private apartments. Gertrude's three ladies-in-waiting followed, wringing their hands.
Bess joined Syntlo, who was standing with the queen and Dudley. “What happened?”
“Some sort of seizure. Fortunately, Shrewsbury has his own physicians at Sheffield. Too much excitement, I warrant,” Elizabeth declared.
Anne Herbert spoke from behind her fan, although it did little to muffle her words. “Gertrude was arguing with her son Francis, my new son-in-law. He and his bride wanted to retire from the reception, and Gertrude wouldn't hear of their being alone. Apparently, she's a termagant with the children, likes to exercise complete control over them. Her girls are frightened to death of her.”
Elizabeth raised her plucked eyebrows. “I knew we could rely on you to give us a full accounting, Lady Herbert.”
Anne Herbert's skin was so thick, the pointed barb did not penetrate. “Now that Francis is a married man, he decided to challenge Gertrude's authority, and suddenly she turned red as a turkey wattle and fell to the floor.”
“She probably just fainted and needs to rest,” Bess murmured.
“Mmm,” Anne Herbert pressed her lips together before she pronounced her diagnosis. “Gertrude's left side was completely paralyzed—couldn't speak, couldn't get up. Looks serious to me!”
“I hope not,” Bess murmured fervently, suffused with guilt.
Her Majesty looked at the Countess of Pembroke. “How fortunate that you are here to take over as our hostess, Anne.”
“Oh, I suppose as the other mother of the bride and groom, that is true.” Anne Herbert lifted her fan and raised her voice. “Everyone, do carry on; the Countess of Shrewsbury simply fainted from the heat. All she needs is a little rest. William, do have the musicians play the grand march so the newlyweds can circle the ballroom before taking their leave.”
“We are in competent hands now,” Elizabeth said with a straight face, while those about the queen were biting their lips to keep from shouting with laughter.
“Syntlo, I think perhaps you'd better order up the carriages. We'll return to Haddon Hall rather than stay overnight at Sheffield. Robin, give our excuses to Shrewsbury and tell him to let us know how poor Gertrude fares tomorrow.”
Sir William St. Loe took leave of his wife and murmured , “Her Majesty has a horror of sickness. Good night, my dearest. I shall ride over to Chatsworth tomorrow, duty permitting.”
Shrewsbury returned with Dudley to bid Elizabeth and her entourage farewell, then he assured the remaining guests that Gertrude was resting comfortably.
When Bess decided to round up her family, she found her three sons enjoying a wrestling match with Gilbert Talbot, an affable youth who had inherited his father's dark looks. Her eyes turned speculative immediately and a seed of ambition was sown. It is high time I started thinking about the future of my children. She turned and saw Shrewsbury watching her from the doorway.
“Bid Lord Talbot good night and thank him for his hospitality,” she bade her sons as they reluctantly stopped their horseplay. She watched them make their bows and leave the room with Gilbert following them. Bess approached Shrewsbury and laid her hand on his sleeve. “Anne Herbert says she cannot talk or walk.”
He nodded. “Her doctor assures me she'll recover, but I don't have much faith in the damned quack.”
“I'm so sorry.” She searched his face. “See how guilty you feel now!”
He covered her hand with his. “You are wrong, Bess. I am incapable of feeling guilt over anything I've said to you or done with you. However, you look racked with guilt, my beauty, so I shall desist in my unseemly behavior toward you while Gertrude suffers this indignity. I promise.”
He sounded absolutely sincere. Could she believe him? Bess lowered her lashes. “Good night, my lord. Please send me word on how she fares.”
