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TWENTY-SIX
When Bess arrived back at Court, she was surprised to learn that Elizabeth had given Robin Dudley apartments that adjoined the queen's. The conspirators were waiting for Bess to return before he moved in.
Elizabeth asked Bess and Mary Sidney, Robin's sister, to attend her in her private sitting room. “I trust the ankle is healed well enough to allow you to dance, Lady Cavendish?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It was most kind of you to let me go home for a few days.”
“Perhaps you can go home more often if we work out a schedule that is mutually beneficial. I have so many ladies-in-waiting and ladies-of-the-bedchamber that I will not need you two in attendance through the day.”
Bess and Mary exchanged a puzzled glance.
“The nights are another matter entirely. I want one or the other of you on duty every night, except Sunday of course. None of my other ladies will do. Each week I would like Bess on duty for three nights, and then Mary for the other three. The rest of the time you are free to do whatever you wish.”
Bess thanked the queen profusely. It meant that for four days each week she would be able to be with her family at Brentford.
Elizabeth eyed her pale green gown with approval. “I am pleased to see you are no longer in mourning, Bess. It is time to start thinking about marriage. Mary here is wed, and I am being pressed on all sides to take a husband, so why should you be spared?”
“I am in no haste, Your Majesty,” Bess said dryly.
The first night that Bess was on duty, the dancing ended early, just after midnight. The queen bade her courtiers good night in the Presence Chamber and withdrew with her ladies to the Privy Chamber, where only her intimates were allowed. Bess went through the anteroom to Elizabeth's private apartments and continued on into the queen's bedchamber. She drew the heavy drapes across the window and checked to make sure the queen had a supply of her favorite Alicante wine and water. She checked the supply of scented candles, then moved to the wardrobe to take out a furred bedgown. Bess opened a drawer and selected a nightdress of delicate white lawn embroidered with gold thread.
Suddenly, a man's arm slipped about Bess's waist, and the night rail was plucked from her fingers. “I'll do that, my sweet.” She looked up into Robin Dudley's dark eyes, and he gave her a bold wink. “We need you on guard in the anteroom, Bess. We have very few friends we can trust.”
She swept into a curtsy before the man and the woman in the shadows behind him, then, as if moving in a trance, she walked through the apartment to the anteroom. It suddenly became clear why Elizabeth had insisted on either herself or Robin's sister attending her at night.
How naive she was to be surprised. Elizabeth allowed Robin to kiss her in full view of the Court, and their sexual attraction for each other was obvious. Why had she not guessed they were lovers? Bess sank into a chair and closed her ears to the whispering laughter that floated to her from within. If Elizabeth was being pressured to take a foreign husband for political purposes, why shouldn't she take what pleasure Robin could give her?
More and more Bess found herself in the company of the captain of the queen's guard. She was flattered that St. Loe seemed so fascinated by her and knew he was becoming enamored. He was the complete opposite of Cavendish, who had been a rugged, self-made man. The captain was a polished gentleman from an ancient and landed family of wealth.
One day in early summer, the queen asked her captain of the guard to attend her. Elizabeth did not beat about the bush, but came to her point directly. “My dear Syntlo, you are much in the company of Lady Cavendish these days.”
Sir William flushed. “Your Majesty, if I have offended—”
She cut him off. “That depends upon whether your intentions are honorable or not.”
“I hope I am an honorable man in all things, Your Majesty.”
“I would not look unfavorably upon such a match. Since you are comtemplating marriage, I've decided to appoint you chief butler of England.” If he wasn't contemplating marriage, her tone indicated that he should.
“Your gracious Majesty, I am honored by your trust in me.”
Elizabeth said dryly, “You will need the money. Brides are expensive.”
Sir William, on the horns of a dilemma, flushed again. Was the queen suggesting he wed Lady Cavendish so that he would pay off her massive debt to the Crown? He cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, the lady's debts are crippling—”
Elizabeth waved her hand imperiously. “I have decided to reduce her debt to one thousand pounds. Her services are indispensable.”
St. Loe almost sagged with relief. Bess would be overjoyed at the news. She filled his every waking thought. He couldn't believe his good fortune. Not only had the queen appointed him to the highest post regarding her daily life and ritual, Elizabeth had given him leave to pursue his heart's desire.
“Would you be good enough to summon Lady Cavendish for me, Syntlo?”
Sir William found Bess on her way out of the palace. She had been on duty the last three nights and was on her way to Brentford. “Lady Cavendish, Her Majesty requests your presence.”
Bess bit back a curse. She never swore in Sir William's presence; it was far too unladylike.
“After your audience it would give me great pleasure to escort you home, my lady. There is something I would like to ask you.”
Bess felt a measure of panic begin to rise. She knew instinctively he was going to propose marriage, and her thoughts darted about, trying to think of some kind way to refuse him. Although she was fond of him and enjoyed his attention, Bess knew she would never love him, and he could never, ever replace Cavendish in her heart. “I welcome your safe escort, my lord.” She would find the right words on the way to Brentford.
