‘My Lord of Leicester’s bastard is still at court, it seems.’
Again a sprinkle of laughter went round the group and Rob closed his eyes briefly, calming his heartbeat and breathing deeply. Surreptitiously he loosened his dagger in his belt, and regretted that his sword was on top of his doublet in the corner of the stall.
‘Have you learned the art of scrying yet, young Rob?’
Rob turned from his task with the horse and bowed gracefully. Essex and a couple of his companions were standing at the entrance to the stable, glitteringly bright in their court finery on their way to see the Queen.
‘Welcome home, my Lord.’ Rob grinned and bowed again, choosing to ignore the insults that had been flung at him. ‘Have you left Ireland a much safer place?’
‘I have brought the requested troops home. We noblemen have to fight where we are needed, Rob. It seems we are needed to fight for our country against the Spanish, so here we are.’ Essex held his hands apart and laughed with his friends.
‘The Queen will be pleased to see you, my Lord. Relieved that such an experienced soldier as yourself has come to save his country in its’ hour of need.’ Rob bowed pleasantly as he saw Essex narrow his eyes in pursuit of the insult in the words.
‘Ireland has given me vast experience, Rob. Hastings will see the benefit of my troops in his ranks, I assure you.’
‘Indeed, my Lord. Then I wish you well in your visit to the Queen, and success on the battlefield.’ Rob bowed again as Essex turned away, tired of baiting someone who would not retaliate. His braying laugh faded into the distance as his party walked towards the palace door.
‘You had better warn Eliza that he is back, Rob.’ Tom Sadler’s voice came from the rear of the stable block and Rob turned to see the older man carrying a saddle into an adjoining stall.
‘I’m sure he will be too occupied with the Queen to bother Eliza, Tom.’ Rob brought a net of forage for his horse and then grasped his doublet and sword from the corner, shrugging into the garment and buckling his belt around his waist.
‘Essex is never occupied sufficiently that he cannot find more mischief, Rob. I advise you to warn Eliza, and don’t leave yourself unarmed outside the palace walls.’ Rob looked at Tom sharply and quirked his mouth in a wry smile.
‘And oil your dagger, Rob. Inside the palace, when you cannot wear your sword, make sure your dagger is to hand. Look after your blade …’
‘And your blade will look after you.’ Rob laughed as he finished the sentence, a mantra they had all been taught by Thomas when they were first in Robert’s household. Tom chuckled and clapped Rob on the back as they walked out of the stable into the bright sunlit morning.
‘That’s right, Rob. And Essex is dangerous, never forget that. Warn Eliza.’
Rob nodded and watched Tom walk across the courtyard, then turned to go and find Eliza to let her know Essex had returned.
***
‘Sssh, my love, don’t get upset.’ Rob held Eliza close to his chest and stroked her forehead, placing gentle kisses on her brow in an attempt to soothe her. He had gone straight up the tower steps and through the hidden corridors to the Queen’s Presence Chamber. He knew Essex would take the long way round, stopping in all the galleries to speak to people and be greeted by those who thought he could advance their own careers. Rob knew Essex wouldn’t hurry.
He slid into the Queen’s Presence Chamber from the stairs and gazed round for Eliza, spying her helping his Aunt Kit with the younger girls. Keeping close to the walls, he made his way round the room until he caught Eliza’s eye. That she was in turquoise silk was a relief, as the Queen wouldn’t notice her absence when she eventually appeared to greet her court.
At last Eliza saw him and smiled, whispering to Kit and receiving a brief nod of acquiescence. She slipped away quietly, picking her way over and round the group of little girls settling down with their Latin translation in their laps. Rob grasped her wrist and pulled her towards one of the huge window embrasures that were hung with precious Flemish tapestry, sliding round the drapery until they could not be seen by the court.
‘The Earl of Essex has returned, Eliza. Tom Sadler thought I should warn you.’ Rob held Eliza’s hand and felt her begin to tremble in his grasp as she took a sharp breath. He pulled her into his embrace.
‘He shall not hurt you, Eliza. Besides, he is married now, and …..’
‘And his wife is the size of a house. He will be looking for someone else to share his bed while she is unavailable to him, Rob.’ Her voice began to fill with tears and she swallowed a panicked sob.
‘Sssh. I shall not let him hurt you. Try and stay in a group when you aren’t with the Queen. Help Aunt Kit with the little ones. She is always happy to see you. Aunt Mary too would be pleased to have your company. Or Nell, or Thea. They all like you, Eliza, and they all know how ….. difficult … Essex can be. They won’t let him hurt you either.’ He continued to drop kisses on her upturned face, gentle soft brushes of his lips until he found her mouth, then he pressed his lips to hers and she returned his kiss with pleasure.
‘Oh Rob,’ she breathed when she could speak, ‘I wish we could run away. I would live anywhere with you, just to be with you.’
‘And I wish we could be married, my love. In front of everyone, declare our love and be married. Instead of hiding from your Grandmama and hoping no-one cares enough to notice us and tell her.’
‘Until they betroth me to someone else, Rob, I shall hope to be yours one day.’ Eliza shuddered a breath as Rob kissed her neck down to the top of her gown and round her ear.
‘And if they betroth you to someone else, my love, I shall make a plan to escape this place and make a new life elsewhere, with you. Master Dee has taught me well, and I am sure I could find employment at the court of another sovereign, in another country. Anywhere, as long as we are together.’
He claimed her lips again and kissed her passionately, then disentangled himself so she had time to return to Kit and the girls before Essex made an appearance. He didn’t want to draw any more attention to them than necessary, and he had arrangements to make.
***
Above the noise of the hilarious game that was being played on the swathe of grass in front of the courtyard, Lettice heard the sound of carriage wheels. She looked up to see Thomas striding over and pulling the steps down, the offering his arm to whoever was inside.
On the grass beside her, Kytt, with Henry astride his back was having a crawling race with Ed, who was Charles’ mount. The men were already out of breath from many turns around the green, but the two little boys were rocking backwards and forwards to make them go faster, whooping in their excitement.
Lettice was sat on the grass, heedless of her blue gown surrounding her, allowing baby Letty and baby Margaret to lie on the brocade of her dress and kick their legs in the air, while Thea’s baby Henry slept in his basket in the shade. Ursula and Jane were seated under the tree stitching while Lettice played with the babies and the boys raced round, closely followed by Snowy and Storm.
As the carriage door opened, Lettice plucked one baby girl from her gown and handed her to Ursula, and Jane picked up the other so Lettice could rise and greet her guest. That her hair was escaping from its’ combs, and had daisies entwined through her curls didn’t bother her in the least, although she tried to coil some of her hair and refix the pins as she stepped over the grass.
‘Letty. What a sight you are.’
‘Kit,’ Lettice fixed the last stray tress of hair and leaned forward to kiss her sister-in-law affectionately. ‘It is so lovely to see you. Do stay for something to drink and some sweetmeats.’ Lettice caught Kit round the waist and walked back to join the group still romping on the grass.
‘I would love to, my dear. I have a few hours to spare while the Queen goes hunting, so I thought I would come and bring gossip.’ Kit smiled as Lettice wrinkled her nose and shivered her shoulders in delighted anticipation. The girls gave their seats to Lettice and Kit, and Kytt swung Henry from his back and loaded him onto Ed with his brother, to Ed’s protesting groan.
‘My Lady, I shall go and get some cushions for more seats, and ask Cissy for refreshments.’ He bowed and turned, straightening his doublet as he did so, running his fingers through his untidy fair hair to loosen all the grass stalks it contained. Ed crawled more slowly with the two boys, and began to roar like a lion, much to their delight.
‘They are certainly enjoying themselves, Letty,’ Kit nodded over to the little boys, mounted on Ed the lion who was currently being licked by two enthusiastic dogs.
‘It’s lovely to hear them laugh, Kit. I don’t like it when it’s quiet.’ The baby girls let out matching giggles as they were held with grass tickling bare feet by Jane and Ursula. Lettice saw Kit’s sharp glance at her, and greeted it with a beaming smile.
‘I am perfectly well, Kit. Do not trouble yourself. So, what gossip do you have for us?’
‘You know Essex is back?’ Lettice nodded, and Kit continued, ‘He is living at court but ignoring his poor little wife. We are trying to keep Eliza away from him, and it seems to be working. His gaze falls on many different women, and the Queen’s gaze falls only on him.’ Lettice pressed her lips together; Robin hadn’t put it quite like that.
‘Did you know Raleigh is returned?’ Kit stated with raised brows, and Lettice gasped. ‘No, Kit! Really? By invitation? Has Bess come with him?’ Lettice was scandalised.
‘A good enough invitation, Letty. Bess remains in Dorset with their children, but Harry tells me the Queen wants to buy his ship. Raleigh has returned from the Azores with more treasure and bounty, and his ship is beautifully appointed, so Howard has made him an offer on behalf of the crown. It will be cheaper than building another, and we need every one if the damned Spanish attack.’
‘Does Harry think they will, Kit?’
Kit nodded solemnly. ‘He has heard reports of over one hundred Spanish ships docked in the Spanish Netherlands, waiting for reinforcements. That is why the Queen is hunting. She has taken the French Ambassador with her.’ Kit sighed. ‘It seems we are courting the French in our desire to overcome the Spanish.’
‘Robin says the Dutch will aid us if they attack, Kit. I think the French merely pretend sympathy, yet sit back to see what will happen.’
Lettice looked up and beamed as Kytt returned with cushions for the girls and a folded table. Cissy brought a tray laden with fruit, bread and cheese and sweetmeats, closely followed by Thomas with another tray full of cups and jugs, which they placed on the table Kytt quickly unfolded.
‘Thank you, all of you,’ smiled Lettice as they set out the food and ale, with cordial for the children. ‘Kytt, please stay with us and take some refreshment.’
‘Yes, Sir Kytt. Save me from these ravening beasts,’ roared Ed, now being pursued by the two boys who had turned into lions themselves and roared after their uncle.
‘Would the ravening beasts like a cup of cordial and a sweetmeat, to turn them back into my boys?’ laughed Lettice as both boys jumped up from the grass, brushing themselves down and holding out their little hands for a welcome drink. She gave them the promised sweetmeat and then made them sit in the shade for a time while the adults had their own repast.
‘Does Harry have any idea when the attack will come, Kit?’ Lettice sipped her ale and gazed at her sister-in-law questioningly.
‘He and Lord Howard have organised a system of beacons, Letty. It is most ingenious, and encompasses the entire Kent coastline, round the south coast right up to Cornwall. There are lookouts at every place, and if they spot the Spanish, they light their beacon and then the next, and the next. If they attack, then we shall know, Letty.’
‘God’s blood. It seems I must leave you then, Letty.’ Ed jumped to his feet. ‘If the beacons are in place, I must go and find Drake, to see which ship I shall command.’
Lettice smiled at her enormous brother, huge and gleaming against the sun, and nodded, ‘We shall see you afterwards, Ed. When the Spanish are vanquished and the country is at peace again.’ Ed nodded and caught up his hat, ruffling the hair of the little boys who were lying in the grass, almost asleep after their exertions.
‘I shall be back, Letty, mark my words. Those Spanish left-footers will turn their tails and run when they see what we have for them. Lord Robert won’t have time to muster the troops for a land-battle, sis. The Spanish will all be swimming for Spain before our soldiers have put on their boots.’ Ed roared with laughter again and strode away to find Thomas and retrieve his horse from the stables. Lettice glanced at Kytt.
‘Is that true, Sir Kytt? That our power at sea will make a battle on land unnecessary, and Robin will be safe?’
Kytt gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I am sure Lord Robert will be safe in any event, my Lady. We have hundreds of troops to fight if they are needed. But with Drake, and Effingham and the Dutch commander de Nassau protecting our shores with their galleons and warships, and all the fire ships we have built, I’m sure they won’t be needed. Besides,’ he stopped and smiled wryly, ‘when Sir Ed arrives, I’m sure even Lord Howard can stay in bed, knowing the country is safe.’
All the ladies burst into peals of laughter as they watched Ed mount his horse and wave his hat in the air as he bid them adieu.
Chapter 48
ord Robert, I have had a message that the Spanish have been sighted making for the Solent, and Effingham has sent word to muster the troops at Tilbury. It is thought that any invading land force will make for there.’ Elizabeth gulped a mouthful of wine and gazed anxiously as Robert read the parchment she had tossed aside.
‘We have captured one of their ships already, Majesty. And it says here that Drake is actively pursuing the Spanish and beating them back into the English Channel. We will have two days at least to muster the troops.’ Elizabeth nodded at him thoughtfully.
‘I need a speech, my Lord. To motivate the troops, I must make a speech that is more important than any other I have made. More important even than when I was first crowned and needed the support of the Privy Council. I have to give them a reason to fight.’
Robert poured himself a cup of ale and sipped, thinking carefully before he answered her. He knew his soldiery, and he knew they loved their country and Queen, and that they hated the Spanish. That they would fight willingly wasn’t even a question in his mind. But he knew how appreciative they would be if they thought the Queen held each one of their lives close to her heart. And that might make all the difference.
‘It isn’t just what you will say, Majesty, it is how you will look. The troops in the front ranks will hear your words, but they will be lost on the air to those behind, those on the hill, those at the back. Your attire must be as well-chosen as your words.’
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, swallowing more wine as she spoke, ‘That is why I need your suggestions, my Lord. I need your way with people.’ She snorted in amusement. ‘I need some of the famous Dudley charm.’
Robert quirked his eyebrow at her and shook his head. ‘Majesty, you are your father’s daughter. You have the Tudor magnetism, the dignity, the authority. We just have to show them that, let them see it, even if they can’t hear the words.’ He thought for a moment as Elizabeth watched, then he took a breath.
‘You must wear a light colour, Majesty. White or pale ivory, and ride a light grey horse. You must be seen.’ His words became swifter as he spoke his thoughts, ‘Over your gown you will wear a cuirass, and you will have your hair down.’
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br /> A sharp intake of breath caused him to stop pacing the room and look at Elizabeth.
‘Robbie, you know I cannot.’ He moved swiftly to her side, dropped to one knee and took her hands, pressing them together.
‘You must, Majesty. We shall send to a theatrical company for a maiden’s wig. They will have them, I am confident. I shall send to the armoury for your cuirass immediately. It doesn’t have to be of heavy plate, your Grace, or even fit properly. You are not going into battle. But it needs to be obvious when worn over your gown.’
Robert jumped up and began to pace the room again, speaking ideas at random as Elizabeth watched, round-eyed.
‘You need to look like one of the Furies, Majesty, riding into battle with your troops. They need to believe that if you could join them, you would. That if you could fight for England alongside them, you would be there. It is only that you are a woman that stops you. You are a King in a woman’s body, and you need to tell them so. Tell them that you belong to England, and if you could sacrifice your life for England, you would.’
Elizabeth gasped an astonished chuckle and fixed Robert with a direct gaze.
‘My Lord, if you could write me a speech like that, they would fight to the death.’
‘Then I will put my ideas on paper, your Grace. You can look them over and see which you wish to use. I shall ask the armourer to come and bring a range of breastplates for us to see which fits best, then have it burnished until it shines like the sun. I shall send for your wig and I shall see which of your Majesty’s horses would be best for the occasion. We can find plate for the horse easily enough, but I shall have a new caparison made with the cross of Saint George.’
‘We cannot cover your cuirass with a surcoat, Majesty, as they need to see that you have donned armour, but we can cover your horse with the English flag. I will send your seamstress in to measure you for a new gown in white damask. Something in the medieval style, straight and simple, but with plenty of fabric in the skirt so it is easy to ride astride.’
On the Altar of England (Tudor Chronicles Book 4) Page 37