Bessie (15 page)

“You promise to exhibit proper behavior?”

Bessie interrupted him. “No, Devon. Don’t chastise her. Please?”

He frowned slightly toward her. Bessie moved her attention to his sister. The Hildebrands were tall. Bessie could see it, now. The girl might be no more than ten, but she was almost the same height as Bess.

“I’m known as Bessie. What is your name?”

“Why do they call you The Widow?”

“Lizzy!”

Devon had the grace to look uncomfortable. Bessie glanced at him and back to his sister. She was smiling. It sounded in her voice.

“Your name is Lizzy? It is a lovely name.”

“It is short for Elizabeth.”

‘That’s...nice.”

“Are you pretty?” the girl asked.

“To some.”

“Why do you wear that cover, then?”

“A widow wears this, Lizzy. It’s known as widow’s weeds.”

“Are you still a widow now that you’ve wed Devon?”

“Not yet. He is trying his utmost, though.”

Above the girl’s head, Bessie saw Devon’s quick smile. She ignored it.

“James says you are ugly. He also says you are fat. He says Devon is to be pitied for his bride. Is that true?”

“Lizzy!”  This time, Devon choked on the name.

“Oh. I can see that we’ll be fast friends, Lizzy. I cannot
wait
to hear what else James says. Come. Escort me. Your brother won’t mind the loss of my company.”

Bessie held out her arm and Lizzy entwined hers with it.

“You are very small. Why would James say you are fat if it isn’t true?”

“We should ask Devon. Not right now, of course. We’ll just pretend he’s not there. That could be a good game, don’t you think?”

“Do you like games?” Lizzy asked her.

“More than you think,” Devon replied behind them.

“There are some games that are for play, and then there are games for other reasons. When you’re older, you’ll understand.”

“You talk strangely. Is it because you’re from the court? I heard you were the queen’s ward. Do you know her well? Do you get to sleep with her? Does she sleep? I heard tell she stays awake all night.”

The awe in the girl’s voice made Bess smile. “Perhaps your brother knows. He was her favorite courtier. Let’s ask him.”

Lizzy looked over her shoulder at Devon. Bess kept her eyes on the view directly in front of her.

“Does she?”

“My wife has it wrong, love. I was never invited into the queen’s bedchamber.”

“Oh.”  The girl turned back to Bess. “What’s a ward?”

“Queen Elizabeth was my guardian. She had control over everything, from what I wore, to the men I married.”

“She must really love you to wed you to my brother then. Devon is the best, most handsome man alive. Don’t ask Regina, though. She dislikes him.”

“Really?”

“He cut off her lessons with the village tutor. He was a handsome sort, too, if you find men handsome. I don’t. Unless you’re speaking of Devon. He’s the most handsome, most wondrous—”

“Lizzy!”

Devon groaned on the name. Bessie stifled a chuckle.

“I begin to see why there aren’t any mirrors in his chamber. He has no need of them with you about.” 

“Devon doesn’t like mirrors. Ask him. He thinks they make a person vain. I don’t know what that means. Olivia does. She has more mirrors in her rooms than any other place in the castle.”

“Olivia? Is she the oldest, then?”

“No. That is Alicia. She’s beautiful, too. Everybody says so. Do you think I’m beautiful?”

“I think the entire family has that issue.”

“What?”

Devon answered. “My wife says all of us are. That is what you’re saying, isn’t it, Bess dear?”

“I don’t accept lover-like terms from you, Devon. I will no longer answer if you use them.”

“Oh. How I look forward to testing that resolve.”

“What’s a resolve?” Lizzy asked.

“More games. She likes to play them. She’s very good at them, too.”

“Oh look, there’s James. I’d recognize him anywhere,” Bessie spoke up to divert them as they entered what had to be the great hall.

“No. That’s Henry.”  Lizzy giggled.

Another copy of Devon moved from a nonchalant pose near the fireplace and approached.

“This is Henry?”

“At your service, dear lady.”  He sketched a perfect bow.

“She is not fat,” Lizzy said.

“As I can see for myself. She’s actually quite diminutive.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a fancy word that means small.”

The woman who spoke from a settee took Bessie’s breath away. Nothing about the badly-fitted gown detracted from her amazing beauty. Even from across the room, Bess could see that her eyes were a muted shade of green and surrounded by lush black lashes. The waterfall of dark hair about her shoulders swayed like a curtain as she stood and shoved it aside.

“That’s Olivia,” Lizzy whispered.

Bessie tipped toward her and whispered back. “The one with the mirrors?”

The girl nodded.

“They’re a waste,” Bess replied.

Another woman approached and curtsied. She was almost an exact copy of Olivia and looked to be just shy of twenty. Bessie’s lips tightened. No one of such an age should be unmarried, especially a Hildebrand. There was no excuse for a lack of betrothal offers.

None.

“Good eve, my lady. I’m Alicia. I hope everything at Hilde is to your comfort?”

“Oh. Hilde is everything I’d been told. And more.”

“I am not certain that’s a compliment,” Devon said from her side.

Bessie turned back to Lizzy. “Would you go to the kitchens and fetch me a drink, Lizzy? I have a few words for your brother.”

Alicia’s eyebrows rose, and Henry’s smile widened.

“I am not certain I like the tone of that, Bess, my love.”

“You’re going to like what I say less. Starting with your endearments. I believe I’ve spoken of them.”

“And I await your punishment, too.”

“I’ll...just set about seeing—I think I shall assist Lizzy.”

Alicia spoke before walking from them, leading Lizzy. Bess looked up at Henry. The man would be no slouch when it came to court life. It took only a few moments of silence before he nodded to Devon and excused himself from their vicinity, too.

“You’re frightening my family, love.”

“If we were alone, Hildebrand, I’d do more than frighten.”

“Really?”

“You should have arranged their futures years before.
Years
.”

“I told you they were a beautiful lot. Quite takes the breath away, doesn’t it? You are speechless.”

“Anyone would be speechless. Why haven’t you secured futures for them?”

“I was at court less than a year.”

“That’s no defense. You should have snatched bridegrooms the moment you arrived. All you had to do was bring one of your sisters. What did you wish for them? To be old spinsters?”

“I never quite thought on it before.”

“Well, you should have. You are exhibiting a selfish side. It’s inexcusable.”

“Years have a way of passing, Bess, especially when you are responsible for seeing meals put on the table and clothing on the backs of eight siblings. I did my best. I never thought of the future. I guess...I always thought it would take care of itself.”

Bessie’s anger evaporated. Devon looked contrite and something else. He looked thunderstruck. When troubadours spoke of love and giving one’s heart to another for keeping, they weren’t poetic enough. Her heart was giving her trouble again.

She reached out and touched his hand with hers. “The future did take care of itself, Devon. I am the queen’s ward. I have an entry into any family in the kingdom. It’s about time I used it. Looks like I’ve got marriages to arrange, alliances to create, and estates to settle.”

“You can really do as you say?”

“Even if you think I lie about my wealth, you know who my guardian was. Who would dare say me nay?”

“Does this mean I am not...so selfish?”

Lizzy and Alicia had returned, Olivia was whispering to Henry, yet it felt like she and Devon were alone. Bessie cleared her throat.

“I spoke hastily earlier. I regret it.”

“Such words almost make all the arguing worthwhile.”

“I do not argue.”

“Prove it.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Tell me you’ll allow me entrance to your bed tonight, without one word of dissent. That should prove it. No?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Open this door, my lady! Bess? Are you still asleep? I can’t get in. Bess!”

The knocking awakened her as much as the words. Bessie lifted her head from the bed and stared at the armoire she’d blocked the door with.

“I can’t get this door to budge. What have you done to it?”

“Quiet down, Roberta. You’ll have the entire house awake.”

“Like they’ve not all awakened, already. I’d go fetch his lordship! I just don’t know where he would have gone to. I thought all husbands slept beside their wives. Shows what I know about the ways of the higher-ups.”

“Must you shout so?”

“I’m speaking to a large, wooden door. Do you wish me to whisper?”

The maid had lowered her voice as she spoke. Bess shoved her hair from her face and stood. “Give me a moment. I’ll let you in.”

The closer she got to the heavily-carved wardrobe, the larger it looked. Solid. Heavy. Impregnable. It was unbelievable that she’d shoved it against the door by herself. Bess stood beside it, looking it over. It stood nearly double her size, and despite what she’d thought of the castle, this particular piece wasn’t remotely shoddy or cheaply made.

She bent her shoulder to it and shoved. Nothing happened.

“Where have you gone to, now?”  Roberta’s voice came through the blocked door again.

“I’m right here. I wish you’d quit making such a fuss.”     

“I’ve not fussed, yet. Why, you’d best get out here and keep that Miss Olivia at bay. She’s feisty. You have your hands full with that one.”

“Olivia? What has she done?”

“She is trying to dismiss me and Augusta. We’re to be sent packing on sight, we are.”

“But, why?”

“We’re costing the family more than they can afford, of course. Why else? You should have told him the truth.”

“I did!”

“Shouting at me isn’t going to correct the fix you’re in.”

Bessie narrowed her eyes at the wooden armoire. It had seemed so easy last night. Then again, she couldn’t recall ever being that angry.

She’d met all of them now, except the feisty Regina and Will. The camaraderie amongst the Hildebrand siblings was impossible to fake. It was enjoyable to watch and join. Bessie had been isolated her entire life. She didn’t know how entertaining it was simply to converse without worrying over double meanings, careers ruined, lives destroyed, or possible imprisonment, just because one spoke a hasty word.

Bess actually pitied the queen. She’d almost agreed to allow her own husband into this chamber, too. He’d been so charming. She’d caught his gaze on her more than once. Her heart had responded each time. That’s when she’d known another truth. Love was worth everything, just as the troubadours opined.

But then James had ruined everything by mentioning the redheaded wench from the joust, and how much he and Devon longed to search her out.

Bessie scrunched her face into a grimace at the recollection.

James’ words had stopped the banter and made her feel like she was back at court, where every word was examined for content. Nor was Devon’s response any better. He’d said he was of the opinion the wench was no doubt securely in another man’s arms by now, and they’d best find another subject. James had responded that he wouldn’t have let her slip through his fingers if he’d had her in his arms. Bessie had made some exclamation, and then she’d fled. She didn’t even remember walking back to her own bedchamber.

Now, in the light of morning, she recalled that she’d run here.

Bessie hitched her chemise nearly to her waist and sat on the floor next to the enormous piece of furniture. She wondered if she could recreate the emotion that had seen it moved in the first place. She set her back against the wall, put her feet against the wood, bent her knees and pushed until it felt like her head would burst. The armoire moved a bit, groaning the entire time. Bessie gathered another breath.

“Do you need some assist with that?”

Bessie’s mouth dropped and she swiveled, covering her legs as she moved. There was a Hildebrand standing in her room, munching on a pear. He wasn’t as large as Devon or James, nor did his eyes look to be as green. He was definitely a Hildebrand, though. He swallowed his bite and smiled. She didn’t return it.

“You must be Devon’s wife. I must say you are nothing like I’ve heard.”

“How...did you get in here?”

“The window.”  He shrugged and took another bite from the pear in his hand.

“You came in through my window? How dare you!”

He moved the bite into his cheek to answer. “Yes, it was daring of me, wasn’t it? You’ll not tell my big, bad brother, will you?”

“I’m well within my rights to scream.”

“And I’d be within mine to claim I had no idea who you were. For all I knew you were a serving wench. The new Lady Hildebrand is supposed to be fat and ugly. Scarred. You know. Hideous. And that can only mean one thing.”

“And what would that be?”

“My brothers haven’t seen you. They’d not spread such nasty rumors, if they had. I doubt Devon would be up and about this early, either. If I were your husband, I wouldn’t be.”

“Bess? Is that a man’s voice I hear? Open this door or I’ll fetch your husband! Immediate-like!”

“Quiet down, Roberta. You will have the entire countryside knowing I rejected him last night. Is that your intent?”  Bessie whispered it into the crack of space she’d made when the armoire had shifted.

“Well. That probably doesn’t happen to him often,” the Hildebrand male commented from behind her.

“Hush!”  Bess turned her head back to him. His eyebrows lifted, but he did put a finger to his lips.

“Don’t tell me to hush, Missy. I’ve about had all I can handle of your idiocy!”

“Roberta, please? Give me a moment.”

Bessie and Devon’s bedchambers were in one of the castle’s towers. Perhaps the rest of the family was far enough away, this entire episode wouldn’t be overheard.   

“A moment? To do what with? Look some more at that fancy piece of wood you’ve blocked your door with? A moment isn’t going to help you.”

“You are right. I can’t seem to move it by myself. Maybe you should go and get help. See if Augusta will assist.”

“You didn’t harm yourself, did you?”

“No.”

“Just sit tight. I’ll bring someone.”

“Don’t bring my husband. I forbid it.”

“You should think these things through before you go about them.”

“Roberta, just this once could you act like a real servant and do as I say?”

“Don’t go getting any ideas. I will be right back.”

The young man behind her was holding in laughter as she turned. Bess glared at him until it subsided.

“You are Will, then?”

He swallowed, his grin broadened, and then he folded his arm across his waist to execute a perfect court bow. “William Hildebrand. At your service. It looks like I’m just in time, too.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“How did you shove that, anyway? Devon can hardly move it and he’s stronger than you’d believe.”  Will speared his half-eaten pear onto one of the posts of her bed. Then, he approached where she stood.

“Can you help me move it?”

“If I do, I’ll have to leave sooner.”

“You shouldn’t even be in here!”

“You are very attractive, especially when you’re angered. It makes the shade of your lips stand out. Do you rouge them a-purpose?”

“You shouldn’t be here. And definitely not saying such things.”

“Your hair is unique, too. I will hazard a guess it is the exact shade as this wench James tells me of. Is that a coincidence, or what?”

He grinned. Bess swallowed.

“Is it true you own Stansbury Hall?”

“Of course, it’s true.”

Will whistled, and his eyes lit up. “Devon always was lucky. I’m not surprised he disbelieves you. It is too much to absorb. You were a ripe catch, weren’t you?”

“Once a man gets over his fear of my face.”

“There’s naught to fear that I can tell. You’re quite striking. You know it, though. Why else would you have purported yourself at the joust as James says?”

“James seems to have quite the imagination. I did nothing to arouse such a description.”

“You gave a favor from your leg, didn’t you?”

Bessie reddened. Without her veil, it was impossible to disguise.

“Why would you do such a thing, if you didn’t want Devon enamored?”

“Because I am fool. Roberta should have hired you. You are worse than dealing with her and her sister combined.”

“Can you truly arrange marriages for all of us?”

“You’ve heard that, too? Words travel fast in this household,” she said, wryly.

“How do you plan on introducing us? Word is Devon was banished from court. Dismissed from the queen’s favor. He’s earned her anger. I don’t know why.”

“I do. But Her Majesty isn’t angry. She just needed him to think so.”

“Why?”

“So she could gift the Twin Keeps to him, just like she’d told him she could.”

“You truly own them, too?”

“Of course.”

He whistled again. This time, she reddened with something akin to pleasure.

“My big brother has no idea of his luck. I’m not certain what I should do about it, either.”

“You’re to tell him nothing. I forbid it.”

“No wonder your maid speaks to you as she does. You can’t forbid it. I speak to whom I please.”

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen. Just. James is twenty. Alicia is between us. We are all too old to be unwed. I did not know you were available, though. I would have been at your door.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Well...Devon caught you.”

“The queen gifted me to him. Actually, she gifted him with my lands. I’m the bitter potion he has to swallow in order to gain them.”

“You can always show him the truth. It wasn’t so difficult with me.”

“I don’t think Devon sneaks through windows.”

“How do you think I learned it?”

“Devon climbs through the windows? I don’t believe it!”

“Uncle Francis is a hard taskmaster. Wait until you meet him. James does it, too. It’s the only way to escape this hell.”

“I’m putting glass in every aperture. It’s the first thing on my list. And, you’re wrong, Will. This is not hell. Being at the beck and call of a monarch is.”

“That sounds better than boredom.”

“You don’t like plowing fields?”

“Devon told you of that? I’d think he’d keep it hidden. If it had been me tilling the soil, I’d not go bragging it about. It wouldn’t have intrigued the Queen.”

“He only told me.”

“Then he must trust you.”

“He was trying to shock me. It worked.”

“Bess? Are you still there, my lady?”

“Where would I go, Roberta?” Bess called over her shoulder.

“I did not ask for insults. I asked for—why do I bother? I’ve got Augusta with me. We’ll have you freed in no time.”

“You have to go,” Bess whispered.

“You haven’t told me your plan. You do have a plan, don’t you?”

“For what?”

“Introducing us. You know. To court. And prospective spouses.”

Will was sliding onto the window ledge as he spoke. He crouched into a squat like it was nothing to have so much distance between him and the ground below. Bessie knew she was on the fourth level and they’d made high ceilings in this castle.

“I’ll host a gala, of course. At Stansbury. It will take a fortnight of planning, but I’ve already written the instructions.”

“A fortnight? So long?”

“I want the most influential families there. We’ll need at least ten days.”

“They’ll come?”

“I’m the queen’s ward. I’ve a crest on my seal that says so. They’ll come. They won’t dare refuse.”

“Move aside, Bess!”

The wardrobe squealed as it slid along the floor, making her wince. Will glanced over her shoulder.

“Will you be attending?”

“Of course. It is my gala. I’ll be the hostess.”

“I mean, will you appear as the redheaded wench? Or The Widow?”

“Why would I want the redhead there?”

“Because Devon will be looking for her. He said as much last night, I’ve heard. That was the reason behind your fit of temper, wasn’t it?”

“What...fit of temper?”

“That wardrobe didn’t move by itself. It’s a good thing you wear a veil. You’re much too transparent.”

“I can’t come as the redhead. It’s impossible to be two places at once.”

“You managed it at the joust. Who did you put in your place?”

“Stand back, my lady!”  Roberta’s voice came clearly.

Will stood. Then he bent down and leaned back into her room. “Use her again.”