The Other Countess (35 page)

‘He gave me some advice as to how this may be best presented to Her Majesty,’ Cecil continued. ‘So if you would trust me, I’ll see what I can do.’

Will held out his hand. ‘You have my thanks and my friendship, whatever the outcome, Cecil.’

They shook hands with the sober expressions of men about to do battle.

Ellie was ready to flee, her usual response to tense situations where she had little hope of emerging the victor. The countess held on to her arm with grim determination.

‘No, child, this cannot be avoided,’ she said in an undertone. ‘And don’t look so terrified. Our Queen loves to hear a tale of true love as long as it doesn’t affect her or her favourites. If Will were a Ralegh, then we would have no hope. But a young earl in love with a scholar’s daughter, who is
secretly a Spanish countess – that sounds like a tale that might appeal to her humour.’

Ellie had never considered her title a secret – rather a liability in a suspicious England. ‘Do you know the Queen well, my lady?’

‘Not well. She’s some years older than me, but I enjoyed my time at her court when my husband still mixed in those circles. She’s a great dancer.’

For Ellie, meeting the Queen was only a small step down from appearing before God himself. She felt completely inadequate and was sure the monarch would sense this immediately. But for Will and his family, who were risking their position at court for her, she would endure.

The door opened and they processed into the audience chamber. The Queen sat on her throne at the far end, her gown an amazing brocade of crimson and white, her ruff a pearl-white lace confection like nothing Ellie had ever seen before. She had a book in her hand and was studying two ornate globes on brass stands. Advisers clustered around her, a secretary working at a table piled with papers. Ralegh sat sprawl-legged in a chair at her side, looking distinctly bored, toying with a silver-gilt piece from a Wolf-and-Sheep game. A dwarf lady crouched at the Queen’s feet playing with a tiny man-like creature – a monkey, Ellie guessed. From the expression in the Queen’s dark eyes when she turned to the newcomers, she was intrigued to see what brought the Lacey family in force to court.

The Laceys and Ellie arrived at the foot of the throne and made their obeisance.

‘My Lord Dorset,’ the Queen said, sounding amused by
the arrival of the entire family, ‘what brings you to court? I thought you were at home preparing for your nuptials.’ She spun one of the globes depicting the heavens, her long white fingers coming to rest on the constellation of Virgo.

Will touched his heart. ‘I fear that match did not prosper, Your Majesty.’

Elizabeth dropped her hand, her full attention on the earl. ‘Indeed? But you do not look prostrate with grief.’

‘We parted on good terms, Your Majesty.’ Will thought it best not the mention the vitriolic letter he had received from Lord Wetherby, denouncing both him and the Lady Jane for wasting his time and tearing him away from his beloved hunting to attend court.

Ralegh yawned, though Ellie thought his air of smugness increased at news of the failed match with the Percevals.

The Queen examined Will’s face for a moment, seeking clues to his state of mind. ‘I see. And why do you seek an audience today?’

Robert Cecil stepped forward. ‘Your Majesty, may we make known to you the Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime, daughter of the late renowned scholar, Sir Arthur Hutton?’

The Queen’s gaze sharpened, her memory stirring. ‘The girl who translated Paracelsus?’

Ellie moved forward and swept her deepest curtsy. ‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

‘An impressive achievement for one so young. We were saddened to hear of your father’s death in our service, child,’ Elizabeth said kindly. ‘We are glad to see that you are now an intimate of one of the finest families in our realm.’

Cecil held himself in readiness, waiting for permission to speak.

‘You have something further you wish to say, Master Cecil?’

‘Yes, Your Majesty. My father believes it only appropriate that provision should be made for the lady since she lost her only relative in the explosion. Sir Arthur was a casualty of war, you might say.’

Elizabeth frowned at the mention of provision. ‘One might,’ she said coolly.

‘There was a debate whether a pension might be forthcoming from the Treasury, or, in view of the tender age of the lady, whether a marriage might be arranged on her behalf. That would save the government many long years of providing an annuity.’

The Queen was no fool, but neither did she like spending money. ‘A match you say. With one of Dorset’s brothers perchance?’ Her eyes swept the family, resting on the youngest, much to Tobias’s alarm.

‘With the earl himself, Your Majesty. Dorset and the lady conceived an affection for each other in their youth and have recently become reacquainted.’

An affection? Ellie didn’t think being run out of Will’s house when she was twelve constituted a declaration of love, but held her tongue.

‘I think this match would be acceptable to them both,’ Cecil concluded.

The Queen tapped her lips in thought. ‘You are prepared to marry the lady, Dorset?’

‘I would be honoured,’ Will replied swiftly.

‘Your family agree?’ The Queen studied the serene expression
on the countess’s face and the loyal stance of James at his brother’s shoulder.

‘They do.’

Ralegh sat forward, his dislike for Will pricking him to speak. A lowly match would damage the Dorset influence at court permanently. ‘A romantic tale, Your Majesty. The poet in me wishes that such love not be thwarted.’

The Queen smiled down on her favourite. ‘Then I grant my permission. The lady is your responsibility, Dorset.’

Will refrained from hooting with delight. ‘You are most gracious, ma’am.’

‘I understand you will seek permission once more to return to prepare for your nuptials?’

‘Indeed, Your Majesty.’

‘Then get thee gone. But make sure you return for the tilt at Michaelmas. I have a great desire to see if you can best my knights again.’

Ralegh frowned, his fists curling on his knees.

Will knew when to take the bargain offered him. ‘I will be delighted to compete once more, ma’am. Master Ralegh, I look forward to measuring my lance against yours again.’

‘As do I,’ growled Ralegh.

The Lacey family retreated backwards from the audience chamber, then walked with all swiftness towards their private apartments. Only once they were out of public gaze did they allow themselves to give rein to their emotion. Will hugged Ellie then his mother and Sarah. James pummelled Tobias, telling him he hadn’t done too badly for a miniature barbarian brother. Cecil looked on, smiling at their antics.

‘Robert, that was very well done of you,’ said the countess,
kissing his cheek. ‘I predict a bright future for you if you can handle delicate matters so well.’

‘Thank you, my lady.’

‘You’ll come for the wedding?’ asked Will, clapping him on the shoulder.

‘I’d not miss it for the world. I have great hopes that the lady will correct the vicar’s Latin.’

Ellie feigned a studious air. ‘Of course, if he needs it, sir.’

Cecil took her hand. ‘Are you sure you want to marry this ignorant fellow even though he’s an earl? Can’t I lure you away from him?’

Ellie laughed and shook her head. ‘You know too much, sir; I look forward to the challenge of filling his empty head with my learning.’

Will swooped on her from behind. ‘I vow we will have the most learned children in the land, wife.’

‘If not the richest,’ quipped James.

Epilogue

Nell thought the wedding a most disappointing affair. The church had been packed with villagers, the atmosphere festive rather than refined, despite the presence of several noblemen. The earl and his bride had had to run the gauntlet under a harvest arch held by two giggling lines of girls, little Lady Sarah rubbing shoulders with the baker’s wife and her sister – all very undignified. The bride had to make do with an altered gown belonging to her mother-in-law. A rich cloth-of-gold from Lady Dorset’s trousseau, it reminded all that Ellie had brought nothing with her but a smile. Nell had no complaints against the lady herself – indeed she anticipated that the young countess would be easy to handle and forgiving of faults – but she was enraged that she had ended up tied to a household with no money to spare. She had comforted herself on marrying her own dear spouse that she would soon be the housekeeper to an estate swelled with a decent dowry. Hard work would be a horrid memory. She could preside over an army of servants and never have to lift a finger. Now she was condemned to a future of early rising and backbreaking labour just so the neighbouring gentry did not guess just how dire the state of the household budget was in truth.

She looked contemptuously at her husband, slouched over his ale at the kitchen table, drunk from having toasted the newly wedded couple since noon, a wreath of flowers dangling over one eye. He really was a sot. At least he would be too far in his cups to paw her tonight. She patted her rounded belly, feeling the child stir inside. The babe would soon give her an excuse to refuse Affabel completely; he always bowed to her wishes when she alluded to the mysteries of womanhood and childbearing. The only thing he had proved immoveable on was his refusal to give up his wretched wolfhound. She could swear he loved that animal far more than he did her.

Feeling the need for some companionship, Nell caught the eye of the most handsome of the footmen. He at first looked startled at her sultry smile, then got the hint. She waited until he left the room, then followed, loosening her bodice as she went. There was no point in making him work for her; they would have to be quick before Turville noticed that they had both been absent.

Life was not how she thought it would be, but Lacey Hall did have its attractions.

Will and Ellie were not in their chamber as the guests at the wedding imagined. After being taken to the door and guided to the flower strewn bed, the couple had slipped away, heading out to the deer park to enjoy the evening sunshine. Abandoning their wedding finery on the ground, they had climbed Ellie’s favourite tree and were now sitting at its peak looking back on the house. In the meadow behind the stables, a black figure crouched low on the back of a white horse, streaking as one across the grass.

Ellie leant back against Will. ‘Did you know Diego rides your horse better than you do?’

‘No, but I’m not surprised.’ Will ran his fingers around the neck of her shift.

‘Will, we’re up a tree!’ Ellie reminded him.

‘Hmm, I’m not sure it is possible,’ he mused. ‘Still, I’m ready to attempt it if you are?’ He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.

‘You, sir, are impossible. I am not going to tell my children I spent my wedding night on a branch!’

He nibbled her ear. ‘I very much hope you do not – I wouldn’t want to shock them.’

Ellie laughed and let him have his way with her earlobe.

Will began to think that tree-climbing had exhausted its attractions for him. ‘Ready to go down, love?’

‘In a moment. We have all night.’

He rubbed his palm in a circle on her stomach. ‘And all the next day. I’m not letting you out of our chamber once I get you inside.’

‘We’ll starve.’ Ellie tickled the back of his hand with a leaf.

‘No, we won’t. I have left strict orders for trays of food to be left outside the door at regular intervals.’

‘My lord, I’m impressed: you think of everything.’

‘My lady, I only think of one thing – and that is you.’

She snorted at his flowery compliment then settled back in his arms. ‘I truly regret, Will, that I did not bring my magic wand with me to make you rich like a hero from a folktale.’

‘Ah yes, but those kind of deals with the faerie folk always have a sting in the tail. I prefer you as you are.’

‘But your family …’

‘We’ve been through this, love. We’ll manage. Cecil and I have been talking about making an investment in a trading company together. There are great opportunities opening up with new shipping routes and settlements all over the globe.’

‘Where will you get the capital to invest?’

He kissed her chin lightly. ‘I can’t believe, my practical madam, that we are spending our wedding night discussing finances. It is not very lover-like of you.’

‘Humph!’

He smiled at her disgruntled expression. ‘You know, I think your father really did make gold after all.’

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. ‘Don’t you start that, Will. He was chasing a rainbow.’

‘Yes, but he and your mother made you. And you are worth more to me than all the Spanish gold from the richest treasure ships.’ He waited for her to give her usual dismissal of his elegant phrases, but she was silent. ‘My love? Are you all right?’

‘Oh, Will, that was so kind of you to say so.’ Ellie had tears in her eyes. ‘All through my life with him I just wanted him to look at me and see me clearly, but all he cared for were his experiments. I did not know what it was like to be valued until you.’

Will was delighted he had slipped one of his compliments past her. He would have to try more in the future.

‘And now it really is time for me to show you how much I appreciate you. I’ll go first. Then I can catch you if you fall!’

Ellie was ahead of him. ‘No you will not, my lord. You would just look up my petticoats.’

‘You, dear wife, forget you promised to obey me.’ Will swung down as quickly as he could, determined to reach the ground first.

‘I will – as long as you promise to do everything I say,’ she called from her branch.

Will thumped to the ground and ran round to her side. She was sitting on the lowest limb waiting for him.

‘And what is your command, my lady?’ He held out his arms.

‘Catch me!’

‘Always.’ He caught her in his arms, letting her slide down his body. ‘On second thoughts, wife, why waste a perfectly good bed of leaves?’ He nuzzled her neck.

Ellie cupped the back of his head with her hands, stroking her fingers through his hair. ‘Why indeed?’ She reached up on tiptoe to kiss him, putting everything she felt for him in the gesture.