So Worthy My Love (66 page)

Elise's heart leapt for joy within her breast. Beside herself with both happiness and anxiety, she took a few halting steps toward the door, then, hearing the bold click of footsteps rapidly approaching the chamber, she forced herself to remain where she was, for fear the Queen might take offense at her greeting. Indeed, fear for her husband was the only thing that kept her from flying into his arms as he entered, for she thought she had never seen a man looking so wonderfully alive and so exceptionally handsome. He wore black trunk hose, stockings, low shoes, and a rich velvet doublet of the same hue. The dark clothes were accentuated by the crisp white cuffs and ruff of his shirt. Over the doublet he wore a cape of black trimmed around the collar and hem with embroidered silk threads. His skin had darkened to a golden tan, making his eyes seem more vivid. Those glowing orbs fastened on her as soon as he came through the door, bringing him to a surprised halt. Though no word passed his lips,
she felt reassured
by the warmth displayed in their depths.

Recovering his aplomb, Maxim turned to present himself to the Queen. “Your majesty!” His voice rang, clear as he stepped into a grand bow.

The royal monarch drummed her fingers in agitation and arched a bald brow over gleaming dark eyes. One would have had to be blind to miss the exchange between the couple, and though she could not plumb the depths or the real significance of it, the incident formed a tiny niche in her memory. She would seek the answer to it later. For now, she had other, more important matters to attend to with this man. “So, you rascal! You have returned as you said you would.”

“Aye, your majesty, and better than I promised. I have spirited away from Lubeck the nurturing core of the plot against you. Karr Hilliard is even now locked away in Newgate prison, awaiting your decree.”

“He has confessed to the murder of my agent?” Elizabeth questioned expectantly.

“Nay, your majesty, nor is he the one who murdered him,” Maxim averred. “That man is an Englishman for whom I have no name, the lover of one of your ladies-in-waiting.”

“The deuce you say!” she cried indignantly. “Well, we shall hear what my ladies have to say of this! I'll not tolerate such wanton behavior among my attendants!”

“The man will be identified,” Walsingham promised her. “And imprisoned.”

“Unfortunately he is also the one who holds Sir, Ramsey captive . . .” Maxim informed them.

“Then we must proceed with more care.” Elizabeth braced her chin reflectively between two pale, slender, fingers and peered directly at Maxim. “Have you aught to suggest?”

“If you speak with your ladies, your majesty,” Maxim began, “you may alert the man, though I was led to believe the woman has no idea she is being used.”

“If that is the case,” the Queen pointed out, “I'm sure when the delicacy of the situation is explained to her, the lady will gladly volunteer the information. I'm eager to know the identity of this traitor.”

“If she is truly innocent, your majesty, would not her ire be roused against the man for his deception?” Maxim questioned. “And if she cannot control her resentment, she might unwittingly warn the man by a display of anger.”

“Shall I imprison my ladies?” Elizabeth demanded sharply. “What are you suggesting I do?”

“Entice them to spread a tale that will draw the man into our trap,” Maxim quickly answered. “Fill their delicate ears with a rumor that is sure to rouse the interest of the brigand, but let them not be aware of what they do. The information should appear to reach him by accident, merely the report of an overhead conversation.”

“And what rumor would you have me spill?”

“ ‘Tis my suspicion that the kidnapper is holding Sir Ramsey for the treasure he purportedly hid. If it should reach his ears that I know the whereabouts of the gold, the man might be tempted to seek me out and offer to exchange Sir Ramsey for ransom.”

Elise moved forward, gaining the attention of the three. “And if he does suspect that you know, would that ploy help my father's cause or hinder it?”

Maxim's eyes softened again as they settled on his wife, and the promse of love, though it remained unspoken, was there to be seen in his face. “How would it hinder his cause, my lady?”

Elise stumbled through a hesitant nod as her cheeks warmed with pleasure. How could she successfully hide a love that was overflowing her heart? “If the kidnapper thinks you know, then he may decide he has no further use of my father and do away with him.”

Maxim had thought it all out and was quick to reply. “The man would not be too hasty, for he would want to make sure of what I know first.”

“Dare I suggest that Sir Ramsey may have told them already and been killed?” Sir Francis offered.

Maxim's mien grew thoughtful. “If the kidnapper cannot produce some evidence that Sir Ramsey is still alive, then we shall dispense with caution, gain his name from the lady, and have him arrested. However, if Ramsey is alive, and the brigand believes there's a large treasure to be had, ‘tis my belief that he'll be anxious to keep him alive. I shall present my proposal in the manner of ransom. I think Sir Ramsey will be safe as long as there is hope of a reward and his captor believes ‘tis to his advantage to keep him alive.”

“The man will want to hide his identity,” Sir Francis interjected.

“My task will be to disclose it,” Maxim answered.

“Will you not be in danger yourself?” Elizabeth asked him.

“I shall do my utmost to safeguard my continued good health, your majesty,” Maxim vowed with a smile.

“I'm sure nothing would give you greater pleasure than to seize the man who allowed you to suffer in his stead,” Elizabeth returned musefully, then nodded her acceptance. “Proceed with your plans. I'll see that such a tale is spread among my ladies.”

“And what shall we do about Captain Von Reijn?” Sir Francis asked the Queen.

“Captain Von Reijn?” Maxim was immediately attentive to the matter. “What has happened?”

“ ‘Twould seem Captain Von Reijn and his crew have been arrested and thrown in Newgate gaol,” Sir Francis informed him. “Captain Sinclair said the man might have been supplying Parma's troops in the Netherlands and perhaps is somehow connected with the kidnapping of Mistress Radborne here.”

“I'm the only one guilty of that offense!” Maxim declared in a rush of anxious concern.

“ ‘Tis strange, Elizabeth responded sardonically. “Mistress Radborne said your men took her by mistake.”

Ignoring a warning frown from Walsingham, Maxim boldly stated the facts. “They did indeed, your majesty, but my intentions were to take my former betrothed from her chambers before Reland Huxford could seal the marriage troth with her. As you're aware, before Edward Stamford came forward to accuse me of murder, his daughter and I were to be married.” Maxim did not enjoy spilling out the truth in this
manner. He felt sorely at a disadvantage, for he was likely to incur Elizabeth's wrath when he had all but salved it, but Nicholas had been his friend for many years, and that one's safety was paramount in his mind. “I sent my men to seize Arabella, but Mistress Elise Radborne was taken in her stead.” He peered at Elizabeth from beneath his brows to determine the depth of her displeasure as he continued. “Later that same week, I bade Sir Francis to plead my cause for an audience that I could declare my loyalty to you and vie for a chance to prove that I was not the traitor
I'd been judged to be.”

Elizabeth threw herself from the chair and stalked toward Maxim with a feral gleam in her eye. “You came to me pleading your innocence when all the while you were guilty of this evil deed of abduction?”

“I thought I was in love with Arabella,” he answered calmly, well acquainted with the woman's fiery temperament and its far-reaching effect on all who dared cross her. “Knowing I was guiltless of the crimes of which I had been accused, I hoped there would come a day when I'd be restored to your good graces.” He paused in reflection. “I have since considered my actions and determined they were mainly done in malice toward Edward for the lies he told against me.”

“Meaning?” Elizabeth railed, ifinging herself in the chair again.

“Meaning I was mistaken when I considered myself in love with Arabella.”

Elise had no time to experience the joyful relief which his answer brought her, for the Queen was quick to snap back in sharp irritation.

“Foolish man! You are not worthy of my pardon!” Elizabeth tossed up a hand to indicate Elise. “You had this child snatched from her home, and because of that, her name has been sullied . . .”

“Your pardon, your majesty,” Elise dared to interrupt. “If Lord Seymour had not taken me, I might not be alive today.”

The gray-black eyes hardened to a dark flint hue as they settled on the young woman. She would brook no feeble excuse to interfere with her reprimanding of this man. “Explain yourself.”

“I have kin who thought they could force the whereabouts of my father's treasure from me. I escaped from them after being subjected to their endless questioning and their mean and hideous torture. I've since leaned that at least one of them is guilty of murder, and if not for the fact that I was taken by Lord Seymour's men, I'd most likely have been taken prisoner again by my aunt and held against my will until I breathed my last.”

“One foul deed does not excuse another,” Elizabeth retorted. “Lord Seymour made no effort to return you to your home or to restore your honor.”

“On the contrary, your majesty, he has done just that,” Elise said in a trembling voice, knowing well that she tested the woman's temper and chanced being thrown into the Tower for the crime of tenacity. “He has given me the honor and shelter of his name and has many times risked his own life to defend mine. I, for one, am most grateful that his servants made a mistake and, more than once, have considered my abduction a divine blessing.”

“Humph! ‘Tis evident, you silly woman, that you are in love with the scoundrel and will say anything in his defense,” Elizabeth ridiculed her and turned her attention to the tall, tawny-haired man just as that one bestowed a tender look upon the girl. Though she witnessed a gentle meeting of gazes, the Queen sat back in the chair in some annoyance at the couple. They had set her to the task of debating the controversy of their actions in her mind, and she was weary of making decisions. If not for fear that Spain would turn upon England after crushing the gallant forces in the Netherlands, she would have left Philip to do the deed! She had procrastinated against taking action until at last her hand had been forced. Now when she was pressed to consider a more simple matter than the presently raging war, she was moved to resentment. Lord Seymour had not deemed it necessary to ask her permission to marry. Yet on the other hand, when she took into account that he had not been within close proximity
to bide for her approval, she could be swayed toward leniency. By all that was right, he had to take the maid to wife to make amends for the wrong he had done. Still, he had shown a careless disregard for propriety and was not deserving of her forgiveness.

Dropping her arms on the chair, Elizabeth pointedly asked, “What is this girl to you, Bradbury?”

Somewhat confused by the question, Maxim faced the sovereign queen and stated clearly what Elise had revealed. “She is my wife, your majesty.”

“You married without asking for my consent?” she needled, but was quick to wave away his explanation. “What are your feelings toward her?”

“I love her,” he admitted quietly, well aware of what his confession might mean.

Walsingham rolled his eyes back in his head, fearing he had just heard the death knell sound for the man.

“Love!”
Elizabeth scoffed in caustic derision. “What do you know of love? One moment you adore one woman, the next, another? I liked you better when you were unmarried!”

Walsingham hid a smile behind a thin knuckle. ‘Twas well-known that Elizabeth had long indulged herself in the audience of many a gallant and handsome blade in her court, and, though aging, she still had a most appreciative eye for a man of Seymour's good looks. She was by nature opposed to any courtier who wed.

“If I've risked my life many times over in service to you, your majesty, does that not prove the love and honor I give to you?” Maxim took heart as he saw the Queen's eyes lower in museful reflection. “If I'm willing to give my life to see Elise safe from those who would do her ill, does that not attest to my devotion to her?”

“You have given me good service,” Elizabeth admitted. “And it caused me great pain to think you had betrayed me.” She heaved a long sigh, at last coming to a decision. “I shall repent of my earlier decree, Bradbury. Henceforth, your titles and properties are restored to you and you may go with my blessings.”

Elise gave a glad cry and would have thrown herself in Maxim's arms, but she saw him hesitate and knew it was not over yet. Her heart trembled at
her husband's daring, for he waited as the Queen breathed a soft sigh and leaned back in the tall chair. Relaxing, the woman closed her eyes a moment and rubbed her temple with her fingertips, then the dark orbs snapped open again and fairly pierced Maxim where he stood.

“Well! What more do you want of me? Have I not given you enough?”

“What of Captain Von Reijn, your majesty?” he softly questioned

The Queen's eyes blazed as she stared back at him, then gradually they softened, and she gave a soft laugh. “When this is out, my repute for wise decisions shall be left in ragged ruins. Your tenacity has once again brought you your heart's desire, Bradbury. I shall give your friend pardon and restoration of his ship and cargo. Now leave me. I am weary.”

E
LISE BREATHLESSLY PLEADED
caution between gasps of laughter as Maxim pulled her along with him at a fleetfooted pace across the wide, well-groomed lawns of Whitehall. As they reached the river stairs Fitch and Spence rushed to greet their lord and clapped him eagerly on the back, displaying a joy and relief they could hardly contain over his arrival. Once the congratulations and felicitations were exchanged, Maxim extracted himself from their attentions and, sweeping Elise into his arms, hurriedly descended the steps and boarded the barge that awaited them. He stepped forward near the prow and, locking his wife in an exuberant embrace, fell back laughing into a cushioned seat. The soft, feminine giggles he produced by nuzzling his wife's ear and covering her face with eager kisses sharply raised the brows of the riverman's youthful assistant, who gawked in astonishment at the handsome couple. The master boatman was accustomed to a wide range of varied behavior from his wealthy patrons and brusquely
urged the lad on about his duties whenever there was a lag. Fitch and Spence settled behind their lord, and after casting off the moorings, the two boatmen bent themselves
to broad sweeps amidship until they levered the heavy craft out into the currents. Once the vessel began to swing, the master took himself aft to the tiller sweep while the lad labored to hoist the long single spar bearing the wide triangular sail. Soon the barge was slipping along nicely through the current and reached upriver at a fair pace.