Leaving the Queen's closet, they adjourned to the dining hall where the court was awaiting the arrival of Elizabeth Tudor. The Queen had now transferred her attentions to Adam, and Skye was left to herself.
"As fair as ever," a displeasingly familiar voice murmured in her ear, and Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, came around her into her view.
"As lecherous as ever, I've not a doubt," she returned, irritated as his eyes plunged boldly to fasten on her breasts. "You look as if you would eat me, my lord. Is there not meat enough at the Queen's board to satisfy you?"
"Only you could ever satisfy me, Skye."
"Only you, my lord, could ever revolt me so much with your want of delicacy."
"Ah, you Celtic bitch, as always your refusal of my passions ignites me with desire," he exclaimed, backing her against the wall. His arms pinioned her while his head dipped to press hot, wet kisses across the tops of her breasts.
Remembering a similar situation of several years earlier, Skye thought with a wicked little smile: The fool never learns, and then she brutally jammed her knee into the Earl of Leicester's groin. She was rewarded by instant release, and the silly, pained, surprised look upon his face. Calmly straightening her gown, Skye pushed past him, saying, "Dudley, I can't believe you don't remember our last encounter of this nature. I would also remind you that the last time you accosted me you were rather violently removed from my house by Lord de Marisco. He was only my friend then. Now he is my husband, and a most doting husband at that. I would that you think on it before you approach me again." Then with a polite mocking curtsey she moved from the shadows and up to the Queen's table, where a place had been made for her.
Robert Dudley swore, and then swore again as he heard low laughter near his car. "Hatton, say one word of what you saw, and I swear I shall run you through!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
Sir Christopher Hatton chuckled with pleased laughter. "I would not have believed it, my lord," he jibed at the earl. "Did you not tell me yourself that she was a passionate little drab, and quite hot for you? By God, Dudley, I should hate to see a woman who didn't like you!" Laughing merrily, he moved off, leaving the earl most discomfited.
After the meal there was dancing, and although Skye would have far preferred to leave Greenwich and return to her house, she could not depart until the Queen had left, and Elizabeth Tudor, it seemed, was full of energy, and as merry as May this night. She danced with verve, and more with Sir Christopher than any other man in the room. Remembering Adam's teasing remark about Hatton dancing divinely, Skye had to admit that he was the best dancer she had ever seen; and seeing Dudley sulking on the sidelines gave her great pleasure.
"Good even, Mama," Robin said, coming up to stand beside her.
Skye turned, and with a pleased smile gave her son a swift kiss. "You are not surprised to see me?" she asked.
“The Queen told us some weeks ago that you would be returning to court, Mama."
"Did she also tell you the manner of her invitation to us, Robin?"
The young earl looked puzzled. "I don't understand," he said.
"The Queen's agents kidnaped Velvet," Skye said quietly.
"God's nightshirt!"
"Do not use such language, Robin," the mother in Skye scolded.
"Your pardon, Mama, but I was so surprised by your disclosure I could not help myself. Is Velvet all right?"
"So the Queen assures me, although I have insisted that my baby be returned immediately. Velvet is at Hampton Court."
"Why?"
"Your uncles in Ireland are causing difficulties, and the Queen wants my aid in suppressing their high spirits."
Robin laughed. 'The Irish are always causing trouble," he said matter-of-factly.
“This is serious," Skye said, "and I would remind you, my lord earl, that you are half Irish."
"By blood, yes, madam," Robin replied quietly, "but my heart and my loyalties are all English."
"Yes, Robin, they are. I have raised you to be your father's son. I might have done otherwise. I, however, am Irish, but I do not condone these useless rebellions in which your uncles have involved themselves, and I must stop them before they do any serious damage to the family."
The young earl nodded. He understood the difficulty of his mother's position. "I am sure that the Queen has not hurt Velvet," he said.
"No, she has not, but nonetheless it was a terrible thing to do to us. I have, however, exacted my price in return for my aid. The Queen has recognized our marriage, both Adam and your brother, Padraic, have been given estates, and Lundy has been returned to us."
"Padraic has his lands back?"
"Not in Ireland. The Queen would not give him back the Burke lands."
Robin saw the sadness in his mother's eyes, and he put a hand on hers, saying, "I am sorry, Mother, but at least we are now less a house divided, and for that I am glad."
"Where is Willow?" Skye asked her son, changing the subject, for she could no longer think of Padraic's loss without weeping.
"Look for the Earl of Alcester, Mama," Robin said. "Wherever he is, Willow will be."
"God's blood!" Skye swore. "Did I not warn her about involving herself with a man?!"
"'Tis not Willow who has involved herself with Alcester, but rather the other way around," Robin said with a smile. "He is quite smitten with her, and in a position to offer marriage, Mama."
“Tell me."
"James, Lord Edwardes, Earl of Alcester," Robin began. "Aged twenty-four, a widower with one child, a daughter. Educated, well mannered, neither drinks nor gambles to excess. He seems to enjoy the ladies, but is no lecher, I'm told. I rather like him, Mama, and Willow, for all her hoity-toity ways, likes him too, although she hasn't given the poor fellow the least encouragement." Robin chuckled, a sophisticated sound far beyond his years, Skye thought. "He's rather shy, I think."
"What of his family?" Skye demanded, for this young man surely had a family who would object to their son's marriage to a young woman not of the nobility.
"His parents are both dead, Mama. He has a paternal grandmother, I am told, but no one else of note."
"What of his finances? Surely there is some gossip about that."
"He's not rich, Mama, but neither is he a pauper. I have been told that his estate is small, but well kept." Here Robin made his voice even lower. "He doesn't know the extent of Willow's wealth, Mama. No one at court does, for she hasn't been here that long. Besides, Willow is rather closemouthed about her affairs, and spends very little of her allowance."
Skye smiled with satisfaction. Her daughter was being quite discreet, and that was all to the good. She looked about the room, and finally spotted Willow standing amid a group of laughing young people. How lovely she looked in her garnet-red velvet gown, and how delighted Khalid would have been with her, the doting mother couldn't help thinking. "Which one is Alcester?" she asked Robin.
"The young man by her right elbow."
Skye let her gaze assess her daughter's would-be suitor. He was a pleasant-looking young man of medium height with light brown hair. He was well built, and his young face had an intelligent and kindly look to it. "Introduce me," she commanded Robin.
Robin offered his mother his arm and led her across the floor to where his sister stood with her friends. Suddenly Willow saw them coming, and her eyes lit up joyfully. Breaking away from the group, she ran the few steps between them.
"Mama!"
Skye enfolded her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly. "I have missed you these weeks," she said, "and how lovely you look tonight, my precious. I see you are wearing Nicolas's pearls, and how pretty they look on you."
"Mama."
Skye looked up, and then moving away from Willow, she saw Robin with the Earl of Alcester. "Yes, Robin?" she said, feigning surprise.