“You do need a permanent man in your life,” he said, “and who better than me? We loved one another once. Perhaps we will again.”
“Or perhaps not,” she said. “Love, it has been my experience, brings more bitterness than sweetness. I have lost two men I loved to death. I have the memory of bitter words between us, and although I forgave you because Geoffrey asked me to, I cannot forget those words.”
“I regretted them the moment they escaped my lips.”
“You were ever impulsive, Niall. Impulsive and heedless of the havoc your actions wrought. You are now my lawful husband but unless I can learn to love you again this marriage will be in name only. I have never given myself to a man I disliked.”
“You liked Dudley?”
“I despise Robert Dudley as I did Dom. They took, yes, but Inever gave!Do you understand me?”
“And I do not make a habit of forcing unwilling women, my dearwife. I have no intention of doing so now. Do you understand me?”
“Then we should get on quite well, Niall Burke. You will keep to your place, and I to mine.”
He bowed mockingly to her. “It shall be just as you say, madam. Has the Queen been notified yet of this match?”
“The messenger left for Hampton Court the same day I received word from my uncle.”
“Then Elizabeth should know by now that a man stands by your side at Lynmouth.”
And Elizabeth did know. The Queen had been angry at first. “How dare she?” stormed Elizabeth. “She has not my permission!”
“Aye, she does, madam,” put in Cecil, Lord Burghley.
“She does?”
“Indeed,” the chancellor said smoothly. “You signed the papers several months ago when the Bishop of Connaught applied for permission for his niece to wed again. I believe that Lord Burke was at one time betrothed to the Countess of Lynmouth. It is an excellent match, madam. Skye O’Malley is head of the O’Malleys of Innisfana, a wealthy seagoing family. She will not, I suspect, leave England until her son can manage his own estates—which will notbe for a long time. Her family will never dare to rebel against the Crown for fear of reprisals against her. We have therefore neutralized a potentially powerful enemy. The same can be said of the Burkes. Niall Burke is the only heir to the MacWilliam of Mid-Connaught. He and his people dare not act against England as long as his heir is in England, and he will be as long as his bride cannot leave. That is why I advised you to sign the papers allowing the Countess to wed again.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips. Leicester would be very disappointed. Still, he had had his fun, and she didn’t want him becoming overly involved with Skye. Why, he might have eventually desired marriage with the lovely Countess. And surely dear Skye could not have remained forever impervious to darling Robert’s charms. What woman could? No, it was better that dear Skye had married again.
“I think it would be wise, under the circumstances, to transfer the guardianship of little Lord Southwood to his stepfather,” remarked William Cecil.
“Yes,” said the Queen thoughtfully. “But Rob will be upset. The child is a rich prize. Find him another such prize quickly so we may sever the connection immediately.” She turned to one of her secretaries. “Send our felicitations to Lord and Lady Burke along with the transfer of guardianship of the young Earl of Lynmouth. Also, a purse of a hundred gold marks and a pair of silver candelabra. Say we will be happy to receive them at Court anytime.”
Lord Burghley was pleased. She might be her father’s cub, but she was his student. He, Cecil, had guided and taught her well, and at that moment he was proud of her. “I think Lord Dudley would be pleased with the guardianship of the Dacre heiress. She was the posthumous only child of Lord John Dacre. Her mother died in childbirth.”
Elizabeth Tudor nodded. Yes, Rob would be pleased with such a rich prize, and the royal influence would be needed more in the north where border families like the Dacres swung back and forth in their allegiance. There was no question of the young Southwood’s loyalty.
The royal messages were dispatched along with the royal gifts. Skye cared nothing for the purse of gold marks or the silver candelabra. But her delight in the transferral of Robin’s guardianship to Lord Burke was boundless. Niall watched her sardonically as she exulted in her victory.
“It seems,” he remarked pleasantly, “that I have managed to be of some use to you.”
“You must feel quite fulfilled,” she answered sarcastically.
“I am more fulfilled than you are, my dear. How you exist with cold iced water in your veins instead of warm red blood is beyond me.”
“Yes, I’ve heard about your barmaid,” she answered with a nonchalance she did not feel.
“Have you?” he drawled and the corners of his mouth twitched in a way that infuriated her.
“They call her the ‘Devon Rose’ I am told. Is that because she is overblown, or because she smells?” Skye’s face was a study in innocence.
Niall Burke burst out laughing. “Dammit, woman, your tongue is knife-sharp! You’re a hell of a lot more interesting than the maid I knew ten years ago, Skye.”
“Yet you feel it is necessary to take and flaunt a mistress, sir.”
“Madam, I am a man, and whether we discuss it or not, you do deny me of my marital rights. I am willing to be patient, but I am not willing to be celibate.”
