his face hidden behind a colorful mask, Edward managed to secure a single dance with the Court's newest, and most popular, maid. As they whirled around together amidst swirling couples, he gallantly complimented her on her skill at the virginals. She replied with praise for his players and a smile, which dazzled him.
"Before Edward once again trusted himself to speak, Anne told him how much she had enjoyed reading his poem. 'I keep it under my pillow,' she whispered boldly as the music stopped. With another blinding smile and a demure curtsey, she skipped away to her next partner, leaving Edward lonelier than he had felt in a very long time.
"Next day, encouraged by the warm reception his sonnet had received, Edward entered a backgammon tournament. Manipulating his games, he soon found himself matched against Anne. The Earl used their time together to persuade the maid to dine at his apartments in the Savoy."
CASTLE HEDINGHAM
On the appointed evening Edward and Anne sat at a long table, beneath a large portrait of Edward's father, John. The sixteenth Earl of Oxford was portrayed standing proudly in front of his ancestral home, Castle Hedingham in Essex.
Edward kept the painting as a reminder of both his father and his first home. The young Earl's earliest memories revolved around golden summer days spent roaming through Essex's green woodlands or galloping wildly across open fields with his father.
Edward had been born inside the ancient castle in 1550. He had grown up there, surrounded by dogs, cats and love. Edward's mother, Margery, was a dark-haired beauty, who had married John after his first wife died during childbirth.
As serving men placed dishes of steaming chicken in front of them, Edward found himself telling Anne about his father. "For my seventh birthday, he gave me a peregrine falcon, helped me train it to hunt down pigeons."
"Did he also teach you the sword and lance?" Anne asked.
"Daily. We spent hours together in mock combat. I also practiced with his knights whenever I could. I dreamed of being as good as he was. His words and training kept me alive when I went to fight in Scotland. The man's better never drew breath."
"What happened to him?"
"He died while I was still young..." Edward's voice trailed away as he touched a napkin to his lips. It was time to change the subject. "Do you know? My grandfather, the fifteenth Earl, was the first lord to support his own company of players. Father kept them going..." Edward's voice trailed away again. So much for changing the subject, he thought.
Sensing his unease, Anne spoke up, "Did you act with them?"
Edward brightened. "Oh yes. Often. Making entrances, delivering lines."
"You have a talent for the stage?"
"Perhaps," Edward replied. "All I know is that I was never happier than when treading those old boards at Hedingham." He drained his wineglass.
Anne looked up at the painting. "Castle Hedingham's a goodly size."
"Yes. Its walls have laughed many a siege to scorn."
"When was it built?"
"The keep was built atop a Saxon fort my ancestor, Aubrey, captured 500 years ago. It sits on a steep hill which completely dominates the surrounding countryside."
"There must be a wonderful view from the battlements."
"Oh yes, you can see as far as the next county."
"Indeed. I'd like to visit sometime..."
"I never venture near Castle Hedingham," Edward interrupted.
"Why not?" Anne asked, surprised.
"That's enough about me," he said, tearing a drumstick off his chicken. "What about your parents?"
"They both died of the Black Death."
It was Edward's turn to be surprised. "I'm sorry, Anne."
"I was only 6 at the time."
"You don't remember them?"
"I remember everything."
"Tell me."
Anne shrugged. "I didn't know anything was wrong until mother's lips turned black. Then my nanny and all the servants fled. The next day, father also fell ill. By now, mother's skin was completely black. Pains and fever raged through her. Within 2 days she was dead. It was a blessed relief."
"Of course," Edward muttered sympathetically.
"Six hours later, my father breathed his last. That night the death wagon rumbled up to our house. I remember the huge clusters of purifying herbs hanging from the cart men's necks. Their long-handled iron tongs dragged the bodies from the house and loaded them onto the wagon. Then I was alone in the house. Somehow, I escaped infection..." Anne fell silent.
"You were fortunate. Back then the bubonic plague was sending thousands to the fires every week."
"Yes," Anne nodded. "My uncle arrived from the country and took me to St. Peter's. I was raised and educated in the convent."
"We both lost our parents when we were young," Edward reflected sadly.
"But did not your mother, Margery, die only recently?" Anne asked, pushing aside her plate.
"That's so, but I lost her long ago, and I would it had been sooner."
"That's a terrible thing to say."
"You didn't know her."
"I've heard that she was a great beauty."
"Yes, but sadly, she allowed that great beauty to make her frivolous and vain. She cared little for motherhood."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"As a child, I saw her once a day, when my nannies took me to her, for 10 minutes. Even then, she never held me for fear of wrinkling her clothes."
"Whatever her faults, your departed mother deserves your prayers and forgiveness."
"I do my best, but every time I think about her, my heart fills with hatred..."
"Whatever did she do to merit such anger?"
Edward threw his napkin down and beckoned to his serving men. "It's time we got you back to the palace."
Totally captivated by Anne, Edward resolved to continue courting her at Bilton Hall, his manor house. It was a fine, private place bordering on the willow-lined Avon in Warwickshire, far from the Court's prying eyes. As his coach carried them back to Whitehall, the Earl persuaded Anne to take a leave of absence from her duties and join him at Bilton Hall.
1651
"Beggin' your pardon, Ma'am."
Patricia looked over at Ben. "Yes?"
"What had his mother done?"
"He
