This Heart of Mine by Bertrice Small Page B

magnificent snow-white stallion with the Earl of Essex, her Master of the Horse, who rode a beautiful black gelding and held the queen’s bridle as part of his duties. All around Elizabeth were members of her guard, who were followed by the lord treasurer, the lord chancellor, and other officers of the state: the household treasurer; Sir Francis Knollys, the queen’s favorite cousin; Lord Hundston who was lord steward; Sir James Crofts, the household controller; the other household officials and menials; and of course the court.
    The queen was attired in the most elegant fashion. Her overgown was of black velvet edged with tiny pearls along the hem and the sides of the gown separation. Interspersed along the rows of pearls were red silk bows tied with jet beads, alternating with black silk bows tied with garnet beads. Her shoulder rolls were similarly decorated, as was her stomacher, which was festooned at its point with a red silk bow from which hung a large teardrop-shaped pearl. Beneath the overgown was a white satin undergown edged in lace. The samewhite satin showed through the slashes in her black velvet sleeves. About the queen’s neck was a small starched white lace neck ruff, beneath which hung eight rows of pearls that dripped down the black velvet gown front with its merry cherry-red bows. The queen wore a bright auburn wig that was topped by a soft, round black velvet cap from which bravely fluttered white feathers held down firmly by a bright red ruby clip. Her hands upon the reins of her mount were sheathed in perfumed white leather gloves embroidered with pearls, garnets, and jet.
    Around Elizabeth Tudor, upon equally spirited and prancing horses, were her gentlemen and ladies, all clothed just as luxuriously and colorfully as if to complement their monarch. On either side of the queen rode gaily clad gentlemen, Sir Walter Ralegh and young Essex being nearest her. Ralegh was currently the captain of the Queen’s Gentlemen Pensioners, her personal bodyguard. Essex, as her Master of the Horse, held the position once performed by his stepfather, the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley. Dudley, though still the queen’s dear friend, had lost some of her favor on his marriage to her cousin, Lettice Knollys, though she still held a deep fondness for him.
    As the horses came to a stop before the priory, Lord Blackthorn stepped forward to lift the queen from her mount and, having done so, knelt to pay his homage. Both Deirdre and Velvet curtsied low.
    “As pretty a pair of pigeons as I’ve ever seen,” murmured the Earl of Essex to Sir Walter. “Sisters, d’you think?”
    Ralegh said nothing, seeing the queen’s head stiffen as she caught Essex’s words, but he did grin at the earl, his moustache waggling in appreciation.
    “Welcome to Blackthorn Priory , Your Majesty,” said John Blakeley. “We know not what we have done to deserve such honor, madame, but may your stay be a pleasant one.” He signaled to his head groom, who immediately led forth an exquisite rare Arabian mare, pale gold in color. Upon the mare’s back was a silver saddle bejeweled with pearls, topazes, blue zircons, rubies, and small diamonds. The horse’s bridle was also silver. John Blakeley arose and said, “For you, madame, with devotion and great admiration. I count myself fortunate to be living in your reign.”
    The queen’s eyes swept over the mare and her accoutrements, warming at this Midland lord’s great generosity. His flattering tongue had also given her pleasure, for she believed his words to be from the heart. He had naught else to gain from her by them,not being a member of the court. Graciously, she held out her hand and said, “Our thanks for your most beautiful gift, my lord.”
    John Blakeley kissed the hand presented to him. “My wife has a way with animals, madame, and has schooled the beast herself. You’ll find she has an excellent gait and is a fine jumper. She seems to have been created by almighty God