The question of sweet Robyn

I wudst enlist the thoughts of mine fellow Queens and courtiers on the subject of mine great love Robert Dudley. Dear Robyn, mine 'Eyes'.

I realise he ist an ambitious fellow and cometh from a treasonous, power hungry family.

However, he hast always been there to support me and doth bite his tongue when I treat him abominably in mine frustracted anger that he ist out of reach. He hath defended mine person with hist very life countless times.

And when I wast out of favour with mine sister, he didst sell his own lands to give me money for to keep mine household. Had it been down to misguided Mary I wudst have starved in rags surrounded by servants who stayed for the love of me and nothing else. Not only was this a generous gesture indeed, but it didst put his head in a precarious state if mine sister didst take offence to his loyalty towards me.

I scorn him frequently, exile him from court, demand back his presance, treat him with many gifts and then take everything back on a whim. I doth draw him close then meet his proposals of undying love and matrimpony with great anger. Though it breaketh mine heart I doth accept his marriage to Amy Robsart. And though I see his union with Lettice Knollys as both the greatest disloyalty and the greatest pain he cudst inflict upon me... I cannot place all the blame on him for wishing to wed an available younger version of mineself (even if she ist an evil, conniving ungrateful little bitch of a shewolfe... if I dist not love her mother dealy I wudst.... hells teeth! I must not think of such things!).

So, you see, mine greatest dilemma - after that of what to do with mine cousin Marie - is that of dear Robyn. Ist he true as mine heart says he is... or ist he out to destory me as mine advisors do tell me daily?!

Oh please, dearest cousin! Thou art delusional, Robert be in love with me!

My Dear Bess I wish I had the answer for you. I would wisk all your troubles away if it were in my power to do so. Everyone deserves to love, to be loved.

What ever you should or nshould not do, you have always my friendship and loyalty.

Perhaps *laughs* I should go and charm these Ladies who would rival you for his affections and lay the road clear you

I wudst not wish the shewolfe Lettice upon you dear Nicholas. It pains me enough how many of my court hath already been maimed by her greedy claws.

I do sometimes feel being married to her is fair Robyn's pennance for his many sins.

However, thine words are a great comfort Sir Nicholas, I do thank thee for that.

...and Marie, if he dared prefer you over me thou knowest I wudst be tempted to chop off his decietful, pretty little head! However, I fear any love you imagine he hath for you is your own delusion. He wast most fearful at mine command to wed thee and his complexion turned a most unbecomming shade of green.

You lie Elizabeth! Everyone, even your most noble servants, said I was more beautiful than you! And I'm 10 years younger than you!

You realise not cousin that your ignorance, bad temper, lack of control of care for thine own kingdom as well as a severe lack of charm doth impair your beauty greatly.

I worry that those who do not chase thee for thine pretty face alone only want thee for thine crown.

For, when it comes down to it, what else dost thou have to offer? A man can only be charmed by so many finely embroidered shirts before he becomes disenchanted.

I am wealthy, pious, loyal, loving, generous, kind and EXTREMELY charming. And hast thou just compared me to a shirt? Dost thou wish for another needle in thine eye?

I didst compare thee to nothing of the kind, I was merely stating the fact that all thou really hast to offer long term to any man is a collection of finely embroidered shirts.

If thou art so very wealthy I suggest thou pay for thine own army to claim back thine Scottish throne. ...rather than begging me to waste the lives of my precious subjects amd the few coins mine predecessors hath left me with to run a whole kingdom!

I think thou shalt find that all pointed objects hath been removed from thine posession for the duration of thine stay at Hatfield. Might I suggest you take up a less dangerous form of divertion.

A few coins? You are the most miserly woman in Europe! Where findeth the all that coin to fund rebellions? From where cometh all your lovely gowns? Who serveth thine table for free? You lie Elizabeth!

Though it embarrasses me to admit it, many of mine gowns are remade from previous gowns, often those of mine sister Mary. Much of the ebroideries and jewels are painted on as I canst afford neither the gems nor the needlework.

However, the blow ist softened by mine collection of mighty fine jewels, gifted from friends, suitors and passed down from mine kin. All hath sentimental value and cannot be sold, though I do gift certain items to those who serve me well.

I hath good reason for mine every expenditure and thou wilt discover if thou checks mine accounts that I doth cut back severely on many things and spend monies either protecting mine realm and mine religion, as well as getting about to meet my good subjects and to keep insufferable nuisances such as thine self.

It ist quite a relief to me that the inhabitants of the Tower are rich enough in their own rights to pay for their own upkeep!

... maybe you could come and manage my account books!

Daughter,

Marriage is not for you my dear Virgo! Enjoy Robyn, but for the love of God heed my cautionary tale and become the chattel of no man.

Toujours,

Maman

What insane rubbish are thee talking now, Marquess? Everywoman knows, that it is her rightful destiny to marry; Placing all her goods and cares in the hands of her Husband. To preach such an unnatural creed, Anna, makes you ...

Marie! With all your bad love experiances you would realise that marriage is overrated! But what me and Edward had was true love.. *daydreams*

True love? I know I promised you a new leaf, and I truly wish to cause you no hurt Grandmama but: You're relatives were overambitious, power-hungry, over-sexed and insane. And you were almost universally unpopular. Half your children dropped dead! What was possibly good about your married life?

My time as Queen was far from good, however - My husband loved me.

It is a pity that not all find what you must have had Lady woodville. It is a pity more that so many marry for reasons other than love.

*frowns*

I cannot say that my marriage was completely virtuous, I am an ambitious woman my Lorde. I desired to be Quene above all else, however part of that was because of my great affection for his Majesty.

Then you were still luckier by far than most. I envy you my Lady *smiles whistfully*

A husband that loves you. ... I hath almost forgotten how that feels ... *Blinks away tears*.

*hands Marie a handerchief from his breat pocket *

Do not weep, my Lady ... you may find love again

Thank you, Nicholas. *Gently takes handkerchief and smiles weakly*. Perhaps I shall.

I have heard that one finds love when and where they least expect it

Okay. Where would that be?

*laughs*

I can not say for certain, it is something one must find for themselves, but, I think, usually ....

right before your very eyes