Page 140 of A Woman of Passion

“I want our children to found a great dynasty, and it must all be set out exactly, stating who is to marry whom and assigning lands and assets. It must be signed by both of us and given to the lawyers so they can draw up the legal documents.”

“Mmm, darling, set all your ideas down on paper and I'll look it over.” He moved down in the bed and gathered her against him. “I love sleeping with you; my bed will never be cold again.”

The following day a light summer rain was falling, and Bess spent the entire morning sitting at the desk in the cozy paneled study that was tucked off the main hall. She had thought about these marriages between their Cavendish and Talbot children for so long, she knew just exactly who would be paired with whom.

Bess wanted Gilbert Talbot for her youngest daughter, Mary. He stood a very good chance of becoming Earl of Shrewsbury someday and making her daughter a countess. Of all Shrewsbury's sons, Gilbert was most like his father, dark with an attractive air of arrogance, and she knew Mary, with her fiery curls and stubborn temper, was most like herself. It will be a match made in heaven; they will be just like Shrew and I.

Since her eldest son, Henry Cavendish, would get Chatsworth, Bess wanted Grace Talbot for her daughter-in-law. She had a special place in her heart for Grace, and since the child had already fallen in love with Chatsworth, what could be more fitting? Harry was a few years older than Grace and would have to wait to consummate the marriage, but it would give him time to sow some wild oats and enjoy his tour of the continent before he settled down.

In her enthusiasm Bess made a few blots and spelling mistakes, so she took great pains to write out a fresh copy before her husband saw it. Her heart filled with pride as she signed it, Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury.

“Bess, where the devil are you hiding? The rain has stopped, and I warrant the woods are filled with deer. Let's ride into Sherwood and see if we can bag one. It's our last day here.”

She knew he loved to hunt and agreed to ride out with him. “I have to change, but I promise I won't be long, darling. While you're waiting for me, you can look over the matches I have proposed for our sons and daughters.”

He watched her walk away from him, then turn to look over her shoulder with an inviting glance. Her lure was potent; surely she didn't expect him to put his mind on the serious business of espousals when all he wanted to do was help her change her clothes. His eyes scanned the paper on the desk, curious to know what she had been plotting. When he saw that she had paired two of her children with two of his, he threw back his head and laughed, totally amused at how outrageous she could be.

That afternoon Bess did not bring up the subject that was foremost in her mind. He had read her proposals, and that was a good start. She would give him a little time to reflect and come around to her way of thinking.

While her husband and his gamekeeper dressed and hung the stag he had shot with a single arrow, Bess helped Cecily with the final packing, and the servants carried their baggage down to the hall in readiness for an early departure to Sheffield. Though she was loath to leave Rufford, Bess was looking forward to her new position as Countess of Shrewsbury and mistress of Sheffield Castle. She couldn't wait to start redecorating their private wing and putting her personal stamp on everything in the Talbot empire.

Shrewsbury bathed and changed his bloodied clothes, then joined his wife for a glass of wine before dinner. “We've been so happy here, Bess. Let's pledge to come back often, just the two of us.”

She raised her glass, then glanced down at the paper still lying on the desk. “We mustn't forget to take this.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “What do you think about my clever idea?”

“Surely you jest! Sweetheart, you can't be serious?”

The smile left her face. “I've never been more serious in my life. This is very important to me, Shrew.”

“Who my children marry is of tantamount importance to me too, believe it or not.” His voice dripped with sarcasm and arrogance. “Wherever did you get this preposterous idea?”

“I got it when you married two of your children to two of William Herbert's!” Bess could feel her anger rising quickly.

“William Herbert happens to be the Earl of Pembroke. Our children are equal in name and wealth.”

Bess felt as if her cheeks were on fire. “So you actually think my Cavendish children are not good enough to wed with Talbots, you arrogant swine!”

“I think no such thing.”

“Then what do you think?” Bess cried furiously. “Let's be plain with each other!”

“All right. Since you ask, I will be plain. These things are for me to decide, not you. I will not allow you to be the boss and make the decisions. It's highly amusing that you just assume I will let you have all your own way. You obviously think because I love you deeply, I will allow you to rule me. But I will not, nor will I allow you to run roughshod over me or manipulate me. Bess, I will be master in my own house.”

“You brute, how dare you speak to me like this!” She hissed like a feline ready to unsheathe her claws.

“You are a woman, a very beautiful woman, and up to now that has allowed you to have your own way about everything. You have had men dancing to your tune all your life. You may have been able to wrap your other husbands about your fingers, Bess, but not me, my darling. I am not other men, as you will soon learn.”

“Don't you dare to threaten me, you black beast!” He had immediately taken the offensive position, which left her with no option but to defend herself. “I would not be doing my job as a mother if I did not look after my children's best interests!”

“Your ambition is insatiable. It consumes you and everything in your path like wildfire. I won't allow it to destroy us!”

Bess picked up the inkstand from the desk and hurled it at him. It missed, but the ink splattered, then pooled on the priceless Persian carpet.

His icy blue eyes narrowed. “You forget yourself, madam. You are behaving like a common fishwife.”

“And you're behaving like a bloody Talbot hound!”

“I think the servants have heard enough. When you are ready to beg my pardon, I will be upstairs,” he said coldly.

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