As the Sparks Fly Upward (29 page)

“Blast! I didn't mean to say that. I only meant that some men marry women for their money.”

Twyla didn't answer but carefully slid the sovereigns back into the bag.

Colin asked, “What are you going to do with the money?” Twyla held the bag out for Colin. “I want to pay off my bond.”

“Oh, Twyla, that never meant anything to me! As a matter of a fact, I've got another gift for you.” He went back to the chest and returned with a piece of paper in his hands. “Here, this should make you very happy.”

Twyla looked at it for a long time, then whispered, “This says that my bond is all paid, but I never paid it.”

“Why, I never intended you should. I just wanted to look out for you until you got old enough to look out for yourself.”

Twyla held the paper reverently. She stared at it for a long time, and when she looked up, Colin saw tears in her eyes. “I don't know what would have become of me if it hadn't been for you. I thank God every day for you, appearing out of nowhere and saving me. You and Dr. Teague gave me life in more ways than one.”

Colin was touched. He reached over and patted her on the shoulder. “Mind what I said. You're a young woman now, and you'll have to treat men carefully.”

Twyla studied his face for a moment, then sniffed, “I suppose I can handle that as well as you handle the women who come after you.”

“What women?”

Twyla almost burst out that she knew he was still in love with Heather, but she had judgment enough not to do that. She got up from the table with the bag of coins in her hands, saying, “We'll spend this at the fair, Mister. Now, what would you like for supper?”

Thomas Burke had come calling on Twyla, and as always she was glad to see him. She had known him now for more than six
months. His family had recently moved into the neighborhood, and Thomas was the oldest son. He was a small young man with light blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. He had a quick sense of humor that pleased Twyla. Thomas had traveled a great deal with his family, for his father had been an official of the court and an ambassador for the queen. Twyla had been surprised when he returned to see her several times. Now as he sat with her, she asked, “Tell me more about Italy.”

“It's full of Italians.”

“Well, that's silly. Of course it is! What does the country look like?”

“The big cities in Italy are like big cities everywhere. They're dirty, nasty, filthy things that stink.”

“But they have beautiful buildings there. I've seen paintings of them.”

“The buildings aren't really pretty. As a matter of a fact,” Thomas smiled, “all big cities look better from a distance than when you're in them. You know that's true with London. When you get far off, it's not a bad-looking place. But when you walk down the main street, it's full of garbage, trash, and even hogs rooting around. Big cities aren't like you.”

Twyla looked up with surprise. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean you look much better up close than you do far off. Just the opposite of the big cities.” His eyes were laughing as he saw her beginning to protest. “I was only teasing you. You're an attractive woman from far off and up close as well.”

“You shouldn't be talking like that to me.”

“You should be talked to like this every day. I'm here to tell you that no matter how many suitors you have trailing around you, I'm getting rid of all of them. Give me a list, will you? I might have to fight duels with some of them.”

“You're just foolish, Thomas,” she said, though his teasing pleased her. Finally she rose and said, “You've got to go now.”

“Oh, one of my rivals is coming?”

“No such thing.” Twyla smiled. “My master is coming home soon with Dr. Teague. They've been working at the hospital.”

“Master? I thought you told me he arranged for your freedom.”

“He did, but I still serve him and Dr. Teague.”

“You don't need to serve anyone.” Thomas suddenly moved closer and took her hands in his. “You should never have to serve anybody. Why, if we get married, you'll have a maid just to do your hair and another maid to do the washing and the cooking.”

“What would I do with myself all day if everyone was waiting on me?”

“You'd be making yourself beautiful for your husband. We'd be the handsomest couple in all of England.”

His words gave Twyla a shock, and she whispered, “You shouldn't be talking to me like this. I'm only a servant.”

“And I'm only a man. You have a jewel of great price that is difficult to find in this country.”

“And what is that?”

“You have innocence, a quality I greatly admire in a woman.” He reached forward and pulled Twyla toward him. Twyla had been kissed before by young men, so she recognized what was in his eyes. His lips fell on hers, and his arms tightened around her waist. She half surrendered, but at the same time part of her held back. Suddenly the door opened, and Twyla turned her head away from Thomas and pushed him back. She glanced toward the doorway and saw that Colin had entered and was looking at her sternly.

“Mr. Burke has been visiting,” Twyla said quickly.

“Yes, I see that,” Colin said with sarcasm in his voice.

Thomas Burke was flustered. He said quickly, “I must be going.” He turned to Twyla and bowed, saying, “I'll look forward to seeing you on Thursday.”

“Yes, it was kind of you to stop by.”

As soon as the door closed, Colin said, “I'm disappointed in you.”

Twyla felt a twinge of guilt. “I'm sorry that you should be, but it was just a kiss.”

“I've tried to talk to you about men.” Colin seemed to struggle for words for a moment, then said, “Men sometimes take advantage of young women.”

Twyla knew this far better than Colin imagined. But she pretended to be ignorant. “What do you mean, ‘take advantage'?”

“They do things that aren't right.”

“What things?”

Colin opened his mouth to speak, but a blank look spread across his face. He stared at Twyla and added uncomfortably, “They just do things they shouldn't.”

“Yes, so you said, but what sort of things? Maybe you should instruct me so I'll be on my guard.”

As a physician Colin had little difficulty speaking plainly to his female patients, yet Twyla had the power to make him feel considerable confusion. He had watched her grow up from a skinny child to a beautiful young woman, but now he discovered that it was far more difficult dealing with a young woman than with a child. Colin had been aware of the attraction Twyla had for other men, and he had talked to Teague about his concern, saying, “You need to have a talk with Twyla and her ways with men.”

Teague just stared at him. “Talk to her yourself. She's your servant.”

Now Colin made up his mind. “Sit down and we'll talk about this.”

Twyla sat down and watched as Colin drew a chair and sat opposite her. For the next ten minutes she watched him struggle to explain the dangers that a young woman faced from men. Of course she had learned such things as she was coming into her teens. Men had been attracted to her, and she learned early how to handle them.
Why, he thinks I'm innocent as a baby!
For a moment that irritated her, but then her sense of humor came
into play.
Let him be uncomfortable, then, giving his explanations.
When he faltered, she pressed questions on him about intimacy. She was amused to see how discomfited he was to speak of such things.

Their talk, such as it was, was interrupted by a knock on the door. Colin had really told her nothing, but he was obviously relieved. “We'll speak of this later. I must see who's at the door.” Colin stood and opened the door to a tall man dressed in rich attire.

“I'm looking for Dr. Colin Winslow.”

“I'm Dr. Winslow. How can I help you?

“I have a message for you from the queen.” Without another word, he pulled a thin sheet of paper from a purse he carried at his side.

Colin took the letter and noted that it was sealed with the royal crest. “Thank you,” he said, then watched as the man mounted his horse and rode away. Closing the door, he looked at the paper.

“What is it, Mister?”

“I wish you would call me something besides
Mister
,” he said absently, then broke the seal. He unfolded the paper and scanned it quickly, then looked at Twyla, saying, “It's a command. I am to be at court next week.”

“What for?”

“It doesn't say. But I'll have to go, of course.”

Twyla was intrigued. She had seen Queen Elizabeth twice when she'd passed through London, carried on a litter. Twyla knew that Colin and his family were on friendly terms with the queen, and she said, “You'll have to get some new clothes.” Then she teased again, “We didn't finish our talk about what I must do when men try to steal my virtue.”

An expression of embarrassment came across Colin's face, and he said stiffly, “I think I made myself clear enough. Just stay away from men, especially that fellow Burke.”

“Oh, you're ordering me to stay away from him?”

Colin suddenly realized that he'd overstepped his bounds. “I—I didn't mean to order you around, Twyla. I'm sure you will show good judgment. You usually do.”

“I'll be careful. Now, let's see about getting you a new suit made to meet the queen in.”

The large room was full of counselors and noblemen, and Colin felt out of place. He watched as Queen Elizabeth, who was sitting on a raised dais, spoke to various men. It was a collection of the highest-ranking officials of Elizabeth's court, most of them men who wanted the queen's favor.

Elizabeth seemed to have forgotten that she had sent for him, for she didn't call his name. After an hour Colin was ready to leave, for he cared little about political affairs and what was going on at court. He was interested in one person, however: Sir Francis Drake, who stood at the queen's left hand, along with Walsingham and other officials. Drake was the talk of England as well as Spain. He had raided Spanish ships until Philip of Spain had put out special orders to capture
El Draco
, as he was called. Drake didn't look the role. He was of no more than medium height. His face had a triangular shape to it, and what appeared to be a weak chin was covered by a sharp beard. But his gaze could pierce a man like an arrow. Several times Elizabeth asked his opinion, which he rapped out with little ceremony.

Colin heard his name and looked up, startled, to see Elizabeth peering at him with a half-smile on her face. “Come forward, Dr. Winslow,” she commanded.

Embarrassed at the attention, Colin made his way to stand before Elizabeth. He took her hand and kissed it, saying, “Your Majesty, you're looking well as usual.”

“Is that your courtier opinion or an official medical diagnosis?”

“Both, Your Majesty.” Colin looked up to see the queen smiling at him. She wasn't a beautiful woman, although she reveled in the young men who gathered around to tell her so. Her best feature was her complexion, but she was getting older and the bloom that had been hers in youth was fading.

“So, you have come at your queen's command.”

“Why, of course, Your Majesty.”

“Have you no idea why I've summoned you here, Dr. Winslow?”

“No, your Majesty, unless you have an ache or a pain.”

Elizabeth laughed heartily, then said, “Not at the moment. I have something to give you.” She stood and advanced until she stood facing Colin, then said, “Kneel, Colin Winslow.”

“Kneel?”

“Yes. That means get down on your knees.” She said this dryly as Colin dropped to his knees and kept his eyes on the queen. She held out her right hand, and Robert Dudley removed his sword and handed it to Elizabeth. “You've done much good service for your patients and have been my faithful servant. I dub thee Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.”

Colin felt the light tap of the sword, first on one shoulder, then the other. He looked up and saw that Elizabeth was pleased.

“I've surprised you.”

Colin rose, shocked but able to say, “Yes, Your Majesty, you have.”

“You are a knight now, but I have something more substantial. Give me the paper, Mr. Secretary.” She took the paper that Lord Burghley handed her, then offered it to Colin. “This is a physical token of our appreciation. It's a fine house, and it's close enough to the outskirts of London that if I get sick you can be here in minutes. Now rise, Sir Colin Winslow.”

Colin came to his feet, took the piece of paper, and looked at it in wonder. He hardly knew what to say. “I'm entirely undeserving
of this, Your Majesty, but I'm truly grateful, from my heart.”

“You will now be the court physician. That gives you a great deal of power among your peers, the other doctors in England.” Elizabeth paused and her eyes narrowed as she added, “Many people want power, and it's a deadly weapon that can hurt the one who wields it. Be careful, Sir Colin, to use this power wisely. Do not let it make you a tyrant.”

“I'll do my best to follow your instructions, Your Majesty.”

Colin was at once surrounded by many who came to congratulate him. The first to come was Dr. Regis Perry, the head of the Royal College of Physicians. He had done all he could to ruin Colin's career, but now he had a smile on his lips that didn't reach his eyes. “Her Majesty has made a wise choice, Sir Colin,” he said. “As head of the Royal College of Physicians, I welcome you, one in whom we all delight.”

Colin was intensely aware of how little he delighted this man, but Elizabeth's words were ringing in his ears. “I'm always at your service, Dr. Perry. I'm grateful and appreciative.” Perry was shaken, for he had expected at the very least to be snubbed. He saw that this was not to be, and he begged, “Sir Colin, I've been hasty in my judgments of you in the past. I trust you will forgive me?”