Elizabeth I Page #5

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I am not allowed

to dance with her.

I understand, I am not yet

one of her intimates.

But this?

Is this still necessary?

Am I to go out in a veil

like a Saracen's wife?

Officially, Monsieur,

you are not here.

Unfortunately the Earl of Leicester

is not the only Protestant...

...in this miserable country.

Does the fellow

not dance?

The Court watches us

too closely.

How many hours

you and I...

...Have wasted dancing.

- Don't say wasted, Bess.

Each dance was worth

a lifetime's wait.

Don't marry him, Bess,

he's a dull fellow.

It's a pity...

...she is quite pretty.

Leicester.

Look at her,

simpering like a girl.

Does she love you still?

That may change.

Seems I am carrying

your child.

Give welcome to his Grace,

the Duke of Anjou.

He is of the most

Royal House of France

and we graciously

receive him here

as suitor to our hand

in marriage.

I am most glad to be welcomed

to the English court.

Louder.

Louder, you dogs!

Is not this

what you wanted?

Is this gentleman

not to your liking?

Must I consult you all before I find out

whether he is to mine?

Monsieur, le Duke.

Why do we still waste so much time

on this matter, gentlemen?

The French clown

should be sent packing!

My Lord of Leicester,

may I remind you we are

but Her Majesty's Council?

We follow the Queen.

Her Majesty doesn't

seriously contemplate...

She is taken

with the Duke, sir.

- Huh!

- I say she is taken with him.

And the security of our nation

demands this match.

What security?

An alliance with France

will protect us from Spain.

The Catholic powers

in Europe...

Are the natural

enemies of England.

Anjou invaded the Netherlands

as the protector of the Dutch Protestants.

Ha!

Was he though?

My lord, I have doubts

as to his sincerity.

- I'm sorry?

- Whatever his motives...

he was thrashed

by the Spanish General.

The Duke of Parma

destroyed him.

He may simply be using us

to regain his lands in Holland.

The question

of the security...

If we forge an alliance

with France...

We will put our religion

in the gravest of dangers.

Francis?

The Frenchman is not

serious in his affections.

Marriage to our Queen is

not something he desires...

except insofar as it may

further his ambitions.

She is far older than him anyway,

and I don't think...

I'm minded to box

your ears, Leicester.

Your Majesty.

Do you think no one could

be interested in our person?

Are we so unattractive?

Your Majesty is old

only in years.

Only?!

Only?

Why I could dash off the points

of a dance on that table.

I could be brisk

or grave or gay.

I could be as suave

as a courtier.

Or as sulky as a member

of the Privy Council.

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