“I clinged her naked body, down she fell
Judge you the rest, being tired she bade me kiss
Jove send me more such afternoons as this!”
He claimed her mouth in a luscious kiss, his lips covering hers in a slow and thorough caress as his tongue stroked and teased, coaxing her to open. She did so with a low moan, her body sinking pliant into the silky grass as his clever fingers reached higher, exploring the soft juncture between her thighs.
“William…” she breathed, soft against his lips, as her hand slid down to join him, seeking and finding his turgid erection through the thin material of his breeches and giving it a firm squeeze. Her fingers plucked at his buttons and he groaned, reaching to help her.
“Sweet Christ but I am fortunate to have—”
“Praise God I’ve found you, my lord!”
Elizabeth’s startled yelp was drowned by William’s cursing as a flushed and panting Thomas wriggled, half crouching, through a narrow gap in the hedge. Hastily withdrawing his hand and using his body to shield her from view, William straightened Elizabeth’s skirts and bodice before jumping to his feet and rounding on his man.
“God’s blood, Tom! Is a little privacy on my own demesne too much to ask? The manor house had best be on fire or the Lord himself come to call.”
Thomas brushed twigs and leaves from his coat and hair, and collected his dignity. “Your pardon, my lord, my lady, if I interrupted a private conversation. The manor house is not on fire, sir, but the king, in a manner of speaking, has come to call. His messenger is here and he says it is most urgent he speak with you in person. He has been waiting half the day and grows more impatient by the hour. I—”
He was interrupted by the excited barking of a silky haired white and tan puppy that bounded across the meadow to settle in Elizabeth’s lap, squirming and licking her chin.
“The king is a lord, not the Lord, Tom. He does not count. And his messenger is naught but a glorified servant. You are my steward now. My representative and the overseer of this estate. Would you jump if the king’s coachman told you to do so?”
“No, my lord but—”
“Quite so. So there’s no need to go flailing about the countryside crashing through bushes into private places. Let him be patient. See that he’s wined and dined and tell him we will attend him when we are ready.”
Tom made one last effort. “But he is not a coachman, Master William. He is a royal messenger. A representative of the king.”
And have you ever seen me brought to heel by a snap of His Majesty’s fingers?”
“Never…Master William,” Tom said with a tired sigh. “Nor have I ever seen you anger him as you did this last time.”
“Yet he sent us a cherished personal memento as a wedding gift. It would seem all is forgiven.”
“I rather think he meant Charlie for me,” Elizabeth said, hugging the spaniel to her chest.
“Charlie, heel!” The pup looked up and scrambled off Elizabeth’s lap to sit at William’s feet, his thick tail thumping on the ground as his body quivered in anticipation. William picked up a small branch and sent it hurling through the air. “Fetch, Charlie.”
“William, you’re a very bad man!”
He grinned and winked, then turned back to Tom and put an arm on his shoulder, leaning close so only he could hear. “Few ever have reason to climb this hill, Tom. You have stumbled upon a private retreat. One my lady and I have shared since childhood. Unless we are under attack, in imminent danger, or the house really is on fire, I should like it to stay that way. I know I can trust you to guard our secret.”
“Of course, my lord. With my life!”
“Excellent! Off you go then. We’ll be along in due time.”
“Oh, William. Do you think he saw?” Elizabeth asked in a breathless whisper after he had left. “What he must have thought!”
“Does it excite you? Your eyes are alight and your cheeks are apple-red. It’s very becoming.”
“I was embarrassed,” she said with a sniff.
“Were you?” he inquired playfully. He was stretched out on his side, his head resting on his bent arm, tickling the delicious mounds cunningly displayed by her décolletage with a long blade of grass.
“‘As Chloris full of harmless thought
Beneath the Willows lay,
Kind Love a comely Shepherd brought
To pass the time away:
She blusht to be encounter'd so
And chid the amorous Swain;
But as she strove to rise and go
He pull'd her down again.
A sudden passion seiz'd her heart
In spight of her disdain,
She found a pulse in e'ry part...”
His fingers skimmed the soft skin between her wrist and elbow and her shiver was not from embarrassment or cold.
“And love in e'ry Vein.’ There’s no call to be embarrassed. He saw us embracing in the grass and nothing more. Hardly scandalous and certainly no worse than he what he does with his pretty Janet in their golden bower above the stables.”
“Jeannette.”
“Mmm, yes her,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck.
“I suppose he must have seen a great deal more, living with you in London.”
“Hush, my sweet, I prefer not to revisit it.” His thumb parted her lips and he kissed the bottom curve. “The only fond remembrances I have from then are of you.”
“But London has come to us, Will. What do you think Charles wants?”
He groaned in exasperation, and rolled onto his back, propping himself up on his elbows. The puppy, expecting a game, began running around them in excited circles.
“Charlie sit!”
Charlie sat immediately, his head raised expectantly and William scratched him behind the ears. “Good boy.”
“You never get tired of that do you?”
“No, little bird. It never grows old.” William sighed as the pup wriggled in between the two of them. “I would expect his majesty grows bored, love, as he always does. He will call us back to court. He is eager to see if you have turned from a lovely brown wren to a plump little partridge now you’re married. He will want to see if I still bite and you still resist him. He will invite us to come for his wedding.”
“I thought he was about to be married a year ago.”
“He was. These things take time for kings. Contracts must be negotiated, dowries allotted. Bridal portions agreed upon and papers signed. The whole affair is managed in stages. The contract was signed a year ago, which in effect made her legally his wife. She has only just been married in Lisbon by proxy, and will arrive on British soil in a month from now, where the thing will consummated at last.”
Elizabeth shifted position, laying her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I have been so blissfully happy this past year, Will. If that’s what he wants of us, is there some way we can refuse?”
“I’ve no great desire to return to court, love. The country air agrees with me and I have all I need right here.” He smiled as her stroked her hair. “I can make some excuse or another. Charlie rarely maintains a grudge. It’s too much work.”
“He’s been very gracious under the circumstances. Sending us little Charlie when he heard we were married, and leaving us in peace though you were supposedly banished to France.”
“We were amongst his favorite entertainments. I wonder how he knew that we were to marry.”
“I wrote him, of course. How could I not? Instead of coming after you he let me keep you. You give him too little credit. He is fond of you. I believe your words hurt him.”
He grunted. “Make no mistake, love. There’s no man on earth truly offended by having his tarse favorably compared to a scepter, particularly in public. And as I recall, you were quite taken with him, and he was very fond of you.”
“He is a charming man. I enjoyed his company. But I’d much rather stay right here at home.”
Since William’s
banishment from court for the scandalous poem he had left nailed to the palace gates, Elizabeth had never been happier. They lived in their own charmed world here in Kent, along with their little family of retainers. Samuel ruled the grounds and was busy planning a new orchard and everyone, including his wife Mary, practiced excuses to escape him when he began talking about his shrubs. Thomas had learned his sums, been promoted to steward and had married his Jeanine who was expecting a child to the delight of them all. When Marjory and Mary weren’t sewing baby clothes they lorded over the weekly market from their justly famous baked goods stall. And as for William…she turned into his touch with a happy sigh.
William’s writing was prolific and had never been better even though the demons he’d claimed as muse appeared in full retreat. They had cleared and redecorated the house from top to bottom and he slept well every night. Their home had become a joyous place where dark memories held no sway. He still had his cravings, but Elizabeth shared them too, and they delighted in indulging one another day or night, in every private bower, in woodland or meadow, garden or house. But what would happen to him back in London, the place that had been Lord River’s home?
“Are you certain you want to miss a royal wedding, love? The pageantry, the masques, the balls and festivities, will be like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It might be politic to go, and at least tolerably entertaining.”
Intrigued despite herself, she still had to ask. “Are you bored here, William?”
“What? No, Lizzy my love.” He smoothed back her hair and kissed her brow. “I’ve never been happier. Something I never thought I’d say about living in Kent. Besides, I fear if we do go, he’ll not want us to leave. We shall write him and thank him and send a nice gift. A fine mare for his breeding stock. And if he presses the thing, one or the other of us shall fall deathly ill.”
“Do what you think best, William. You know him better than I. But shouldn’t we hear the message before crafting a reply?”
“Saucy chit!” He snatched her stockings from where they lay discarded on the ground and set off across the meadow with them flung over his shoulder, trailing behind him like a scarf.
“William de Veres, you give those back!” Barefoot, Elizabeth chased after him.
~
Charles had indeed recalled them to court to attend his impending wedding. It was both command and invitation. The haughty messenger in his royal livery was accustomed to fawning and deference. He was not accustomed to being made to wait, particularly by a country gentleman who dressed like a farmer, and his barefoot hoydenish wife.
“I say again, sir. I am His Majesty’s representative and you have kept me waiting half the day. I require a response. I require it now so I may be about my duties.”
“You’ve received your response. Thank His Majesty for his kind invitation and tell him I will write.”
“His Majesty requires a yes or no, sir.”
“His Majesty requires messengers who aren’t deaf and don’t need help finding the door.”
Two minutes later, His Majesty’s fuming courier was tossed out the back door by Tom and one of the footmen.
“Was that really necessary, William?”
“Feeding hubris only makes it grow, love.” He poured them both a drink, and sat down on an oversized upholstered couch. Elizabeth picked up the mail and came to lay with her head against the far bolster and her feet in his lap.
“Poor little shepherdess. Your feet are roughened and bruised.”
“Whose fault is that?” She wiggled her toes in his lap and he took a dainty foot and began massaging it.
“Mmmm. That’s heavenly.” She could feel his interest growing, quite literally under her feet, but a familiar heavy scrawl had caught her eye. It was a reply from Robert at last. She had just about given up on him. He had been her only friend through some difficult years and she didn’t want to lose him. She knew he would be hurt, possibly angry at the news of her marriage, but it was hardly something she could keep from him any more than she could have kept it from Charles. Her cheeks flushed and she gave William a guilty look from underneath her lashes.
“What have you there, love? A billet doux from a secret admirer?”
“It is a letter from Robert.”
“Robert?”
“Yes. You remember. Captain Nichols”
“Ah, yes! Marjorie’s nice young man. The one who wanted to marry you.
“She thinks you’re a nice young man too.”
“Yes, along with butcher, the baker, the footmen and—”
“William, you must stop teasing her about that. It gets her flustered”
“In a red faced grinning kind of way. So how did a little wren gain so many admirers? Poets, captains, and kings. I was lucky I kidnapped you when I did.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Did I ever meet him? I think not. Some stuffy country Puritan, wasn’t he?
“No. He’s very handsome, if somewhat private and intense. A military man. He had his own company of horse. I am hoping you will get to meet him soon. I rather invited us to his home. I believe you would like each other.”
He chuckled and she made a face at him. “William, that’s an evil laugh.”
“He’ll not like me, my dear. You know so little of men. No man likes the fellow who stole the woman he’d marked as his. Doubtless he judges me an immoral libertine and a terrible danger to your sweet soul.”
“Which you were.” She put down the letter. “You know it’s strange. When last we met he told me he had wanted to marry me when I was a girl, but I never had any idea. He doesn’t show his emotions. I thought at first he didn’t have any. He has always seemed so reserved.”
William shrugged, and moved his attentions from her heel to her arch. “That’s true of many who’ve seen too much of war. People tend to deal with it in different ways. It’s not a thing one tends to share in conversation. ‘Pass the biscuits.... A lump of sugar if you please.... Oh! And did I ever tell you about the poor bastard who had both his legs blown off as he stood beside me?’ It’s no surprise some develop the habit of silence.”
“Did that happen to you?”
“Obviously I didn’t develop the habit of silence,” he said with a grin. “I am the type for whom little things take on more meaning when larger ones disappoint. A fine wine, a lovely painting, a heated kiss, replace glory, honor and duty. Perhaps, for your Robert, it is the reverse. I should think that a very painful way to live.”
“Charles has disappointed you.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “I imagined I was fighting for the birth of a brave new age.”
“That was a great deal to expect from Charles, don’t you think?” she asked gently.
“Yes, my love it was.” He sighed. “Perhaps I am over harsh with him at times. But there’s something glorious in our idealism before life strips it away.”
“I suspect he feels the same.” She looked at him thoughtfully and then opened Robert’s letter and began to read.
My dearest Elizabeth,
How kind of you to write and share your happy news. I can scarcely credit that any woman managed to bring de Veres to heel. It is an act of superb generalship worthy of your father and congratulations are due. I am delighted for you, my dear, so long as he treats you well. It is kind of you to offer to visit. I, too, value our friendship, but I regret it is not possible at this time. It seems the king has found a higher purpose for Cressly, and thus, I must find one for myself. I will be gone from it by the end of next month.
Her gasp of outrage made William looked up from his writing. “Elizabeth? What does he say?” She raised a hand for him to wait, as she finished reading.
I am been better suited to soldiering than farming, I suspect, so it should prove no great hardship. Those of us who fought with Cromwell are highly regarded in the private armies of Europe. This has served me well in the past and I’ve no doubt I can make my fortune there. I expect to keep a small town house in London to occupy my
servants and act as a pied-à-terre. Once all is arranged, I will of course, look forward to your visit.
Your servant, Captain Robert Nichols
The captain had served as a mercenary? She had never thought to ask him what he’d done during the peaceful years of Cromwell’s Protectorate, though she knew he’d been recalled to active duty in Ireland near the end. She had always assumed he’d spent them quietly, seeing to his estate. I pictured him there, going over his books while he was tramping across the battlefields of Europe? It struck her that despite their friendship, she really hadn’t known the man at all. She did know that he had rescued and protected her, though, and helped her back on her feet when her own world had come tumbling down. And I know Cressly means more to him than what he lets on.
“ Is something troubling you, Lizzy? It’s not like you to be quite for so long.”
“Oh, William how could he?” she said, ignoring his teasing. “The king is taking Robert’s lands!”
William shrugged. “These things happen. He is a lesser gentleman who was on the wrong side of the war. It costs Charles nothing to displace him. There must be someone he needs to please and your friend’s lands are the most convenient way to do so.”
“Well, I have changed my mind. We must go to London now. Captain Nichols rescued me from Cromwell’s soldiers, Will. It was he who intervened the day after you left. He spoke for me when I was judged and facing transportation or worse, and he helped me get settled in London. Perhaps if I speak with Charles I can change his mind. I must at least try. I owe him so much.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Their arrival at court a week later was greeted with a great deal of excitement. As they made their way through the great hall to the privy chamber the crowded room became a sea of craning necks. The court had been a duller place since the scandalous earl had left it. People still whispered and chuckled about his farewell gift to the king. They were shocked at the rumors he had married his mistress, except the Duke of Monmouth who’d made a fortune wagering on it and still maintained that Elizabeth Walters had been the earl’s childhood friend.
Soldier of Fortune: The King's Courtesan (Rakes and Rogues of the Retoration Book 2) Page 5