Virginia Henley (25 page)

The courtiers moved to the Presence Chamber and as the dancing began, Greysteel took Velvet’s hand to lead her out.

“By the Divine Right of Kings, I claim the honor of being the lady’s first partner,” Charles declared loftily.

Velvet stood between the two tall men, looking from one dark face to the other, feeling like the prize at a cockfight.

Silence stretched between the trio for a full minute. “By the Divine Right of Montgomery, I grant you the honor, Sire.” Greysteel bestowed his wife’s hand on the king, successfully masking his reluctance with a smile.

Montgomery made sure he partnered Velvet in the next dance, but after that his guardsmen monopolized her to such a degree that he had no choice but to accept it with good-natured grace.

Suddenly, Velvet found herself flanked by Barbara and Christian and tried to make sense of their urgent whispers.

“A bedding . . . I don’t understand.”

“Hurry, darling, unless you wish to be stripped naked here in the Presence Chamber.”

Holding hands, the three females made a dash for the exit, as determined courtiers plucked the bowknots and
galants
from Velvet’s gown. The music and laughter grew fainter as they ascended the staircase to the newlyweds’ second-floor apartment.

Barbara helped her undress while Christian went to the wardrobe to select a suitable chamber robe. As Velvet slipped her arms into the loose white silk garment, the dowager explained, “A bedding is an ancient tradition that has come down through the centuries. Such delightfully risqué customs were abolished during Cromwell’s dreary years.”

Barbara licked her lips. “Isn’t the bride supposed to be naked and waiting in bed for the groom?”

“That was in medieval times. The bride’s body was displayed to show that she was virgin pure and free from blemish.”

“I don’t believe I was ever virgin pure,” Barbara drawled.

Christian turned back the covers. “Slip into bed, darling. I hear them coming.”

Velvet’s eyes widened with alarm as the bedchamber suddenly filled with courtiers, some of whom were falling-down drunk. Half a dozen, including the king, his brother James, Buckingham and the Scottish Lauderdale, carried aloft a stark-naked Montgomery and deposited him on the wide bed next to his wife. As the ladies of the Court pushed and shoved to get a better view of the virile groom, the gentlemen shouted lascivious suggestions about the various ways to copulate.

Buckingham bowed. “I hereby declare fornication, drunkenness and debauchery back in favor at the King’s Court.”

“Would ye like me tae show ye how tae fuck her, laddie?” Lauderdale’s shock of red hair was standing on end.

“Stand back, you wild Highlander—I claim the first kiss.” Charles elbowed his Scots friend aside.

“You’re all too late. I initiated her long ago,” an insolent voice drawled.

Velvet looked up into the leering face of young Lord Cav and began to tremble.

“The boy is flown with wine—get him out of here before I’m forced to draw my sword.” Greysteel could feel his wife’s shivers and decided to put a quick end to the bawdy entertainment. His eyes looked directly into the king’s and signaled that Velvet had endured enough.

Charles held up his all-powerful hands and began to usher the revelers from the chamber. “Out, everyone! Montgomery’s weapon is formidable. He’s promised to sheath it the moment we leave.”

Greysteel jumped off the bed and helped herd them through the door. Then he threw the heavy bolt across.

“Are they all gone?”

He heard the apprehension in her voice and returned quickly. He put out the lights, climbed in beside her and gathered her into his arms. In spite of the precocious facade she sometimes affected, he knew she was shaken by the men’s overt coarseness.

He stroked her back to calm her, enjoying the feel of the slippery silk against his rough hand. He knew if he removed the night rail immediately, she would feel too vulnerable, and wisely decided to hold her fast and safe.
Perhaps she will learn to love me.
In the darkness his mouth curved with tenderness. He silently thanked the gods that Velvet was a gently bred lady.

C
harles thanked the gods that Barbara had the lush body of a courtesan and the morals of a strumpet. He was a big man with a large sexual appetite, and his new mistress matched him in carnality, satisfying his lust with wanton abandon.

After draining him of his raging desire and quenching the fire that snaked through his groin, Barbara lay sprawled on top of him in the dominant position she relished. She gazed down at him with slumberous eyes, her luxuriant breasts pressed against his broad chest, and licked her lips with satisfaction.

“I rather like the royal bed. It’s majestic and generous, just like you, Charles.” Barbara had left Whitehall through the front entrance and reentered at the rear, where Prodgers had guided her up the back stairs to the king’s private chambers.

He smiled drowsily. “I’m glad you feel comfortable here.”

She rubbed her mons against his cock. “I’m always comfortable in bed with you—our bodies were made for each other. But Charles, I’m not always comfortable at Court.”

Not really wanting to talk, he murmured, “Why is that?”

“Every other female at Court has a title. I have to curtsy to
Lady Muck
and bend the knee to
Baroness Big-nose
. Even the bride tonight just became a countess. It makes me feel like a commoner!”

You are a commoner.
He hid his amusement and pulled her close. “There is nothing common about you, Barbara.”

She pulled away from him and pouted her lips. “When they look down their noses at me, it is an insult to you, Charles. They wouldn’t be able to do that if you elevated me.”

He squeezed her bottom cheeks, stirred against her and leered wickedly. “I’ll elevate you, my love.”

“I’m serious, Charles. If I were truly your love, you would give me a noble title. One befitting the king’s chosen lady.”

If it were up to him, Charles would willingly reward her favors with a title or anything else she fancied, but he knew that Chancellor Hyde would strenuously object to raising the king’s mistress to the peerage. On the other hand, he did not wish to lose this woman whose explicit sexual appetite matched his own. “I’ll look into it, Barbara,” he temporized, and made a mental note to buy her some spectacular diamonds to appease her inevitable disappointment.

 

Velvet stood on tiptoe to kiss her husband, who had just donned the new guard’s uniform he’d been instrumental in designing. “You look very sober and commanding in blue.”

“That was the idea. I fought tooth and nail against red. His Majesty’s Royal Guardsmen are not merely for decoration, to be trotted out for display purposes at parades.”

“Your military men are unsuited to the ballroom. I trust they ride better than they dance. May I come down later and look at the horses you’ve chosen?”

“By all means. I invited your father to come and give us his expert advice this morning. It may assuage his distress at the loss of Bolsover.”

Velvet bit her lip. “When he didn’t come to the wedding banquet last night, I feared he had learned about the castle and was outraged.”

“I’m sure he’ll be gratified to know his daughter will be mistress of Bolsover and will pass it down to his grandchild.”

She secretly cherished a hope that her father had intended her to have Bolsover Castle someday. If not when she married, then as her Cavendish inheritance in his will. “Perhaps he won’t be angry.”

“If he is, he’ll get over it—after I explain matters.”

His words were implacable as always, and at the thought of a confrontation, her knees suddenly felt like wet linen.

Her maid knocked on the door and Greysteel opened it. “Are you happy with your room, Emma?”

“Yes, thank you, my lord. It’s the largest chamber I’ve ever had. I’m just down the corridor next to Thomas.”

Before Greysteel left the chamber, his glance roamed appreciatively over Velvet’s revealing white silk robe. “She’s coming down to the stables this morning. Don’t let her wear anything provocative.”

 

Greysteel knew Charles had a deep love and abiding interest in horses, so he fully expected him to be present when the final selection of mounts was made for his troop of Royal Guards, who were fast becoming known as “The Blues.” He also knew that the king would expect him to smooth over any thorny difficulties with Velvet’s father before Charles came on the scene.

When Newcastle arrived, Montgomery shook his hand. “I’d like to clear the air, my lord. It came as a surprise when I inherited the title deed to Bolsover. When I married your daughter, I pledged to hold it in trust for our child. In exchange I relinquish any claim to the considerable dowry agreed upon at our betrothal.”

Newcastle vented his chagrin over the loss of his castle, and Montgomery countered every protest. By the time His Majesty arrived, the roiling waters had been calmed and the two nobles, now related by marriage, had settled their differences.

The focus of the conversation now turned to horses and both Charles and Greysteel showed great deference to Newcastle’s equine expertise. Though both had been horsemen all their lives, they agreed that William Cavendish’s superior knowledge made him England’s leading authority. On his advice, since the horses were all showy animals of uniform size and color, the mounts were selected on the basis of health and temperament.

The guards were busy saddling up in preparation for a test gallop when Montgomery spied Velvet in the stable yard. “Here comes the bride,” he murmured to Newcastle, and the two men went outside to meet her.

She was wearing a long-skirted, buttoned-up coat over a matching blue riding skirt. The sophisticated, military style lent her an air of confidence.

She looks stunning!
Greysteel, sensing her apprehension at meeting her father, squeezed her hand, then kissed it. “The duke and I have come to a mutual understanding regarding Bolsover.”

Greatly relieved, Velvet smiled at her father and went into his arms. She stiffened as he quickly withdrew his arms and said grudgingly, “I always intended that Bolsover Castle would go to my son, and that Henry would pass it down to his son.”

She stared at her father. The deep hurt of rejection washed over her.
The thought of giving me the castle never once entered his head.

“However, since Montgomery holds the title deed, we have agreed that it shall be passed down to your son. In return, your husband relinquishes all claim to your dowry.”

Velvet’s glance swept over her father. He had used the word
son
three times, with nary a mention of a daughter. Her hurt was replaced by anger. She looked at her husband and raised her chin defiantly. “Does he really?” she drawled insolently. “How very civilized that the two of you have settled my affairs without even consulting me.”

“Velvet—” Montgomery’s stern voice warned.

She totally ignored the warning. “The Earl of Eglinton may relinquish all claim to my dowry, but I certainly do not! Twenty thousand pounds, wasn’t it?

Now that I’m a lady of the Court, I shall need a little spending money. Don’t delay—after all I’m not getting any younger.”

Newcastle glared at Montgomery. “This is what I get for indulging her every whim when she was a child. I don’t envy you the taming of her.”

She smiled sweetly at her father. “When the earl and I are in residence, you must come and visit us at Bolsover. You and your lovely wife, Margaret, are welcome anytime.” She picked up her skirt, sauntered into the stable and curtsied to the king. “Your Majesty, I have come to admire your Royal Horse Guards.”

Charles swept off his hat. “And my Royal Horse Guards will doubtlessly return the favor, my beauty.”

 

That night in the privacy of their apartment, Greysteel slipped an arm about his wife. “I’m very proud of the way you put our interests before those of your family, Velvet. It took a great deal of courage to assert yourself over Bolsover.”

She basked in her husband’s approval.

“I was taken aback, however, when you demanded your dowry after your father and I had settled the matter.”

“That’s because you were born under the sign of Aries. You enjoy being the leader who must be in control of everything.”

He gazed down at her. “No, it is because I am a
man
, who does not enjoy a woman riding roughshod over his decisions.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him playfully. “I am a sore trial. Even my father does not envy you the taming of me.”

“I relish the task. Bending you to my Arian will brings me endless pleasure.” He branded her with demanding kisses until she clung to him. “Next time, don’t flout my wishes in public.”

The newlyweds’ passion for each other soon doused the sparks that could have ignited into a blazing argument. The mating dance of domination and submission slaked all their needs.

 

Velvet quickly became a favorite of the Court. The Countess of Eglinton was beautiful, vivacious and stylish. These were not the qualities, however, that made her stand out at the Royal Stuart Court. Most courtiers were promiscuous, following in the footsteps of an amoral, pleasure-loving king, but Velvet Montgomery was the exception.

Men were drawn to her by the undercurrent of eroticism that surrounded her. This stemmed from the sense that she was a female who was
owned
by her husband. She was a fully grown woman to whom only her husband had access. They imagined that she became a sexual being only in private with her overwhelmingly masculine husband and she therefore represented an irresistible challenge.

The Duke of Ormonde arrived and brought with him the Portuguese ambassador, Francisco de Mello, who came offering Charles the hand of the King of Portugal’s daughter.