Eleanora traced circles around Charles's navel. Her head lay on his chest, his heart echoing in her ear. His arm rested heavily on her shoulders. Musk clung to their skin.
One hour of escape. She needed to return to her husband's estate. She needed to get information from the King. She needed to escape the society's grasp. But all she wanted was to lay in bed a little longer.
"I should go" She warned.
Charles took a deep breath. He placed his hand on her cheek to regain her attention. They stared at each other quietly. A soothing warmth spread through Eleanora's body.
She crawled up so her lips could press against his. Their kiss was longing but turned desperate. His arms crush her naked body against his, his hand traveling slowly down her back. She pulled away from his lips, her body now on top of his, her breast pressed to his chest. When she looked back into his eyes, she could see the unsaid fear and the desire to fully absorb her, to make them one. It was desperation she remembered when they were very young. She looked back at the fire, slowly going out.
He cleared his throat, "When will you return?" He brushed a lock of hair from her face. Placing a kiss on her nose, causing her toes to curl.
She looked down with false meekness. "When would you have me?"
The king smiled."Well, I can promise it will not be as long as the last time." he joked. "I'd have you as soon as the next moon sets. But I think that would draw gossip."
She nodded. "Something we both should avoid." He normally did not hide his affairs. But she could tell her marriage to Robert made things different. She just didn't know how different.
She folded her hands over his chest and rested her chin on them. "How did you meet Robert?" She inquired.
He played with her hair as he thought about how to answer. "Trent, my final place before escaping to France. He helped with strategies but was also genuinely interested in keeping me safe." He sighed more deeply. "You see, my escape was difficult. My allies and I were thwarted, often. He came up with the final arrangements. But those twelve days I stayed in Trent House. He was a great source of comfort. My father had died, my family exiled and I worried about my life. He was a reliable ear and steady voice when my worst fears bubbled up. He had very little reason to be kind to me. I was no longer a king, and he was commoner with very little comfort. But, he was still the most decent man I meet."
She stared thoughtfully at his chest. Her husband did complicate this.
"He is a kind man" she agreed. "One that will notice my absence if I don't emerge from my chambers as expected."
He pulled her hand to his mouth planting a kiss to her palm.
She pushed away to redress. As she dressed she discussed the latest plan to accomplish his goals. He leaned against the headboard listening offering adjustments to plan when needed.
"So you agree?" She asked standing before him fully clothed.
"It's a fine plan. You'll hear no objections from me. I agree with Robert, be cautious." He reached his hand to her.
Taking a step forward, he rose to his feet. Still unclothed. He looked down in her eyes. Hunger in his eyes.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. She studied his face, thinking on how she would phrase her words. "Please do not keep counsel with her." She urged.
His eyes widened in surprise. "She has been my most reliable ear for sometime. She has earned my trust." He knew who she was referring to.
She raised to her toes to kiss him lazily. He groaned when she pulled away.
"She is known to look for additional coins for her purse." She said softly.
He flinched. "Tread lightly Nora"
She shook her head reassuringly. "I respect that she provides what I won't" she hesitated. "But we must not make waves before we have even finished charting our route. So I ask for discretion on this as well."
He looked away from her to consider her request. He then nodded.
She kissed him in thanks.
"I have one more question," she asked at the door.
Upon her arrival home, Eleanora pulled a paper from her desk. I began the task of reporting to William. She called Elliot to take the letter and keep it in his room and to take it in first light.
"What about his grace's valet? He waited to see your return and he will certainly look for me in the morrow."
She waved away his concern. "He is of no consequence. " she placed a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed. "Now to bed with you. I have an early day planned."
He walked away without another word.
Eleanora laid down to rest her aching body for a few hours before her next task need her attention. As she slept, she dreamt of a young Charles proposing to her. The man who was not king, but the lover who called to her in his sleep. The false marriage they pretended to have from a vow in the meadow. A brief break from the broken kingdom he would chose over their simple love. Even in her dreams she cursed herself for falling for the man who loved to easily.