Eleanora laid naked on her stomach in the King's bed. Her head resting on her crossed arm. Her blissful face illuminated by candlelight. Charles kissed a trail up her spine.
She moaned in pleasure.
"How I have missed that sound." he murmured against her skin.
She laughed. "It has only been a week."
"And much too long. I ache for you constantly." He lightly pressed his body against her back. "But not just your body" he rubbed the hard part of him that showed that desire against the crevice of her butt. She cried out in ecstasy. "I ache for your company. Even if you constantly tease me."
Eleanora turned over to stare up at him. Sweat dusted his forehead from their lovemaking. He propped himself up on his elbows beside her head. "If I did not tease you, you would have never fallen for me."
He gave her a cheeky smile. "It is true. You have always intrigued me. Do you remember the day you met me?"
She smiled at his desire to reminisce. "I do. I had no idea you were the King. I think you enjoyed that."
"I think you are right. French women were so focused on the hope of catching me for my former title. But when I met you, I had given up hope for the crown. You were a breath of fresh air. So naive and indifferent to the guiles of proper society. But I saw the passion as soon as I set eyes on you." He kissed her nose.
"It did not help that we discovered each other while I was full of adrenaline from my escape."
"You were like a nymph from the greek myths my tutor made me read. Beautiful and mischievous." He laughed.
She remembered that day. Her mother had hoped to introduce her to some suitors. She found them all quite dull. They spoke of their accomplishments and lands, but she learned nothing about who they were.
She had run off into the garden to escape a particularly old man with a fixation on trade routes to Africa. She was pleased with herself when Jane could not find her. Then just as she turned the corner of the hedges enormous french garden. She bumped into a man. Looking back, he was just a boy. Charles seemed older to her much younger eyes. He however had a wild look about him. His wild black curly hair framed his elegant face. He wore simple clothes. She thought he worked in the gardens. She had never been so wrong in her life.
"Sorry" she giggled the half-apology. She had grabbed ahold of him so she wouldn't fall backward. She looked back to ensure Jane was not on her tail.
"No need to apologize." He looked down and smiled at the fact she had not let go of him. "What do you run from?"
"My nanny. She wishes to parade me around the King's hall to find a betrothed."
His eyes widened in surprise, most girls dreamed of marriage. "You wish to avoid this?"
"Oh yes," she exclaimed. "Marriage is so weak and transactional for the noble class. Many of my friends tell me the whole experience is very unpleasant." She wrinkled her nose.
He couldn't help but smile at the understanding she was referring to sex. "I've been told that, is the best part."
She finally let him go to keep walking away from the palace. "No, No. I heard a woman has no pleasure from it, it is simply a way to have babies. Which just seems so boring." She gagged in disgust. "I have seen my mother try twice to have a boy, each time she and my father become far less pleasant. Why would anyone wish that on themselves?"
He was stunned by her words. Intrigued he ran to catch up with her, she moved very quickly. "Love is what I am told." He offered.
"Love also seems to be exhausting. Did you know there is a greek tale of two countries going to war over a woman?" She scoffed at the thought. "There are so many better reasons: money, land, even revenge. But for the sake of bedding a supposedly beautiful woman." She waved off the idea. "I would also argue she could not have been that beautiful. All my time in court, not one lady is attractive enough to cause that kind of heartache. Really."
"I would argue there is one lady I would consider it for." He gave her a pointed look.
That finally got her to stop in her tracks. She looked at him. He was very handsome. "Where are you from sir?"
"From a faraway place." He said with sarcastic wonder. "England"
A hint of a smile played on her lips. "Well, that much was obvious." she returned to the original subject. "It is a good thing you are no King. I would have to question your intelligence."
He was shocked that she did not recognize him. "Really?" How long had she been in court?
"Yes," she stated. "I am no great beauty. Nor am I noble by birth. I am here because my father is a very rich and respected merchant to the King of France. So to go to war for me would only turn me and your people against you." She leaned in close to him, enough to feel his warmth. "Do you hope to marry for love?" She whispered as if it was a secret.
He had hoped to. But he knew better. He leaned in a little to answer. "I like you, must marry to raise my station."
She gave him a sympathetic nod. She looked up at him through her lashes. "I hope your luck is much better than mine."
"I think my luck is turning." He smiled at her knowingly.
Her cheeks got hot. He was much better looking than all the men she had met. She pushed her hand out to him. "I am Eleanora." Her voice trembled with excitement.
"Eleanora" he tested the name in his mouth. He lifted her hand to his full lips. "Nora" He murmured. He enjoyed that more. "I am Charles, and I might say. If I was King, I would go to war against anyone, just to keep you."
She stared at him in amazement. Something was pulling her toward him. Before she could think she rose to her toes to press her lips quickly against his. He looked down at her in surprise. Then he bent down to kiss her, his lips firm and testing her desire. She wrapped her arms around his neck. When they finally broke there was a wonder in her eye.
Eleanora felt her belly tighten at the memory. She had enjoyed being with Charles before she knew he was a King. He had called on her often after that first meeting. It wasn't long before he proved to lovemaking was the best part of marriage.
She put her hands on his cheek. Her thumb swept across his bottom lip. "You made me very happy." she breathed.
He leaned his head down to kiss her breast. "I hope to make you happy once again"
She pulled her hands from his face, trailing down to his lower body. Her hands found their intended destination and cupped him.
He groaned.
"You like my teasing still?" her hand slowly caressing him up and down. She smiled in satisfaction as he responded with a guttural growl.
He kept himself propped above her on one elbow as his other hand swept down her body to part her legs. In one quick stroke, he entered her. Eleanora gasped.
He continued to stare down in her eyes as he pumped in and out of her. Each stroke building a deep heat in her belly. "Don't stop" she gasped.
He growled at her words and moved quicker.
She pressed her hands on his chest to indicate she wanted to change positions. He tucked her body to his, never disconnecting from her as he moved to lay on his back. Now on top of him, she sat up and moved against him. Claiming her pleasure.
Charles placed both his hands on her hips to guild her. Her body glistened in the candlelight, driving him even crazier.
"Yes," she moaned as she came. He not following long after her.
She fell on his chest, once again spent.
They did not move for several moments as they caught their breath.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
She smiled.
"Good"
Once she felt her strength return she lift her self from the bed. Walking toward the basin of still warm perfumed water. She cleaned herself before dressing.
"For the sake of my conscious", She cautiously spoke. "How is the queen this pregnancy? Does she remain healthy?"
Charles joined her to clean himself. He frowned at the question. Not because he did not like his wife. He worried it hurt Eleanora to talk about his wife and another mistress. "She is in good spirits. But I worry the stress of all the anti-catholic rhetoric is causing her stress."
Charles' wife, Cathrine, was catholic and very unpopular. She was the source of much abuse by not just the people, but of parliament itself. Eleanora wondered if the real reason Charles wished to be rid of them was to ensure his child, should he have one, receive no resistance when ascending to the throne.
"I love God" he continued. "But it seems quite stupid for the country to once again tear itself apart over the Catholic Church."
"What is more important to you? The church or keeping this country together?"
He paused to contemplate that. "Civil war killed my father. While I wish to protect the Catholics, I would rather have a strong England be my legacy. Or at least a more pleasant one" He smiled.
She kissed him for hope.
She dressed slowly since Charles kept trying to undress her. "I have to go" She insisted.
"Fine" he pouted. "But you are returning for the play I directed?" Charles loved the theater. He loved many amusements.
She stopped at the door to look to see if the halls were relatively empty. "Yes. Both Robert and I will be there. Especially since you called for a meeting after." She kissed him goodbye and made her way to horse.
When she awoke the next days she could hear Robert walking down the hall, right on his heels was Elliot. He barraged Robert with questions about the service he must provide. While Robert looked slightly perturbed by the exhaustive questions, he answered them all thoughtfully and calmly.
Jane smiled at the ruckus. But did not stop her work of dressing Eleanora."Young master seems to have taken a liking to his new role as valet to your husband."
Eleanora gapped at Jane now calling Elliot by the house staff nickname. Jane shrugged him off. Mary stood to the side amusement also evident on her face.
"The boy is a hard worker. Unlike some people." Jested pointedly.
Jane waved away her jab.
Eleanora huffed. "Mary, do go save the Duke from Elliot. Robert has to leave soon for an appointment, and it is very important." She pleaded.
Mary agreed and silently went to gather Elliot.
Once Jane was finished, Eleanora inspected herself in the mirror. A simple sage dress with a matching hat was quite nice against her skin tone. It also exposed her neck nicely.
"Thank you"
Jane smiled in satisfaction. "When will you return?"
Eleanora looked around her room to be sure she did not forget anything. "I will be back before Robert. He and I have much to discuss. I also promised him to be on time for supper."
"What did he say about Jonas?" Jane asked in a harsh whisper. Like there was someone other than them in the room.
Eleanora made a strained look. "He told me about his discovery. Also that he has offered compensation to all the girls himself and Jonas has been permanently removed from the house." What he did not tell her, even though she knew, was that Jonas had been hung for treason.
An execution personally signed by the King. When she asked Charles about the reason Robert gave him. He simply said. "Robert just gave me the letter already written and asked me to sign and I did." But even Charles noted it was unusual for Robert to ask for such a thing.
She continued. "Robert did ask me to talk to Mary. But," she looked back at the door to make sure she wasn't returning soon. "Elliot informed me that Mary isn't ready to talk. Robert and I agreed to put some money aside for her."
"Those two have gotten close" Jane observed, referring to Mary and Elliot.
Eleanora would normally agree, especially since she was venomous to Mary when she first arrived. Nearly nine months ago. "They both have experienced something you and I may not understand. I find comfort in their ability to lean on each other." She left there soon after to meet with Helda.
navigating the tunnels she was ushered into a room where Helda sat across from William. A chessboard between them. Based on what Eleanora saw, William had Helda at a stalemate. But she would probably still win.
William was more relaxed than Helda. Probably believing he would easily win at this point. Helda remained focus on calculating her next move.
"Well if it isn't it the King's mistress!" William announced when he saw Eleanora enter. He eyed her dress with approval.
She curtsied to both of them. But did not move closer. "I wanted to personally come and thank you for your aid in the Valet scandal."
Helda finally tore her gaze from the game. "A small task forging a letter. Well worth it to watch the bastard like that hang."
Finally, Helda moved a piece of the board. William responded instantly. Helda's eyebrows creased in frustration.
"I find it equal exchange for the information you have been giving us. You certainly wasted no time working information out of the King." He scoffed. "You were so resistant before. But you must enjoy bedding him more than you remember." William did not give Eleanora a chance to respond. "I mean that fact the King is working to lessen the power of Parliament is predictable." Shrugged unimpressed. "But the intention to end some of the anti-catholic laws and to bend the Anglican parliamentary members to his will." William clapped mockingly. "Brava. I wish I was in the room when you and your colleagues drudge up those righteous bastards evil deeds."
Eleanora hinted a smile. She did enjoy bending them to her will.
"I disagree," Helda announced.
William rolled his eyes.
Eleanora stiffened. She was unsure of what Helda was referring to.
"It isn't equal exchange." Helda moved a pawn several places before she continued. William bugged his eyes as she checked him. Now his attention returned to the game. "The information is invaluable. But you are no longer the young maiden William recruited in France all those years ago."
William made a dreamy sigh. "My first protege, Young Eleanora was so I love and easy to manipulate." He gave her a droll stare. As if to say, what happened to her?
Helda ignored his commentary. "We still have a client with specific goals. You didn't think we were just asking about the Queen's status just to see if we had a future heir, did you?" Helda sounded offended.
Eleanora's stomach twisted.
William moved a bishop with much nervousness. Helda beat him as soon as he leaned back.
She moved across the dark cavernous room. Dimly lit by candles. Sparsely decorated with a few paintings and furniture. It was reminiscent of cults she read from Rome. Held opened a red box. She pulled out a vial.
Helda handed it to her. It was small. It's contents clear. "You are to pour this in the Queen's tea."
She was referring to the tea Charles told Eleanora about. The Queen had taken to a tea believed to aid in the baby's growth.
"What will it do?" Eleanora hesitated.
"It will cause the Queen to miscarry, and decide who will be the new heir." Helda announced.