“Rob! Rob!” she protested as he fumbled with his own clothing, “what you’re doing is treason! Stop at once! Would you rape your Queen?” But her black eyes were dancing with excitement. This was the furthest they had ever gone in their charade.
“Aye, Bessie, I’d rape you! You’ve played your teasing game with me once too often. You can hang me afterward, but by God, I’ll have you now!” He had managed to release his swollen organ from its bindings.She’ll not hang me, he was thinking.One good spending, and she’ll belong to me forever! I should have done this three years ago!
Beneath him the Queen struggled physically and mentally. As he rubbed his hardened manroot against her throbbing clitoris she wondered if she dared let him do this thing to her. Maybe just this once, so she could truly know what it was all about. No! No man must ever have dominion over her! Look what had happened to her mother, to Anne of Cleves, to poor Cat Howard! Subjected toher father by love, lust, and ambition, they had all paid a terrible price. If she let him do this to her even once and there was a child, she would be forced to marry him! Never! No!
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Majesty, it’s Lord Burghley. He says it is urgent.”
“Tell him to go away!” hissed Dudley.
“We will receive him!” the Queen cried out, and the Earl of Leicester swore violently. “Bitch! Oh, God, Bess, you’re a bitch!” He struggled off her, pulling his clothes together. “Straighten your gown, for pity’s sake, Bess! If being Queen is more important to you than being a woman, then you’d best look like a Queen.”
The door opened, and the maid of honor announced, “Lord Burghley, Your Majesty.” The maid of honor was red-haired Lettice Knollys. She cast Dudley an amused glance, and he knew that she knew. She’d probably been listening at the door. Another bitch!
“Madam,” Cecil bowed. “I regret disturbing your leisure, but I have received important information in the matter of Lady Burke.”
“She has confessed?” Elizabeth looked eager.
“No, madam. It would appear that she is not guilty at all. The evidence presented me is irrefutable. Sir Robert Small and Adam de Marisco, the lord of Lundy Isle, came up from Devon to present it.”
“And what is this evidence?”
Her chancellor told the story simply but thoroughly. “Their story would appear to be a logical explanation of the pirating of King Philip’s treasure ship, especially since much of the treasure was on this ship. Since no evidence can be found against Lady Burke, and believing that you will want to release her now, I have sent for Lord Burke.”
“You take a great deal upon yourself, Cecil,” said Dudley arrogantly.
“D’you now speak for the Queen, Leicester?” Burghley snapped. His hatred of Robert had not lessened over the years. Now he fully intended seeing that Lady Burke was released. Damn the vain fool and his role in all this! Had Dudley not forced himself upon the beautiful Countess of Lynmouth and had Elizabeth not condoned his outrageous behavior, Lady Burke would never have needed to revenge herself on the Queen. William Cecil did not for one moment believe the tale of theGazelle, but he would swear with his dying breath that he did, for it was the best way out of an impossible situation. Which portions of theGazellestory were true and which were not interested him not at all. Cecil gazed expectantly at the Queen.
“You think I should release her, don’t you, Cecil?”
“Yes, Majesty, I do. It is only just, and you have always been Justice’s champion.”
“D’you think she is guilty?”
“No, madam. I did once, but no longer. How can I, in the face of such overwhelming evidence? Sir Robert said he could understand my suspicions, given the circumstances and the O’Malley history, but Lord Burke could not see my point at all.” William Cecil shrugged. “These Irish are such volatile children.”
“Very well, Cecil. Write the order for Lady Burke’s release in the custody of her husband. She is not to be freed until he arrives to claim her. You may tell her today, though.”
“Madam, once again your generous nature has served you well. I am proud of you.” The Queen bridled with pleasure.
“I am feeling gay again,” she said. “Will you send my maids to me as you leave, my lord? And Rob, you must go as well, for I long for the company of my own sex now.” She smiled archly at him.
The chancellor bowed himself politely out of the Queen’s presence, but the Earl of Leicester pushed angrily past him and out into the antechamber, bumping into Lettice Knollys as he went. He swore a particularly vile oath, and Lettice laughed softly.
“Bitch!” he snarled. “Don’t you dare to laugh at me!”
“Oh, Robert,” she said low. “Why don’t you let me give you what my cousin won’t.”
He gaped at her. She wasn’t a bad-looking wench with her amber cat’s eyes and red-gold hair. She had nice big tits too, he noted. But he wasn’t sure he’d understood her. “What the hell do you mean?”
“Bess won’t lie with you, Robert, but I will,” she answered frankly.
“What of your husband?”
“Walter?” Lettice laughed again. “What about him?”
A slow smile lit Dudley’s features. He was beginning to feel expansive again. He backed Lettice skillfully into an alcove and slipped a hand into her bodice. The warm, full breast that overflowed into his palm grew taut with unconcealed desire. “Jesus, sweetheart,” he muttered, well pleased, “you’re a fine piece of goods, and all set to diddle, I’ll wager.”
“I’m already wet for you, Rob,” she admitted, “but it must keep. Come to my apartment tonight. I am not on duty to the Queen after eleven.” She casually removed his hand, and moved away.
