“You must go to him and order two of his absolute best creations, Kipp. They must be ready for Saturday’s masque at the palace,” the marquis of Hartsfield said to his half brother.
“They will be horrifically expensive, especially considering how short a time you are allowing the craftsmen,” Kipp answered him.
“He will not refuse the king’s favorite,” Piers St.Denis said with self-assurance. “Besides, when I have married Jasmine Lindley I will be the wealthiest man in England,” he concluded with a grin.
“If youwed her,” Kipp cautioned him.
“I will marry her!”the marquis insisted. “And on our wedding night you and I will punish her for her arrogance, eh, Kipp?”
“How?” Kipp goaded his sibling.
“We will put her over the correction bar, her legs spread. Then I shall tawse her bottom until it is pink and shining. She will weep fiercely, I have not a doubt. And while I strap her, you will play with her beautiful breasts so that she is caught betweenpain and pleasure, which I have not a doubt she will soon learn to like. When I deem her ready, I shall have her, still bent over the bar.”
“And will you share her, Piers, as you usually do with your women?” his brother asked.
“Not fully, not at first, not until I am bored with her; but I will permit you to take your pleasure within her mouth, Kipp. Together we will teach this proud beauty who is the master. And afterward, in a year or so, when she is well trained, and obedient, we shall allow her to learn this same art of domination we practice. Think of it, Kipp! We shall, the three of us, lure beautiful young maidens and handsome young men into our web of forbidden love. It will be wonderful!”
“I should have known you would have it all planned out,” his half brother said admiringly.
The marquis of Hartsfield smiled. “Go and order the masks,” he said. “And tell this Barrow fellow there will be an extra payment for his trouble.But I want his best!”
“Naturally,” Kipp replied, and hurried off to do his brother’s bidding.
Jasmine’s gown for the queen’s masque was a magnificent creation. Of royal blue silk, the skirt ankle-length, its undergown was of cloth of silver embroidered with sparkling tiny blue stones in a spiral design. The neckline of the gown was quite low and square, with a draped collar of delicate silver lace. The sleeves showed cloth of silver through their slashes, and silver lace cuffs accented her delicate wrists. Her shoes were matching blue silk with silver roses decorating them; and her hair was twisted into an elegant chignon, with a lovelock tied with a silver ribbon over her left ear. From her ears dripped sapphires, and about her neck was Jasmine’s famous sapphire necklace.
The marquis of Hartsfield’s mouth fell open in admiration when he saw her, his eyes fastening upon the necklace inparticular. Wordless, he handed her her mask, an exquisite creation of silver and gold with white feathers.
“They are called the Stars of Kashmir,” Jasmine told him, one hand going to her throat. “My first husband, Prince Jamal, gave them to me. The lake where I grew up, upon which our palace was located, is just this shade of blue. There was an additional stone found at the same time these were mined in Ceylon. It was a large teardrop shaped sapphire called the Wular Blue, after that same lake. We gave it to my father upon the celebration of his fiftieth year as emperor.” Reaching out with her other hand, she took the mask from him. “It is lovely, my lord, and quite perfect with my gown, do you not agree?”
He nodded, his throat aching, his mind desperate to say something clever that would gain her approval. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he finally managed to croak, realizing how mundane a thing it was he had just said. She knew she was beautiful, and had undoubtedly been told it a thousand times.
“How gallant you are, my lord,” she responded graciously. Then, “We will take my barge, with your permission. It is more comfortable than any others in which I have traveled.”
“Of course,” he agreed, almost drowning in her smile. This was how he had imagined it would be. She with her blue-black hair, pale gold skin, and turquoise eyes. He, tawny-haired, fair-skinned and blue-eyed. They were perfect together! His costume of cream-colored silk, silver and gold, was an ideal foil for her royal blue and silver gown. They looked as if they belonged together, and they did! Taking her arm, he followed the ever-present Adali down to the quay, where the barge was awaiting them. Strangely, he did not mind the servant’s company any longer. Adali, in his white clothing and turban, gave them a certain cachet that no one else at court had.
Whitehall was ablaze with lights. They joined the throngs of other courtiers entering the hall where Their Majesties sat. The queen, as always, was overdressed, but a charming and gracious hostess. The king slumped morosely on his throne. He hated his wife’s fetes. He would remain for a brief time, then disappear with a few friends to drink whiskey and play at dice. The sight of Jasmine on the arm of the marquis of Hartsfield, however, brought a smile to his sad face, and he beckoned them forward to the foot of his throne. They made their obeisances, and, as she rose, Jasmine saw Prince Charles standing next to his father’s chair.
“Ahh, Piers, ye hae brought Lady Lindley at last,” the king enthused. “She’s a rare beauty, is she nae?”
“Indeed, my liege,” the marquis replied. “I am grateful to Your Majesty for this opportunity.” St.Denis then bowed to the queen and nodded to the prince.
Jasmine smiled at Prince Charles. He was a small but dignified young man, who, until his brother’s death, had stood very much in his shadow. “My lord,” she said, “it is very good to see you once again.” Then she curtsied low.
A tiny smile touched Charles Stuart’s mouth. He was not a young man who showed his emotions, but he did remember his elder brother’s mistress with fondness. It had been Jasmine who had taught him how to bandy words with his brilliant older sibling, how to win arguments with Henry, much to the elder’s delight, for Henry Stuart had loved his little brother, although until Jasmine had explained her Hal’s nature to young Charles, he had not believed it. The heir to England’s throne was almost fifteen, and while he was considered prim by his father’s court, he was quite fond of music and drama, as was his mother.
“I am h-happy t-to see you again, m-madame,” he acknowledged Jasmine. The prince sometimes stuttered because he was basically shy.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Jasmine responded, curtsying prettily. Then she said, “Your namesake will be here in a few days, sir. May I bring the duke of Lundy to see his uncle?”
“Oh, yes, m-madame!” the young man said. “I did not see him when your g-grandmother b-brought him last. I have not seen him since he w-was a bairn.”
“He is much like his father,” she told the prince with a smile.
“I like children,” the prince replied. “I w-would have a b-big family one d-day.”
“You must choose the right wife,” Jasmine told him.
“I hae an eye on the Spanish infanta,” the king said.
