She sighed deeply, her hands frantically clutching his back as he moved upon her. She could feel him within her, loving her fiercely and strongly, his hardness fanning a fire that raged totally out of control. The queen’s majesty, the queen’s masque, the coming trip to Scotland were all forgotten in the midst of their passion.
Once again Alex and Velvet lay together sated with their love, but this time a knock came upon the door. “My lady! My lady!” called Pansy. “I must bring the bath or else you will be late.”
“That bloody wench has no proper sense of timing or of decency,” grumbled Alex. “If Dugald weren’t so taken with her I should leave her behind!”
“Nay,” said Velvet, laughing, “you wouldn’t. She means much to me, and well you know it.” She sat up. “Quickly, Alex, help me get out of the ruins you’ve made of my gown. Pansy will be far less shocked to see me in a chamber robe at this time of day than to witness the tatters you’ve made of my bodice.”
Alex made a noise that to his wife sounded as if he were quite pleased with this afternoon’s work and not in the least repentent. With swift hands he undid her gown, his fingers teasing mischievously, and chortled gleefully as she frowned at him and slapped his hands away.
“Where shall we hide it?” He grinned at her, holding up the rags that had been her gown.
Velvet looked frantically about the room, and then, leaping off the bed, she stuffed the unfortunate garment into a small trunk by the window. Then, turning, she grinned saucily at him. “I’ll give it to the sewing woman tomorrow so that she may repair it if that’s possible.” She laughed again, seeing the dangerous look smoldering in his eyes as he gazed upon her nudity.
“Put something on this instant and let Pansy into the room, lass, or I’ll not be responsible for my actions!” he threatened.
“The bath water is here,” called Pansy through the door. Velvet opened another small trunk and drew forth a chamber robe. “Open the door, Alex,” she said. Her beautiful green eyes were sparkling with mirth, and he gritted his teeth in frustration, for he found to his amazement that despite their two couplings he wanted her once again.
With a gusty sigh, he crossed the room and opened the door to admit Pansy and several footmen who came in bearing jars of hot water for his wife’s bath. There was no way for him to avoid taking her to court tonight. It was the last of the pre-Lenten festivities and after midnight all would be fasting and solemnity for the next six weeks. He grimaced. The queen, sharp-eyed female that she was, would know precisely who came and who did not. Since he had already obtained her gracious permission to remove his wife to Scotland before Easter, Alex knew he was bound to put in an appearance tonight with Velvet by his side. The queen could rescind her permission as easily as she had given it.
“Is my lady the only one to get hot water?” he growled surlily at the footmen and then stamped off into his own bedchamber.
Her tub filled to the brim and its warm steam smelling sweetly of gillyflowers, Velvet removed her chamber robe once the footmen had departed and settled herself daintily in, sighing happily.
“Did you get your tub, my lord?” she inquired of him in sugared tones through the open door that connected their rooms.
“I got what hot water was left over, and ’twas precious little at that, but ’twill serve, madame,” he responded sourly.
“My tub is simply delicious.” Velvet purred. “I think I shall soak awhile.” She splashed delicately and sighed noisily.
“No soaking!” His voice was outraged. There was but three inches of water in his own tub, and he was already chilled. “We’ll be late if ye soak, and ye know how Her Majesty dislikes tardiness. I’ll not get on her bad side now!”
“If we’re late,” teased Velvet, “I shall tell Her Majesty ’twas all your fault,andI shall tell her just how you kept me dallying the afternoon away, my lord.”
He laughed aloud, his mirth warm with the memory of their long and lovely afternoon of lovemaking. “If ye tell on us, madame, we’ll never be allowed back at Elizabeth Tudor’s court again. Are ye prepared to spend yer lifetime atDun Broc?Not, mind ye, that I should mind that.”
Velvet returned his laughter. “God, no!” she said with deep feeling.
“Then I suggest, madame,” he replied with a chuckle, “that ye hurry yerself or else prepare to spend a lifetime in the Highlands.”
Pansy grinned at her mistress conspiratorily, and Velvet chuckled as her tiring woman bent to scrub her back. Two little undermaids fussed and bustled about the room laying out the clothing that their lady would wear tonight. Her silken, lace-trimmed underthings, exquisitely perfumed, were spread upon the bed. Her silk stockings, in a gold-and-silver diamond pattern, were carefully placed next to her petticoats. Lastly her gown was brought forth and laid across a chair. It was a magnificent confection of cloth of silver and silver lace. The bodice was sewn all over with transparent green amber in a pattern of waving ferns and butterflies, and the sleeves of the gown were lush with silver lace.
Velvet stepped from her tub and was enveloped in a large bath sheet. Seating herself next to the fire, she sat patiently while the two little undermaids dried her and Pansy brushed her dark auburn hair with a perfumed brush. Then she arose and was dressed by the three servants. Bending, she drew her garters up each leg, admiring the large silver butterflies with the green antennae on each.
“Ain’t they shockingly wonderful!” enthused Pansy. “ ’Tis almost a pity you can’t show them.”
“Only to his lordship if I plan to get us safely toDun Broc.”She looked at her tiring woman. “Do you mind that we will live in Scotland, Pansy? Our new home is to be deep in the country far from the Stewart court. ’Twill be most dull, I’ve not a doubt. Perhaps you would prefer to remain in service here in England.”
“Nay, m’lady! Like you I’m used to the country, having grown up atQueen’s Malvernwith you. London is exciting, I’ll admit, but I prefer a quieter, more stable life. Dugald is seeking me hand in marriage, and he’s a good man. I couldn’t do better.”
“I would hope that you love him if you would marry him, Pansy,” said Velvet softly.
Pansy smiled happily. “Aye,” she admitted. “I love the rogue!” Then she turned on the two undermaids. “Speak a word of what I’ve said this evening, and you’ll not live to see the spring, either of you! I’ll not have that Dugald knowing all me feelings!”
Both of the two other servant girls nodded vigorously in agreement with Pansy. “Aye,” said the one called Sarah. “It don’t do for a man to get too sure of you. I’ll speak nay a word, Mistress Pansy, and neither will Millie. Will you, Millie?” The girl named Millie shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “I’ll not chatter.”
Velvet was now ready for her gown to be put on, and Pansy spoke sharply to the others. “Don’t stand there dawdling! Bring m’lady’s dress this instant!”
The gown was brought, and within a few moments Velvet stood gazing at her reflection in the tall pier glass. Her costume, she decided, was a triumph, and she preened, a small smile upon her face. Her breasts were dangerously close to bursting over the silver lace that edged her bodice. About her neck and spilling onto her chest was a magnificent necklace of transparent green amber and yellow diamonds that had matching earbobs. Pansy had brushed Velvet’s hair back so that it hung loose down her back, and above her left ear the maid affixed an arrangement of silver roses.
