Page 80 of The Raven and the Rose
George drawled, “Where would be the sport if she were not virgin?” but he held up his hand for his men to leave off their game. Kate led a sobbing Alice from the room.
Furiously, Roseanna ordered, “You will leave my home at once! We are in mourning here.”
“And you have no man to protect you,” George finished smoothly. “Therefore I am taking you under my royal protection.”
“You are not King yet,” she pointed out bluntly.
“I am King in name; it lacks only the crowning. Therefore, little girl, it would be in your best interest to please me, for with a mere lift of my hand I can do anything I desire.”
“Piffle!” she disdained, her own royal blood boiling over.
His eyes narrowed. “All titles conferred by Edward are null and void. Therefore your little Viscount Gainsborough is viscount no more.”
She gasped. “You cannot do that!”
He smiled and said silkily, “It is done.” He knew by her reaction that he had chosen the perfect means to gain his desires, namely her son.
“What do you want here?” she cried.
He spread his hands. “We only ask a little hospitality— guest rooms for the night, a meal, a little wine, somewhere where you and I can converse in private.”
Quietly she gave orders to the servants to prepare the rooms and a special dinner. In the meantime they were to be given the best that Ravenspur’s wine cellars could provide. “If you would follow me, Your Grace,” she said coolly, and led the way to Ravenspur’s library.
Slowly he took a turn around the room, picking up art objects and setting them down again. “I am beginning to realize the extent of Ravenspur’s wealth. I had to go into debt for my needs over the years.”
She made no comment. He was adorned in white satin and diamonds, and she knew in that instant that he would indulge himself no matter what the cost to others.
“Your son is the new Baron of Ravenspur. I am considering making him a ward of the crown so that I can administer his estates.”
“No!” she cried, her hand going to her throat.
“Everything rests in your hands, my sweet Roseanna. Please me, and I will increase your son’s lands and titles tenfold. Spurn me, and I will have him removed from this household!”
The blackmail threat enveloped her; no matter which way her mind turned to escape him, she was caught securely in his web. Suddenly she heard the voice of Rebecca cry out in anguish.
“Do not let them harm my sister-in-law,” she begged.
“She’s not a virgin, I believe?” he drawled.
“Stop them!” she implored him.
“I have already told you—it is in your hands, little girl. Only say that you will come to me tonight, and everyone in your household, including your son, will be safe from harm.”
“I will come to you,” she promised softly.
Roseanna bade Kate mix a sleeping draught for Rebecca and told her to put an abortifacient in it to be on the safe side; Rebecca was hysterical and refused to say what the men had done to her. Then Roseanna sought out Mr. Burke and examined his facial laceration. “Do not provoke them, Mr. Burke. I will take care of the duke’s needs. Pray God they will be gone tomorrow.”
He looked at her with anguished eyes. “If only there were something I could do to aid you, my lady.”
“There is. I want you to bury the gold plate the Queen sent for my son’s christening. Then get Roger’s coffers to a safe place where they will not be found. I must hide my good jewels, for mark my words, Mr. Burke, he will have everything from me before he is satisfied.”
She did not dine with her guests but bathed in the privacy of her room. Then she put on a simple warm white velvet robe with wide sleeves, poured a goblet full of pale golden Chablis, and sipped it slowly to calm her nerves. She told herself bravely,I am more of a woman than he is a man! I shall emerge victorious from this encounter!
When the dregs of the wine cup were drained, she took a deep breath and went to George’s bedchamber. He had been drinking most of the afternoon, and his face was flushed from the wine. It had loosened his tongue, and she noted with disgust that his conversation was coarse.
“Welcome, little girl. You’ll not regret it, for I have the biggest cock in England.”
She lowered her lashes to her cheeks, lest he see the fear in her eyes. He reached out long fingers to toy with her nipples beneath the robe. “Your breasts are magnificent,” he said thickly. Where he rubbed her nipples, two tiny wet spots became visible on the bodice of the velvet robe. His eyes dilated and his organ swelled and hardened.
