Page 114 of Tempted
“I believe you are acquainted with the delightful Lady Kennedy?” Henry asked, watching the earl’s face intently.
“Indeed, sire,” said Lord Howard, executing a smart military bow before the lady. “She is one of Queen Margaret’s favorites,” he improvised. “Her beauty is legendary.”
Henry knew lust when he saw it, and it amused him that Surrey coveted the girl at his side. “We want Lady Kennedy’s visit to be a most pleasurable one. We charge you, and your lady wife,” Henry emphasized, “to do all in your power to serve the lady.”
Howard knew he was being warned off the quarry, so the moment Henry dismissed him, he made a show of attending his wife. “She brought messages from the queen. We have nothing to worry about. He asks that we keep an eye on her.”
“Henry seems to be doing that without our aid,” she said dryly. “He looks like a dog with a bone.”
“That’s a tasteless remark,” snapped Howard, and immediately his wife trimmed her sails as the wind blew. Her husband wanted Flaming Tina for himself and expected her to allay the king’s suspicions.
Lady Howard joined Elizabeth Blount and sowed a small seed of disquiet. “Elizabeth, His Majesty neglects you shamefully, but you mustn’t be angry with him. Lady Kennedy has quite a reputation for being a honeypot.”
“Really?” murmured Bessie. She had been half-hoping Henry’s insatiable needs would be met elsewhere tonight, but she was damned if she was going to allow him to humiliate her by openly courting the Kennedy bitch. She took hold of the Countess of Surrey’s arm, and they strolled toward the king. Bessie sank down before him, displaying her opulent décolletage.
“Your Majesty dazzled everyone with that superb display of physical strength. Sire, you are unmatched in all of England.”
Tina thought the flattery laid on so thickly would be considered insincere, but Henry lapped it up.
“You are often in a position to see me perform, Bessie, and as you can testify, I am tireless.”
A tableau from the maze sprang full-blown into Tina’s mind. She turned to the king and said breathlessly, “Please excuse me, Your Majesty. I am feeling quite faint. I am sure Lady Howard will be kind enough to see me to my chamber.”
Henry looked into her eyes with deliberation and said, “Until later.” Then he relinquished her to the Countess of Surrey, called for more wine, and placed a familiar hand on Bessie Blount’s buttocks.
Tina sank into a chair before her chamber fire and kicked off her shoes. She felt drained. The tension in Henry Tudor’s presence had been unbearable. When his piggy eyes slid all over her, she had felt unclean, but when he actually touched her, she had felt violated. Still, it was a small price to pay for Ram’s sake.
Ada undid the laces of her gown. “You look like death warmed up. Have you eaten anything at all today?”
Tina shook her head.
“Why don’t you have a piece of fruit?” Ada urged.
Tina selected a pear and took a few bites. “I should be grateful. I suppose my evening was an unqualified success. I was finally presented to the king, who read the letter in exchange for my allowing him to paw me.”
Ada could hear the disquiet in her voice.
“Ada, I’m so afraid Henry wants me—and what Henry wants, Henry gets. He strutted before me like a bull in heat. He put on a display of wrestling and sweated like a Pig.”
“Which is it, bull or pig?” Ada smiled, hoping to lighten her mood.
“I think he can be convinced that Ramsey isn’t Lord Vengeance, but he isn’t about to let a powerful Douglas out of his clutches.”
“Oh, darling, you’ve done wonders. At least you’ve removed the threat of the noose from about Ram’s neck.”
“Perhaps.” Tina sighed. “The trouble is, if I call the tune, I have to be prepared to pay the piper.”
Ada shrugged philosophically. “It’s a man’s world, love. All favors must be paid for, but in my experience you never miss a slice off a cut loaf.” Ada gave her a warning. “Ram would kill you if he found out, so never let him know.”
“He would hate me forever,” said Tina sadly. “I would hate myself forever.”
“If you’re clever, he’ll never know,” Ada insisted
But I’ll know, thought Tina.
“Let me hang up your gown,” said Ada, helping her remove the black and silver dress. Then she pushed a stool beneath Tina’s feet so she could rest before the fire.
As Tina gazed into the flames, she fell into a reverie. She could see Ram with the children of Ochiltree. His tenderness had quite undone her. More than anything, she longed to give him a child of his own to love. Gradually her eyes closed, and her head fell to the chair arm as sleep claimed her. Ada left her before the fire, clad only in her black shift, and sought her trundle bed in the dressing room.
