Indiscretion Read online

  Crompton was a distant cousin of the Whitleys. His sire had sworn fealty to me on the death of my own sire, and had kept a rather low profile in the years since I’d taken the throne.

  The son had been a friend of my brother’s since they were babes in swaddling, much as Nicholas and I were. I had never had much liking for the young man. He was ever too pompous and full of his own importance.

  I had once taken him to task for speaking harshly to my brother, who would never have seen the faults in his dear friend. But what was the game? Lord Crompton was far removed from the succession. Unless he was relying on that old argument that the Whitleys were more suited to rule and him being of distant blood. But that made no sense.

  They were a very wealthy family to be sure, but wealth alone has no bearing on the throne. Had that been the case there were many here in my court who could claim that assumption.

  Crompton was also a weak livered serpent, both the father and the son. So who was it that they had put their trust in? I had to know before I made a move.

  Back in my chambers I wrote a quick missive and sealed it with my signet. I opened the door and called for one of my more reliable men.

  “Take this to lord Wessex and be quick about it. Do not stop on your way on pain of death. Wait there for his answer. Go.”

  He went on his way and I went back to pacing my rooms. “Guards, bring my sister to me.” I gave a momentary thought to calling for my sister in law as well but she should be safe enough. She was no danger to whatever plot was in the works.

  Chapter 6

  King Julian

  ***

  For the next day and a half I pretended interest in the things around me. I shared my thoughts with no one and had sent my sister to safety under the pretense of giving her time to mourn.

  No one knew where she had gone. Just her nurse’s maid whom I was sure would give her very life to save my sister’s, and six very well trained and well armed mercenaries whose only loyalty I was sure was to me.

  It had been less than a week since Frederick had been buried but already the court was coming back to life. The women were once again in their finery as they sought to beguile the men, their mourning garb put away. All, except his widow and I, as was decent.

  “Lord Primrose’s daughter is rumored to be here at court this evening your majesty.”

  “Who?” I turned to the earl of Northwick who was seated at the high table with me, as were a few of the other noblemen who were enjoying their cups.

  “Lord Primrose, have you not heard then?”

  “Heard what?” Percy could be a troublesome bother sometimes but as one of my oldest and dearest friends I saw fit to let him keep his head even though he taxed me.

  “Oh ho, ho your majesty, have you not heard of the lady Georgina? You’ve been remiss. She’s been touted as the fairest maiden in all your kingdom.”

  I looked at him skeptically; had she been such I’m sure I would’ve heard of her ere now. Then again her father is a rather astute man, it was probably wise of him to keep her existence hidden from me.

  “Where is she? This paragon of beauty?” I had no real interest but so as not to give away my hand, I had to keep up appearances. If I showed no interest then for a certainty he would suspect something was troubling me other than the loss of my brother of course.

  “She has not yet graced us with her presence. One such as she must take extra care with her toilette I suppose.”

  Just then I saw my sister in law come into the room but looked quickly away again. Lately when my thoughts were not consumed with the plot against me, I have been thinking of her.

  I had even come close to going to her more than once, which wouldn’t have been hard to do out from under the watchful eye of the court gossips. Her rooms were on the other side of mine from my sister.

  “Ah, and here she comes now your majesty. Tell me is she not the most beautiful specimen? I hear tell she learned plenty at the French court.”

  “Oh really?” I looked towards the young woman and had to admit she did possess a rare beauty. Her golden locks, unlike the other women’s, were worn in loose fat curls with barely a bit of lace ribbon holding it in place.

  She moved with a certain grace that drew the eye and she was rather beautiful of form. I felt a strange sensation down my spine and turned my head slightly to see my brother’s widow Cecile following my gaze before returning her eyes to me, then looking quickly away.

  What was that look on her face just then? Surely it could not be what I thought it to be. I returned my attention to Percy, but something had gone out of the evening. I should just take her and be done with it. Maybe then this raging need would cease and I can find peace of mind again.

  I felt the moment she left the room and silently scolded myself for being fanciful. There was no use dwelling on my sister in law, there was no way I would ever defile her.

  “Here she comes your majesty.” I turned just in time to see the young woman in question dance by on the arm of some young nabob. Her laugh when it rang out was almost as beautiful as she and I had to agree she was very fare to look at. But nowhere near…I cut my thoughts off.

  Georgina and her suitor danced by again. She made eye contact over the shoulder of the young man who seemed to be valiantly trying to win her favor. But I knew from the look she gave me that she wasn’t hearing a word he said.

  ***

  I can’t say I was surprised to find her awaiting me in my bed later that evening when the festivities were at an end.

  “Milady?” I dismissed my man who had been waiting to get me ready for bed, before I closed and secured the door, as I made my way towards the chair in the corner, to remove my boots.

  She said not a word just followed me with her eyes as I stood to drop my breeches. I disrobed leaving my garments on the floor as I walked towards her supine form on the bed.

  She was naked and ready for me, one leg bent at the knee, the other laying spread wide so that I could easily see the wild honey gold bush that grew there. Her pink cunny peeped out from between her folds as she ran her finger sensuously along her thigh.

  I covered her body neither of us uttering a word as my lips covered hers. I realized for the first time since my youth that I wasn’t in the mood.

  The realization jolted me but not as much as my reasons. Cecile. Ever since she became free she has plagued my mind, my every thought morning noon and night.

  I shook my head to clear it of the images forming there as I pushed my hand between the thighs of the warm willing woman beneath me. Her fingers wrapped around my rod and tugged gently before gaining in pressure and speed.

  I left her lips and pulled out of her hand, moving up her body until my cock rested against her lips. She opened her mouth like a baby bird and with her eyes looking into mine, licked my juices from the tip of my rod.

  My hand around her throat got her to open up and I pushed more of my cock flesh into her mouth until she gagged. I didn’t stop even when she was in danger of losing her breath.

  I was angry. Angry at her, at myself, because she wasn’t who I wanted. But I could never have what I wanted, will never know this with her. So why shouldn’t I enjoy the offerings of this young beauty?

  I couldn’t get her face out of my head. That last look she sent my way once she caught me watching the beautiful Georgina. What did it mean? And why did it feel as if I were betraying her?

  The nails digging into my flesh brought me back to the present and I realized I was choking her. I had driven my cock too far down her neck. I pulled out and fucked her mouth gently. “My apologies milady.”

  I eased out of her mouth and made my way back down her body until my head was between her legs. Her cunny had the scent of flowers and the taste of spices. Her hands took hold of my head as she lifted her legs and begged me to fuck her tight cunny.

  Unlike my usual conquests, I had no interest in prolonging this particular coupling, so I gave her what she wanted. Moving up her body once m
ore and driving into her without care until she cried out. “Oh your majesty.”

  The harder I fucked her the more she wanted. She threw her cunny up at me wildly and took my cock like a well-trained paramour.

  Maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe I had grown tired of the ease with which most women came to my bed, obviously in hopes of gaining some boon.

  Cecile was so pure in my eyes. Even in her grief she hadn’t turned to me for anything. I fucked into the cunny I was currently held snugly in, but the face in my head belonged to someone else.

  I found no pleasure in the nails dragging themselves down my back. No prowess in the groans that came from her as her body erupted. Nothing at all when my seed burst forth from me.

  I was done. I rolled away from her ready to send her from my bed until guilt made me ashamed of myself. I had not been fair to the girl, in neither deed or thought.

  I had no doubt she was accustomed to being treated more graciously, and though I could not drum up the effort to take her again, I would not harm her farther by sending her from my bed without a word of kindness.

  I listened to her drone on about nothing and everything, as my mind was a million miles away. No that’s a lie. It was down the hall, not more than a few measly steps and yet out of reach.

  “When shall you take a wife my lord?” She rolled over with her arms clasped on my chest.

  “Never.”

  “What? Do you not wish for a son to carry on your great name?” She pouted prettily and I had no doubt she was vying for the position. Her sire was of noble birth true, but so were a dozen others with much more to offer.

  I smiled indulgently but kept my thoughts to myself. I had sworn an oath to myself, that long ago day on a cold desolate battlefield that I would never impose upon a son of mine to suffer what I had endured. The death of a beloved sire!

  My bastards all have sires. That was one of the things I arranged for any woman who bore me a child. To date I have five daughters and two sons, at least those were the ones I have been made aware of, and none of them would ever know me as their father.

  They are well cared for of course, but they will never be in the succession for the throne. It was not the way of my people.

  “It is time for you to go my sweet.” She pleaded to stay and was far from pleased to be thrown out of the king’s bed with barely anything to show for it. I forgot her name before she cleared the door.

  Chapter 7

  King Julian

  ***

  “Nicholas you old dog, when did you return to court?”

  “Just now your majesty I came to see you as soon as I returned. Sorry I wasn’t back in time for Frederick’s funeral, but I figured it was more important that I put down that little skirmish.”

  “You were quite right my friend, and speaking of which, how did it go?”

  “As to be expected. By the way I had the opportunity to stop in at Marbury castle on my way back. The old earl is very put out with you as he now has two daughters of marriageable age who cannot show their faces this season because of their very obvious proof of a dalliance with their king.”

  “How did they seem, were they well?”

  “Both in good spirits, if a little in need of some of what got them into trouble in the first place.” He grinned like a sot.

  “You didn’t.” I grinned back at him. Nicholas and I had shared a skirt or two before, in fact sometimes we fucked the same woman during the same period of time as part of a little game; unbeknownst to the lady of course.

  Our little contests were whispered about but no one has ever had the audacity to mention it to our faces. Though these days I was staying away from my married subjects no matter how much they begged.

  I saw Cecile take her usual place at table and breathed easy. It was getting damn near impossible to be this near her and I was giving serious thought to sending her away to her sire’s holdings in the north.

  Georgina was in a snit all day since I’d thrown her from my bed the night before, and was doing all she could to get my attention. Tonight though I had more pressing matters on my mind than either woman.

  I turned back to Nicholas and carried on with our conversation. It was six years since I’d had his father killed while he slept in the night. I thought that the most humane way to handle the situation so that no one was ever the wiser about the older man’s treachery and I didn’t have to kill my dear friend whom I trusted, as I’d had to kill the sons and daughters of my other enemies. Instead, I had given him his sire’s title and lands, making him a very wealthy Earl.

  I well knew there were ears listening to our every word even though they pretended no interest, but did not let on.

  “Join me my friend, I have a new species I’ve been dying to show you.” We both left the table and headed for my chambers.

  Making sure that there were no ears about, I led my friend to the parapet where I was sure of privacy.

  “Tell me.” That little farce downstairs was for the benefit of anyone listening in. I did not want anyone knowing what we were really about until I had all the evidence needed.

  “You were right. Crompton has been seen meeting with the men who once followed Whitley.”

  “And who’s the one backing him?”

  “That’s not it. He has only the backing of the Whitley clan, because they have a hidden secret that they think will give them the upper hand.”

  I held my tongue as I waited for his answer. “The Whitley heir had a son. The child is only seven years old, but as a direct descendent to lord Whitley they see him as a threat to your rule.”

  “Did you find anything else? Are there any more of these little bastards running around the countryside somewhere?”

  “No he’s the only one I found. The others were destroyed when you exacted vengeance for your father’s death.”

  “And where is this child?” I knew from his grin that I would like what he had to say. “I have him.”

  “You have him? How did you pull that one off? As if I have to ask.” Nicholas and I had pulled many a prank in the past where we had passed ourselves off as anything other than what we were. I knew well my friend’s penchant for getting in and out of places like a shadow.

  “Yes I have him. He’s here. I smuggled him in under cover of dark, not even my men know who he is. They probably think he’s one of mine.” I clapped him on the shoulder as some of my tension eased.

  “Well done my friend. Follow me.” We returned to the hall laughing boisterously as we whispered loud enough for some to hear. Pretending once again to have interest only in bed sport. Beneath the smile the rage built.

  I held it in check for the rest of the evening, never giving the guilty, who were all in attendance any reason to suspect that I knew what they had done.

  “Your majesty.” I knew who was at my back even before her hand touched me. I felt the change in my body and was quick enough to control my response before turning to her.

  “Little sister, how are you this evening?” There was something in her eyes when I called her that, but I put it aside for now. She was still grieving, as was I.

  “I would ask a word with you at your convenience my king.” She curtsied and kept her eyes averted. I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips. “Of course. Come to me later.” I whispered the last and realized the double entendre in my words too late. She didn’t seem to notice as she curtsied once more and left my side.

  I turned back to the discussion at hand, all part of my ploy to put my enemies at ease. The games and dancing were ongoing, laughter and music filled the hall.

  Nicholas on my cue had rejoined the festivities and I searched the room for Hershey who was standing against the far wall with his eyes ever about the room. At my silent nod he inclined his head slightly, before moving off of the wall and approaching the two men.

  I made my excuses and moved off as if I would join another conversation, making my way closer to the exit. Once there I once again slipped from the ro
om and headed to the secret chamber where I awaited the others. I poured cups of wine and blew out all but one of the candles there before taking my seat at the head of the table.

  It wasn’t long before I heard them arrive and I ran my finger along the blade of the dagger, testing its sharpness.

  The four men entered the room. The guilty stopped short, their laughter dying when they saw me waiting there. Lord Crompton looked back over his shoulder but his way, was blocked by Nicholas, and Hershey, while his son took a little longer to catch on.

  “Your majesty?” I did not answer the older man, but kept my eyes on his son. “Come in gentlemen.” I indicated the cups on the table as they were led to their seats. My two coconspirators stood back against the wall as I studied my prey.

  “Do not fear; it is not poisoned.” I lifted my own cup for a sip, and they followed suit. “Tell me, did you really think to take my kingdom for a child?” The elder lord Crompton opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off.

  “Before you open your lips to lie to me farther, the child is about seven in years is he not? So you were going to rule in his name I presume, since I can’t see you letting your milquetoast son rule so much as your livestock.” I turned my glare to the son now.

  “You killed my brother. Admit it.” I wanted to hear him say it out loud before I dispatched him to the hereafter. His sudden outbreak of the sweats and the fear I saw roiling in his eyes were not answer enough for me.

  “Your majesty it was…an accident.” He swallowed around the lie and turned pale when I lifted the hand with the dagger into view. He would’ve fair flew out of his chair had Nicholas not moved forward to hold him pinned there by his shoulders.

  “Please your majesty, I beg of you, my son had nothing to do with this. It was I. I am the one who foolishly joined with the remnant of Whitley’s men…”

  “Yes, but he was the one who put the arrow through my brother’s heart.” I stood then and walked around the table until I stood behind young lord Crompton.