This Heart of Mine (14 page)

Then there were dishes of artichokes from France, delicately braised and served with olive oil and a tarragon-flavored vinegar; large bowls of peas, honey-glazed carrots, lettuces, radishes, and small green leeks. Breads were in plentiful supply, along with tubs of butter and wheels of sharp English cheddar and soft Brie imported from Normandy. There were fresh cherries, peaches, early pears, and apples along with small individual bowls of late strawberries. There was creamy egg custard dusted with grated nutmeg, next to tiny cakes soaked in claret or sherry. There were large tarts of peach, apple, rhubarb, and strawberry accompanied by bowls of clotted cream. Wines, both red and white, as well as claret and beer were available to quench the guests’ thirst.

As the company began to grow bored with the eating, Master Marlowe and his players appeared to entertain them with the scenes he had written depicting the various triumphs of Elizabeth Tudor’s reign. The queen was shown as a kind, benevolent, and wise monarch. She preened visibly beneath the lavish flattery. It was a soothing balm to her troubled mind and spirit. Kit Marlowe and his players were applauded with great approval when they finished.

The night sky was now black satin studded with bright stars as the dancing began. Elizabeth Tudor loved to dance, and so Robin had chosen talented and tireless musicians to play for her as she would wear out many partners before the evening was done. Her host was her first partner, and Robin acquitted himself well. Sir Christopher Hatton, her lord chancellor, was the second chosen. It was said by those less than charitable that Sir Christopher owed his position to his dancing feet. It was not true. He might originally have brought himself to the queen’s attention by cutting a better caper than most, but he was competent and able in his position as England’s lord chancellor.

Velvet did not lack for partners. She enjoyed dancing as much as her godmother, the queen, did. She was naturally skilled, quick, and light on her feet. Finally, however, she was able to slip off to catch her breath, and, seemingly unobserved, she walked slowly down to the riverbank where the graceful,
green willows grew, teasing the water with their delicate branches. It was the most exciting party she could ever remember attending, and being her brother’s hostess made her the second most important woman here tonight. It was a heady experience for a young girl newly entered into society. Leaning back against a tree, she listened to the music coming, faintly from the garden and watched the moonlight that was now playing on the Thames.

“Come live with me, and be my love, and we will all the pleasures prove.” came the sudden murmur of a deep, masculine voice by her ear.

Velvet jumped and, turning, saw Kit Marlowe. “God’s foot, Master Playwright, how you startled me.”

Marlowe reached out to steady the girl whose foot, he noted, was perilously close to slipping off the mossy bank. Gently he drew her into the circle of his arms, smiling winningly down at her. “Careful, my love, you are near to falling.” His arms tightened slightly. There was an almost untamed gypsy look to him, she thought.

Velvet felt her heart accelerate. It was very exciting to be held in such a close embrace, but there was something about Master Marlowe that made her nervous. He was far too bold for a respectable girl to tolerate. That thought gave her courage. “My thanks for your timely rescue, sir,” she said sternly, “but had you not startled me ’twould not have been necessary. You may release me now.”

The actor-playwright laughed softly. “What a prim little puss you play at being, mistress, but I know all about the queen’s Maids of Honor. You’re a merry bunch of jades, and eager for loving, cooped up as you are with such a strict mistress. Do you think you’re the first of the queen’s ladies I’ve ever approached?” His mouth dipped toward hers, but Velvet managed to avoid his intent, turning her head so that his lips wetly brushed the side of her neck.

She had wanted to be kissed, but not in this manner, and certainly not by this man. She shuddered with revulsion, but he mistook her emotion for budding passion and urged his suit onward over her very vocal protests.

“Sir, unhand me this instant! I shall inform my brother of your outrageous behavior!” She pressed her palms against his chest and pushed at him.

Marlowe laughed, delighted by what he considered her feigned resistance. “Damn me, you adorable wench, if you don’t make me hotter to possess you with all your protesting!”

His knowledgeable fingers were undoing the laces of her bodice.

Velvet gasped with surprise, never realizing that a man would be so very bold with a maid. She could feel the night air on her bared breasts, and in that moment Marlowe, seeing her shock, took complete advantage of the girl, burying his face in her cleavage, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of her perfume. Velvet shrieked, extremely frightened and equally outraged as she struggled unsuccessfully against her attacker. She felt tears of frustration beginning to slip helplessly down her cheeks. Maddened by his lust, he attempted to force her down to the mossy bank, but just as maddened with her fear and the realization of what could happen to her, Velvet fought him wildly, trying to fend him off with flailing fists and sharp nails. Drawing in a breath, she tried to scream, but, seeing it coming, Marlowe put his hand over her mouth. Infuriated, Velvet bit him as hard as she could, and was rewarded with his yelp of pain as he pulled his bleeding hand away.

“You bit me, you little bitch!” he exclaimed, outraged. “ ’Tis my writing hand, too!” He held the injured digit away from him, looking at it dramatically, as if he had been mortally wounded, yet his other hand still firmly held her captive.

“Release me this instant!” Velvet sobbed indignantly. “The queen shall hear of this, Master Marlowe. Release me!”

“I think not, mistress, for you now owe me, having injured me so grievously.” His grip tightened again. “I shall have a sweet forfeit from you!”

“Damn me, Marlowe,” drawled the amused voice of Alex Gordon as he stepped into view. “I had heard you were a ladies’ man, but I did not think you would stoop to rape, and especially the sister of your host. Loose the lass, or I’ll be forced to really injure your precious writing hand, perhaps even remove it entirely.” Outwardly, Lord Gordon appeared calm, but inwardly he raged at this low, roguish fellow who dared to lay his hands upon BrocCairn property. Still, he had interrupted Marlowe in time, and instigating a brawl, even in defense of Velvet’s honor, would not aid his case with the English queen.

“The jade lured me down here and then turned coy,” the playwright proclaimed, but his arm dropped from around Velvet’s waist.

Angrily, she pulled away from him. “ ’Tis not so!” she cried. “I left the gathering for a moment’s peace, and he followed me.”

Alexander Gordon’s amber eyes narrowed dangerously as
he looked at Christopher Marlowe. “Your reputation for debauchery and dueling is well known, sir, but I doubt your career could stand another scandal, particularly as the queen is present. I suggest you leave quietly.
Now!”

Marlowe digested Lord Gordon’s words, and then laughed. “You’re wiser than I, m’lord. Ah, well, no wench is really worth all that trouble.” His black eyes snapped boldly as he took a final look at Velvet’s half-bared bosom. Then, with a mocking bow, he turned and walked away.

There was a long silence, then as Alex moved before her, Velvet cried out in a frightened voice, “What are you doing?” His hands were on her bodice.

“Relacing you, my dear. I think that is the first order of business, lest someone stumble upon us and your reputation be compromised.” His fingers skillfully redid her gown as she watched him with big eyes. When he had finished, he quietly gathered her into his arms and said, “Now you may cry, Velvet,” and she did so, sobbing softly into the fabric of his doublet.

“I d-didn’t lure h-him,” she said, weeping. “I didn’t.”

“I know that, lass,” he said. “He’s a brilliant writer, but basically a low fellow. He has a terrible temper that will one day be the undoing of him, and a worse reputation where women are concerned. I have not a doubt that, seeing you slip away, he followed to take advantage of your innocence.”

“I’ve never even been kissed,” Velvet whispered.

“He wanted more than a kiss, lass. You know
that
, don’t you?”

“Aye.” She looked up at him for a moment, and then, lowering her eyes, blushed, embarrassed by his meaning.

“Surely you’ve run into this problem before, Velvet. At court, perhaps? What did you do then?”

“I have never been accosted so boldly, and certainly not at court. The queen does not appreciate gentlemen who tamper with her ladies, though I know there are those, both men and women, who brave her wrath for a tryst, a kiss, and a cuddle. I am not, however, one of them, and, besides, none would dare approach me in such a manner knowing my parents’ fierce reputation.” She had begun to feel better now, snuggled as she was in this big man’s arms. “I am better protected than the Spanish infanta herself, my two stern duennas being Sir Walter Ralegh and the Earl of Essex.” She chuckled, a small, merry sound that delighted him. “They have warned off all who would approach me in any less than a respectful manner.”

Now Alex understood, and he shook his head in admiration. Velvet had a way about her that appealed to the gallant knight hidden in most men whose paths she crossed. They wanted to protect her even as he was now protecting her, as she had been protected all her life by her family. She was much too innocent to be at court. Tonight she had been lucky. He had been out walking to escape the crush for a moment when he had heard her cry for help, then Marlowe’s yelp of pain, followed by a smothered oath. He had known instantly what was afoot. What he had not known was that the lady in distress was Velvet. What if he was not there the next time to rescue her?

Before he could seriously digest this thought, however, she, now fully recovered from her fright, said woefully, “I’m fifteen years old, and no one has ever kissed me.
No one.”

“You are betrothed, or so your brother tells me,” Alex said cautiously.

“Aye, I am betrothed!” Velvet said fiercely. “Betrothed at five years of age to a man who didn’t bother to acknowledge my presence until just a few weeks ago. For ten years he has ignored me, but now he suddenly finds himself the only male in his line, and he has written to say he is coming to marry me so that he may immediately beget sons!”

“He obviously finds himself in a difficult position, Velvet,” began Alex.

“He finds himself in a difficult position?”
Her voice dripped scorn. “What of me? My parents promised me that I should never have to marry without love. But they are away! Will a man who has never had the delicacy to even remember my birthday consider that I do not want to marry a perfect stranger, and particularly not without my mother and father by my side? I strongly doubt it!”

“Is that why you came to court?” he asked, knowing the answer she would give; what her brother had dared not say to him.

“Aye! I’m safe from this unknown, unwanted
betrothed
of mine with the queen. When my parents return, the matter will then be settled for good and all.”

“Yet the gentleman is within his rights wanting the marriage now, Velvet.”

“I’ll wed no one until my parents return, and I’ll wed no man unless I love him!” she repeated firmly. Then she cocked her head and looked up at him. “Let us speak no longer about this unpleasant matter, but rather let us speak of how I may go about getting my first kiss. You are a man, Alex, and you
are surely far more sophisticated than I am. Tell me, then, how does a maiden encourage a gentleman to kiss her?”

“Velvet, lass,” he protested, “ ’tis not a thing you should be discussing with a man.”

“Why not?” she demanded. “Every one of the queen’s maids has been kissed but me. Why does no one want to kiss me?” She stared up at him and he was hard put to answer her. It gave him secret pleasure to know that whether she realized it or not, she belonged to him. It delighted him to know that no man had yet tasted of her sweetness. But then, as he basked in his smugness, it occurred to him that she was suddenly very ripe for loving, and if he did not pluck her then someone else was going to brave Elizabeth Tudor, Walter Ralegh, and Robert Devereux to possess Velvet de Marisco.

“The first kiss is a very special one,” he said reflectively. “It should be given by someone of experience.”

“You are qualified, I am certain of it,” she said softly.

“Are you asking me to kiss you, Velvet?”

“Should I have to?” she countered, then blushed again.

He laughed low, suddenly realizing that their entire conversation had taken place while she stood within the protective circle of his arms. Drawing her closer with one hand, he gently raised her chin with the other so that she looked him full in the face. “No, Velvet lass, you don’t have to ask me to kiss you. ’Tis something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I first laid eyes upon you.”

He lowered his head, and Velvet’s heart seemed to leap from her chest as his golden gaze captured her emerald one. Slowly his mouth descended to meet with hers, and her stomach knotted and reknotted in a half-fearful, half-pleasured frenzy of excitement. Unbidden, her eyes closed, and she shivered with delight as his lips came down over hers in that first tender embrace. For a moment Velvet wasn’t sure that she was breathing, almost certain that she was perishing as the strength drained from her limbs. Her arms reached up to cling to him, and he pulled her closer against him.

Alex had never known a woman’s mouth to be so pliant, so tender. He had been gentle at first, but when she showed neither fright nor resistance his kiss deepened until finally her lips softened and parted beneath his. He shivered with his rising ardor and realized that it was his responsibility to cease their embrace now before it went any further. Reluctantly he drew his head back and looked down into her pale oval face. Slowly her eyes opened and she gazed up at him.

A smile lit his eyes, and he gently touched her cheek. “I hope it was a satisfactory first kiss, Velvet,” he said quietly.