Henry raised his arms in acknowledgment, lapping up the adulation. He was Englands undefeated champion whether the sport was wrestling, tennis, jousting, or hunting. He was about to add seduction to the list. His gentlemen helped him back into his ostentatiously ornamented doublet, and he leaned toward Valentina with his sausagelike fingers stretched before him.

Choose a bauble, sweetingdont be shy!

I ask no jewel, Your Majesty, Tina said softly. All I ask is that you read the letter I have brought.

Henry broke the seal and scanned the contents.

Suddenly his lips pursed peevishly. Ive had no word that this self-styled Lord Vengeance has been taken.

He has not been taken, Your Majesty. Lord Douglas is not the murdering pirate!

Henrys eyes became covetous as he looked at her mouth, then her lovely breasts. The thought of Douglas fucking her titillated his imagination, as a schoolboy enjoys a dirty picture. His mouth went prudish as he asked, You are hand-fasted to this Douglas?

I am, sire, she said softly.

A licentious Scottish customagainst the law here in England. Tis fornication pure and simple. You live together and share his bed without benefit of clergy. He licked his lips. Do you deny you are his mistress?

Tina fanned herself furiously. It is a time-honored tradition. He is my husband in every way. As she said the words, Tina knew she spoke the truth. Ram Douglas was her husband, and she knew she could never be unfaithful to him.

Henry captured her hand and held it fast when she tried to withdraw it. He whispered huskily, Wife and whore in onea tempting combination! Are you rewarding in bed?

Tinas cheeks were hot, yet it was not shame she felt but anger. Henry enjoyed teasing her. He began to tickle and stroke the palm of her hand with his finger in a suggestive manner, then lifted her hand to his mouth and tickled and licked it with his tongue. Tinas gorge rose, and for a moment she feared she would vomit on his royal person. She swallowed rapidly and prayed she would not disgrace herself.

The Countess of Surrey was worried. She had watched the chancellor present Valentina Kennedy to the king and seen her hand him a letter. It could be from either the King or Queen of Scotland, and it could be filled with lies about the Howards. She lost no time informing her husband of her suspicions and urged him to join the king on the dais. The moment Henry saw the Earl of Surrey approach, he beckoned him with an all-powerful finger Howard knew a moment of misgiving as his monarchs beady eyes fastened upon him.

Why was I not informed of the capture of the elusive Lord Vengeance? Henry asked silkily.

Your Majesty, I had word from my son Thomas only today that the Revenge had been spotted off Flamborough Head. He has an informant who has divulged that a raid on Kingston is imminent, and the admiral has laid plans to trap Lord Vengeance and his ship the Revenge in the Humber River.

Henry tapped his fingers thoughtfully. Your information seems to tally with Margarets. Apparently Dacre arrested Lord Douglas and had him shipped to London. How could he have bungled so badly? asked Henry.

Since Lord Dacre was Howards rival, he took the opportunity offered to blacken his reputation. He shrugged. Your Majesty offered a great reward for the capture, I believe?

Henrys fingers tapped faster. I should have been informed the moment such a prominent Scot arrived at the tower. Though he is obviously not the elusive Lord Vengeance, he could nevertheless prove to be of great value at the bargaining table.

A cold hand clamped around Tinas heart.

I believe you are acquainted with the delightful Lady Kennedy? Henry asked, watching the earls face intently.

Indeed, sire, said Lord Howard, executing a smart military bow before the lady. She is one of Queen Margarets 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 Kennedys 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.

Thats 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 kings suspicions.

Lady Howard joined Elizabeth Blount and sowed a small seed of disquiet. Elizabeth, His Majesty neglects you shamefully, but you mustnt be angry with him. Lady Kennedy has quite a reputation for being a honeypot.

Really? murmured Bessie. She had been half-hoping Henrys 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 Surreys arm, and they strolled toward the king. Bessie sank down before him, displaying her opulent decolletage.

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 Tinas 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 Blounts buttocks.

Tina sank into a chair before her chamber fire and kicked off her shoes. She felt drained. The tension in Henry Tudors 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 Rams 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 dont 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, Im so afraid Henry wants meand 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 isnt Lord Vengeance, but he isnt about to let a powerful Douglas out of his clutches.

Oh, darling, youve done wonders. At least youve removed the threat of the noose from about Rams neck.

Perhaps. Tina sighed. The trouble is, if I call the tune, I have to be prepared to pay the piper.

Ada shrugged philosophically. Its a mans 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 youre clever, hell never know, Ada insisted But Ill 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 Tinas 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.

Tina opened her eyes and blinked. Someone was knocking on the chamber door. With her hand upon the latch, she asked, Who is there?

Tis I, my dear, Lord Howard. We had no chance to speak privately with the eyes of the king and court upon us.

Tina needed a favor from this man, and Providence had sent him. There was no way she was going to refuse him admittance because she was clad only in her shift.

She wondered what hour it was and how long she had been asleep. She lifted the latch and looked about for a bedgown, but Ada must have retired without laying one out for her.

Please excuse my state of undress, Lord Howard. I must beg a favor from you.

He raised her hand to his lips in a gallant gesture. My dear, I will do anything that is within my power. You know full well how fond I am of you.

A small warning bell went off in Tinas head, so she put distance between them before she asked her favor. Fear for Lord Douglas brought me all the way from Scotland.

I am sick with worry for him. Please write me a pass so that I may visit him in the tower. The king assured me you would help me, dearest Lord Howard.

It gives me the deepest pleasure to give you what you ask, Lady Valentina. In return, I know you will be more than generous with me.

Tina caught her breath. Dear God, here was another expecting sexual favors! Was this always the currency between men and women? Howard closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. His mouth covered hers insistently, and he pressed her close so that she would know how hard her softly curved body made him.

Tina pulled her mouth from his. My lord, the pass! When he had written the paper she wanted, she planned to tell him her brother was asleep in the next room.

Keeping hold of her hand, he moved to the desk and picked up a quill. He smiled at her. You are no longer the green little virgin I knew in Edinburgh. He folded the paper and tucked it playfully between her breasts.

Come, give me all your sweetness now. One arm went about her back, the other under her knees as he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed.

He was so much stronger than she, fear washed over her. She sobbed, Lord Howard, how dare you force me against my will! My brother will kill you for this, sir!

A panel of golden oak slid open to reveal the massive figure of Henry Tudor in an ermine bedrobe. Howards mouth fell open. He knew immediately he had made a stupid tactical blunder. Flaming Tina had been in a state of undress because she was expecting the king! She occupied these rooms beneath Henrys only because there was a secret, inner staircase connecting the two apartments.

Henrys mouth pursed tightly. Is this the way you use a lady to whom I have promised aid and protection? he thundered in outrage.

Tina was alarmed at the compromising situation in which she found herself. Henry Tudor was so unpredictable, he could order them both to the tower on a whim.

I am shocked at your licentious behavior, Surrey. No gentleman of my court forces himself upon a lady. Can you not see the child is distraught? he demanded. I take great pains to set the moral tone of my court, and then something like this happens to destroy it!

Tina could hardly believe her ears Henry Tudor was the biggest hypocrite shed ever heard, yet he actually seemed to believe his own prim words at this moment Leave us, and report to me in the morning. I begin to question my decision to put you in charge of the military.

Surrey bowed stiffly. I shall leave at once, Your Majesty. I assure you, my interest in Lady Kennedy is a fatherly one.

By now Ada was awake and listening at the other door.

She heard Lord Howard depart and knew Tina was now alone with the king. There was nothing she could do. It would be more than her life was worth to intervene between a king and his pleasure. Tina Kennedy was all woman. She would know how to handle Henry Tudor.

Valentina saw the king through a blur of tears. Her lips trembled uncontrollably and Henry sat down and gathered her into his lap. There, there, sweetingyou are safe now, he said, patting her in a bluff, paternal manner.

He dandled her upon his great knee, as if she were a child who had fallen and skinned her elbow. Come, poppet, dry your eyes. He fumbled for a handkerchief, and at last produced it like a rabbit from a hat. There! He dabbed gently at her face.

Orris root, said Tina, blinking at him owlishly, between hiccups.

Thats right, sweeting. What a clever girl you are. Mmm, you smell of freesia, a most delicate perfume.

Tina was amazed. Apparently Henry was in a mood to play daddy and little girl. He gave her two quick buzzes on the lips. There, my kisses have made it all better, he said.

She was terrified for what might come next, so she looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. Thank you, sire, she whispered. My brother is asleep in the next room. If he had awakened and found Lord Howard here when I was undressed, he would have run his sword through the man.

The king put his finger to his lips, then to hers. Hush, sweeting. We dont want to awaken him. Ill just tuck you safely into bed and warn you to keep your chamber door locked in future.

He lifted her and carried her to the bed, but before he put her down upon it, he ran his hand across her breasts in a caress. He put his mouth upon hers and forced it open to admit his tongue. He whispered against her mouth, Tomorrow evening you will sit with me while we enjoy the Gypsy entertainers. Then you will open your pretty thighs for me, while I give you a loving you will never forget.

Henry enjoyed the anticipation almost as much as the act. The moment when a lady first saw his great size always delighted him, and even though a lady had had previous sexual encounters, it was like being deflowered a second time. He always managed to draw blood when he stretched a ladys sheath with his great sword of state.

Chapter 34.

When the king had gone, Tina turned her face into her pillow and cried herself to sleep. The strange nightmares began almost immediately. She stood in a tiny wisp of a shift trying to conceal her breasts with her flaming cloak of hair. Before her stretched an endless line of men. Her father passed her to Patrick Hamilton; he pushed her into James Stewarts arms, who in turn passed her on to Angus. At the very end of the line, she saw Black Ram Douglas waiting for her.

The only way she could get to Ram was through the other men. Angus passed her to a dark Douglas servant; the servant handed her to the steward; the steward to the chamberlain; the chamberlain pushed her toward the chancellor. Now only two men stood between her and her goal Lord Howard and Henry Tudor.

As she passed from the chancellors hands to Lord Howard, she glanced down the line to Hotspur Douglas, and suddenly she realized he was waiting to kill her. If she went to Douglas from the kings arms, he would destroy her. She cried out in her sleep and opened her eyes, but she was still dreaming. Again there was a line of men. This time each held out a cup from which she must drink. She trusted none of them. With fear almost choking her, she drank from her brother Davids cup, then from Gavin and Cameron Douglass cups. Next came the cousins Ian, Drummond, and Jamie, followed by Colin who was even more grotesquely crippled than in real life. Then she knew she must drink from Mad Malcolms cup because it was the only way to reach Ram. Finally she reached her goal and lifted Ramsays cup to her lips. She drank it calmly, obediently, knowing he had given her poison. She drew her knees up to her belly in her sleep and cried out in agony. She opened her eyes, but she was still dreaming. Heath was there, but somehow he had red hair like her other brothers, and she began to laugh hysterically.

Heath shook her. Stop, Tinaits Heath.

She looked at him in amazement. Oh, GodI thought you were part of my nightmare! What are you doing with red hair?

Its a wig. None would believe Im a Kennedy without red hair. Did you get the pass?

Yes, yes, I got it. Where the devil is it? For a minute or two she couldnt remember, then she shoved a frantic hand down her shift and drew out the precious paper.

Suddenly she started to shiver. Oh, Heath, I hate this place. Its a nightmare sleeping or awake. Ill never, never get to him.

Heres Ada with some hot tea. I want you to dress warmly. Were going on the river.

The river? she questioned, warming her hands on the cup.

It looks like this, Heath said, drawing an imaginary line across the bedcovers. Heres the river with the wharf running parallel. We take a barge to this spot on the wharf. We cross Traitors Bridge, then Traitors Gate leads into St. Thomass Tower, which takes you across the moat and immediately on the other side is the Bloody Tower, which is part of the inner curtain wall.

Must we go through Traitors Gate to get to him? she asked with a shudder. I didnt betray him, even though he believes I did.

Tina, pull yourself together. Think of it as another adventure we are about to embark upon. He shoved a linen napkin at her. Eat!

She wrinkled her nose and asked cautiously, What is it?