My chambers at Westminster were spacious. Alona, my lady's maid, who I guessed was roughly twenty years my senior, helped put my things away, and helped me change into a new dress that Hal left for me.

Warwick escorted me around, giving me the lay of the palace. He advised me to remain in the living areas, away from the throne room and the courts.

"The manner of men that come before the King are not all fit for the presence of a lady," he said.

His eyes bore into mine, then softened. It was an unspoken reminder of my past, and his silent advice that it should remain unspoken.

I nodded.

As we walked through the courtyard, a boy ran up to Warwick and spoke softly. Warwick nodded and waved the boy away.

"It seems the King has called for supper. Shall I escort you?"

"Please. I fear I would get lost."

I entered into one of the King's private chambers. There were candles spread about, as the sun was soon to set, and a small table to the side. Hal stood when I entered. Warwick bowed and left, and Alona took a seat in the corner, across the room from the table.

"Elizabeth," he whispered with a smile.

He took my hand and led me to my seat, then he sat to my right while we ate.

"Are your chambers suitable?"

"More than, Your Majesty."

"Darling, we can forgo the formalities when we are alone."

"Of course. So, what shall I call you? If you are shedding the image of your youth-"

"Yes, Hal is my past. Call me Harry."

"Harry. Though we are not truly alone."

I motioned toward Alona, who seemed oblivious to our presence as she knitted. Harry chuckled.

"This is the most alone we will be until we are married."

I stopped breathing, and he smiled.

"I told you, my love, that this comes with a promise." He held my hand.

"Yes, I remember, but to hear the words... It seems a dream."

"Your dreams must be wonderfully pleasant places." His fingers played with mine. "Do you dream of us together?"

"Sometimes."

He leaned forward and whispered, "In an intimate manner?"

I blushed, but smiled. "Sometimes."

He smiled wide and moved closer to the edge of the table, toward me.

"How intimate?"

"I do not think it proper to discuss such things."

"I think you could not care less about it being proper, but you are embarrassed. Your blush is more than pink."

I tried to think of a witty retort, but his lustful stare drove all words from me and I blushed deeper, my face warm. He laced our fingers together on top of the table and stared at them.

"I have been thinking," he said, "of our evening by the pond... your hand wrapped around me." He pressed his cheek to mine and whispered, "So intimate. So pleasurable. To think of it now makes me wish we were truly alone."

I took in a ragged breath, and his hand caressed my face. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips and I lost control of my senses. I wrapped an arm around his neck and pressed myself to him as closely as I could. His tongue slipped past my lips and he moaned.

"We shall have none of that!"

Alona's voice rang through the chamber, and Harry slowly pulled away.

"I can see I'll have my work cut out for me with the two of you."

Harry flashed a smile toward her. "My apologies."

I chuckled and whispered. "If she only knew where your lips and hands have been."

He turned red, and I laughed.

"Yes, well, she will never allow them there again," he said.

"Perhaps I should not have come. Being this close to you will be torture if I cannot feel you as I did before."

He laced our fingers together again.

"Just a bit of forbearance, my love, and we shall be together. Warwick advised a short courtship for the public, since I am newly crowned, to allow the kingdom to see us together. They must see that you are not only for Harry, but for England as well."

"Well, of course I am for England."

"And they must see that this is not a fickle romance brought on only by lustful eyes."

"I see. That is the reason for our temperance."

"It is. Otherwise I would have you tonight," he whispered.

I blushed again. "How long does Warwick advise?"

"Long enough for word to carry. We will have to be seen in public together. Do you ride?"

"Yes. My father took me riding quite often."

"I love riding. It helps to clear my head. I will be free tomorrow evening for an hour before supper. Shall we ride?"

"That sounds lovely."

He smiled at me, but his look shifted as his eyes fell on my lips. I knew that look now to be desire.

"You are allowed to kiss me, are you not?"

He shook his head. "I am, but I fear kissing you only makes me want more."

"Must I demand to be kissed?"

He smiled, and his eyes brightened.

"You demand something of your King?"

I knew he was trying to be playful as a distraction, but my thoughts were on one thing.

"No, Harry. I demand something of my love."

His smile slipped and his hand caressed my face. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

"Such sweet lips," he whispered, then kissed me again.

I stopped myself from wrapping my arms around him. There was no need to draw Alona's rebuke again. Harry, however, could not hold back. He slipped his tongue past my lips and sighed into my mouth. Beneath the cover of the table, his other hand squeezed my thigh through my dress. He pulled back suddenly, leaving me breathless, and a little confused. He drained the wine in his glass.

"Alona."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Would you fetch someone to freshen our drinks?"

She eyed us both, but could not refuse the King.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I shall return shortly."

As soon as she left the room, Harry pulled me into his lap and kissed me. His hand squeezed my breast through my dress before his lips trailed down my neck.

"If I had time to undo your bodice..."

"She will return soon."

"I know."

It was a flurry of touches and kisses; needy, scorching, and demanding. We didn't register a presence in the room until Warwick spoke.

"I asked Alona to let me come in first."

I practically jumped from Harry's lap and turned away with a blush.

"I had a feeling she might object to what was happening in her absence. Your Majesty-"

"Yes, I know, Warwick." He took my hand and kissed it, then pulled me toward my seat. "I cannot help being in love. And I feel I have waited a lifetime to claim my Elizabeth."

Warwick sighed. "Perhaps we could shorten your courtship."

"I think it would be wise. In the sight of God and England our union would be proper."

"Yes. Otherwise you two may make a spectacle of yourselves. You know how gossip flies among servants."

"Of course," Harry said.