Chapter 21

The Doctor and I were dancing randomly, being a bit crazy as usual when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see the King standing there. He smiled down at me. He was even taller up close and I felt quite nervous being in front of such an important man.

"Good evening." He said. "May I have this dance?" He held out his hand.

I looked back at the Doctor who looked at me with an expression which said, "Don't you dare!"

Don't you dare tell me what to do, I thought.
I turned back to the King.

"Of course, Your Majesty." I said with my best gracious smile. The king looked pleased and led me away. I glanced over at the Doctor who looked sulky, I stuck my tongue out at him when the king wasn't looking.

"I rarely see such an enchanting woman in my court," the King said quietly as we danced, a little closer than was respectable.

People were starting to notice.

"You are too kind." I replied, ducking my head slightly. I could pull off the demure 16th century girl; lost her way from her own country, searching for happiness, all that jazz.

I tend to get carried away with myself sometimes, it's one of my weaknesses.

"What would be your name?" The king asked.

I hesitated. Frankie didn't sound like a very convincing name for a girl in the 1500s. I took the names from two of my favourite books.
"Alice, Your Majesty. Baskerville."

"Alice..." Henry VIII sighed contentedly like an addict finally getting that cigarette he'd been craving all day. "You are one of the most captivating women I had ever had the pleasure to dance with."

This guy gave me more compliments than the Doctor gave to his TARDIS.

"Why, thank you, Your Majesty." I said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

We danced for some time, until the King seemed to grow restless and walked me out into the garden. I kept a respectful distance, my head lowered.

"Look, isn't the sky beautiful tonight?" The king said.

I looked up at the stars, glittering above our heads.

I smiled, "Yes, it looks very nice."

"Well, good night Miss Baskerville." He moved around to face me, at a distance which was far from respectful. He seemed to expect me to move in also, to close the distance between us but I didn't. I did think he was attractive but he was married and, as the same with Adrian, I wouldn't mess with him.

I smiled awkwardly. "Good night, Your Majesty."

He looked slightly disappointed but still curious as he nodded and walked away along the path back into the castle. I rubbed my finger along the rose which had been pinned to my dress.

I almost had a heart attack when the Doctor stuck his head out from a bush of roses.
"Help!" He whined. "There are thorns in here!'

"Were you spying on me?" I demanded, annoyed.

"You might change the course of history!" The Doctor hissed.

"With my feminine charm? I highly doubt it!"

"Oh, come on!" The Doctor said. "The King of England spends one hour with you and leaves besotted!"

I grabbed his outstretched hand and pulled him sharply out of the bush. He made various complaints and brushed himself off.

I picked the rose petals out of his hair. "So, you're not denying that I do have feminine charm?"

The Doctor shrugged, avoiding my gaze.

I grinned and poked him. "What makes you think that the king is besotted with me?"

"The way he acts, how he speaks, his constant compliments, his body language, dilated pupils, everything." The Doctor said, pushing his hair back.

"What do you suggest I do?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, the same with Anne Boleyn... the more you deny him what he wants, the more he'll want it. I'm not sure whether you should avoid him or encourage him..."

Well that sounded worrying.

"You always make me feel so reassured." I said sarcastically. I sighed and turned and walked off down the path.

"Where are you going?" The Doctor called.

"To seduce the King!" I called back. "Bed, you idiot! And alone, don't worry, I'll be good!"
I winked and wandered off to find my room.

I eventually found the bed I was given and collapsed onto it. It took me some time to remove all of my corsets and skirts before I could finally get into bed.

"Miss Alice." A quiet voice said beside me. I opened my eyes and saw a servant standing beside me carrying a bouquet of red roses. "These are from the king." She said, placing them in front of me. I saw a note attached to it. I looked at it, written in narrow loopy writing;

"Dearest Alice, if I may be so audacious as to call you that, I had a most wonderful evening with you and would ask that you join me at my side for the feast this afternoon. I would be honoured if you would attend. I will see that the servants attend to your needs."

It was signed with a simple "H". I looked around for a clock. Damn these 15th century people, invent beside clocks already! I got up and the servant showed me a robe to put on, then she showed me to the dressing room for the second time where I was dressed up again. I managed to sneak off and put on some eye-liner and glitter on my cheeks.

Next thing I knew I was sitting beside the King at the table, he was flirting with practically no shame which was a little worrying considering his wife was only at the next table. I wondered what the Doctor was doing with himself all this time. But I didn't have time to consider this much because the King suddenly put his hand over mine and stroked my wrist gently.

"Those flowers I sent you, were they pleasing to you?" He said softly.

"Yes... yes, Your Majesty." I said, clearing my throat awkwardly, my cheeks heating up. Don't judge, he was handsome, okay? And Ryan was a long way away...
No, Frankie. You don't do that sort of thing, I told myself. You're better than that. I heard my father's voice in my head, sounding slightly stoned; "Never go with someone else when you've already got somebody, 'cause it sucks for all of you in the end..."

"I am glad." The King said quietly, leaning closer to me.

I coughed and stared down at my plate of some delicious meat, I didn't like to ask what it was.

Then, thankfully, a servant came and whispered in Henry's ear. He stood up and silence fell.

He raised his goblet of wine, "A toast to all of our fine guests; I hope their stay at my court will be most enjoyable." As he sat again, he glanced at me, making it obvious that he intended to my stay enjoyable in every sense of the word which was very worrying.

Wait, was I a guest now? Well, so much for the whole lady-in-waiting thing. I was quite relieved when the feast was over so I could excuse myself and hide in my room from the king's advances which were far too public for my liking, this guy had no shame. I prided myself on not falling into a man's arms just because he knows a few lines and has some money for gifts. He needed to do more to impress me.