"Are you ready for today?" her sultry voice came from the bed. George Boleyn turned from his cabinet as he pulled on his tunic. "The princess is said to be perfect with her french. It'll be quite the scene to see such a little girl holding her own with King Francis' ambassador."
George had to chuckle at that. "If I know anything of Anne's teaching, I'd say Elizabeth will do more than hold her own. She'll be impressing them all with her fluency, wit and charm."
"The true daughter of Anne Boleyn" his companion grinned wickedly. She stretched lazily and then rose from the sheets, allowing them to fall, revealing her naked body to him. George felt himself stiffen again and he ground his teeth.
"Must you tempt me, sorceress?" He growled, coming closer to the bed and reaching out to her, moving a dark lock from her face and wrapping a strong arm around the curve of her waist.
Ursula just smirked at him, allowing her hands to reach out to him as well, draping herself around his shoulders. "Yes...I must. For see what happens if I don't? You're trying to leave me" Her pretty lips turned down into a pout and she fluttered her lashes at him, causing him to smile again.
"I am only doing as I am bid, my lady" He tried to focus as her fingers smoothed over his tunic, gently easing it back off his shoulders. "The ceremonies are to start within the hour. The princesses own uncle cannot be seen shirking his duties... Besides, won't the queen have need of you?" His words finally stopped her ministrations and Ursula gave a great sigh of annoyance before she pushed him playfully away from her and the bed they had shared the night before.
"Fine, fine...You are right. The queen is certain to not notice my absence, but your sister is another matter. She's a clever one and I don't know how we've managed to escape her eagle eyes for this long as it is." George released her as she stepped away and began pulling on her shift. Watching the soft fabric fall over the even softer skin had him regretting his decision, but knew it was the right thing to do. As she stepped into her skirts and shrugged on her bodice, she approached him again turning so he could help her with her laces. He quickly looped the laces through their holes and pulled it tight.
"Perhaps we should switch, my lord. You seem quite adept at helping a lady dress. The queen would put you to good use." Ursula teased and George chuckled.
"What can I say, my lady. I've had quite a bit of practice these past months." He pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder and she leaned into him.
"Has your father talked at all about your marriage again" she whispered, suddenly serious and George sighed.
"He speaks of little else, you know that." Thomas Boleyn seemed on a mission to once again immerse himself in his children's lives. Even Mary, who he had once sent from court in disgrace. Mary was sweet enough to welcome her father back into her life without grudge, but George could see that she wasn't so pleased with their father spending quite so much time with her young children. His newest project was finding a new wife for George, much to his chagrin.
His last marriage had been a disaster. Jane Parker was a vile woman, lovely of face but peevish, nagging, hateful and like a cold fish in bed. Coupling with her had been a chore unlike any other and whenever he enjoyed himself with a mistress or taken himself to the brothels, she had thrown a fit. He had planned on waiting until she was pregnant and then shipping her off to the country, but then it had happened. The woman had schemed to have him and his sweet sister murdered just to be free of him. She had perjured herself and cast her wild accusations to whomever would listen and it had almost cost him his life. He sighed heavily, pushing the unpleasant memories away and focusing on the beauty before him.
He knew Ursula wanted more than to just be his mistress. The whole reason she had come to court was to find a husband. But she was the only child of a wealthy, though lesser lord and she could afford to be picky. She had told him that she had wanted someone who respected her wit more than her father's money. She wanted someone who would make her laugh and who could challenge her mentally. She had never said so outright, but he knew that she wanted him.
The only problem was his own reluctance to enter a marriage again and his father insisting that he wed a woman of higher means. He was the princesses uncle, former brother-in-law to the King of England. He could have his pick of any English or foreign bride and Thomas Boleyn was set of procuring an advantageous marriage for him. Beautiful, intelligent, winning Ursula was not in his father's radar and George was hesitant to let her closer than she was now.
He quickly tilted her down-turned face up to look at him and saw the sadness in her eyes. Unwilling to have this conversation right now and knowing his was needed elsewhere, he pulled her close and locked his lips on hers. He kissed her hungrily for a moment, hoping it would show her how desirable he found her before releasing her again. He sent her a swift smile and with a promise to dance with her at the feast later, he fled.