Chapter 5)
"He's here." Nan said as she laced up Julia's dress. "That actor you flirted with in the marketplace. Prince Sebastian brought him to Court and he will stay for the dancing afterward. Pity Princess Asrai Aelaitha isn't here, she adores his writing."
Julia smiled back at her nurse. "I've yet to hear any of his poetry, though I do enjoy reading his eyes. They burn so."
"If your parents could hear you, your mother would have you locked in a cloister so quickly your head would spin." Nan said tartly. "You are as good as betrothed to Christopher Huntsilver."
"And I have every intention of marrying him." Julia retorted. "But what I do before I marry him is my own business. And I will have passion, wild, intoxicating…"
"Willful, selfish, dangerous!" Her nurse continued. "What if you get with child in your pursuit of passion? What then of your grand marriage to a Huntsilver?"
"Silly Nan." Julia sniffed scornfully. "Think you that Her Majesty doesn't teach her ladies how to guard against such troubles?" She tossed her head. "Having a former whore as a queen does have some uses."
Nan gasped, shocked in spite of her long familiarity with Julia's tongue. "You should not speak so of Queen Sabine. She is kinder than you deserve." She twitched the sleeves of the gown into place.
"I am a De Lesseps, born to wealth and privilege. She is nothing but a bastard half breed who whored for His Majesty before she seduced him into marrying her. All the Court knows it." Lady Julia shrugged her unconcern for the propriety of her words. "At least she doesn't play the hypocrite and pretend to disapprove of her ladies taking lovers. I've even heard that one or two of the Roses have lain with both the king and queen." She wrinkled her nose at the thought, "How distastefully coarse."
"No more so than using a young man to amuse yourself for pleasure in pretending to love him." Nan said sharply. "You'd best mind your tongue my lady or you'll end up with it cut off."
Lady Julia turned and faced her nurse fiercely. "Best you remember the same lesson nurse. It is not for you to criticize me. I shall do as I please before I do my duty by my parents. Christopher Huntsilver will not see any lack in me, not as he did in Princess Lorelei a few years ago."
"Yes milady." Nan bit her tongue and turned away to straighten the vanity table. "Will you have the jasmine or rose perfume?"
Tredorian tugged at his jacket a bit nervously and Sebastian's gaze snapped to him. "Don't worry, you look fine. I never wear that doublet with that shirt, but it looks well on you and no one will guess it's borrowed." The prince resumed scanning the court for a Court Rose fitting the description Tredorian had given him. The writer had proven extremely observant of her looks and unsurprisingly verbose when it came to describing his lady.
The young actor flashed him a grin. "You're rather practical for a prince aren't you?"
"Blame my mother," Sebastian grinned back at him. "She doesn't believe in spoiling her children. She says that if we understand a day's work we'll have a better idea of how to run a kingdom if it falls to us." He gestured to the court, "This is enough work for me though." His merriment was tinged with boredom. "Court is deadly dull at times, but its all the excitement I'm allowed." He tugged on Tredorian's arm and nodded towards a dark haired woman. "There next to the pillars just a few steps away from the throne is that your lady?"
Tredorian nodded. "That is she." He watched as the Lady was swept into a dance with another man.
Sebastian stifled a groan. Lady Julia was known to the Obarskyrs as one of the worst tempered girls in court. When the music came to an end he shrugged and tapped Tredorian on the arm. "Come, I see Lady Julia has ceased dancing for now, I'll present you to her properly." Restraining a sigh, he wished Asrai Aelaitha was here to meet Tredorian and sent up a silent prayer to Selena that his baby sister was well.
The lady smiled as she saw the prince coming towards her with a tall dark man. "Your Highness," she curtsied. "I didn't think I merited your attention." Her dimpled smile was all for the prince.
It didn't seem to charm Sebastian as it did Tredorian however. "Actually I wished to introduce a friend of mine. Tredorian, Playwright of the Rose, this is Lady Julia De Lesseps." He watched as Lady Julia extended her hand and Tredorian bowed over it gracefully.
"I believe the dancing is to begin once again milady. Will you favor me with a few steps?" Tredorian offered his arm half believing she wouldn't take it.
"I should be delighted." A slim white hand curled over Tredorian's and she walked forward with an enchanting smile.
Sebastian watched as Tredorian led Lady Julia onto the floor, shaking his head. The lady was lovely but hardly worthy of such rapturous regard. The prince shrugged to himself and hoped the likable young playwright was able to see Julia clearly. But from the adoration on Tredorian's face that was unlikely. "
"Milady requested poetry of me earlier today." Tredorian murmured. "Does it please you to hear a few words now?"
"I ever enjoy poetry Tredorian." Lady Julia smiled, a teasing air about her. "You did not care to speak it earlier?" Her eyes widened inquiringly and she leant forward in the dance drawing Tredorian's eyes to where her bosom was swelling against the low cut neckline of her gown.
Tredorian fought determinedly against the wave of heat rising in him as he replied. "Your beauty was so overwhelming that I could not think to forge a rhyme. But in your absence my heart quickened in need and poured forth a verse I hope shall please." His voice was low and husky as he tried to control himself.
"Say on the Master Poet." Lady Julia implored breathily, the movements of the dance leading her behind him so her hips brushed his and her breath blew warmly in his ear.
Tredorian took a deep breath as she circled him completely and took her hands again. "O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
By that sweet ornament which truth doth give!
The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live.
The canker blooms have full as deep a dye
As the perfumèd tincture of the roses,
Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly
When summer's breath their maskèd buds discloses;
But, for their virtue only is their show,
They live unwooed and unrespected fade,
Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so;
Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made.
And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,
When that shall vade, by verse distills your truth."
Lady Julia's pleased smile was delightful to view and she modestly lowered her eyes to conceal the triumph gleaming in their depths. "I don't know when I've last felt so complimented Tredorian." She whispered throatily as the dance ended. "Since you seem to enjoy Roses so much, perhaps you would care to walk with me a while in the gardens? We could talk and enjoy their perfume."
"I should be enthralled milady." Tredorian murmured with a smile and allowed her to wrap her arm around his and lead him to the garden.
Sebastian watching them rolled his eyes and shook his head again. Tredorian was in over his head and didn't even know it.
Tredorian looked around the garden and then smiled at Lady Julia. "This place can only compliment your beauty milady. It cannot exceed it." He said gently.
"I thank you Tredorian." Lady Julia smiled back at him and led him deeper into the gardens to a small walled in garden of roses. "I fear none have looked at me as you do."
"I view you with the eyes of love." Tredorian dared to step a bit closer to her. "Surely you have been loved before?" He lifted her hand to his lips, turned it and kissed the tender skin of her palm.
Julia took a deep excited breath and lifted her hand as if she hesitated, to touch his cheek. "I have never been loved, but I…" She looked down as if shy, modestly. He was so handsome and the way his eyes burned down at her made her heart beat faster with desire.
Tredorian knew that he was about to do something extremely foolish, not to mention dangerous but he couldn't seem to help himself. She was so lovely and innocent, so sweet and gentle. He drew her closer to him, his arm circling her waist until he could feel her legs through her skirts and her mouth was only inches away from his. "If you do not wish me to trespass further milady then you had best strike my face very hard several times." He whispered gently, his voice husky and adoring. "For I would love you with all the passion in my body."
Julia took a ragged breath and for the first time wondered if she was truly in control of the situation. She could feel his body against hers, his fingers were spread wide over her ribs and his knuckles rested just beneath her breasts. The sensations he was producing in her were intoxicating. "I do not have the strength to strike you." She whispered. "I…" She fell silent but her lips parted as she stared up into those beautiful burning dark eyes.
"Would you…have me…love you?" Tredorian bent slightly forward and brushed his mouth over the soft skin of her cheeks and lastly over her mouth as he asked the question.
A gasp escaped her mouth as his lips seemed to ignite her skin like an oil soaked torch. "Tredorian…" She moaned. "Please…" Julia pressed herself closer to him, her arms twining around his neck, pressing her breasts up against his chest.
"Yes." Tredorian couldn't resist anymore, his mouth fused to hers, moving over her until she was breathless and trembling against him with heat. His hands crept down her spine, stroking the curved globes of her behind, touching her legs and then purposefully pressed up again until he was pressing and rubbing the sides of her breasts. She was so soft, her skin so tender and he was burning.
Julia heard herself moan again as he began running his hands over her form. "Tredorian…yes." She gasped out, feeling the hard length of him pushing up against her. "Oh…" His hands were on her breasts now, rubbing them and the sensation was exquisite, hot and delicious and making her want more even though she wanted him to touch her like this forever.
Tredorian pulled his mouth from hers and looked down at the swell of her breasts, pushed up by his hands and her bodice they looked ripe and succulent. His tongue ran over his lips and he smiled wickedly at how her bosom heaved with the desire he was firing in her.
A bench nearby caught his eye and he led her to it sitting down and placing her firmly before him between his thighs. Fumbling with the laces of his hose he drew himself out and reached for her hand. "Touch me love, while I enjoy the fruits of your beauty." He commanded her urgently and tugged her bodice down until her breasts sprang free. "Oh yes…perfect." He whispered and drew her closer.
Julia blinked at his tone and mentally debated informing him of his place as she stood holding his member in her hand. Tredorian's hand closed over hers and gently began to guide it up and down. She opened her mouth to speak in irritation and Tredorian's mouth closed over the tight hard pink nipple of her breasts. "Ohhh…" the sigh of delight was the only sound that escaped her lips and she arched her back trying to get closer to him.
Tredorian held her hips tightly, holding her in place while he moved back and forth suckling on her breasts. She was sighing and moaning softly and her hand began to move of its own accord on his cock. Tredorian thought he'd die of how good it felt to have her touch him there. Even as that thought crossed his mind he knew he wanted to be inside her. His hand began to massage her thigh through her skirt and he felt her tremble.
Julia gasped as Tredorian began to touch her legs and instinctively began to pull back. The poet caught her and murmured against her breast. "Oh no love, let me touch you…you feel exquisite." He reached for the hem of her skirt and slid his hand slowly up her calve, over her knee and stroked the soft skin of her inner thigh. "That's it…" He whispered. "Relax and let me stroke you as you are me." He slid his other hand beneath her skirt and slowly closed it around a soft ass cheek.
She gasped, his hands were so hot on that tender flesh and his fingers were moving on her, as his mouth was on her breasts. His fingers seemed to be coming closer and closer… Tredorian cupped her mound and felt the curls that concealed her nether lips and marveled at how hot her skin was under his hand. "Love hold your skirt up for me." He urged, his tongue flicking over her breasts.
Julia froze and looked down at him in surprise. "What?"
Tredorian smiled up at her and his mouth suckled her breast for another moment before he answered in that gentle urgent tone. "Use your free hand to hold your skirt up, I wish to see your beauty, the porcelain of your skin under the moon." He persuaded.
His words made her feel as warm as his mouth, Julia thought to herself, and she was so hot beneath her skirt…surely the air would cool her, and she would regain her reason and be able to stop him soon. She had no intention of letting him take her in the garden as if she were a serving wench. Her hand crept down and pulled her skirt up above her waist.
"Oh…yes love, that's right." Tredorian smiled and his fingers slipped between her thighs and began stroking her, slowly, torturously, stoking the fire he knew was burning within her. Her lips were moist and slick and his fingers were able to rub her clit easily.
"Ohhh… Tredorian." Julia felt her legs shaking as he touched her so intimately. He began sucking on her nipples again as he stroked her and she wondered if she'd be able to keep standing upright.
Tredorian felt her trembling and pulled her closer. "My sweet lady." He whispered sympathetically. "You'd best sit down…come here to me." He pulled her gently down, into his lap, her desire clouding her mind, allowing him to pull her legs around his waist. His cock was pressing against her mound now, a hot sword of flesh rubbing over her slick burning nether lips.
Julia moaned again and found herself pressing closer to him, eager for that wonderful burning hardness. She wanted it, needed it and opened her mouth to tell him so when he began to press and squeeze her breasts with those wonderful hot hands and his mouth pressed to hers again.
His tongue was rubbing against hers, sliding in and out of her mouth erotically and then he stopped, his hands at the small of her back squeezing her against him, and gripping her ass as his mouth suckled at her breasts again, hard this time, almost roughly until she was hot and swollen and desperate for him.
"Tredorian…I need…oh…" She tried to tell him…she knew she would die of heat and flames if something wasn't done and soon.
"I know my lady…beautiful lady Julia." Tredorian groaned. "Should I give it to you?" He pressed his hips up to hers, hard, knowing how it would ignite her, make her even more desperate.
"Oh yes… Tredorian, yes please…" She let her head fall onto his shoulder and kissed his neck, biting his skin in demand. His response was immediate as he lifted her up by her thighs and she felt that hot column of flesh pressing against her, searching for her sheath, pushing up to her.
"Give me your mouth." Tredorian gasped hoarsely and when she lifted her head kissed her hard, pushing his cock up, hard up into her sheath, swallowing her cry of surprise. His fingers slipped in between their bodies and began to stroke her again, kissing her passionately until she was squirming against him in desire and trying to move under his fingers. "Oh yes…that's it love…" He crooned and began to move in her, lifting her up and down with his hands as she began moaning and gasping again.
Julia had never felt anything like it in her life. Hard and hot and the pressure was wonderful and building higher and higher… Tredorian groaned into her mouth and began thrusting into her more quickly as her thighs tightened around his waist. She shrieked into his mouth and he felt the moisture of her sheath suddenly increase in a hot wet rush as she came. With a deep groan of satisfaction he jerked her on and off and onto his cock one final time and felt the explosion in his balls rush through him and flood her sheath with his cum.
She was still gasping and leaning against him and Tredorian smiled into her dark hair as he rubbed her back gently, slowly calming her down. "Which of the windows in the Royal court belong to you milady?" He whispered the question with an adoring caress.
"I'll show you. Why?" She asked dreamily still lost in the aftermath of the wonderful explosion.
"If my lady enjoyed my humble efforts, I presumed to think perhaps she might like a repeat performance?" Tredorian inquired with a smile in his voice. "Perhaps I might lavish more attention upon her lovely body?"
"Hmm…" Julia smiled against his neck. "I have a big soft bed." She agreed. "Help me straighten my clothing and we can seek it."
Tredorian smiled wickedly and began kissing her flesh as he moved her clothing back into place.