Blood Ties

Love Reincarnated

Part 7: Back in Time Pt 2

Part 7:

Henry stood at the window watching the group of women chase each other through the garden. They knew he could see him; and normally he would enjoy it; but not today. His gazed kept drifting over their faces but it he saw another face. One with grey eyes and black curls; eyes that haunted him even as he stood awake.

There was a knock at his door, "Come." He called

Charles swept into the room, carrying his robe over one arm. "Your Grace." He bowed, "What shall we todoay?"

Henry didn't care what they did; he was too distracted to care. "I don't care."

Charles frowned at the melancholy mood. "You are not your self, Highness." He came to stand beside Henry and watched the women frolic in the garden. "Do they not please you?"

Henry made a frustrated sound, "No one pleases me!" He paced for a moment before grabbing the one of the posts of his bed. He gripped it so tight his knuckles were white. "She refused me, Charles. Me! Henry! And she said no!" He shook his head, hard enough that he gave himself a headache.

"Who did?" Charles asked, surprised beyond words.

"Jean-Rene," He whispered her name and saw her face in his mind. He ached for her.

"William's sister?" Charles laughed; but quickly choked it back at the glare Henry gave him. "But my lord, there are so many others to choose from."

"I don't want any others; I want her!" Henry forcibly released the post and went to his tray of wine.

"Then take her; you are Henry. Nothing you desire is forbidden." Charles was truly confounded at his friend's behavior.

Henry forced himself to down a cup of wine before speaking. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Charles shook his head, "Don't be foolish, Henry."

Henry glared at the man; the look was menacing. "I can't hurt her, Charles. It's just…" He let out a frustrated yell and threw the goblet into the wall; wine splashed across the gilded wallpaper. He ran his hands through his hair. "Charles, she is driving me mad."

"That's enough, Henry." Charles grabbed his friend and pulled him toward the door, "Enough!" He gently shook the future king, "Fresh air will clear your mind."

Henry rode harder then usual; his horse galloped full out across the rolling country hills. Henry enjoyed the wind in his curls; the pound of the horses hooves on the grass. He glanced over his shoulders and saw Charles and two others chase after him. Henry looked back to the front and saw the palace on the horizon. He urged his horse to go faster.

The group raced onto the grounds; Henry guided his horse into the gardens and laughed as his group got lost in the maze of bushes. He gradually slowed the beast. He sat atop the horse and felt like walking himself. He slid off and walked with the horse beside him. The gardens were quiet this far from the house; hardly anyone ventured here except for servants. Henry spotted a couple of them trimming hedges but ignored them.

He rounded a random corner and heard a feminine gasp. He stopped in his tracks and peered around the hedge. His heart started to pound at the sight of her. She was dressed in a light blue gown today. Her long curls caught in the warm wind and shielded her from his eyes.

"Jean-Rene," He moved toward her, only to stop himself. The previous nights encounter still haunted him. He looked around to make sure they were alone. "I am sorry for my behavior the other night."

She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze flicked over him. "Your Grace," She curtsied.

Henry fought the urge to touch her; "May I escort you back to the palace. The gardens can be a maze if you are not familiar with them."

She nodded gently, "Thank you, your Grace, I found myself lost."

The two of them walked back to the palace. She kept to the other side of the horse as he led it forward. Henry kept glancing at her; peeking under the horse's neck and catching her eye. She blushed each time and he thought it the most beautiful sight in the world.

"This is a fine animal," Her voice was soft, gentle.

"Yes he is a fine horse." Henry patted the horse on the neck. "Do you ride?"

"Oh yes; I enjoy it."

"We should go riding one of these days." Henry glanced around, keeping an eye for anyone who might spy on them.

"You ride very vigorously, Your Grace. It would not be proper for me go with you."

Henry smiled, laughter bubbled out of him, "I think you are not as mild mannered as you appear."

"Oh?" She asked, "What gives you that impression?"

He shrugged, "Just a hunch."

They were approaching the palace; Henry realized he was short on time. He came around the horse and caught her hand; she paused as he captured her gaze and kissed the back of her hand.

"Tomorrow. We go riding."

She smiled softly, "As you wish."

Henry returned to his side and they walked until the gardens opened into the grounds. Charles and William were the first to spot the couple; Charles came running down the stairs; William was a step behind.

"Henry!" Charles came to a stop before him, "Thank goodness, we were worried about you."

"You worry too much, Charles." Henry waved the man off and stepped around the horse. He caught Jean-Rene's eyes, "Tomorrow," He leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You're mine."

He stepped back and nodded to William, "See to your sister; make sure she doesn't get lost again. Charles? Come!" Henry headed off in another direction; Charles followed him.

William came to stand beside his sister. "What happened?"

"I got lost in the gardens; he asked me to go riding with him tomorrow."

He chuckled, "Does he know how well you ride?"

"I will be a lady in his presence." Jean-Rene insisted.

"Huh," William shook his head, "The two of you are going to end up racing from one of the grounds to the other; just you wait and see."

Jean-Rene smiled at her brother, "I guess I will have to let him win."

He grunted in response and they started up the path to the palace. "Just be careful sister. This is Henry you're dealing with; not some French fop. He's dangerous."

Jean-Rene put her hand on his arm as the reached the steps, "I know; brother. Perhaps that is what I like about him."

William stopped in his tracks, "You like him?"

Jean-Rene mentally kicked herself. William turned her to face him and made her look in his eyes. "Jeanne?"

She sighed and nodded, "I like him."

He hung his head for a moment, "I knew that meeting him was a bad idea. He uses women, Jean-Rene. I don't want that to happen to you."

Jean-Rene put her hands on her brother's arms. "I can look after it, William."

He looked into her eyes, "I know; you are far braver then any one realizes."

"Except you."

"Yes, well I made the mistake of underestimating you once." He shuddered, "I will never do that again."

Jean-Rene laughed, taking her brother arm; they reached an open door, "Have you heard anything from Thomas?"

"He's is enjoying being a priest."

**

The next afternoon, Jean-Rene let William walk her to the stables. She wore her best riding dress. She saw Henry standing with Charles. He was dressed in dark crimson and it suited him. Henry smiled at her and she gave him a fleeting smile in return. Her hand tightened on William's arm. He patted her hand.

Two grooms stood ready with a horse for each of them. Henry swept up into the saddle in a quick motion. The groom stepped back. William insisted on helping her; even though they both knew she could swing up on a horse as easily as Henry had.

William boosted her up and she settled in the side-saddle. William caught her eyes and she saw the warning in them. She nodded to him as she gathered the reins and looked to Henry.

Henry urged his horse forward and she followed. The two of them walked slowly along the open plains; letting their horses go where they wanted. Henry kept glancing at her. Her hair was held back from her face by two gold and pearl combs. They were shaped like butterflies. He watched the way the curls fell around her shoulders and brushed her bosom. His gaze drifted to her body and he realized something in that moment.

"You did not wear a corset under your gown."

Jean-Rene shot him a look of surprise. He nodded to her body. "I can tell the difference." He smiled at her. "Why not wear one? It is the latest fashion."

"Have you ever tried riding in one?" She challenged, "Damned uncomfortable."

Henry chuckled, "I knew you had spirit under that shy cover."

She looked at him, "Do not confuse shyness with modestly, your grace. The two are vastly different."

He glanced at her; she was sharp and intelligent. Not a combination he had been expecting. "Perhaps then, you will tell me something."

"Perhaps….but perhaps not."

He enjoyed her quip replies they were not what he was accustomed too. "The other night; you desired me as much as I did you. We both know it."

She didn't respond to him.

"So why play with me?" He watched her profile as he asked the question.

She turned her head and looked at him, "Perhaps, Your Grace, needs to learn that not everything can be taken when he wants it."

He frowned slightly, "You are very bold, you know that?"

"Yes, I know." Her voice was said as she spoke, "It is a complaint I hear very often."

"You should change your ways; no man wants a wife with a viper's tongue."

She glanced at him, "Who says I want a husband?"

Henry was startled by the retort; he'd never heard that one before. "But that is your role as a woman; to marry and bare a son."

She shook her head; Henry realized he'd annoyed her. "Really? I had forgotten that."

She surprised him further but shifting her seat in the saddle and straddling the horse with both legs. Women were not supposed to do that.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

She gave him a devilish grin, "Riding; that is what we came to do."

With that statement she kicked the horse into a gallop and took off. Henry followed; and he was amazed that he had to work at catching up with her. The woman knew how to ride. He eventually caught her and they raced each other across the hills. He would glace over and expect to see her falling back. But she kept up to him; stride for stride. Her dark hair flew wildly around her; her gown molded to her body. Her cheeks were flushed a dark red as she leaned into the wind and let the reins go. Her horse lengthened his stride and pulled ahead of Henry's mount.

Henry had never seen a woman ride so confidently. She held onto the horse using his main and her thighs. He knew she would have strong legs and the thought of them wrapped around him sent a shudder through his body. He saw the reins flap loosely. Glancing at her face once more he took a deep breath and let his horse go. The two beasts raced at full speed; their riders seated low on their backs as the held on with muscle and balance.

William held the spyglass up to his eye and gasped, "By god she never learns."

Charles snatched it from him; he focused on the two horses racing furiously head-long and carefree. He spotted Henry and Jean-Rene on their respective horses; they both wore the same expression; excitement.

"What on earth is Henry doing?" Charles looked over at his friend; he watched the woman with him for a moment. "Are you sure she is a woman?"

William shoved him, "Shut up."

It took time for Jean-Rene and Henry to rein in their horses and bring them to a walk. Jean-Rene caught sight of a grove of trees and guided her horse toward it. She slid off the saddle and stretched. Henry slid off and watched her. The idea sparked in his mind and he couldn't help himself. He stepped around her horse and threw his arms around her. She gasped; her hands going to his has they locked around her narrow waist.

"Henry?"

He couldn't stop himself as he kissed her neck. Her pulse was pounding under skin and she smelled of lavender and roses and something richer, far richer. He pressed his lips to her skin and held her tightly in his arms. She swooned at the intensity of his kiss.

"I told you," Henry whispered against her neck, "You are mine."