The Falcon and the Flower Part 13

Jasmine liked her new role at court decidedly better than the old one. Queen Isabel a was intrigued by the idea of having her tarot cards read every day. Since no cards were to be found at Westminster, Jasmine was designing and painting Isabel a her very own set of cards. The deck contained seventy-eight cards, twenty-two in the major arcana and fifty- six in the minor arcana. She wisely painted Isabel a's likeness on to the faces of the four queens and the empress and used her own countenance for the card known as the high priestess. She painted John's likeness onto the four kings and also, to amuse Isabel a, she used John's likeness for the Devil.

So eager was the young queen for Jasmine to finish the cards, she often hung over her shoulder as she sat with her brushes, painting the bril iant mystic symbols. Isabel a's face was always vividly eager, lighted with laughter. Giggling, she referred to the cards as the Devil's pasteboards. Isabel a was too impatient to wait until the cards were ready to learn her future, so after much pressing and veiled threats Jasmine reluctantly agreed to perform the ritual crystal gazing. The performance was set for midnight in the queen's bedchamber.

The maids were pressed to find thirteen green candles, and Estel e produced a silver wine goblet a foot tal , embossed in gold with a lion and a unicorn rampant.

Each pa.s.sing day had brought more n.o.bles to court pet.i.tioning John for lands, t.i.tles, and castles. Their ladies came with them, agog to see young Queen Isabel a, the child- woman with the reputation of a voluptuary.

As midnight approached, Isabel a al owed only a handful of ladies into her chamber the ones who heaped flattery upon her vain head or gifted her with expensive jewels.

Dozens of others who were excluded started vicious rumors of what was actual y to take place in the queen's private bedchamber, and inevitably the whispers reached King John's ears. He would wait until half-past midnight, then force the door to the queen's chambers to see for himself the vice in which Isabel a indulged.

With an air of solemnity Jasmine lighted the thirteen green candles and glided into the magic circle. The candles' glow made her transparent silver robe s.h.i.+mmer about her nakedness. With a grace and leisure that made it appear that a trance had already transported her to another plane, Jasmine lifted the wine chalice and held it high. Her voice was like chiming, silvery bel s as she chanted: "Earth and Water, Air and Fire, Wand and Pen-tacle and Sword. Work ye unto my desire, harken ye unto my word!"

An eerie silence descended upon the room as al held their breath to hear the words. Jasmine knew the high drama she created and stretched the dramatic silence to its limit, then she quaffed deeply from the magnificent wine goblet and stretched her fingers wide over the crystal bal . As the inside of the bal began to glow and swirl with smoke, a col ective gasp was heard about the room. Then she began shrewdly, careful y omitting any specific names.

"The most beautiful woman in this room has left behind her a broken heart. I see a handsome young n.o.bleman who sits with saddened countenance because his heart is weeping with tears of blood." She paused dramatical y. She would make the picture beautiful y poignant. "He is a man of honor, a true knight with a pure-ness of soul seldom found in men. He wil never forget the woman he loves. He wil hold her in his heart forever. He wil never marry another, but wil remain true to the memory of this woman whose beauty stands out above al other women."

Jasmine stopped speaking and in the hush that fel one Jasmine stopped speaking and in the hush that fel one woman sniffed, one sighed deeply, another sobbed, and there was not a dry eye in the room save that of the queen.

Isabel a's eyes glittered with excitement as the image of Hugh de Lusignan materialized clearly in her mind. He was a man of honor who had been waiting for her to grow to womanhood before he would dream of touching her. How cruel Fate had been to poor, dear Hugh. How could she have helped it if a king had stolen her to be his queen?

Jasmine began to speak again as the smoke inside the gla.s.s bal cleared. "The greatest woman in this room is a queen, but the magnitude of her greatness wil not come to her because she is queen . . ." Jasmine paused, heard gasps of apprehension that something dire might be predicted, then she finished boldly. "No, her years of glory wil come to her in the future when she is the mother of a king. He wil be named Henry after his grandfather and wil go down in history as one of England's greatest kings. While he is a young man, his mother wil have supreme power in the land."

Jasmine thought she had fed Isabel a's ego enough for one night and finished on a lighter note. There had been rumors that the king would travel north, so to ensure that Isabel a insisted she go along, Jasmine said, "I see a great journey of more than two hundred miles. It wil be fil ed with happiness and adventure. Every castle wil vie for the honor of entertaining their new queen and showing her the beauties of this new land she has come to rule. Every baron who sees her wil lose his heart to her. The crystal grows dim, I can see no more."

The chamber door was thrown open forceful y as King John, flanked by two burly guards, strode into the room. His steps halted as his eyes were drawn to the il uminated figure in the center of the room. She seemed bathed in a pure light from Heaven as if she were an angel. Her pale golden hair fel to her waist, and it too radiated a glowing nimbus. Her aura was innocence; the contrast between his dark, sensual wife and this maiden was so marked, he felt his shaft fil to bursting.

Estel e saw the raw l.u.s.t in him and was alarmed.

Isabel a's loud laugh rang out as she jumped up and ran toward her husband with outstretched hands to draw him to the center of attention. She was sly enough to trivialize what they had been up to yet at the same time feed his insatiable vanity. "We have been having a little game of trying to foresee the future."

John dismissed the guards with a gesture and, licking lips gone suddenly dry at the sight of the seminude G.o.ddess, he came al the way into the room and stopped just outside the circle of candles. He looked into Jasmine's eyes and asked, "What did you foretel for me?" His eyes coveted her openly and a great fear was born within her.

She wanted to scream "Death! Death is what I foretel for you!" but Estel e's training had been so rigid, she lowered her lashes to her cheeks and said, "A son . . . an heir." As she stood before him almost naked, she was aware of his greedy eyes feeding on her.

John felt consumed by his desire for her virginity. "I would know more," he stated. "Tomorrow night you may attend me in my chamber." He glanced a chal enge at Isabel a, daring her to object, but she was too wise to worry about John's infidelities; they were legion. She cared for nothing save that she was the queen. If the predictions of the white witch were true, she would outlive him and her son would be crowned king while stil a child. John's days were numbered.

Chapter 14.

Estel e made Jasmine get into bed and brewed her a posset of chamomile to calm her and help her sleep. "Tomorrow night I wil go to John in your stead. Somehow I wil find the words to keep his l.u.s.t at bay."

Jasmine's fear receded only slightly; in the end, John was the king and the king must be obeyed. The chamomile final y made her drowsy, and her thoughts began to float al about her. If John managed to get her alone, what things would he command of her? She had evidence of the lurid s.e.xual appet.i.te he indulged with Isabel a, and suddenly she wished that Falcon de Burgh was close at hand. Falcon would let no man touch her. He was the most physical y powerful man she had ever seen, and even a king and his commands would mean nothing to him. Sleep overtook her and with a last incoherent thought she said to herself, "I wil go to Falcon in my dreams; he wil keep me safe."

Falcon de Burgh was far away to the north, close to the border of Scotland. Salisbury had made Eustace de Vesci captain of the northern fighting forces. Eustace was married to Margaret, an il egitimate daughter of the King of Scotland, and he was therefore most useful in negotiating a treaty for peace between King John and the Red Fox of Scotland.

Falcon had been wined and dined at Eustace de Vesci's great castle on the border, but he had refused the offer of a comfortable chamber and a plump maid to ward off the chil , preferring instead to sleep in the field with his men. The scarlet silk tent provided al the comfort the hardened soldier required, but as he lay in his furs oblivious to the rigid earth beneath him, his senses were fil ed with an unendurable longing for Jasmine. His fingers tingled with the need to touch her. He would play with her nipples, then fil his palms with the heavy ful ness of her luscious b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His hands would sweep lower to be fil ed with her delicious heart- shaped bottom, then he would part her soft thighs and let his fingers play to their heart's content. First he would wet the tips of his first two fingers in his mouth ... or hers. Then he would make contact with the marvelous slippery flesh at the front of her mons. He would not probe or press, but wait for her response. When she gave it he would move his fingers down to her opening and gently enter so just the pads of his fingertips would be inside. He could feel himself fil ing now, until he was hard as marble and throbbing. He could taste her mouth as his tongue deeply explored it, and his nostrils were fil ed with the scent of her womanliness. He actual y felt himself shudder as he imagined her hair brush across his face.

Now he would sensual y flutter his fingers to give them more penetration. With his other hand he would gently play with her little erect bud while his other two fingers were inside her. He would not jump on her when she was ready, but stay with it at least another ten minutes. When Jasmine began to beg and told him she had to have it, he would not give it to her. He would tease. He would make her want it as she'd never wanted anything before.

Jasmine's dream began with King John. He held out imperious hands to her as he lay in the royal bed. "Come and fel ate me!" he commanded. She turned and fled. She did not stop until she reached Falcon de Burgh's scarlet silk tent.

There she felt safe, secure; there nothing could harm her.

Falcon de Burgh lay on the ground and beckoned to her. He did not speak. No words must disturb the magic. She knew he was naked beneath the furs. Slowly, like the rising sun, the realization of what was happening to her dawned on Jasmine.

His eyes bored into her, understanding her arousal, slightly mocking it but at the same time encouraging it. Whatever deed would be done, she had silently agreed to it. She was a gift, a divine sacrifice to his pa.s.sion. Her beautiful virginity was wide open, there to be taken. Her lifelong innocence had primed her for this headlong descent into abandonment. She heard herself begging him as she slipped inside the furs, "Please hold me, my love! Please never leave me alone again!" Then in blissful col usion she al owed him to ravish her.

The sound of her own sobbing awoke her. She sat up s.h.i.+vering, trying to blot out the wicked things she had urged him to, but her body felt pleasurable sensations in al her most intimate places. She hugged her knees to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and vowed with clenched teeth that she would never be wanton, that she would never, ever beg him to touch her; she'd die first.

Falcon de Burgh came awake with a violent start. He was covered with a light perspiration though the night was chil . He cursed under his breath at whatever had awakened him, for it had put an end to the unbelievable magic of the erotic dream he had just had about Jasmine.

Estel e did not wait until the hour of midnight the fol owing night, but knocked upon King John's privy chamber at eleven.

He was clearly annoyed at her intrusion. He wore a flamboyant, rich bedgown embel ished al over with rampant stags. A warm supper sat waiting beneath silver covers along with an infinite array of wines from the provinces of France.

Estel e's mouth quirked with a slightly derisive sneer as she looked pointedly at the crown he wore. Even when he intended seduction he needed the added confidence the symbol of the crown lent him. Dame Winwood began her denunciation of his intentions without preamble. "A man burning with desire wonders why he should not give burning with desire wonders why he should not give ful freedom to his s.e.xual desires. But if he is unchecked by custom, morals, or laws he wil never understand that s.e.x is a river of fire that must be banked and cooled by a hundred restraints if it is not to consume in chaos both the individual and the group."

He refused to be thwarted. "I thirst for her!"

"Jasmine's magic powers as a white witch are unlimited because she is a virgin. If you destroy that power because of your selfish l.u.s.t, you are playing with the wil of the G.o.ds and could bring Hel fire down upon your head."

"Think you I'm afraid of Hel fire?" he asked, laughing.

"Possibly not, your Majesty. But if you have any common sense at al you wil be afraid to cal down Salisbury's wrath upon your head when he commands al your armies. If you defile his love child, it wil set his sword against you. Moreover, it would be an act of incest, which carries with it, as you know, an ancient curse."

These words had the desired effect to cool his ardor. His eyes hooded. He would bide his time. As an unmarried maiden she was under the dominion of her father, Salisbury, but what if he found a husband for her? Then she would be the property of her husband, and every husband at court was wil ing to share his wife with his king, if he so desired her.

Estel e knew her stronger wil had prevailed ... for the moment.

She hoped she wouldn't need to take stronger measures and brew him a potion that would render him impotent, or worse.

In Scotland, Eustace de Vesci had managed to negotiate a treaty of peace with King Alexander. England would promise to control her northern barons from raiding across the borders from their castles in c.u.mberland and Northumberland and in return Alexander, the Red Fox, was to relinquish his claim on those lands. Alexander had final y agreed to the terms of the treaty less because Eustace was his son-in-law than because England's armies sat on his doorstep.

King John was to travel north to sign the treaty, yet he feared to travel through the land of his own northern barons even more than he feared the French. Salisbury had to send a company of one hundred knights and two hundred mounted bowmen to accompany the royal court north. Even then King John refused to go farther than Eustace de Vesci's stronghold on this side of the border. He would leave the queen and court at the great fortified castle of Nottingham, where he commanded that the entire army be on hand to accompany him north to sign the treaty.

Estel e and Jasmine were now in fas.h.i.+on. The women cl.u.s.tered about them like puppies at a b.i.t.c.h's teat. Jasmine noticed a beautiful young woman who always hung back shyly, yet she could tel the girl was bursting with unasked questions.

She took her aside the day before they were to travel north and asked simply, "What is it you wish to know?"

Mary-Ann FitzWalter, who had accompanied her father to court to settle a dispute of land, blushed to the roots of her hair as she explained the unhappy situation in which she found herself. "Oh, Lady Jasmine, I am so far gone in love there is no help for me. His name is Robert, Lord of Huntingdon. We were pledged until one day I was riding in Barnisdale Forest and Roger de Longchamp, a friend of King John's, abducted me. Before he could force marriage upon me, Robert rescued me. He is the strongest, bravest man in England and I wil love him til I die!" she cried defiantly. "Robert slew Roger de Longchamp, and the king declared him outlaw and took his lands and t.i.tle. Now even my father forbids me to see my love." A tear stole down her cheek and her throat was so tight with unshed tears, she could speak no more.

Jasmine was amazed at the similarities of their abductions, yet de Burgh had gained by kil ing de Belatne, while Robert had been declared outlaw. Jasmine took the velvet cloth from the crystal and gazed into it for long minutes. "Mary-Ann, let your heart be light, for you wil see your Robert when we arrive at Nottingham Castle. You need have no worry for him. He is fearless, strong, and before he is done his name wil be legend. Your path wil not be smooth, but good wil triumph over evil. It seems that you are not the only one to have affection for this man. He draws friends like a lodestone. He is a great leader. Mary-Ann, never refuse to do as he asks. He wil protect you with his life."

"I know that, Lady Jasmine. I would do anything for him. For just one more kiss I would gladly die. I melt the moment he touches me."

Jasmine's thoughts flew to her dream and her cheeks stained a delicate pink. What must it be like to be deeply in love? Pray G.o.d she never found out if it brought her to Mary-Ann's besotted state.

In spite of her sil iness over a man, Jasmine liked this girl.

They were both out of place at this court where the queen's vicious words were as sharp as any dagger and al around were her al ies, the cunning tongues of her ladies. "Ride beside me tomorrow when we leave for Nottingham?"

Jasmine suggested, and Mary-Ann quickly agreed.

The servants had been up al night readying the king and queen and their entourage for the trip north. The courtyard at Westminster was a seething ma.s.s of humanity. The master of household was trying to create order from chaos as he organized the baggage train, which would stretch out over a mile. Grooms stood trying to calm the horses as the people traveling with the court came from the castle to mount the animals they would ride north.

Jasmine had chosen a cloak of ruby velvet for traveling. She saw Queen Isabel a surrounded by men and women who shouldered each other for position and quit the vicinity as quickly as she could. She could find neither Estel e nor Mary- Ann FitzWalter, but she saw a groom lead out her white palfrey and with light steps she ran across the yard toward it.

Suddenly she was aware of eyes upon her. She looked up quickly and was horrified to see none other than King John leering at her. He was surrounded by men who were also stripping her with their eyes. Each had acted as procurer for John at one time or another. They were making suggestive remarks, each trying to amuse the king with his ribald banter, but John had the dirtiest mouth in the realm and none could top him.

They formed a half circle about her that she could not penetrate without coming into physical contact with them, and she realized how very foolish she had been to choose the ruby-red cloak. With her silvery hair about her shoulders she would stand out in any crowd, especial y once she was mounted on the white palfrey. As she pushed between two men her gown brushed against them and John said, laughing, "You can rub up against my leg anytime, kitten."

Suddenly she couldn't believe her eyes as Falcon de Burgh's long strides brought him to the king. She flew to his side immediately, looking up into his face with pure joy. "Falcon, how glad I am to see you!"

He blotted out the king and the other men. The plumed helmet made him tower over her, blotting out even the sun. He knew made him tower over her, blotting out even the sun. He knew instinctively she had flown to him for protection. Something had frightened her or, more likely, someone!

"Jasmine, my love," he said, his deep voice carrying a message to al that this woman was his possession and G.o.d help any who forgot it.

King John's eyes narrowed as de Burgh cupped the beautiful maiden's face and bent to claim a kiss. Jasmine tried to resist, but he forced compliance with possessive arms. When he released her she was flying the flags of her anger in her cheeks. She demanded so none but he could hear, "Must you paw me in public?"

"It seemed the quickest way to brand you as mine," he murmured simply. He gently set her aside and saluted King John, handing him a sealed paper.

John took it and read Salisbury's giant scrawl. "I send you the best captain you or I have ever known. You may safely place your life in de Burgh's capable hands."

So, John thought, this is the man my brother has chosen for his precious daughter. Suddenly he laughed aloud as a most diabolic thought struck him. "Take charge, de Burgh. I expect to see Nottingham two days hence."

De Burgh nodded. "My knights wil ride ahead of you, your Majesty, my bowmen wil be solidly at your back." King John's eyebrows rose and he rebuked lightly, "My knights, de Burgh .

. . my bowmen."

Falcon bowed to the king, put one large hand at the smal of Jasmine's back, and propel ed her forward. He took the bridle of her palfrey from the groom's hands and without a word lifted her into her saddle. Mounted, she was on eye level with the tal , powerful knight. She had been grinding her teeth in mute rage since he had spoken of branding her as his property.

She lifted her chin and appeared to be a cool vision of poised womanhood. "De Burgh, you wil never own one smal part of me."

Stung, he joined the battle at once as he always did. "I may never own one smal part of you, but be a.s.sured I wil have the use of it."

She gasped at his vulgarity and turned aside from him. So, he thought, the warm greeting was a little perfor- mance she had been acting out for the benefit of others. She had wanted to show the king and his men that she was under Falcon de Burgh's protection. Al he had to learn now was which man she feared. He knew instinctively in his bones that it was John.

Chapter 15.

De Burgh moved his knights out immediately, and King John and his party took their place at the center. The queen and her attendants fel in line behind. Falcon put one hundred bowmen at their back and the other hundred at the rear of the packhorses and baggage train. He would set no breakneck pace. Such a large party of women and packhorses could be expected to cover only a certain number of miles per day regardless of when the king wished to reach Nottingham.

The travelers were fed at the king's castle of Berkham-sted, twenty or so miles from London, and then the journey was continued until nightfal . Arrangements had been made to house the king and queen at Northampton Castle. The Earl of Northampton's hospitality was evident in the sumptuous meal and the entertainment he had provided for the entire court, which numbered over one hundred. The three hundred knights and bowmen set up their tents in the surrounding meadows, but were provided with food and fodder for the horses.

Dame Winwood was as stiff as a corpse by the time they arrived at the castle. Once inside their cramped room, she imperiously bade Mary-Ann FitzWalter rub her back with oil of wintergreen and sent Jasmine running to the kitchens for a restorative julep of fennel. As the girl carried the steaming basin toward the women's quarters of Northampton Castle, she was encompa.s.sed by the unmistakable aroma of licorice.

Young Wil Marshal took her aside for a word of caution. "Lady Jasmine, I overheard the king say he fancied his palm read tonight. That he was in sore need of a certain fair maiden's magic touch. I believe he wil dispatch a servant for you after magic touch. I believe he wil dispatch a servant for you after dinner."

"Oh my G.o.d, no." Jasmine gasped. Her finely arched brows drew together as anxiety gripped her. Hazard or haven . . . her choice was simple. She would seek out Falcon de Burgh. She found him with his knights, but she was shocked to see the number of women who had sought their company. De Burgh was being offered food by two and ale by another and aught else he desired by al three! Falcon saw the fear and weary fatigue in her at once. He felt an urge to carry her to his bed and hold her cradled against his heart al night. He begged a favor from the serving women and pointed out his crimson silk tent in the meadow beyond.

"You hunt women more than you hunt the stag," Jasmine accused.

"Untrue, cherie, 'tis they who do the hunting," he said with a guilty grin.

They stood looking at each other. Jasmine could find no words to convey that she sought his protection.

Final y he said, "Wil you come to my tent, my lady?"

She dropped her eyes shyly from his and nodded her head.

His strong fingers curled about her smal hand and his warmth crept up her arm. The only thing she needed from him was his strength. At this moment it was a relief to drop the rigid guard and become the soft, dependent woman.

When they entered the tent, Gervase, who was just lighting the lamp, turned and could not help his jaw from fal ing open. He went to de Burgh to relieve him of his armor but Falcon shook his head. "My lady wil help me," he said.

Her eyes flew about the tent, taking in its spa.r.s.e furnis.h.i.+ngs. It contained only his war chest, a lamp and brazier for light and warmth, and the thick fur skins upon the floor, which was carpeted against the damp earth. She stood before him perplexed by the trappings of his hauberk, gambeson, and chain mail. "Where do I begin?" she asked, puzzled.

He laughed at her. "My mail is far too heavy for you to lift ... I just wanted Gervase to leave us private."

"You think me useless!" she flared.

"Useless?" he said, drawing close. "I could think of so many uses for you it would take a lifetime to fulfil ."

She ignored his meaning and climbed nimbly upon the war chest to undo the fastenings at his wide shoulders. Just then two women carried in a wooden washtub and the third emptied the hot water buckets into it which she carried on a shoulder yoke. They had thought the bath was for him, of course, when he had made his request, but when he tossed them silver they were happy enough to let him share it with his pretty little wh.o.r.e.

With the straps undone, the armor fel away, leaving him clad in a linen s.h.i.+rt. He turned to face her where Jasmine stood, stil up on the war chest, his hands slipping about her tiny waist, his eyes on hers, dark and smoky with desire. His heart was thudding. She could feel the echoing beat inside her b.r.e.a.s.t.s as she hung over him, a tumult of sensations racing through her. He brought his mouth close to hers but did not quite touch her lips as he whispered, "Are you a generous little wench or a selfish one?"

"S-selfis.h.!.+" she breathed.

"May I share your bath?" he teased.

"No!" she cried, aghast.

He al owed his lips to brush hers. "May I bathe you, then?"