Since there was only one explanation for the prince’s words, James congratulated the royal couple. For the first time in his life, Hamilton felt envious of the Prince of Wales.
“Would you show Alix where Sandringham is located?”
James moved around the table. “This is a rather ancient map when Norfolk was part of East Anglia. Sandringham is on the sheltered coast of the Wash. It’s perhaps ninety miles from London, as the crow flies.”
The prince beamed. “But only thirty-odd from Newmarket.”
“It sounds wonderful. Though I don’t look forward to the long carriage ride, I should be able to stay put until the end of September.”
James refrained from mentioning to the princess that the queen’s permission was needed, but before he and Prince Teddy departed, he took Anne and his sister aside and explained the situation.
“Don’t worry, James. Father will work his usual Hamilton magic,” Frances declared.
James brushed his lips across Anne’s brow. “I could use some of that Hamilton magic myself.”
After Prince Edward and James departed, Anne told Alix that her husband would need the queen’s permission to stay at the Sandringham Estate.
“Oh dear, Edward might as well stop wishful thinking. Why is there always a bee in the ointment?” Alix lamented.
“A fly in the ointment,” Anne corrected, “although bee is most apt in this case, namely, a queen bee!”
• • •
“Your Majesty, I always hesitate to intrude upon your privacy, so allow me to express my gratitude for granting me an audience.”
“You seldom intrude, James.” Victoria set aside the dispatches she had been reading and indicated the chair beside her desk. “Do sit down.”
“Your Majesty, I have had a confidential inquiry about Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The law firm of Fulbright and Irwin represent a client who is interested in purchasing the property.”
“My dearest Albert bought Sandringham as a country retreat. I wouldn’t dream of selling it.”
“I perfectly understand your sentiment, ma’am, but I would be remiss in my duty if I didn’t point out the enormous cost of running a vast country estate that no one in the royal family ever visits.”
“Some other solution must be found. I could never sell something that was precious to my beloved husband.”
“Perhaps there is a way to lighten the queen’s privy purse. From time to time the Prince of Wales has shown an interest in acquiring a country estate that offers good hunting. If he were given the use of Sandringham for the summer and autumn months, the upkeep could be paid out of his trust fund from the duchy of Cornwall. Prince Edward has amassed a sizable fortune over the years.”
“That is an excellent suggestion, James. I knew you could find a solution if you put your mind to it.” Victoria leaned forward and lowered her voice. “It will get Bertie away from his dissolute friends in London.”
• • •
“You won’t believe it, but Her Majesty has sent a carriage so you won’t miss your monthly audience with her.” Anne closed the chamber door so their voices wouldn’t carry to her sister Emily, who was waiting below to escort the princess.
“I hoped being at Chiswick would excuse me from my dreaded command performance.” Alix licked her lips nervously. “I should have known better.”
“I’ll invite my sister to stay for lunch. That will give us time to devise an outfit that drapes your figure, so the queen won’t suspect you are carrying a child.”
“Thank you, Anne. I hate to ask, but will you come with me to London?”
“Of course I’ll come. You’ll need a buttress against Emily.”
Anne searched through Alexandra’s wardrobe and then her own and finally chose a dark blue silk tunic that, without its sash, could be worn loose. Then she hurried below to join her sister for lunch, while Frances helped the princess with her toilet.
The lunch table had been set in the Summer Parlor on the ground floor, where Anne joined Emily, who was being entertained by Lady Elizabeth. Anne was wearing a white sprig muslin dress embroidered with blue forget-me-nots, and was ready for her sister’s usual critical remarks.
Emily, however, was bent on discussing a far more personal subject. “The entire family was shocked at your outburst of temper with Father. Surely you know that he has only your best interests at heart? It is a father’s duty to prevent a daughter from ruining her life, no matter how impulsive, willful, and headstrong she is.”
Anne was momentarily taken off guard.
Elizabeth excused herself. “I’ll just go and see what’s for dessert.”
“I thought my disagreement with Father was private. But obviously when I hit the monkey, the whole bloody zoo came out!”
“How dare you use such crude language to me?”
“I’ll give you crude language. You are a jealous, vindictive snake in the grass. I warrant you almost swallowed your viperous tongue when you learned that James Hamilton asked me to marry him.”
“Hamilton was always a depraved libertine. I informed Father that when I was a debutante, he tried to seduce me.”
You vengeful bitch! You are the reason Father hates James. Anne threw back her head and laughed. “You are almost three years older than James. The way I heard it was that your pursuit of the fifteen-year-old was nothing short of shameful.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Enjoy your little laugh at my expense, but I shall have the last one. Father will never give his consent.”
• • •
On the carriage ride from Chiswick to London, the Princess of Wales, buttressed by Anne and Frances, chatted happily about the success of the recent garden party, while Emily sat in aloof silence.
When they arrived at the palace, the queen’s lady-in-waiting marched ahead of the others and disappeared into the Audience Chamber, leaving the trio from Chiswick in the anteroom. Emily was gone for some time before she reemerged with a look of consternation on her face.
“Your Highness, since it is five o’clock teatime, Her Majesty graciously invites you to her private sitting room.” She added, “This is a privilege not extended to many.”
“Thank you, Lady Emily.” Alexandra was surprised, but maintained her usual calm, serene demeanor that kept her thoughts and emotions well hidden. “Would you be good enough to order tea for my ladies while they await me?”
When Emily sketched the briefest of curtsies, it occurred to Anne that her sister was beginning to look like the sovereign she served.
When Princess Alexandra was shown into the queen’s sitting room, she found her presiding over a well-laden tea table with enough sandwiches and seedcake to feed a dozen. She sat down in a chair that was slightly more comfortable than the one in the Audience Chamber. Victoria poured the tea, and a maid brought Alix the cup and saucer; then, at a nod of dismissal from the queen, the maid bobbed a curtsy and departed.
The princess took a few sips from the teacup, then arose and set it back on Victoria’s tea table. She politely declined the sandwiches and cake.
“You should eat more, Alexandra. You are far too thin.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Alix inwardly sighed with relief and mentally thanked Anne for suggesting the loose tunic that hid her breasts.
“I hardly need ask if you are fulfilling your paramount duty as the Princess of Wales. Yet it is no surprise that you have not yet conceived when you and my son lead completely separate lives.”
Alix opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to offer a suitable reply.
“We have decided these unnatural living arrangements cannot go on. The royal family has a country retreat in Norfolk. I shall inform my son that he is to take his wife there for a few months, and hope that the conjugal atmosphere will produce results.” The queen brushed crumbs from her black skirt. “Do I make my meaning c
lear, Alexandra?”
“Perfectly clear, Your Majesty.”
• • •
When the princess rejoined her ladies-in-waiting in the anteroom, her serene smile was still in place. On the inside she was bubbling with happiness, but decided that she would wait until she was free of Buckingham Palace before she shared her amazing good fortune. It was almost dusk as the trio left the oppressive building and walked toward the waiting carriage.
“Was it very bad, Alix?” Anne asked with sympathy.
“Yes.” The princess took a deep breath. “And no.” Alix broke into a smile and instructed the driver to take them to Marlborough House.
When they were safely inside the carriage, she did a fair imitation of her dour mother-in-law. “I hardly need ask if you are fulfilling your paramount duty as the Princess of Wales. Yet it is no surprise that you have not conceived when you and my son lead completely separate lives.”
“Thank heavens your secret is safe!” Anne let out a sigh of relief.
Alix laughed. “That’s not the best part. Listen to this,” she said, continuing her impression. “We have decided these unnatural living arrangements cannot go on. The royal family has a country retreat in Norfolk. I shall inform my son that he is to take his wife there for a few months and hope the conjugal atmosphere will produce results. Do I make my meaning clear, Alexandra?”
Anne and Frances whooped with laughter as the carriage pulled up at the front of Marlborough House.
Princess Alexandra eagerly opened the carriage door herself. “I can’t wait to tell Edward the wonderful news.”
• • •
That night Anne decided to have a tray brought to her room. She was pleased that Alexandra’s problems had melted away, and wished with all her heart that her own plans could have a happy ending.
The encounter with Emily today had upset her, though she refused to dwell on it and had managed to push it aside as she accompanied Alexandra on her dreaded visit with the queen. But now that Anne was alone, a feeling of hopelessness stole over her as Emily’s words echoed over and over in her head: “Father will never give his consent.”
Anne picked at the food on her tray, then shoved it aside and ate the chocolate dessert. She suddenly began to laugh. Emily was right. I am impulsive, willful, and headstrong. From now on I will make my own decisions. I refuse to let others destroy my happiness. Right or wrong my fate will be in my own hands!
Chapter Twenty-three
A nne brushed her hair, donned a cloak from her wardrobe, and left Marlborough House. She walked to Pall Mall and took a hansom cab to White Horse Street. It was a short ride, but with each passing moment her excitement grew. She knew she was burning her bridges, but she simply didn’t give a fig. The heart wants what it wants!
She rang the doorbell and thought it one of the loveliest sounds she’d heard in a dog’s age. When Lord Hamilton’s manservant answered the door, she gifted him with a dazzling smile. “Good evening. Grady. I will announce myself, so make yourself scarce.”
Anne brushed past him and ran up the stairs. She threw open the library door and stood silhouetted in the frame.
James immediately stood up from his desk. “Anne, is something wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong—I simply couldn’t bear to be away from you for one more day . . . or one more night.”
“My sweetheart!” James moved from behind his desk and she ran into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around. “The sight of you fills my heart with joy.” He took possession of her mouth in a long, lingering kiss, then set her feet back on the carpet.
“Has your father changed his mind?”
“Of course he hasn’t changed his mind.” She removed her cloak and threw it on a chair. “This is my decision. Why on earth did I wait so long?”
James brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “My precious love, think carefully. If anyone finds out, your reputation will be ruined for all time. There’s no going back. Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
He let out a slow breath. “Thank God, I couldn’t talk you out of it.” He took possession of her hands and brought her fingers to his lips. “Now, first things first, my impetuous beauty. Have you eaten dinner?”
Anne laughed up at him. “I had dessert.”
“Did it kill your appetite?”
“Not for a minute. I’m ravenous!”
“Come.” He led her to the kitchen, and when he opened the oven door, the appetizing aroma that filled the air made her mouth water. She watched him take two dinner plates from the Welsh dresser and set them on a serving tray. He added linen napkins, silver forks, and a crystal saltcellar. Then he cut into the flaky crust of the steak and mushroom pie and put a heaping portion on each plate. “Food for the gods,” he promised.
James picked up the tray and led the way to the drawing room. He set the food on a small table and pulled up two comfortable easy chairs. Then he poured them each a glass of red wine. She sat down immediately and picked up her fork. James sat facing her. “I’ve always loved watching you eat.”
“I cannot imagine why.”
“When you enjoy something, you always lick your lips, and that is enticingly erotic. Your appetite for food and the delight it gives you is a damn good measure of the enjoyment you’ll take in other pleasures of the flesh.”
Anne laughed merrily. “Pleasures of the flesh. That’s what I really came for, Lord Rakehell. I fully intend to seduce the seducer!”
She devoured the steak and mushroom pie, licked her lips, drained her wine, then came around the table and sat in his lap. “Now I’m ready for my dessert.”
He pulled her against his hard body. “And I’m more than ready to serve you, my insatiable beauty.”
Her breath caught in her throat as she melted back against him. His voice was rich, dark velvet, inviting, luring, compelling. The heat from his body leaped into hers, scalding, shiver inducing. Her heart raced in her breast as his lips whispered and lightly grazed her ear, and her pulse went so faint, she thought her heart had stopped beating.
He kissed her hard and swift, then stood up from the chair, put his arm beneath her knees, and lifted her against his heart. He carried her into his bedchamber and sat her down on the edge of the wide bed. An urge to ravish her immediately flooded over him while she was willing and eager. They’d get the pain behind them. But he checked himself with an iron will. He knew he must teach her how her body could give her pleasure, and how his body could increase that pleasure and bring her fulfillment.
James knelt before her and removed her shoes; then he reached beneath her sprig muslin and petticoat, slid his hands up her long legs, and slowly pulled off her silk stockings. He lifted her foot and pressed a kiss to her delicate instep; then he repeated the intimate gesture with her other foot.
Anne reached for the buttons on her dress.
“No, love, let me have the pleasure of undressing you. Though I’ve imagined doing it a thousand times, the reality is far more arousing to my senses than I ever dreamed possible.” As he lifted off her dress, he closed his eyes. “I can smell forget-me-nots; I can taste forget-me-nots.” When he opened his eyes, he grinned in appreciation. “To my great delight, your taste in undergarments borders on the indecent.” Her pink nipples thrust temptingly through the centers of a pair of forget-me-nots embroidered on her lacy busk.
“When I’m designing underclothes, my imagination runs riot.”
“At the moment, it is my lust that is running riot.”
She licked her lips and murmured, “How devastating for you.”
Anne’s playfulness was one of the things he loved most about her, and he knew that he must do nothing to inhibit her the first time they made love. He reached behind her and undid the laces on her busk; then his hands gently cupped beneath her br
easts, lifting them so that the pale curves swelled up from his palms. He dipped his head and blew his warm breath over the pink nipples, then touched each one with the tip of his tongue.
As they ruched into tight little buds, she drew in a quivering breath as threads of hot desire shot down through her belly, then all the way to her woman’s center. She felt him shudder at the soft thrust of her nipples against his fingers.
“I want desire to build in all your lovely, scented, secret places.”
“And I want you to be gloriously seduced.”
He removed her busk; then his fingers unfastened the ribbons at her waist that held her petticoat in place, and he lifted it off over her head. She sat before him in only her drawers, naked to the waist. He cupped her upthrust breast with reverence. “You are as exquisite as I always dreamed you’d be.”
“I want us to be naked together.” She reached out her fingers to unfasten his shirt and brushed her palms across the hard, sculpted muscles of his chest.
“Then Lady Anne wants what I want,” he teased. He pulled off his shirt, then removed his trousers along with his linen undergarment.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we always wanted the same thing?” Her eyes found his male center that jutted impudently from its nest of black curls.
James rolled his eyes. “Even your drawers are saucy. They are such fine lawn, I can see right through them to the red curls on your mons. Are you ready for the unveiling, Lady Godiva?”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Just a minute.” Anne climbed up and stood on the bed, so that when he removed her drawers, the fiery curls between her legs would be at eye level. She saluted him and said, “Ready when you are, m’lord.”
James grabbed for her and they went rolling across the bed, laughing like uninhibited children. When he came over her in the dominant position, his laughter faded, as he stared at her mouth hungrily. “It feels like I’ve waited forever.”
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