The King, The Duke, and The Lady

A Story of Friendship, Love, and Lust

Rated M for UST, sexual situations, multi-partner sex

A/N: While the characters of King Henry VIII and the Duke of Suffolk are historical figures, this story is not based on history. As for characters, you can picture them as they are portrayed in "The Tudors" on Showtime. After all, does it get any better than Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Henry Cavill? I think not. Trivia: Did you know that Henry Cavill was runner-up to Daniel Craig for the newest James Bond? Personally, while Daniel Craig has a certain cruel sexuality to him, his puffy face puts me off, while there is nothing about Henry Cavill that would offend.

The children of varying ages played together at the castle of Hightower. All members of the England's finest, including a second son of King VII played on the palace grounds. They chased through the mazes, they hunted game, played cards, were tutored together, played sports of all kinds, and became fast friends. And then one of them was sent to the French court to complete her education. And one of them became King. And one of them was raised from his loyal heritage to King VII to be Duke of Suffolk. And so our story begins.

The Duke of Nottingham strode down the red carpet towards the King, proudly escorting his daughter in her presentation at Court. As he walked the mysterious woman down the aisle, the usually noisy court became subdued as they watched the proud beauty before them. She had long, thick blonde hair that hung to her middle back, curling in waves and tendrils around her face. Holding her hair back from her face was a simple yet elegant headpiece of royal blue and set off with pearls. Her dress was also simple and elegant and made from royal blue tapestry embroidered with lighter blue flowers. The neckline was square and low-cut as was the fashion, pressing her endowed breast up to the point of almost spilling out of her corset. Her skin was pale and unmarred by any mark, looking luminescent in the candle light. Her lips were lush and full, looking as if they had just been ravished in a heated embrace. Her features were petite for the most part, except for the lushness of her dark pink lips and her large dark blue eyes that hinted at mischief. She was small but well-proportioned with a tiny waist, nicely wide hips (considered a boon for child-bearing), and of course her plump creamy breasts.

Henry, usually bored with the sorts of proceedings, sat up at attention as he saw the Duke leading the woman into Court. The Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon standing behind the King, stood a little straighter as their conversation suddenly stopped mid-sentence as their mutual interest was suddenly captured elsewhere. Both men stopped breathing for a moment and then began again. There had been no such woman at Court in some time, perhaps in anyone's recent memory.

The Yeoman of the Crown announced the pair as they approached the King on his throne. "The Duke of Nottingham and his daughter the Countess of Huntingdon, Lady Brianna." The lady curtsied to the King as her father bowed.

With head still bowed, she quietly said in her deep throaty voice, "Your majesty." Those simple words coming from a beauty like hers matched with a voice deep with the promise of sex and sin made every man at court take special notice of this woman. She was royalty of some kind as she had her own title and was the daughter of the Duke of Nottingham who had gained his title both through battle and his claim to royal blood.

The King stood and walked slowly down the steps to take the woman's hand in his and raise her from her deep curtsy. She stood in front of the King and watched with shuttered eyes as he kissed her hand in welcome. This was highly unusual and the whispering among the court made that clear.

"Lady Brianna, welcome back to my Court. Your presence has been missed these years. How did you find the French Court?" Henry had taken her hand and led her away from the presentation platform, not necessarily intending to speak privately with his old friend, at least not yet, but wanting to reacquaint himself with the beautiful woman she had become.

"Thank you your majesty. I am honored you remember me from our childhood days. I have long been away from the English Court which has been sorely missed. The French Court is entertaining enough with musicians and poets and bards from around all of Europe. You would enjoy it I think. The French King and Queen entertain some of the best and brightest minds in the world, challenging the intellect and enriching the soul. But my heart, my love, has always belonged to England." Lady Brianna's eyes never left the King's, certainly a forward and unusual tact for a woman, or a man of any station to take with the King of England. She showed no fear, no timidity, and even more than a hint of amusement at the King's obvious surprise at her return.

"Well, then we shall have to endeavor to provide as much amusement here in our English Court as you found in the French one. There will be a feast tonight. Will you come and sit at my table Lady Brianna? May I have at least the first dance with you? I am sure you will have no shortage of available partners milady."

"Of course Your Majesty. I would be honored on both counts."

The King smiled his thoughtful and interested smile and dipped his head, taking her hand and leading her back to her father. "Your Lordship, Lady Brianna, until tonight then." With that, he dismissed them reluctantly, returning to his receiving throne, looking at Brandon with a smile on his face. "Charles, I think things might just get interesting around here. What do you think?"

"It will be a pleasure to have such a beauty, and such a friend, back at court."

"Yes, and you will join us at my table tonight?"

"Of course Your Majesty." Brandon dipped his head in agreement. He was always seated at the King's table, but was pleased to have such a direct invitation, especially given the King's obvious interest in their childhood friend grown up, Lady Brianna.

The morning wore into the afternoon where four of the most athletic men at court played a game of tennis, Henry, Brandon, Anthony Knivert, and William Compton. In the audience the men were quick to note stood the Lady Brianna, watching the play avidly. They knew from their younger days together, at least back then, she could hold her own against them in most games of sport and cards. It was not proper for her to play the games of sport as she had grown up, except perhaps for hunting, but she had no doubt become an expert card player in France. All four men, competitive to a fault normally, took their good-natured competition up even more in front of the newest Lady at Court. She smiled and enjoyed the stolen looks and not so secretive smiles of acknowledgement from the players, but as the game was winding down she left as if she had never been there. When the game was over and the King and the Duke won, they looked eagerly to where she had been standing but she was gone. Charles and Henry gave a disappointed sigh at her loss, but quickly returned to good spirits as they went to celebrate their victory.

That evening, Lady Brianna joined the King and Queen and the Duke of Suffolk on the dias for dinner. She sat between the King and the Duke spending most of the meal catching up on the years they had been apart and talking with Queen Anne. The Queen was initially cold to the lady, but as soon as Brianna started speaking to her about the French Court and the wonders there, they found a shared love of a part of their life that had been most pleasant. Their time there had crossed over, so of course they knew each other from that time, but Anne had been more interested in learning flirtation and 'womanly arts' while Brianna had been more interested in philosophy, literature, and religion. Their paths crossed at Court events, but they never knew each other much more than in passing.

The dance started and as per tradition, the King and Queen had the first dance and since Brianna had promised her first dance to the King, she was left sitting on the dias along with Charles Brandon. Finally alone together, they quickly lost the need to address each other stiffly by their titles and resorted back to the names they had fondly shared as children.

"So Charles, I have not heard of a marriage for you, but have heard that you are quite the lothario within the Court," Brianna teased.

Charles laughed and had the grace to blush slightly. "Ah Bri, surely that cannot come as a surprise for you. I was always rather fond of the girls when we were children and women now that we are grown. I'll admit that no woman has yet to capture my heart enough to fall in love or to remain faithful."

"I wonder if there is such a woman out there Charles Brandon. You are even more notorious of a rake than even the King or Sir Frances Bryan. I heard of exploits all the way to France. You are quite envied there."

"Well, at least I am in good company I suppose. And what about you, Lady Brianna? The French Court is notorious itself for its libertine ways," it was Brandon's turn to tease her. He found it amusing that their first private conversation was beginning with sex, but she had brought it up and seemed to not be shy about it, so he would find out what she was willing to tell him.

"The French Court is quite libertine as you called it. And English women are quite desired as conquests there. Many women go there to learn the arts and ways of capturing and holding a man's heart, particularly the heart of a King or a Duke."

Both of them watched the King and Queen, knowing that was exactly how Anne, no real beauty but a terrific tease, had captured the King's heart for so long. Without mentioning names, but knowingly segueing the conversation, Brianna asked quietly, "Is it true she captured Henry's heart through flirtation only and even though they never consummated their relationship until marriage? Seven years is a long time to hold a man's singular attention."

"It seems to be true. But already the King seems to be tiring of her," Brandon whispered quietly.

"How sad for Henry. And for Anne. So much wasted time only to almost bring down a kingdom and still have no male heir," Brandon was surprised at Briana's obvious compassion for them both. Usually Anne was condemned by almost all who spoke of her, and the King was ridiculed behind his back for being so taken with such an ambitious and strident woman. Brianna continued, "Perhaps it will still work out for them. I understand the King is desperate for a male heir to continue his dynasty."

"I think desperate is a good word for it. So, did you go to France to learn the same arts?" the dance was coming to an end and Brandon wanted to shift the conversation to safer waters as the King and Queen made it back to their seats.

Brianna looked at Brandon with an amused smirk, "I have seen and learned much in my time in France. But the most important thing I have learned is that being beautiful and charming may get you into a man's bed, but a challenging intelligence and wit will keep you there." Her voice whispered across Brandon's ear and cheek, full of sex and sin, and something else as well. Her answer was ambiguous but suggestive as well. They looked into each other's eyes as she pulled away from their intimate whispering and stood as the King came to claim her hand and lead her out to the dance floor. Charles Brandon physically felt the emptiness as she left with the King. Her beauty and personality filled the space her body was in, and when it was gone, he felt the loss. Brandon sighed as he leaned back in his chair, bringing his hand up to his lips, thoughtfully stroking them as he watched the King dance with the Lady.

TBC

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