Historical romance: The Tudor Rose

May 21st

I have not slept a wink as I feed my beautiful son from my bosom. His lips lock around my nipple as he guzzles down my milk. I look down at him with pure affection and he stares up at me with eyes as big as saucers; afraid of everything. Soon the murmur of sleep fills the room as he drifts off. I delicately place him in the cot and pace the corridor keen for Edwards arrival. He has been locked in his meeting room with his royal advisors since yesterday afternoon. It is killing me to think about the emotional turmoil he must be going through to choose between his brother, his best friend since childhood, and his wife the love of his life and bearer of the future kings and queens of England.

My sleep deprived brain starts to think the worst. What if Edward finds out about Fred and I? Will George and I be paupers thrown onto the streets; disgraced for life? I run my fingers through my fiery tendrils yawning as I look at my bed. I crawl under the sheets fully clothed at 4 O'clock in the morning and sleep greets me like the open arms of a host welcoming a guest. My hair is sprawled across the pillow as my eyelids begin to flutter shut. I am submerged into a world of darkness.

Out of nowhere Henry appears and he grins smugly like he knows something. Then he disappears into the shadows as Edward and I fiercely make love moaning in pleasure as I arch my back and he caresses me everywhere ever so delicately with his lips. I look into Edwards beautiful eyes and suddenly Fred is on top of me. "I've missed you Evie come home." He says. I push him off me and wrap myself in my gown.
"I didn't do it. I love you Edward." I scream as Henry pins me against the wall smothering me in his slug like kisses.

I spine chilling scream cascades out of my mouth as I wake with a start. I am saturated in sweat and George is balling his little eyes out. Emma comes running in with Mabel in their night gowns with candle sticks.
"Emma you take Prince George to the nursery. Fetch some cold flannels please." Mabel says as my breathing slowly returns to normal as I stop hyperventilating from the horrible nightmare. I shut my eyes and block out everything as tears fall down my cheeks. I feel a cold flannel placed gently on my forehead and I welcome it happily. Then a pair of lips brush against my forehead I open my eyes in shock. My favourite pair of blue eyes smoulder me with their gaze. Edwards lips brush against mine and I feel a sudden rush of emotions.
"Evie. What ails you so? You can always tell me anything." Edward says tentatively pushing back my sweat plastered hair from my forehead.
"I am just so scared of your brother." I whisper as i convulse into tears. I shake against Edward's chest as he wraps his arms around me gently stroking my back and kissing my forehead.
"I love you Evie to the very depths of my being and I'll never let anything happen to you or our precious son George." He says delicately planting a kiss on my lips.
"I love you too. Please get rid of him. I'm so scared he'll try to force himself upon me again." I say shaking as my heart knocks against my chest. I compose myself and kiss Edwards lips returning back to a rational frame of mind.

"I know sweetheart, I will have him exiled to France never to return to England again. I am ashamed to call him my family he is utter scum. Now try to get some rest I'm here to keep you safe. Always my love." He says undressing into his nightshirt. I realise I am still in my gown and remove it; untying my dress from the front to reveal my constricting corset. My dress swiftly drops to the floor in one fatal swoop. I pick up the delicate streams of aquamarine fabric and place it on the back of the chair. My fingertips brush against the cool chiffon and I feel a certain air of importance. I am the Queen of England. A faint smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I begin to imagine where my power could take me. A year ago my naïve seventeen year old self would never have married for money but where would I be if it wasn't for Edward? All I needed was love? Ha. What a funny joke. Love is just a phrase embellished by fairytales and fiction. It does not exist in real life. You have to learn to love like I have learnt to love my dear Edward. Sure I felt a deep love for Fred which nobody could ever match but sometimes I wonder if it was just pure lust sugar coated with my innocent thoughts of true love conquers all. I have everything a woman could ever dream of the richest man in England, some might say the world, and a healthy living son and heir. I could float on cloud nine with my happiness with Henry out of the way. I am free. He would not tell anyone of my affair with the stable boy for he would risk his life in doing so.

My nimble hands undid my corset unravelling the strings which bind my waist and bust in place. Edward lies with his back turned to me ready to go to sleep. I stand naked in front of my husband with the blazing fire behind me I am warm inside and out. My pale complexion contrasts so blatantly with my loose fiery red hair cascading down my back. I look down at his beautiful face. He has a smooth, tanned face with beautiful long fluttering eyelashes. I am so lucky. I crawl into bed beside him and wrap my arms around him. My lips caress his neck to make him stir. His body turns towards me with a grin. He looks into my eyes and I see everything I want in life. A man who completely and utterly worships me. We stare into each others eyes for a few seconds the tension is rising as his lips near mine. His hand slides from under the covers to stroke my cheek as his lips crash into mine. I feel the butterflies rush around in my stomach in a joyful frenzy as the kisses become more passionate. His body hovers over mine as his kisses shower every part of my body. I giggle as his lips tickle my stomach. My hands roam his body removing his nightshirt. His moans and my moans intertwine as our heated passion and lust becomes more obvious...

Afterwards we collapse in a pile of tangled sheets and madly in love grins plastered across our faces. He wraps his arms around me and I slot like a puzzle piece into the crook of his shoulder. He tenderly kisses the top of my head and we close our eyes worn out. As we drift off to sleep the only sounds filling the room are of our hearts and our rhythmic synchronised breathing.

A/n: thank you for sticking with the story. I'm so sorry you all had to wait this long for an update. I am a terrible author and I hope you can all forgive me! I just couldn't think what to write next. Thank you once again for being such awesome readers xx