Free Notorious by Virginia Henley Page B

set Prince Edward on the throne and rule himself as regent!”
    Hugh fed the fire of Edward’s hatred. “It was Lancaster who murdered your beloved Gaveston and he will not rest until he has done the same to me.”
    â€œI will never allow it. I will protect you with my life!”
    This time, Hugh allowed himself to be caressed and fondled. “We must think up a plot that will bring them all low, Edward.”
    â€œI cannot think of anything save making love to you at the moment. You alone know how to soothe me. Let me love you, and then we will concoct a plan worthy of our enemies.”
    Hugh plied him with two goblets of full-bodied red wine, then drew him into the bedchamber. He removed his garments with a deliberate slowness that was calculated to inflame the king. Finally, he stretched himself naked on the bed and watched with veiled contempt as Edward threw off his own clothes in a frenzy of need.
    Only after much persuasion did Hugh roll to an accommodating prone position. “Ned, you know what I like, first,” he said coyly, taking the stopper from a flagon of scented oil.
    Edward dutifully massaged and caressed his lover’s buttocks, though he needed no foreplay himself and was nigh to bursting.
    Finally, with a satisfied smile of manipulation, Hugh drew up his knees, raised his bum, and presented himself for penetration.
    Hugh was so tight. Edward moaned with pleasure. He had no idea why most men were attracted to females when there was absolutely nothing more seductive than the stimulating body of a young male.
    Edward came hard and fast because he’d been forced to abstain for a time, and one ejaculation did not nearly satisfy him. Hugh was a master of manipulation, however, and knew exactly how many times the king needed to spend before he was drained of his lust and became malleable clay in his hands.
    Hugh arose from the bed and poured Edward another goblet of wine. The king sat on the edge of the bed and opened his legs in avid anticipation. Hugh dipped his fingers into the potent red liquid, anointed the large, bulbous head of Edward’s cock, then handed the goblet to him. Hugh went down on his knees between the king’s thighs and licked the droplets of wine with his tongue. Then he took him whole into his mouth and sucked rhythmically, watching Edward writhe in ecstasy. As the king felt his orgasm start he began to swallow his wine, and it was the signal for Hugh to swallow the royal elixir that always made him feel omnipotent.
    A short time later, they lay curled together in the bed. Edward had spilled all his seed and now it was time for Hugh to plant his own seeds in the fertile ground of the king’s mind.
    â€œWhat you need, Edward my love, is a just cause to move against the Marcher lords and those other barons who have supported your enemies.”
    â€œI was outraged that Badlesmere, a steward of my royal household, turned his coat, joined Lancaster, and supported my enemies!”
    â€œYou must take your revenge against the Kent baron and his family. If your cause is just , the people will support you.”
    â€œThe people hate me. They give their love and support only to Isabelle.” Edward’s voice was filled with petulant self-pity.
    â€œThe people are like sheep, Ned. With a little manipulation they can be led in any direction. We must use this blind devotion they have for Isabelle to our advantage.”
    â€œYou have been blessed with a quick, brilliant intellect that I do not possess, Hugh. Explain how I can take advantage of the people’s love for the queen.”
    â€œBadlesmere will have prepared his castles for war and will be expecting an attack on his main seat at Leeds. If you send an armed force to take back Leeds because you have restored it to Queen Isabelle, its rightful owner, Badlesmere’s castle guard will attack them. The confrontation will rally the people to champion the queen against Badlesmere. The