The Alpha's Daughter Read online

  "Will she ask the performers into the court so we all can be entertained by them?" Joan asked.

  "She did not say," Tamsin said.

  "Do you walk around with your hands covering your eyes and ears?" Joan asked. Tamsin was growing tired of Joan's foul mood.

  Having no sisters she was not sure how to calm the storm that seemed to be brewing between her and Joan. Joan was the only friend she had at Hampton Court, beside Walter, and she did not want a rift between them.

  "I am afraid I was sorely distracted. Walter returned from whatever mission he had been sent on. He was with the king watching the performances," Tamsin said hoping that Joan would understand how an attractive man could make a woman's attention waiver. It wasn't even a lie. Walter had been all she had seen and his stories of his children were the only thing on her mind as they watched the entertainers.

  "You must like him very much to allow him to be such a distraction," Joan said.

  "He is very kind. I think it is possible he likes me as well. He took my hand in the courtyard," Tamsin confessed. She had thought to keep their hand holding a secret but her heart felt like it was bursting. Walter had grabbed her hand and held it in his for no reason but the pleasure of it. She would not have felt so giddy if he had helped her into a carriage or prevented a fall but he had not. He had chosen to reach out and hold her hand in his.

  "Will you have a dalliance with him?" Joan asked.

  "I did not come to court to have a dalliance with anyone," Tamsin said though strictly speaking that wasn't entirely true.

  "Men rarely hold a woman's hand with no intentions," Joan said.

  "I would not know. It is the first time a man has ever held my hand," Tamsin confessed. Joan shook her head as if Tamsin had said that the grass was red or the sky purple.

  "It was foolish for your parents to send you to Hampton Court so innocent," Joan said. Tamsin supposed Joan was right but coming to Hampton Court was not something her parents would have envisioned for her. It was not something a werewolf daughter would have been sent to do. Tamsin was happy to be innocent though Joan was right that it had doomed her father's assigned mission of seducing the king from the start. Women like Joan were more experienced and capable of such things. Tamsin was glad she could leave it to them.

  Chapter 10

  Walter sat down at the edge of his bed with a sigh. The night had been a long one. Only the letter bearing his brother's seal that he had found on his pillow kept him from climbing under his covers and drifting to sleep.

  He was alone in the room. Isaiah and Ruben were guarding King Henry. Owen was likely off sulking and licking his wounded pride.

  There had been no ball the night before and King Henry had left for his bedchamber earlier than usual.

  Shortly after the aristocrats who tucked him into bed each night left his room a servant was sent scurrying out of the room. He returned with Joan.

  Owen's scent had been one of anger as the noises of lovemaking came through the king's door. Walter hoped his companion found some consolation in the fact that once their rutting was through Joan was returned to her room before Henry began snoring.

  Owen's mood remained dark through the night and it had been a relief when Isaiah and Ruben had come to take their places.

  Walter took the letter from his pillow and broke the seal. The light of morning filled the room making it easy to read Edward's neat writing.

  Dearest Brother,

  I will start this letter by putting your mind at ease about the health and happiness of your children. Each of them is thriving under the care of Margaret. Jonathan joined me fishing yesterday morning and is an adequate pupil when his attention can be kept.

  Margaret has been working with the older girls on their embroidery and Bess is quite resentful that she cannot join them. While Margaret was turned away from her the child created a web of thread about the room to her older sisters' horror.

  Walter couldn't help but laugh as he imagined his little Bess causing such havoc. He admired her spunk and spirit. He continued to read.

  Now, I must share sad news with you. Our dearest father has given up his ghost. This means that I am now alpha of the pack and in command. As promised, I will not repeat the alpha order that our father gave you. I believe it was a misuse to do so for something that has proven folly. I agree with your assessment that Henry is not likely to be swayed to return to the influence of the Pope and the church. There has been word that Queen Anne still has sway over the king and that she whispers Protestant ideas into his ears.

  I do feel that we must keep a presence at court to alert us of changes that may transpire but I do not agree with father that one of such a place in the pack as you must be the one to watch and report. I trust your judgment above all others, save Margaret, and so would ask you to remain as long as you can bear it. I know your heart is with your children and that you are saddened by the death of our dear father and may feel unable to continue your duties with such a heavy heart.

  Father is to be buried next to your dear Mary in the family plot along with the pups that have been lost to our family. All has been handled and by the time this letter reaches you much will have returned to routine.

  I leave it to you to judge where you can do the most good for the pack that Jonathan will one day lead and I vow as your brother and alpha to respect the choice you make.

  Your children send their love as I send mine.

  Your Alpha and Brother,

  Edward

  The letter he had sent to his brother during the full moon would not have had time to arrive at his brother's home. He supposed his last letter's reply had been delayed by the mourning of his brother for his father. He had wondered why his brother had remained silent for so long.

  Walter held the letter against his chest for a long moment. He knew he should be in despair over the death of his father but instead he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He could return home whenever he wished. He could hold his children.

  Walter felt drawn to his home and children. It occurred to him that he could pack his trunks immediately. It was autumn and winter was approaching but as a werewolf keeping warm was no issue. He was unlikely to freeze to death even if the nights suddenly turned to freezing. Alone he could make far better time than he had journeying with his companions.

  For a moment he considered doing just that but then another thought invaded his mind.

  Tamsin.

  Walter had held her hand in his and it would be cruel to leave her so soon after. She might think he had been jesting with her affections.

  He needed to wait until he could speak to her. He needed to tell her that he had an affection for her but that he was needed at home by his children. She was the daughter of a werewolf. She would understand about his responsibilities and ties to his pack.

  Perhaps he could even convince her to join him. Walter still did not know why Wolstenholme had sent her or what plans he had for his non-werewolf daughter but if Wolstenholme had sent her to court to find a husband perhaps a match could be made with Walter if his brother approved. Margaret might love his children but she was their aunt and they needed a mother to call their own. They needed a mother's love and care.

  Walter realized he was getting ahead of himself. It was easy to imagine bringing a mother home to his children and having a woman in his bed again but he had not spoken to Tamsin about any of it. She might have no interest in him beyond a dalliance. She might have let him hold her hand out of politeness. They hadn't spoken of it since it happened. If a woman wanted the love of a man why had she not inquired about his intentions after such a gesture? Perhaps her father had even selected a mate for her who was waiting for whenever she returned from the duties at court she had been sent to fulfill.

  Walter was surprised by how much the idea pained him.

  He needed to stay at court for a while longer. When summer arrived the court would move from Hampton Palace to a new destination to avoid the heat and
stench from being so near to London. When the king and queen left Hampton Court Walter would return home to his children. Whether Tamsin joined him only she could decide.

  Chapter 11

  Autumn turned to winter without much change in the merriment at court though everyone seemed as excited as Tamsin to see the first blossoms of spring.

  The queen had been foul tempered much of the winter but as spring approached her temper seemed to improve.

  Tamsin was called to join Queen Anne and her ladies more and more frequently. Sometimes, they asked her to sing to pass the time. Other times, they simply allowed her to be in their presence. It wasn't as if they were friendly towards her. None spoke to her beyond idle chat and she could not consider any on the level of friend. Part of her felt honored to be included. Since she had failed to become a werewolf she had often been treated as an outsider. She didn't think the exclusions were purposeful or meant to harm her. She simply was not a werewolf and could not join in werewolf games and exploits. Part of Tamsin also wondered at the women's motives for her inclusion. At first, she thought they were hoping she would tell tales of Joan but no one had asked her about her friend and she hadn't offered them any information.

  "You are such a pet," one of the women said. She was older than Anne but only by five years or so. Tamsin wasn't sure what she meant but she smiled as if the woman had given her a genuine compliment.

  "You will be needed to sing for us tonight. You should rest your voice," Queen Anne said.

  "Yes, your majesty," Tamsin said. She curtsied and broke away from the group. She was actually glad of the dismissal. She had spent so much time as an outsider that being included felt exhausting. Hampton Court's days were long and Tamsin thought she might have a rest when she got back to her room but first she wanted to write another letter to her mother. She had written several but had not had a reply. She hoped the delay had been due to the winter weather but now that spring had broken she hoped her mother would be able to get a response to her.

  She was surprised to find the curtains drawn when she entered the room. It was unusual for the servants to draw them during the day and she was sure they had been opened when she left that morning.

  She reached for the curtain nearest her.

  "Stop," Joan said. She was hard to make out in the dimness but once Tamsin let her eyes adjust she could see that Joan was lying on the bed.

  "Does your head ache?" Tamsin asked. All of the bustle and noise of Hampton Court often made Tamsin's head ache.

  "I wish I had a mere head ache. I received a letter from my father today. He has ordered me home," Joan said.

  Tamsin tried not to envy her friend's correspondence. She had heard nothing from Wolstenholme. She hoped all was well and that her mother was not too ill to write.

  "Has there been a death?" Tamsin asked. The death of a mother or sister was a common reason for a woman to be sent home where she could be of use to her family.

  "I wish it had been that. My father is ordering me wedded to some barely landed gentry," Joan moaned.

  "He is giving you no choice in the matter?" Tamsin asked. It was not unheard of for fathers to order marriages but it was rare. The priest in Wolstenholme's parish would never marry any who did not consent to the marriage.

  "It is the harlot queen who is giving me no choice," Joan spat.

  Tamsin raised a finger to her lips to shush Joan. It would do her position no good if the queen heard her speaking such ill things.

  "She is jealous that the king has been bringing me to his bed and she fears I will replace her by giving the king the son she has not," Joan said.

  "Are you really sure?" Tamsin asked. She doubted that Joan was the only woman warming the king's bed. If what Arthur had said was true there were likely many more.

  "I told the king I was pregnant and that I had been told by God it was his long awaited son. I asked him to put aside Queen Anne and marry me instead as she has given him only a daughter."

  "Are you really carrying King Henry's child?" Tamsin asked trying to keep the horror from her voice.

  "No, though I was sure that by the time he realized my deception I would be carrying his child. My mother and sisters breed babes like cats breed kittens. Every time I turn around there is another niece or nephew born."

  "Did Henry find out your lie?" Tamsin asked hoping the king had not learned of her deception. She could only imagine the rage it would create in him. He wouldn't even be in the wrong. Joan should never have lied to him about something like a baby.

  "The queen has been in a foul mood with him for a time. She wants him only in her bed. She said harsh words to him and he told her that I was with child and that if she continued to be a hateful woman he would divorce her and marry me. Since he is head of the church there are no limits to his power."

  "Whatever did Anne do?" Tamsin asked. She could not believe Henry's folly for threatening Anne in such a way.

  "She sent a servant to prove that I was still having monthly blood and so could not possibly be carrying a son for Henry. I brought up marriage to Henry again last night and he laughed at me and told me he knew of my falsehood. He was happy enough to stick his cock in me anyways but he made sure no babe would grow in me from him," Joan said. Tamsin did not ask what she meant. She knew a bit about how males and females coupled and had heard that there were ways that children could be avoided but she did not know what ways were used. In that moment she did not care to know.

  "So it is Anne's doing that you are being sent away?" Tamsin asked.

  "Yes. She wrote to my father asking that I be wed to some distant relation of hers. Apparently, my future husband is never at court so there is little chance I will ever see Henry again. I will be busy giving my new husband fat and ugly children as I am sure the queen chose her most vile relation to wed me to as punishment," Joan said.

  Tamsin reached out and took her friend's hand.

  "I am sorry for your pain," she said.

  "I was only following my mother's orders. She wanted me to be the next queen so we could assure that our family was safe. How could everything go so wrong?" Joan asked.

  "I do not know," Tamsin admitted. If she had followed the orders of her parents Joan's fate could have just as easily been hers.

  "I do not want to go," Joan said.

  "I do not wish for you to go," Tamsin agreed.

  "There is to be a ball tonight. I have heard of it though I have been forbidden attendance," Joan said. Tamsin nodded.

  "Dance for me there," Joan said.

  "I can say I am ill and stay here with you tonight instead," Tamsin offered. It made her heart ache to lose Joan. She was the only friend Tamsin had made at Hampton Court besides Walter who could not really be called a friend as much as a man who made her heart leap.

  "I wish to be alone tonight so I can pray to the Virgin for a miracle," Joan said.

  Tamsin nodded though she knew that there were few miracles to be had in the world. She had prayed for a miracle when Thomas lay dying but it had not saved him. She was sure that Walter had also prayed for a miracle to save his dying wife but she returned to the arms of Jesus just the same.

  God might have healed lepers and raised the dead while He walked the earth but it seemed that once He returned to His heavenly home there were far fewer miracles to be had in the world.

  Tamsin just hoped that Joan might be lucky enough to be one of them.

  ***

  Walter rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept well and the last thing he wanted was to be the one guarding King Henry during the ball. He ached for his children and it was harder and harder knowing he could return to them at his will especially now that spring was upon them and traveling would be safer and warmer then when he had first received permission. He reminded himself that summer would be upon them soon and he when Hampton Court moved he would return to Crake estate.

  His brother had asked him to stay as long as he was able but other than the king's bed chamber being filled with women who
weren't the queen there was little happening at Hampton Court that should be of concern to his brother or the other werewolf leaders. If he was honest he had to admit he was staying for Tamsin but he wasn't even sure if that was sensible. They spoke whenever they could but it was never the words that needed to be said. He loved her. He knew that now. He had admitted it to himself. He just couldn't admit it to her. Did she love him? He had no idea. He needed to ask her. If she didn't feel for him the way he did for her then he could leave without guilt. What would happen though if she loved him too? He wasn't sure. There was the issue of her father and his brother to consider if he was being marriage minded and he was not the kind of man who could think of loving a woman in a way that wasn't marriage minded. There were two packs that would be affected by any union they created. Then, there were his children. Not only that, there were the children Tamsin would never have if she chose a life with him. He didn't know how to talk to her about it all.

  He would do it soon but not tonight. He couldn't tonight. He was guarding Henry. He needed to have his wits about him and not be in emotional turmoil over whatever Tamsin would say about her feelings for him.

  The Great Hall was even louder than usual with Queen Anne laughing with her ladies and King Henry dancing with woman after woman. King Henry had even danced with Tamsin which had not made Walter pleased at all.

  The scent in the room was different. There was no apparent danger but it was like the feel of the air before a lightning storm. Queen Anne's eyes followed King Henry like a dog on a scent and King Henry made it a point to engage with his wife as little as possible.

  He wanted to ask Owen what he thought of it all but Owen was chatting to some pretty girl he was not acquainted with. Joan was nowhere to be found which likely did not matter anyways. She and Owen had spoken less and less since Henry had called her to his bed again and again.