Romance: In Love With A Beast (Paranormal BBW Panther Shifter Romance) (Shapeshifter Mystery Alpha Werebear Romance Short Stories) Read Online Free

talk of fathers who plan to push their daughters towards the King during this period of the Queen’s confinement. I cannot, and will not, stand by while ambitious men attempt to influence the King by offering him an attractive maiden on a platter. This, Elizabeth, is why I have summoned you here today. I have chosen you as my counter-attack to these endeavors.” With this pronouncement, Wolsey threw back his head and guzzled his drink in one go, and having done so cast his eyes over Beth. He took in her light hair, shimmering in the candlelight, her slightly pouted lips, large blue eyes, and finally the curve of her breasts above the line of her bodice. Beth felt herself squirm under his gaze, and her mind raced. She was struggling to take in everything that he had said, one moment she had thought he was going to demand that she act as a spy for him among the noble families, but then the conversation took a surprising turn. Was he suggesting that she, an inexperienced servant from the kitchens, should attempt to catch the eye of the King of England? As Beth struggled to put her thoughts in order, Wolsey abruptly turned and swept out of the room, leaving a bewildered Beth standing alone in the empty room. However, no sooner had he left than Beth heard a floorboard creak behind her from the direction of the King’s bedchamber. She slowly turned, palms becoming sweaty, and found herself face to face with Henry VIII, Tudor monarch, King of England.

 
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
    Beth looked up into the face of the most powerful man in England, and was struck at once by how handsome he was. With his striking height, strong arms and bright eyes, King Henry was even more impressive up close than he had seemed from a distance the previous evening. In turn, the King looked down at Beth and took in her shapely but slender body; her shining hair and her moistened and slightly parted lips. An electric current seemed to spark momentary between them, before Beth broke eye contact and took a nervous step backwards.
     
    “Your Lord,” Beth began, “I am sorry to disturb you in your private rooms. I had an appointment with Cardinal Wolsey, but I was about to leave.”
     
    The King’s voice was deep and assured when he replied, “Miss Scott, I am delighted to find you here, and you have no need whatsoever to apologize to me. I am only glad to finally have the chance to make your acquaintance. I noticed you last night as you served the food, and I must admit I was immediately entranced by you.” Beth swallowed in surprise. The King of England, entranced by her? Everything was happening so quickly, and she desperately wanted to return to her bedchamber and discuss the evening’s events with Emma. The idea that in a room full of beautiful and well-dressed ladies, the King had singled Beth out of the crowd was almost too much to take in.
     
    The King took a step towards Beth, and she lowered her eyes, feeling unnerved by the intensity of his gaze. Very slowly he reached out his hand, and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Beth’s ear. His fingertips paused, for a moment, at Beth’s ear and she could feel the warmth permeating from his skin onto hers. Moving closer towards her, the King let his fingers move downward, lightly brushing Beth’s neck, and let his large hand come to rest firmly on her shoulder. The pad of his thumb began to move in circular motions, creeping inwards until his thumb was caressing the curve of her breast. Beth could feel her body responding, her cheeks warming and her breath beginning to quicken. She had only just met this man and she was already feeling a magnetic attraction to him. But reality suddenly burst in as she realized she was standing in the Privy Chamber, alone with the King of England.
     
    “My Lord, it has been a pleasure to meet you and I do hope that the feast last night was everything you had hoped it would be. I think I had better return to my room now though, as the other