In the year of O/our Lord, 1533, King Henry VIII was residing in Hever Castle, the home of his current wife, Anne Boleyn. Anne was now pregnant with what one day would be Queen Elizabeth, although at the time they were hoping for Henry's first son.

Henry was thrilled with the prospect of producing a male heir. He had finally managed to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, who he did originally love, but had only been able to produce a daughter, Mary.

Although most people today think of Henry VIII as a fat tyrant, in his youth he was admired for his intelligence, good looks, good nature and athletic ability. One of his contemporaries wrote that he was "one of the goodliest men that lived in his time, in manners more than a man, most amiable, courteous and benign in gesture unto all persons." ……..

Henry, however had a ravenous taste for women, as history proved out. Six wives. Our story begins with Henry inviting the court down to Hever Castle for a huge party. He was bored. Anne was in her eighth month and remained in bed. Henry knew if he played his cards correctly, he could find some young lady willing to spend the evening with him, or if not there were always a few willing servant lassies.

The party was held in the Hever castle gardens ….

Food and drink was served in the garden circle and the minstrels provided music for dancing. The maze was a delightful place to take a young lady for a walk. …..

Lord Elric received his invitation and sent a messenger off post haste to Jezebel. Yes, the thought of an overnight stay in Hever Castle put ideas in this young lord's head…….

Jezebel was the illegitimate daughter of Lord Borthwick and his beautiful mistress, Annie MacDougal. Her mother, although not of royal birth herself, felt that Jezebel deserved being received as a lady due to the Duke's blood in her veins. Annie managed to have Jezebel spend lots of time with the other daughters of Borthwicks and become quite familiar with the ways of a proper lady.

When Jezebel was 18, her mother sent her off to London, dressed as a lady and eager to work her way into high society. There were plenty of illegitimate females that used their beauty to maneuver their way amongst the wealthy, some even landing a husband that could then legitimize their existence.

In her fine clothing, this beauty easily slipped in uninvited to several huge affairs and eventually met Lord Elric. They danced for hours and Elric was soon infatuated with this beautiful and seemingly attentive prize.

The invitation brought a knowing smile to Jezebel's face. Yes, this might be the breakthrough she had worked so hard to obtain. She was finally going to court, and with the infamous King Henry as the host. She could mingle with the highest royalty in the land, on the arm of a lord. With a little luck this would lead to invitations addressed directly to her, Lady Jezebel MacDougal.

The risk of course was Lord Elric. He had managed to get Jezebel alone a few times and she had allowed not only a kiss, but an accidental touch here and there. She knew that going to Hever Castle meant an overnight stay. Yes, she would have her own room, but Elric would no doubt press for a tad more, even request access to her boudoir.

In order to maintain his attention, she would have to decide just how far she should let his advances lead without losing her valuable virginity.

They arrived in Lord Elric's carriage, and were escorted to their rooms in the castle. Jezebel bathed with the assistance of a lovely servant girl, something she had watched as her sisters were bathed, but had never before experienced as a lady.

She dressed for the evening in her most appropriate gown and the hat she had just purchased in London. A modern French design with an ostrich plume. ….

Elric was waiting at the foot of the castle stairs when Jezebel came down. To her surprise, he was talking with King Henry himself and he introduced her immediately.

Henry's eyes lit up. "M'Lady, a pleasure that Ye could join Us this evening."

She blushed as his wild eyes surveyed her from head to foot ---- and back again. She offered an elaborate curtsey, knowing his eyes were feasting on her breasts in the low, square cut gown. "Sire, the pleasure is all mine."

Henry turned to Elric, "Good lord man, where have Ye been hiding this gorgeous creature?"

Elric, not the handsomest man in the world, smiled proudly, "I only met Her a few weeks ago. Lady Jezebel has recently joined Us in London for the season. She comes from Borthwick in Scotland."

"Come along then. I was on M' way to the gardens and the party which has already started." Henry led the way, pointing out various items of interest. including the huge maze constructed entirely of extremely high hedges. "I suggest taking a lantern before entering the maze," he grinned.

Henry took them to the head table and offered them seats there at his right. As a Lord that was normal for Elric, but a huge step up for Jezebel. She was doing everything in her power to remain calm as the king held the chair for her. Here she was, sitting between a king and a lord.

Servants ran over, bringing large platters of food while a male servant with huge blue eyes poured their wine. King Henry kept talking, only stopping long enough to politely allow others to respond. He was much more gracious then Jezebel expected from a king.

They were entertained throughout dinner by jugglers and jokesters. During dessert, a servant performed the dance of the seven veils, teasing each of the men by leaving a veil on their shoulders. She of course ended with the king, letting him remove the last veil, leaving her totally naked. …….

The wine and the dance had gotten the best of Elric and she soon felt his hand find her knee. He was no doubt already hoping to bed her that night and kept motioning the lad to refill Jezebel's wine.

The king chose that exact moment to suggest that they risk the maze. Jezebel agreed immediately and rose at his side, anything to politely escape the drunken Elric's paws. It took a moment for the slight dizziness from the wine to subside as Elric staggered up to join them.

"Here is how the game will work tonight, Elric, When We enter the maze, Lady Jezebel will choose left or right. Ye will take the opposite direction. I will accompany Lady Jezebel so She will not become frightened, but not assist her. She will make Her own choices. The first to arrive in the center wins the game."

Elric stumbled a bit, but agreed and took one of the two lanterns. Henry nudged Jezebel to the right and she naturally followed his lead. Elric wandered off to the left and disappeared into the darkness.

Henry let Jezebel lead them into one dead end, but thereafter cleverly used the lantern he held to entice her in the proper direction. Within thirty minutes they arrived at the center. There was a delightful little fountain, and Jezebel had to laugh when she saw the statue's little organ pouring the water into the pool of goldfish.

A table was already set with fancy candies and various liquors. The king poured them each a glass and pointed out several items for her to taste. She hesitated, already light headed, but he insisted. He led her over to the soft padded bench and they sat, supposedly waiting for Elric's arrival.

Little did she know that Elric had been sent on an impossible mission, endless routes that never led to the center. Henry knew that Elric would be found sleeping in a drunken stupor the following morning among the hedges.

She also had no idea that the last candy, although extremely rich and delicious, included an aphrodisiac. Her head was swimming from the wine and liquor and the fire in her belly was creating an itch she had never quite experienced before.

Jezebel was enjoying the attention being paid on her by this magnificent man, and all reasoning was gone. When his lips found hers, the last remnants of resistance melted away.

She felt his hand slip under her skirt, and she knew he was intent on finishing the route that Elric had begun during dessert. This time, under the influence of the aphrodisiac, she didn't want to stop him. No, she rewarded his success with a soft moan. Within moments, she was on her back on the cushions, her knickers hanging on one ankle and King Henry poised above her, ready to deflower another virgin.

"Please …. Don't hurt meeeeeee!!!!"- - - - - Those famous last words that tend to erupt, even from an eager woman, just as she feels the initial invasion of her most secret garden.

Henry was quite talented, and he took his time, easing inside til he reached her hymen. He kept whispering in her ear, each slow gentle stroke weakening the tissue's resistance, until with one final thrust he won his prize.

The next morning Lord Elric awoke in the maze, a servant prodding him. "It's time for breakfast, m'Lord."

When Elric joined them, Henry and Jezebel had finished their breakfast and were sitting quite close together, sipping their tea and discussing when and where they might meet again.

Yes, King Henry had added another mistress to his collection. Jezebel had won her way into the Royal Court, but at the cost of her innocence. A Royal Court courtesan, who over the following years would dance with many men, tease quite a few, and allow the best of the lot entrance to her boudoir. Still, she remained one of the King's favorite pets, financially secure and at least keeping her head, a tad better result than Anne Boleyn's sad ending.

The End