The Favotite of Her Majesty (Amazon) by Jerome Brooke
The Favorite of Her Majesty is the tale of Robin who lived long ago. He became the lover of the dowager Queen, and was made the Duke of the Western Isles by her. At her death, her son returned from the wars. Robin was stripped of his titles and died a horrible death.
Excerpt:
The Queen in her later years was beguiled by a music master, a youth of low birth. She bestowed on him high honors, in which he did regale
Royal Annals, p 788.
“Sing me a lay of love, dear boy, do!” sighed the Queen. “Your voice is so sweet.” I sang another song for the dowager lady, as she closed her dark eyes.
“Lady of the Glen, Lovely as the stars,
Bright in the distant sky…”
As I sang, the lady opened her eyes, and beckoned one of her ladies forward. She whispered to her, and gave her a few silver coins. These were given to my aunt, who sat near the door.
When I ended the ballad, the Queen smiled. “Pretty One, you must remain, to play for me this night. Your voice will lull me into sleep,” she did whisper. The Lady held up a coin of gold, and tossed it to me through the air. I turned to find my aunt had taken her leave of us. The dowager rose, and extended her hand to me. I kissed her hand, and did bow.
With a gay laugh, the Lady took my arm. She led me into her chamber, and then drew me close in an embrace. “You are fair of face, and your cheek is yet smooth like a boy! Come, you must help me with my bath.” With help from one of her handmaids, she unlaced her gown of red silk. Another maid carried in a tub of gold into the chamber. She was followed by another maid with a canister of water.
The royal lady, with help from her maids, stepped into the tub. One of the women then helped me to remove my garments, and led me to the tub. The Countess took my arm, and pulled me into the bath with her. “Dear boy, do kiss me here... .
