Tudor Redemption: Tudor Dynasty, #4

Tudor Redemption

By

Jamie Salisbury

Tudor Redemption

A Tudor Dynasty Novel

By:  Jamie Salisbury

Copyright © 2016 Jamie Salisbury

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design:  Anya Kelleye Designs

Editing:  Tabitha Bower

Proofreading:  Renee Waring/Guardian Proofreading Services

Formatting:  Lauralynn Elliott

Website:  www.jamiesalisbury.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jamiesalisburyauthor

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Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JamieRSalisbury

Email:  tudorrose829@gmail.com

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All rights reserved. Without reserving the rights under copyright, reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.

Acknowledgements

My heartfelt thanks all my readers. Without any of you I’d have no one to share my overactive imagination with. Thank you for taking a chance on me.

Thanks to A. Kelleye for holding my hand when I went into meltdown mode with this project. I’m sure you got sick of reading portions or hearing me whine when I couldn’t get a scene to go exactly as I planned. For that you rock big time in my book!

To R. Waring and T. Bower for their honest emotion and comments on this book. Tudor Redemption ended up being one of the most emotional books for me to write, along with being one of my favorites. An author knows they’ve done their job when both your editor and proofreader tell you it caused them to shed tears. Thank you both for your honesty. And yes, I can’t read it without it jerking the same out of me.

Finally to the wandering troubadour - thanks for reading this a gazillion times and being my sounding board on a variety of issues. You’re such an inspiration. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Chapter One

Women...I’m surrounded by them. My daughters, mother, sisters, sisters-in-law. You get the idea. Most for the good. Some not. The ex-wife from hell and a Stephen King novel rolled into one, who pops in and out of my life, and that of our daughter’s when it suits her. But let’s not dwell on that storm cloud...she’ll do what she usually does anyway.

This all started with Alana Archambault. I had first met Alana, a beautiful young French woman, the summer before at a European concert of my not-yet brother-in-law, Daniel Kennedy. It was in Vienna, one of my most favorite places on earth. Daniel is a classical violinist, who also has dared to cross over into the dark side of rock n’ roll. Whatever or however he does it, it works. Then again, anything Daniel seems to do is well received. Especially by the hordes of women who follow his career.

Though I didn’t know Alana was Daniel’s sister the first time we met, it wouldn’t have mattered. It was an instant attraction. I fell madly in love with her. Hard and fast.

I saw this gorgeous, dark haired beauty who looked like a model. Upon being introduced and spending the evening at Daniel’s concert, I thought the attraction was mutual. It was...just not entirely the same way. I should have recognized the way her eyes lit up when she heard who I was, and what my new business endeavor was as not only a producer, but a manager.

But I didn’t. At that point, the only thing that mattered was scratching an itch. Getting this hot thing in bed and burying my cock as far as I could into her. It’d been a long time. A marriage that ended in a horrid divorce had been enough to put a halt to sex in any fashion.

Sex. That was Alana’s favorite way to get her way, to make-up after a tiff. Yeah, make-up sex with her was scorching hot. The woman was a non-stop sex train. All she had to do was touch me, and I got hard. Two minutes later, we’d be fucking each other hard and furious.

Then, after I asked her to marry me, things slowly began to change...

This is where it all begins, though not at all how it ends...

****

Stepping out into an unusually warm, spring, Seattle day, I waved at the black SUV that came whipping up beside me. The window rolled down, and I peered in at my youngest daughter Courtney’s smiling face.

Need a ride old man? she asked sticking her tongue out, giggling.

No thanks. My sweet, mature daughter is supposed to be meeting me.

Courtney rolled out of the vehicle, taking one of my bags. I lifted them both into the back before settling into the front passenger seat.

She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek before maneuvering her way back into the airport traffic.

Thanks for picking me up, Court.

No problem, Daddy. I got the boat in the water so we can sail.

Thank you for doing that. Have you taken her out?

Uncle Amadeus came and we took her out together. He said since you’d had a list of things you wanted fixed or looked at, it would be better if he came along.

Good. I take it everything met with his approval? My youngest brother Amadeus was also an expert sailor. The two of us had been sailing these waters since we were boys with our father. Now, my girls were carrying on the tradition.

Yes. We had a great day. Though you know uncle Amadeus—he always thinks he’s got the faster boat.

He wishes.

We both laughed at that thought. Amadeus had always been competitive in everything he did. Including sailing.

Has anyone heard from your grandmother?

Grace? She’s here. Peter too. They got in over the weekend. They’re staying at Uncle Amadeus’s place in Bellevue.

Courtney, what have I told you about calling your grandmother by her first name. We’ve been over this a thousand times. It’s not polite.

It beats calling her Grandmother like she insists, but I get what you’re saying. How about Granny Grace when she’s around? She giggled.

I had to chuckle, imagining my mother’s face at being called Granny. Does she know when I’m due in?

Nope, Britt and I are playing dumb. We thought you’d like to acclimate Alana before she met Granny.

I’ve got a twenty that says you don’t have the nerve to call her that to her face.

Deal! You’re so easy, Daddy.

Don’t bet on it. I looked away as she began to merge onto the freeway. Still hard for me to get used to them driving.

Dad. Daddy? Where are you?

Sorry. Tired, I suppose.

Liar. Alana will be fine. No one’s going to pounce on her like they did Daniel.

Where’s your sister. Working?

Of course. But she put in to get a four-day weekend for the family bash.

Good. I’ve missed you two.

Uh, we’ve been right here. It’s you who keeps jetting off to wherever.

That’s over.

Court giggled.

How did you get to be so smart? I asked her.

Had a great teacher. She giggled again, pulling into the condo’s garage. And I observe a lot.

Now that I can believe.

She parked in the assigned space and shut off the engine. Here we are.

We grabbed my bags and headed toward the elevators. When we reached the condo door, I took my stuff to deposit in my bedroom.

When I returned, Court was sitting in a chair texting.

You’d better not be texting everyone in the family.

I only told Britt.

Good. I don’t need Granny Grace all in a tizzy and in my business.

She snorted, not looking up from her phone. Yeah, she’d do that.

Who are you texting now, Court? It’s really rude to do that while talking to me, and besides, I just got home. I’d like a little one-on-one time with my daughters.

Sorry. It’s just Jake.

Jake? Who’s Jake? On second thought, please don’t tell me. I don’t need to know.

He’s sort of my boyfriend.

How are you a sort of a boyfriend?

We hang out a lot. Talk on the phone, Facetime.

Where did you meet this Jake?

School.

What is this Jake studying? I walked into the kitchen to grab a beer. I so wasn’t ready for the boyfriend stuff. This was supposed to be about initiating my fiancé into the family.

He’s pre-med.

Really? He’s going to be a doctor?

A vet, Daddy. She giggled. Courtney had always been a chatterbox and a giggler. Britt, her sister? Complete opposite. Quiet and serious. That change didn’t come about until her mother left—no, make that abandoned—her and her sister. Along with me.

Nothing wrong with being a vet, Court. Am I going to meet this Jake?

Yes. He’s coming to the party.

Good. I’ll be sure to sit him down and reinforce the rules for dating my baby girl.

Daddy!

She sat and answered a text, obviously from this Jake dude while I wandered over to the bank of windows and stared out at Puget Sound.

Daddy, do you mind if I go out with Jake?

Sure. No need for you to hang out here.

It’s just Jake’s schedule isn’t always very flexible.

Go.

You sure?

Yes, really.

The next thing, I felt her pecking my cheek, squealing, and skipping down the hall to her room. I continued my vigil over the city, waiting for her to leave.

A few minutes later, I heard the front door open. Bye, Daddy. I won’t be too late.

Have fun.

As soon as the door slammed shut, I fished my phone out of my pocket. I scrolled through for calls or messages.

Swallowing the last of the brew, I went back into the kitchen in search of another and for something to eat. Nothing appealing to me, I grabbed a bottle and headed to the bedroom to unpack and get a shower.

Not knowing what time my oldest got off work, I sent her a text. Brittney was majoring in international marketing and had huge ambitions of securing a job in a major European city, preferably London.

Sorry, Dad. Don’t get off until store closes.

She worked at one of the major fashion retailers when she wasn’t in school. Her way of keeping herself in the latest fashion.

No problem. See you later.

Unpacking took no time. I grabbed stuff for the bathroom after putting everything else away. As I was halfway across the bedroom, my phone rang. I let it, not wanting to quit what I was doing. Alana could wait. Everyone else could as well, for that matter.

Angus. Courtney must have had a weak moment and called him. No telling what she’d said about Alana not coming with me. I held my breath and waited for him to answer.

What’s up, big brother?

You tell me. I’m sure Court spilled the beans.

She just said you’d come in a couple of days early. Alone.

Yeah. Alana had some appointments, so rather than follow her around, I came on.

Whatever you say. You want to go grab something to eat, have a few beers?

Naw, think I’ll just hang around here for the night.

I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Have your butt ready.

Really, Angus, I’m not in the mood to go out.

Okay, fine. I’ll catch you when you’re not so whipped.

He hung up on me. Brat. That was the way it was with him. Have a problem, go out to eat and have a few brews. Problems disappear.

About an hour later, I heard someone pounding on the front door. Since you had to be on an approved list to get into the building, past security, I knew it had to be family.

I opened the door, and there stood Angus. Pizza in one hand, beer in the other. Hi there, Mr. Damien. My name’s Suzi. I heard you were back. I thought you could use some company, he said in his best falsetto.

Get your ass in here before one of the neighbors hears you, I hissed.

Good to see you too.

I grabbed the pizza from him and headed toward the kitchen. Just what I needed—a clown. Thanks for the food. I wasn’t looking forward to cooking.

No problem. Girls working, I take it?

Britt is. Courtney’s off with some guy she’s kinda seeing.

Where’s Alana? Doesn’t your other half need to be here for you to throw her to the wolves? Or did she get cold feet?

I grabbed two paper plates and thrust one at him. Shut up.

Testy. You two have a fight?

No, Angus, we didn’t have a fight. Alana had a couple of appointments. I didn’t feel like following her around, so I came on home. She’s due in Thursday.

Okay. Like I said—testy.

Shaking my head, I grabbed a beer and a couple of slices. Who was I fooling? Angus, leave it alone. It is what it is. I don’t care to follow her around shopping.

It’s going to get worse before the wedding, you know that?

And she has all sorts of females to help her.

What’s really going on, Dame?

Nothing.

That’s not what Amadeus heard.

Wonderful. My private life is out there for everyone’s amusement.

No, it’s not. He called to check on Mary, and she said Danny about had a coronary when he heard the two of you were getting married. Something about—

Shut it. I don’t need to relive it third hand. I was there.

So, it’s true?

What? About Danny having a coronary? Yeah, he was close. Evidently, he thinks his sister uses people to get what she can then leaves them high and dry.

And of course, that’s not the case with you. You two are madly in love and engaged. He’ll have to get used to it.

Yeah, he will. I took a huge bite off my slice and set it down. Damn, he was still staring at me. What?

Nothing. I didn’t say a word.

You don’t have to. I can tell you don’t approve either.

Who else doesn’t approve?

Where do I start? The girls are okay with Alana as long as I’m happy. Daniel, you know about. Mary thinks I need to slow down. And now you.

I can’t judge. I’ve never met her.

Amadeus has. What’s his take?

Same as Mary’s. Thinks you need to take your time. But he’s got an open mind. He’ll wait and see.

Oh gee, I’m flattered.

Damien. You don’t even sound convinced tonight.

I’m not. I can’t put my finger on it, but ever since we started meeting family and telling them our intentions, something’s been off.

Well, just get through the party, sit down, and talk it out.

That’s all I’m trying to do. I may be completely off.

But your gut tells you otherwise.

Yeah, Daniel’s words ring true. Taking a swallow of beer, I eyed him. Don’t say a word.

Wouldn’t dream of it.

I mean it, Angus. Don’t breathe a word of this.

If I managed to avoid everyone for the next two days it would be nothing short of a miracle.

Chapter Two

My eyes did a double take as I sat in my SUV and watched Alana emerge from the baggage claim two nights later. She’d tried all the tricks, trying to get out of coming, but I’d stuck to my guns. I’d met her family, now it was her turn to meet mine.

I slid out of the vehicle to help her with her luggage. She greeted me rather coolly. Hell, a polar bear would have given a better hug than what I got from Alana.

Sliding behind the wheel, I couldn’t help but stare. What the fuck did you do to your hair?

I dyed it, what does it look like? she replied coldly.

I can see that.

I take it you don’t like it.

No, I don’t. It looks fake. I like your natural color better. Alana has, or rather had, beautiful dark brown hair that hung down to the center of her back. Now, it was this, this Soprano’s-like, mafia black. Yeah, she looked like a mobster’s girlfriend.

Well, I think this is a better choice for my career. More dramatic.

Who advised you to make this change?

Tony. He set me up with one of the best salons in Manhattan.

I just bet he did. What’s this costing?

I don’t know. I didn’t ask.

So, you got your hair dyed and whatever else and never thought to ask what you were paying for it? I felt my blood boiling.

What’s wrong with you, Damien? You always object to anything I try to do to make myself better.

I only object because you think money grows on trees. You are constantly buying stuff. Expensive stuff too. You’re not Taylor Swift or some other super star. You’re just Alana. Trying to get your career off the ground. Act like it.

If I did that, no one would notice.

Oh, is that what Tony says? Buy the most expensive dress, act the part, and it’ll instantly come true? Well, newsflash, Alana, it doesn’t work that way. Even the super divas you envy had to work hard to get to where they are. After this party, you and I are going to sit down and talk. I was fuming, and I heard my brother-in-law’s words coming back to haunt me.

She mumbled something I partially understood and looked out the window.

What’d you just say?

Nothing. If you aren’t going to say anything nice, can we please not talk? You’re giving me a headache.

Fine with me.

We arrived back at the condo. I caught her turning her nose up at everything as she walked through the rooms. Fair enough. I hadn’t really told her how I’d ended up with Amadeus’s old place. How the girls and I had decorated it.

I thought when you said condo, it would be in that place where they filmed that movie. This needs work. A lot of work.

Excuse me? Did I just hear you right? For the price of a condo in that place I could buy a very nice house on Bainbridge Island. You need to keep your mouth shut until you know the facts. This place might not be as shiny, but trust me, a unit with a view like this one is far from cheap, sweetie.

Can we at least look for a place of our own?

We’ll talk after the party. If we do look, you can bet it won’t be in that freaking building.

She was texting someone, not paying a bit of attention to what I was saying. Just like one of the girls.

Alana, who are you texting?

Sherry.

It’s three in the morning in London.

She’s still up.

Okay, Dame, chill out. This is supposed to be a happy time. You’re planning a new life with this woman. Yet, somehow, I wasn’t feeling it. Would you like a glass of wine?

Please.

Come, pick one out. I can never keep up with which you like.

Grabbing her hand, I led her to the kitchen. Pointing to the rack on the counter, I opened a drawer and pulled out the corkscrew. Has she done something to her lips? I don’t recall them being that full.

There are a couple of bottles of white in the refrigerator if you’d rather have that.

She opened it and pulled out a bottle of Zinfandel. Here, this will do.

The girls are staying over at friends tonight. They thought we’d like it if they played scarce for at least a night.

That’s sweet, she replied, accepting the glass from me.

It suddenly dawned on me she hadn’t even kissed me, nor had I kissed her. I’d been too busy barking at her. I leaned down, and she let me, but when I tried to initiate something more sensual, she shut me down.

Don’t Dame. My lips are still sore.

They look nice, I lied. They make you look like a kisser fish, but hey, that’s just my opinion. Was that one of your appointments? Of course it was, and I wondered what this was going to cost.

Yes. She shyly smiled. I’m glad you like them. It doesn’t look too obvious, the change?

No, not at all. Liar, liar pants on fire. Yep, kisser fish. This is one of those maintenance things. Come, let’s go sit down.

Taking her by the hand, I led her back to the loveseat. She took a drink of wine, setting the glass down on the table next to her. Then, she yawned. Well, it is eight hours’ time difference in London. Three in New York.

What are we doing tomorrow?

I thought I’d show you around town. Show you where I grew up, silly stuff like that.

That’s nice. What time is the party?

Any time after two on Saturday. We have to take a ferry to get to Amadeus’s place. We’ll leave late morning...unless I can talk you into sailing.

No, if the wind dies we’d never make it in time. I want to look good, not windblown, when I meet your family.

Good point.

Who all’s going to be there, Dame?

"My two brothers and