Chapter Three #2
Awaiting him in his chamber was his black and gold brocade tunic together with black trews and a black mask to conceal the top of his face, only revealing his mouth.
He even brought a black leather belt to tie around his waist. If he was to suffer an evening of frivolity, he would do it in his own way.
Alexander sat in a chair near the open window and took advantage of the ale and food that Alain had put aside for him. Surely the king’s cooks were the best anywhere. Alexander hadn’t eaten since earlier, and this spread of meat and cheese and bread was most welcome and delicious.
Looking out over the loch, he thought about the night to come, and his thoughts drifted to the red-haired lass from earlier.
So very different was she from the other ladies he’d met that afternoon, and he wondered why it was her mother hadn’t partaken in the opportunity.
Or maybe they had their sights on someone else.
He shook his head. All these games were so unnecessary when their fathers merely had to come together to discuss terms to secure a contract.
The display was unnecessary. Alexander had some experience with women.
At twenty-two, he couldn’t be expected to have remained chaste, and he did want to like his future wife.
So why did he dislike settings like this afternoon so much?
He wasn’t even sure he knew himself. But dislike them he did and this evening amid the flamboyance, he would be expected to dance and engage.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the stone floor. Alexander heaved a sigh and moved the bed to change into his festive attire. When he was nearly done, a knock sounded at the chamber door. Alain entered wearing a sideways grin.
“What has you in such mirth?”
“There is already plenty merry making had in the great hall. I am certain the level of costume will send your head into a spin.”
“And you find that amusing? My head in a spin?”
“Somewhat,” he said as his grin widened.
“Surely I can feign illness.”
“No one would believe you. Now hurry up and put on your mask.”
“I have an idea. Since you are so eager, why don’t you wear my clothes and go in my stead?”
“Absolutely not, my friend. I would not trade places with you for all the marks in the king’s treasury. Besides, I get to watch you squirm all evening, which will amuse me greatly.”
“Some friend you are,” Alexander said as he tied the black satin ribbon at the back of his head, securing his mask.
“We both know that if the situation were reversed, you would take just as much delight.”
“I will get my revenge,” Alexander said, now wearing his own grin.
They left the chamber and made their way down the narrow staircase, across the courtyard, and onward to the great hall. The sound of string and pipe musicians playing lively tunes was the first indication the masque was already in full swing.
Upon entering the great hall, he could not help but notice the additions since earlier that day.
Thick floral garlands ran diagonally back and forth above the crowd.
Long tables were adorned as well with floral arrangements and large platters of steaming meats, mounds of breads, and one very plump roasted boar.
Tankards of ale and mead sat beside silver and gold goblets.
Alexander was sure there was enough food to feed half of the country.
Gazing around, he could appreciate the effort the attendants had put into their costumes, and though he had paid good coin for his own, he almost felt underdressed.
“Do you dare enter into the thick of them?” a voice asked beside him.
Alexander would know him anywhere. Lord Ross was the only other man there taller than he and clearly did little to hide his identity, opting to wear a tall hat with thistles and roses adorning one side versus a mask like nearly everyone else.
“I see you are ready to partake,” Alexander said. Ross was known for his eagerness with ladies.
“And why wouldn’t I be? With such delights to explore. I’m surprised at you, Argyll. Any of these hens are yours for the plucking.”
It was a little disappointing that Ross had identified him so quickly. But better to send the man off to set his own fortune than influence his by proximity. If Ross could so easily identify him, then surely others would as well, and he did not want to be seen as eager.
The hen comment, while crude, was not overall out of line. Many of the ladies wore dresses with larger than normal skirts, lower necklines, and great long feathers billowing from their ornate head pieces.
In that moment of his contemplation, a group of young ladies drew their attention to the two men. Ross immediately puffed up his chest and moved toward them, allowing Alexander to slip off to the side and out through a door that led to the back garden.
The evening air was cool and welcoming from the heat inside the great hall. As he walked toward the garden, the sounds from inside the palace faded and a calming wave settled over him. He would return in time, but for this moment, he would enjoy the solitude.
That didn’t last long. Footfalls on the stone walkway behind him signaled company.
He turned to see the silhouette of a ballgown walking in his direction.
This one wasn’t wearing the large headdress like the others; rather, her hair was down.
There was some light emanating from the palace so that she should be able to see him, though he was head to toe in black.
“Is it your wish to escape the madness inside the palace as well?”
She stopped abruptly as soon as he spoke, for it was clear now that she thought she was alone.
“I am sorry, my lord. I do not wish to interrupt your solitude.”
Her voice was like silk on his skin. She was still several feet ahead of him and he could not yet see her face.
“What is your name?” he asked, taking a step closer. He couldn’t help himself; there was something about the way she moved and the shape of her figure.
“I am Lady Marion Baird, my lord. Might I have the honor of your name before I return to the palace? I am unchaperoned at the moment as I did not expect anyone else to be out here.”
Alexander closed the distance and stepped to the side so she would have to turn, allowing him to see her face.
When she did, he caught sight of flaming red hair falling in waves down across her shoulders.
She wore a white mask that appeared to be made from bird feathers.
Her gown was not as low cut across her breasts as the others inside, but he could detect the swell of firmness beneath, and his fingers curled with a sudden itch to touch them.
“I am Lord Alexander Campbell, my lady. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I assure you that you are quite safe with me.” She was safe but, in his mind, he was already kissing her.
“Lord Campbell? The Earl of Argyll?”
The comment caught him off guard and sobered him. Was she out for his title too?
“The very one.”
He couldn’t help the cold tone in his voice. For a moment, he thought she was different than the others.
“That is a relief, my lord. I became friends with the queen today and she mentioned your name as a trustworthy person. For a moment, I was worried I had happened upon someone she had mentioned who is not so honorable.”
Well, this was a surprise. “The queen mentioned me?”
“Aye, my lord. She said you are handsome and dislike gatherings such as these. It would appear we have that in common.” She hesitated then, “I-I mean disliking the gatherings, not the handsome part. I cannot see your face and I do not think about myself as handsome, I-I mean…please excuse me.”
With that, she walked toward the palace at a brisk pace, leaving him standing in the near dark with his jaw open.
A few heartbeats went by before his stunned brain restarted and he regained his senses enough to follow her.
By the time he reentered the great hall, she was nowhere to be seen. So, he decided to go to the source. Staying on the periphery of the crowd, he found the king and queen at their table at the head of the hall. They were seated and talking to one another and smiling.
“Ahh, Argyll! I wondered when you would make an appearance.”
Was there even a point of him wearing a mask if everyone recognized him so easily?
Alexander bowed to them. “Aye, Your Majesty, I am here as I promised I would.” Then, turning to the queen, he said, “You are looking very festive this evening, Your Majesty. I wonder if I may ask you a question.”
She sat up a little straighter and glanced at her husband before saying, “Of course you may, my lord.”
Her voice was quiet, and he had been in her company enough to know her to be a little reserved.
“You made a new friend today and I wonder if you might know where she is at the moment?”
The queen opened her mouth and then closed it quickly. A slow-forming smile rested on her lips.
“You have an interest in Lady Marion, Argyll?” the king asked.
Did he? Having followed her into the palace and now seeking information from the king, it would appear he did in fact have an interest in one Lady Marion. This realization was likely more surprising to himself than anyone else.
“I believe all you need to do, my lord, is turn around. She is standing right behind you, speaking with her parents.”
Alexander turned around and caught the full sight of her.
Time seemed to slow as she turned, and their gazes locked.
His hair prickled at his nape and his heart thudded hard in his chest. She wore a dark-green tightly-fit brocade bodice that narrowed at her waist and then bloomed into a full skirt made from fabric that shimmered in the light.
Her white mask covered most of her face, but he could still clearly see her striking green eyes and plump pink lips that he now wanted to taste.
The king’s voice beside him jarred him back to the present moment.
“I see you have met the fair Lady Marion, Argyll,” the king said.
“He has, Your Majesty,” she said. Her silky voice drew him in again. “May I introduce my parents, Lord and Lady Baird. Father, Mother, this is Lord Campbell, Earl of Argyll.”
“The pleasure is ours,” her father said.
“I am pleased to meet you all and wonder if I might be permitted to ask your daughter to join me for a dance.”
He said this while keeping his gaze decidedly on her and wanting to place his hands on her waist and draw her closer.
“Aye, my lord,” her father said. “You may dance with her.”
Alexander noted her father’s eagerness. Maybe he was not wrong about the parents, but she was a different story.
“Lady Marion, will you dance with me?” he asked.
She nodded and smiled. “Aye, my lord, I will dance with you.”
He reached for her hand and led her away from her parents and the royal couple. Warmth spread through him, and he placed his hand on her hip and held her hand in his. Her tiny hand burned where she touched his shoulder.
Alexander had felt plenty of attraction before and knew lust well enough, but whether it was the music and the atmosphere or maybe something in the ale, he was bewitched by this lass.
As they moved in time with the music, his mind raced with images of what he would like to do to her, how he would like to pleasure her and how often.
But she was not a common lass. She was a lady and would be available only through marriage.
The thought sobered him again. He was not ready for that kind of commitment with someone he had just met.
His mind warred between his growing desire and his logic.
“I see trouble behind your eyes, my lord. Are you worried about the other dancers, or is the crowd becoming overwhelming again?”
So, in addition to enticing him to want to bed her, she possessed the uncanny ability to read his mind. He had better take a care, for otherwise, this wee lassie might very well have him tethered to her before the dance was over.
“I am not troubled, Lady Marion.” He was such a liar. “I am enjoying the dance with you very much.
He must have sounded convincing, for a moment later she smiled, and he was lost in a sea of fantasies about her all over again.