Chapter Seven #2
Shy of being in his solar, Alexander was aware the king enjoyed spending time in his library which was filled with manuscripts and scrolls from all over Europe. The man spoke six languages and prided himself on being exposed to as much of the world as possible.
Sure enough, when Alexander entered the library, the king was bent low over a scroll which was opened wide on a table and secured open with glass orbs.
“Your Majesty, may I have a word with you?”
The king looked up and smiled. “Your evening has ended so soon?”
“Aye, and I must beg your indulgence for a carriage as I must leave here as soon as ’tis secured. I know I cannot ride, but I feel I must make haste to Inverary.”
“Is aught amiss?” the king asked and made his way to Alexander, motioning him to sit.
How he longed to stretch the truth and say he’d received word of a sick sibling, but this man deserved better of him.
“I believe I may have misjudged and ultimately insulted Lady Marion. I do not wish to offer details and beg you not to force them from me. But I cannot think here. My mind is muddled, and I need the security of my own home to clear my head. I plead with you to release me.”
The king sat back and regarded Alexander. His brow knit and his mouth turned into a frown. “I will grant you this, Argyll. But I expect to see you again before this summer has ended either here at Linlithgow or by invitation to Inverary.”
His relief was great as he let out a heavy sigh. “I thank you, Your Majesty, and aye, I have been planning an invitation for you and your wife since your marriage last year. If you let me leave now without fuss, you shall pick the date, and we shall have another grand fete in your honor.”
This news brought a smile to the king’s face. “Then you shall travel within the hour and in my most comfortable carriage. I will have my footmen accompany you and my best guard to return your horse.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. This is a great relief to me,” Alexander said and stood to bow and leave.
“One more thing,” the king said.
Alexander held his breath and waited.
“Regarding Lady Marion. Do I need to offer any apologies to her family on your behalf?”
The meaning was quite clear and thankfully, the encounter had not advanced to that level. “Nay, Your Majesty. She is intact.”
The king looked surprised for a moment before masking his expression. “Very well, I bid you a safe journey and I will send word of our anticipated arrival date.
Alexander bowed and left the library. He was careful there were no servants or anyone else in the hallway before heading to his chamber. Alain was packing his belongings when he entered.
“Did you speak with the king?”
“Aye, he has agreed to release us this eve in a carriage with the assistance of his footmen. He’s offered his own guard to ride my horse, but I would rather you rode him. We shall have to stop somewhere tomorrow eve, but we can make that decision then. How long before we are ready?”
“We can leave here as soon as the footmen come to collect your chest. The steward will have the kitchens wrap up some food and libations for us to take with us.”
Minutes later, the footmen arrived, and Alain directed them to the trunks. He waited for them to leave before asking, “Do you need assistance with the stairs, my lord?”
Alexander shook his head and left the chamber, not looking back and not really looking around until he entered the courtyard and entered the awaiting carriage.
He took only notice of the lavishness and comfort he would have on this ride, but was less pleased with the additional time the trip would take.
Nevertheless, the sooner he was away, the better.
He closed the curtains to the windows and leaned his head back.
God’s teeth, what a mess he’d made of things.
On the seat opposite him was a wineskin and a basket.
Not that he was hungry, but he did appreciate the drink and hoped it was ale.
He opened it and took a swig just as the carriage was pulled forward.
Maybe between the gentle rocking of the carriage and the beverage, he would find a way to settle down.
But every time he closed his eyes, her face came into view and every time he took another swig of ale, ’twas she he tasted.
He was certain he would go stark raving mad stuck in the carriage on his own for the next several hours, and so he knocked on the roof for the driver to stop.
Be damned, he would not sit in this box alone.
When the carriage stopped, he stepped out and spoke to one of the extra guards who had accompanied them but had no current role.
Minutes later, the guard rode his horse, and Alain was sitting on the seat across from him, grinning from ear to ear.
“If I have to endure this unnecessary luxury, then you will too,” Alexander said.
“I am not complaining, my lord. For I have always wanted to be cavorted about the country like a lady. I believe the only thing I’m missing is a low-cut gown and plump breasts.”
“I have enough visions in my mind’s eye I wish to forget at the moment. I do not need to have one more, particularly one that is quite disturbing.”
“I am pleased at least that you did not insist on riding your horse,” Alain said.
“I know you are troubled, and I know how private you are with your affairs, but if you wish to talk about what happened this evening, I am here to listen. I was in the solar so I do have a sense of it, but we all moved as far away as we could, and I made sure the staff were farther away than me.”
“Do you think the maids will talk?” He hadn’t thought about that. Damn, but he was a daft fool for he had likely put her reputation at risk.
“I do not think anyone will say a word. And I know this because I did hear the queen speaking to them ahead of the dinner that their discretion was expected.”
At least it appeared the queen had hand-picked the maids. Alexander, while grateful for the company, was not much in the mood for chatter and so resealed the wine skin and tossed it to Alain then let his head fall back, praying for the chaos in his mind to release.