“Do you ever have anything else to do besides torment me?”
“But it is so much fun,” he said with a chuckle. “But seriously, I will say one more thing only on the subject as I do feel you are sensitive on the topic.”
“And what is that?”
“Of all the beautiful ladies who were in attendance this evening, some of the most eligible and lovely ladies in all of Scotland…”
“Aye?”
“You danced with the most stunning among them.”
“I don’t want you looking at her,” Alexander said before reason could prevent him.
“I knew it!” Alain said. “You are taken with her. Well, this is wonderful news.”
“There is no news to tell. I am not taken with anyone, and you will remember that you were going to say nothing more on the topic.”
“Very well, I will say nothing more on the topic this night.” Under his breath, he mumbled, “But tomorrow is another day.”
“I heard that.”
“I said nothing.”
They walked in silence the rest of the way to Alexander’s chamber. Once there, he asked, “I trust your accommodations are sufficient?”
“What, no nightcap to discuss tomorrow’s games strategy?”
“Not this night. I plan to retire early and get some much needed sleep.”
“Very well. Are you sure you are well?”
It was a fair question as Alain would be used to them staying up late and discussing all manner of topics. But Alexander was in no mood for such a night. He needed some peace and quiet to restore his energy.
“I am well, Alain. Go and enjoy your evening.”
“I believe I shall. There is talk of a late jig with the kitchen staff once the hall quiets down.”
“I am sure you will enjoy that. Good night, and I will see you on the morrow.”
“Good night,” Alain said and closed the chamber door.
Alexander heaved a sigh of relief as he released his belt and tossed his tunic, trews, and shift to the small clothes chest he’d brought with him. Standing naked in his chamber, he poured a goblet of ale and stood by the open window with his arm resting above his head on the frame. He stared out over the loch and beyond to where small lights twinkled from the houses on the other side. He wondered if Lady Marion was in one of them or if their house was farther down on the other side. Which was more likely as there were larger manor housesdown there.
He sipped his ale as he watched the moonlight flicker and dance on the water. His mind was filled with images of her. How she felt in his arms, the bright intelligence in her eyes, even her scent was burned into his brain.
He thought back to when he’d first seen her earlier that day which now seemed like an age ago. She’d made bold eye contact with him then, the same way as this evening, but it did not have the same impression on him now that it did earlier. He’d taken her action as greed, but now he wondered if she was admiring him. The thought thrilled him. Could she possibly feel the same intense attraction for him as he did for her? Did young lasses feel that way? He had no idea. The way he wanted her right now was almost animalistic. Surely a refined young lady would not harbor feelings like that. Nay, ’twas not possible.
Alexander downed his ale and placed the goblet on the table. He moved to the bed and flicked back the bedding and crawled inside. The bed was large enough for him to be able to spread out and try to find a comfortable spot to relax. As he lay on his back staring up at the dark brocade fabric on the canopy above, his traitorous brain envisioned Marion sitting atop him, riding him hard. His loins tightened at the thought, so he turned to his side. A raging erection would not help him get closer to sleep, so he flicked the covers off as if anything touching his skin made his need grow.
“Damnit,” he said as he got out of bed and poured himself another ale. He pulled a chair over by the window, hoping for a cool breeze to settle him down.
He tried to think of other things. Tomorrow’s joust would not be overly challenging, but he would need to properly focus lest he land on his arse in front of everyone or worse! He thought about the work waiting for him back home and of his younger siblings. He thought about the workmanship the king had access to in order to pull off thesegrand affairs. He even wondered how the cooks prepared the bread in order to make the inside soft and chewy but the outside deliciously crusty. By and by, the ale and the cool air helped settle him enough to crawl back into bed. He wasn’t sure of the hour, but he was hopeful he could manage at least a few short hours of sleep before the sun rose again. The last thing he saw in his mind before fading was a vision of Marion tying a handkerchief to his spear.
Chapter Five
To say hernerves were on edge would be a gross understatement. Marion tucked a kerchief into the pocket of her skirt and left her chamber. She’d taken a little extra time with her hair this morn and had chosen a pale-green gown for the day’s event which was of a lighter fabric to allow more comfort from the summer heat. She was particularly fond of this gown and its fine stitching along the edges. The sleeves were long, but not as heavy or floor length as the one she’d worn the day before or last eve.
She met her parents, sister, and two younger brothers to break their fast. This morning, their cook had prepared bread and cheese together with boiled eggs fresh from the hennery, and though her belly took the brunt of her nervousness, she managed to eat a healthy meal before heading out.
