“Nay, my lord. But you look like a prince and the lady looks like a princess, and I fear I will lose my best friend after this night.”
Alexander shook his head. “No one will lose anything this night; of that I assure you.”
Alain seemed to shake himself out of his musings and then stepped aside for Alexander to exit the chamber. They walked to the solar which was not far, just down the hallway and around a corner. The sight that met him when he entered caused him to draw in his breath.
In the span of a few short hours, what he assumed was a relatively undecorated solar where the king conducted his business much like his own, had been transformed into an extension of the lavish decoration in the great hall. A long table was dressed in beautiful floral arrangements and many platters of meats and cheeses and pies, along with ale and mead and red claret no doubt from the queen’s stores.
Near the main window, a smaller table was dressed in a gold candelabra, gold goblets, and gold trenchers. Two men he assumed from the kitchen stood by the food and drink, and as he passed by heard Alain tell them to pour Alexander a goblet of ale.
As he took in the decorations, he heard a sound behind him and turned to see Lady Marion enter with one of the queen’s ladies in waiting. His breath caught in his throat when he locked gazes with her.
She sparkled like a million diamonds between her shimmering pale blue dress, diamond earrings and necklace, and fine ribbon that danced through her hair from the floral wreath she wore on her head.
This dress, similar to the one she wore the night before, was modest in exposure around her breasts, but he could still make out their curvature and appreciate the shape of her waist.
He stepped toward her and extended his hand. “Will you join me,Lady Marion?”
“Aye, my lord, I shall.”
She took his hand, and from the moment they touched, his body hummed with heightened awareness of her.
“Would you like a goblet of the queen’s claret?”
She smiled and he stopped for a moment to stare at her mouth. “Aye, my lord, I would like that very much, for she has raved about it since I have told her how much I enjoy the mead she had made, which thankfully is less potent. I understand this claret is less potent as well.”
Alexander didn’t know that, but it made sense. His own stores of ale and mead were oft known to bring a grown man to his knees after consuming too much. It made sense to modify brewing to accommodate those who enjoyed the taste, but not the effect.
He poured a goblet then motioned for her to join him at the table. He placed the goblet down and moved her chair for her to sit then adjusted.
“I am very grateful you accepted my invitation,” he said, hoping to commence a conversation to avoid any awkwardness. Christ, why did he feel so nervous?
“And I am very pleased to see you recovered, my lord. Truly, watching you fall was something I do not wish to experience again.”
Was she even aware of the double meaning of her words? He had no doubt falling for her and losing her would be far more painful than landing on his head or his arse.
“It is not something I am in the habit of doing, Lady Marion, I assure you,” he said, trying to keep his tone light.
“May I confess something to you?” she asked, making his pulse quicken.
“Aye, you may.”
“I feel responsible for your fall. I should have insisted my favor be tucked into your gauntlet like her majesty suggested.”
“The fall had nothing to do with the position of your favor, LadyMarion,” he said and reached into the side of his tunic. “I intend to keep your favor as a reminder of the honor from a beautiful lady,” he said as he pulled the fabric out to show her. He’d insisted Alain retrieve it as soon as he woke from his sleep earlier, and thankfully the man appeared to read his mind and had already done so.
Lady Marion’s eyes went a little wide and her mouth formed a silent “oh”.
“So, you see, Lady Marion, you will not be permitted to blame yourself for a split second mistake on my part that landed me where I did for my own carelessness.”
She gave him a shy smile and took a sip of claret. She appeared distracted for a moment as she tasted and contemplated the drink, giving him an opportunity to take her in. By God, but she was glorious in every way. And he was in big trouble when it came to her, as she did indeed appear a genuinely sensible young woman.
“Do you like it?” he asked her after watching her swallow and take another sip.
“I am not certain. ’Tis not as favorable to me as the mead, but I do think I like it.”
“You may have whatever you like, Lady Marion.”
She paused mid sip and then placed the goblet on the table. “You are very kind, my lord. Everyone has told me you are a good man.”
