She didn’t wait for his answer, but rather left the solar and made her way to the chamber that had been made up for her. Once inside, she tugged at the ties attaching all her gown’s pieces together. She’d dismissed the maids, not wanting them to see her upset, so she was left to struggle out of the damned thing herself.
After an age, she had managed to remove all the baubles and ornaments from her body and pulled a light silk shift over her head and crawled into bed. The material was cool against her heated skin from the wine and the gown and the company. Marion rolled to her side and shoved her arm under the pillow to help shape it under her head.
Damned man.
Why did he have to be so wonderful in one minute and so coarse in the next? Well, he could fall off as many horses as he pleased from now on. Marion would give him no more thought or attention. She would return to the manor house as early as possible at daybreak, even if she had to walk there herself.
Marion flicked the covers off and lay flat on her back, staring at the canopy above. She could still smell him on her, still taste him. Flipping herself to her other side, she tried to find a position that would allow her to find slumber and escape from the torment he’d caused. For many hours, she was quite unsuccessful.
*
How long hesat there with his head in his hands, he was not sure, but eventually, Alain cleared his throat.
“Can I get you aught, my lord?”
Alexander didn’t trust himself to speak. He could hardly process what he was feeling, let alone what he might want. He stood and reached for the window ledge to steady himself then shook his head at Alain as he passed and headed to his own chamber.
Once inside, he sat on the edge of the bed with his hands cupping his knees. He was an utter fool. What prompted him to question her after she so willingly opened to him, he didn’t know. But he’d likely lost her in the process. Every part of him wanted her and he was convinced she wanted him as well.
So why did he misread her words to think there was intentional double meaning? But if that was the case and she hadn’t been inviting him in, why did she not push him away when he kissed her?
There could be only one answer, and it was unlikely now he would have an opportunity to be sure. Nay, he needed to separate himself from this place. He couldn’t think near her, and shy of being able to ride his horse himself, he would have Alain secure a carriage. They would leave straight away; even then it would take them two days to arrive home. But he could stay there no longer.
Alexander opened the chamber door to find Alain just outside.
“I decided to wait in case you changed your mind and needed something.”
“Aye, I do. Speak with the king’s steward and secure a carriage for us to leave straight away. We will need to take some of his men to assist us and one to ride my horse. I do not wish to delay.”
“Will you send word to the king?”
“I will go to him now as I know where he spends his evenings.”
Alain agreed and went to do as he was bid.
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.
