“Aye, my lord, I would like that very much.”
The two men left the dining hall and after a short time, Marion could hear the door close. In her mind, she paced in front of it.
“Now, my dear, you have had a long journey as the earl has told me and so off to your chamber with you. I’ve asked a bath to bedrawn, and you will be seen to and then into bed with you. We will discuss your trip on the morrow when you’re rested.”
Two things drew questions in Marion’s mind. The first was her surprise at the thought of the earl having gotten in any words at all. The second was that her mother had been polite in front of the earl, but a chastising was for certain on the way for cutting her trip short.
Uninterested in hearing anything of that nature this eve, Marion retreated to her chamber to where two servants she did not know poured steaming water into the wooden tub they used in their chambers when necessary. She dismissed the maids when the tub was full and removed her gown and shift and stepped into the glorious water. Leaning back, she let the full effect of the hot water sooth her aching bones.
What she would say to her mother on the morrow, she did not know, but for tonight she would try to rest her weary head. She felt like she’d been hit by a plank from the emotional turmoil. Had she done the right thing? She hoped so despite the racket she’d have with her mother. She did regret not speaking directly with the queen, but there was no way around that, and she sincerely hoped she would see the woman again and that she would forgive her.
Marion sat upright after a time. She’d just recalled something Jean had said just before their parting. Marion had been so upset she’d not let herself dwell on it until now.
Jean had said her brother loved Marion, but how could she know that? Aye, he’d been a brute, but he’d done everything since to try to make it up to her, and had he not dropped everything including a family crisis to see her to safety?
She mulled it over in her mind. For sanity’s sake, he’d even left the king. Marion sank low into the water as if it could make her invisible. Did he love her? Did she love him? She couldn’t imagine him kissing anyone else, that was for sure and certain. Further to that, she couldn’t imagine anyone else kissing her.
What an outcome!
She loved him. She really did. She loved Alexander Campbell, and, on the morrow, she would tell him, for he would have to know before he returned to Inverary. She simply must.
There was no way she would sleep this night. She stepped out of the tub and donned her shift then sat near the fire to brush her hair. The nights were getting cooler now that the height of the summer had passed.
For what seemed like an age she stared into the fire until she heard a noise from outside below her window which faced the street.
Moving to peer outside, she saw Alexander step into the carriage and Neville turn it around to tear off up the street. He left! But what about his conversation with her father? Would he not have spoken to her to at least tell her it was all in place? Her heart sank in her chest as she sat on the side of the bed and let her tears flow. This was all her fault. Had she not been so impatient, she might still be at Inverary with him.
She’d lost him.
*
The conversation withMarion’s father had gone much better than he had hoped. The man was understanding that they had begun their courtship and appeared pleased that he had sought the approval of the king at least. He’d been forthcoming as to the reason Marion had wished to return and to their desire to begin a formal courtship anew.
But that was not what he wanted.
And her father was far more intuitive than he’d given the man credit. So, they’d agreed on bypassing the courtship and betrothal and that Alexander could begin planning the wedding which was his wish.
He’d left her father with the task of informing no one, not even his wife—especially not his wife—and that Alexander would return thefollowing day with the particulars and to formally propose to Marion.
Her father did not hesitate and appeared pleased that he knew something his wife did not. Well, he’d leave them to that bit, but for now he would make his way to the palace and hopefully secure the king’s blessing for them to marry at Linlithgow Abbey. He did not want to wait one more day to make her his. The more he thought of it, the more he was convinced they were perfect for each other even in the way they quarreled.
Alexander pulled up to the palace. The hour was late, but he was immediately admitted entry and was informed the king and queen were expected in the morning, having cut the tour short, but that he would be welcome to one of the guest bed chambers in their apartments. He agreed and didn’t even mind the lengths to which the king’s servants went to ensure his comfort.
Now sitting in a steaming tub of lavender and rose scented water, he thought of the details that would need to be secured in order for them to marry. His family would not be in attendance, but they would rectify that as soon as they returned to Inverary. He would need to see a tailor in the morning to see to some new clothes which he hoped they could expedite. Considering the end of the summer, he supposed the local tailors would be happy for the business.
Aye, hopefully the father could keep it from the mother as he did not want her to spoil it for Marion, and he wanted his future bride to find out from him and no one else. He leaned back in the tub and smiled at the thought of asking her to marry him now in but a few days’ time.
Each time a sparkle of doubt entered his mind, he swiftly pushed it away. This was right; he knew it in every fiber of his being. She was his, and she would soon be his countess. The title would fit her. His family would fit her.
The hours would not pass fast enough until he was with her again and she was agreeing to be his bride.
Alexander exited the tub and brushed the water from his body before crawling into bed to find some slumber, but his thoughts were on nothing but her and she would not let him rest. Visions of her beautiful face danced across his mind, leaving his heart racing and his body tight with need.
The next morning, he dressed early and stopped by the tailor to deal with that business while he waited for the king’s arrival. The tailor promised his final garments the day after tomorrow, so that would be the date he would want the wedding. He could barely contain himself as he returned to the palace and was grinning ear to ear when the king rode into the courtyard on his horse.
“You are much more chipper than the last time I saw you, Argyll,” he said as he dismounted and stepped over to greet him.
“Aye, Your Majesty, and once again I am grateful for your understanding and support.”
