It was a little disappointing that Ross had identified him so quickly. But better to send the man off to set his own fortune than influence his by proximity. If Ross could so easily identify him, then surely others would as well, and he did not want to be seen as eager.
The hen comment, while crude, was not overall out of line. Many of the ladies wore dresses with larger than normal skirts, lower necklines, and great long feathers billowing from their ornate head pieces.
In that moment of his contemplation, a group of young ladies drew their attention to the two men. Ross immediately puffed up hischest and moved toward them, allowing Alexander to slip off to the side and out through a door that led to the back garden.
The evening air was cool and welcoming from the heat inside the great hall. As he walked toward the garden, the sounds from inside the palace faded and a calming wave settled over him. He would return in time, but for this moment, he would enjoy the solitude.
That didn’t last long. Footfalls on the stone walkway behind him signaled company. He turned to see the silhouette of a ballgown walking in his direction. This one wasn’t wearing the large headdress like the others; rather, her hair was down. There was some light emanating from the palace so that she should be able to see him, though he was head to toe in black.
“Is it your wish to escape the madness inside the palace as well?”
She stopped abruptly as soon as he spoke, for it was clear now that she thought she was alone.
“I am sorry, my lord. I do not wish to interrupt your solitude.”
Her voice was like silk on his skin. She was still several feet ahead of him and he could not yet see her face.
“What is your name?” he asked, taking a step closer. He couldn’t help himself; there was something about the way she moved and the shape of her figure.
“I am Lady Marion Baird, my lord. Might I have the honor of your name before I return to the palace? I am unchaperoned at the moment as I did not expect anyone else to be out here.”
Alexander closed the distance and stepped to the side so she would have to turn, allowing him to see her face.
When she did, he caught sight of flaming red hair falling in waves down across her shoulders. She wore a white mask that appeared to be made from bird feathers. Her gown was not as low cut across her breasts as the others inside, but he could detect the swell of firmness beneath, and his fingers curled with a sudden itch to touch them.
“I am Lord Alexander Campbell, my lady. It is a pleasure to meetyou, and I assure you that you are quite safe with me.” She was safe but, in his mind, he was already kissing her.
“Lord Campbell? The Earl of Argyll?”
The comment caught him off guard and sobered him. Was she out for his title too?
“The very one.”
He couldn’t help the cold tone in his voice. For a moment, he thought she was different than the others.
“That is a relief, my lord. I became friends with the queen today and she mentioned your name as a trustworthy person. For a moment, I was worried I had happened upon someone she had mentioned who is not so honorable.”
Well, this was a surprise. “The queen mentioned me?”
“Aye, my lord. She said you are handsome and dislike gatherings such as these. It would appear we have that in common.” She hesitated then, “I-I mean disliking the gatherings, not the handsome part. I cannot see your face and I do not think about myself as handsome, I-I mean…please excuse me.”
With that, she walked toward the palace at a brisk pace, leaving him standing in the near dark with his jaw open.
A few heartbeats went by before his stunned brain restarted and he regained his senses enough to follow her.
By the time he reentered the great hall, she was nowhere to be seen. So, he decided to go to the source. Staying on the periphery of the crowd, he found the king and queen at their table at the head of the hall. They were seated and talking to one another and smiling.
“Ahh, Argyll! I wondered when you would make an appearance.”
Was there even a point of him wearing a mask if everyone recognized him so easily?
Alexander bowed to them. “Aye, Your Majesty, I am here as I promised I would.” Then, turning to the queen, he said, “You are looking very festive this evening, Your Majesty. I wonder if I may askyou a question.”
She sat up a little straighter and glanced at her husband before saying, “Of course you may, my lord.”
Her voice was quiet, and he had been in her company enough to know her to be a little reserved.
“You made a new friend today and I wonder if you might know where she is at the moment?”
