Disclaimers ~ These characters belong to me. If they have a passing resemblance to you or share your name, it's purely coincidental.
Violence/ bad language ~ Spousal abuse, and some fighting scenes. Some bad language.
Love/sex ~ Romance between consenting women. Relations between a man & woman. If this offends you, you won't like this story. Well...maybe you will, but you'll just be tutting a lot at what my imagination conjured up. Am I ashamed? Nah, not really.
Author's note ~ Questions, comments & thoughts all welcome. Loves_to_write_fic@yahoo.co.uk
Copyright © December 2008
Chapter Three
"I won't do it, father!" the handsome prince raged, stomping from one end of the room to the other. "I won't do this to some poor, unsuspecting, young girl!"
"You are to be King, Ripley," Edward replied, surprisingly calm. "You need a wife."
"Kings have ruled without a wife by their side before!" Ripley argued. "Some wait until they are in their much later years before finding a bride."
"If I leave it to you, you will never have a wife. Don't think I don't know you, Ripley!" Edward growled, his anger rising. "You will do as I wish, and I wish for you to have a wife now!"
"Is your memory going, father?" Ripley spun around to face the fair-haired King. "I am no man! Surely my bride will notice upon our wedding night!" The prince stalked over to the King's desk, placing her palms flat on the large surface and leaning towards her father. "My secret, our secret, will get out!"
"Calm down, son," Edward placated. "You are my only legitimate heir, the future ruler of these lands. It is your duty."
"Don't call me that!" Ripley hissed, spinning away from the desk to start her pacing again.
The King laughed in amusement. "Son or Prince? For you are both, whether you like it or not, Ripley."
"Only by your doing, father!"
King Edward had lost two sons early in his marriage, one through sickness, the other stillborn. He had prayed many a night that his wife and the good Lord would bless him with another. After many unsuccessful years, the Queen had fallen pregnant again and carried to term, giving birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The little boy's life had slipped away as the doctor desperately tried to save him. Edward had waited in a nearby room, pacing helplessly as first his son, then his wife, passed on, leaving him with a healthy, beautiful girl.
Ripley had been born with light-blonde hair like his own, and cerulean eyes like his wife. Edward named his daughter Ripley, a name suitable for either a boy or a girl, deciding his only remaining heir would one day take his place, for he would never remarry after losing his beloved wife.
"Who is this poor unsuspecting girl?" Ripley sighed in defeat, knowing that once her father had set his mind to something, she wouldn't get any peace until she gave in to him.
Edward smiled triumphantly. "Her name is Kelsey Gardiner. She is a strawberry-blonde, has blue eyes, is beautiful, innocent and a twin!"
"She is not of noble birth?" Ripley asked frowning, not recognising the girl's name. What is he up to?
"No, she is not of noble birth. I thought, seeing how you have already refused two Princesses and a Lord's daughter, perhaps one of your own people would be best."
Someone who doesn't know the ways of the Royal court, someone you can have under your thumb, Ripley thought in disgust. "What is her dowry? Surely her father cannot provide you with the army you are so desperately seeking."
The King scowled at his daughter. "No, he has no army. He is a carpenter. But that is irrelevant, Ripley. You have messed up my plans for you time and again, and this time you will do as I order, or so help me God."
Not seeing an immediate way out of this arrangement, Ripley sighed. "Do I get to meet her before we wed?" she asked. Maybe I can scare her off.
"Her twin sister has recently married Ackerley Meadows," Edward informed her.
"Poor girl."
"Indeed," the King nodded in rare agreement. "Anyway, I thought and my advisers agreed that we would wait a while. That time has passed and the Gardiner family shall now be arriving this weekend for a short stay."
Ripley's eyes widened. "And you are only telling me this now!" she bellowed in rage.
The King stood to his full imposing height. "Now listen here, boy. I am the King and I will do things my way," he said in a dangerously low tone. "I didn't see fit to tell you before now, so deal with it. Get out of my sight, Ripley, before you really annoy me and I do something drastic!"
Her jaw clenched tightly to stop herself from saying something foolish to the King of England; Ripley bowed her head in respect then quickly marched out of the office.
* * * * *
"This is surely reason to be concerned," Brandon, Marquess of Dublin, hissed in anger. "A peasant family invited to the castle!"
Winston, Earl of East Anglia, frowned. "What is the reason for their visit? Do we know?"
"I have an insider who works in the castle," Montgomery, Duke of Cornwall, said quietly. "He informed me that there is a rumour going around that King Edward has demand that his son takes a bride, and since Ripley has refused all others, the King has chosen a common girl, one of his own people."
"Bugger it all to hell!" Goodwyn exclaimed. "He is mad! No Royal has ever married a commoner!"
"Calm down, Lord Goodwyn," Winston soothed. "'Tis just a rumour and surely a false one," Winston looked at Montgomery. "Edward must know what outrage this would cause, surely he is not foolish enough to take on the church itself?"
"As I said, 'tis a rumour," Montgomery conceded. "But...why is this common family coming to the castle? Why are they to have an audience with the King and his son?"
The men frowned at this as they thought it over.
"We don't know," Brandon finally spoke up. "We won't know until they get to the castle." He looked round at the other men. "I take it you have all been invited to the dinner that is being held when they arrive?"
The other three men nodded.
"Then I suggested we mingle and keep our ears open, listen to everything that is said and offer what little we know," Brandon said. "I personally feel that this may be leading to the chance we were looking for."
"I agree," Montgomery said. "This matter can't be taken lightly and, if the King has seen fit to set the future ruler up with a common girl, we will have the church behind us, and that will leave us in a very good position."
* * * * *
Kelsey and Lindsey looked out the carriage's windows at the scenery passing by outside. The castle sat behind a stone-fortified wall, so far impregnable to enemy attacks. It overlooked picturesque countryside, lush green grass for miles around. Trees and flowers bringing a range of varying colour to the area.
Being cleared to enter through the outer wall gates, the horse-drawn carriage hurtled onwards, travelling along the dirt path that led to the drawbridge and courtyard of King Edward's castle. The carriage slowed as it passed over the drawbridge and beneath the portcullis, the horses trotting into the cobblestone courtyard that was bustling with people. The carriage drew to a stop and the door was immediately opened by a small boy, the Gardiner family being greeted by a smiling, finely dressed man.
"Ladies," he greeted, bowing to them respectfully. "My name is Chesney Beauclerc. I am the King's personal steward." The brown-haired man offered his hand to Odele and helped her out of the carriage, followed by Lindsey and Kelsey.
Kelsey looked around the noisy, smelly, courtyard with wide eyes. On the left, she could see a blacksmith hammering away at something just outside his workshop, next to him, a fletcher was making arrows, and an arrowsmith putting the finishing touches to an arrow head he had made. Back towards the portcullis, she saw soldiers milling about, talking, laughing, or practising their skills. The watchman, whose job was the castle security, was talking to the porter, who was waving his hands about and shaking his head. In the middle of the courtyard, a couple of maids stood at the well laughing raucously, while other servants bustled about, some stood gossiping or flirted with each other or the soldiers.
"The King wished for me to be of service to you for the duration of your stay," Chesney was telling the family. "Anything you need, anything at all, all you have to do is ask." He smiled warmly at each of the women. "I shall now take you to your chambers, where you can wash up and rest a little before meeting King Edward and his son Prince Ripley for the mid-morning dinner."
Ackerley and Elden climbed out of the carriage and followed after the group ahead of them, Ackerley reassuring his wife's father that the bags would be taken care of. Elden glanced back to see a number of men starting to unload the baggage.
Kelsey looked around wide-eyed, her mouth agape, as they walked through the castle. Fine tapestries hung from the stone walls, each depicting a different varicoloured picture. People hurried about, maids and servants with jobs to do, nobles and entertainers standing around. Beautiful women dressed in the finest of clothes looked her over before turning away to whisper and giggle, making the young woman feel inadequate and self-conscious.
Chesney led the group upstairs; the stone stairwell cool and making them shiver. Along a well-lit corridor, he stopped outside a closed door and turned to face the group. "Mr. Meadows," he said to Ackerley. "Your chambers, sir."
Ackerley smiled as he stepped forward, a hand placed on Lindsey's back to push her forward. "Be sure to tell the King that I appreciate it."
Chesney stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the pompous man. The King doesn't even know you're here. Oh, how happy he'll be when he learns you are! the steward thought sarcastically, knowing King Edward could barely stand Ackerley and his big head. Smiling at the Gardiners, Chesney led them onwards.
Kelsey tried to study the tapestries she went passed, vowing to return to the beautiful pieces of material once she had time. The corridor had a number of small windows that let in plenty of light and showed the visitors the glorious landscape of the castle grounds. She hoped she would get to see a little of the garden. She hoped she got to see a lot, sure that this would be her only chance.
Reaching another door, a few paces down the corridor, Chesney stopped and opened the door. "Mr. Gardiner, your chambers, sir."
Odele walked into the large room and stared around in awe at the finery of the receiving room she stood in. "Oh, my!"
"Your bags will be brought up shortly," the steward informed them politely. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you," Elden said bowing. "Thank you very much."
Closing the door on the gaping couple, Chesney smiled at an obviously nervous Kelsey. "There is nothing to worry about, Miss. Gardiner. The prince royal has been brought up to be very respectful, a true gentleman," he said, thinking Kelsey was nervous about the upcoming meeting.
"I am sure that is true, Mr. Beauclerc..."
"Chesney, Miss."
"Chesney," Kelsey acknowledged. "But...I find myself wondering why the King has deemed me the one suitable to marry his son? I am a nobody, sir. I am not of noble blood, I am of no standing, and yet here I am at the castle."
Chesney started walking, leading Kelsey towards her rooms. "I cannot begin to answer your queries, Miss. Gardiner. But, I have worked for King Edward for many years and he has never made a decision lightly. In my opinion, he spotted you at your sister's wedding celebration and saw something, something precious, something...alluring, and came to the conclusion that you were the right one for Prince Ripley."
"Forgive me for saying so, Chesney, but has His Royal Highness not been betrothed three times before already?"
Chesney smiled. "He has, yes. But I think the young prince knows what he wants out of a potential bride, and the girls his father arranged for him didn't match up."
"I am just a common girl, sir, one of the people. I know nothing of nobility or being a princess," Kelsey argued.
"Perhaps that is what Ripley needs," Chesney thought aloud. "Someone who knows what it is like to struggle, someone who can really appreciate the beauty of the lands, the staff who will see to every whim, someone who the people of the kingdom can relate to and adore in her own right." The steward stopped and opened a door, stepping aside to allow Kelsey to enter.
Kelsey walked into the receiving room and gasped aloud, turning this way and that to take in everything.
The room was filled with beautifully carved furniture and decorated with the finest of tapestries. The large stone fireplace had a fire burning strong, the logs popping and crackling, the scent of chicory in the air. An exquisite woven rug had been placed in front of the fireplace, with a deep red chaise longue resting on top. A small table nearby to hold one's drink.
Chesney smiled, liking the young girl and wanting to see her happy. "Through that door is your bedchamber, Miss," he said, pointing to a closed door. "Your bags will arrive shortly and someone will come and collect you when it is time for the mid-morning meal. Do you wish for a bath, Miss. Gardiner? I can call for the ewerers, if you do."
Speechless, Kelsey turned to look at the steward, blue eyes wide, thinking how wonderful it would be to have a warm bath. With the cost of firewood being so high, it wasn't unusual for the people in Kelsey's small village to forgo bathing. Elden tried his best to provide for his girls though, and sometimes he managed to scrape together enough for the family to heat enough water to fill their tub half-way, each of them taking turns to bathe. "Do I...have time?"
"You do, Miss Gardiner. You have as long as you need, for this is about yourself and the prince royal. No one else."
Kelsey smiled, liking the older man. "I would very much like a bath, please, Mr. Beauclerc."
The steward bowed. "I shall see to it right away, Miss." He closed the door behind him as he left, leaving the young strawberry-blonde alone to look around the rooms that were hers for the duration of her stay.
Ewerers? she thought to herself as she looked around more closely. How silly of me. Of course, this great castle has more than one person responsible for bringing water up and heating it for those who wish for a bath! This is a world I don't know at all! What on earth am I doing here? Why was I chosen? Walking over to the closed double doors that Chesney had pointed out, Kelsey swung them opened and stared in the doorway, wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
Ahead of her was a large, elaborately carved, four-poster bed with a deep red canopy. Beside the bed was a thick woven rug that would protect her feet in the cold mornings from touching the chilled stone of the floor. Dark wood furniture - a chest of drawers for her clothes, twin tables either side of the bed that each held ornamental candle-holders, and a small table where she could write letters if she so wished also filled the spacious room. Over on her right, beneath the large window, was her own private oratory, a place she could pray in private if she so wished. And on the left was large, fireplace, faced with intricate wooden carvings of a design she had never seen before.
Kelsey stepped into the bedchamber, nibbling on her bottom lip. I have never seen something so...magnificent! she thought, walking over to the fireplace to trace the design with a fingertip. I don't think even father could have designed something so...splendid!
"Hello? Miss, Gardiner?" a young voice called out from the receiving room.
Startled from her thoughts, Kelsey hurried out of the bedchamber and looked curiously at the redhead, who was holding two buckets.
"Oh, you are here, Miss. It shan't take us long to have your bath ready," the girl informed Kelsey with a smile.
"Thank you, I appreciate you doing this for me."
The girl blinked in surprise, not used to such words. "Uhm...you're welcome."
Leaving the girls to their work, Kelsey took a seat at the side of the room out of the way and let them get on with it.
* * * * *
Ripley looked at her reflection in the long mirror that was standing in front of her. The black leather trousers and matching silk shirt that her seamstress had made for her were, as usual, perfect. The prince looked as imposing as always. Perhaps my outfit alone will scare off my potential bride, she thought glumly.
"Is the outfit to your satisfaction, Your Highness?" the loyal seamstress asked. The kind-hearted, grey-haired woman was one of very few who knew the Ripley's secret. She had worked for the prince and the prince alone all of Ripley's life, and knew many secrets of hers.
"As always, Maxwelle. I have said before, you have the most talented hands in the land."
"She is right, Maxwelle. You are most amazing." Hudson Darnley spoke up.
"You honour me, Your Highness," the woman's grey head lowered in respect. "And you, Sir Darnley," she smiled and winked in Hudson's direction.
"You see," Hudson said in Ripley's direction. "Even Maxwelle thinks I should be a knight by now, Ripley!"
Ripley rolled her eyes at her oldest and dearest friend. "I cannot just make you a knight, Hudson. I wish I could, but I can't."
"Because I am of the poorer classes?" Hudson questioned bitterly.
"No, not at all. 'Tis true that those lacking equipment..."
"I have all the proper equipment," Hudson interrupted, earning a scowl from the prince.
"...status or wealth to join an order are usually denied, some from the poorer classes can elevate their status and be accepted into knighthood through valour on the battlefield. There is your problem, Hudson. We have not yet been on the battlefield." Ripley grinned at her friend. "Save my life and the knighthood is yours." Ripley sighed heavily suddenly and turned her attention to the seamstress. "Tell me, Maxwelle. What is your opinion of what I must do to this poor innocent girl I am about to meet?"
"We do what we must, Your Highness. 'Tis necessary for you to marry, and your father has seen fit to pick her as a bride for you. You must look past that and see instead all the good you can do for your people."
"This is what I said," Hudson mumbled.
"Yes, but corrupting some poor young girl isn't right. There are...other...women out there, who like myself, prefer the company of women. Why couldn't my father pick one of them?"
Maxwelle chuckled. "Your bride must be pure, Your Highness. A lot of the women you speak of are not only no longer pure, but...unsavoury as well!" She shook her head. "And you couldn't guarantee their loyalty or silence of your...secret."
Ripley turned from viewing herself in the mirror. "Lying isn't a great basis for a marriage."
Maxwelle laughed heartily and patted the prince's arm. "So young and innocent!" she said with a warm smile. "There are men out there who beat their wives, men who force themselves onto their wives as often as they like, there are men who treat their wives as slaves and baby breeding stock. Whoever this young lady is, she is very, very fortunate."
"And what of it being a sin?" Ripley questioned. "According to some, especially the church, the whole act of two women, or even two men, is the greatest sin and one that shall see me spend eternity in hell."
Before the seamstress could reply, there was a knock on the heavy wooden door of Ripley's chambers that drew their attention.
"Come," Ripley called out, watching as the door opened to permit one of the many servants who worked in the castle. "Yes?"
"Your Highness," the man bowed respectfully. "Your father has requested your presence at the great hall immediately."
"Very well. Tell him I am on my way."
The man nodded and backed out of the room, knowing not to turn his back on the young prince.
Not intending to hurry, Ripley looked across to her seated friend. "And you? What do you think, Hudson?"
"I think 'tis your father's wish for you to marry, Ripley. He has already tried to marry you off three times and has told you he will not stand for any more nonsense. I say marry her, Maxwelle is right, you can provide her a much better life than she would otherwise get."
As a child, Ripley hadn't had any friends. The King, being worried about their secrets getting out, rarely let Ripley out of his sight. Ripley wasn't a child to be kept locked up though, and one day, whilst gallivanting about in a field after slipping out of the castle, she had come across a little girl sleeping rough in the nearby forest.
Humming a song she had heard one of the maids singing, the little prince chased after an imaginary dragon she was intent on slaying. Spotting the perfect sword, Ripley bent and picked up the long stick. "You are for it now, dragon!" she cried out defiantly, breaking into a run towards the nearby trees. The long grass that reached her knees bent as she stormed through, waving her weapon high.
Charging into the forest, Ripley came to a sudden stop as she spotted a little girl sitting alone on a fallen tree trunk. She wasn't supposed to talk to strangers, but this was someone her age, surely her father wouldn't mind?
The brunette looked up, startled and wide-eyed as twigs snapped nearby. She watched a blonde-haired stranger approach, ready to bolt if she needed to.
"Hello," Ripley greeted politely.
"Hello."
"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers," the prince said, taking a seat at the end of the tree trunk. "But maybe we could be friends, then it would be all right."
The little brunette nodded. "All right."
Ripley smiled in delight. She had never had a friend before. "Come on, let's play," she cried out joyously, jumping up in excitement. "My name is Ripley. What's yours?"
"Honey."
"Hey, you still with me?" Hudson asked in amusement, waving a hand in front of Ripley's face.
"Sorry, I..." the prince smiled, "I was just remembering the day we met."
The soldier smiled brightly. "A good day."
Ripley nodded in agreement. "For both of us." Looking down at her clothes, she smoothed them down needlessly. "Well, wish me luck," she sighed, resigned to her fate.
"Such foolishness!" Maxwelle chuckled. "Do not worry, Your Highness, she will fall in love with you instantly."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Ripley mumbled on her way out the door.
Leaving her chambers, Ripley made her way through the cold stone castle she called home.
Generations before, skilled masons had taken on the task of building the large, complex castle, a number of men losing their lives over the ten years the job took to complete. There were a number of rooms, those most in use having their fireplaces burning constantly to keep the room warm. As well as bedchambers, the castle had two great and highly decorated halls, where guests were entertained and fed. An elaborately furnished chapel, rich in ornaments and having colourful furniture. The kitchens, with built-in facilities. That was just inside.
The great hall where Ripley was heading was on the second floor, the bedchambers were on the third and final floor. Downstairs, the doorkeeper of the grand hall opened the two sturdy, mahogany-finish doors and announced the prince's arrival to the guests assembled within. All heads turned to see the tall, muscular, fair-haired prince make his entrance.
Seeing everyone staring, Ripley wished, not for the first time, that Hudson could have joined her. It wasn't allowed though, this sort of gathering was above her dearest friend's standing.
"Ah, Ripley, there you are," the King's voice boomed from across the room. He walked over to Ripley and wrapped a strong arm around broad shoulders. "Thank the good Lord you arrived," Edward whispered. "I don't know how much longer I could have put up with Ackerley Meadows boasting about everything under the sun!"
Ripley blinked in surprise. "What is he doing here?"
"His wife is your bride-to-be's twin sister," Edward explained. "The damn fool has been questioning me loudly on when I shall be making him a Lord! Do you believe that! I should have him thrown in a cell!" The King took a deep steadying breath, praying his anger didn't fully surface. "Come," he said loudly for all to hear. "Let me introduce you to the beautiful girl in question." Edward led Ripley over to the Gardiner family.
The prince studied each stranger carefully, weighing up their potential threat. A young girl sporting a fading black eye stood close to Ackerley, her head covered by a simple linen wimple, a sign of modesty and of marriage. Ripley assumed she was the unfortunate girl who had married Mr. Meadows. Next to her was an identical girl, her strawberry-blonde hair loose, her blue eyes studying the prince just as carefully as Ripley was studying her. Smiling, Ripley bowed slightly in respect. "Ladies," she greeted softly.
The two sisters and their mother curtsied. "Your Royal Highness," they greeted.
Ripley took Lindsey's hand and kissed the backs of her fingers. "Your name, beautiful lady?"
Lindsey blushed crimson at the attention and the compliment from the handsome prince. "Lindsey Meadows, Your Highness."
Ripley smiled charmingly. "A beautiful name for a beautiful lady."
Lindsey blushed again, despite hearing her husband grumbling under his breath.
Ripley came over all shy as she turned her attention to her potential bride. There was no denying Kelsey Gardiner was a beautiful girl and inquisitive as well, judging on how she was studying the prince. Taking the girl's hand, Ripley pressed her lips to the backs of soft fingers. "And your name, milady?"
Kelsey blinked at the polite title appointed to her. She was not of noble birth nor was she of a superior social position, but the prince honoured her. "Kelsey Marie Gardiner, Your Highness." Blue eyes full of curiosity and nervousness trailed slowly down the light-haired prince's muscular body. He was wearing a silk black shirt and black leather trousers that fit perfectly to show off his powerful thighs. On his feet, he wore dark brown leather riding boots. He really is quite handsome, she thought, her eyes lifting and finding Ripley busy looking her over. She couldn't help but blush and wonder what he must be thinking.
Kelsey looked lovely, dressed in a long blue dress that clung to her in all the right places. It had a low cut neckline that showed a hint of cleavage. Her hair was loose, and her eyelids had been brushed with some light-colouring to highlight her eyes. There was an innocence about her that made Ripley want to wrap the girl in her arms and keep her safe.
"Prince Ripley, delightful to see you again," Ackerley greeted loudly, breaking the spell between Ripley and Kelsey. He offered his hand to Ripley as the prince reluctantly turned her attention away from the delightful Kelsey.
Ripley glanced at the loud, brash man distastefully. "Ackerley," she noted, purposely dropping his surname from her acknowledgement, making her distaste obvious. She turned her attention back to the two sisters without shaking the offered hand. "If you will excuse me, I must quench my thirst." Bowing, Ripley turned and strode away, confused about the emotions Kelsey had brought out in her.
"Did you see that?" Ackerley grumbled once the prince had disappeared through the crowd. "He disrespectfully called me by my first name! He would do well to remember who I am!" the brown-haired man said indignantly.
Kelsey snorted in amusement. "He is the prince royal, the future ruler of our land, Ackerley," she said. "You should be grateful he knows your name at all."
"I am a good friend of his father's!" Ackerley argued, his face growing red in anger. Who was she to argue with him, a man? "His father, the King, who gets the castle meat from me."
Lindsey pinched her sibling's arm and Kelsey bit back what she was going to say. Draining the last of her wine, she excused herself from the group, telling her parents she was going to mingle, though she had no intention of actually doing so. On earlier inspection of the great hall, she had spotted a shadowed recess and thought that a good place to hide for a while.
* * * * *
For dinner, Kelsey found herself seated opposite the handsome prince and found her eyes continually drawn to him. She couldn't work out why he wasn't married already. He had appeared charming when he met them earlier, but perhaps that was all an act. Surely, if he were as charming and as nice as he seemed, he would be betrothed or married to a princess or noble man's daughter. Instead, here she was, Kelsey Marie, a common carpenter's daughter, being touted as his bride.
The great hall was warm, being heated by two large fireplaces at either end of the room, the scent of a herb Kelsey couldn't identify permeated around the room. The hall had been painted and fine silk tapestries hung from the walls to block out drafts. The ceiling was a breathtaking cherrywood, with finely carved corbels. Expensive and elaborate dishes sat in front of each person at the table, and silver and pewter dishes sat in the middle, holding the finest food she had ever seen.
A fine feast had been prepared and brought out. Thick cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, rabbit, boar, peacock, pork or venison if you wished for meat, or eel, salmon, herring, cod, or tuna if you wanted fresh fish. There were eggs, loafs of freshly made bread or rolls, cabbage, turnips, onions, carrots, beans, and peas. Dishes of jelly, cold baked tarts, custards, sugared pastries, wafers and to drink, there was a choice of milk, ale, wine, cider, or mead.
Around the table sat various people of differing backgrounds. There were a number of nobles attending, a couple of Earls and their families, the Duke of Cornwall, a Laird from Scotland, and his heavily pregnant young wife. A couple of Marquess' and their families, along with the castle chamberlain, who was responsible for the castle finances, as well as the King's personal finances. The chaplain, who was knocking back mugs of wine like it was about to run dry, and a few loud, boisterous knights.
A couple of minstrels walked the length of the great table, playing music to entertain the dinner guests, performing under the watchful eyes of Chesney, whose job it was to supervise such occasions.
Ackerley, having already consumed a lot of wine before the food had been served, talked loudly and boastfully, annoying several people. He told all who would listen that he had provided a lot of the fine meat they were enjoying, and talked of his pretty young wife, who was going to provide him with strong, handsome sons; much to Lindsey's embarrassment.
Ripley looked across to Kelsey and rolled her eyes, making the young woman smile and duck her head in amusement. The prince had gotten the impression that Kelsey didn't much like the obnoxious older man who had married her sister, which was a sure sign of intelligence as far as Ripley was concerned. Perhaps Miss. Kelsey Marie is worth getting to know, she mused, picking up a chicken leg.
Kelsey rarely spoke during the long meal, not only seated between people she didn't know, but not knowing anything about the topics they spoke of. The strawberry-blonde carefully studied each man and woman seated around the table, seeing how they behaved in Royal company, seeing what they were wearing, and the tones in which they spoke. She realised that if she were to marry Ripley, these dinners would be a regular occurrence. Kelsey sighed sadly, feeling inadequate and out of place.
* * * * *
After bidding the Gardiner family a good night, Ripley made her way towards her chambers, weary from the acting she had to do daily. She had to quietly admit though, that her father had been right, Kelsey Marie Gardiner was a sight to behold. Beautiful, intelligent, a little shy, which the prince thought adorable.
Entering her receiving room lost in thought about the pretty strawberry-blonde, Ripley made her way to the small walnut veneer table that held her wine jug and gold goblet.
"So, was she as awful as you feared?"
Ripley yelped and spun around to face Hudson, who started laughing raucously. "Bloody hell, you ass! You scared the life out of me!" She turned back to finish pouring herself a drink, while Hudson tried to stop her laughing.
"I'm sorry, you're usually more aware of your surroundings. I apologise, Ripley, truly."
Picking up her goblet, Ripley turned to face her friend again and offered the brunette a small smile. "What are you doing here? Waiting to hear the gossip?"
Hudson nodded. "That's about it, yes." Her head tilted to the side. "Well? What is this Kelsey Gardiner like?"
"She is...very beautiful," a soft smile curled Ripley's lips. "Amazing blue eyes full of questions and curiosity. She has such an...innocence about her, I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her all would be well." She sipped at her wine.
"So it went well then," Hudson said, sitting back down. "That is good. If your father has decided that this is the one you will definitely marry, then it is good you have some interest in her."
Ripley sighed heavily and walked across the room to sit in the chair opposite Hudson. "But that's it, isn't it? I don't want to get married, I shouldn't get married, I am no man. Sure, I can provide for her, perhaps grow to love her, but...I can never give her a family. 'Tis not my right, nor my father's, to take that chance away from her."
"Oh, come on, Ripley! You know as well as I do, you are better than any man her father could set her up with! And besides, she could have a child, 'tis easy enough to take on a lover."
Ripley scowled. "But...then I would have to raise it as my own and I...I don't think I could. How can you look upon a child that is nothing to you, no blood relation, and treat it like yours, acting the part of happy family man? 'Tis bad enough I'm already playing the role of a prince!" She shook her head. "My father is adamant though, and whether I like it or not, Kelsey is to be the one, unless I can come up with a way out of it."
Hudson grinned. "If anyone can, 'tis you, Ripley!"
* * * * *
Down in the castle wine cellar was a hidden trap door that led down moss-covered stone steps. Deep down beneath the castle where the air was chilled and the air was dank, the drip of water echoing off the walls, four men stood in a tunnel, one torch bringing some light to the gloom.
"This is enough to convince me that now is the time to strike," Goodwyn whispered fiercely. "King Edward has clearly lost his senses!"
"I concur," the Duke of Cornwall nodded. "This...idiotic idea of his will lead to the downfall of our great country, and I won't stand idly by and watch it happen."
Eyes going around the group, Goodwyn ran a hand past his neatly trimmed goatee. "We need a plan," he said, wanting to get down to the hard details.
"We need to wait," Berwyn Townsend said as he stepped out of the shadows, smiling at the four men who looked back in surprise at him. "You know who I am?"
The Marquess of Dublin, Brandon Ortceard, nodded. "You are one of the King's soldiers and...rumoured to be a bastard son of the King."
"That's right," the sandy-haired man confirmed. "My father had a fling with my mother and I was the outcome," he snorted, "though he denies me. He has a legitimate son, after all."
"You are a soldier to King Edward though," Earl of East Anglia, Winston Pond, said. "He took you in and has given you a chance, and yet...you are here eavesdropping on us?"
"As a son of the King, I would rather I was ruling than my...half brother. I don't much care for Ripley, I don't think he is of the same stock that I am and believe that he will run our great country into ruin. Whilst he is a fierce soldier on the battlefield, Ripley is...soft off it," Berwyn said. "I have heard rumours that he has no plans to rule like our present King. Ripley plans to lower taxes, plans to...help the people. He would rather be loved than feared."
"Whilst you on the other hand..." Goodwyn scowled at the tall, well-built man.
"Will make us all very rich." Berwyn smiled.
Montgomery smiled. "A well placed inside man," he said, nodding in delight, "who better than the King's bastard son! Edward won't suspect a thing."
Brandon smiled and nodded. "So...we wait? For what?"
"When the King makes the announcement that Ripley is marrying a common girl, the church will be up in arms," Montgomery explained, "we will be back in the shadows, offering our support to the church and stirring up trouble."
Berwyn nodded. "We just need to be patient, gentlemen."