Forty Five

Descending the steps and crossing the courtyard, the King and Lady Christine slowed their pace to a leisurely stroll upon gaining one of the garden paths that meandered throughout the castle grounds. A tall, thick hedgerow ran alongside to their left while well tended beds of ornamental trees, shrubs and plants grew to their right. Intermittently, iron lanterns dispersed their warm, soft light on the flagstone path and after a few moments of silence, Christine could hold her tongue no longer. "I've the feelin' you believe yerself to be a might bit tricky, Dickie." Her chastisement only seemed to amuse the furry beast, for his low chuckle sounding beside her brought a small smirk to her lips as she shook her head slightly in wonder. "I canna fathom how I did not know it ta be ye. Has it truly been tha' long, my laird?" Christine realized that in her previous musings he had not aged since she had seen him last, whereas now, with him right beside her, she could see the subtle tells of time passed.

An indulgent smile softened his handsome, hawklike features, "In truth, it has been a fair amount of time, my lady," the King offered by way of excuse. His ebon eyes were kind and inquisitive as they roamed her face. "A decade, at least. Would you not agree?" Knowing exactly how long it had been, the King found himself merely asking so he could hear her answer in her honey smooth voice tinged with a light touch of brogue.

Dipping her head in agreement, Christine concurred, "At the vera least, my laird." Lifting her hands, she took care in removing her wool bonnet before running a hand over her hair, seeking any brunette tresses that had escaped the tight, pinned roll at the back of her head. Finding a few stray strands, she handed her hat to the King before proceeding to lift both of her hands to tuck them back in. "And I shall also be laying blame on the patch you wore o'er your eye and the thick layer of soot that clung your jaw," looking down to unbutton her coat, Christine missed the wicked grin that sprung to the King's face as he watched her.

Noting her intention, he gently took hold of her elbow, bringing her to a halt. "Allow me, my lady," he assisted her in removing the long woolen coat that made up the rest of her costume. Placing it over his arm, along with her cap, he then removed his furry gloves, tucking them in with her things before he reached up to push his maned hood off his head allowing it to settle around his shoulders. Smiling warmly, he lifted his hand that was free of encumbrance, reaching out to stroke Christine's soft, smooth cheek lightly with the back of his fingers, "I am extremely pleased you are here, Christine, for in truth, it has been far too long," he offered sincerely. The warm timbre of his voice and the intimacy of his touch caused Christine to shiver slightly in the cool night air.

Savoring the feel of his hand upon her skin, Christine closed her eyes for a mere second, allowing herself to fully experience the pure pleasure his touch invoked. How many times had she wished she'd been more bold all of those years ago? More than she could count. Yet time had flown by so quickly, and she became determined to dwell in the present and enjoy the here and now. "Aye, Richard, it has indeed been far too long." Her smile smacked of regret, until she raised her hand to cover his and draw it down to remain clasped with hers between them. "And how is my nephew?" She queried brightly, though in truth, it had been only a couple of months since she had received correspondence from the both of them, and she knew Tomas to be well at last word. The monarch had always been good about that, always including his own letter containing glowing updates of Tomas' achievements.

"Still growing as a weed, still outsmarting his tutors..." The King chuckled as he thought of the many instructors that Tomas had gone through, for not one had been able to stay abreast of the boy's young, inquiring mind. "I am convinced he pours over the books in the library simply to oust them one by one."

Christine, hearing indulgent pride in the King's voice, felt a warmth infuse her. This man had taken Tomas when he was but a wee lad. Keeping him safe, the King had educated him, rearing Tomas as his valued ward, teaching the boy all that his future duties would entail. Her lips quirking in a wry smile, Christine agreed with his assessment, "He does seems quite determined to unravel the universe, showing great interest in things I have never questioned. He writes to me o' the moon, the stars, the sea and all o' the varied creatures that inhabit it. I find myself seeking out literature half o' the time just so I ken at all that he is tellin' me."

The King chortled at her admission, "You are not alone in that, my lady, for I have oft found myself doing the same, learning much I would not know otherwise, though I would not admit that to him. He is cocky enough without giving him reason to be more so." They exchanged a humorous glance, each appreciating the quickness of Tomas' young mind before resuming their stroll, "I would inquire after James. Your last letter indicated he suffered much, has he recovered favorably?" The King assumed so, or he felt that Christine would not have left the man, knowing, as he did, how she cared for her brother.

Christine sighed wearily, giving the King pause to worry for a second. "He was improving a wee bit, however, Morgan sent word that she and her brood were coming to stay for a while." Christine looked up at him, wincing a small bit, "I admit tha' I fled soon after they arrived."

Chuckling beside her, the King understood her plight. "Ah, your sister still knows what is best, I assume."

"Aye, and deemin' it wise to flee before given the chance to do anything I would regret, I decided it was finally time to accept Ashton's invitation and come ta visit Bedlam." Christine's dry reply did not meet with the mischievous glint in her eye.

"I am pleased you did, my lady, for whatever the reason. While I have always enjoyed our correspondence, I must admit it is infinitely more pleasurable to have you here in the flesh." Holding his arm out towards her a bit, a satisfied smile graced his countenance as she took hold of his elbow, placing her other hand atop it to hold onto him familiarly.

"You know I would ha' come many times, my laird, if it had not seemed safer to stay put rather than to risk Malcolm's hounds following me." Christine answered truthfully.

Approaching a narrow break in the hedgerow, the King paused to lead Christine through the fissure to a small, hidden alcove holding a solid stone bench and a whimsical peeing Cupid fountain. He approached the stone seat as Christine took a moment to look about, appreciating the privacy they were afforded, amused by the piece of waterworks the place held.

The King heard her low chuckle as she approached the water to dip her fingertips before turning her head to look back at him as he spoke. "I am also glad you are here for another reason." Placing their things on the bench, he approached her as she pulled a handkerchief from her chemise and dipped it in the water before taking a moment to wring it out. The King watched with interest as Christine whisked the wet cloth lightly over the skin of her neck and upper chest.

"What reason is that, my laird?" Christine inquired.

Her words brought him out of the short trance he had fallen into simply watching her cool her fair skin. However, when she turned to dip the cloth again and was bent over the water, the King found himself staring at her shapely backside through the filmy white skirt she wore. He found himself wondering at the smooth lines of her curves, did she wear aught beneath her skirt, or not? Slightly shocked at where his thoughts had wandered, the King shook his head before averting his gaze to the Cupid, lightly clearing his throat as he attempted to remember what he had been saying. Oh, yes, "About Tomas..." Feeling quite the genius for recalling his line of thought so quickly, he looked back to her eagerly, but she had loosed the ribbons at her cuffs, pushed up her sleeves, and had begun swathing her arms, one then the other, with the white linen square.

When a moment passed in silence, Christine asked curiously, "What about Tomas?", rousing him from his musings once more.

"Who?" The King spoke, for once, without thinking. This was not good, he thought, shaking his head minimally.

"Tomas... What were you saying aboot Tomas? My laird, are you alright?" Christine laughed her words. Not overly concerned, for Tomas, she knew, was well. However, this man, she was not so sure of, for he was beginning to act a little strangely.

"Ahhh, yes, Tomas. Forgive me, my lady, for I was thinking back on a few weeks ago," he fibbed. "We experienced an incident which has me a trifle concerned. I cannot say for certain whether it was one of Malcolm's men, however, a single intruder broached the castle wall, his intent unknown, for he was chased off rather than apprehended." Intending to tell her his plans, he waited while she seemed to weigh his words.

"So the man may not have even been trying to get to Tomas?" Christine could see why the King may be wary, however, it was not as if this man could not have enemies aplenty of his own.

"As I said, I cannot be sure what it was the man was after. Yet, it has made me consider that Tomas may be safer elsewhere for a time." Christine was bending over the fountain again whilst listening to his concerns. Thinking he could better concentrate on her words if he could not see her, he closed his eyes and sighed, for he had not been alone with a woman he was attracted to in a good many years and he did not know why he was finding it so difficult to simply carry on a conversation.

Christine straightened and wrung the cloth, "Such as?" Turning to him, she absentmindedly opened the two top buttons of her blouse to cool as much of her skin as she could modestly reach.

"Such as what?" The King knew as soon as he said it, that he had. Looking at her a bit sheepishly, he then smirked and reached out to take the cloth from her hand. "You are creating a small bit of a distraction, my lady." He chuckled his words as Christine looked down at the tiny bit of cleavage her open blouse exposed, her cheeks blushing rosily as she then snatched her kerchief back from him.

Turning away and facing the hedgerow that lined their lair, she cooled her now truly overheated skin out of his line of sight while prodding him for an answer, "And just where were ye thinkin' he'd be safer?" Christine asked pointedly, though her mind was reeling over the fact that he was distracted by her in any way.

Returning to the subject, the King proceeded to apprise Christine of his plan to entrust the pirate captain with the boy's safety. "It is not only that I feel he would he would be well hidden at the orphanage, but I am also thinking he would benefit from the camaraderie he has lacked up until now. There are many fine youths he may feel a kinship with, being they all have lost those they held dear. I have seen the pirate, Petals, for who he truly is, and he has much he could teach the young man in the ways of the world. Strength he has aplenty, commitment and compassion, along with moral values that I would have Tomas engrained with before he is due to leave us."

Knowing Tomas' well being was foremost in the King's mind, Christine could not fault his line of reasoning. "As long as you are convinced of his safety, and also convinced he will not take up piracy one day, I see no reason not to broaden his horizon. The good Lord knows he will need many skills to govern his clan effectively." Christine turned back, having done her buttons back up, she amusedly nodded her agreement at his line of thinking.

The King laughed at her summation, "I can assure you I shall do all I can to keep him from taking to the sea."

"You had best, my laird, for we both know his inquiring mind may find the thought attractive." Christine pointed out.

"Aye," the King agreed. "I shall inform Petals, once he agrees, that he is not to glorify the profession."

"As well ye should." Christine affirmed, sharing an indulgent smile with the royal man as she realized she had kept him from his other guests long enough. "We should most likely return, my laird." Her gaze drifted to the fissure in the hedge. "I would not keep you for overlong, however, could I arrange ta see Tomas soon, mayhap? It has been far too long since I have laid eyes on him and I have been in town for a few weeks now, I do na believe anyone follows me." She had not risked a visit with her nephew since that day long ago when the King had taken him, thinking it best not to lead the fox to the henhouse for Tomas' safety and well being had to come first and foremost.

"I believe he would like that, my lady. Would upon the morrow be agreeable?" The King gathered their things, looking back at her as he asked, hoping she would agree and give him something to look forward to. "We could share the noon meal and suspend his studies for the afternoon."

"Perfect." Christine wondered if Tomas still resembled her side of the family. He was only four when it was decided to give him into the King's care, she wondered if he still took after his father as he had when he was small. She resigned herself to exhibiting patience, for it had been years already, what difference would one more day make? "I shall look forward to reuniting with him." She imparted, as the King graciously signaled for her to precede him in leaving their hidden lair.

Once gaining the path, Christine took his cue and they began walking back the way they had come.

"Have you word of his sister?" The King inquired, placing her coat around her shoulders as she now shivered slightly due to the temperature dropping steadily as the eve wore on. "Tomas has received no word for some time now, we have oft worried some ill has befallen her."

"Pfft." Christine scoffed, taking her bonnet in hand. "No ill has befallen her that I am aware of, other than a wide streak of obstinance..." Christine's brow furrowed as she contemplated telling the King what she had heard being bandied about before she left home. Christine could only hope the stories were exaggerated, or embellished beyond truth, for she hated to think Tory had chosen a life of crime when she had been offered every opportunity, both by James, and this man. Tory was now of an age that she should consider a family, and Christine did not doubt that either man could arrange for an extremely advantageous marriage, considering Tory was just as beautiful as she was willful. "Tory is the most stubborn creature I have ever known, she must take after Morgan in that regard, for she continues to run amuck with her father's men like a hoyden. And while I allow they would let no harm befall her, I still cannot convince her to leave them to their own devices, don a dress, and begin to comport herself as a young lady should."

"I have often wished she would accept our invitation to come stay with Tomas. And though he assures her I would do no such a thing, she tells him she does not trust me not to keep her against her will also, if she should risk it." The King had long rued the decision to keep the boy safe at the expense of his relationship with his sibling, though he had truly seen no other way to ensure the boy's safety, and the girl had turned down his offers repeatedly.

"She would not, my laird, for never have I come across a more headstrong, willful, stubborn... Evasive..." Christine began.

The King could hear her frustration mounting. "Still, if I had only tried harder. Mayhap, I could have changed her mind."

"No one can change her mind. I have tried for years, to no avail on so many occasions. She blames James and meself for givin' Tomas over into your care. Why, I have had it thrown up in my face so many times now tha' I tire of the argument."

"She is well then, as far as you know?" The King queried, searching Christine's face for affirmation of her answer.

"Aye, she was just fine the last time we saw her, and Gavin would apprise us if ought had changed." At the very least Christine knew she count on Gavin, for he kept a cool head and the man would defend Tory to his own demise.

Hearing the frustration in Christine's voice, the King sought to reassure her, "You did nothing wrong, my lady. We all agreed it would be best the further Tomas was from the threat that hangs over him."

"I know," Christine stared down the kerchief she had begun twisting tightly in her hands as unwelcome tears sprang to her eyes, "Still, it pains me to have Tory's eyes leveled on me as a traitor." Christine lifted her amber eyes to seek the King's dark, commiserating gaze. "I miss my brother so, and his daughter makes me feel as though I have betrayed my own blood."

"She is young, and headstrong, so you say. One day she will have gone through enough of her own trials, and then, mayhap, she will come to appreciate all you have attempted to do for her." The King suggested kindly.

"From your words to God's ear, my laird, I pray it is so." Christine took the arm he offered and dabbing away the slight moisture from her lashes, she looked up at him hopefully, praying his words would bear true.

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All blame is to be laid at the King and Lady Christine's feet, they were highly elusive and after about a dozen attempts to figure them out they finally revealed themselves to me. Knowing the King is such a beloved character I could only be patient and pray for a relationship worthy of him. I hope they did not disappoint. Now, onto the exciting news of the Duke's Daughter...

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Blessings and love to all!