Another Suitor
CHAPTER 1 - Another Suitor
As I lay in the long grass, the birds persuaded dawn to swell into morning, chasing the lavender, periwinkle and peach streaks out of the clouds. The particular grouping of clouds I had been observing scuttled lazily toward the western sea. My horse stamped and snorted as she contentedly grazed the lush green blades around my boots. Suddenly the mare’s head was up, ears pricked toward the forest that formed the eastern boundary of my lands, a stone’s throw from our position. Sitting up and training my own senses in the same direction, I thought I detected the rhythmic sound of footsteps, however, no creature appeared. I quickly glanced at my horse who was frozen, intently watching. She then let out a soft whicker, as she would to greet a fellow quadruped, and returned her attention to the sweet clover beneath her. I strained to see into the mist of the wood, certain I had seen movement.
A chill crept up my spine and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood erect as gooseflesh and tension spread across my shoulders. The feeling of being watched. A feeling I had experienced frequently over the past few months. Not to mention the dreams...
The bell from the village rang seven, and the common start of the day, tearing me from my thoughts. I sighed, knowing it was time to return to the castle, lest my parents send some poor guard to hunt me down. Again.
Whistling for Sage, my horse, I stood, brushed myself off and sprang onto her bare back before gathering my reins and nudging her into a gallop. I was going to be in trouble.
~
“Lady Serena! Where HAVE you been?!” My lady-in-waiting, Thea, met me at the eastern gate where she had clearly been waiting.
“Just took Sage for a bit of exercise beyond the orchards,” I answered her gently, “I couldn’t sleep any longer.”
“Bad dreams again, milady?” Thea’s brow creased with worry.
“I think haunting would be a more accurate description...” I trailed off as I thought again of the shadowy figures, glinting silver eyes, and storms that had filled my unconscious head mere hours ago.
“Well! Never you mind those silly dreams, they can’t harm you, as they’re just dreams aft’r all,” Thea trilled and smiled mischievously, “your father is already asking for you and the castle is all abustle. The servants say ’tis for the arrival of a special guest for you, Miss.”
My mind snapped back to the present. A “special guest” could mean only one thing: another suitor. I sighed and started in the direction of my father’s study before I was hastily chastised and redirected to my own room.
“Your mother gave me strict orders to make sure you look like a lady today when you meet them in the hall,” she frowned disapprovingly at my tunic, breeches, and muddy boots, “you know your father does not approve of you dressing in this manner already. You are very lucky he allows it for your time with the horses. He could make you wear riding habits for conducting business! Let us not give him a reason to restrict you to skirts entirely! The Elements know I would bear the brunt of that woe!”
She continued to prattle on about the amount of laundry I was producing as of late as we made our way to my chambers. I couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth, but nodded as solemnly as possible and asked her to offer my apologies to the laundry maids. Thea motioned vigorously for me to hasten into the bath, where I found my tub filled with lavender-scented suds.
“Milady, you know I mean no offense, alas, you smell like the stable,” Thea chuckled, “I shall fetch a dress while you fix that! But hurry yourself now! We have less than an hour’s time!” She closed the door and I quickly undressed and let myself sink into the warm water, desperate to relax for a moment and clear out the dark thoughts which still lingered in the recesses of my mind.
“Lady Serena! Please do hurry in that tub!” Thea called, preventing any decent meditation. I squeezed my eyes shut and scrubbed, barely finishing before Thea bustled back through the door to dump a fresh, cold bucket over my head, leaving me gasping.
“Th-Thea!” I stammered.
“It would’ve been warm if you had been here on time, milady,” Thea chuckled.
“You could’ve at least given me a moment to warm it,” I grumbled.
“Lucky you’re a Fire mage, milady, otherwise we would never get your hair dry in time.”
“Mmmhmm,” I rumbled, stepping out of the tub, wrapping myself in a soft towel.
As I moved into my bedchamber I called upon my magic, directing the warming energy over my skin and through my hair. The familiar power coursed through my blood, rippling throughout my body, exhilarating as it was the very first day I realized I was of Fire many years ago.
By the time the hem of my white linen chemise fell to my feet, my body and my dark curls were both perfectly dry. Thea approached with a lovely cream colored gown and tossed it over my head, simultaneously turning me toward the full length mirror next to the wardrobe. I desperately sucked in air, trying to puff up my ribcage as she mercilessly laced up the back of the gown. Without missing a beat, she delivered a swift poke to my side, as I would for a horse fussing about having its girth tightened. After cinching my waist she turned me again, adjusting the edges of chemise around my bosom, pulling the front laces to create a bit more cleavage.
“Thea!”
When she moved to set out jewelry I loosened the front laces a bit. Glancing at the timepiece on the vanity, Thea gasped and ran back to the wardrobe, fetching a pair of embroidered slippers. She practically shoved me into the seat at the vanity. She held up a box of jeweled hair pins with a questioning look, but I shook my head vehemently.
“I suppose we don’t ’ave time anyhow, now do we, Lady Serena?!” Thea cried as she combed my lengthy tresses.
“It’s really alright, Thea, you know I am not fond of the coifs my sisters and mother sport anyway.” I chuckled, and sorted through the selection of jewelry Thea had laid out on the table. I pulled out a simple pair of diamond studs and a gold necklace I knew would please my mother. It was nearly time. Thea worked out the last knot and I stood, pulling my hair out of her hands.
“Lady Serena! You cannot go downstairs like that! Your hair is loose and wild!” Thea pushed me back into the seat, gathering up strands as quick as a dragonfly. I allowed her to pull the top half of my hair into an elegant knot configuration at the back of my head and add a simple golden hairpiece to secure it. Standing, I splayed my hands and glanced down at the finished product before pleading with my eyes to be finished. Thea collapsed in the vanity chair with a puff of air before smiling and taking my hand.
“You look lovely, my lady, Serena, as always your natural beauty outshines any jewel or brocade I can adorn you with.”
“Thank you, Thea, from the bottom of my heart,” I smiled and kissed the older woman on the cheek before heading out the door, adding cheekily “for putting up with me!” as the bell tower rang out the next hour.
The murmur of multiple deep voices and a few light notes of my mother’s mirth floated to my ears in between the tolls of the bells as I hurried down the main staircase. I rounded the corner as the last toll rang out and, not quite paying as much attention as I should have been, I bounced off a wall of a man. I stepped back to regain my balance and slipped on the hem of my gown. I would have fallen, if not for the quick arm around my waist keeping me upright. I quickly looked up and my gaze was met by a pair of steady, deep blue eyes. Clearing my throat, I looked away and stepped back, out of his embrace, and murmured a ‘thank you.’
“Oh my most beautiful daughter, I knew that gown would suit you.” My mother sang, beaming and glancing between my father and the stranger. I kept my gaze focused anywhere but his face. I could feel his eyes on me.
“Yes, she is very beautiful, but not always the most graceful it would appear,” my father was quick to cut the flattery with reality. I stiffened a bit, breathing deeply, quelling the proud Fire under my skin.
“At least she is punctual.” the stranger added in a voice deep enough to send a shiver of excitement down my spine. Punctual? I couldn’t help the smile that broke my carefully demure mask. My curiosity got the better of me and I looked up, just to be caught in his ocean blue stare. My father’s voice ended the moment before it could begin.
“This is my eldest daughter, Serena. Serena, this is Lord Gareth of House Meliorn.”
I bowed my head and Lord Gareth took my hand in one of his larger ones, kissing it respectfully. My mother, looking Lord Gareth up and down, clapped her hands and smiled before suggesting we retire to the solarium for refreshment. Having only swiped an apple from the kitchen on my way out to ride this morning, I was glad at the prospect of food.
“Lord Gareth is the second eldest son of House Meliorn, and as his father is getting on in years he wishes to see Lord Gareth marry as well before relinquishing control of the estate to his sons and retiring,” my father droned before the butler could finish pouring the tea. I sipped my tea meekly as he continued, his eyes pinning me to the settee, “I imagine a marital alliance with House Rourke would be most agreeable for House Meliorn.”
I nearly choked as my tea went down my windpipe, letting out a small cough. I was not surprised at the words, but rather the fact that I had known Lord Gareth for less than a quarter of an hour and my father was already discussing the business aspect of the visit. My mother smiled at me, my father gazed at me expectantly and Lord Gareth’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes taking in my father’s pointed stare.
This would be the third suitor they had presented me to this season alone. It seemed they had a suitor set to visit every moon! I had been eligible for marriage nigh on three years and my parents were becoming increasingly frustrated with my lack of interest in the topic. They had respected my wish to wait to find a husband for the first year, but my nineteenth birthday brought the first of the suitors. While he wished I was male, my father could not escape the fact that I was highly intelligent, capable of handling the business efficiently, as well as a prodigy with the horses that made our house famous throughout the kingdom. As the eldest, I would inherit House Rourke, but my father would never relinquish the estate to me unless I was married. Even though these were my mother’s family’s lands, not his. A second son of a large house, such as Lord Gareth, was preferable because he would not be tied to House Meliorn as the eldest brother is. He could take the name. His inheritance would add a nice cushion to our coffers and gain us additional trade benefits within his house’s region. Not to mention it would ensure a male head of household. And most likely guarantee I produced Rourke heirs.
My father consistently reminded me of the way things were going to be for me, of his plans for my life. And I had made myself a vow to play along, to play nice. My father’s reactions to my previous behaviors had been severe and I needed to maintain what freedoms I had.
“My dear, we should allow these two to acquaint themselves, do you not agree?” My mother, Elements bless her soul, addressed my father in a conspiratorial tone. My father consented and, with a pair of armed guards stationed at the door, my parents left us alone. The absence of my father was much appreciated and I finally took a deep breath. Lord Gareth offered compliments on the castle, the lands and my parents before commenting on the continuing summer weather. I nodded and smiled, acknowledging the praise and remained quiet, letting him speak, eating a number of the tiny finger sandwiches, fruits and cheeses from the platter between us. My silence had its intended effect.
At last he seemed to be at a loss with my lack of responses in the conversation and blurted out,“Lady Serena, you must forgive me, but I have found you absolutely enchanting at court functions and when our fathers arranged this opportunity to meet you I could not refuse,” Lord Gareth apologized, “I also quite enjoy the inner workings of the animal husbandry of my own house and find your family’s horses to be superior above all others. Your father mentioned you are a natural with the horses and responsible for running the training program already, which is impressive for someone of your age.”
I smiled and paused for a moment, carefully considering my answer, a bit surprised by the man. Lord Gareth Meliorn was a handsome, tall, broad-shouldered, sandy-haired man, perhaps three or four years older than my nearly 21 years. He seemed to be well spoken and decently respectful. He certainly found me bewitching, as his eyes had hardly left my face. I smoothed my cream-colored skirts and leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands. Not the most lady-like position, but one that presented my bosom in a manner that would please most men. He smiled, his eyes flickering to my chest and quickly back to meet my gaze, his cheeks slightly pink.
Still a man, but respectful... I suppose he’s not horrid... yet. He seemed genuine and earnest, and I had left him in suspense long enough. I sat up straight again.
“Thank you for your kind words, Lord Gareth, but beauty is not an accomplishment. On the other hand, my horses are. Would you like to see them?” I took him by surprise when I stood suddenly. A test. He caught me by surprise with his response, also standing.
“Actually that would be wonderful, as I am also interested in purchasing a steed for my elder brother. A wedding present, you see... for his, er, imminent wedding.” He splayed his hands in explanation, a half smile on his lips. “I hope to see you there, Lady Serena.”
Of course, the entire Rourke family would be attending the wedding, as would each of the members of the other 23 houses and the royal family.
“You shall indeed,” I answered, “and as I am sure you are already aware, we will be gifting a horse. Perhaps today you can help me finalize the choice and even better, make sure the animal compliments whichever of our horses you choose today.”
With that, we exited the room and headed for the stables while politely discussing the particulars of the wedding, which was only a fortnight away.
