16th Century Style Court story - Untitled

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

It was a good two weeks until we were to expect both Ralph and Rainer to arrive; in the meantime, I received more news from my correspondents and my plans went ahead. My brother went about being a king again now the festivities had passed. I kept apart from them unless I was summoned which happened at least once a day. In my spare time, whenever I was not needed to sort an issue out some place or other, I went to talk with Adrian to see what he was getting up to. He introduced me to the musicians he had gathered, the cooks (who had offered me a tasting session) and even showed me the entertaining dancers.

'Hmm, I knew you would do a good job. Thank you,' I said with a peck on his cheek.

'And I told you, I would not let you down. Can I talk to you in private, later?'

I had no doubt of what he might say. 'We are in private now...' I said, trailing off at the end as I sat down in what would be my brother's seat in a week's time.

'Should you be sitting there?' he asked dubiously.

I leant my chin on my hand as I rested my elbow on the table. 'Will you tell anyone?' He winked at me and sat beside me. 'I have wanted to talk to you too but it is hard with everyone else poking their noses in.'

I allowed myself a chuckle. 'Do you want to speak first?'

He shuffled uncomfortably in the wooden, cushioned chair. 'We're friends. And do I have to remind you that you can talk openly to me like this?'

Even though he might want to, Adrian would always find it hard to speak to me as I always told him. With me being so above him in rank, he would be scared that I would put him back in his place, as it were. 'You might say it is none of my business but what did you get up to in Dovehall?'

'Do you have spies set about me too, Beau?' I giggled again though stopped abruptly at seeing his face. 'I trust you more than that and more than most.'

'You have trustworthy friends, Letty. Even though they may have spies themselves, the ones I mean would not use them against you.' He took my left hand in both of his and held it tightly. 'You know who I mean, Letty.' His gaze met mine fully and it took less than a second for me to believe him.

'You mean Barwick and Aderly.' He nodded. I took a deep breath and shrugged my shoulders. 'I trust them,' I whispered, looking away.

'Is it more than that with Owen?' he asked me, leaning closer towards me; the rustle of his clothes gave it away.

I tried to take my hand from his but he held it tight. 'Adrian, why do you ask? So I spend a lot of time with him, it is my choice who I spend time with.'

'I ask because I care for you. You say we're friends but you mean more than that to me. I do not care how you spend your time; I just want to know you're safe.'

It was hard for me to hear this and it hurt that it was coming from him. 'Beau, I cannot talk about this. Not now.' I went to stand up but he still held my hand.

'Letty, please.' He pulled my arm to make me face him; if it had been anyone else, I would have ordered him to let me go. 'As you say but I just want you to be careful.' He let my hand go, stood up and walked off.

'Beau, wait.' I stood up and went after him. 'You know how hard it is for me to love. I am the King's sister and because of that, I have to be careful of nearly everything.' I hated more for hurting him in any way. 'You know I hate it if we part like this.' I did not hear his footsteps yet I was soon in his arms.