Long May She Reign

Surprise (Ep 1)

Finnegan let out a groan as he slid into the warm water, relaxing as a ladies maid began to wash his hair.

A gentleman entered and dismissed the lady silently, taking up her place, running fingers through Finnegan's hair before resting them on his shoulders, "Are you warm enough Dearest?"

Finnegan's eyes snapped open, he turned around, "Colin! My love!" He laughed in excitement, "How are you here? You can't be-"

Colin cut him off and kissed him gently, "I could not force you from my mind Dear. My love, I borrowed money the moment I could and followed after you," he explained between kisses.

Finnegan leaned into the kiss despite what his head screamed, "If we are found out there will be trouble. We need permission my love," he pulled back.

"Then let us get permission my sweets, dress and we can beg our case before the King and Queen," Colin smiled lovingly, moving to Finnegan's bedchamber.

Finnegan hurried to dress before leading his beloved to Queen Vanessa, allowing Collin to explain to the Queen.

"And so you see, Your Majesty, I love Lord Finnegan," Colin explained, holding Finnegan's hand gently.

"So romantic, how grand of you! You say Owen, your Queen, knows this gentleman?" Vanessa looked down from her position on her chair at the two knelt at her feet. 

"She has not met Colin personally but she knows his people and his family," Finnegan looked the queen in the eye.

"Your father? Is he a cousin of Owen's father, King James, may God rest his soul?" Vanessa pried into Colin's titles and ranking in the Scottish Court.

"We are of no relation to His Grace. My father was his servant until the day King James died, we were generously rewarded with large holdings but we have no relation to His Majesty or Her Majesty," Colin explained, holding hope in his heart.

Vanessa nodded slowly, "So you are of former servants? How much you and your family has risen! You must tell me all about it for I love nothing more than a success story!" She exclaimed, eying the happy couple as they beamed, "Finnegan, you are to return to Owen and help her remain on track and prepare her for the wedding," she dismissed the Scottish noble boy.

Finnegan stood and bowed, "Your Majesty," he hurried away but what he didn't see was the rest of Vanessa's ladies leave behind him, leaving Colin alone with the Queen of France.

Colin swallowed quickly, "Your Majesty?"

"I need a favour boy," Vanessa's voice changed from supportive to demanding, showing off her true colours.