Ascendant

Chapter Two

I covered my mouth as I tried not to laugh. The dish was painfully under-done. Sir Benjamin was scowling at Lord Treveyan, who was giving me his little side smile. Scarlett rode up beside him, placing her bow back on her back,

"Mariette, I see you've met Lord Treveyan."

"We have met before, but yes, he seems to be hunting my lunch," I tried not to chuckle as I looked at the hole in my bloody meat where the arrow had been, "This is Sir Railings." Sir Benjamin kissed my sister's hand gently, whispering his gratitude for her invitation. I then realized that I had neglected to let him know that she wished for him to court me instead...

He seemed taken by my sister, which did not help my situation. Lord Treveyan was also smiling at Scarlett; at least he liked her... I was still looking at his odd beauty when I addressed Sir Railings again,

"Sir Railings, my dress is filthy now. Could you please escort me to my chambers so that I may put on a new one?" Lord Treveyan turned to look at me and I glared at him as I followed Sir Benjamin back to the castle. Why was I envious? He was not here to court me. He was here for Scarlett and I was acting a bit like a child...but then again, so was he. He shot an arrow into my dish! When we arrived at my chambers Sir Benjamin bowed to me,

"Would you like me to be your company?" He asked kindly. What must my guards be thinking of me? Two men at my chambers within a day! After talking with Anna about various castle happenings in the past, I was almost certain that being my company meant having sex,

"Um, no thank you, Sir Railings. Perhaps we could try having dinner, inside, tonight." He chuckled lightly and smiled sweetly at me, his bright brown eyes sparkling,

"I would love to, my lady. Please, call me Ben."

Anna was re-dressing me for dinner when Scarlett entered the room. Anna looked at me and I frowned as she made a hasty exit from the room. I hated that Alice could always be with Scarlett, but Scarlett would never speak around Anna, it was quite rude. Scarlett had many rather rude qualities. After Anna shut the door behind her, Scarlett sat at my mirror, admiring herself,

"I practiced archery with a Lord today, and now another Lord is taking me to dinner! How wonderful it is to be courted."

"You have come to enjoy it?" I inquired.

"I might have... I would still like you to spend more time with the suitors and record more about them for me. I do not have enough time to do so, the doctor said that father will pass very soon," She said sighing. I had spent a fair amount of time with my father that day. It was simply sad to spend time with him, however. He just breathed heavily, unable to speak, not even awake.

"Yes sister, I can do that," I said, trying to finish tying my deep red dress on my own.

"Excellent," She said and exited as quickly as she had entered.

As I sat down in the dining room to eat with Ben, I wondered what Lord Treveyan was doing. Was he spending time with a maid or lady in the court? Was he also having dinner? I wondered if one of the Lords would find their way into Scarlett's bedchambers as men frequently did. Ben came late, interrupting my thoughts, and sat across from me, breathing heavily,

"I am so sorry, my lady."

"That is quite alright, dinner was just served," I said as I uncovered my salad and he uncovered his meat. Ben's smile was sweet and he was a sweet man from what I could tell. His teeth seemed brighter because of his sun-kissed skin.

"Is there anything else you would like to ask me?" Ben said in between bites. I thought of things that Scarlett might want to know. Maybe he would end up being good for her anyway,