All The King's Men

All The King's Men-Chapter Thirteen

Amelia stood in front of the mirror and admired the gleam of the dark blue satin gown she wore. She slid a hand over the soft skirt, and watched the material shimmer in the firelight. Her gaze moved over the neckline, it dipped much lower than she was used to, and the top was nearly off her shoulders.

She turned her head slightly to admire Megan's handiwork with her hair. It was braided and twisted at the back of her head, and her crown was affixed atop. A shiver ran down her spine, she turned and studied the chamber. 

"Are you feeling uneasy again, your highness?" Megan asked, coming closer, she kept her voice low, "I feel the same." 

"As though someone is watching from behind the walls?" Amelia asked. She slowly walked around the large chamber, and studied each section of the stone bricks that created the wall. "I believe there is a hidden door here somewhere." She told Megan. "Belvoir Castle is nearly as old as the Palace, it is sensible that there would be hidden passages."

"You believe someone has been watching from somewhere in the wall?" Megan asked, "Should I ask Sir Pierre to search?"

Amelia nodded, a knock on the door interrupted her search for a passage. She turned as Megan opened the door to admit the Baron. "Baron Delson, thank you again for your graciousness in inviting us to stay in your castle while Lucas recovers." 

"It is you, who honors me with your presence." George answered. He wore a green puffy sleeved overcoat with a bright white tunic beneath. His breeches were black, and his boots reached his knees. He took her hand and bowed over it as he brought it to his lips. He grinned up at her, "May I escort you to banquet?" 

Amelia nodded. She glanced at Megan, who hurried forward with her arm braces. 

"Do you plan on going hunting this evening, your highness?" George asked as he watched Amelia fasten the arm braces on her forearms.

"Nay," Amelia answered, she finished buckling the braces, and smiled. "I am ready." 

George nodded, and crooked his arm out for her. 

Amelia took his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the chamber. "Why is it, George, that you have not decorated your castle with tapestries, or draperies, or even rushes?" She asked as they walked through the stark stone hallway, "There are not even rugs on the floors." 

George shrugged, "I do not know, I have not really paid much attention to the decoration." He grinned down at her, "Perhaps, I have been leaving it for my wife to decorate as she pleases." 

Amelia raised an eyebrow, "You have a wife?" 

He shrugged, "I shall soon, perhaps." 

"You intend to enter the tournament?" 

He shrugged again, "Perhaps." 

A door opened across the hall, and Agnes exited, looking frustrated and upset. 

"Agnes," Amelia paused, and glanced at the door the maid had just exited, "how is he?" 

Agnes glanced back at the door, and burst into tears. 

Amelia bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Every since he had awaken from his fever induced sleep, Lucas had been difficult. He was not a man of idleness, and he did not like being confined to his bed. He complained so much about the hard floor of the tent, Amelia had been forced to accept the Baron's invitation to visit the castle. 

"One day, and he has a maid in tears." Amelia rolled her eyes, and dropped the Baron's arm. "I shall join you at banquet shortly." 

Baron Delson bowed, and stepped around her. Amelia watched as he disappeared down the stairs at the end of the hallway. She turned back to Agnes. "What is he complaining about this time?"