Chapter Three

Hilda smiled at the messenger as she clutched the envelope he had delivered to her. She watched as he rode down the path from their house back towards the palace. She shut the door and ran quickly to the great room as she triumphantly held the invitation aloft.

"Mami, Daisy! There's a ball at the castle! The Queen just brought our invitation!" Hilda yelled as Rosa and Daisy came running. Ignacio came out of his study and looked sternly at his older daughter.

"Hilda, there's no reason to shout. You're a lady, try to act like one." Ignacio grumbled as he turned back to his study. Rosa smiled at Hilda.

"Mija, I'm glad you're so happy about this ball. We'll have to get dresses for you and Daisy." Rosa said as Hilda tore open the letter. Her eyes widened in happiness as she scanned the letter.

"It's a masked ball. Ooh, mysterious." Hilda sighed. Rosa looked at Daisy and smiled. Daisy looked nervous about attending. Rosa would have to contact the dressmaker today. The ball was a week away and she wanted both of her daughters looking beautiful. It was about time for both of them to find husbands. Ignacio was right, both her daughters needed families of their own and she wanted them to be happy. Rosa turned and headed for the study to compose a note for the local dressmaker.

5 Days Later

Countess Christina of Galloway sat in her parlor, trying to catch up on her correspondences, her mind in turmoil. She had heard rumors in the town that The Black Dragon was in the area and that he was looking for something. She sighed and laid aside her pen as she stared out the window. Christina hadn't seen The Black Dragon….Henry for many years. She didn't know what had brought him to the town but she knew his determination and what drove him. She glanced over the papers on her writing desk, her eyes settling on the invitation from the Queen. She had already sent her acceptance to attend the Ball, also sending a personal message to Lady Rosa letting her know she would be in attendance to chaperone and introduce Hilda and Daisy to some of the more affluent single men at the Ball.

Christina continued looking out the window, thinking about Lady Hilda and Princess Daisy. Hilda would have no trouble catching an eligible beau. She had a high spirited nature, but her beauty and charm would certainly attract quite a few men. Daisy on the other hand was a different matter indeed. Christina could see the deep romantic nature in the young woman, a nature she had in common with the young woman. Christina knew that Daisy would not be happy with a man with money and a title. Daisy undoubtedly wanted romance and passion, and the men that Lord Ignacio was pushing at her would not do at all. Christina continued staring out the window, unaware of the man who had snuck into her house behind her.

Rosa smiled fondly as Hilda and Daisy tried their ball gowns as the dressmaker oohed and aahed over them. Hilda's deep purple gown with silver threading made her look taller and more regal than Rosa had ever seen. The matching purple mask set off her deep brown eyes. But it was her youngest daughter who looked positively breathtaking.

Ignacio had loosened the purse strings for his daughters, hoping that this Ball would find them husbands. The dressmaker had made a dress of deep rose satin with creamy white lace edging for Daisy. It heightened the color in her cheeks, and made her eyes sparkle. The low neckline and gathered waist had bothered Rosa at first, until Rosa saw Daisy trying on the dress. The dress made her look very glamorous and grown up, looking nothing like the little girl getting herself lost in the fields picking flowers that Rosa remembered. Rosa took a shaky breath as both girls turned in front of the dressmaker one final time for her approval.

"Beautiful." The dressmaker said, "Lady Rosa, both your daughters are going to be the talk of the Ball." Rosa smiled at her, handing her a small purse of gold coins.

"Thank you for finishing on such short notice. There's a bonus in here for you." Rosa said. The dressmaker smiled her thanks and gathered up her things. The dressmaker thanked her once more and left the house as Hilda and Daisy took their gowns upstairs to be pressed for the Ball. Rosa stood at the bottom of the stairs watching them go upstairs, hoping that the Ball would finally bring her daughters some happiness.

"Countess……" The voice said behind her. Christina gasped and pulled herself out of her daze as she swiveled around in her chair towards the sound of the voice. Her eyes widened as she took in the tall man dressed in the black armor bowing in respect towards her on the other side of her parlor.

"Henry!" Christina whispered, "How did you….when did you get here?" Henry straightened as he removed his black helmet, his dark eyes connecting with hers.

"Countess, it is very easy to gain access to your home. You should be more on guard." Henry said. Christina crossed the room and stood in front of him, her voice icy.

"Perhaps you should consider sending a message next time. If you weren't my best friend's only child, I would call out the guards for you." Christina said. Henry's mouth curled into a smirk.

"My apologies Countess." Henry said, "I just needed to find out if you're going to the Ball at Meade Castle in two days?"

"And if I am?" Christina asked. Henry narrowed his eyes at her.

"Then I need you to provide a distraction for me so that I may get close to Prince Daniel. He has something which I need greatly." Henry replied. Christina let out a harsh laugh.

"And how would you be getting close to him?" Christina asked, "You should know that the castle will be heavily guarded since rumors have been spreading through the town that you've been seen here."

"It's not a request Countess." Henry replied, "He has a key in his possession that I need to relieve him of." Christina sighed and looked away.

"I will try to provide the distraction you need. But I'm sure he and Daisy will be together most of the evening. You may have quite a challenge getting close enough to him." Christina said.

"Daisy?" Henry said.

"Lord and Lady Suarez's youngest daughter. She's been his closest friend since childhood. Her parents are trying to get her married off, but she usually spends most of her time at these parties with me or with Prince Daniel." Christina explained.

"What does she look like, this Daisy?" Henry demanded. Christina looked at him curiously.

"She's a young lass…about 23 or so. Long dark brown hair and brown eyes. She's usually out and about in the fields, reading or picking flowers." Christina said. Henry inhaled sharply as Christina looked at him sharply.

"Henry you wouldn't….you're not thinking about doing anything to her are you?? Because I won't be a part of anything to hurt Daisy; do you hear me?" Christina said, her voice rising at the thought of Henry hurting Daisy. Henry strode over to Christina and grabbed her by the shoulders. His dark eyes bored into hers as he looked down at her.

"Countess, rest assured your little friend Daisy is safe from me. You may be my mother's oldest friend, but the respect I have for that friendship only goes so far. Give me a distraction the night of the Ball and I will not forget it. If you cared for my mother as much as you say, then you will help me." Henry said. Christina pulled away from him and turned from him.

"I will help you. Your mother meant a lot to me and the memories of her are all I have left. But she wouldn't want to see what you've become now Henry. A man without love, without a thought for anyone but himself. Is that the kind of man you think she would be proud of?" Christina asked. She turned around to find her parlor empty, the fluttering curtains at the window her only audience.

Henry stole quietly away from the Countess' castle. He crossed her pasture quietly, reaching his horse and untying him from the post he'd secured him too. As he headed back out towards the edge of town, the name he'd heard from the Countess bounced around in his brain.

Daisy…….Daisy……..

Henry smiled a rare smile as he urged the horse on faster. He might be able to put the young woman to use after all, he thought to himself as the horse thundered into the night.

TBC…………………………………………