Chapter 4
Bash woke as the sun was breaking through the darkness and turning the sky to deep blue. He immediately noticed the cover he was wrapped in and looked towards the queen, covered by her own blanket and nestled tightly in bed. He smiled at her thoughtfulness and stood, walking towards the sink to wash the sleep from his eyes. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror above the shallow bowl and ran a hand through his hair. He could not, no, would not, let whatever feelings remained for the queen, fog his judgement. He would ensure her safe passage to Scotland and determine his next course once she had taken her rightful place on the throne, far from the French court. The only thing he knew of his next step was that a life in France would not be possible after this endeavor.
He caught a glimpse of Mary's sleeping frame behind his reflection. Her lips slightly parted, her cheeks dusted pink, one arm tucked under the pillow, cradling her head. He dried his hands on a rag beside the sink and cautiously approached her. A finger lazily brushed along her hair line, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. She stirred slightly, but didn't wake. With some hesitation, and apparently no regard for his wife or brother, he reached for Mary again. This time, gently tracing the outline from her temple down her cheek. Kenna was beautiful to be sure, but the woman asleep before him was ethereal. She had captivated him the moment he saw her, and the attraction only increased as he grew to know her. And yet in many ways, he felt as though she had become a stranger, like seeing an old friend after a great while. He saw the same girl, he felt the same electricity, and yet something had changed for both of them since she made the choice to marry Francis. They were more careful with their words, both more formal in conversation. He wasn't a fool, he understood that she was likely doing it to create further distance between them; and yet, all he felt and all he saw in front of him in the silence of sunrise was the woman he would move heaven, hell, and anything in-between for. And despite all of the reasons he should not love her and could not want her, none of that logic seemed to matter when he was close to her.
He started a small fire to warm the room before nudging her shoulder to wake her. "Good morning your grace," he said, continuing with the formalities. "Sorry to wake you, but we have to be on the ship soon."
Through blurry eyes, still tired from a restless night, Mary saw Bash and nodded as she sat up against the headboard and yawned before speaking."Alright, I just need a moment to collect myself."
He waited just outside of the room while she went about getting ready. Though she moved quicker than he had anticipated, they departed the inn with a narrow amount of time to reach the harbor. If they were stopped by anyone for more than a few minutes the would miss their boat, and with it their window of opportunity.
Bash was cautious, but tried to act as normal as he possibly could. Ironically what made him even more worried was the general lack of people from the castle asking questions. Surely Francis had checked on his wife over the course of the night to find she was not there? He began to wonder if they had ridden so far from the castle, that no merchant or day laborer even recognized the queen. They weren't that far from the castle, but how many of the people that they were passing spent time at court? He had recognized none, and from the perplexed look on Mary's face, she hadn't either.
The pier inspector was the closest they came to being identified. As they approached, the man wearing a smart looking coat and expensive hat, eyed them both as he glanced at their travel papers. Bash kept a hand on the hilt of his dagger as the port agent's eyes lingered on the queen. "You have a very beautiful wife," the man complimented Bash, without taking his eyes off Mary. "Yes, I'm very lucky," Bash said. It wasn't helping matters that Mary was meeting the man's gaze head on, instead of averting her eyes as most young ladies would do at such a statement.
"And I am fortunate enough to have such an appreciative husband," Mary retorted, leaning in towards Bash and looking at him fondly. Her eyes softened and her smile was one that he had not seen in months, not since they shared secrets before Francis returned. There was something about Bash that was utterly spellbinding to Mary. He was serious and yet comforting and warm; His eyes held his humor and his tongue carried his wisdom. But his lips left trails of memories that Mary could not afford to look back upon.
Bash was fighting to not allow himself to be pulled in by her gaze, especially with how she watched him with such an endearing expression. He had to remain alert and aware to keep her safe. He tore his eyes from hers to focus on the man at the podium. "I assure you everything is in order. We're moving to Scotland to be closer to my family."
The gray haired man looked up, holding the papers. "Your French is impeccable for a Scot."
Bash smiled, playing it off well. "Why thank you. I've lived here nearly all my life, but some of my siblings returned to Scotland to join the advance of the Protestant rebels." Seeing the man's expression changing in their favor, he added, "and so we're returning so that I may add my services to the effort."
The man that had been holding up their passage, handed the papers back to them. "It is turning into quite the struggle, I hear. But God will protect you and those fighting for what is right. Safe voyage, sir."
Bash nodded a thanks, and ushered Mary forward towards the ship. They moved slowly, but it was hard for Mary not to take off running. She felt as if a suit of armor had been lifted from her body and she was closer than ever to being home, to Scotland.
They made their way to their cabin in the lower level, and Mary looked at Bash skeptically as she took in the two sets of bunk beds in the small quarters. He couldn't help but chuckle at her obvious discomfort. "Don't worry your grace, when I made the preparations I made sure every ticket in this cabin was purchased. You will only have to share the room with me for the journey."
Mary put a hand on her stomach and exhaled. "That's a relief. Thank you." Bash just nodded and looked around the room. It was small to be sure, even fitting four beds in total, as well as two dressers, the room couldn't have been more than 8 feet by 8 feet. He walked through a small door and nodded in pleasant surprise. "We have a private washroom as well," he announced over his shoulder.
"Wonderful," Mary said glancing between the sets of beds. Bash turned, looking at her. "I'll take the one nearest the door, just in case."
She nodded, moving to sit on the bottom bunk of the one further away. An awkward silence fell over them, and Bash cleared his throat after a moment. "I'll leave you to settle in. I'd like to explore before we set sail."
Mary jumped up. "I'd like to join you," she said quickly. Bash shook his head, giving a tight lipped smile. "We don't know who else is aboard. I'd feel better if you stayed here until I have a chance to survey the vessel and gather more information."
Mary fought the desire to stomp her feet and argue further, but she refrained. "Alright. But promise me the moment you've confirmed that there is no one set to kidnap me, you'll point me in the direction of the deck," she smirked, teasing him a bit.
He grinned. "Better yet, I'll even escort you."
"Just try not to get into trouble before then." She joked, but the seriousness of the possibility hung in the air until Bash replied.
"I'll let you know if it happens," he chuckled, trying to continue the banter they had once been so good at.
Mary felt the weight of what might be, lift at the sound of Bash's laughter. "Carrier dove preferred. Pigeons seem like such dirty animals."
"On the open water, it's more likely to be a seagull, you're grace."
"A compromise I'll accept," she smiled, laughing under her breath.
A pregnant pause lingered between them as they grew silent, each unable to look away from the other's smile.
Bash could feel the pangs of what he once felt so strongly, tug at his chest. He coughed, hoping to release the pressure. "I'll leave you to rest," he said. His tone was gruff, although he hadn't meant it to be. He took a deep breath. "I'll return for you once the coast is clear."
Mary sat back on the bed and nodded. "I'll see you soon."
Bash gave a short bow, why he didn't know. Nerves, the usual formality expected when in the company of royalty. He opened the door slightly peering in each direction before slipping out, only to lean back against the door. He shut his eyes; he would not be bewitched by those large brown eyes, hearty laughter, and pillowy lips. He couldn't – not again.
