Chapter 2 A Drink Between Friends
The afternoon was explicitly hotter than most for France, but the Scottish ladies in waiting were suffering more than most. The girls took to sitting under a large tree outside as it was cooler than in the castle. "What I wouldn't give for a large pond right now to cool off in." Lola groaned, wiping her forehead. The girls murmured in agreement.
"These clothes are heavy on the best of days, today they seem unbearable." Kenna declared, wishing to strip down.
"Kenna!" Aylee laughed, causing the girls to fall into a round of laughter.
"I see the heat has caused you ladies to fall into a state of hysteria." A strong voice sounded. Sebastian was approaching the group of girls with a wide smile on his face. Cora cleared her throat and found herself fiddling with her necklace again. Mary noted the girls' nervousness and stifled a smile.
"Nice to see you again my Lord." The girls greeted him with smiles and giggles.
"Ladies. Queen Mary; your carriage is ready for your departure to pick up the Spanish Princess." Bash informed the Queen.
"Thank you. Ladies, I trust you will occupy your time while I'm gone." Mary smiled and started to follow Bash but stopped to turn to Cora. "Can you join me? I'd welcome your company for the journey." Cora seemed surprised but joined Mary towards the carriage; avoiding Bash's gaze.
An hour into the journey, Francis and his brother had fallen asleep peacefully. Mary and Cora sat in a comfortable silence. "Is there something going on with you and Bash?" Mary asked quietly suddenly. Cora widened her eyes in fear but shook her head quickly. "I saw how you fiddled with your necklace when he approached us earlier." Mary started with a smile on her face. "That's your tell when you're nervous."
"Mary, I do apologize if I have offended in some way." Cora mumbled. In truth, Cora did not know why she was affected so much by Bash's presence. Since the walk in the pasture, she couldn't stop thinking about him and how kind he was to her. "I know he flirts with every girl I'm sure."
"That is not what I am concerned about." Cora arched her eyebrow at her Queen in question. "He cannot offer you anything but a friendship you realize?" Cora nodded her head.
"It was a simple walk. He was being kind." Cora defended.
"He is a bastard, the Queen already detests him; you always tell the girls to stay out of trouble and yet here you are walking with him." Mary explained.
There was that term again, 'bastard'. "With all due respect Mary, I can handle myself. Also, I can make my own decisions." Cora pointed out.
"I am just looking out for you Cora." Mary defended herself.
"I am fine, but thank you for your concern." Cora stated simply. The ride continued in a tense silence until the shores of France were seen. The girls debarked and followed Francis to the shore line. "It seems there are too many boats out there My Lord." Cora pointed out to Francis.
"Is that an English warship?" Mary asked.
"This is an attack, get on a horse and get somewhere safe. Now Mary!" Francis ordered, commanding his guards to take Charles to safety. Cora was ready to help Mary onto her horse when she saw the familiar black horse and it's rider appear.
"Stop! They come in peace! The Spanish ship came under fire and the English saved them." Bash explained, clearly out of breath.
The Spanish Princess was helped onto shore along with her entourage. She was a tiny thing, and obviously nervous to be around so many strangers. "May I?" Cora asked Mary, asking to approach the young princess. "We were once strangers here too." Mary nodded her approval and watched as Cora walked over to the little girl. She got down onto her knees slowly and smiled at the girl.
"It's a bit scary isn't it? Being around all these people, unsure of everything?" Cora said. The little girl nodded slowly, not meeting Cora's eye. "My name is Cora. I was a bit scared coming to France too. But I found a friend and he helped me feel less scared. Do you want to be my friend so that I can make you less scared?" Cora reached out her hand carefully for the Princess to take. She nodded quickly and took Cora's hand.
Bash watched in awe as Cora took the scared Princess so carefully over to Charles. She was gentle and patient with the girl and encouraged her to be brave. Cora smiled at the Princess and took her place beside Mary. The Princess looked worried until Cora promised she wouldn't be too far from her. Bash's heart warmed as the Princess looked more at ease in her foreign surroundings and curtsied for Charles.
Back at the castle, the welcome party was in full swing for the young children. Cora stood with the ladies in waiting and Mary, enjoying the festivities. "I hear you helped the princess upon her arrival?" Greer asked Cora.
"She was so scared." Cora told her. "I think we've all felt like that a few times in our lives?" Greer nodded in agreement and sipped on her wine. Mary took off towards Francis and Cora sighed a relief.
"Is something wrong?" Lola asked.
"She was just trying to protect me. I got a bit defensive. However, I can make my own decisions. I think she forgets that." Cora explained.
"She is our Queen now. We are her subjects; not her friends." Lola agreed, sending a sympathetic glance to Cora. "And you're older so it must feel a bit different to be told off by her." Cora tilted her head in annoyance but shook it off quickly. There was no point in being annoyed at Mary; nothing was between Bash and Cora so her concerns were empty.
"May I steal you away Lady Cora?" A familiar voice sounded from behind her. Bash. He stood with a smile on his face and drink in his hand. Yet Cora's heart fluttered.
"You may." Lola answered for her, pushing Cora gently to Bash's inviting arm. Cora shot Lola a glare but followed Bash away.
A few moments passed in silence while the pair walked away from the festivities. "What you did for the Princess was awfully sweet." Bash finally said. Cora blushed at his words and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Anyone would have done it." Cora tried.
"No one did, but you." Bash replied carefully.
"Did I offend?" Cora asked, suddenly panicked. Maybe she should have kept quiet. Was she in trouble? Bash chucked and turned to look at Cora.
"You always think you offend. It's alright; you didn't do anything wrong. You helped the little girl." Bash calmed her, noting her eyes change from fear to calm. "May I be frank?" He asked, offering her to sit on the nearby bench.
"Of course."
"My brother seems concerned that I am infatuated with you." Bash started, seeing Cora nod. "What is it?"
"Mary believes the same for me. She thinks that I will fall for the first man to show me kindness." Bash narrowed his eyes at the girl. "I am not naive. You are a kind man; does not make it an infatuation."
"You seem brave today. More...open." Bash commented, offering her his flask.
"I apolo…" She started but saw the look Bash gave her and thought twice about apologizing. "I am trying to respectfully speak my mind. It is utterly terrifying." Cora admitted, taking the flask. It was definitely not wine.
"Good; a lady should be strong. And respectful." Bash smiled. "You are both." Cora returned his smile but still tucked her hair behind her ear. "Mary and my brother may have been ahead of themselves, assuming our connection." Bash continued, taking his flask back.
"Yes, I agree. It was a simple walk. And this is…." Words failed her as she looked around at the solitary environment she found herself in with Bash.
"A drink between a bastard and a lady?" Bash answered for her. Cora shook her head.
"I do not like that word." Cora informed him, her eyes serious. Bash looked at her in confusion. "Bastard. Vile term. It's not your fault you came into the world." Bash smiled at her viewpoint and couldn't argue. "A drink between acquaintances?" Bash cheered to her terms in agreement. The two were too wrapped up in their conversation that they did not see Queen Catherine observing them in the distance, an evil smirk painted on her face.