Chapter Notes:
Latin:
Nine = Novem
Ten = Decem
Seven = Septem
Master = Dominus
Summer's End = Finis est Aestas
Chapter 10 – Lord Decem
The dance with the King had caused quite a stir among the nobility and Rose found herself once more the centre of court gossip. The dance, coupled with Martha's remarks in previous weeks about the King's attention, left Rose in a muddled emotional state. After several nights of broken sleep Rose had decided to spend her time doing something like catching up on some reading rather than getting frustrated by her ever-circling thoughts.
The reading helped and very quickly Rose had a small stack of books to return to the library and an even longer list of books to take out.
With the help of a library assistant she found all but one of the books on her list. The last one was proving rather difficult to find. Thanking the assistant Rose set off on her own to scour the nearby selves for the missing book.
Rose gave a small huff of effort as she climbed up the step ladder for what felt like the thousandth time and combed the shelves for her book. She eventually spotted it to her left, a little out of arms reach. Not wanting to get down and move the ladder yet again, Rose stretched out her arm and tried to reach the book.
She gave a groan of annoyance as she just missed it, her fingers within millimetres of the book's cover.
She moved to the very edge of the ladder and holding onto the shelves with her right hand she leaned out over the ladder and stretched once more. She was successful this time as the tips of her fingers closed around the book and she pulled it out.
Unfortunately, Rose pulled too much, and the momentum caused her to unbalance. She teetered for a moment at the top of the ladder, neither standing securely nor falling, before gravity claimed her and she fell.
Rose closed her eyes involuntarily as she waited for the inevitable thud and pain of hitting the ground. However, it never came. Instead there was a thump and an, "Uff!" as she fell into what was unmistakably a man's chest and strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist. Rose's movement was slowed before both she and the mystery man tumbled to the ground.
Slowly Rose opened her eyes and gazed up at her saviour. He was a young and handsome man; thin with long limbs and light brown hair that was currently falling attractively about his face. He smiled at her as he stood up and then bent down to help her to her feet. Rose found herself transfixed by the man as her heart began to beat rather quickly even though the danger of the fall had passed.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a light and rich tone.
"Y...yes, I am fine. Thank you." Rose stammered a little as if her brain and mouth had suddenly decided to be uncooperative and not work.
"That was a nasty fall you took. Are you sure you are alright? No broken bones or sprained ankles?" he said with a gentle smile.
Rose smiled back at him, "No, honestly I am fine."
"Well, I am not the type of man to doubt a woman's honesty, especially not one as beautiful as you." His smile broadened and he gave a small bow. Rose felt herself blushing. He picked up the book that she had dropped and handed it to her as she muttered another, "Thank you."
"May I ask your name, my lady?"
"Yes, of course," Rose gushed, "I am Baroness Rosabel Tyler."
"Well no more dangerously climbing up ladders, Lady Tyler. No book is worth you hurting yourself."
"Do not worry I will not," she said with a small, embarrassed grin.
"Good, good. Well I must be off." He bent, took Rose's hand in his and kissed the back of it. He then straightened giving her one last dashing smile and saying "Alonsy, Lady Tyler."
Rose stared after him, watching his retreating back and continued to stare long after he had gone. It was only after some time that she realised she had never asked him his name.
/#/
The gossip surrounding the King's dance had thankfully begun to subside and Martha distracted Rose with tales of her new beau. Martha's excitement grew to contagious proportions when she learned that he would also be attending the Finis est Aestas gathering. Rose could not help but be swept up in Martha's enthusiasm and forget her own worries.
The Finis est Aestas gathering rolled around, far too slowly for Martha, and the two young women arrived with fervent anticipation. The first half of the night passed without incident and it was only in the latter half of the evening that Martha cried, "That is him, in the blue jacket!"
"Where?" Rose stood on the tips of her toes hoping to catch a glimpse of this mysterious beau over through the crowd.
"Over there, by the large landscape painting."
"Oh, oh, I see him!" Rose cried in delight. She could see the back of a tall, thin man with light brown hair in a splendid deep blue evening jacket. "I cannot see his face though," she said with a sigh, "Is he handsome?"
"Oh yes!" Martha exclaimed with glee.
Rose turned back to Martha, "I would very much like to meet him and see just how handsome he is for myself."
Martha laughed, "I do not think you will have to wait too long to meet him."
"Oh?"
"He is coming over this way now."
The two women waited with bated breath for the man in question to arrive.
Rose watched Martha's face glow with happiness as she looked at her beau when he arrived. The pair greeted each other in a familiar way, neglecting all titles.
At last Rose turned fully to the man as Martha introduced her.
"Rose, may I introduce Viscount Decem, cousin to the King."
Rose struggled to breathe as she gazed at the fetching man. It was him, the man from the library. This was the man Martha was so fond of. Oh no.
"Decem, this is my best friend -"
"Baroness Rosabel Tyler. It is an absolute please to see you again," Lord Decem said as he bowed to her and kissed her hand, making Rose blush.
Rose had told Martha all about the handsome stranger who had saved her, although she had never actually described him in great detail so there had been no way for Martha to say that she might know who it was.
"You ... you know each other?" Martha stuttered.
"Erm, yes. Lord Decem is the man who saved me in the library."
"Oh, how nice," Martha answered in a strained voice, looking suspiciously at Rose.
"If I may be so bold, Lady Tyler, may I have the next dance?" Decem did not seem to have noticed Martha's sudden stiff and uncomfortable demeanour.
Rose not wanting to cause a scene by refusing to dance gave a slight smile and agreed. As Decem took her arm and led her towards the dance floor Rose turned and gave Martha an apologetic grimace.
Rose looked up at her new dance partner, so it was Viscount Decem, cousin to King Novem, who had caught Martha's eye. Decem was the grandson of Prince Dominus, brother to the current King's grandfather, King Septem, and was one of the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom. No wonder Martha had glowed with pride when speaking about his attention to her.
That attention was now focused solely on Rose and while Rose was captivated with Decem, as any woman would be, she was worried about how Martha would react to the Viscount's sudden change in affection.
Viscount Decem or Decem as he insistent she call him was a charming man and soon had Rose forgetting about Martha and social etiquette.
When at last their dance ended and the pair parted ways with the promise of many more dances in the future Rose cast about the ball room looking for Martha but could not find her anywhere. Instead she found Captain Jack Harkness.
Jack approached her. "Good evening, Lady Rose."
Rose inclined her head. "Good evening, Captain Harkness."
"I thought we had got past the need for formality, Rose. If we have not then I am sorry, but I am afraid it is too late. You are fixed firmly in my head as Rose now." Jack made a sweeping gesture and bowed low. "And I am sorry, but you look so formidably splendid tonight, that if I cannot call you Rose, I might not muster up the courage to speak at all."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Someone is full of nonsense tonight."
"Did you not know? That is what all these events are about, nonsense."
"Hmm. I have been warned about you, Captain," she said ruefully, secretly pleased that he had begun to affectionately call her by her first name.
"Warned? By whom?" he said in mock offence. "Oh, the shame! Is no one in this wretched court on my side?"
Rose laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "There, there Captain. I am on your side."
"If you are truly on my side Rose, then you must call me Jack," he said with a cheeky grin on his face.
"If you insist ... Jack," Rose replied with a smile of her own.
Jack fell in step beside her as she traversed the ball room and its many adjoining rooms in search of Martha.
They searched in silence for some time before Jack spoke, "I am curious. You see you are a curiosity. And ..." Jack paused.
Rose side eyed him, "Go on."
"As long as you do not mind answering personal questions?"
"How personal?" Rose said curiously.
"Unapologetically intrusive, knowing me. Unconsciously so."
Rose gave a small huff of laughter. "My, you have a large vocabulary, Captain."
"And you have large...," Jack started, his eyes glancing at her chest. He paused when she gave him a warning look and quickly redirected, "A large exquisitely filled wardrobe."
"Maybe, maybe not," Rose said, not knowing whether she should laugh of give him a clip about the ears for his highly indelicate near miss.
"How does a Baroness such as yourself choose and pick out such a delicate and exquisite dress as this? That was the first unapologetically personal question, if you were wondering."
Rose gave another huff of laughter and rolled her eyes.
The rest of Jack's questions went from innocuous to almost indelicate, but Rose found herself not caring and she asked him just as many questions, which he answered with equal sincerity.
One of the most surprising answers, or non-answers, was when she asked him if there was anyone that held his affections. He did not answer straightaway which was unusual in and of itself but his stammered, "N...no," and accompanying blush said otherwise. Rose let the subject drop this time, but she was determined to find out more.
/#/
Rose eventually caught up with Martha two days later. It was not a good meeting. Martha was furious with her.
Rose stood before Martha in bewilderment, "I do not understand."
Martha whirled around, "No, of course you do not, because you are just little Ms Perfect, aren't you?! Argh! You have no idea of what it is like do you?"
"What what is like?"
"You just stand there, and men just fall at your feet, you do not even have to do anything! I have never had a man look at me like that until Decem, but you had to spoil that didn't you?!"
"Martha, I did not mea-"
"I do not care!"
"Martha?"
"No! Don't you 'Martha' me. I do not want to speak you again. I do not want to see you."
"Fine!" Rose cried, losing her temper too. "If that is the way you want it!"
Martha gave her a withering look and stalked away.
Rose glared after her, fists clanged and breathing heavily.
/#/
The fight with Martha had left Rose feeling somewhat lost, both Clara and Sally had separately tried to get the two women to speak to each other but they both failed miserably as neither Rose nor Martha were willing to apologise to the other.
A week after the fight with Martha, Rose found that she had nothing much to do that day, no personal engagements or meetings. Having spent much of the early morning pondering what to do, she finally decided to go shopping.
She set off in the late morning heading through the castle to the western gateway. She had briefly considered taking a carriage down to the shops but quickly dismissed the idea; there was nothing wrong with a good healthy walk. If she did happen to buy a lot, then she would get a carriage back but there was no reason for her to take one now.
Rose took her time on the walk down, taking in the sights and sounds of the city - other shoppers, families, street musicians, sellers and shop owners calling out their new products and best offers, and merchants and traders haggling on price and quantity.
Rose wandered down the main high street gazing through the many shop front windows, each displaying their best wares to attract passers-by. There was all manner of clothing shops, furniture shops, jewellery shops, bakeries, and eateries.
Rose finally came to a stop in front of a dress shop and eyed the window display with hungry eyes, despite the fact that the hefty price meant that it was way out of her price range. The bodice was a deep maroon velvet which continued through to the skirt until about mid-thigh. Here it changed to a light red material which disappeared into the reaching coal black ruffles around the base of the skirt.
"That would look very well on you."
Rose gave a small start at the sudden familiar voice to her right. She turned to see Lord Decem looking pensively between her and the dress.
She smiled, "Thank you, Lord Decem. Unfortunately, I would have no ball to wear such a dress to."
"Oh, I doubt that. I am sure there would be plenty."
Rose gave him a grateful smile.
Decem gave her a strange look before saying, "Would you accompany me to lunch?"
Rose was simultaneously delighted by the offer and weary of its meaning and context. She hesitated in answering. Something of her thought must have crossed her face because Decem tried to clarify what he had said.
"I did not mean to be presumptuous or to slight your reputation. I would very much like to spend more time with you but if that has to wait until there is a suitable chaperone then that it perfectly alright with me. "
Rose considered his words. She was an unmarried woman and should not be spending time alone with an unmarried man. But it was not like they were actually going to be alone together with no one around. They were going to go to lunch in town; they were going to be surrounded by people the whole time. How could anything improper happen?
"Yes, I would love to go for lunch."
"Excellent!"
Lunch was delightful; Decem was charming, funny and very attentive. They talked about everything and anything, from serious topics to the more inconsequential. Any social faux pas was soon forgotten by Rose and she was swept away by the charisma of the man sitting across from her.
After lunch they strolled up the meandering cobble stone street towards the castle, the sunlight from the setting sun casting elongated shadows along the road.
Near the castle gates Decem paused and turned to her, "I hope you do not mind me being so forward," Rose shook her head, "I have enjoyed today very much."
"So have I," Rose gushed.
"How would you feel if we were to spend another afternoon together?"
"Yes, I would love to."
"Wonderful!" Decem grinned. "Have you been up to the towers yet?"
"No, I have not built up the courage to climb all those steps!" she laughed.
"There are quite a lot of them, I grant you that; but you do not have to climb them all in one go. You can take as many breaks as you like."
"I do not know. I will go if you take me!"
Decem smiled and leaned in close to her, "Done, it is a deal! How does this Friday sound?"
"Perfect," Rose smiled, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks from the closeness.
Rose practically floated the rest of the way to the castle where she and Decem parted ways with the promise of meeting in a few days.
/#/
Friday could not arrive fast enough for Rose. She was up early and arrived at the entrance hall with plenty of time to spare before the agreed meeting time.
Decem arrived on time, looking very handsome in a brown accented jacket.
"Ready?" he smiled.
"Yes," Rose returned his smile.
"Then let us begin."
Decem led her to the base of the South Tower where two ceremonial guards stood. The couple bid the two guards good day and began the ascent.
The four Towers were very large, roughly circular buildings; they began as internal structures but grew external higher up. Their staircases took up a small section of the side of the building, in the form of tightly spiralling steps. The staircase widened every two floors opening onto a landing where the towers connected, via a guarded door, to the main castle before once again narrowing.
Progress up the tower was slow as the pair took breaks frequently and on occasion stopped to take in the view from the narrow windows.
At last the stairs widened and came to an end at a small antechamber with two doors. The door on the right led to the guards' watch room and rest rooms as well as a supply cupboard. The left-hand door was the one that led out to the Tower walkway.
Decem turned to Rose, "Ready?"
Rose nodded, her stomach churning with excitement and anticipation.
There was a 'whoosh' of air as Decem swung open the door and the early autumn sunlight streamed in. With cautious steps Rose followed Decem outside and gasped.
The view was awe-inspiring, they quite literally towered over the castle and the city far below.
With tentative steps Rose edged towards the boundary wall, her heart hammering in her chest. She leaned over and gazed at the view below. She retreated quickly though as a queasy feeling developed at the sheer height of it and thoughts of a very long fall.
"Beautiful, is it not?" Decem grinned at her.
"It is breath-taking," Rose agreed looking out once again at the castle which stretched out before her, the dome of the great hall glittering in the sunlight, the other three towers, the lush gardens and the many windows of the castle itself.
While Rose admired the view Decem had made his way out onto the bridge itself. "Come on," he called, turning to face her, and beckoning her over.
Rose gave him a terrified look to which he laughed, "It is not that bad. These bridges have stood the test of time they are not about to break now."
Rose let out an unconvinced noise but not wanting to seem incompetent in front of Decem she gathered what courage she could find and stepped forward.
Inching her way out onto the wooden boards Rose grabbed Decem's outstretched hands tightly. She looked up at him, his face so close to hers, and felt a fluttering in her stomach that had nothing to do with her fear of the height.
"Trust me," Decem whispered seductively, and Rose allowed herself to be led out into the middle of the bridge her eyes never leaving Decem's.
Decem held Rose for some time until she began to grow in confidence. She stood up straighter and looked around. Eventually her curiosity got the better of her, overriding her anxiety, "What happens during a storm? Surely there would be some damage to the bridges?"
"They reel the wooden planks in. See, just there," Decem pointed to a series of mechanisms attached to the tower where the bridge connected, "That is what they use those to reel the boards in and that just leaves the ropes exposed, and they are not much of a problem."
Rose listened intently and marvelled at the ingenuity of it.
The pair made their way leisurely across to the other side of the bridge and to the East Tower. They stopped many times to take in the view and point out some interesting aspect or feature of the scenery.
There was a small picnic basket waiting for them at the East Tower which delighted Rose to no end. Sitting at the small table looking out over the castle and Decem sitting across from her the day could not have gone any better for Rose. With lunch finished they spent a little more time admiring the scenery before making their way down.
The journey back down the steps was far less of an ordeal than climbing up had been for which Rose was very thankful. She did not think her legs could take much more after the day. As they descended the last few steps Rose was very grateful to reach the refuge of flat ground but also regretted that the outing with Decem was over.
Decem escorted her back to her rooms where he bid her good evening and promised that they would have another adventurous outing soon.
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Clara had had enough. Rose and Martha had not spoken to each other in weeks and she was sick of playing the messenger. Martha resolutely refused to be the first to speak as to her Rose was the one who was entirely at fault. No amount of cajoling or pleading would change her mind.
Having failed to get through to Martha, Clara set about talking to Rose.
The conversation was a long and frustrating one and it was just when Clara thought that she would have to give up and let the two women wallow in their own self-pity that she seemed to finally get through to Rose.
"You cannot go on fighting forever, it is simply ridiculous. And especially over a man."
"It is not my fault. How was I to know that he was the man she had set her cap at? She never told me who he was!"
"Oh Rose! Do not be so petty and childish. You are a grown woman, start acting like it," Clara admonished.
Rose coloured at the rebuke and fell silent for a few minutes with a mixture of self-pity and shame.
She really had not known that it was Decem that Martha had liked. And while Martha's response had been petty and out of a place of anger, she, Rose, had acted no better in return. Clara was right she had better start acting like a responsible and grown woman. Still, she was not overjoyed at the thought of having to apologise to Martha.
"Oh, all right. I speak to her."
"Well, thank the Goddesses for that. It is a miracle!"
Rose rolled her eyes at Clara's heavy sarcasm. "I said I would speak to her not that I could sort it out."
"Just try. That is all I am asking."
/#/
It was a number of days after her talk with Clara that Rose built up the courage to speak to Martha. She was most definitely not looking forward to it, not Martha's reaction to seeing her, not the having to apologise for something that was not her fault, and certainly not Martha's inevitable scorn at said apology.
With a sigh and a heavy heart Rose approached the door to Martha's rooms.
She knocked on the door and while she waited for someone to answer it, she briefly considered turning tail and running away but her pride stopped her.
To Rose's surprise it was Martha herself that opened the door. Martha's face fell the instant she saw Rose and she tried to slam the door shut.
"Martha, wait!" Rose said putting out her hands to stop the door from closing.
"What?" Martha snapped, relenting and letting the door swing open.
"I want to apologise."
Martha made an incredulous noise.
"I am serious, Martha," a hard edge entered Rose voice before she sighed heavily. "May I come in?"
Martha nodded tersely and stepped aside for Rose to enter.
Rose stood uncomfortably at one end of the sitting room as Martha stood at the other end, equally ill at ease.
Rose took a deep breath, "Martha, I am sorry."
Martha's face remained impassive.
"I did not know that Decem meant something to you."
Martha gave a derisive snort, "That has not stopped you from continuing to see him though, has it?"
Rose's shoulders slumped. Martha was right. She knew that her relationship with Decem hurt Martha, but she did not stop seeing him.
"No, you are right. It has not," Rose said and sank down on a chair. She missed Martha's friendship, she was tired of fighting, and she wanted her friend back. She told Martha as much, the truth of Rose's words seemed to get through to Martha and she sat down in a chair opposite Rose; still on edge but listening.
After a very tense discussion Rose and Martha reached an uncomfortable truce. Martha was still not happy about Decem seeing Rose instead of her, but she could not stop it. Rose out of respect for Martha would not mention him to Martha and would keep any future interaction with him to a minimum around Martha.
They parted ways, not yet as friends but not fighting either.
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