Bash followed Shaina from the Great Hall as she headed to Mary's chambers after the meeting had ended. "Lady Shaina." he called after her. She stopped and turned slightly at the sound of her name. "Yes?" she said looking at him softly. "We never finished our conversation from this afternoon." He said pulling her off to the side of the hallway so the departing nobles could pass without having to go around them or overhear their conversation. "Well as I recall it wasn't much of a conversation as it was me pleading for you not to run after Tomas in your delicate condition. I suppose if you hadn't things wouldn't have turned out as they did." She replied slightly upset yet relieved. "As you saw I came back in one piece and I'm sorry for causing you any distress. But it was actually the question after our kiss I was referring to." He replied lowering his voice towards the end of his sentence. He looked at her intently a smile ghosting his lips. "I do recall the question after my mention of a first kiss." She said tightening her grip around her waist as she moved further into the alcove of a nearby window. Bash followed her lead his smile faltering as she seemed to be getting upset. "Sophia and I were just barely considered ladies back in England as our fathers were only rich merchants who travelled a lot. They weren't titled or owned much land but what we lived on yet their wealth in their trade is what got us both sent to find suitors in London and such." She paused glancing at the night sky. Bash was already becoming upset for her as he had an inkling of where this story ended. "So Sophia and I travelled to where our parents wanted us to find a match and yet neither of us were apparently good enough. Even with the lure of money, England's unrest and both our father's history of dining with some of England's enemies didn't sit well with the nobles. Though that didn't keep either of us from our share of hurt. Sophia suffered the most I think. So now we are here and you have your answer." She finished her story, wiping an errant tear from her eye. Bash wanted to find the men who'd hurt these ladies' self-esteem so much but he knew it wouldn't do any good or solve anything.
Shaina had thought about how she was to answer Bash's question and what better way to keep a solid lie was to add in a little truth. The parts of her and Sophia's luck with men was true and that's why it came as somewhat of a shock that Sophia was doing so well with the attention of the nobleman Julien. And of course the first kiss part was also true. She could feel Bash watching her and even surprised herself with how emotional she'd gotten telling the story. That wasn't fake either. "Shaina." He said softly placing a finger under her chin turning her gaze to his. He looked into her eyes with compassion and attraction filled eyes. "A woman as beautiful and as spirited as you would make any warm-blooded man want to kiss you and even love you given the chance." His voice grew husky as his face inched closer to hers. She felt her heart beat faster and as soon as his lips touched hers the sparks flew and her stomach felt like it had a million butterflies fluttering around in it. Without her having to think she turned toward him completely her arms sliding up his chest and around his neck. She felt warmth all the way to her toes and let herself get lost in the moment.
Bash knew when he looked into her eyes that he was beginning to feel more than just an attraction to Lady Shaina and it was proved when he spoke to her and meant what he said. He saw her drink it in and then decided to seal his statement with a kiss. This time he knew there was more behind the kiss. Her arms were around his neck and her body was flush with his. He cupped her face in his hands as he ravished her lips with his kisses. The momentum of his kisses had her leaning into the wall of the window alcove for support. "Bash." She whispered against his lips as they panted for air. "With beauty like yours one would've never thought such things." He whispered lifting his head a little. She glanced up at him a smile ghosting the lips he'd just claimed moments ago. "Bash you do know how to flatter a girl." She said once she'd gotten her voice back. He smiled again stepping back and helping her steady herself. "I intend to do more and I look forward to more chances in the future." With that he kissed her one last time before bowing to her and leaving the alcove.
Shaina still felt weak in the knees after that kiss. She had no doubt that he meant what he said. And she wasn't surprised anymore that she was also looking forward to it. Her body still felt warm from where his had touched hers and her lips tingled from his kisses. She smoothed out her dress and continued her walk to Mary's chambers. She completely ignored the fact that she wasn't even from this part of history. No doubt Sophia might scold her but Shaina wasn't worried. This was turning into quite the adventure. She entered Mary's chambers and the other girls glanced over from where they were sitting around Mary. "We were wondering when you were joining us." Kenna said. Shaina smiled and joined the girls in the middle of the room. "There's something different about you." Sophia said narrowing her eyes as she looked at her friend. Shaina shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, but nobody missed the smile on her face or the faraway look in her eye. "We were just talking about how great Mary was in there." Ailee said diverting the subject for which Shaina was thankful. "Mary practically got everything Scotland wanted. Soldiers, ships and armaments." Lola said. "Well they got a few things, too. Our best timber, some farmland. But give it a few days, and we will have a far better treaty than before." Mary added smiling. Shaina could tell this was a triumph for Scotland. Just then there was a knock on the smaller door that led to the hallway and the adjoining Ladies-in-Waiting rooms and their gazes shifted there as Francis walked in. "Am I interrupting?" he asked. Each of the girls exchanged smiles and knowing looks. Kenna excused herself and the other girls followed each heading to their adjoining rooms.
Mary walked out in front of Francis into the hallway that surrounded her and her Ladies chambers. "You killed a man to protect me. I'm not really sure what to say to that." she stated her voice sounding a little reserved. She still wasn't sure what to think after their shared kiss and everything that followed. "Thank you?" Francis phrased his answer as a question. "Thank you doesn't cover it." she said turning to face him. "You were right. Your heart was right. I suppose you always were." He looked at her softening his gaze. "How so?" he asked. "I told you to take your time, be careful, and make the right choice for France. And even last night when we were so desperate to lose ourselves, you understood why I couldn't go too far." she answered her gaze softening as well. "You know what my heart says now? That I should forget about politics and be with you, no matter what." his voice was soft, but there was sincerity in it. "You're a true queen, a queen that any king would kill for." Mary lowered her gaze. "But your head says differently. I understand. Your instincts were right. They'll make you a great king someday." she placed a hand over his heart and he smiled sadly placing his hand over hers giving it a gentle squeeze. Mary looked out the window and Francis took her hand from his chest and they walked to the window staring at the night sky. She felt just right standing beside him her hand in his. If only fate were on their side.
Back in her chambers Mary set the seal stamp inside the secret tunnel entrance. "Clarissa? I don't know if you're there, but I wanted to thank you. You saved Simon's life and you saved mine I suppose. I used to feel so alone here, but I don't anymore. And I hope you don't, either." With that she closed the door and went to sleep.