Unfortunately for me, her look of horror needn't be imagined, for it rested firmly on her face the next morning as she scolded me for missing dinner the night before. Due to the feast held on our team's behalf, I saw no real way out of it, and sent a note canceling on Aunt. I knew that it would not sit well with her, she saw the feast as a man's unnecessary need to show off his power. Fortunately for me, the gentleman she had scheduled for the night had also asked for a rain check due to the feast. Aunt ranted at me for almost an hour before I could escape, leaving me late for fencing, which led to Old Tom giving me ten laps. Sam and Barn looked on sympathetically as I passed, but all I could do was shrug and do my allotted laps. Ten laps really was generous for Tom, and I suspected it was due to the success of the hunt and how it reflected on him and his teaching; he probably thought I had celebrated too much the night before. Indeed, by the time I returned, the boys had decided that I had gained the favor of a Lady for my kill and was late for want of leaving her bed.
Barn, Sam and I laughed for almost five minutes straight at the notion. Then, when we had calmed down, Sam asked with a straight face if there was reason for him to be concerned. We had to take another minute or two in order to calm our hiccups.
A month after the hunt, I began to have some troubles with Aunt and Alban. She thought he was the perfect boy for me, and despite my avid objections, continued to invite him to every dinner, even making more, to the point that there was one every week.
Alban, who I hoped would only show as much interest as any of the other suitors, seemed to side with Aunt on the matter. He seems to believe that we are all but married. He is constantly trying to make moves on me, and is becoming harder to evade by the day. I don't tell Sam, fearing an all out brawl, and instead confide in Barn who is concerned but overall confident in my ability to handle myself.
The King's winter ball was in a few days, and the whole castle was abuzz with the preparations. Sr. Ronald had taken quite a liking to Aunt as of late, and had asked to escort her. She was so elated, she forgot to nag me about getting Alban to ask the same of me, which I had been working very hard to avoid. He had come close a few times when we had been on our postsuper strolls around the gardens. I had been off in my own mind, trying to ignore his wild tales of his own "heroics", when I had caught on to the tale end of a sentence.
"...which brings me to something I've been meaning to ask you." I whipped my head around and stared at him, He grinned at the stunned, horrified look hanging on my face, probably confusing it with wonder. A whole night of this oaf trodding on my toes and yacking in my ear? Not to mention Sam…
"I'm feeling faint.." I burst out, fanning myself and swaying a bit on the spot for effect.
"I can have that effect." I almost gag, but manage to hold it together.
"I have to lie down, excuse me." I'm trying not to run as I march away, not bothering to fake any sign of an impending faint as I leave him alone with his awful cologne and gag inducing pick up lines. When he's out of sight, I run straight to the castle, entering the first door I see, for I can hear footsteps behind me.
The door lead to the kitchens, and everyone inside was gawking at the strange Lady that had just barged in, panting as if she had been running around the grounds like a common servant. I gather my cumbersome skirts and swiftly leave the room, entering the adjacent corridor and walking until I find an entrance to the great hall. From there I run to the quarters that house the Lady's of the court praying that I've lost him. I'm skirting around a corner when my face meets an unexpected wall. As I fall backwards, strong hands grip my arms and help me to right myself.
"Oof!... My apologies good sir… Oh, it's you Sam!" I fling my arms around him in relief and pull him into my rooms.
"Rose, what's going on? Why were you running?" Sam sits on the couch in my sitting room and pulls me down next to him. I snuggle into arm and tell him all about the night's events. His brows furrow at the mention of Alban, and I rub his arm to calm him.
"Well, if he asks again, just tell him you have promised the right to escort you to another."
"Presumptuous, aren't you?" I tease, poking at his side.
"You better believe it missy." I grin as he kisses me on the cheek.
We sit like that for a time, enjoying each other's company before I get up to change, and we leave to go get Barn for a midnight sparring match.