Well...while the last chapter didn't get too many reviews, those of you that did post were so enthusiastic, you made up for it! I really hope I'm continuing to entertain the rest of you as well. I'm going to do my best to keep going with this story, maybe shorter updates, but still moving forward.
Chapter Thirteen
Having a Ball
Derek escorted Meredith into the throng of costumed nobility that was surging towards the ballroom, and moved towards the King and Queen that were greeting everyone. Meredith glanced around, trying to find Izzie and Marcus in the group, or either of their parents, but it was too much of a crush. Strains of music wafted over the group, just audible above the hum of conversation around them. Passing through the receiving line, where the royal couple greeted them warmly, knowing full well who they were behind their masks, Derek held Meredith's arm possessively. After making their way past several groups, nodding and smiling pleasantly, Meredith finally spotted her father, and Derek's mother. "I see our parents have forgone the costumes," she whispered to Derek.
"I would have been surprised if they had been dressed otherwise," he replied. His mother was dressed in dark blue velvet, with a matching mask, and ribbons of cream silk in her silver hair. She was petite and formidable at the same time, still able to make Derek feel like a ten year old boy from time to time. She had been reluctant to accept Meredith at first, so that Derek had been ready to give up his title and land to be able to marry if need be. However, Lady Eleanor had realized the depth of his love, and the sweetness of Meredith's character, and given her blessing to their marriage.
Meanwhile, Lord John, Meredith's father, was dressed in dark evening clothes, his own silver hair lending a distinguished air to his appearance. They had only renewed their family ties after Meredith's wedding, but she was happy to have him in her life now.
"Father..." she hurried over and was immediately enveloped in his embrace.
"My goodness, Meredith, I hardly recognized you," he smiled, stepping back to survey her costume. "The two of you look decidedly dashing together."
"Yes, Derek…" Eleanor patted her son's cheek. "Very dashing indeed."
"It's wonderful to see you both," Meredith told them. "It has been an eventful time here at court so far."
"You must tell us all the details," Lord John prompted her. "There was talk amongst the society matrons of a horse race. Is that true?"
"Absolutely. And Derek won!"
Before she could elaborate, another couple joined them, and Meredith recognized Izzie's brown eyes behind the cream color mask she wore. "Izzie! You look charming," she laughed, looking at the costume. Dressed in red from head to toe, with a long flowing cape that covered her hair and disguised the early signs of her pregnancy, Izzie looked radiant. "Little Red Riding Hood?"
Izzie giggled. "It seemed like the best thing to cover up with, after all. Marcus was quite sure that I should not even attend, but how could we miss the event of the season?"
Beside her, Marcus smiled. "At least she didn't expect me to dress up as the grandmother!"
"You would have looked quite fetching, I'm sure," Meredith teased him. Instead, he was wearing a more traditional outfit, with slim leggings that tucked into soft boots, and a tunic of light suede. Strapped across his back was an authentic looking bow and arrow.
"Nice legs, Sloan," Derek grinned.
Marcus frowned. "Careful, or I will need to challenge you to a duel."
"With a bow?" Derek raised one eyebrow, indicating the quiver on Marcus's back.
"Ah...well, that could pose a problem."
The orchestra began to play the opening bars of the first waltz then, and the royal couple made their way onto the dance floor. As they took their turn around the floor, under the gleaming chandeliers, everyone else looked on. Meredith was relieved to see that all of their plans had gone well, and there seemed to be nothing out of place. She was anxious to share all of the recent happenings with Izzie, as well as with their parents, but obviously that would have to wait awhile until the activity slowed down.
Derek's hand was on the small of her back, and she could feel his possessive touch through the material of her coat. Her body still hummed with the thrill of their last encounter, and she shared an intimate little smile with him before returning her attention to the King and Queen. As the music faded away, everyone clapped in appreciation, while the Queen curtsied low beside her husband, who bent over her hand for a courtly kiss.
"Thank you all for joining us in our celebration of the Autumnal Equinox," King George announced, after drawing his wife to stand beside him again. "We welcome you in your various costumes, and we appreciate the inventive nature of everyone! Unmasking will be at midnight, so until then make merry, and enjoy yourselves!"
The music began again, and this time several couples took to the floor eagerly. "Shall we?" Derek asked, taking Meredith's hand. "Or should I just drag you away without asking, as pirates do?"
Marcus laughed at that suggestion. "This could be the only time you could get away with that sort of thing, Derek!"
"You may be right..." Derek agreed. "Come along wench..."
"Oohh...Cap'n Shepherd, do not forget I'm not your wench, but your wife..." Meredith reminded him playfully, as they joined the swirl of dancers. It took a moment for them to adjust their movements to compensate for her cumbersome coat, and his sword and assorted bits of piratical paraphernalia.
"We need to lose this coat soon," he murmured, holding her as closely as he could.
"Undressing me already, Captain?" she laughed, still adjusting to the difference in his looks with the mask on. From the admiring glances the other women were giving him, it was apparent they were drawn to the black pirate in their midst as well.
"You are too tempting not to undress, my little vixen..." he whispered, and she could hear the undercurrent of desire in his voice. He navigated them skilfully around the floor, closer to the edge of the cleared space.
"You are not planning to whisk me away to have your way with me, are you?"
"A most excellent plan, beauty," he grinned wickedly. "I believe the greenhouse is deserted, just the right tropical place for a pirate's tryst..."
"Derek...we cannot just disappear! People will talk, and your mother is here, watching us..." Meredith warned him.
"We managed to steal away at Mother's ball if you remember..."
"Ah, very true, However, that evening didn't turn out the way we expected at all..." Meredith reminded him. Lady Addison had managed to smuggle a pistol into the ball, and planned to shoot Meredith. However, Derek ended up getting wounded instead, something that Meredith did not like to recall. Just the thought of of his blood staining his white shirt made her shiver.
"That was a rather unfortunate turn of events."
"To say the least...I hope we have nothing of that nature this evening."
The ball proceeded without a hitch, through the music and on to the late evening meal. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and laughter and conversation filled the air. Meredith sighed in relief as they settled to eat the sumptuous food, thankful that it was turning out to be a success.
"This has been a wonderful evening," Lady Eleanor commented, fanning herself with a small lacquer fan. "Now, tell me, dear...how have you been doing here?"
With Izzie listening on the other side of her, Meredith gave them both a brief explanation of what had been happening since they arrived at court. By the time she told them about Rowena being caught at the stables, they could hardly believe the way things had gone.
"I know the Huntington family," Eleanor mused, tapping her fan thoughtfully. "His mother must be quite upset with Rhys. Since the Duke passed away some time ago, young Rhys has been rather free with the family funds it seems."
"And the horse race, do tell us more about that!" Izzie urged, her eyes shining. "Derek won, of course, but it must have been so exciting!"
"That it was, Izzie. I thought that Michael was about to jump out of his breeches, he was so excited. He tells Derek that he wishes to be a jockey when he gets older, especially now that he has seen the race first hand."
"It is such an honor for Derek that his stallion was able to sire some foals for the royal family," Eleanor beamed, looking at her only son fondly as he chatted with Marcus and Lord John.
"I do not know who was more thrilled at that honor...Derek or Midnight," Meredith giggled. "They are both quite proud of the deed!"
"Well, once the foals arrive, there will be much celebrating, I'm sure!" Izzie laughed, resting her hand on the slight swell of her own baby.
The clock in the ballroom began to strike midnight, which was the signal for everyone to remove their masks. Several had been discarded already, and Meredith thankfully eased hers away from her face. It was decidedly warm in the room, despite the sheer size of the ballroom, and she was ready to end the evening. She caught Derek's eye on her, and it sent a warm quiver of desire through her. So far they had been completely on their best behavior, but she could tell he was close to the end of his restraint.
Music started again, and Derek pushed to his feet, coming to take Meredith's hand. "Dance, my Duchess?"
"I would love to," she smiled, rising up beside him.
The dance floor was much less crowded at the moment, with most of the guests still finishing their meal or conversing with friends. It gave Derek the perfect opportunity to maneuver Meredith towards the open doors leading to the terrace. Out there, in the darkness lit only by a few lamps, he pulled her against him urgently. "I believe I need to have you alone, in bed, more than anything else," he told her, "much as the idea of the greenhouse appeals to me in some ways, I do not wish to be interrupted. We've had too many hurried, stolen, moments lately." His voice was low and lush as velvet in the darkness.
"Mmm...I agree with you," she whispered, a sultry chuckle escaping her. One of her hands strayed lower, between his legs and found him...hard, hot, fully engorged with arousal for her. Closing her hand, she squeezed, then stroked, watching his eyes go darker, his expression tight with desire. His own hands moved to undo one of the pearl buttons on her blouse, giving him access to the curve of her breast. Need and wanton desire made her tremble, as they continued to tease each other. His mouth claimed hers then, in a kiss that was fierce and passionate and demanding. Her little teeth nipped his bottom lip, before he relinquished her mouth.
"Vixen..." he muttered, aching to be inside of her again. He was about to swing her up in his arms and carry her away, be damned who might see him, when there was a sudden clatter at the open doorway. They both turned, looking towards the illuminated entrance, their breathing quickened from the combination of arousal and the threat of discovery. His arm went around her protectively, prepared to dismiss anyone who might be intruding. Meredith gasped behind him then, recognizing the young woman silhouetted in the doorway.
"Cordelia!" she gasped. The young ladies in waiting had all been dressed as fairies, in matching gowns of pastel shades. Cordelia was in pink, with filmy wings attached to the back of her gown that fluttered now in the slight breeze. She stood still for a moment, before her knees buckled, and she sank to the parquet flooring without a sound.
Meredith dashed forwards, dropping to her knees beside the young woman, with Derek at her side. Cradling Cordelia's head in her lap, she searched for any sign of what may have happened. Then she noticed a slight stain of blood on the front of the pink gown, and she felt a flutter of fear. "Go and get Izzie..." she said, looking up at Derek. "Her nursing skills are better than mine. Hurry!"
Without a word, Derek disappeared inside, all thoughts of their romantic tryst wiped out of his mind. Several others had noticed the activity at the doorway and gathered around in concern.
"Oh, Cordelia, what happened...?" Meredith murmured, stroking damp hair away from her forehead. The girl was feverish, and her eyes opened slowly.
"Lady Meredith...the baby..." she muttered, clutching at Meredith's hand.
"What baby? Oh, my goodness..." Realization dawned on Meredith, just as Izzie joined her. She glanced at Izzie. "I believe she's had a miscarriage..."