Rest is love and peace. It's an exemplary framework for your family. It's not a negative thing or laziness. Because where there is a lack of rest, there is a lot of stress. Riding in the carriage to Cardigan, on the coast, this is what the Brandons tried to do— rest. Mary was much too agitated and antsy to rest. Charles tried as well but kept thinking over the events leading up to them getting on the road. He continued to ponder the fact his wife is being put back into the line of succession.
Does that make her a princess again? If it does, then what is he? The truth is he's no prince. He's just a poor man in the midst of wealth. It was given to him, not inherited. He is only a knight turned into a Duke, or rather a Grand Duke, who has had his metal truly tested. A man without fear in the face of his enemies. The one who got to rescue the pretty princess from her captive castle of gloom. The protector and defender of his family. This is who he is.
It would be much too strange to even consider himself a prince, so he isn't. He isn't even going to think about that. What he will think about is the fact Henry has known all along about the ambushing plot. If he knew then why didn't he try to stop it? However, the big thing Charles really can't understand is why did he allow him to be severely injured? Why wasn't he informed of the plotting to at least be prepared? But then, did he only know after the fact? He's unsure as to when the King learned of everything. Although, why didn't he protect Mary? He for damn sure knew of everything before she was pushed down the stairs.
The apple in the pig's mouth to all of this is whatever His Majesty is plotting regarding his Queen. The funny thing about that is he's scheming on a mirage. The Queen is not really a Queen at all, she's a counterfeit. The people know it to be true and deep down inside his heart, Henry realizes this too. Her usefulness to the King has worn off. He made her what she is and apparently he's about to unmake her. And the other ironic thing about it is, you really don't have to fight wicked people. They always get caught and found out. Their own conniving, machinations and lies eventually bring them down. That's the best revenge, or at least Charles thinks so.
When the Duke and Duchess finally arrived in Cardigan, their party stopped to stretch their legs. Charles gave the carriage driver directions to the estate. He strode over to his head of security, Jeffery, who met them on the road into Cardigan. The man is going to secure the premises, with his men, before he leaves to return to his post in Cardiff.
The irony of this whole holiday is not lost on Mary. Her husband wants to visit the seaside. They live in Cardiff, which is essentially on the ocean. All they have to do is walk, or ride, a ways to the beach. But really what he wants is to just go away to relax. She can't help but agree. Relaxation is what they both need, a break from their routine to pause and reset.
When she exited the carriage, she joined Dot along with the twins. Dot asked her to set some time aside to help with wedding details. "I have so much to do Mary. I need your help," she exclaimed in dramatic Dot fashion.
Of course, she's going to help her friend. It's only right. Once the two got busy talking about visiting the marketplace here in the village, it was time to get back into the carriages. As they rode both Brandons wondered what this "summer home" of the King will look like. "If our home in Cardiff is anything to go off of, a miniature palace, then my father's summer manor would have to be similar," Mary declared. Charles agreed with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
Pulling onto the road of the manor home, they realized this is no ordinary abode. For one it is a castle, Cardigan Castle it is aptly named. Secondly, when His Majesty said it was a seaside manor he truly meant it. There is no lie involved there. The castle dominates the Cardigan coastline. It is situated, literally, on a sturdy hillside that juts into the sea at the Traeth Dyffryn coast. The castle has four floors and beautiful panoramic views, as evidenced by all of the windows.
It features lovely architectural details such as the gardens and the terraced lawns. On the drive up to the front door, the grounds boast of a front yard maze and an oversized fountain in the circular driveway. All these plus orchards bearing some type of fruit, which Mary decided needed to be inspected to find out exactly what kind. But none of the shrubberies compares to the fact that the ocean is literally right at their feet, complete with a stone step path to get down the hill to the actual beach.
The Duchess could not resist saying "Well you said you wanted to be at the ocean."
With a laugh, the first in months, Charles pulled her to his side. "I did say that, didn't I. However, I didn't think it would be quite this close. Although I'm not sure why I didn't think it. This is your father we're talking about and now we own this house." His eyes surveyed the surroundings from the crystal blue water to the orchards.
Looking up at the castle, Mary took it all in. As he said, they own this castle. Another house. It's almost unnerving to think about. They own three grand estates now and who knows how many more to be honest. After all, Wales is a large region. As she thought this, a big yawn escaped her mouth.
"Are you tired?" he asked. Depending on which floor the master suite is on, he may have to carry her. It could be a formidable task, considering he is fatigued too.
As she leaned into him, she acknowledged "I am a little. We've been riding for most of the day, but my nerves wouldn't let me relax. Plus the carriage was discomforting to my knee."
He had seen her wince a few times on the ride. While her ribs are basically healed, her knee has been troubling her. He's for sure going to have to carry her, but that's a task he'd gladly do any day of the week. At that particular moment, the door to the castle opened and his longtime housekeeper stepped out. Upon the sight of her, Mary gasped and Lady Ashdown hurried over.
The lady embraced both Mary and Charles, being careful not to irritate Her Ladyship's injuries. "How I have missed you both! Now, where are the twins? I cannot wait to see them and be their governess." Her face wore a bright smile.
Mary turned and went to the carriage. She reached in and pulled both babes from their individual Moses baskets. At seven months they have grown so. William has gotten leaner but Owen still has his baby fat on his cute little legs. Also, a lot more differences in the twin's physical appearance can be seen, such as in their hair and eyes. In a surprising move, both boys are calm and not ill-tempered from waking. The boys kicked their feet with happiness at seeing their mother. Kissing their sweet heads, she took them to see their new caretaker.
The older lady became sentimental upon seeing the cute tots. Turning to His Highness she stated "They remind me so much of you as a baby. How handsome and adorable they are." Tears filled her eyes for she just knew any children the Duke and Duchess have would be attractive and sweet-natured, and most likely mischievous (if they take after their father).
A stranger he never met, Owen held his hands out to Lady Agnes. She took him in an instant. "Now come on inside. You must see this place. If you think the outside is something, just wait until you view the inside." She led the couple into the foyer, along with Dot and the other servants. As far as the eye could see is fancy detail after fancy detail.
The ceilings are laid with wood. The walls are decorated with fresco, as well colorful tiles all around. There are some tiles on the walls, but a lot more inlaid into the wooden floors. That is most surprising, the wood on the floors. Castles usually have stone flooring, but leave it to her father to place wood down on top of the stone. The colorful tiles are Spanish-inspired, which makes Mary believe her mother had some influence on using it.
Each room is also not surprising, as they are heavily embellished with furnishings and decor. This castle definitely has her father's royal flair going on, making it regal, opulent, and lavish. There are fourteen rooms total and seventeen bathrooms. This is plenty of room for their family and any overnight guests. All of the rooms on the ground floor open out onto the terraces, which overlook the back gardens complete with an open-aired tea pavilion. The terraces offer sweeping sea views at every angle.
There are two rooms the Duchess already loves the most, the romantic tea pavilion and the master suite. As Charles carried her into the master room, on the third floor, Mary told him "This castle is exuberant. It makes me feel pretentious. We don't need a million houses. One will do just fine."
As he deposited her onto the lounge, he agreed. "This is quite much, but then this is your father we're talking about. I'm almost worried as to what other estates he owns in this region. I really need to read up on Wales. Since you and I will be stationed here, instead of Suffolk, I need to know the lay of the land better. Everything is so spread out. It's as you said before. Wales is like ruling a country." He sat and took off his boots.
Getting off the lounge, Mary walked with an uneven gait to the window. Her knee is really bothering her today. Her eyes observed the view from the window. All ocean, as far as the eye can see, but if she opens the French doors to the veranda, the trade winds breeze through. It cools down the room, which is perfect since it's unusually warm for May.
Turning to her husband, she asked "Would you ask one of the servants for a rag with ice in it? My knee is bothering me." She feels foolish even asking that. Ice is such a luxury since it's not common, and again she dislikes the air of pretentiousness it gives off. Moving to lay on the bed, she toed off her shoes and allowed herself to collapse onto the bed.
Charles returned with ice bundled in a rag. He handed it to his wife, undressed down to his breeches, and laid on top of the bed. He watched her tend to the knee before looking at him. They shared soft smiles. "I think you're already a good ruler, but if you want to know more about the territory I'll help you. I should know more as well. The library in our Cardiff home has an extensive collection of books about the region. I'm sure the library here does as well."
It makes his ego puffed up with pride to hear her call him a good ruler. She is a great ruler, but if she thinks he's equally good then who's he to question it? Reaching his hand out, he stroked her arm. "Do you want me to help you out of your dress?" She told him yes and he got up to get her nightgown. Knowing her knee aches, he'll take care of her.
The next few minutes saw him undress her and help her with the nightgown. "I don't understand why you don't sleep as I do, unclothed." He said this while handing her the hairbrush from her trunk.
"Because the nightgown is sheer enough. The servants don't need to see everything on display," she told him. The humid air from the ocean is a nightmare on her hair. She foresees wearing it up a lot here.
Huffing out a breath, he remarked "But I want to see everything." Then his lips found her shoulder.
"You have that right, but the servants do not," she told him. As she placed the hairbrush on the side table, his lips still stayed connected to her shoulder.
He chuckled as he allowed his lips to find hers. They seem to always be touching or kissing lately. If she's anywhere close to him their hands will find each other, or their arms, or their lips. Any touch big or small keeps their connection and for him, after almost losing her, he relishes the bond they have. Smiling as he broke the kiss, the two of them lay there cuddling and looking at each other. His hands stroked her hair, while hers did the same on his arm.
These tender-hearted moments of togetherness are necessary for them. They're like breathing air or drinking water, essential especially for their love to grow. These times with just the two of them create something stronger than either of them could have done on their own. If only life could be a little more tender like this.
When they finally fell asleep it was restful and, because they're on holiday, they didn't arise as normal. They stayed in bed a little later, only waking because the boys needed to be fed. Once the twins were satisfied, the two still didn't get out of bed. They lay there with the twins making plans to explore the seaside, the orchard, and the village.
Today she dressed and styled her own hair. She doesn't need Joan for this simple cotton, off-shoulder dress. It's easy to put on and take off, plus she loves the red color. Around her waist went a turquoise stone belt. Her hair is simple too, loose and flowy the way Charles likes. Although it will probably go up at some point due to the humidity. There's no fussy jewelry either, opting to keep with the theme of simplicity. Only a pair of diamond earrings, a stack of gold and diamond bracelets around her wrist, an uncomplicated gold and diamond cross necklace, and of course her wedding rings.
The Duke likewise dressed himself. He put on simple tan-colored pants and a loose white tunic, tucked in. He rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and took pride in the fact his wife admires his arms. Picking up Owen, he reached out for Mary's hand and the family went downstairs to the spacious sunroom for breakfast.
Over a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, bread, and fruit, the family decided to explore the orchard first. They wanted to save the beach for later when it isn't nearly as bright and warm. The boys would go with them to it and their parents want the conditions to be favorable to their sensitive skin. Lady Ashdown took the twins after breakfast, along with Lady Dot. The two ladies have a lot of catching up to do.
As for the Duke and Duchess, they went exploring. First to the orchard where they discovered apple trees, pear trees, and chuckleberry bushes. "This is incredible," Charles stated. He picked a pear from a tree and bit into it. The taste is heavenly. He offered a bit to Mary which she took.
His eyes gazed over the expanse of trees and fruit bushes. It's almost never-ending and goes on for miles. "Do you realize all this fruit these orchards can produce will be beneficial to the economy? I cannot believe this has been sitting out here going to waste," he mused. His eyes turned out to the field to look in another direction.
Mary cannot believe it either. "You're right. This is a huge boon. I think what we need to do is hire workers to help us maintain and harvest the fruit. We could engage more peasant men who might truly need the work. As long as they're honest and hardworking that would also be favorable."
Training his attention on her, he made known his acceptance. "Alright, I'll have word go out that we're in need of workers. How is your knee feeling?" He can't help but worry.
Coming to stand in front of him, she tried to lessen his concern. "It actually feels better today. Applying the soothing ointment helped. I'll be glad when it fully heals, cause I hate moving slower than I'd like to. But like Doctor Pearce said it will ache until it fully sets." Her bright eyes held his.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I wonder if you're up for a game My Lady." Since she's feeling better this could be fun.
She has to wonder "A game? What kind of game Sir?" The last time he wanted to play a game he roped her into playing chess. He wiped the floor with her and it only served to irritate her temper to no end. It was unfair since he readily beats her father at the game. If he wants to play chess, then she's out. That would be a big no.
A chuckle escaped him. "Well, Darling you can breathe easy since it's not chess. I want us to explore the maze and see what kind of work needs to be done to it. For part of the exploration, I thought we could turn it into a game between us." He saw her thoughtful expression.
Her finger tapped his arm. "A game of exploration. Hmm... I think we need a wager, like if you catch me then you get a reward. But if you don't then you get nothing. What do you say?"
His eyes turned foxy. She knows something is now cooking in his brain. Probably something that involves her in various forms of undress. "Wife, you have made my day. No. My month."
Before he could say anything further, she remarked "You're determined to make up for all the lost time when I was indisposed aren't you?" Her finger now poked him in the chest.
Taking her finger, he brought it up to his mouth kissed it then laced her fingers with his. "You found me out. I am indeed determined to do that, but I would have regardless because I love you and I love being near you. Spending time with you is the thing I love most in the world, besides having the twins with us." He brushed her hair behind her ear.
Not resisting he kissed her shoulder. Pulling up he locked eyes with her. "As for our wager, If I find you then I get to have my wicked way with you for one full day. No interruptions, no children, just us. And you have to wear that sheer green thing that's been sitting in your trunk untouched."
Her heart picked up speed and her legs felt like jelly. His words coupled with the sensual look he's giving her made her weak. "A full day with just us you say?" He nodded and she swallowed thickly. The sun is out but the heat from him made her tingly. "Me, only in that green nightie?"
He nodded again and spoke low. "I realize I have an unfair advantage due to your knee. So, I will wait here for three counts of one hundred. I will not count fast either. That way you have a long time to position yourself in the maze."
Acceptance washed over her and now she nodded. Turning she began to walk off to the maze, but she stopped at the sound of his voice. "Don't forget, I'm a great hunter. Plus I promised I would always find you and I meant it, even now. So Mary, get used to the idea of wearing that tiny green piece of cloth." It made her shiver as she went to position herself.
True to his word, he did not move until three hundred. Then he stalked off to the maze where his hunting instincts heightened. Although, he realized he did not have to try very hard. A delicious smile broke out on his slightly scruffy face. Every so often a piece of clothing was found on the ground. He meandered this way and that picking up item after item, which included her shoes. At last, came the discarded red dress, which he brought up to his nose and inhaled her sweet scent. Then her undergarments were laying there which led him straight to the middle of the maze.
It's where he found his wife sprawled out on top of a stone bench. His eyes became cloaked with desire as did the rest of him. She smiled a delightful, devious smile and stretched out her hand to him as if in asking to join her. He measured his steps and set the clothing down beside the bench, before kissing the proffered hand. "You are a wicked woman," he declared.
"Only for you," was her reply along with a saucy wink. This led to his undress and the mid-morning time of their lives spent together. She knew he was right because she also loves spending time with him. Every moment spent with him is another treasure stored up in her heart and the same is true for him in regards to her.
Every once in a while life does something sweet. In the middle of an ordinary day, an ordinary existence, in an ordinary tattered castle in the middle of nowhere (like Ludlow) something extraordinary happens. Love provides the answer for a true tale of romance. A fairytale comes to life.