Tour of Bagshot Park

[Charles Whitehurst]

It was 11 miles south of Windsor near the village of Bagshot.  It had been renovated in 1633 by the famed architect Inigo Jones for King Charles I.  It was on 51 acres of land, mostly wooded.  It was not a palace, but a small country estate.  It had been sold by the Crown, along with another, to dispose of small properties rarely visited by King Charles II.  It had been purchased by Langdon with the wealth of his wards and, as such, he was merely the trustee of the property on their behalf.

It had been the venue for a visit by the Duchess of Savoy and her son.  It had also been a secret meeting place for he and Davina once during the offseason.  Now it was to be the temporary home of visiting Italian dignitaries.

It had been only a 30 minute ride by Elam to warn the servants that they needed to clean up the main house in advance of guests.  As such, it had led to a whirlwind of activity by the caretakers, including cuttings of purple aster and white hydrangia flowers, that bloom in autumn.

Langdon rode at the head of the coach carrying members of the Gonzaga family, and their retinue of servants.  He chose the most scenic entrance through the front, allowing stops to admire the woods as they went.  It would afford the caretakers more time to spruce up the residence.

"This estate was visited by the Duchess of Savoy and her son Victor Amadeus," Charles explained as they entered the abode.  It was important to demonstrate that other Italian royalty had been housed here.  "We still correspond to this day."  As they walked through the main house, which was only sparsely decorated, the Earl told the history of the lodge and its use by the King's father.   There were sufficient bedrooms to accommodate a king and his retinue, as well as an army of servants, many of which might be housed in the outer buildings or in the spacious attic areas.  There was a grand hall for dances and a grand dining area for banquets.

There was a garden well populated by different blooming flowers and surrounding a small well.  There was a small area for a theater, as the King's parents had been fond of performing plays before the civil war.  There were plenty of benches to afford visitors a chance to rest and marvel at the garden.  There was a barn and a stable, as well as out buildings for laundry, cooking, and smithing.

"And there you have it," the Earl declared at the conclusion of the tour.  "Do you find the lodgings to your satisfaction?  London is less than a day's travel from here, so even when the court moves back, you will not be too far."

[Aria]

There had been no doubt in Maria’s mind that her family would agree to look at the hunting lodge that Lord Langdon had offered them. They had left the servants packing the few things they had moved into the closet they had rented and were soon on their way. She and Cesare had wanted to ride, but the Duchess of Gonzaga insisted they join her in the carriage so that they would all have a good idea of how long the journey was. If they deemed it too long, they would have to decline.

 

The time passed quickly for Maria and she enjoyed the scenery. The lodge, when it came into view, was even larger than she had expected and she eagerly disembarked and followed Lord Langdon inside with her mother and cousin by her side.

 

The Duchess was quite interested in the fact that some of her illustrious relatives had stayed there, and she looked over at her daughter when the young soldier mentioned that he still corresponded with them. Neither had known that he was personally acquainted with the current Duchess of Savoy and her son. Maria had not mentioned his marriage, and now she wondered just how high in status his late wife had been. She had assumed that the former Lady Langdon had been a minor noblewoman.

 

They listened to the history of the hunting lodge as they toured it, every now and then whispering among themselves. It needed a bit of redecorating, but it was undeniably suitable for their needs. Maria had brought quite a few servants from her household to Windsor, and they would be able to whip it into shape in no time.  It even had a ballroom. Perhaps they would throw a party before the season’s end. The garden was lovely as well. Maria imagined spending many happy hours there as long as it wasn’t too cold. And the stables could easily house all of their horses.

 

“It is perfect,” the Duchess said. Though petite like her daughter, she had a commanding presence that made her seem larger than life. “We shall take it. I don’t know how long we will stay, but at least until the end of the season. You have solved our most pressing problem, my lord, and I thank you for your generosity.”

 

Maria smiled at the handsome Earl. “I’m glad I got lost in the palace today. You came to my rescue in more ways than one.”

 

Cesare glared at his cousin, but remained silent.

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles was not nervous about their interest in the lodge.  No matter the condition, the freedom afforded by the lodge was far superior to cramped quarters amidst plebians.  The only risk was that the coach ride was too long.  Even if it were, the amenities offered by the lodge were worth any amount of commute.

The Duchess was in charge of this family and, as such, Charles deferred to her.  In his limited time in the Italian States, it had become apparent that many Italian mothers were commanding figures, regardless of physical stature.  "Grazi Your Grace," he replied.  It was clear that her English was not as good as her daughter's.

The Duchess thanked his generosity.  That suggested to him that he would not seek any coin for their tenancy.  One could not discuss business or money with ladies, especially high born ones, so he would need to bide his time until he could speak with Cesare about the matter.

Addressing the Duchess and her daughter, Charles flattered "the lodge seems all the brighter, and the garden all the grander,  with your presence.  I know that you shall love it here."  He paused to see if they had any questions or concerns.  The caretakers were introduced to the new tenants and told to assist with the transition, and to keep an eye on things for Langdon as well.

"There is to be a masque Saturday night at the castle," he informed them.  "I expect full costumes and masks, as opposed to simple masks on sticks.  I worry that there is no time for you to procure outfits.  I suspect that the shops have plenty of masks for sale.  I have a few Venetian masks I purchased for myself last year.  I do not expect to use one. If you are in need, I shall make one or three available to a servant you might send to me.  There is usually some dancing and flirting in the gardens and in the various rooms of the castle.  While most of the attendees will be proper, there is an element of courtiers that may take advantage of the anonymity to engage in libertine behavior of the type ascribed to Versailles."  He directed this towards Cesare and Maria, expecting that she might need to translate for her mother, if she wished.  Maria was a widow, as opposed to a debutante, so he imagined that she would not be offended by the warning.   

[Aria]

He likes me, Maria thought. Lord Langdon’s compliment was certainly not directed at her mother. The Dowager Duchess of Guastalla was gracious and dignified, but she was no longer as attractive as she had been in her youth. Why would a handsome young gentleman be interested in a lady who was pushing sixty? “We like it already,” she replied with a slightly flirtatious smile. Cesare continued to glare at them. He really should learn to hide his jealousy.

 

Their host explained that there would be a masque on Saturday night and warned them about some of the less respectable activities that might take place. All three of them had visited Versailles and the younger two were well aware of what went on there. A look of interest replaced Cesare’s scowl. Maria remembered how much they had enjoyed the decadent French court.

 

“If we borrow your masks, then you will know who we are.” Maria’s dark eyes narrowed mischievously. “Wouldn’t you rather be surprised?” One of her friends had written to her about the masque and she had passed on that information to her mother and cousin. They had all brought costumes with them. She saw no reason to tell Lord Langdon that, though.

 

“Do you mind if we make a few changes to the décor?” the Duchess asked in her heavy Italian accent. Maria hoped his answer was yes. Her mother had a talent for decorating and excellent (and expensive) taste.

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles was not skilled at reading ladies, but was more experienced with reading the minds of gentlemen.  Cesare seemed somewhat possessive of the ladies; but then, he was their male guardian, so it was to be expected.

"Yet I would be the only one at the masque that would know your identity," he replied, still offering use of the masks if she requested it.  "They are at your disposal."

The Duchess asked about decoration and Charles saw no reason to deny the request.  He thought the decorations were fine for a hunting lodge, but he supposed the place could use some paint and wallpaper.  "But of course," he replied to the Duchess with a nod.  "Though, as a hunting lodge, I would ask you to consider any touches to project masculine and hunting themes, as well as feminine themes as well."  He could only hope that his request was understandable.  He had a small fright that they would drape the place in pink and lavender with nude statues of men all about.  It was probably a silly fear, or maybe it was a spirit warning him.

He paused for more questions and requests.  If not, he was ready to take his leave.

[Aria]

“Thank you,” Maria said. “Venetian masks are quite stunning.” She had several of her own but had not brought them with her. Had Lord Langdon’s masks once belonged to his late wife or had he been to Venice himself?

 

She translated his answer to her mother into Italian. The Duchess spoke English fairly well, though sometimes she misunderstood what she heard. She needed to know that the Earl wanted to keep the hunting theme but didn’t object to some feminine touches.

 

The older lady nodded. “It shall be as you wish.” She said something in Italian to Cesare and he followed her farther into the house, leaving Maria alone with Charles.

 

“My lady mother wants to look around more thoroughly to figure out what changes she wants to make. She took my cousin with her because he has an excellent memory and will remember almost everything she says. I think she should have asked you if you minded, but she is unaccustomed to rejection. She has quite a bit of power in Mantua.”

 

The young Italian smiled at Charles. “While we wait, I would like to take another look at the garden. Will you escort me, my lord?”

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles smiled politely as the exchange seemed to convey an understanding.  Hopefully there would be more lions on display, than swans; not that he had anything against swans, especially when Susan and he personified the pair of contrasting creatures.

It seemed natural that he was left with Maria and he was still learning female wiles.  As a gentleman, he could not refuse her request.  "Of course," he replied and offered his arm.  As they walked, Charles imagined that Maria would have many questions about Windsor, England, and even himself.  Yet, he thought it would be more modest to profess an interest in her and her land.  It seemed like a way to make her feel more comfortable with the new environment.  "Your English is remarkable good my lady," Charles complimented.  "Did you study it as a child or did you learn it in the time with your husband?"  It seemed a neutral topic.  "Perhaps you can tell me about your life growing up in Gaustalla and how you ended up becoming a Baroness in faraway England."  That seemed a far more interesting tale, as he was led to believe that the elite families intermarried and rarely ever ventured far from the Italian States.

[Aria]

Maria took Lord Langdon’s arm and followed him to the garden. She had planned to ask him about English court life, hoping he would tell her more about himself as well. Mistress Bayning’s warning had intrigued her and she wondered if it was true. Unfortunately, he beat her to the question game, inquiring about how she had learned English and her life in Guastalla.

 

“I learned it as a child, but it wasn’t meant to be part of my education. I pick up languages quickly. They come very easily to me. My parents entertained guests from many countries and I learned by listening to them speak in their native tongues. When my parents realized I had a gift for languages, they hired tutors to expand my knowledge. I can speak quite a few languages, though I am not fluent in all of them. My English improved dramatically after meeting my late husband and moving to England.”

 

The young Italian wondered how much to tell Charles about her life in Guastalla. “Dukes in Italy have much more power than they do here. They rule their provinces the way a King rules his country. As a Principessa, I enjoyed privileges that most young girls could only dream about. I also traveled frequently to visit my relatives in other parts of the country.

 

“I have no doubt that I would have married a powerful Duke if I had not converted to Protestantism. My family was displeased, of course, but I stood by my beliefs. Eventually I met my husband at a party and we got along so well that he asked to marry me.” Maria's dark eyes filled with sadness. “You know the rest. He passed away before I arrived in England.”

 

She was eager to change the subject. “Have you visited Italy, my lord? As far as I know, authentic Carnival masks can only be bought in Venice.”

[Charles Whitehurst]

"I have heard of persons gifted with languages, but they are rare.  A Protestant princess is even more rare, unheard of in the Italian States I should think," he acknowledged in a flattering tone.  "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the acquaintance of such a rare and charming lady.  You and I will need to conspire as to how to keep English ladies from hating you out of jealousy," he laughed.  "Perhaps Miss Bayning can help you in that regard."

"You will need to tell me who or what it was that caused you to become a Protestant.  That can be a risk," he noted quietly.  "I could not find a Protestant in Savoy,  In fact, they persecute them; most dreadful.  France is not much better, chasing away the Huguenots."  It was a travesty that stirred the Protestants in England and in the North.  Being so close to the Vatican geographically, it was a surprise that Maria was not disowned by her parents.  "Is your mother a Protestant too, and cousin?"

"As I indicated before, I have only been as far as Turin in Italy.  I actually purchased the masks in a shop in London.  We have various oddities shops that cater to the wealthy.  For example, the Carnival here had a merchant that sold Byzantine artifacts.  There is also said to be an Oddities Shop in Windsor, but I have yet to visit it."  That might get her attention.

"Since you mention travel, you must tell me which city has charmed you the most."  They were discussing minor things, which was proper, but it was interesting to Charles that she did not ask much about himself.  It was not that he was a complete braggart, but he had many qualities he believed would charm most any lady.  The conversation would progress and he would see where her interests lay. 

[Aria]

Mistress Bayning had been right about Lord Langdon’s charm. “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she quipped. Maria was pleased with his flattery, of course. What lady wouldn’t be? And if he was sincere, then perhaps they would have a future together, whether temporarily or permanently. He was the first English gentleman she had met since arriving at Windsor. She looked forward to getting acquainted with others as well, such as Mistress Bayning’s uncle.

 

The young Italian grinned. “I do love to conspire.” Particularly with handsome and intriguing gentlemen like yourself. “If English ladies are jealous of me, it will probably be because they see me with you.”

 

Her grin faded and her hand tightened on his arm when Lord Langdon asked her how she had become a Protestant. Maria hoped that he didn’t notice her distress, though if he did, maybe he believed it was because Protestants were persecuted in her homeland. “You don’t choose your faith. It chooses you. I had a friend who was a secret Protestant and I learned a lot about it.  Eventually, I realized that my beliefs aligned more with Protestantism than Catholicism.  My mother and cousin are both Catholic, but they do not shun me like the few members of my family who are aware I converted. My faith has always been a closely kept secret in Italy. It is freeing to be so open about it now.”

 

She quickly changed the subject with her question about his travels. Maria was certain that Murano glass was sold in England, but she was a bit surprised that Carnival masks were too, as they were generally only used in Venice. People bought them when they visited, of course, but she had not known that shops carried them. They were probably fakes.

 

The Oddities Shop piqued her curiosity. “I should like to visit it too. Perhaps we shall see each other there.” She hoped that he would invite her to go with him.

 

Lord Langdon said little about himself. Maria had thought that he would elaborate about his travels, but he turned the conversation back to her. “They all have their own appeal. I have a soft spot for Mantua, but I don’t really have a favorite.”

 

She paused in front of a flower bush, picked a bloom, and tucked it playfully behind her ear. “Where in England are you from and what was it like growing up there? Did you always want to be a Life Guard?”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

"Si," Charles replied with a chuckle, "I tell that to every lovely Protestant princess that is fluent in many languages that accompanies me on a walk in the garden."  He offered a cheeky smile.

The story of her Protestant conversion seemed to be troubling to her.  As such, it was best left alone.  It all made sense and he was glad that her mother had not abandoned her.  As for the cousin, Charles imagined he might be a match for Davina.  His once sweetheart was in need of some positive opportunities.  

That Maria enjoyed Mantua the most was not a surprise.  Eleanor had seemed charmed at the idea of visiting the place.  She then turned the conversation to him.  As she placed the flower behind her ear, he gave her an approving smile.

 "I am from a province called Cornwall. It is in the extreme southwest of England.  It has a most picturesque shoreline to the north and south.  My estate in called Langdon, not far from the northern coast.  I am also the Baron of nearby Tintagel Castle, a ruin of a legendary king and his famous wizard Merlin.  It stands defiant on an outcropping of rocks that are battered by the sea," he added for dramatic effect.

"My father was an Officer in the King's Life Guard before me.  We raised horses for racing.  I became an accomplished rider and have become known at court as an accomplished racer.  After a tour in the Royal Navy, I had been groomed to join the Guard one day.  It was a great honor.  Sadly, my father died at sea and did not see me join and rise to the rank he once held.  I enjoy the life of a soldier and have been very fortunate to be in the place I am," he explained.

"And you," he queried, "what did you dream of doing?  Did you want to be a soldier too?" he added with a laugh, hoping she would join him in laughing.

[Aria]

“I meant in general, but I concede the point. Thank you for the compliment.”

 

She was relieved that Lord Langdon did not push for more details about her conversion to Protestantism. There was more, much more, but she preferred not to talk … or even think … about that. Unfortunately, he did not invite her to go to the Curiosity Shop with him. Perhaps he planned to buy a gift for another lady there. Or even for her!

 

Maria’s heart skipped a beat when he mentioned Tintagel Castle. Now she knew why Mistress Bayning had told her to ask about it. “That legendary King was called Arthur,” she said, her dark eyes glittering with enthusiasm. “I have been fascinated by the Arthurian legends since I was a child and have read every book about them that I could get my hands on in any language I could read. Those stories made me long to visit the country where they took place and was one reason I became so fluent in English. Did you inherit the castle or did you come by it another way?”

 

Her late husband had been intrigued by the legends too and had a few items that had supposedly belonged to some of the people who featured prominently in those engrossing tales.

 

So Lord Langdon had followed in his father’s footsteps and was happy with his accomplishments. Maria had always been drawn to soldiers. “A soldier’s life is filled with action. I would enjoy hearing about some of your adventures whenever you wish to share them.  “Do you still raise racehorses? And will there be any races this season? I’ve been told that I am an excellent rider, but ladies aren’t allowed to race. I have, however, galloped at full speed down paths or through fields occasionally. It is an exhilarating feeling, is it not?”

 

Maria’s laughter joined his. “No, I never wanted to be a soldier, though I would like to learn how to defend myself. My future was determined by my position. There was never any doubt that I would grow up and marry a Duke. My education was designed to prepare me for that role.” Her conversion had made that destiny impossible. No Duke wanted a Protestant wife, even if she was pretty, intelligent, and came from a prestigious family.

 

“My dream was to become a famous painter. I could study the paintings that adorned the walls of our palace for hours. I can paint quite well, but I never had a lot of time to devote to it. Now, I wish I could be a diplomat. I think I would make a good one with my flair for learning languages.”

 

Her hand lightly and briefly stroked his sleeve. “What kind of activities do you enjoy beside racing?”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

It was hard to believe that a lady in a far away Italian state would have heard of Arthur.  It almost made him wary that she was trying to fool him for a laugh at his expense.  There were few texts on Arthur, a mention in a 9th Century history of Britain, Geoffrey of Monmouth's book written in the 12th Century, and the most recent Le Morte d'Arthur written by Sir Thomas Mallory in the 15th Century.

"Really?  I had not thought such English texts would find their way to Mantua.  I would have thought legends from the Roman Empire would have buried obscure texts from a land such as England." Charles paused for her confirmation.  If true, Maria would rise in his esteem for having such knowledge as a foreign princess.   Had Queen Karoline arrived in England with such knowledge?  "Tintagel was the home of Uther Pendragon," he explained.  "It was ignored for many generations but I was able to convince King Charles to award it to me."  Left unsaid was that he had purchased the title through Baptist May.  After all, it was just a ruin with little real value.  He had his eye on another mystical place as well, near Bath.  "Last year, my steward found an odd crystal stone buried deep in the ruins.  Some believe it is Merlin's scrying stone.  I have it in London."  He was prone to believe in magic and mysticism, and was proud of this conversation piece.  "One day I would let you see and touch it.  Maybe you can bring it to life."  He did not expect her to come to London during the recess or the next court season, but she might.  If she truly appreciated such artifacts, he would enjoy sharing with her.

Racing was another topic dear to the Earl.  "Yes, I have two steeds, one here at Windsor and one in London.  The rest are still being trained in Langdon.  We shall need to go riding together then," he offered.  That would be easy to do and, if she was truly talented, they could race. "Let us find a time and date that would be convenient."

"Those soldier stories shall need to wait until we have time to exchange stories.  The price will be you sharing stories about yourself," he proposed with a smile.  She asked after his other interests.  "I enjoy shooting, hunting, dispatching blackguards and bringing them to justice, reading books about Arthur and the Roman Empire, and collecting historical and mystical artifacts."  He smiled at the reference to chasing villains.

Her own interests lay in painting and diplomacy.  "I should like to see some of your work.  If you brought one of your works, hang it here in Bagshot and I will search for it with you."  It sounded like the polite thing to do.  "You certainly have the skill for diplomacy," Charles remarked. Unfortunately you have the wrong gender.   

They seemed to be well-suited to each other so far.  Therein lay the problem, as he was courting Susan Herbert and did not want to have Maria think that he was courting her instead.  He had no idea of Italian courtship rituals.  Surely this would be viewed as an innocent friendship in the making.  However, if Susan was not given permission to become betrothed, someone like Maria might be an interesting possibility, he supposed.  Since she was a widow, they could be more relaxed in each other's company.  It was not even clear that the Italian was looking for a new husband, at least to Charles. 

 

[Aria]

“We Italians enjoy reading about foreign history, legends, and culture, just as I assume the English do. The Arthurian legends are not very popular there, and I doubt that most Italians even know they exist. One of the advantages of being a princess is that palace libraries tend to be extensive. I discovered the story of King Arthur while looking for something to read to improve my English and I was instantly smitten.”

 

Lord Langdon explained the history of Tintagel Castle and how he had acquired it.  Maria’s eyes lit up when he told her about the crystal that might have been Merlin’s scrying stone. “Oh, that’s so exciting,” she breathed. “I would love to see it, though it might not come to life unless it’s at Tintagel. Sometimes a magical object’s power is connected to its place of origin. I plan on attending court next season and will gladly take you up on that offer.”

 

She was pleased that he wanted her to go riding with him. “Absolutely. I’ll let you choose the date and the time. You are much busier than I am. If it’s a nice day, perhaps we can have a picnic too and exchange stories. Mine will probably put you to sleep but I’m sure yours will be riveting. My cook can provide the food.” She was looking forward to being alone with the handsome Earl so they could get to know each other better.

 

Maria knew next to nothing about shooting or bringing down criminals, but his other interests aligned with some of her own. It was surprising how much the two of them had in common. “I like to hunt too. I’m sure my cousin will be eager to hunt in the woods around the lodge. I will go with him and you are welcome to join us if you’d like.”

 

She pouted prettily. “I didn’t bring any of my paintings with me, but I do have my supplies. Do you know of any good places to paint around Windsor?”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

Maria appeared quite educated; but then, ducal daughters had the advantage of accessing more books.  Susan was smart too, suggesting he was attracted to educated ladies.  Of course, he was smitten with Darlene, likely because of her zest for life and adventure.  Sometimes that adventure would land him in trouble, but he did not mind for they seemed to just belong to each other.  There had been Davina, who was so proper, but hid a thirst for the forbidden, that he had found so attractive.  Catherine and Fiona were great fun and lovers and he was entwined with each.  Sam was his best friend, so she was different.  As such, it was hard to say that he was attracted to just one type of lady.  More likely, he would find something interesting in most any lady that was nice.

"You are to be complimented for such a keen interest in England and its history," he stated truthfully.  "There are English ladies who do not share such interest in their own kingdom's history."  As for the stone, Maria announced plans to attend court next season.  "I should be happy to see you at court next season in London and would place myself at your disposal to make you comfortable, and help you to become the talk of the court and the envy of its courtiers," he flattered.  He saw it as his duty to regularly flatter a lady he liked.  "Perhaps I could coax you into a visit to Tintagel Castle one day," heoffered politely,as was required, given her great interest in the legend and the stone.  She might be correct that the stone needed to be at the castle to be magical.  "There is a danger that the magic died with Merlin unfortunately."

As for their hunt, he offered "perhaps the Monday or Tuesday after the Christening.  Friday is the race and Saturday is the Masque.  "There is plenty of game in these woods."  She mentioned her cousin Cesare.  "If he is to join the hunt, perhaps you can tell me about Cesare? Has he come to Englandto accompany your mother, or you, or both?  Does he plan to return to Italy or stay in England with you?"  If she was amaiden, she would need a male relative to guard her honor; but, being a widow, that was unnecessary, at least according to English custom.  "Does he own lands back home?"  If he did, his presence in England would be temporary.  If he were to stay in England, perhaps he would be a possible match for Davina.  Maria, however, might think Charles was trying to keep her alone for his own purposes, which he was not.  Rather, if the man was not long for England, there was little reason to spend time trying to befriend him.

He had asked to see her paintings out of politeness, rather than a thirst for it.  So, he was not overly disappointed.  "Windsor Castle, itself, would make a good landscape for a painting," he offered. "Or, perhaps this lodge, if you find your time here enjoyable.  It would reduce good memories to canvas."

 

 

[Aria]

“History is an acquired taste. Many people, both men and women, prefer to embrace the present and forget about what came before. To those like you and me, we know that the past shaped the present and can give us insight into the future. It’s quite fascinating once you start studying it. I am interested in the history of other countries as well, not just England. I have an advantage because of my gift for languages.”

 

Lord Langdon seemed genuinely pleased that she planned on attending court next season and was willing to help her become popular.  He was probably quite popular himself.   Maria grinned playfully. “Oh? Do you have such power? I feel quite honored that you would do so much for me.” She enjoyed his compliments, though she rarely returned them. All men … from the lowliest commoner to the most powerful King … wanted what they couldn’t have and it wasn’t wise to let them know that you were beguiled by them too soon.

 

“You don’t have to coax me to accompany you to Tintagel. It’s more likely that I will pester you until you take me.” She nodded at his assumption about the crystal. “That, unfortunately, is the most likely possibility. But we’ll never know until we try.”

 

He was understandably curious about her cousin. “Cesare accompanied us because he was already planning on coming to England. He's involved in the diamond trade and has business here as well as in most countries on the continent. He's a talented jeweler too.  You should see the pieces he designs. They’re gorgeous. I’m not sure how long he will stay, but he plans to go with me to London unless his business takes him elsewhere. He also owns land in Italy but doesn’t spend much time there anymore. He, too, likes to race, both on land and in the water.

 

“Cesare will hunt when he chooses. But either Monday or Tuesday is fine for our ride and picnic. He will not join us then. It will be just the two of us.” Maria had hoped that Lord Langdon would suggest tomorrow for their outing, but as a Life Guard, he would probably be busy preparing the security for the masque and particularly the christening.

 

“Will you be on duty at the masque or will you be in costume?”

[Charles Whitehurst]

"Yes I have the power," Charles jested about his power to make her a focus at court.  He laughed as he added "I have Merlin's stone after all, and I might need to use it to aid you."  It was good to keep a light mood as they walked.

"The summer months are best to visit Cornwall.  Half the kingdom seems to come there for a holiday because of the mild weather. Perhaps you visit after the London season."  He was thinking the next court would be the Christmas court, but it might vary with the arrival of the new prince.  The royals might choose to winter in the countryside.

As for their riding date, it was best to not be too eager for such things.  They hardly knew each other and he had to remind himself that he was courting Susan Herbert and not another.

"Yes, I shall be in costume," he replied.  "I shall have a captain on duty and the royal family is surrounded by guards, as well as armed gentlemen." He knew Sam would be on duty, but Douglas might as well.  "I shall not be wearing a Venetian mask, so you will be quite challenged to learn my identity.  It will not be a soldier appropriate costume. That is the only clue I can give," he offered in good fun.  "Perhaps you should come in a military outfit and see what happens," he laughed.  He was going to suggest a game and prize, but he stopped himself.  Such antics were for Susan Herbert, or maybe one of his lovers.

[Aria]

“I want the power too.” Maria laughed. A moment later, her mouth turned down into a pretty little pout. “You need magic to propel me to prominence at court?” Though she tried to be serious, her dark eyes glittered impishly. “I’m not pretty and charming enough on my own?” She hoped Charles understood that she was only teasing him (and perhaps fishing for another compliment).

 

He said nothing more about their ride. Had he changed his mind? If so, she would just have to change it back, though not today. She was glad that he wouldn’t be on duty but would be able to enjoy the masque. Maria tilted her head to the side, dislodging the bloom from behind her ear. It fell to the ground. “Inappropriate for a soldier? I shall have to think on that one, but I will figure it out.”

 

Lord Langdon suggested she dress as a soldier. “Perhaps I shall.” She’d had a costume made already but she didn’t want him to know that. “I definitely look forward to seeing you there.”

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles was a natural flatterer, so he would seize upon any invitation.  "I meant that I might need the stone's power, not you," he clarified.  "You shall be an exotic visitor to court.  Your beauty, charm, and tales of far away Italian provinces, whether real or imagined, will captivate the court," he promised with a chuckle.  "In fact, perhaps I should keep the stone from you, lest you become Morgan le Faye," he laughed, "and capture my heart and soul to lock away for the ages.  And do the same for other unsuspecting gentlemen."

As for costumes, she seemed unsure.  "Will your mother and cousin be attending too?" he inquired politely.  It would be easy to identify her if they arrived as a trio.  The Venetian mask would make it certain.  "What happens at masques in Mantua and other Italian States?  Is it the same as the French?  Dancing and games?  The French play more scandalous games I suspect.  Here in England, there are many that prefer to emulate the French rather than the Dutch when it comes to merriment.  I wonder as to your own experience."  He concluded with "a masque is perfect for your debut as you can walk up to any gentleman in a forward manner and ask for a dance, getting to know several.   And whispering to unknown ladies to see what you can learn," he suggested.

[Aria]

“Why do you need the stone’s power?” Maria queried playfully. “I like you just the way you are.” She did sometimes flatter gentlemen in subtle ways, and she really did enjoy Lord Langdon's company. His own compliment made her blush. He had voiced exactly how she planned to be regarded at the English court.

 

She laughed again when he compared her to Morgan le Fay. The otherworldly sorceress was one of her favorite characters in the Arthurian legends. Maria identified with her because she felt that Morgan had been as misunderstood as she was. Yes, she'd done some bad things; but she'd done good things too. That did not make her evil, in the young Italian’s opinion. Being Protestant did not make Maria evil either, contrary to the opinions of most Italians, including members of her own family.

 

“There are worse fates, are there not?” she asked, her dark eyes sparkling mischievously.

 

The topic turned to the masque. “All three of us will be there, though we will arrive separately and not mingle with each other. Otherwise, everyone will know who we are. I’m sure our presence will be noted at the yacht race tomorrow.” Maria hoped he had asked because he planned on seeking her out and that would be easier if she was with her mother and cousin.

 

The charming Earl asked about masques in Italy. “Though I have never been either to France or to the Netherlands, from what I’ve heard, our masques fall somewhere between the two. They are formal, for the most part, but there are always those who like to stir things up. We don’t hold them often. Venice isn’t far away, and Carnival is the biggest masque of all. The younger members of our family travel there every year.

 

“Masks aren’t only used for Carnival and balls. It’s not unusual to see somebody walking down the street in one. It’s an excellent way to hide your identity. They are used for everything from romantic assignations to business deals. Supposedly, they are quite common in taverns and … other places where men congregate.” Maria had, of course, never been to such places.

 

Lord Langdon suggested things she could do at the masque. “We shall see,” she replied mysteriously. “If all ladies ask gentlemen to dance, you will be dancing all night.” She pouted again. “You might not even have time to dance with me.”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

"Who does not need a bit of magical power now and then?" he played along.  "A scrying stone could be useful."  As she played along with Morgan Le Fey, Charles responded  "in stories, sorceresses and witches are rarely good creatures.  The fey appear good but rarely are in the later stories," he observed.  Merlin being imprisoned for all time seemed a pretty bad fate.

Comments about the masque were interesting. "It sounds as if masks shield criminals."  He was genuinely surprised about that.  "Here they just wear a black kerchief over their mouth, or a simple black mask.  That is what highwaymen do," he remarked.

"I am convinced that ladies like my uniform.  As I will be without it for the masque, it may be that no lady will dance with me, "he laughed, only half believing it.  "It should be fun.   Should I disguise my voice too, I wonder?  I have not in the past," he admitted.  "I wonder too if our dances are the same as the Italian courts."  There were differences that he noted in Turin.

[Aria]

“True, unless what it shows you is something you don’t want to see. And yes, all stories change with time and the person who tells it. Like everyone else, the fey have their own agenda but nobody is either all good or all bad.” Maria shrugged. “Perhaps their evil deeds were simply more interesting than their honorable acts.”

 

She nodded. “Criminals wear them too, of course, and anybody who goes around wearing a mask is generally seen as suspicious. I wore one once to sneak out of the palace … but that’s a tale that can wait until our picnic.”

 

Lord Langdon believed that ladies were only attracted to his uniform? Maria thought he would look wonderful in anything he wore … or anything he didn't wear. “I think they will be charmed by your costume as well, unless you dress as Satan.” She studied him with mock thoughtfulness. “You would probably look good even in horns and a tail.”

 

As for dances: “Some of them are the same and others are unique to Italy. I think that Italian dances are more energetic. I would be delighted to teach them to you.”  Maria wondered why his late wife hadn't done so, but she would never ask.  Sadness was better left in the past.

[Charles Whitehurst]

"Perhaps you are right," Charles admitted.  What gentleman would disagree with a lady over something so trivial?  The fey were mystical creatures and the Earl was a believer in most things mystical.

"You are too kind," he replied to her praise about his attractiveness in a costume other than his uniform.  He laughed to himself about her hypothetical costume, knowing that his own would be something sinister.  "I want to hear your story about sneaking out of the palace," he encouraged.  "To meet with the fey, I assume?" he added with a chuckle.  He wondered if it was scandalous.

"Grand, you can teach me Italian steps and I can teach you English steps."  He was not sure that he would have the luxury of time or a spare hall to practice.  It would depend how long the season continued.    It was drawing late, so Charles knew that he would need to return to the castle soon.