What a Day (Friday Night/Saturday Dawn) CD

[Charles Whitehurst]

It had been an unbelievable day.  It had been an unbelievable week.  Charles sat alone in a washtub in his room, candles burning low and the water becoming decidedly chilly.  Elam had been sent to bed with a list of tasks to accomplish in the morning.  Sam was on duty around the castle.

In the glow the freshly stoked fireplace, thanks to the servant that had brought the tub, Charles looked upon the suds in the water as he reflected on the season.  He was having intercourse with his junior officer, and the spirit that possessed her. He was attacked by a tiger and should be dead.  A malevolent spirit might be the very "swan" that he and Susan had been seeking, but maybe not.  He was awaiting word from Sam, who would meet with Susan.

Speaking of Susan, things seemed to be going well.  The King had given him a new approach to women - stick with whores and widows. He assumed that the term "whore" encompassed the libertine ladies like Catherine Sedley and now Fiona McBain.  He had managed to part with Catherine amiably but now Fiona had become increasingly prominent in his life again. Blazing cannons.  The evening meeting with her a few hours past, and the revelations of her half-brother, were ... extraordinary. 

The yacht race had been good fun and won him some coin to offset the gold he had spent on artifacts. His collection of mystical items was growing.  Baroness Windmere had mentioned having some Arthurian items.   

Shivering, he exited the tub for the towel that had been awaiting him near the fire.   He needed to go to bed quickly, for he needed to rise with the dawn.  There were to be elephant riding lessons at the circus.  He did not know if Chatham would join him, but the Earl had been invited.  Crawling under the covers, he thought of the spirit brooch safely housed in his locked chest.  His costume was ready and Elam would pick it up and deposit it in his room on the morrow.  Charles was having a hard time falling asleep with thoughts of elephants and tigers playing in his mind.

Was it the cock crow that awakened him?  It was time to be dressed and on his way certainly.

[Aria]

It was around four in the morning when Samantha Gillis slipped softly into the room she shared with Charles. Her shift had been quiet and uneventful and she wasn’t as tired as she usually was. She knew that she needed to sleep since she would be on duty at the masque tonight. There was nothing like a good swive to help her unwind.  She didn’t doubt that Charles would be willing to oblige her. He needed to get up early anyway so he could train to ride elephants at the carnival. Sam certainly hoped it was safe. She didn’t want to lose him now that she had found him and a fall from an elephant could be deadly. Knowing how eager he was to do it, she had kept her worries to herself.

 

She smiled when she saw him fast asleep in their bed. A lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, but she resisted the impulse to push it back. She did not want to wake him just yet, though it might be better for him to fully aware when she gave him the information he had asked for two days ago. It had taken Lady Susan Herbert some time to gather everything together and then they’d had to arrange a second meeting.

 

She changed out of her uniform and into her nightdress, spritzing on a bit of subtle perfume.  Sam had never used it before she had become involved with the enthralling Earl. She had eschewed everything feminine because it might blow her cover. Thanks to Charles, she had begun to embrace her female side in private and on her days off. She even planned to let her hair grow. Many men had long hair, so why shouldn’t she? She could wear it in a tail at the back like some of the other soldiers did.

 

Crossing the room to the bed, Sam bent over and brushed the lock of hair from her lover’s face and kissed him on the forehead. “Good morning, Charles,” she said.

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

He had been found out.  Catriona was in has face and was telling him that she had warned him to stay away from Fiona.  Out of ner bodice was pulled  knife far too large to be so hidden.  His explanations fell on deaf ears. 

Other women joined the group around him.  There was Darlene, with hands on hips, instructing him that he needed to marry Fiona, and Catherine, and herself.  His question about marrying all three was interrupted by Catherine Sedley, warning him that Fiona would never be loyal to him.  Maureen Walker made herself known, laughing at the scene. "You should have married me Charles, and you could have been spared all this."  The Duchess of Savoy appeared next to Maureen. "Not happy to see me Charles?  I found you a rich wife. Is that not what you wanted?  Come back to Turin and I'll find you a better wife this time, and you can stay with me."    Charles explained he could not marry another Catholic.

"You should have told me that before you ruined me," hissed Davina, suddenly in front of the others.  He explained that he had thought she was converting to Anglican, but then she decided to stay Catholic and, worse, became involved in a Catholic plot.  "You know I am innocent, at least I was before meeting you." That hurt.  His apology softened her considerably.  "I am all alone Charles.  I need you and our intimacy again.  Kiss me."  His attempt to explain that the King told him to stay away from single ladies, were stifled with her kiss ... . 

It was a kiss that awakened him.    He was back in his own bed and it was Samantha looking down at him.  The grogginess dissipated as he realized he had been dreaming.  "Good morning," he mumbled in return as he tried to awake fully.  "is it time to get up?" he asked, disoriented.  It was still dark.  

 

[Aria]

Charles was so adorable when he first woke up. Sam smiled, hoping he would scoot backwards so she could slide in beside him. “If you want to be alert when you ride the elephants, yes,” she replied. “You need time to eat something too. You won’t be able to concentrate if you’re hungry.”

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles was not necessarily looking for a snuggle, as he was serious about training with the elephants.  It would be a once in a lifetime event, as opposed to a snuggle in bed, which might become a daily occurrence.  

He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes.  "I have an apple and a slice of bread," he disclosed.  "That should hold me."  He looked towards the window to see any evidence of the coming dawn.  "I suppose I should get dressed and be on my way."

"Maybe afterwards I come back and you keep the bed warm," he chuckled, trying to make light of his previous business-like response. Sam should be deep asleep by late morning.  "I am off to Bagshot for lunch and a ride," he added.  "Did you yet get a chance to meet with Lady Susan?"

[Aria]

Sam was disappointed that Charles sat up instead of reaching for her and pulling her into bed. So much for a shag before she went to sleep. She didn’t blame him for being more exited about riding an elephant than riding her. He would make it up to her before the masque, if he wasn’t too tired. He had a busy day ahead of him, it seemed.

 

She had eaten a full meal close to the end of her shift so she wasn’t planning on having breakfast with him anyway. There was food available for the soldiers who worked the graveyard shift. They wouldn’t be at their best if they were hungry. “You have nearly two hours before you have to be there.”

 

Sam sat down on the edge of the bed. His flirtatious comment missed its mark. She would be asleep when he returned and he wouldn’t wake her because she needed to be alert while on duty at the masque. Perhaps he would be back when she woke up in the afternoon.

 

“I met with her twice.” Sam remembered how the lady’s countenance had brightened when she said she had a message from Charles. A pang of jealousy had pierced her heart, even though she had promised herself that she would never be envious of his lady friends. He was part of a world that she could never share, and she had to be content with that.

 

“On Thursday, she told me she had to consult her notes. We spoke again yesterday after the yacht race. The Lion’s name is Thomas Hilton and the Swan’s is Alasia Emerson. I asked her about the Swan’s burial place and she told me she hasn’t located it or the house where she grew up. She hasn’t had time to do much research this season.

 

“She also gave me a message for you. She says she hopes to see you at the masque.” Sam had felt that Lady Susan wanted to say much more than that, but she wasn’t sure how much she could trust a common soldier.

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

A swive was always a welcome way to greet a new day, but the young officer's mind was moving in different directions.  The dinner with Fiona had been quite something and he feared she might try and find him at the masque.  It was best to save his powder for a possible encounter later that evening.

The elephant was on his mind, and it might be wise to dress notwithstanding that it was two hours early.  A man needed no more than 15 minutes to get dressed, though another 15 to wash his face and shave.  Typically, Elam shaved him, and sometimes Sam, but it was easy enough to shave oneself.  "I am thinking canvas pants if I am to mount the elephant.  They are sure to be dirty," Charles speculated as he sat at the side of the bed rubbing his eyes while trying to finish waking.

There was news of the meetings with Susan.  The names meant nothing to him, but they were good to know.  "Alasia Emerson," he repeated. "I am hoping that is the spirit that possessed you.  She did not remember her name, but if I utter it to her, it may bring back memories."  At least he hoped that was true.  It was also quite possible that this spirit was not the Swan, yet the brooch had been found next to the Lion's bones.  There had to be a connection.

Though still groggy, Charles uttered aloud "Alasia Emerson, is your spirit here?  Can you speak with me?"  This was the time of day that the spirit possessed Sam, just before sunrise.  But the brooch was safely in a box.  Would it matter?  Charles was not expecting a response, but he attempted contact anyway.

The news that Susan was looking forward to finding him at the masque was no surprise.  He would definitely dance with her, but he imagined dancing with another, or two, that evening as well.

[Aria]

Sam never forgot that Charles was a noble. If she did, comments like the one he had just made would remind her. She was fairly certain that the back of an elephant would be at least as clean as the back of of a horse. The carnival seemed to take good care of its animals and they wouldn’t want to ruin those spectacular costumes the riders wore. “That’s a good idea,” she replied. It couldn’t hurt and perhaps she was wrong.

 

She startled when Charles called for the Swan’s spirit. He hadn’t even asked her if she wished to be possessed. She supposed she could forgive him as he wasn’t fully awake. Closing her eyes, she prepared to let the spirit speak through her.

 

Nothing happened.

 

“Maybe she needs the brooch to communicate. I haven’t had any strange dreams since I gave it to you. Where did you put it? I’d like to see it again.”

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles had not been seeking to have Sam possessed.  Rather, he was just looking for a sign that the spirit was present. It might be a candle blown out or the dying fire burning bright for a moment. The Lion (Hilton) communicated through the flame in a lantern.

"I am not convinced that the spirit that possessed you is the Swan," he replied, "though she likely is."  He thought of the warning of the fortune teller to not trust spirits.  "I have it locked away for now. I will plan to return it when you are ready to be possessed temporarily so that I can ask if she is the Swan and can remember the Lion's name.  She seemed to have forgotten everything when last we communicated."  He pondered further.  "Our goal is to join the bones of the Lion with those of the Swan.  Until we can learn her resting place, the task cannot be completed."  He sighed as he stood and began to wash his face with the cold water in the pitcher.  He might as well start getting ready. 

[Aria]

“Since she only seems to be able to communicate when I hold the brooch, I’m pretty sure she’s the Swan.” Sam didn’t think it strange that a one-hundred-year-old spirit would forget her name. She might not remember the Lion’s either, or even how she died. The Lion seemed able to control everything inside the room where his bones were. The Swan’s spirit might be tied to the brooch.

 

Sam watched as Charles splashed his face with water. “I would still like to see the brooch before you leave,” she said. “I promise not to touch it. I want to know if I still have a connection to it.  If I don't, maybe the Swan couldn’t stay long in the mortal world.”

[Charles Whitehurst]

It was a fair point, the spirit had to be the Swan.  As such, what would be gained by waiting?  Charles suspected that the Swan wanted Sam to see the brooch so that she could seize it.  Sam was not herself when she held it, which gave Charles a feeling of unease. A part of him wanted to destroy the brooch to protect Sam, and give up the search for the Swan's remains.  Yet, he had promised to help the Lion.  If he did not show the brooch to Sam then, it was possible that the spirit would cause Sam to break into his locked chest.  That would be trouble.

"If I show it to you, you will attempt to grab it," he speculated, "But we need to speak to her, so I will give you the brooch this morning before I leave.  As long as the spirit cooperates, we will help her find her love's bones and spirit to unite them.  If she does you harm, or refuses to let you hand back the brooch when we are done talking, then we will help her no more."  He expected the spirit to be listening somehow.  "Let us talk to her as I finish getting dressed.  There still is time."

Charles quickly dressed in his pants and then shirt and tunic.  His cravat would be added later.  Satisfied that he still would have an hour or so to interact with the spirit, Charles went to his locked chest and moved to draw the brooch forth. 

[Aria]

“I don’t think I will,” Sam commented thoughtfully. “I don’t feel the need to see it. I am simply curious as to whether the link between us is still there.”

 

She waited while Charles finished dressing, her gaze following him as he brought forth the chest in which he had locked the brooch.

 

Sam held her breath as he opened it. Peering inside, her eyes widened in surprise. The brooch was no longer there.

 

“It’s gone!” she gasped.