Vampire - Chapter 9

Hi and welcome,

Oh what a week it's been! School holidays combined with work, horrid weather and my granddaughter slamming her hand in the door and having to have an operation. So as you can probably tell, it's not been the best week. However, I refuse to feel down, primarily because we are approaching the end of February and spring is finally well and truly on it's way.

This being the case I am starting to feel invigorated and I'm looking forward to the three projects I've got planned for the first 6 months of 2016. These being: Distant Chant (third book in Mary Howard Series). To be A King (biographical account of Henry VIII's life). And the second Lust for Blood (anthology of short horror stories). And yes - I know I'm being ambitious in trying to do so much, but I guess you never know until you try :-) and I intend to try.

Anyway, all of that aside - the weeks ended a lot brighter than it started. Mostly due to the fact that my little granddaughter is feeling better and was almost back to her bright, cheery, and naughty self today. So, no matter what the weather or what life throws at us, it's always good to remember that the health and strength of our loved ones is the most important thing of all and everything else will work itself out in the end. :-)

And that being said - here is chapter nine of Vampire - in the beginning.

Charmain x

Chapter Nine

The manor bustled with servants running back and forth, completing the last minute preparations for the imminent arrival of the royal party.

I, like almost everyone in the manor, waited in nervous anticipation for our important guests. I sat by my window, watching for the spectacle that was the arrival of the royal party; there were rumours that the procession of courtiers, servants, and squires stretched for at least a mile. Of course, the King and his young Queen Catherine Howard would be at the forefront of the procession; she was, according to the gossips, the most beautiful and gregarious of all of his brides. The king was getting older, and many said that he found it difficult to sit on a horse due to an open ulcer on his leg, which refused to heal, but he was still the King - the most powerful man in England.

I turned towards my finished gowns lying across the dresser, they were the most beautiful items I had ever owned, and once more, just like so many times in the previous days, I walked over and let the luxurious fabric fall through my hands. My imagination was once more working overtime, and over the last few days I had imagined myself as a beautiful fairy princess, waiting for my prince to return from war, but the most disturbing part of this daydream was that my prince’s face had lost the look of Tom and had started to resemble Robert. I was puzzling over this change in my thoughts, when the trumpets signalled a fanfare and rushing over to the window, I saw my first glimpse of the royal flag in the distance.

The procession made its way slowly towards the manor, the colours, noise, and the sight of so many people making their way behind the greatest man in England was breathtaking, and one I knew I would never forget. It was only as the royal party drew nearer that I noticed that the King looked old, and although he sparkled with jewels and the effect was mesmerizing, it was not difficult to see he was a large man who wasn’t comfortable and who was in pain, which was not only due to the heat of the afternoon sun.

I had already decided that I wouldn’t make my presence known until the banquet started in the great hall later in the day. I knew that Robert’s intention was to introduce me to the King, with the understanding that I was his mistress.  He wanted it known throughout England that I was carrying his child, he would then legitimize my son, and the child would become his heir. Matilda had argued against this, but Robert was adamant, and by doing so, he gave Matilda another reason to hate me, not that she needed another! For this reason, I intended to stay in the background throughout the proceedings, for I didn’t wish to anger her more than necessary.

I had a while before I needed to get ready and so I decided to rest on my bed and continue with my beautiful but disturbing daydreams. It seemed that only seconds had passed when I felt hands shaking me awake.

“Miss, miss…you must wake up…it is time to get ready!”

“What time is it?” I asked in a sleepy voice.

“Well, miss, they are starting to gather in the great hall, you will be late if you do not hurry!”

The significance of what the young girl said suddenly hit me. It would be very rude to enter the hall whilst the hosts and the King and Queen were eating, and jumping from the bed, I shook myself awake.

I washed the grime from my body and sprinkled myself liberally with rose water, even dousing my hair, which I brushed rigorously until it shone. I quickly dressed in my lightest blue muslin dress, which I knew became me very well, especially as my cheeks had a slight blush, the result of my haste in getting ready. I pulled just the sides of my hair into a plait away from my face, and secured them with a small gold clip at the back of my head, leaving the rest of my thick dark hair to shine and curl down the length of my back. I seized the hand-held polished metal, which served as a mirror, from my dresser, and scrutinized my looks. I looked, even to my own eyes, beautiful!  My skin shone with health and vigour, my eyes, lightened by the pale blue of my gown, shone and sparkled. I knew that I looked radiant, and I even dared to hope that I would rival Matilda. Throwing the mirror down on the dresser, I stepped into my pretty fabric slippers, and hastily made my way down to the great hall.