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Part I.
After the dancing lesson, most of the group was to reconvene in Elizabeth's sitting room. George had some matters he wished to discuss with the queen. As she was likely to fight them on at least one of the issues, he had called in everyone as reinforcement. George had not been in the ballroom, but Jack had sent word to him by Sir Jacob about the issue of her partner for the first dance. Jack was not sure which topic she would be most opposed to, but given the display she and Sir John had just put on in the ballroom, he found himself hoping that it was not the first dance.
Daniel looked absurdly nervous, Jack realized with some amusement as he entered the sitting room. Jack wasn't certain that Elizabeth actually planned to push the idea of opening the ball with John of Sheppard. She had mentioned it before they left the ballroom, but seemed to be joking at Sir John's expense. The knight seemed to be good on his feet in regard to the dance, but the queen was still very much attuned to the political atmosphere. Daniel, however, was taking the whole matter with the utmost gravity. Jack was torn between wanting to laugh at his friend and wondering if the man was right to be worried about his cousin's intentions.
Jack sat down in one of the chairs scattered around the room, eyeing Daniel as he paced the room. "Daniel."
Daniel stopped, startled, and stared at him. "Jack."
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for Elizabeth, Jacob, and George."
"Well, stop pacing. You're making me dizzy," Jack ordered.
Daniel blinked for several moments, and then did as he was told. Before either of them could say anything further, however, the door opened once again and the remaining members of the meeting entered. Both men immediately rose and bowed to Elizabeth, who came in on George's arm.
"Jack, cousin," she greeted as she seated herself in the chair in the center of the room. Laura and Kate seated themselves on two stools, flanking her on either side. The men who followed also seated themselves. "What did you wish to speak with me about, gentlemen?"
Jack sat back and watched George and Daniel exchange significant glances, most likely trying to urge the other to be the one to broach the subject. The extent of their trepidation was ridiculous. He looked over at Jacob, noticing that he too just appeared amused.
"Whom you will open the ball with, Majesty," George finally said, breaking the increasingly awkward silence. "It could be a cause for concern."
Elizabeth stared at them, the very picture of confusion. "I believed the matter had been settled, my lords," she replied. "Since Jack despises public ceremony so and none of you are familiar with the dance in question, then it falls to Sir John. He is the only other gentleman closely associated with me who knows it."
"But cousin," Daniel protested quietly, obviously trying not to cause the queen to become upset, "the matter of Sir John's heritage…"
Jack watched Elizabeth's face turn from confusion to thinly-concealed irritation. "Oh, for goodness' sake," she muttered, and then she sighed. "What would you have me do, Daniel? Ask one of the lords of the college that know the dance? Or one of the lords' sons? That is not the wisest move, as it would undoubtedly be taken as an indication of my political support and favor to the man in question."
"But neither is making such a show of favor to a mere knight," George countered firmly. "The college has only begun to look beyond Sir John's origins, but they most certainly have not forgotten it and your plans to reopen diplomatic relations with Caldora are still in their infancy. It is premature to make such a move."
Jack knew that George had made a fair point, and from the look of it, so did Elizabeth. He noticed that Kate also appeared in agreement, but Laura was rolling her eyes, obviously tired of the whole situation. He sympathized with her. Sir John might have been Caldoran, but he had saved the queen's life from an assassin and had served her with the utmost faithfulness since being knighted. His origins might not cast the best of light on him in the eyes of many of the lords, but no one had ever publicly accused him of being disloyal to her Majesty. The queen herself had never shown any regret in taking him into her service, even when she was angry with him.
"Perhaps that is true," Elizabeth conceded. "I believe that it is high time we look past our old grievances with Caldora, and I have no wish to derail that." She gazed at them expectantly. "Still, that leaves me without a dance partner. Whom do you suggest?"
Silence. Jack shook his head inwardly. George had made a good case, but so had the queen. The dance was an intricate one, and few still knew it well enough to make it through with some semblance of grace.
"Lord Benjamin Hurst knows the steps, if I recall," Jacob suggested after several moments. "He opened the ball with Queen Margaret the year your Majesty's father injured his ankle. And he mostly leaves the politics to his son these days."
"Hurst's back wouldn't last through the whole dance," Jack replied. "I don't think it would set a good tone for the ball if we had to lift the old man off of her Majesty."
Elizabeth's lips twitched in amusement. "I agree," she said. "Any other suggestions?" When there were none, Jack was certain he saw her small smile develop into a smirk. "I believe I have one," she informed them. "Other than Sir John," she added before Daniel could speak. They gazed at her expectantly. "Jack."
Jack's jaw dropped. "What?" Now he was certain she was smirking gleefully at him.
"I know you prefer to remain out of the center of attention," the queen said sweetly. "I understand that. But you are almost my last hope unless you are all willing to take a chance on Sir John."
Which, Jack knew, Daniel would not accept. He stared at Elizabeth. She had orchestrated this, he thought suddenly. She knew that Daniel and George would protest Sir John opening the ball with her, and had used that to bring them to this point. The girl was nothing if not clever.
"Surely there is someone," he fairly pleaded, looking desperately at the other men. He struggled not to scowl when he heard Laura stifle a giggle.
"Well," Elizabeth spoke again, "there is one other…"
"Who?" Jack demanded hopefully.
"Lord Robert Kinsey."
Not while I walk this green earth, was his first thought. He had made it his mission to keep the former regent as far from Elizabeth as humanly possible.
He sighed. She had played her hand and won. "Very well," he submitted in defeat. Elizabeth straightened in her chair and gave them all a blinding smile while Laura and now Kate both did their best not to laugh outright.
"But," he added, "I expect an extra piece of cake for enduring this!"
"Jack," Elizabeth replied, "I will order that a cake of your very own be baked for this."
Jack did not bother concealing his scowl, especially when he heard Jacob chuckle. He glared at the knight.
This was immensely unfair, but at least he was getting cake as a reward.
Elizabeth relaxed and smiled at them all. "Was there anything else, gentlemen?" she asked.
As it happened, there was, and the four of them had seriously considered drawing straws for this issue as well. But Jack sat up straighter in his chair, looking the queen in the eye. "Majesty, we wanted to bring something else for your consideration," he began.
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes?"
"We would like you to reconsider having the Solstice bonfire on the mainland," he said.
"There is room enough for it here on the island," Jacob suggested. "You could have a sizable company there for the lighting."
"No," Elizabeth replied. "The bonfire will be on the mainland, as it always has been when one of my house has ruled this country."
"Cousin," Daniel began.
"No, my lord," she interrupted, changing before their eyes from family into sovereign in the space of a heartbeat. "Solstice has always been an opportunity for the people to see the monarch. I have heard reports of people traveling from as far as the Talas Mountains to be at the lighting of the bonfire. It is imperative that I appear in public to as many as possible, and that simply cannot be accommodated here on the island."
"And that is precisely why we cannot know if you will be safe there," her cousin pressed.
Elizabeth looked past him, to the guard standing unobtrusively in a corner of the room. "Captain Lorne," she said, "why have I not been informed of such a security threat before now?"
The captain stepped forward and looked at the line of noblemen uncertainly. "I know of no specific threat," he replied. "There are always dangers involved when you leave the palace, as you well know, but I know of no particular reason to cancel or move the event."
Elizabeth nodded once. "Thank you." She looked back at the others. "Your concern is touching," she said, conceding a little, "and appreciated, but it is Captain Lorne's responsibility to keep me safe. If he believes that the danger is too great I will yield to his opinion, but until he does my decision is final."
"Very well, Majesty," George said, while the four of them all tried not to look too chagrined. Jack looked at Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting and saw that Laura was trying to hide a smile and Kate looked suitably impressed. She also exchanged a glance with the captain. This was hardly an unusual occurrence, but there was a hint of admiration in her gaze which Jack had never noticed before.
He resisted the urge to curse while hoping fervently that he was imagining things. The last thing they all needed right now was for the Earl of Heightmeyer to come barging into the castle, demanding to know why they had allowed his daughter to be seduced by a man of common birth.
Elizabeth made her excuses and retreated to the bedchamber, her ladies following. While the rest were all getting out of their seats, Daniel turned on Lorne. "Captain," he said, "I can understand your desire for her Majesty to fulfill the role her parents did years ago, and I know she can be a persuasive woman, but you must stand fast when her life is at stake."
The captain regarded Daniel coolly. "I am not so easily moved, my lord," he replied. "The queen is right. There is no reason to sequester her here in the palace when she should be out among her people. It is my duty to remain dispassionate about such things, even if my love for my queen would sway me to do otherwise. But we would all do well to remember that the closest she has ever come to death was within the very hall where she will be dancing with Lord Jonathan in a few days."
Daniel looked like he still wanted to argue the point, so Jack stepped in. "Sir Marcus, you know the abilities of your men better than any of us," he said. "If you believe them capable, I believe we will yield to your opinion." The last he directed more at Daniel.
"I have already sent men to inspect the site," Lorne said smoothly. "They have given me a full report on its weaknesses, and I have drawn up a plan to secure the area before the queen arrives. She will be as safe as I can make her anywhere."
All four of them looked suitably impressed at their captain's thoroughness, and George nodded. "Thank you, son," he said. "The queen's trust in you was not misplaced."
They filed out of the room then, each heading off for a different meeting. "Do you ever get the feeling that she is even better at getting her way than Kinsey is?" Daniel asked of Jack quietly, once the other two had turned down a different corridor.
Jack sighed. "I wonder if there is some deadly disease I could contract between now and Solstice Eve."
Elizabeth's second dancing lesson in as many days had been followed by a conference with Sir Jacob Carter on his recent trip to Tok'ra territory. He had one piece of news that was troubling. Before Elizabeth's coronation, there had been whispers circulating around the court that the Goa'uld were on the move. Such rumors were not new, and frankly Kate had assumed that Robert Kinsey had something to do with their resurfacing. She still suspected as much, but it seemed that the best lie had its roots in truth. Sir Jacob had reported that indeed, the Goa'uld were up to something. As of yet the Tok'ra had not been able to discern what their intentions were, but the Goa'uld had such strife within their own nation that this was hardly surprising.
Arm in arm, Elizabeth and Kate slowly walked back to the private areas of the palace. It was nearly time for dinner, and Elizabeth was unusually quiet. Of course, Laura was not with them - she and Carson were taking care of some schemes of theirs in regards to Solstice gifts for their respective families - and both Kate and Elizabeth were more introspective by nature. And Elizabeth had much to reflect upon now.
They found themselves in the antechamber to the dining room, standing at the window while servants set supper on the table in the next room. "You know," Elizabeth said softly, "I almost envy Laura."
Kate blinked. "You do?"
"Not that I begrudge her any happiness," she replied immediately, "nor that I am secretly pining for Carson, but that there were no obstacles for her beyond what is normal when a man and woman wish to marry."
Kate knew what Elizabeth was speaking of, and knew that she shared that envy. "Laura is lucky that her parents do not have the caprice to stand in her way," she said. "That they are happy that she is marrying a good man who can take care of her."
Elizabeth looked at her curiously. "What do your own parents have to say on such subjects?"
Kate made a sour face. "You are almost twenty, Kate," she said, paraphrasing her mother's letters, "your pretty face will not last forever, and if you do not at least act as though you are interested in marriage, men will begin to think there is something wrong with you." The two looked at each other then and burst out laughing. "That is my mother's opinion, at any rate. I do not know if Father's differs. He has always left such matters for Mother to discuss with me."
"I suppose she might have a point," Elizabeth said, pretending a thoughtful expression. "No, no, she doesn't."
As the light mood subsided, Kate's mind turned to Marcus. This was not an uncommon occurrence whenever the subject of marriage came up, but this time she had something she needed to tell the queen, and she knew this might be her best opportunity. "My lady?" she said. "May I tell you something?"
Elizabeth laid her hand over Kate's to stop her and looked to the doorway, where her chief steward was exiting the dining room. "Madam, supper is served," he said. "But I thought there would be others dining with you tonight."
"Yes," she replied. "But Lord Daniel was delayed, and Lord Jonathan did not know if he would be able to come at all."
"Very well," he said with a bow. "Do you need anything else?"
"Only a moment to speak with Lady Katherine privately."
"Certainly."
Kate followed Elizabeth into the dining room, her stomach growling a bit as the smell of food reached her nose. The steward closed the door behind them, and Elizabeth touched Kate's arm. "I feel I should tell you something first," she began. The queen looked uncharacteristically shy and nervous. "The morning after you came back from Athos, you were gone when I awoke." Kate's eyes widened as she realized what Elizabeth had to be saying. "I opened the bedroom door to see if you were in the sitting room. I... saw Captain Lorne kissing you, and you did not seem to object."
"I was certainly not objecting," Kate replied quietly, feeling a blush crawling up her cheeks.
"What happened in Athos?" Elizabeth asked, looking torn between wanting to be polite and fervent curiosity. "I thought it would take a team of wild horses, as Jack would put it, to move either of you."
Kate's jaw dropped. "You suspected I had feelings for him?" She had been assuring herself for some time that the true extent of her feelings had been a secret.
"Kate, you are one of my best friends, and Marcus Lorne is an open book," she said. "Why would I not suspect that you both harbored affection for each other? Your protests to the contrary only made it seem that much more likely."
Kate looked away, and Elizabeth took her hand, trying to put her at ease. "What happened in Athos?" she pressed. "I assume that something between you changed then, for I had never heard of you kissing each other before."
"This is more than a little embarrassing," Kate said slowly. "Doctor Beckett was afraid for my health, apparently. I was unconscious after falling into the sea, and there was yet some danger for me if I was not warmed up before a deeper sickness set in."
"And Carson left the captain with you, I presume?"
Kate nodded, wishing that she did not have to retell all of this but knowing it was for the best. "I awoke lying on the floor in front of a fire," she explained, her face heating uncomfortably. "He was holding me, and neither of us were wearing very much."
Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up. Kate almost would have described the look on her face as stern. "Why?" she asked simply.
"Our clothes were drenched, and would have compounded the problems," Kate replied quickly. "You have been caught in a rainstorm before. How long did it take your petticoats to dry?"
Elizabeth's shock seemed to subside a little, as though she were conceding the point. Then a hint of a devilish smile crossed her lips, and she teased, "Surely that was not the first time you realized that he is an attractive man."
"No," she replied. The question did not make her blush abate. "Though I confess it did serve as a healthy reminder."
"Kate!" Elizabeth exclaimed, looking slightly abashed.
Kate smiled a little. "He finds me desirable, Elizabeth," she said softly. "I confess, I had not expected that. So few men I have met had any concern for me. They saw only what use I could be to their own ambitions."
This was something which the queen of Atalan could sympathize with. "But Marcus does not care for court intrigues or power plays."
She nodded, her voice low. "I know it is not the most proper thing, but I find I prefer his honest desire to the pretty speeches of other, more powerful men."
Elizabeth's smile turned wistful. "I fear I must ask you this," she said carefully. "I would not normally invade your privacy, but if I have learned nothing else in my short tenure as queen, it is that it is better for me to have all the information I can at the outset. Have you made forfeit your virginity, Kate?"
Kate was not offended by the question, knowing that Elizabeth's wish was to be prepared for any problem which could arise, both for herself and for her friends. "No," she replied, shaking her head.
"And did he force himself upon you?"
"No," she repeated. "He is an honorable man, my lady, as well you know."
Elizabeth nodded. "Then I have no objection if he wishes to court you."
Feeling more relieved that the conversation was over than anything else, Kate smiled. "Thank you, my lady."
Elizabeth's expression became wry. "How Laura expresses her opinions on this subject is beyond my ability to dictate, though I can imagine her initial reaction."
Kate groaned. Just then, the door opened, and Lord Daniel walked in. He looked between the two girls and said, "What is going on?"
Elizabeth and Kate just looked at each other and started to laugh. Daniel held his hands up and added, "I withdraw the question."
Elizabeth was quite tired when she finally reached her rooms on that day. With Solstice Eve looming the day after, there were a thousand things to do, and the extra dancing practices had not helped. Laura and Kate were both still frantically overseeing preparations and all three of them would be up early the next morning to continue them.
Though she rather suspected that at the moment both of her friends were engaged in other pursuits. Laura and Carson had a tendency to slip away in the evenings to have some privacy, and Kate's confession of the new understanding between herself and Marcus Lorne made Elizabeth wonder just what might be going on any time the two of them were out of her sight.
She sighed, feeling slightly alone. It was a strange thing to think both Laura and Kate were advancing to some new realm where she could not yet follow. Chastising herself for being so full of self-pity, Elizabeth began preparing for bed, but a brown-wrapped parcel caught her eye. She recalled the messenger arriving several days ago with a gift from the royal house in Iolan for her as well as a package for Rodney McKay from his sister. She had not had time to open it yet.
Unable to help her curiosity, Elizabeth opened the parcel. Within it she found a formal gift bearing a small card with Iolan's royal seal upon it. Inside were candle holders engraved with careful drawings of sailing ships. Atalan had sent a similarly impersonal gift - goblets bearing the winged horse that figured in much of the country's official artwork - to the leaders of her allies and friends. Elizabeth had sent a tiny miniature of the Queen Margaret to Radek, though, and small tokens to the rest of his family, partly because of her distant familial ties with the royal family but more because of her close friendship with the prince.
There was a note as well, written by the regent of Iolan - Radek's older sister who ruled the country until her small son came of age. Like Atalan, Iolan's law held that a female could not inherit the throne unless no other male of direct descent was living. Elizabeth had her opinions on such subjects, but that was a matter she would address another time.
She pulled the second package out curiously. It was undoubtedly a book by the shape. Since the beginning of their friendship, Radek had sent her many volumes he felt she could use in her studies. One entire shelf in her private study was full of such gifts, but usually he saved those for something other than festive occasions.
Then again, it was going to be difficult to outshine the gift of an entire ship.
She undid the wrapping and opened the book. It was not, as she half-expected, a serious tome on the intricacies of diplomacy or the history of naval warfare. It was a book of fairy tales, collected from the towns and villages that ran along the river Iolanthe up into the Talas Mountains. Each story was carefully illustrated with exquisite drawings.
Elizabeth flipped through the pages with a smile on her lips. Then she opened the small note that had been tucked in the front. The letter from Radek reiterated his invitation to come to Iolan in the summer, and explained the book had been in the family for some years, but his nephew having grown older, Radek wished her to have it, "both for your own amusement and to share someday with your own children, if it so pleases you."
She could not help the slight blush in her cheeks. There was nothing suggestive or untoward in the words, but she was fairly certain of the sentiment behind them, and she could practically hear the tone of her friend's voice if he had uttered the words aloud. The thought made a small thrill go through her.
She had always intended to accept the invitation, barring some crisis, of course. Tucking the letter carefully into a small wooden chest that held some of her more private treasures, she placed the book on her desk, resolving within herself to keep her thoughts - and heart - open to the best of her ability. Her dear friend deserved no less.
On the morning of Solstice Eve, John stepped off the ferry onto the mainland, relieved to have the journey at an end. He was definitely not eager to return home via the sea. Perhaps with the servants constantly transporting supplies for the bonfires from the palace, there was a wagon he could ride back with.
He glanced around and was pleased when he spotted Halling standing there, appearing to be waiting for him. John raised his hand in greeting. “Halling!"
The tall Athosian turned his head and smiled when their eyes met. “Sir John," he greeted. “I hope this Solstice has been agreeable to you."
John grinned. “Oh yes, most agreeable. And educational as well." He glanced around. “Is Lady Teyla nearby? I have something for her."
He nodded. “Yes, she is coordinating the servants that have been arriving from the palace, but she knew that you were coming. She asked that I meet you and send you in her direction, and told me to inform you that she might have something that you're looking for."
John's hopes rose. He had sent the Athosian countess a message the previous day, asking her assistance in procuring a gift for the queen. Could it be that she had already found it?
He quickly gave Halling his thanks and said farewell before hurrying off to where the hoards of servants were congregating as they prepared the bonfire and other festivities. The area was rather crowded, so it took John several minutes to sight Teyla in the throngs of people.
She turned to him as he approached and smiled. “Sir John," she said.
“My lady," he replied, bowing.
“I am glad you were able to arrive so quickly," she said. “Did Halling tell you that I think I have something that might suit your needs in your endeavor?"
He nodded. “Yes, he did. I thank you for your help, my lady, but that is not the only reason I came to Athos." When her brow furrowed in polite confusion, he pulled out a small parcel that he had kept within his thick, woolen coat to prevent it from being drenched by the waves on his journey across the channel.
“I know we will both be extremely busy during the bonfire celebrations, and you will not be attending the ball, so I thought it best to bring this to you now," he continued, suddenly beginning to feel somewhat nervous. He had no wish to offend one of the few allies he had among the nobility.
However, Teyla did not appear at all offended. Instead, her eyes grew wide, showing her clear surprise. She reached out, took the bundle from him, and unwrapped the cloth, revealing the ceremonial dagger and its sheath.
“Sir John," she said after a moment, “this… this is beautiful. Thank you for such a wonderful gift." She examined the carvings on the hilt and smiled. “The seal of Athos," she murmured, “woven into the high seal of Atalan." Her smile grew as she looked up at him, making his heart lighten in his chest. “This is a most thoughtful gift. I have not the words to thank you properly."
John could feel his cheeks burning, and not just from the stinging chill on the air. He looked down, embarrassed. “No thanks are needed," he mumbled. “I am just pleased that it is to your liking."
He glanced up when he heard her chuckle. Fairly grinning at him now, she nonetheless changed the subject. “Would you like to see what I have found for you? Jinto has several you can choose from. I hope you do not mind that I told him your purpose for looking for one, but he was delighted that it could be a gift for her Majesty."
John shrugged. “No, it's all right. I know Jinto can keep quiet until after Solstice, once the gift has been delivered to the queen."
Teyla nodded. “Very well then. This way."
It had been a strange afternoon, Rodney McKay decided. He had assumed that life would play out as usual throughout the day, but he had forgotten what it had been like in his house when a ball was coming and his mother and sister had to prepare for it. Such an annoyance was one of the few things he and his father had ever agreed upon. Still more annoying, most of the men were acting like exotic peacocks he had seen once, strutting about and fluffing their feathers in hopes of catching the eye of some disinterested female. He had even spotted Sir John sneaking through the palace trying to hide something under his cloak.
It was most frustrating.
Rodney did not particularly have any desire to attend the ball the queen had organized for Solstice Eve. He had never had any liking for parties, even in his younger years, and his parents had often indulged his preference for solitude.
However, Queen Elizabeth sent him a specific invitation to the party, saying that it included an elaborate feast, so he thought it best to accede to her wishes. After all, refusing to attend might be considered rude and he had little doubt that Radek would also take offense and bend his ear repeatedly for such an affront to the queen.
So, he dressed himself in some of his finer clothes, intent on attending the feast and making a small appearance at the ball afterwards before withdrawing back to his rooms in the hopes of getting some actual work done. There were still many more ship designs to be completed, and with everyone sequestered off in the great hall and the courtyards, his area of the palace would be veritably deserted, leaving him with peace and quiet.
As Rodney checked his appearance one final time in the mirror, his eyes were drawn to his vanity to a long, thin black box. He knew very well its contents, had spent hours just gazing at it, but now was the time to decide its fate. It had been given to his mother from his father many years ago on the Solstice, and she had passed it to him before her death. When he had incredulously asked her what he was supposed to do with it, as it was of no use to him, his mother, though weak from illness, had still managed to smile mysteriously and tell him that he would know in due time.
Now, Rodney thought he knew.
He would not give it away personally, though. He had no desire to humiliate himself, nor be subjected to her caustic tongue. Let it be a mystery for her to ponder.
It was better that way. For both of them. He would be spared having to trip and stumble over his words, and she would not have a chance to laugh in his face.
As the hour drew near, Daniel found Jack fussing with his shirt and the baldric from his uniform before a mirror. As he watched, Jack growled and muttered something under his breath that was probably profane. He folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "Enjoying yourself, Jack?"
He got the familiar look in response. "Yes, Daniel. Was it that obvious?"
Shaking his head, Daniel stepped in front of Jack and adjusted the belt so that it draped properly across Jack's chest. Despite his old friend's protests, each medal and insignia on was carefully cared for and shining in the sputtering candle light. "There."
"Thank you, Daniel," Jack said tartly, glancing over Daniel's own attire. "I suppose I should be happy I don't have to wear those gloves."
Daniel narrowed his eyes. Jack had been teasing him most of their lives about the gray gloves that Daniel always wore to public functions. Being a member of the military, Jack got away with wearing black gloves he had likely liberated from the guardsmen. "Laura would remind us that we should both be thankful we do not have to wear corsets," he said.
Jack chuckled, going to his desk and taking a drink from a mug sitting on the edge. Daniel smoothed his own clothes down, glancing at the window. "It is nearly time. Lord George will greet the guests shortly. I had no idea so many of the ambassadors would wish to stay for the ball. I can only imagine what they will ask of Elizabeth-"
"Daniel," Jack cut him off, a warning note in his voice. Daniel met Jack's brown eyes and saw both exasperation and affection in them. "Let it go. She'll fall or fly, and there's little else we can do but watch."
"But-"
"Ah," Jack waved a long finger at him. "What did I just say?"
Pouting just slightly, Daniel got in one last shot. "You should go to the ballroom. You will need to be in place to lead the first dance with the queen."
He smirked evilly at the dark cloud that passed onto Jack's face as he left to find his cousin.
Samantha hurried into her rooms, breathless from her fast-paced walk from the Asgard sanctuary. One of her long-term experiments had taken longer to resolve than she had estimated, and now she was late in beginning her preparations for the ball. Fortunately, she was not one of those ladies who took a completely excessive amount of time to prepare for such things.
Her gold and white gown hung on a peg, waiting for her to don it. But first she would have to wash. It wouldn't do to arrive for the ball appearing as though she had spent the entire day in the dockyards. Though, Samantha reflected as she poured a pitcher of water into a washing bowl, it would be amusing just to see the shock on the faces of the old women of the court.
But this was Elizabeth's first great celebration since her coronation. She could hold off on scandalizing the court for another time. She removed her dark brown working dress, tossed it negligently into a corner, and then began to bathe herself with the rose water.
Several minutes, after she wiped the soap from her skin with a warm, wet cloth, Samantha took her brush and attacked her tangled hair. She could have easily summoned a maidservant to assist her, but given how busy everyone was as the ball approached, it was just easier to do it herself. Besides, she preferred being self-sufficient.
Samantha wrapped her blonde hair into an elegant twist, leaving a few ringlets to hang down and frame her face. Taking a look in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction at what she saw.
Next she had to select her jewelry. Samantha had no use for ostentatious pieces, but most of her collection had once belonged to her mother, Lady Patricia, and had been given to her after her death. Her mother had felt much the same way and thus most of her pieces were beautiful and elegant, but not flamboyant.
Samantha sat down in front of her vanity. She started to reach for her jewelry box when something mysterious caught her eye. There next to the box, almost unnoticeable, was a long, thin black box. Her eyes narrowed in confusion. She was certain that she did not own such a package. Reaching out, Samantha picked the box up and opened it. She gasped, staring at the contents.
It was a beautiful silver necklace with a tiny, sparkling snowflake charm.
Where had such a lovely little thing come from? Not her father, surely. He would have no need to give it to her so covertly by leaving it for her to find on her own. Who else had ready access to her rooms to leave it there? Kate and Laura both had their ways of getting into places that they needed to get to, but they had no more motive to leave the necklace than her father had.
Samantha picked up the chain reverently, taking the charm in her other hand when she spotted a marking of some sort on the snowflake. She examined it closely. There, engraved on the radiant surface was what looked like a ship, vaguely resembling the Queen Margaret. It was gorgeous.
Slowly, she opened the clasp and slipped the necklace around her neck. She then gazed into the small mirror in front of her, examining her appearance.
It looked good on her.
Samantha greatly desired to know who had given this to her, if only to thank them for such a beautiful gift and ask them why they felt they could not give it to her in person.
But for now, there was a ball she had to finish preparing to attend.