The King’s Mistress.

Chapter 3: The Letter

King Lyndon paced the floor of his chambers, trying to decide how to word the letters that he planned to send to the families Queen Amberly had chosen. He was to invite these noble families to Court under the pretense of their daughters receiving the possibility of becoming one of the Queen's Lady's. There was one family he had taken a particular interest in The Lovelace family.

Richard I, of the Lovelace family, served as his right hand for twenty or so years until he passed last winter. He and Richard became quite close during his years of service. He remembered his wife, Lady Aylee, and his son Richard II. At twenty, young Richard left Court to marry and start a family with Lady Josephine Blackstone.

After his son departed from Court

to start a family, Richard often spoke of him and his grandchildren. He informed The King of both his granddaughter Katerina's birth and the birth of the twins George and Georgiana.

As they grew, he would regale the King with stories of them. According to him, Katerina was quite a wild child who lived for riding her pony. His son often became frustrated with her because she'd instead run and play than learn proper etiquette. At the same time, his twins were the picture-perfect example of a young Lord and Lady. Richard claimed that while both of his granddaughters were beautiful, Georgiana was the epitome of beauty and that should The Queen bear a son. He had hopes of "his little Gee" becoming the prince's bride.

King Lyndon promised his friend that should Amberly bless him with a son. He would take a betrothal between his son and Georgiana into consideration. Now, here he is twenty years later, and he'll be inviting Katerina and Georgiana to the Palace with the potential for one of them to become his mistress. What would his friend think if he could see him now? Lyndon wondered.

Dear Lord, Lovelace,

Greetings from the Palace. I hope this letter finds you well. An opportunity has arisen within the kingdom that the Queen and I thought may be of some interest to you. Queen Amberly is in search of some Lady's in waiting. I am writing to you to extend such an invitation.

Your father, Richard I, spoke of you and your family often during his time here in the Palace. Most often, he would tell me tales of your children. He spoke of how proud he was of them and looked forward to the people they would grow up to be. He spoke most highly of your daughter Georgiana. Saying that she is the definition of a proper lady. Should you accept this invitation, Queen Amberly and I look forward to meeting you within a fortnight.

King Lyndon

King Lyndon wrote two more letters regarding the Queen and her need for a new Lady's. The other two lacked the personal touch he gave the first because he had no connection to The Gale or Langston families, unlike the Lovelace's. After he'd written them, he placed them in envelopes and sealed them with his family's emblem.

"Malcolm!" He shouted for his favorite servant.

"Yes, Majesty," said Malcolm upon entering the King's chambers.

Lyndon handed the letters to Malcolm. "See that the Captain of the Guard gets these and delivers them within two days." He said.

"Yes, Majesty," Malcolm replied, bowing to the King before taking his leave letters in hand.

"Leonard!" The King bellowed to another of his servants. "Yes, Sire," he responded.

"Please tell My Queen that I will be heading out for my afternoon ride and that Sir Gregory will be accompanying me."

"yes, Your Majesty," said Leonard with a bow.

*********

Kat and Lily Galloped through the woods until they came to a clearing with a well and a beautiful view of a field full of wildflowers. Normally, Kat would lay among the flowers while letting Lily graze in a grassy clearing where there were none. Today she decided not to lay in the field to keep her dress from getting dirty or tattered. When she returned home, the last thing she needed was for PaPa to find another reason to be angry with her today.

Instead, she retrieved the bucket full of cold water from inside the well, put the bucket atop the side of it, and used the ladle inside to take sips of the cool water. When she finished drinking, she lowered the bucket and ladle back into the well. She then boosted herself up onto the side of it so she could sit and gaze at the flowers while Lily grazed under a tree. Kat was so transfixed by the view that she didn't hear the hoof beats approaching her from behind.

********

King Lyndon came to a clearing that he had been visiting since he was a child. There was a lovely field of wildflowers, a well, and big shade-filled trees. It was under one of these trees during a picnic he'd planned that he realized how much he loves his Queen and how thrilled he was by their betrothal. When they were young, neither of them was enthused by it.

Today he was surprised to find that a young woman was gazing out at the flowers and a beautiful chestnut brown colored mare grazing under his favorite tree. He climbed down from his horse, Octavius, and slowly walked him towards the well to not startle her. They stopped at the side of the wall opposite her.

"Pardon me, Lass," he said.

Kat gasped at the sound of a man's voice behind her. She quickly hopped down, straightening her dress before turning towards the voice. When she turned, she came to find an incredibly tall, vividly handsome man with the most beautiful deep blue eyes she'd ever seen. Kat trembled slightly at the sight of him. His size alone made him quite intimidating. Especially given that the only men she ever really came into contact with were those within her family. Or a potential Suitor now and again that was forced on her. Papa didn't much care for her socializing since she didn't seem to "know her place," according to him.

"Might I have some water from the well?"Asked Lyndon.

"Oh, of course, sir!"She said, moving aside so as not to be in his way.

When she moved closer to his horse, she first noticed the man with him dressed in Knight's garb, and then she saw The Royal Family's emblem both on the horse's garb and the flag the Knight carried.

Turning back to the man drinking from the well, she quietly said, "Majesty..?" “Yes, Lass," he answered.

For a minute, she was frozen. She could hardly breathe, unable to believe what she'd just heard. When she finally came to her senses, she curtsied so low her knees just about touched the ground.

"Forgive me, Majesty," she pleaded. "I hadn't realized that you were..well, You," she said, slightly trembling with fear. All the while refusing to look at him out of shame.

Lyndon laughed a little under his breath at her realization that she was in the presence of The King. He stepped forward and held out his hand to her. She graciously accepted it and stood upright. However, she kept her eyes on the ground. He placed his fingers under her chin, tilting it up ever so slightly so he could look upon her face.

When he met her gaze, he saw a pair of alluring emerald green eyes. So green that they matched the color of her gown. She was lovely, modestly so, she worried her lip while he looked at her but didn't move away. More than likely because he was King, and she didn't want to offend.

He could see streaks from fallen tears and a large purple bruise forming on one cheek. He wondered who could do this to such a beautiful face. He could tell by the wisps of dark hair that had escaped from her braided bun that wherever she came from, she needed to get away fast and also that she was not your typical prim and proper Lady. As he looked into her eyes, he found himself wondering what her life was like.

It was then he realized that he'd been staring at her far too long. He released her chin and stepped back. "Your name, Lass?"He asked. "Kat," she said. "Well, Kat, it was a pleasure meeting you."Said Lyndon. "And you, Your Majesty," she quickly replied as she curtsied again. With a smile and a nod, he turned away from her. Walked around the well so that he could mount Octavius and head back to The Palace. Kat stood frozen in place as she watched the King and his Knight ride away.

Once she could no longer see them, she mounted Lily and raced home. She couldn't wait to tell Gee about her impromptu meeting with the King.