Previous Freidrich file - the party.
Narrator:
Throughout the evening, even while he was making witty repartee to Tabytha's remarks, Friedrich has been pondering his course of action. He continues to do so as he spins her through the intricate measures of the dance. (Thanks to a skilled dancing master, he doesn't have to concentrate on his feet at all...)
Friedrich: [unspoken]
Fun and games with serving wenches and entertainers are one thing, but a dalliance with the Dutchess of Devonshire is quite another.
[quiet chuckle to himself]
And I doubt that Kirtley would be quite as understanding in this situation - her political aspirations would be on the line.
But there's a delicate part...it could be just as politically unwise if I offend Tabytha. So what to do, what to do...?
Narrator:
At the end of the set, he takes Tabytha by the elbow and guides her off the dance floor.
Friedrich: [smiling down at her]
May I offer you a cool drink? I could do with one as well. And perhaps we could find a quiet spot where we can talk *away* from all of these prying ears.
Tabytha:
[large intake of air does wonderful things to the contours of her dress. Friedrich's greater altitude gives him a spectacular vantage point. He's positive she's doing this on purpose.]
Ah... I'd like that. Shall we?
[she takes his hand for a brief second. Somewhere in this tiny person, there's a roaring fire providing a lot of heat]
Lead me on, milord.
Narrator:
Friedrich tucks her arm gently in his own, and with a stop to pick up drinks, leads her off to a somewhat secluded area of the encampment (near the portion set aside for his own retinue). They are still within sight of the guards, who seem to be somewhat anxious to keep it that way, but they are out of earshot.
Friedrich slows and then pauses looking up at the stars. The night is clear and the moon is low in the sky; it's a spectacular sight.
Friedrich:
Beautiful...
Tabytha: [smiles and snuggles closer]
Mmmmmm.
Friedrich: [looks down at her]
And here am I with the brightest of them all on my arm...
Narrator:
Tabytha blushes and smiles again at such obvious flattery. They both seem to be enjoying the game.
Friedrich: [wistful look]
...yes, the brightest, but as unattainable as any of them. [sighs] If wishing upon stars made dreams come true, you and I would have met long ago, or better still, in another lifetime where we would not be so bound by our responsibilities.
Tabytha:
Then let's do something shocking.
[his eyebrows can not help but rise]
- No not that, half of them expect us to be lying naked in a pile before the night is out anyway -
[the image of he and her lying naked in pile requires some mental "mind over matter" gymnastics. He can tell that she is not unaffected by the image either]
Some thing really shocking for people like us.
Let's be honest with each other whenever the two of us are alone together.
[He's forced to admit in his heart of hearts that it would be more shocking for the two of them to do that. More difficult too. Layer upon layer of masks have been his only defense from Kirtley for so long that he hardly knows who he really is anymore.]
I know that the demands of Tudor and your candidacy for Duke will require you to talk to Kirtley -
[the mind over matter exercise is no longer required once she mentions his wife, but both look like they will treasure the image for some time]
- quite frankly about political matters. But I do not intend to discuss political matters with you when we are alone. And even if we both were free to do with each other as we might wish, and by reputation you have more children then I have sisters, I don't think I could lie to Reg, or be unfaithful to him. I don't know what arrangements you have with Kirtley and frankly don't care.
But you are a tall and strong handsome exotic prince from far away lands and I would hear you tell me of things exotic, desires unslaked, the things a man would tell to a woman he desires but has not yet taken abed. And I will do the same for you.
And when reality intrudes, as it must, we shall go our separate ways, having done nothing but talk, and that in front of spying eyes that will be forced to admit that nothing was amiss. That it was just two nobles talking about matters that they wished no one to overhear. The world will assume it to be politics, for if we truly wished it, we could arrange times and places to do other things.
[she turns to face him directly, stares up into his face]
Well, Friedrich of Tudor, have you the daring for it?
Narrator:
Politics. Lust. Power. The tiny fiery beauty before Freidrich has touched his strongest drives. He considers carefully. What is the cost if he accepts? Some rumors, but that would be nothing new. And these rumors would be particularly easy to quash if they do as she suggests and make sure unimpeachable witnesses looked on. The cost if he turns her down? She will be personally insulted and deeply hurt. There are things not right with her relationship with Regginal, that is certain. If her anger is half Kirtley's, then Tudor will spend a generation at odds with Devonshire. And frankly, thinking about the consequences of turning her down is a waste of time. There are times when one simply has to live life. Not even an instant passes before he's smiling irrepressibly.
Friedrich:
My dear lady, you are amazing! I anticipate that it will be quite difficult to keep this proposed relationship within the bounds of propriety...
[smile widens]
but I always rise to such challenges...and there are some stories I could tell you...!
[shakes his head and laughs]
Tabytha:
I am not worried about keeping things within the bounds of propriety, I'm still Daddy's daughter and always Reg's wife. If we should falter, he would challenge you to a duel to the death and things would go most ill for me.
But I have no fear of dangers I can see.
[her eyes get real moist]
Any one of us could be struck down by hands unseen and nefarious means.
But I would hear those stories. Let move to yonder table over there, just barely inside the firelight. That way Sir Richard, the most unimpeachable witness in all the realm, will be able to see us. And there, so long as we have the time and the chaperones, we will tell each other stories and wit that will keep us warm though we are far from the fire...
Narrator:
In response, Friedrich smiles again and leads her over to the table where he seats her and the himself with a sigh.
Friedrich: [settles down comfortably]
Now perhaps you'll tell me a story so I might better understand what it is you seek.
Tabytha:
Well, hmmm. I've never tried to seduce a man, so I am on shaky ground that way. As far as I know, none of my sisters has ever been seduced -we all get married off before we have a chance. I was hoping to learn that type of thing - the verbal parts - from you. So you'll have to settle for what we always settled for, tales of fair maidens and handsome princes.
Once upon a time....
Narrator:
She launches into one of Freidrich's favorite fairy tales [Yorkians wouldn't call them that, but we do] from his youth. It's been, how many years since he has heard this? When was the last time he dreamed this way, free as a child? This tale is especially fun because there are a ton of double entendres and inside jokes that little kids never realize are there, but that keep the interest of adults, and bring howls from adolescents the first time they realize what *really* is going on.
Tabytha:
...his sword drawn, fearful that her family will discover him as tip-toes towards her chambers. Suddenly, her door opens. He stops himself just in time, for it is she. She for whom he risks his life and family honor to see, standing there in front of him, the hot summer breeze touching lightly at her hair.
[Freidrich has no trouble picturing Tabytha in what ladies of Tudor wear in the heat of the summer night. In the southern duchies, on the royal floors of the castles, modesty gets bent rather severely in deference to the oppressive heat. The servants quickly learn which nobles like being looked at, and how much they liked being looked, and what kind of response they expect when passing by in the sheerest and/or most abbreviated excuse for clothing. The Duke is looked clearly in the eye by all. The Duchess is not to be gazed upon by any man who values his head. The McKitrick daughters-in-law expect a *man* to give a proper glance, smile, then remember to look away from ones betters (after acknowledging the fact that both are still comely after a child each). It is perhaps one of the saving graces of the oppressive summer heat - a discrete roving eye can really rove.]
"My lord. Your sword is drawn and ready, it points at my eyes. But I fear that the sounds of battle would summon my family..."
[etc., etc.]
Narrator:
As Tabytha finishes her tale, Friedrich mock-applauds while Tabytha gestures a curtsey and they both laugh.
Friedrich:
A tale I had often heard in my youth, but never so prettily told. ...And now it's my turn.
Narrator:
Friedrich muses for a few moments, and then decides to test the waters with a mildly torrid tale. He begins to tell the story of the daughter of a minor landed noble, a dottering old man whose advisors were running his holdings into ruin. After much trial and tribulation, the daughter manages to gain the ear (and more!) of the local baron, and convinces him to remain in residence until the situation with the advisors can be made clear to him.
The plot is thick enough to hold her attention, and the development of the spicy relationship between the noble's daughter and the baron is quite intriguing. Tabytha listens attentively, admiring Friedrich's dramatic style and wondering just how much of this really happened. The man can certainly turn a phrase. And she's never heard a man tell a story from a woman's point of view before. Perhaps this is why Friedrich seems to do so well with women. He's not so wrapped-up in himself that he fails to understand and appreciate what life is like for those around him.
Friedrich has been weaving his tale for quite a while, sipping occasionally from his drink, when he comes to a climactic scene and stops abruptly, sitting back and sighing.
Friedrich:
Well, that's enough for now.
Tabytha: [in mock outrage/dispair]
No! Don't stop now! What did they see?! Did it work?!
Friedrich:
More later. Now I think it's your turn again.
Tabytha: [glances around suddenly, a hint of alarm on her face]
I think we should move closer to the fire where the others can see us.
Narrator:
She leads them closer to the fire and the dancing. A strange sight awaits them. Many of the dancers are getting up after what must have been the dance to end all dances.
Tabytha:
And they thought *we* would be the ones lying in a pile.
Neil:
I'm about to sync this scene to the main one....