The topic of conversation became suddenly much more somber. "I'm sorry yo hear that." Gwen said lamely, it wasn't something she knew how to reply to.
Alena faded in and out of delirium.
Gwen giggled in a way not unlike a young school girl. "We shall." She said, taking his arm. A long silence hung through the air. "So...do you have any close family?" Gwen asked conversationally.
Gwen stepped lightly across the deck, and towards the grounds. "I suppose. But one does need some noise to a degree."
Peter searched around for Jane.
Alena stood up quickly, and wiped her dust covered skirt. "I should be going too."
"But sometimes noise isn't so bad." Gwen said nervously messing with the seem of her gown. "Sometimes silence is louder than noise."
Peter squeezed Linnet's hand but paused the doors. He quickly stepped back and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Linnet."
"Of course I wouldn't be...
Gwen was became slightly nervous when he shut the door. Aside from the couple talking several yards away, they were completely alone. (I suppose I should have said meters considering how this is a European kingdom but oh well)
"I should probably get back inside." Peter started. "The queen may...
Gwen nodded and leaned against the banister. "These gatherings last forever." She complained mildly.
Peter paused his conversation when he noticed Linnet was staring off. He followed her gaze. He saw a saw a tall man chatting nonchalantly with a young women. "Who is that?" He asked, a touch...
Gwen laughed and allowed William to drag her towards the doors. "What interest do you have in going there. The party is inside."
Alena flopped back on his bed. "What'll I do? I cannot possibly stay any longer...can I?"
Gwen let out a dramatic sigh. "Well I suppose it would be rude to let go go alone." She replied with fake exaggeration.
Alena sat quietly waiting for him to continue. Clearly he didn't know a thing about the tea. "How could I be so stupid." She whispered.
Gwen rolled her eyes. "She's much too careful and cheery. No adventure in that one."
"Nevermind. I'm sorry to have brought it up." Peter said grumpily.
Alena frowned. "It had you signature."
"Her?" Gwen gasped. "Oh she is such a bore!" She exclaimed in a fit of giggles.
Peter shook his head. "No. Dont worry about me."
"You left a note....with the tea." Alena said slowly.
"With a stranger?" Gwen asked in mock despair.
Peter growled in frustration. "It isn't safe for you...or the baby." He added with a touch of concern.
Audric shrugged and returned to his plate.
----
"The one you left me." Alena said as if it was obvious.
Gwen smiled brightly. "Good evening to you."
"We can't keep this quiet forever." Peter said softly.
Audric snorted. "Is that what you think of it?" He replied sarcastically.
"But...the note?" Alena was beyond confused.
Gwen gave Edmund a pilot curtsey. "My pleasure." She sat a few seats away from the king. She saw the masked gentleman she danced with previously sitting in the corner looking at her. She gave a small wave.
Peter sighed. "What are we going to do?"
Audric raised a questioning eyebrow at Mariah...
"She is fine." Gwen replied airily. "Though my duties often take away my time with her."
"Very." Peter replied quickly. Had Linnet noticed she was to be his date for the evening?
Alena frowned. "I remember coming to your room with the your new vest."
"I know not much more than yourself." Gwen replied with a frown. "We do not see one another very often."
"A lady in waiting? Oh! You must mean Lady Jane." (Jane right?) Peter shrugged. "We have spoken before."