A small splash of light crept between the curtains, spilling across the room in a soft beam that fell upon the carpeted floor.
Two pairs of shoes rested by the door, one pair of smart leather brogues, neatly aligned side by side and one pair of golden heels, erratically strewn as if they had been kicked from the owner’s feet. The silken blue of a ball dress adorned the carpet just beyond the shoes and was soon accompanied by a considerably crumpled looking black shirt.
As the morning drifted onwards the light pooled wider, illuminating the young couple upon the bed.
Intertwined limbs lay still and peaceful atop the lush mattress and the only movement was the steady rise and fall of their sleeping chests.
The young man’s lips were slightly parted and a happy glow had settled across his flushed cheeks, his arms encircled his companion’s waist tightly and she, in turn, was pressed close against his chest, fingers gracing the side of his neck.
As the light grew in intensity the couple began to stir. The boy was the first to open his eyes he did so with very little movement. At first his eyes flitted towards the window, as if searching for the source of his awakening and then they very swiftly came upon the face of the young lady in his arms. He could hardly control the smile that possessed him then and it was at that moment that she herself woke up.
“Good morning, blossom.”
She smiled into his chest at this, still too fresh from slumber to speak in return. Carefully, he caught her chin with his finger tips and tilted her face towards his.
For a moment, they did nothing more than stare into each other’s eyes but after a few seconds had passed she closed the distance and placed a soft kiss upon his lips.
“It took you long enough, Ramsford.”
He laughed loudly and pushed her back, climbing on top of her as they tussled.
“You shall address me properly, My Lady, else I will have to set Bertrand upon you!”
The pair laughed louder as she began to tickle the young lord playfully, kissing his neck.
Maxwell had just begun another taunt when she quickly pressed a finger to his lips. He began to protest but when he saw the look of concentration on her face and he began to listen too.
Footsteps.
He swore and rolled of the bed, catching himself before he hit the floor and began scrambling around the room, throwing his crumpled shirt on and hopping on one leg as he tried to pull on his shoes.
He could hear the footsteps getting closer and whirled back to face the bed. Upon seeing the panic on the young woman’s face he bounded back to her.
“Maxwell!” She exclaimed in a hushed whisper.
“I’m going! Stop worrying so much.”
She looked at him, leaning over her with his shirt open to his chest and hair dishevelled, that grin plastered wide across his face and she couldn’t help it. She hooked her fingers into his collar and pulled him into a kiss that took him by surprise. They began to deepen the kiss and almost became carried away before they were interrupted by a sharp rap upon the door.
“My Lady.” Bertrand’s voice rang clearly through the thick woodwork. “May I enter?”
With one last grin Maxwell pulled away and bounded for the window, winking back at her as he ducked out onto the balcony behind, slipping out of sight just as the door swung open and the elder Duke of Ramsford entered the room.
He quickly became flustered as he saw that she was still in her bedsheets and he averted his gaze.
“Apologies, my Lady, but you really should be ready by now. Quite frankly I am shocked that you think it is acceptable to lie in this long on the day of the Coronation Ball! We have much to prepare.”
His frown settled even deeper into his stern features.
“Now if you will excuse me, I need to find my insubordinate brother. He appears to be absent from his chamber.”