May Day in the northern village of Scarborough has come upon the little town, excitement and anticipation hung in the air, encompassing everyone who entered the village bounds. As ladies let their hair down from coifs and braids, and everyone donned their best flower crowns, the streets were alive with flirtatious exchanges and laughter. Throughout the day, the visiting members of the court on progress and the poorest members of society alike sent flowers and gifts to those who held their affection or attraction. It is a day of complete freedom; as the day wore on, exchanges grew more intense between potential lovers and new friends. When the day drew to a close, the Maypole sat against the setting sun, wrapped in a rainbow of colors from the ribbon, and Scarborough came together in the town center to continue celebrating through the night.
Freifrau Matilda von Gotter, visiting with the English court on progress, watched the evening frivolities alone at a small table at the festival. This was her first May Day in England, and she found herself continually stunned at the lustful behavior of the English. She understood that lust occurred among men, although she was hidden away in a castle with Amalia von Kleve in her home in the Germanies, this would have been unheard of for women of her station. Matilda took a long drink of her Radler, a lemon and beer mix, from the stein she brought from her home, allowing the cool liquid to refresh her and calm her nerves. It was important to keep herself collected and focused. It was her duty to put aside her desires for the benefit of her family, so she resided herself to watching villagers and nobles alike romping and reveling together- she could never allow herself such freedom, but how nice it must be to connect with others so freely. Music played, and men and women laughed so loudly that they drowned out individual conversations, leaving only hints of the topics seen by the body language of couples in each other's arms or friends playing games and pranks.
A calm voice interrupted her mesmerized focus; "Good evening, Freifrau", said Sir John Russell, Baron of Bedford, through a smirk, sitting beside her at the otherwise empty table. "What keeps you from enjoying the festivities?" he asks, leaning in slightly closer to her. Matilda looked at him, wide-eyed, shocked that he would be so bold- a symptom of the holiday, she figured. "I'm enjoying them very well from here," she responded stiffly. John smiled warmly at her. "I enjoyed dancing passacalle with you earlier this eve," he mentioned with a tone of mischief, referencing the Italian dance that displays a romantic meeting in a Venetian street. The indication of the licentious promenade caused her to flush suddenly. Clearing her throat, she responded, "I did as well, Baron Bedford," quietly hoping he wouldn't notice her reddening cheeks in the candlelight.
An interruption of some clamorous shouts in the group before them broke their attentions, as Matthew Stuart, Lord Lennox, seemed to cause a commotion in the group, and some strange confusion with a burning sleeve caught the attention of the revelers. Lord Lennox and the Freifrau had been discussing potential courtship for weeks, and John let out a judgmental laugh. "Lord Lennox, truly, Freifrau?" John comments between his laughs. "You can do much better," he affirms as he holds her hand and brings it softly to his lips. A pause quiets them both for a moment as he looks into her eyes, and he kisses her hand again, slightly lower, his lips pressed between the crevice between her first and second fingers, kissing the flesh there softly with his tongue, delicately exploring the space as though his tongue were between her legs. Matilda let out an involuntary gasp, and John gently turned her hand up to her palm. He pushed her sleeve up just a bit to reveal the bare of her wrist, and he kissed the pale skin, inhaling the sweet scent of her sandalwood and rose perfume, before taking his leave with a nod. Matilda found herself dizzied by the brash flirtation of her acquaintance and watched him, stunned, as he sauntered away. Lord Lennox briskly walked up to Matilda, brushing his scorched sleeve, muttering something quickly and in heavy Scots about Mistress Gilmore and something about his horse and the Vale. Matilda attempted to listen but found herself feeling almost intoxicated, and pressed her lips against her wrist as though she might feel Baron Bedford's lips against her own. She nodded absent-mindedly to Lennox as he vented to her about his frustrations while her mind and body buzzed with an unfamiliar ache.
After some time, Lord Lennox leaves again into the revel, finding himself in conversation with Mistress Gilmore, leaving Matilda alone again at her table. She removed her sleeves, feeling oddly warm, and allowing herself the smallest bit of impropriety. She could hear John's footsteps come up behind her again, and then she felt the tips of her fingers caressing the top of her shoulder, his tracing a trail with ease to her neck, and along the top of her back to her right shoulder, causing her skin to tremble with goosebumps. John invited himself next to her again, sitting even closer this time. Matilda looked down, shocked as his thigh pressed against hers. She wondered if this was why English women wore hoop skirts, to keep men at a distance. She did not, however, find herself wanting to move away; rather, she settled into his closeness. "Would you care to try something, Freifrau?" John asks her as he sets a handkerchief with blueberries on the table. "I have had blueberries before, Baron Bedford," Matilda responds curtly, turning slightly to face him. He chuckles and takes a slice of the yellow citrus cut on the table. "I think I can surprise you, if you would care to try and trust me," he says tenderly, touching her hand with the same tenderness. Matilda nodded, and John beamed at her choice. "Close your eyes, and open your mouth," he instructs. She inhaled, feeling nervous as her heart seemed to beat hard against her chest, and did so. Matilda felt the weight of two full blueberries placed gently on her tongue. Her eyebrows indicated her confusion, and John whispered to her to wait. John then took a slice of the citrus, squeezed the juice onto her tongue, and slowly touched her lips to the fruit's flesh, leaving a trace of sour liquid on her lips. John gently touched her chin, shutting her mouth as Matilda bit down on the blueberries, and the sweet and sour mixture from the fruits played like a harp in her mouth. She was delighted and could not stifle her laugh. John laughed with her as he ate the same. Matilda covered her mouth in surprise after her tongue touched the lemon from her lips, and with a sigh, she seemed to relax. Despite herself, she felt eager, excited. "Again," she demanded, opening her mouth and leaning toward him. John gently touched one hand to Matilda's face as he repeated his blueberry-lemon mixture. This time, however, after she closed her mouth, John leaned in close and pressed his lips against hers. Matilda was stunned to find herself melting in return to the kiss, returning it as eagerly as she demanded another bite of fruit. When they separated their gentle kiss, John looked at Matilda, and asked her, "Again?" to which she nodded, slowly, surprised at her willingness to consider such a risk. He kissed her again, his hands gently holding her face, then gently his hand moved down to her bare shoulder and then to her waist, pulling her in closer to him.