Kathryn made one last check of her costume in the full-length mirror before her.
She was dressed as a medieval maiden. A long slim dress, the bodice snug and low cut. The pleated skirt fell from a gold girdle at her hips, and the tight sleeves ended in a point on top of her hands. It was made of a silky, stretchy fabric that fell in heavy folds around her body. Her blonde hair was made waist length by cleverly applied extensions and was kept under control by a simple gold coronet.
On her feet were soft leather pointed-toed shoes.
The outfit made her feel beautiful and seductive - Maid Marion crossed with Lady Godiva (before she undressed and got on the horse!) And to think that the last time they were wearing dresses like was at least 700 years ago.
Taking a deep breath, she left her room.
The New Year's Eve fancy dress ball was being held in a Tudor manor house about an hours drive north of London.
Most of the walls were covered in heavy oak panelling and as Kathryn swept down the grand straircase, she admired large oil paintings of various members of the family going back to Henry VIII.
Looking down on the huge entrance hall, she could see the party was already in full swing. And how sumptuous and colourful everyone was. She could see all the grand ladies and romantic heroes of history. All in obviously bespoke costumes. This was definitely an up market fancy dress party. Not a gorilla suit or a Tarzan in sight.
She took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and strolled around the periphery of the throng on the dance floor. She smiled as she caught the eye of Marie Antoinette.
Kathryn still hadn't found her friend Sophie, who's fiancé Jake's house they were in and who had invited her to this fancy dress ball to end all fancy dress balls.
In a mood to explore, and knowing Jake wouldn't mind, she wandered off into a quiet room.
She discovered a beautiful antique chess board on a low table in front of a large fire. The exquisitely carved wooden pieces were set up for a new game. The only light in the room came from the fire, the flickering of which revealed walls of leather bound books. She sat down on a large squashy cushion at the white side of the board and lightly fingered the delicate carving on the chessmen. The white pieces were made of ivory, yellowed with age. The black pieces looked to be of highly polished ebony.
She suddenly had the feeling she was no longer alone. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Othello – well, he was tall and black and dressed in breeches and high boots. The whiteness of the lace on his shirt stood out against his dark skin. He even had a sword! He paused in the firelight looking impossibly romantic, then strode over to the board and sat down opposite Kathryn.
He picked up the Black Queen and regarded the piece thoughtfully.
'Do you play?' Kathryn asked.
'Of course. You?' His voice was exotic – with a slight accent she couldn't place.
'Yes'
'Would you like a game?'
'Sure'
'What shall we play for?'
'Isn't winning enough?
'Why don't we play for something more....interesting?!'
'What did you have in mind?
He paused, as if pondering the question.
'How about one item of clothing' He paused again. 'Or a kiss, for each lost piece?'
He fingered the Black Queen as he looked directly into Kathryn's face, daring her to accept. His eyes were very dark and his only expression a hint of a smile.
'Okay' Kathryn said.
Kathryn was white, so got the first move. He put his Queen back in place next to the black King.
She moved a pawn. He did the same. She brought out a bishop, along the diagonal. He deployed one of his knights in its characteristic L shape. Another pawn, then the white Queen was on the attack. The Queen is the most powerful piece on the board, being able to move wherever she likes. She is the most aggressive in the role as defender of her King.
Slowly, troops were mobilized, and the board started to look cluttered. There needed to be some captures.
The first casualty was one of Kathryn's knights.
'It's begun' she thought.
'So, what's it to be?' he said, with a gleam in his eye. 'Clothing or a kiss?' He removed the piece from the board.
Kathryn reached down under the table and removed one of her soft leather shoes. With a defiant flourish she handed it to him.
'Thank-you. Your move' he said.
She moved her bishop in a forced, and as it turned out, ill - advised attack. He was merciless in relieving her of it.
She met his gaze and handed him her other shoe.
Kathryn was quickly realising that she was totally outclassed in this game, but found herself becoming more and more excited by the prospect of undressing herself for the handsome stranger opposite whose name she didn't even know. But she could sense he wanted a sporting game, even though he had the upper hand.
So, in a flash of inspiration and opportunity, she trapped him in a knight's fork.
