|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Dec 14, 2007 14:01:03 GMT -5
Depending on how you approached the hour, it was beastly either way. It was too early to be going out and reveling, but too late to get any decent sleep before said reveling. So here I was, returned to the town house to pick up more of my things and slowly move them into my finished apartments over the warehouse. I'd rather choke than stay here any longer with my sanctimonious older brother anyway.
And Juliette. Gods, Juliette. The fever boiling my brain. How she could love and adore a knob polisher like my brother I'd never understand. Didn't she know he barely knew her name while we were children? He'd never even looked at her mooning after him all these years. I'd always seen her. Older, lovely Juliette, so perfect to tease, the hot blush in her cheeks. Granted, once I'd fallen for that mercenary whore at Bryony I'd forgotten her. But hells, with the things Saffryn could do to a man, who wouldn't forget the girl who only looked at you as a little brother?
As for now, my fixation on her... it was only partially unrequited childhood love. The rest was a mix of animal attraction and spite. She was more lovely now than when we were children. She hated me. And she still blushed so beautifully when I teased her, even as she fought back. The combination of her new found spunk and those hot blushes made me hard just thinking on it. She was also a very rich Duchesse, and my oblivious brother had finally woken up and noticed what she was offering.
Intolerable. Gratien got everything, he shouldn't get her as well. He didn't deserve something as fine as Juliette. To be honest, neither did I. I wasn't even worthy enough to kiss her slippers. But it wouldn't stop me from trying. I was what I was, a gambler, a lover of women. She had been the first girl to capture my fancy if not my heart. If I could get into her bed, and mayhap take her some of her affection from Gratien, it would be enough. I was no fool to harbor illusions of love. Marriage was for others, not me.
If nothing else I needed to have her just once to purge her from my blood. No doubt that's what it really was. She didn't want me, and it only served to inflame me. I'd tire of her, I just knew it. Now, to convince the fair maiden...
I went into my rooms and tossed my belongings into a few trunks. Servants could fetch them later and ship them to the warehouse. Renovations were my no means complete. No matter, it was livable, and far away from the incessant moaning that came from his rooms every time she was over. I grit my teeth on the thought, hating the visual that it aroused. Bastard. If she were in my bed, it would be screams not just moans.
Hasty packing done I went downstairs to the common rooms to find a servant. Mayhap I'd stay long enough to say goodbye to Azabelle and let her know of my plans. Bugger the other two.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Dec 22, 2007 2:25:41 GMT -5
The first night of the hunt we had gone to my place, and so it seemed only fair that we retire to the Somerville's on the second night. We had left Pierre and Azabelle still there, and I had no worries about Reese. He was never home at this time of the day, he was always off gambling. So it was safe.
There had only been time enough in the carriage for some teasing, so we were both flushed and beginning to look mussed when we entered the house. I had to step aside quickly as a servant came through with a trunk. I looked to Gratien, brow raised in question. For it wasn't the only trunk sitting in the hall.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Dec 22, 2007 18:24:24 GMT -5
I was in the formal sitting room off the main hall when I heard someone come in. One of my siblings no doubt. Likely Aza. Gratien had spent the last few nights with Juliette, the bastard, so I was probably safe from his questioning.
I had a large stack of papers spread in front of me, bills, receipts, a few contracts, and the latest summary from my solicitor and banker. I was a very wealthy man, and the new owner of the city block my warehouse was built on. I just needed one more permit before I could set my plans in motion officially. It filled me with dark satisfaction.
The Black Prince, gambler and whore-monger of the illustrious Somerville clan opening a casino and running it himself. Oh it delighted me, to do something so public and menial as owning a business. I leaned back in the chair and grinned.
Hopefully it was Aza in the hall, I'd love to run my ideas past my bookish sister and glean any advice I could. She was terribly clever that way.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 9, 2008 15:56:35 GMT -5
I looked to Julie as she looked to me, I had noticed the trunks and was as curious as she was to the goings on of my house. Narrowing my eyes on the stacked items I digested the thoughts running through my head then spoke.
"Hello." I called out to the house, hoping the voice to respond was not Reese's for I was beginning to suspect they were his trunks waiting.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 10:03:36 GMT -5
"Bloody rutting Hells!" I cursed softly under my breath upon hearing my older brother's voice from the entry hall. No doubt my mouse was with him, clinging to his side, looking rumbled from his kisses and adoring of his nancy self. It was not to be borne tonight. Besides, that prat didn't need to know my plans, he wasn't my keeper.
Silently I stood and looked down at the papers on the desk. My future, my fortune. It made me want to laugh with mad abandon. None of them had a clue about it. Reese the Dissolute Gambler, had en0ugh money to buy a title and lands if I so pleased. The feeling made me feel reckless. My fingers slipped to my pocket, smoothing over the touchstone I kept there, the familiar hard edges soothing.
Bugger it.
I gathered up my papers, making no effort to be quiet and strode into the hall where my trunks were. She clung to his arm, looking luscious, her mouth freshly kissed and slightly swollen. Bastard. Nonchalantly I slipped the writing case into a waiting satchel and gave them a lazy smile, one I hardly felt. But it was expected from me.
"Well, I wonder what brings you two home at this hour." It was as insinuating as my casual tone could make it.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 10, 2008 12:49:23 GMT -5
The object of my fears appeared in the hall, that charming smile on his face. The one that had convinced so many ladies to follow him out of the room. Thank Elua I knew better. He hadn’t even remembered Raegan’s name, I recalled seeing his mind churning hard when I had brought up the subject.
My cheeks burned from his insinuating tone, and it took most of what I had not to hide behind Gratien. I remained silent, both not having anything to say and trying to let Gratien handle it. Though I did cross my arms in front of me as if to ward the younger brother away. I wish I could be angry rather than just scared and embarrassed. I could use anger, both against him and the nightmares that were plaguing me. The only way to guarantee a full night’s sleep was with Gratien slumbering at my side. And they were becoming harder to forget in the daylight as time progressed, even under the bluest of skies.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 13:10:51 GMT -5
The look on Juliette's face was a sucker punch to the gut. It left me breathless and aching. She looked scared, ready to flee at a moment and angry with herself and me because of it. If she could have crawled behind him with her pride intact I'd have bet good money she would have.
It hurt. Was I such a monster to her? Well, yes. I'd spent our childhood tormenting her for her attention. And lately, well, I'd been a right bastard to her, because of Gratien and my own resurrected feelings for her. I wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, a simple caress to say I was sorry.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and clenched the touchstone there, feeling the sharp edges cut into my palm. It helped ground me. My gaze stayed on Juliette's and I held my silence. I'd let Gratien talk. And think of a story to feed him.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 14:04:40 GMT -5
I was in such a pleasent mood until Reese showed his presence in the hall. Almost immediately I felt Julie tense beside me and the silent exchange between the two spoke volumes to me and my anger was hard to keep under check. Knowing what I knew now, knowing what he did to her in the bathing room. I wanted badly to jump the space between us and pummel him right there. Instead I gave a forced smile.
"Yes, well I'm quite surprised your at home. Shouldn't you be out drinking?" It wasn't the most mature thing to say, but it came out almost unbidden and since he had the need to speak of us, well...
I brought my hand up to caress Julie's hand on my arm trying to keep things light with her.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 14:53:29 GMT -5
I hated him with a crystal clarity that shocked me in its intensity. He had every right and privilege to touch her as he willed. Her ardent permission to bestow any caress he wanted. It was envious acid eating me from the inside.
Bastard.
I slouched against the door frame nonchalantly, rubbing a hand absently along my jaw. I still watched his hand on her. How I wanted to snatch hers away and pull her behind me, stake claim. Males really are possessive creatures. I could think of a dozen ways to mark her as 'mine'.
"Oh, soon enough. I figured I'd start off with the gambling. I'm just rounding up some of my personal things to put up for collateral at the tables. Then I think a nice brawl in the streets over the attentions of a whore to round the evening out before a stint in City lockup. Don't worry, I haven't resorted to stealing the silver yet." I laughed, a snort of pure irony. I had enough money to buy a tavern, and a game hall.
My master plan all along.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 10, 2008 14:58:35 GMT -5
He glared at me, not saying anything, hands clenched into fists in his pockets. I was caught by his gaze, wanting to flinch away but held there by the sheer emotion churning in his eyes. I had no idea what I had done to earn such a look.
And then Gratien spoke, and the spell was broken by the anger simmering in his voice. Oh Naamah, I could just see the downward spiral now. I didn’t want to be here, not in the same room as they fought. I stayed very still, eyes on a safe piece of tapestry, wishing I could disappear into the wall and return when this was all over. Gratien’s soft caress didn’t help any.
“Where are you actually going Reese?” The question was soft. I couldn’t help but asking, even though I was afraid he would lash out at me. They both had so much anger in them, I struggled to remain calm in the face of it.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 15:02:20 GMT -5
He was trying to bait me and I knew it.
"I'm sure that's exactly what he has planned for the evening." I said not taking my gaze away from Reese's actions. "We are talking about Reese after all."
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 15:47:15 GMT -5
She was studying the tapestry lined walls intently. I willed her to look at me, wanted it badly. Even for just a moment...
I ignored Gratien.
"Do you really want to know Juliette?" I said softly, just for her. I was terrified that too much of my blackened soul showed in my eyes at that moment.
I almost forgot Gratien was standing there, waiting to bash my face in, or at the very least scorn and mock me as he always did. How fucking little my own brother knew me. Or I him for that matter. How little I cared. The only thing I cared about in these horrible moments was if she would look at me, and truly want to know.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 10, 2008 16:19:23 GMT -5
Reese turned the question back around on me, and I cursed him inwardly. He was always doing that. Not only that, but his voice was so gentle, so intimate. Why was he doing that? Flashbacks from my nightmare hit me, his voice sliding into my soul. My grip on Gratien tightened, and my eyes closed tight. I needed something to ground me. You weren’t supposed to live dreams.
Knowing I couldn’t hide from reality in the darkness behind my eyelids, I finally opened my eyes and looked at him. “What do you think?”
Truth was, I didn’t know. But I was trying to act like an adult. Perhaps a bit of a lost cause, considering the other two.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 10, 2008 16:56:17 GMT -5
I felt deflated, utterly defeated by what I saw in her eyes. I scrubbed a hand over my face, looking away from her first. To hell with this. I really did need a drink now.
"No. I don't think you do want to know. You're just like him." My eyes flicked to my brother, still clenched and possessive at her side. She clung to him. Gods damn clung to him as if I were the devil, a fiend from hell sent to rape and kill her. I felt something in my chest give painfully. Damn her. Damn them both.
I surely was.
"Gratien's right. I'm 'Just Reese, after all'. Packing up a few of my nonessentials and selling them to pay my gambling debts. If you want to search through them, be my guest. I promise nothing is there that doesn't belong to me." I forced myself to step away from the wall, shrugging laconically.
"Take your time, I'm just going to nip upstairs and see what else I can add to the pile, then have a servant come march them away. That is, unless you're willing to front me a loan... brother?" Maybe I'd have a brawl tonight after all.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 12, 2008 23:59:14 GMT -5
I narrowed my eyes, still uneasy at the interaction between Reese and Julie. There was a strange look in his own gaze that I couldn't seem to figure out. The way he looked at me...well I knew the look. But there was this strange look about him when he staired at Julie. What was he playing at?
His words were meant to sting, they always were, but I simply gave him a rude smile.
"No, if I find anything missing I'll just write it down and charge it to you. Like as though you're patron in an inn." I said sarcastically with a bit of a bounce in my stance.
"As for the loan..." I chuckled. "You must think I'm some idiot and not your brother."
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 13, 2008 0:20:26 GMT -5
Of course. This is what we think of each other. He’s teased me for years, and I have given him the silent treatment. I shouldn’t care where he’s going, and he knows it.
Gods it made me sick. He was even worse than my brother. And I was fairly sure that if I dropped dead tomorrow, my brother would dance a little jig. So why did some little part of me still care?
“If you two are going to start hitting each other, I’m going upstairs,” I interjected, finally confused enough with myself that the anger was beginning to kick in. I shouldn't give a damn where he was going or if he went there with a black eye.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 13, 2008 0:24:47 GMT -5
I felt horrible now, I had almost forgotten that Julie was standing right there. Why would I think she'd want to be part of this mockery.
"No, of course not Julie." I said still keeping my sights on Reese. "I wouldn't lower myself to such an act." I added finally.
"Well, enjoy your gambling brother." I said using the same intination that he has used when he called me his brother.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Reese de Somerville on Jan 13, 2008 12:15:50 GMT -5
To hell with this. I stooped, slinging my satchel with all my papers over my shoulder. I gave Gratien a jaunty smirk I was in no way feeling and tipped an imaginary hat to him.
Then there was Juliette.
My little mouse was finally getting angry, and gods did she look beautiful. Though I hated the confusion lurking in her soft eyes. The smirk quickly died. She was a sorceress, truly and powerfully. I was obsessed, bewitched and all the more pathetic for it. What I wouldn't give for just a few minutes alone with her, to speak to her without my ass of a brother clinging to her arm.
Like that was ever going to happen. At least not here, and now. The fete. By the gods I would find a way to speak to her there without Gratien hovering over us.
"Well, I'll send someone to collect my loot. Don't strain anything tonight, Gratien." I shifted the bag and walked past them to the door.
As I brushed past Juliette, I couldn't help myself. My hand stole out and touched hers for a brief moment. Her hands were bare, those damned gloves missing.
Her skin was like silk.
Just as quickly it was over and I was out the door and in the main courtyard. I caught a stable lad and told him to find a servant and collect my things then have them delivered to my club. I slipped him a few pence and the address to the building. That done, it was time for drinking, until I was oblivious and could no longer remember what she felt like.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 13, 2008 12:50:28 GMT -5
I jerked back from his touch in surprise. My skin was so damned sensitive that it sent tingles up my entire arm. And then he was gone, leaving me feeling like I did when I woke from those bloody dreams. Lost and confused. I was angry, yes, but not nearly enough to shake the cloud that hung over my mind. I should have kept my riding gloves on in the carriage.
Not that the shield would have helped any. It was still Reese.
I turned to Gratien then, still humming with anger, and buried my face in his chest. A small part of me asked why I was looking for stability in someone who felt as if he was ready to slug another certain someone, but I ignored it. If there was any time to let him comfort me, this was it. I felt like a child again, lost in a waking dream.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 13, 2008 13:04:47 GMT -5
I turned toward Julie as she turned into me and wrapped my arms around her tightly. Reese had done something to her as he had departed the house as I had felt Julie jerk toward me as he passed her. What was going on here? What was Reese playing at?
Thoughts ran through my head as I held onto Julie, the things I was thinking...well I wasn't sure I wanted to completely voice my opinion on it. I wondered if Julie thought those things too, if she was part of this, if she knew what Reese was doing.
"Are you alright?" I asked after a moment, though I wasn't done with my own inner monologue. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten into it with him. Not with you here."
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 13, 2008 13:17:05 GMT -5
I began to relax in tiny increments against his strong body. “It’s alright. He would drive a Balm to anger.” I replied as I breathed in his scent deeply, apples pillowing my senses. “He certainly gets me every time.”
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 13, 2008 13:32:52 GMT -5
I stroked her head softly, my mind still running. "Yes...every time." I whispered softly adding things to lists and pondering the possibilities.
|
|
|
Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jan 13, 2008 14:00:42 GMT -5
One last deep breath, and I was ready to leave his arms for the brief moment it would take to get out of the front hall. "Come on, let's go upstairs." I said softly, lifting my head from his chest and looking up at him. He was obviously thinking hard, and though I wondered, I didn't ask.
|
|
Prince Gratien de Somerville
Royal
His Highness the Comte d'Azur and Prince of the Blood; House Somerville
Married to Lola de las Aragonia. Brother of Azabel, Reese & Pierre de Somerville
Posts: 1,486
|
Post by Prince Gratien de Somerville on Jan 13, 2008 14:08:28 GMT -5
"Good idea." I said softly taking her hand in mine I began to lead her up the stairs and toward my room.
|
|