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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 12:34:04 GMT -5
The dinner party had gone a bit better than I had originally anticipated, but that was more because I got to witness the flurry that Augusts presence made than anything else. As expected, the Duchesse had behaved well, though with an underlying feel of lust; her breasts magically plumped themselves up after we were shown in, and she managed to sit next to him nearly the entire night. I had struggled so hard not to laugh at it, and neither did I miss the little looks she gave me when she thought I wasn't noticing. I had, of course, shown up with him. No doubt she was furious at me for not warning her beforehand.
After, we'd agreed on a walk in the park to help wind the night down, and as I exited his carriage I was glad for it. The air was a little cool, but pleasant still, and best of all, it was fresh. I took a deep breath in as I moved out of the way of the short steps of the carriage, giving August plenty of room to come down.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 14, 2008 12:39:01 GMT -5
I took Miri's arm and headed us towards a path that would meander next to the little pond.
"Doesn't this air feel wonderfully fresh and open after what we - I mean I've- just endured?" I asked with a chuckle.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 12:43:30 GMT -5
I laughed openly at that, enjoying the ability to finally be able to do so. "She was laying it on a bit thick, wasn't she?" I chuckled as I meandered next to him, gazing down along the cultured pond shore. "Ah, well, you're just the wanted man of the night. Charming, dashing, and a prince? Who could resist?" I grinned, teasing, enjoying the way the moonlight played off of the water.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 14, 2008 12:57:41 GMT -5
I couldn't have asked for a better opening if I'd scripted it myself.
"Could you?" I asked, stopping and meeting her gaze. "Resist me that is?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 13:02:21 GMT -5
I couldn't tell if he were being serious or if he were leading up to a grand tease. "My self control would like to think so," I responded with a smile. I was still trying to figure him out, to see if it were sincerity or a jest he were leaning towards. For all I'd known him through my life, sometimes I didn't know what he was thinking, as I was sure there were times he didn't understand my mind, either.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 14, 2008 13:12:35 GMT -5
My hand came up and I caressed her cheek softly.
"I want to court you," I told her honestly. "I have realized that I love you and want to be with you."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 13:21:31 GMT -5
My jaw dropped.
Had we been walking, I'd have stumbled over my own two feet; as it was I merely looked at him, surprised, not knowing how exactly to react to him.
"Why?" I asked before I could think on it, becoming abruptly aware that he was touching my cheek. I blushed and ducked my head down, trying to gain my bearings and wit before continuing.
After a moment of gathering, I looked back up at him, my eyes searching his. I knew it, understood now why he had been acting the way he had after the wedding, why he'd given me the ring. I could feel it as I thought on it, the metal warmed by my own bodily heat.
"Gillermo," I started, then thought on it again. "I'm sorry; I'm not making much sense. Why now, August? We've kknown each other forever..." Surely he didn't disdain Gil so much that he was trying to keep me from him. No... Not after the way he looked at me. That wasn't it.
Oh gods.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 14, 2008 14:16:43 GMT -5
"Because I've changed... I've grown up more recently than I could have thought possible," I told her. There was a stone bench nearby and I drew over to it and down with so that we were both sitting.
"Everything that's happened since the moment Ambrose was attacked has changed me more than even war could. I've learned the value of love and how quickly it can slip through your fingers. I'm ready to be a grown-up now, to have a wife and a family," I tod her, my eyes on her so she could see the sincerity of my words. "And for all the women I have known, no one has ever meant more to me than you Miri. I have always loved you, but now I am in love with you. You are everything I could dream."
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 14:28:47 GMT -5
I followed him and sat as he directed, my gaze staring into his, lips parting as I listened to all he had to say. Everything he said he meant; I didn't need to stare into his eyes to know it. He wouldn't hurt me like that, wouldn't joke so far as this... I trusted him doubtlessly in that, but the fact was that I was still taken by surprise, still trying to digest what he said.
I let a moment pass before I spoke again, and when I did, I looked at his eyes, wanting to see just how he would react. "Gillermo just proposed to me yesterday," I said, my lips a touch numb, but my voice was steadier than I'd expected it to be. "You've always meant so much to me, August. You and Sabriel both were my best friends growing up, and when Sabriel left, you were still there for me to lean on." Memories of our long night together, clinging to one another in hopes of chasing away fear and hurt sprang up to my mind, and I blushed fiercely. "I've always loved you too... I know you know that."
Gods, I nearly felt faint. Gillermos proposal was still very fresh in my mind, and now August admitted his love, of wanting to court. I swallowed.
August loved me. He loved me.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 14, 2008 14:32:36 GMT -5
Gathering her hands in mine, i cradled them tenderly. "I know this is a lot to tae in all at once, and I hope you believe me when I say that none of this is coming from jealousy or just because another wants you," I said softly. "You don't have to answer me now, but I wanted you to know how I feel. Please just say you'll think about it?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 14, 2008 14:40:11 GMT -5
I blushed again, this time because not only was everything sinking in finally, but because of the way he was treating me, his words. "Of course," I said, my voice an echo of his softness. "You don't know how much it means to me, August, to know that it's not stemming from jealousy."
I curled my fingers over his, returning the grip as I leaned forward, my forehead leaning on his chest. I looked down at the ring as I did, our hands tangled not too far below my face. It sparkled in the dim light, the sapphire catching the moonlight and reflecting it countless times in its depths. Of everyone who knew me, August knew me best, but I'd need time to think before I could make any decisions. Gillermo and I had an extensive history already, and August and I had our childhood together. I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat for a long moment.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 15, 2008 20:13:25 GMT -5
Tenderly, I wrapped my arms around her and cradled her against me. She felt so amazingly right in my arms. I laid my cheek against her hair and just held her, not feeling the need for words just being here with her was enough for now.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 15, 2008 21:43:35 GMT -5
I slowly relaxed in his arms, feeling the tension in me melt away piece by piece. Everything his revelation had brought into me wasn't bad; it was just new. More than that, it was surprising.
I reached up without moving away, letting my hand slowly move along his ribs until I was holding him back with one arm, then the other, pressing just a little closer.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 0:40:05 GMT -5
I smiled more as her arm went around me. Turning my head slightly, I kissed the top of her head.
"We should have skipped the dinner party and just done this," I said softly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 0:44:35 GMT -5
I paid more attention to the press of his lips this time than I had before our walk, testing out the feel of it, enjoying the sensation of warmth. His words made me smile, a quiet laugh shaking my chest slightly.
Leaning back, I looked up at him. "You're crazy, do you know that?" My smile grew, brightening some as I reached up, brushing a lock of his hair off his forehead. "I've known it for years now, but you've definitely just confirmed it."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 0:52:53 GMT -5
"Yes, but it's the fun and amusing sort of crazy, so that's alright," I replied, grinning.
I had recently known the other sort of crazy very intimately, so I knew the difference well.
"Are you saying the dinner party was more enjoyable than this?" I asked teasingly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 0:58:53 GMT -5
I laughed again, shaking my head. "As much fun as it was watching the Duchesse torment you, no, I can't say I'd pick that over this." I paused as if in thought, then glanced up at him with a sparkle of humor in my eye. "Now, if it were the Duchesse and her robust friend..."
I laughed again and leaned back closer for a swift moment. The Duchesses friend was a force of her own to be reckoned with; I had a feeling that I'd have been squeezed out completely if they'd decided to tag team him. I smiled up, comfortable and utterly relaxed.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 1:01:33 GMT -5
"Gods forefend that should ever happen," I said with a shudder. "It would be like being the only piece of meat in a pack of hounds."
I chuckled and smiled down at her. then, unable to help myself, I closed the bit of distance and pressed my lips gently to hers.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 1:04:45 GMT -5
I was beginning to laugh again when he kissed me, causing most of it to fade away to silence relatively quickly. I kissed him back as my pulse quickened ever so slightly, my lips parting, remembering him in a way that made my cheeks blush all over again.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 1:14:36 GMT -5
As much as I desired her, I had been expecting nothing more than a quick kiss. Her reaction made me moan softly as my own lips parted and I kissed her much more deeply.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 1:19:13 GMT -5
My breath caught as he pressed deeper into my mouth, and I opened up as he asked, continuing to test the waters with him. At this particular moment, though, it was beginning to switch over from testing to something deeper, more bodily.
I raised my hand and touched his cheek as we kissed, a soft sound of pleasure emitting from me.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 1:21:45 GMT -5
Panting, my blood pounding hard in my veins, I broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.
"Miri," I whispered, my want obvious in my tone.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 1:25:19 GMT -5
I returned the look he gave me and stroked his cheek, aching to have our lips reunited again, to continue exploring. "Take me home, August," I whispered to him, almost pleading, my cheeks flush with a quickly growing desire.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 12:32:15 GMT -5
Yes! Oh gods yes! My body screamed. My heart had a different plan in mind.
"Miri, gods I want you, but I want to do this right as well. I don't want you to think my intentions are fleeting and fueled by only passion," I said, torn between my desires.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 12:36:59 GMT -5
My heart fluttered at the passion that swelled in his eyes; it was a fluttering even his words couldn't diminish. I smiled and stroked his cheek again, then leaned up and kissed his forehead. "I didn't think that," I said, my voice whisper-soft against his skin. "And you're right, too."
I leaned back again and looked out over the pond, the cool air brushing over my flushed cheeks. "Shall we continue our walk?" I offered, glancing back at him with a quiet smile.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 12:39:15 GMT -5
"Probably a wise path," I said with a smile and soft chuckle. Standing, I offered her my hand.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 12:44:09 GMT -5
"Of course it is," I said in a light tease as I accepted his hand. Rising, I slid my hand up to take his arm, ready to begin the quiet walk again.
"Are you going to the Hunt fete?" I asked, glancing up at him.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 12:46:47 GMT -5
"I am," I said with a nod as we walked. "What about you?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jan 16, 2008 12:50:19 GMT -5
"A chance to dress up?" I smiled as I spoke, feeling still as if I'd fallen into a dream. "Of course."
It was different already; we were walking now as maybe-courters, not as age-old friends. Well, that too, I supposed, but there was more to it now.
Much more.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jan 16, 2008 12:55:10 GMT -5
"Oh yes, how could I think you'd miss a chance for a new outfit?" I asked with a laugh. "Shall I lay claim to a dance or two now, or will I have to beg?"
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