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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 12, 2008 23:44:21 GMT -5
"I'll come with you," I said. "We can talk there, it's private."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 0:24:43 GMT -5
“Alright,” I said, standing and lifting her with me. I carried her into my room, setting her on the edge of my bed and going to pour her a glass of water. I brought it back and offered it to her.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 0:27:21 GMT -5
I was surprised that he was carrying me; I could still walk, after all, but I said nothing about it, only enjoyed the tenderness he was showing me. He set me down and when he brought me the water, I accepted the glass and drained it, not stopping until the glass was empty. "Thank you," I said. "May I have more, please?" I was still so thirsty.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 11:39:42 GMT -5
“Of course,” I said, refilling the glass and bringing it to her. “Do you want something more than water?”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 11:40:41 GMT -5
I shook my head. "I'm not very hungry," I said, accepting the glass once more. "Thank you." I sipped this second glass more slowly.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 11:59:52 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but smile softly. “I was thinking something a little stronger than water maybe,” I said, then sat down next to her on the bed. “Just let me know if there’s anything like that you want.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 12:05:09 GMT -5
I shook my head again. I didn't need my thoughts addled any more than they already were. "I will," I said, "and thank you again."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 15:48:59 GMT -5
“You’re welcome, love,” I said, looking at her and waiting until she seemed really ready to talk.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 16:18:41 GMT -5
I started at the glass in my hand, trying to think of what to say. "I don't know what was said in your study," I said finally, "and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I think that, with respect, if I knew, perhaps we could talk over what just happened and arrive at a well-thought-out decision."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 16:31:25 GMT -5
“Well,” I began, looking for the briefest way to put things. “Nothing good was said. He told me that I was cruel and a tyrant, and when I asked him exactly what I had done to earn those words he refused to back up his claims. I told him that he’d better watch himself or I would never let you marry him, no matter what your fathers said. He’s under the delusion that he will be able to run and tattle to the Queen and get her to force my hand. I explained to him that if he wanted to go above my head that the proper place was to go to the Sovereign Duc.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 16:33:28 GMT -5
I looked at him, wide-eyed. "That's terrible," I told him honestly. "What did you say to him?" I was sure that though Justin had said unkind things, Alain had probably said some things too.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 16:35:46 GMT -5
“What do you mean?” I asked, choosing my words carefully. I wasn’t blameless in all this, but I also wasn’t the only one at fault and would not let her pin it on me.
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 16:38:54 GMT -5
I gave him an understanding smile before resuming a serious expression, for I knew the situation was deadly serious. "I know that Justin said some very unkind things," I said carefully. "I don't expect that you...brushed them off or ignored them."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 16:42:44 GMT -5
“Well, at first I told him that I didn’t believe the two of you could be in love after just having met for one night. I told him that I wasn’t about to let you get married only to find yourself alone and miserable a year later,” I told her. “After that, it was mostly me trying to get him to defend his views of me, his slanderous words, and him refusing to and running away.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 16:50:46 GMT -5
I nodded. "He told you we were in love?" I asked incredulously. I was surprised to hear that, for Justin had not said that to me at all. "He did not say as much to me," I said carefully, "but he was very earnest when we spoke of the future, and I came to believe that our liking and affection for each other would grow into a mature love."
I paused. "I think, with all due respect, that Justin was upset to see me upset, and, wrongfully of course, took it out on you. And of course, his anger made you angry, and when parties are angry with one another, little can be accomplished." I paused again. "I am not asking you for a decision or final word now. But perhaps, as Justin suggested to me, we can enjoy a cordial luncheon together, after everyone has had a chance to cool off, and you may speak calmly to one another, so you can each see how the other is when they are not angry or overwrought." I had more thoughts on the matter, but I would leave them until Alain had a chance to respond.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 16:56:35 GMT -5
“I never raised my voice, I never called him names, and I never threatened him, unlike he did to me,” I said, standing and going to the sideboard. I board myself a shot of liquor from the bottle there and drank it down.
“He’ll not step foot on my property again Avive,” I said, turning to face her. “I’ve left word that neither he nor any of his people are allowed here. I was wrong for what I said and how I acted towards you. I apologize for that deeply and can only hope you’ll find it in you to forgive me. But until he either apologizes for the things he said to me or can find proof to back them up, I don’t want you seeing him again.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 17:09:27 GMT -5
"He invited you to his home," I replied quietly. "He wants to be amiable with you." I paused. "I have already forgiven you, and I agree he needs to apologize."
"But you must remember, you have been Duc for almost a year. Justin is still a young man, and headstrong, and just starting to make his own life. He has not even inherited title yet. I think he was intimidated, but also worried that you would say no, and rather than be calm, he went on the offensive, to try and intimidate you back, but of course he could not. It was certainly a mistake on his part, but I think part of it may be attributed to his youth."
I paused again. "What he said was inexcusable, and I am certainly dismayed by it. but that is not all of who he is. He has his pride, to be sure, but he is also a family man, has sworn to be honest and faithful to me, and can offer me security for all my days. Let him have a chance to show you his better side, for my sake."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 17:17:17 GMT -5
Turning, I poured myself another drink. This one I gave two swallows before I finished it, then set the glass aside. “I understand what it is to be young and impulsive, but this went beyond that. It is a basic flaw in a person’s character not to stand behind your words or apologize for them. It’s a sign of much worse too. “
I looked at her again. “I have not yet said formally yes or no to your marriage, just like I told him directly that I hadn’t made up my mind fully about him and whether I liked him. He has one chance to sway my decision and one only. You may write to him and have one of the men deliver it. I will not go to his home and he will not come here. Pick somewhere public.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 17:24:13 GMT -5
I bit my tongue on the words "he was only defending me", and absorbed what he was telling me. Justin could have another chance. I could write to him. "Oh, thank you, thank you, cousin!" I exclaimed. "I am so grateful, truly." I asked, "Do you want to meet him alone again, or shall I be present? When shall I tell him?"
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 17:27:40 GMT -5
“I want you there, but only if you can be impartial. I’m doing this because I love you Avive and you think you can be happy with him. I don’t expect you to defend me to him, but neither will I be the villain against the two misunderstood lovebirds,” I said, wanting to make sure she understood that I was clear this time. “If you can do that then I want you there too. Tomorrow afternoon is the only time I have open before I leave. I have an hour at three.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 17:31:59 GMT -5
"I will tell him three o'clock at the Lord and Lady Inn, then," I said. "I will be impartial, and of clear thought. And I know you are not the villain," I said, crossing to the sideboard and wrapping my arms affectionately around his waist. "Everything you have done for me, you have done because you love me, and I know this is no different."
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 17:47:09 GMT -5
I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.
“I do love you Avive, and I never want to see you hurt,” I said. “I promise to be as open-minded and fair as I possibly can be.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 17:52:23 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, just enjoying being in his embrace. "I know you will."
I looked up at him. "Shall I go write to him now, or do you want to talk more?" I was partial to either, besides, I wanted him to know some of the plans Justin and I had talked about. They were good plans, I thought, well thought out and unhasty, but perhaps I ought to save them for tomorrow.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 17:57:11 GMT -5
“Go write him now, I need to finish up some business work,” I told her, hugging her closer and then releasing her. “We can talk more later.”
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Post by Avive de Rocaille on Jun 13, 2008 18:01:28 GMT -5
"All right," I said. "Good luck with your work." I gave his cheek an affectionate kiss. "Love you." With that, I excused myself to my room, to write the letter.
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Post by Alain de Mauvais (D) on Jun 13, 2008 18:03:53 GMT -5
“Love you too,” I said, watching her leave.
Once she was gone, I collapsed into a chair and rubbed at the back of my neck, trying to ease the muscles there and with them the pounding in my head.
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