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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 26, 2011 17:42:00 GMT -5
Following Judith de Montaigne's response to my initial letter, I wrote back, just a quick letter to ascertain a time when she would be home and willing to entertain company. I'd not known, when I first wrote her, that her parents were pushing her to find a husband; my mother had simply given me her name as someone I could possibly keep company with. Little did I know that she had been in contact with Judith's parents concerning a possible courtship. So I found myself arriving one day, a bit over a week since my arrival in the city, at her home for tea. Her staff was very polite in ushering me in to meet her, taking me into the room where she was apparently waiting for me.
I'd chosen a deep blue doublet for this meeting, the same hue as my eyes, worn over a white silk shirt. My breeches were of the same fabric as the doublet, and fit a bit more snugly than I would have chosen. The clothier my mother had suggested told me it looked well on me, though, so I wore it anyway, with my falling loose behind my shoulders, as I normally wore it. As the servants led me into the room where Judith would be receiving me, I glanced around instinctively, looking for her, though not truly knowing what to expect as I'd never seen her before.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Jan 29, 2011 16:42:28 GMT -5
Under orders from my meddling parents, I dressed prettily in a spring gown of green satin, with my hair up in a twist. I was open to meeting the man of course, if for nothing else than to have a little fun with him, but if he turned out to be pompous, or a dandy, or weakling, well, I wouldn't have wanted him anyway.
I was seated in the parlor when my servants led him in. He certainly was handsome, though I did prefer short hair on a man. At any rate, I stood and offered my hand. "Comte d'Essoms, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 29, 2011 17:23:39 GMT -5
When I saw her, I smiled at her softly and began to cross the distance between us, stopping just inside arm's reach from her. She was pretty, after a fashion, especially in such a flattering dress, and when she offered her hand, I took it and lowered my head to press a light kiss to the back of it. "My lady Montaigne," I said as I rose again, my sapphire gaze meeting her eyes, "The pleasure is mine. I trust you have had a good day so far?"
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Jan 29, 2011 17:39:44 GMT -5
"Well enough, I suppose," I said. "I must say I find being inside all day deadly dull. Though I was naturally looking forward to your visit, I regret not having taken my morning constitutional." I motioned him to sit. "I trust your day is going well?"
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 29, 2011 21:59:28 GMT -5
"I cannot complain. I could have come later, though, if I'd known I was interrupting your routine," I told her as I moved to sit as she motioned, "Or perhaps we could have arranged to meet out somewhere. As much as I love to read, I too have difficulty remaining indoors all day long." That was one of the reasons I kept up with my sword practice, after all.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Jan 30, 2011 22:48:06 GMT -5
"Perhaps after tea we can take a turn about the block?" I suggested.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 30, 2011 23:01:54 GMT -5
"I would enjoy that, my lady. It is a beautiful day outside," I remarked in answer, recalling the brisk walk I'd taken to get there. My mother would have had a fit to know how much I was walking through the city, but in Tiberium it had been the best way to get about, and without her to look over my shoulder all the time, I was not about to change my habits. "So, has there been anything of interest happening in the city? Other than the unfortunate business of the Crown, at least," I asked her; talk of the Queen's death was all over the city, of course, and I was hoping that there might be something a bit more positive we could discuss.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 1, 2011 22:10:09 GMT -5
"Well, I always manage to find something to do," I said, as I motioned for a servant to bring in the tea. "There are lots of restaurants and pubs where there's usually something happening in the evening."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 22:26:38 GMT -5
Listening intently to her suggestions, I gave a knowing nod, a bit of a smile coming to my lips. "Yes, I discovered a wonderful place a few nights ago, in fact, the Laughing Parrot. I even got to play a song on the harp," I recalled the place to her in something of an inquiring tone, wondering if perhaps she'd ever been there before.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 1, 2011 23:04:35 GMT -5
"How grand!" I said. "You must be very talented."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 1, 2011 23:31:27 GMT -5
My cheeks colored faintly at her compliment, despite the fact that she'd never heard my music before. "I felt good about my performance that night, but at least one that night played far better than I did," I responded gratefully, meeting her gaze with my sapphire eyes despite the blushing. "It was fun, though; I'd never played before so many people before," I added in a low, pleased tone as I recalled the night in question.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 1, 2011 23:54:44 GMT -5
Ohh, he was blushing! I found it adorable. And modest! Even nicer. I wanted to pinch his cheek. "Do you think you'll play again?" I asked, as a servant came to set a tea tray before me.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 2, 2011 0:04:47 GMT -5
"If you meant at the Laughing Parrot, I think I might. It was fun, my Lady," I answered Judith, pausing as the servant came in to set down the tray, then going on, "But I will definitely play again. I love playing the harp, and I just bought a new one for my townhouse here in the city. I didn't want to risk my original one in trying to bring it here from Namarre."
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 2, 2011 0:07:02 GMT -5
"Ooh, that sounds like great fun, is it a big harp or a small one?" I asked as I poured the tea. "Milk? Sugar?"
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 2, 2011 0:22:01 GMT -5
"Its a large one. I learned to play on the larger style, so I'm not quite so comfortable playing on the smaller ones," I explained to her, smiling softly at her enthusiasm. "Just a spoon of sugar, and no milk, please," I told her how I took my tea, watching as she leaned forward to prepare the cups for us, appreciating the loveliness in such a simple action.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 2, 2011 0:35:31 GMT -5
I prepared his tea and handed him the saucer carefully. "My parents tried to get me to learn a number of instruments," I said, "but I'm afraid I've got no head for it. I do like listening to music though, as you can probably tell."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 2, 2011 1:19:00 GMT -5
Taking the cup and saucer from her gratefully, I took a small sip from it. "Well, maybe the next time I am going to be at the Parrot on a Friday night to play, I will send you a missive to let you know, if you'd like," I offered, before taking another sip of the tea, then licking my lips as I looked back to her.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 10, 2011 19:39:22 GMT -5
"That would be lovely," I said. "We'll make a date of it, if you'd like that."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Feb 11, 2011 17:31:20 GMT -5
I nodded at her words; it would be enjoyable having more friendly faces in the crowd while I played, and if she enjoyed music as she said she did, she would likely have a very good time. "I will be certain to send to you, then, when I am going to play there next," I agreed, then took another sip from my cup.
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Judith de Montaigne
Aristocrat
House Montaigne
Daughter of Patric and Louisette de Montaigne
Posts: 167
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Post by Judith de Montaigne on Feb 14, 2011 23:19:33 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said. "How is your tea?"
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