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Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jul 6, 2011 8:45:33 GMT -5
He actually picked his sister over the lady on his arm- hmm, interesting. Maybe he was mad about me being in the house for all of the wrong reasons after all. Then again what did I know about royal families and formal courting and all of that nonsense? All I knew was that when I was soft on a woman I didn't let her out of my sight and tended to get jealous, which probably made me less evolved than these people.
Besides, it's not as though I could complain about dancing with Henrietta. Maybe we'd talk about old times and no doubt she stirred my blood.
"I guess that leaves Henrietta for me," I replied with a smile that held just a bit of sympathy as I offered her my hand. After all, she had gone looking to him for something just a moment before so she expected something from him, though with women no telling what that was. "Shall we then, my lady?"
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jul 6, 2011 9:42:04 GMT -5
No sooner did I turn towards Ghislain did Emeric speak, and on his heels Ghislain only agreed. Only agreed! My cheeks rose with another flush, and I gave him a small curtsy of acquiescence; I knew when I'd been beaten. I'd been shamed publicly, and his solution was to give Sophie the honor of the first dance. My gaze shifted to Sophie, but before she could speak Emeric turned to me and asked me for the pleasure of a dance.
"I would be happy to," I murmured, accepting his invitation graciously. I didn't look at Ghislain again, too embarrassed to, but turned to Emeric and took his arm, ready to follow him to the dance floor.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 6, 2011 10:53:38 GMT -5
I have to admit, I had meant the barb. I didn't think she'd be so embarrassed though. But what was she looking so sore about? She had happily told her story of Ghislain saving her from the horse. Either she told it happily and I could joke about it, or she should keep her mouth shut.
And then events fell out to embarrass her even more. I started to feel a little bad for her. To have my brother fawn over her, then turn around and ask me to dance. Idiot. I might have told him exactly that, but Emeric was quick to offer Henrietta his arm. I took Ghislain's and let him lead me to the dance floor. "You're going to have to do some groveling to get back in her good graces. And don't look at me like that, how was I supposed to know she can't take a joke?" I grumped, my voice pitched low for his ears alone.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 6, 2011 14:27:58 GMT -5
“That sounds wonderful,” I said happily, smiling wide. Not only did I love the idea of learning new dances with him, but doing anything that made those he was close to happy was a must, I wanted them all to like me, to let me stay with him.
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 6, 2011 14:29:49 GMT -5
I knew that that had not been my best decision ever. Nevertheless it had been done. I turned my head to give Henrietta a look of apology, but her face was away from me and secretly I feared that I might have let the best thing in the world slip through me fingers. But no, I couldn't have, not because of one dance.
I frowned at Sophie. "Well how did you expect her to take it after those looks you gave her?" I whispered. I bowed to begin the dance, effecting a brotherly smile. "We should be happy though. You should be happy for me."
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 6, 2011 18:11:56 GMT -5
"Good," I said with a smile. Further conversation was thwarted by my substandard dancing skills. I got us through the steps, but only with much concentration. "Would you like me to find you someone for Cruithne lessons as well?" I offered, once I could speak around my feet.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 6, 2011 18:19:24 GMT -5
"If you want me to like your dates, introduce me before you sleep with them," I whispered back hotly. I smiled sweetly then, the motion as fake as his friendly grin. "You and Amelie are both far too trusting, so someone has to look out for our family. Azza Ghislain, the woman has you wrapped around her pinky finger. Maybe you both care about each other and blah blah blah. But the fact remains that you're a prince and she's a younger sister who's never going to inherit. Forgive me if that makes me a cynic."
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Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jul 6, 2011 18:31:35 GMT -5
There was some obvious snubbing going on and I had to wonder at it. Then again maybe it was a simple mistake. In any case I had Henrietta on my arm and I led her to the dance floor, then waited for her to move into place before the dance started. I wasn't the best on the floor but I did like to put a little bit of flair into everything I did and that should suffice. "So, glad to to be away from that conversation?" I asked in a low tone, smiling in my usual, charming way. "You seemed to have been getting a little bit angry over it. And I thought fancy parties were sure to be boring."
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 6, 2011 20:32:43 GMT -5
I truly could not grasp how upset she was. I took her hand and placed my other on her waist and began to dance. “What about that man over there. I’m certain he’s don’t a little more than guard you. And it’s just one of those things that happen. We meet people. We fall in love. I’m sorry if it didn’t happen on your schedule.” Normally I took things in stride with my sister. Now though I was finding a bit hard to contain my annoyance. “And is it so wrong to raise the girl’s station?” I asked, my hand holding hers a little tighter.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 6, 2011 20:53:02 GMT -5
He grew quiet and I could tell he was concentrating on the steps of the dance. I was by no means as skilled as some of the more noble women in dancing, but I had always been able to pick it up well enough to have fun. I watched him as he concentrated, falling just a little more in love with him as I did.
“Oh yes, I would find that very beneficial,” I said, just now realizing I didn’t speak the language of the country that was going to be my home for the foreseeable future. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jul 8, 2011 9:50:14 GMT -5
I followed Emeric onto the dance floor, pointedly not looking at Sophie or Ghislain; I would not be viewed as some chit who would be berated and manipulated, and who would come back for more. No, instead I gave my dance partner my full attention, looking up at him as he looked down at me, and gave him a small, pretty smile as venomous words slipped between my teeth.
"What a little wench his sister is," I hissed softly. "Did you see the way she snubbed me? And for what cause? I was nothing but sickeningly courteous to her, friendly and proper."
Upset as I was, I let my smile dissipate, and bunched my lips to the side as I peered up at him. "You were quiet through the exchange," I added, lifting my brow wryly.
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Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jul 8, 2011 10:23:56 GMT -5
It was always a little amazing to me how proper, courtly people taught themselves to smile and snarl at the same time, and while I understood the concept I doubt I ever could have pulled it off as prettily as she did. The dance was luckily an easy enough one that the steps probably weren't too far off and I subtly stroked her waist where my hand rested, but in a somewhat soothing matter than a sensual one. "Oh, her brother doesn't like me at all," I told her in a nonchalant tone. "And I thought you were polite, but then I'm just the cad bodyguard, what do I know? I'm sure there was some sort of royal sibling breech of conduct with all of the other silly rules they have. Maybe what we need here is a way to make your man just a bit more jealous."
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Post by Henrietta Langois on Jul 8, 2011 11:23:40 GMT -5
We moved smoothly across the dance floor, but rather than flourishes and competing with the other dancers, we moved in quieter circles. I didn't know about Emeric, but I preferred it this way right now; flourishes and fancy footwork would have been uncouth after such an exchange, and besides, I needed to vent before I unleashed my tongue at the bitch princess.
"Ghislain doesn't like you?" I asked, but before he had a chance to respond I blinked, and tilted my head a little at him. "You're a bodyguard? The wenches bodyguard?"
My voice was surprised and incredulous, and another smile stole its way across my lips, wholly unbidden and honestly felt this time. "My, my Emeric. Such secrets you keep. The next thing you'll be telling me is that you're actually a Comte, and cousin to the Queen."
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Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jul 8, 2011 11:42:09 GMT -5
Other people danced around us, Sophie and her brother probably among them, but right now I was keeping my attention on the woman I was dancing with, which was no trouble at all really. Her gown showed off everything a good dress really should and I could only imagine that slit on her thigh shifting just so and bringing back some very pleasant memories. Not that I needed that much to remind me but it would have offered some very interesting coincidences.
"Well, a man does have to keep busy and make a living," I replied with another crooked grin. "And these days rather than being a sell-sword outside the City I'm one inside, keeping a very close eye on a princess's delicate form to make sure nothing she doesn't want happens to it." It was an accurate enough description and I knew Henrietta was more than quick enough to pick up on my meeting. "Last name's Deveroix actually, and my brother's a Comte but sorry, no royal connections. You were close though. Now I should guess what I don't know about you. Maybe you're the most sensual spy on earth sent from some other nation to get information on our prowess."
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 9, 2011 21:47:36 GMT -5
His stupidity nearly made me gape. He was in love with this little chit? Azza give me strength. "Nothing, if she loves you and not just your title," I retorted. Then I made myself shut up. He was clearly not interested in listening to sense.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 9, 2011 22:05:51 GMT -5
"I can help you practice, but I'm not much of a teacher. Merwin though, he's very good. He taught me D'Angeline, not an easy task. I'm sure he can teach you Cruithne," I said before leading her through a turn.
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 9, 2011 22:07:26 GMT -5
"Well then it's a good thing she does then, sister," I told her, trying to rein in my emotions as much as possible. "Tell me though, tell me why it matters so much?" I asked, pulling her a little closer for gods know why.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 9, 2011 22:18:16 GMT -5
"I'll believe that when she stops trying to seduce you with every breath," I said, my voice dropping even lower as the distance between us closed. "Or have you not noticed the amount of skin she's showing? I do not want you played for a fool Ghislain. I don't want to see you hurt, and I don't want to pick up the pieces afterwards either."
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 9, 2011 23:12:27 GMT -5
I shook my head. "She doesn't need to seduce me, Sophie. I fell for her from the first. Thank you for your concern though." I spun her out and brought her back in, close. "I will be fine, Sophie. I promise. I'm sorry I'm not like you and take lovers on a whim. She's the best thing that I've had in a while."
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jul 10, 2011 21:28:50 GMT -5
He didn't take lovers on a whim, and yet she was a 'thing'? I shook my head, unconsciously mirroring him. I just didn't know what to do with him. He was such a... such an idiot about women. "Fine. But until I'm convinced she's not just after your title, I don't have to like her." I don't even have to like her after it's been established. "I will try to be polite, though if she can't take a joke, it's never going to go well."
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 10, 2011 21:57:48 GMT -5
“Is he with you now? Will he be able to teach me some on the trip over?” I asked, hoping I might know a little before we got there.
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Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jul 11, 2011 23:54:52 GMT -5
"Aye, I can introduce you tomorrow if you'd like," I offered. I thought about warning her about Merwin's possible flirting, but decided against it in case he acted like a gentleman for once.
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Post by Marie Legard on Jul 12, 2011 17:20:31 GMT -5
“I’d like that very much,” I said, relieved. The dance came to an end and I smiled at him. “What next?”
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Post by Ghislain de Trevalion on Jul 14, 2011 18:44:21 GMT -5
"Very well then..." Her words crushed me ... but I cared for Henrietta too much to let them change how I treated her. I moved us closer to Henrietta and her partner and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hope you don't mind a little bit of a switch up?"
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