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Post by Richard III on Oct 31, 2007 9:11:19 GMT -5
*Richard turned to look at Beatrice, but did not sheath his sword.*
"Madam," *he said, his mouth dry.* "It is a demon indeed which torments you."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 3, 2007 8:37:03 GMT -5
*Beatrice looked resolute, something in her content to know she had been right. The rest of her was terrified. She wavered slightly, looking somewhat indecisive.*
"Then, ho..."
*She had meant to ask what they were to do about such things, but at the moment she was overwhelmed and lashes fluttering, she fainted, her body falling gently against his.*
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Post by Richard III on Nov 3, 2007 14:04:18 GMT -5
*Richard stumbled, unprepared and generally ill-equipped to deal with such things. But he did not fall; he propped her against his useless arm and, with the other, gently guided her to the bench. He sat too, allowing her to lean against him. He was still a moment, savoring the feeling of her warm body touching his. His fascination with her, he realized then, did not rule out lust.
Anne's gentleness burned him with its contrast to his own fiery temper. But Lady Beatrice matched him, and sent that fire roaring in answer.
But he could not stay here forever, and while the press of her bosom against his withered hand excited him, it was only a matter of time before she came to and his advantage would be lost. Unless he worked now to keep it.*
"My lady?" *he said softly, near her ear.* "Lady Beatrice, you are safe."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 4, 2007 9:41:38 GMT -5
*Beatrice stirred slightly before her lashes fluttered open. It took her a moment to get her bearings. She looked up to Richard, her eyes trying to focus. Once they did, there was a cold moment of realization and she quickly pushed up on the bench, separating herself from his warmth to a more proper distance. She blushed for the contact, but was quick to pull on her biting persona to cover such things.*
"It might be said that man hath yet to cut a bodice that prepares a woman for encounters with the likes of such a fellow."
*The looked away as if she had some distinct purpose in doing so, although she did not. She lowered her voice as if she were loath to speak what she was about to.*
"And...I am grateful...for your support, your Grace."
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Post by Richard III on Nov 4, 2007 19:41:48 GMT -5
*It was too be expected, of course; a cripple must take his pleasures in the crumbs of that which fell to whole men. But that truth did not lessen the sting. He attempted to answer her humor with his own blithe reply.*
"My lady, then I am at a loss to explain why woman leaves the making of such things to men."
*He looked down, taking in the ruined foot.*
"You have it always, my lady."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 5, 2007 10:07:10 GMT -5
*Beatrice was caught off guard by his inflection. She stared for a moment and smoothed her skirts.*
"Sir, I..."
*She tried to seem appreciative and yet confident. It was not an easy mix.*
"I pray that you forgive me for allowing my affairs to burden you so. I did not...he was not expected. Nor was the weakness of my composure."
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Post by Richard III on Nov 5, 2007 10:18:14 GMT -5
"No doubt it was an unusual and brief indisposition," *he said smoothly.* "Your character will suffer no embarrassment in the wider world for my part. And a woman plagued by such demons must seek succor in some quarter."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 5, 2007 10:23:45 GMT -5
*Beatrice watched him for a moment, overcome by strange feelings. She blamed the oddness of the day, but could not shake them.*
"Thank you, your Grace. I..."
*She lifted her chin slightly.*
"Even one such as I must note your fine qualities. Perhaps..."
*She briskly turned away to hide the color rising to her cheeks. This was foolish. And still...*
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Post by Richard III on Nov 5, 2007 10:35:08 GMT -5
((I need to work fast to make Dick less of a woobie.))
"You gratify me, my lady. I have others less suited to your sensibilities; your senses, too, are refined, and you ought not dismiss your first impressions when faced with a chivalrous example."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 5, 2007 10:39:09 GMT -5
((Beatrice too. *sigh* But they're so cute together.))
*Beatrice arched a brow.*
"How now then...you would have me lump you with the rest of your sex, worth little more than the earth that your were born from?"
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Post by Richard III on Nov 5, 2007 11:23:03 GMT -5
"No," *he said, drawing out the word.* "Merely to give you warning that your perceptions are valuable; added evidence ought not rule out your previous judgments. I would hope, however, that you might retain all the evidence and yet find me not unappealing as a sometime companion."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 5, 2007 11:30:48 GMT -5
*The arch in her brow rose.*
"Sometime companion? Fear not, sire, your Grace is too costly to wear every day."
*Beatrice kept her air as she returned to his side, but did not sit.*
"On last we met, your Grace had made mention of certain...roles you might have use for me to play. I am of a generous mood. Speak of them, if you are still wanting of it."
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Post by Richard III on Nov 5, 2007 11:40:20 GMT -5
*An eyebrow of his own raised in answer.*
"You will no doubt be unsurprised that I have ambitions beyond being brother to a king. Such ambitions can benefit from alliances with other strong minds; and methinks I could do worse than engage you as an adviser."
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Lady Beatrice
- Ingenious Pilot -
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Posts: 246
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Post by Lady Beatrice on Nov 5, 2007 11:44:33 GMT -5
*Beatrice wasn't sure she liked where this discussion was headed. But she vowed to be patient.*
"Adviser, sir? In what capacity exactly?"
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Post by Richard III on Nov 5, 2007 12:00:58 GMT -5
"Surely a woman of your qualities has an opinion on that."
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