|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 16:42:11 GMT -5
*Both eyebrows shot up, now.*
"Can I assume you're referring the the bloody mist I was surrounded by? ...As I do most nights, I was working. You remember what I do, Valmont, don't you?"
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 16:46:48 GMT -5
"The only thing you were surrounded by last night was a gaggle of gangling youths and, possibly, the scent of one of their cheap colognes. Which, no doubt, is none of my business but for heaven's sake, Valerie, have some standards, even if I don't fit them."
*Why did he let her get him worked up like this? She'd gotten just what she wanted. He'd never convince her he didn't care, now.
Not that he cared. Just... He would not want her to get that impression.*
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 17:02:19 GMT -5
"Is the pox starting to eat away at your brain or are you just addled by the smell of your pomade and excess testosterone?"
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 17:25:51 GMT -5
"Testosterone doesn't smell," *Valmont returned automatically.* "And you can deny it all you like but I saw you, at a ball, working a crowd of nitwits and carrying on like a queen. Trust me, Valerie," *he eyed her for good measure,* "I was close enough to tell."
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 17:34:45 GMT -5
"Are you calling me a liar?"
Choose your words carefully...
*Her eyes narrowed.*
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 17:37:44 GMT -5
*Valmont knew that look all too well. That was the look that said she was going to walk away at any minute, given one wrong move.
He should want her to walk away. She was annoying and cramping his style and all that. But he had to admit, he'd missed that look.*
"Any evil twins you know about?" *he asked, eyebrow raised.*
*Now that was a thought...*
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 17:41:06 GMT -5
*She snorted. What did he think this was, a novel? Maybe she'd done the wrong thing in turning him on to reading. It seemed to have warped his perception of reality.*
"I'm an only child. Money was tight in our house. I have some cousins, but they're all men."
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 17:48:24 GMT -5
*Her straightforward answer mollified him somewhat. Valmont spread his hands.*
"You have not ever spun falsehoods in my presence before," *he said evenly,* "but I tell you this girl was indistinguishable from you. Down to her voice. A sight less clever, however," *he mused, figuring that if it was her, and this was an elaborate ruse, that at least might save him.*
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 17:51:23 GMT -5
*She paused as they had reached the cafe, then a grin crept over her face.*
"If you wanted to pay me a compliment, you could just do it, you know. Rather than making up absurd and long-winded stories about my evil twin."
*She retrieved her book and turned to go, again.*
"And I think I'd look FANTASTIC in pink, by the way. If I owned anything pink."
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 17:56:25 GMT -5
"Why should I want to do that? You've already received the greatest compliment I can bestow," *he said airily. He considered her for a moment.* "You're right. But it would have to be the right kind of pink. And I didn't make it up."
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 17:59:23 GMT -5
"That was your greatest?" *she said dryly.* "Dieu, and you call yourself one of the best lovers in Paris."
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 18:05:56 GMT -5
*Valmont looked vaguely troubled.*
"Not that particular... You distracted me!"
*His expression smoothed, with great effort on his part.*
"You seemed satisfied enough at the time."
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 18:08:02 GMT -5
*She shrugged.*
"That was then. You'll noticed I didn't stick around and beg for more. It comes...and it goes."
|
|
|
Post by Valmont on May 6, 2008 18:15:13 GMT -5
*Valmont snorted.*
"Of course it does. What did you expect?"
*He watched her for a moment, his lids heavy.*
"You'll want more. When you realize what you're missing. When you realize how little most men have to offer than to take their own pleasure without regard for yours."
|
|
|
Post by Valerie on May 6, 2008 18:19:42 GMT -5
"My pleasure is my pleasure, Valmont. Whether you or anyone factors into that is hardly going to stop me. I can take care of myself without needing someone holding my hand."
*She found, somewhat to her surprise, that she was not afraid or ashamed to look him in the eye for a long moment before she stepped past him to go on her way.*
"Weather almanacs," *she whispered.* "You should try them."
|
|