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 Jun 14, 2008 19:22:47 GMT -5
*Beatrice had been quiet surprised by the summons. Truly. But it had arrived nevertheless and she was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Unless of course the horse was a man who thought he knew more than she. But this was not that, and she was content in her new position working in such an elegant place. She set hard to work, washing and drying and pressing. She made her way down the hall, basket full of clean linens pressed to her hip making her look in no way like Madeline from Quills.*
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Post by Richard III on Jun 14, 2008 20:28:25 GMT -5
*Richard, having ducked out of the reunion (of sorts) between Marie and the oddly-clad young woman, was somewhat overjoyed at the speed with which his plans were being put into action.
Really, it was all a power-hungry villain could ask for. For here was Lady Beatrice, at last. The sight of her put him in mind of his dream, and he shrugged it off. When she saw him, he paused in his progress and bowed slightly, more an incline of his head.*
"Lady Beatrice. What do ye here, of all places?"
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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 Jun 15, 2008 3:56:12 GMT -5
*Her body tightened at his voice. It couldn't be, not here. She turned to face him. Oh, but it was. Beatrice lifted the basket to him, as if he couldn't see it otherwise.*
"The laundry, it would seem."
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Post by Richard III on Jun 15, 2008 11:27:08 GMT -5
"So it would," he said, disgruntled despite the fact he himself had sent the summons. "It seemeth a waste of your considerable talents, my lady. Would you not be happier in some other position? Lady in waiting, perhaps?"
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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 Jun 15, 2008 11:46:49 GMT -5
*She scrunched her nose distastefully. Not that the thought was unappealing, but it was the fact that he had been the one to suggest it.*
"My lord, I have doubts that I should do the lady justice in such a service. I know not why she should even have me here."
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Post by Richard III on Jun 16, 2008 11:05:43 GMT -5
"Do you not perform your duties admirably? And might not that admiration be shared, even by the Queen? Were you given the chance, of course. But your options are limited not to that field. Is there nothing you desire, Lady? No position you favor more highly than starching sheets?"
*He wanted her. He couldn't think why, with the Queen of France in his bed, and a winning woman she was indeed. In her physical attributes, superior perhaps to Beatrice. But her image, her voice, burned in his memory. And he was now in a position to demand anything.
He did not, however, think such a demand would give him this woman. Not outright. This lady must be won. If only he knew how.*
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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 Jun 16, 2008 11:35:07 GMT -5
*Beatrice didn't look convinced.*
"And your Grace would have such swing to find myself in a position beneath her Majesty?"
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Post by Richard III on Jun 16, 2008 14:05:49 GMT -5
*She truly didn't know. The thought made him smile, as did her phrasing, though he curbed the impulse.*
"Indeed, I just may," *he said.* "You have but to ask."
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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 Jun 17, 2008 14:52:33 GMT -5
*Beatrice looked at him hard, suspicious and suddenly wondering what exactly he was doing here, other than bothering her.*
"It would take but mine own tongue to gain her lady's ear? Thee must have true hold on her."
But not on me.
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Post by Richard III on Jun 17, 2008 15:00:10 GMT -5
"I am not, it seems, as odious to womankind as some have led me to believe," *he said.* "Come now--experiencing good fortune, as I have, what reason is there not to expend it as I please? And, if I please, at your request?"
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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 Jun 17, 2008 17:27:42 GMT -5
*Beatrice's lips tightened. Something was very wrong with all of this.*
"And that is all, my lord? A simple query and thou would see me serving her directly?"
*She lifted her head.*
"What good would such an admonition do you?"
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Post by Richard III on Jun 17, 2008 18:09:58 GMT -5
"If that is what you wish, lady," he said. "As for the good, it would be of seeing you exercise more of your talents than are manifest on a clothesline."
*If there was a pause between "you" and "exercise," it was minuscule.*
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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 Jun 18, 2008 6:12:34 GMT -5
*Beatrice was quiet, which was never a good sign. Then she spoke plainly.*
"So be it."
*She sighed, as if preparing for some arduous task.*
"Your Grace, if it be in your power..."
*Then she stopped, her eyes narrowing.*
"I was summoned her by name in this capacity. What would it say to have me attempting to be free of it so soon? It is my duty to see such service rendered."
*She gave a practiced curtsy.*
"Your Grace is kind to offer, but I must decline as of now."
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Post by Richard III on Jun 18, 2008 9:53:52 GMT -5
*As it had been he who summoned her, her logic was faulty. But he was enjoying this--her not knowing--far too much, and feared for what she might do when faced with "King" Richard.*
"Perhaps at a future time, then," *he said.* "When you feel you have fulfilled your present duties to the extent your honor dictates."
*He thought about Raoula's advice, and about Marie's unexpected welcoming of his attentions, and was tempted to try the method on her. But had he not done so, or close enough, in the past? And to no avail. He needed to try the other tack, the jealousy one. But with whom?
It would have to wait, it seemed.*
"If there is anything else ye would have, that can be got by one with the Queen's ear, you will inform me."
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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 Jun 18, 2008 10:02:27 GMT -5
*She frowned. That didn't sound at all ideal. The temptation for advancement was there, of course, but the thought of having to endure his smug smile to earn it each time was less than appealing. She forced her brow smooth and curtsied again.*
"Your Grace is too kind."
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