Parisian Masquerade

[bb4ls]

Leon watched her, nodding at her words, following her gaze when she looked to the empty stage and the other dancers, mingling around the floor, some being groped touched, or even performing for small groups, but the party still held a level of civility.

"But you belong to someone, you are not free to leave or persue anything that You want." He mused over this for a bit before proceeding. "You arrive her two years ago from the Lord only knows where, and in that time you have risen to a level not seen by most, ahhh, chattel. There is more to you and your lineage than people know, Verity. You have a secret."

Leon's smile was genuine as he watched her, but he let that pass. "These girls they trust you with their lives. And you are quick with the blade. I have to believe that more than once you've needed to clean it."

 

[hells_fury]

Verity smiled as she listened to him.

"Trust me Leon if I wanted to leave no one would be able to stop me. I chose this path that I now walk, no one forced me to. Believe if my mind is set to something nothing and no one will stand in my way."

She spoke to him softly. She knew the boss hated this side of her but he took it none the less. She made him to much money for him to not be ok with it. Looking around the room she found his gaze once more.

"Ok tell me something about you then..."

She spoke to him simply as she focused on him and what was happening around her.

 

[bb4ls]

He nodded again through her spiel of being the mistress of her domain, and smiled as the look of hatred crossed her face when she saw her boss. He thought for a while before answering her question.

"I am not sure this is what you want to know, but it's been well documented already, so I shall go on. As I am sure you have already guessed, I am the Lord of a large manor in the North of France. I gained this position when me father bravely" coughing " Or so it is written, lost his life to the English, although, from what I have heard, his own men turned on him calling him a coward. I was eight at the time. It has fueled me in many ways, in my physique, my presence, and of course my prowess."

This time he smiled, raising his eyebrow at the beautiful dancer. "I Have yet to meet a woman who can keep me interested in her for more than a fortnight, and have feared that this was to be my destiny, that a child out of wedlock would succeed me. I have since changed that opinion, Verity."

 

[hells_fury]

A smirk laid on her lips as she listened to him. Adjusting herself in the seat she glanced around the room again before looking back to him.

"oh and just why has that opinion changed now Leon?"

She asked him softly. Sitting there she allowed herself to relax a bit more but still paid attention to all around her...

 

[bb4ls]

Leon lifted the glass of champagne, swirling the liquid around and smiling as he raised it to his lips, taking a sip. "Do you know that if you dampen the rim of the glass and let your fingers circle around it, you can tell if it is real crystal?"

He was obviously stalling for time, although, the answer was obvious to both of them. This was not a position the Lord was accostomed to being in, and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. At this point in time, he seemed to be enjoying it, if for no other reason than sharing her company.

 

[hells_fury]

Verity laughed shaking her head.

"Oh I am sure all the girls fall for that.... You are a charmer aren't you.."

She said as she sat there. Her eyes darted around and she saw her boss making his way over to them. Rolling her eyes she sat there and took a deep breath to keep her temper in check.

 

[bb4ls]

He laughed at her wit, shaking his head. "No no, i don't need a line like that, I just raise my hand, snap my fingers and there will be three girls here ready to do my bidding. But." Once again, I followed her gaze, seeing the short angry mismatched man coming this way. It was going to be intriguing watching the little interaction between the two, something the Lord was sure to enjoy.

"I see we have company, shall I pull up a chair for the rotund little man?"

 

[hells_fury]

Verity shook her head as the man had finally made it to their table. A grin on her lips at the scowl that was across her face.

Frankie what do you want now?"

She said looking at him. The man seemed to grow red at her demeanor towards him...

"Verity you should be working not socializing...Unless he is spending you need to leave.."

Verity grinned as she sat there. Standing up out of her chair she looked at him..

"Enough is being spent tonight Frankie and if you would like all the boys here to leave alive an in tact I suggest you keep on eye on my girls and make sure they stay safe."

Was she out of place more then likely, did she really care not really. Taking her seat once more she looked away from him not really caring what he had to say beyond that..

 

[bb4ls]

Lord Leon reached into his pocket, removing his billfold and peeling off Franc notes, more then Frankie had probably seen in his gluttonous life. He dropped them on the floor at the fat man's feet. "This should more then cover her time for the rest of the evening. Now please, leave us alone, your stench is overwhelming." The small crowd watched as he picked up the money and stormed off, even redder than before.

He looked back at Verity. "That money was for an evening of conversation, no more Verity. Anything beyond that is your decision."

 

[hells_fury]

Sitting there she looked at him. The conversation was nice, but she didn't really know if she could trust what he had just said. She was not dumb. She knew there was a reason the conversation had gone on for as long as it had and she was well aware there was a reason he had paid for the rest of the time with her tonight. Keeping her with him and no where else. That was her job, but what were his motives....As she processed her thoughts another drink was bough over from Robert. Smiling over to him she took a drink from the glass then looked back to Leon.

"Is that a fact.....so about my question from earlier why has your opinion changed about marriage.?"

 

[bb4ls]

"Touchee'" He poured the last of the champagne into his glass and sipped it slowly. "My opinion has changed because I have recently met a woman I think worthy of me." He gave her a wink, his ego overflowing at this point. "One who can keep me intrigued, on edge and in line. But alas, it is not to be. She is a free spirit with a chip on her shoulder, and would never be accepted as a Lady of the Manor."

He bit his lip, watching her, this little game seemed to be going back and forth, a tidbit of information here and there, and tons of sarcasm tossed in as well!

 

[hells_fury]

Verity laughed softly sitting there nodding her head to his comment. Taking a sip from her glass she set it down.

"Well that is just to bad for you now isn't it.."

She said to him. Sitting there she looked around the crowd once more before looking back to him. Slowly the piano filtered into the room. Her eyes popping to the stage and girls all stayed where they were. This was her song, one she had told the musicians she would never do in public. Swallowing hard she stood up. Looking down to him she smiled softly.

"Come over to the stage...."

She said before making her way there and taking the stage. Clearing her throat she began to sing. The room went silent as her voice traveled through the room. No words spoken yet. Walking to the center of the stage she went on. The lights dimming to only focus on her as she sang her song. Something that came from the heart, and something she really didn't want the world to see.

 

[bb4ls]

He followed her to the stage, all eyes on the two of them and he noticed now, no hands on her, although he did receive a few gropes along the way. Standing at the stage, watching her, he smiled to see her emotion, real, raw, as she began to sing, the words flowing like honey from her lips. God, how he wanted to taste those lips, to feel them pressed to his. He knew she'd be a savage in bed, he'd heard the rumors of how she fucked one Lord to death and left him there for his wife to find in the morning. Of course, most of the stories were exaggerated, she could still be a virgin he mused to himself then laughed at that thought.

He could see a flicker in her eye, was she welling up, was that a tear, perhaps this song had something to do with her family and what happened to them. He watched her, his eyes never leaving his face, perhaps the only one as most men were watching the way her body was moving seductively towards him.

 

[hells_fury]

The music seemed to erupt out of her as she continued to sing. Finally the lights grew brighter as she carried out the last note. Her eyes found Robert, him being the one who was playing the piano. Vengeance would be hers she told herself as she finished her song. A gentle smile on her lips as she took her bow to the room. Waving to everyone she walked off the stage. Taking in a deep breath she went to the bar and got herself a glass of water before going back over to Leon..

"Do forgive me... I know my time is paid for."

She said to him. Her demeanor between calm and highly pissed as she stood there. Her hand tapping her thigh in unison to her foot tapping against the floor.

 

[bb4ls]

"And well paid for, that was more than worth it. I won't ask what that song means, yet." He smiled at her, seeing her gaze flit back and forth between the bartender and himself. He wanted it all to himself though, desired to know about her, her past what she came from, who she was. He marked that down in his mental list of things, he'd have two of his best men track down her past.

Leon stood, offering Verity his hand. "Please, take a walk with me out in the courtyard. The cacophony here is overwhelming and I could use some fresh air. You can tell your friend that I will take good care of you if need be."

 

[hells_fury]

Verity took his hand gracefully and smiled looking up to him.

"My friend has a death wish, and if he wishes to live past this night he will leave me be... he knows why."

She said to him with a hint of anger in her tone as they made their way out side. She could feel the glares of the women and only grinned in return. She knew they hated her because of the mans arm she was on. She had no care about them though, only that someone would know her voice and know who she was. In all that was what she did at her families parties she sang for the guests.. So tonight should become all the more interesting now.

 

[bb4ls]

He held her hand as he led her outside, the night air was chilly and he removed his jacket, placing it over her shoulders. He aslo removed his mask. He was just as handsome in his face as he was in his physique and he took her hand again, walking through the lavish gardens. Lanters lighting the pathway.

Leon stopped and turned to her. "This is not easy for you, Verity, nor is it for me. As you know, I get what I want, but I have a feeling tonight will be different." And some slut will get my wrath, this part left unsaid. "But I hope that there may be more nights like this, where I need not pay for your time, but have it granted freely."

 

[hells_fury]

Verity looked at him taking in a deep breath as she finally saw his face. Taking her hands she carefully untied the mask sliding it from her face she looked up to him. Taking a deep breath she smiled genuinely.

"My real name is Genevieve Lord Leon."

She said softly to him as she stood there taking a deep breath before she spoke again.

"All of my time is spent mostly in the club so you can always find me there...but why do you wish for this to continue when I am sure as you leave here tonight you will find someone to bed."

She said to him directly as she stood there. She didn't know why she told him her real name, no one here honestly know except maybe Robert. But he may or may not make to tomorrow.

 

[bb4ls]

Leon smiled at her, a genuine smile as he gazed upon her beautiful face. The name sounded familiar, but he was unable to place it. "It's truly a pleasure Genevieve, to make your aquantance, but I shall call you Verity." He took both her hands in his holding them softly, feeling how soft her fingers were.

"And while it may be true that I bed some lucky harlot tonight, my thoughts will be of you, wondering where you are and what you are doing. But a man does have needs." He let go of one hand, still holding the other and began walking with her again

 

[hells_fury]

Verity shook her head as she heard his words.

"What you seem to believe are needs I believe are desires and there is a difference between those two things.... But regardless please do not think of me when you are with another....That is simply not proper or right."

She said to him as they walked. Verity was kind when you got her out of ear shot and the sight of others. Although she had a hard demeanor and no one had ever broken her before she would play nice with him. That didn't mean it would go farther then them walking and talking together. Verity was not one who liked to share.

 

[bb4ls]

He led her around the path and back to the party, helping her with her mask and affixing his as well. Before they went inside he told her "Once a man has Verety in his mind, he cannot just let it go, tell it to disappear, it is there like a stain of the virgin mother on the wall of a cathedral. I have taken enough of your time, go tend to your girls, and we shall meet again, Genevieve. I have ears in Paris, if you need to find me, otherwise, I will find you."

He left her there after taking his jacket and went back inside to join the party. Leon wasn't much in a partying mood, he left, his desires untended to, but he did think of her through the night as he walked around Paris. Noone was going to confront him, not even a small group of men, he was imposing

 

[hells_fury]

Verity stood there for a few moments after he left. She could not believe what had happened. Finally walking back inside she did her rounds checking on the girls to make sure that everything was alright. Finally after she was certain thing were alright she went into her private dressing room. Taking a deep breath as she closed the door behind her she calmed her nerves.

Walking over to the stand she noticed a note addressing her. Opening it up she read it quietly to herself. The note fell from her hand as she stood there in shock. All it had read was I have found you now Genevieve. Standing there she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Walking around the room she made sure that no one else was there with her.

Finally she left the room and went over to Robert. Robert knew many in the city and she needed help and fast. She told Robert to have someone find Leon and get him to come to her tonight. She would remain at the party simply because it was crowded and easy to blend in. Her mask in place she sat at the bar, her senses on edge as she watched everyone who was there.

 

[bb4ls]

He felt someone approaching, more than heard it. He turned ready to pounce, and saw it was Robert, from the bar. Even with the recognition, the knowledge of her name, his defences were very high, and he kept a good six feet between them as Robert explained the need to come back to the party, that Verity needed to speak with him. He followed Robert back, not wanting to be in front of the man, just in case.

He saw her sitting at the bar, her eyes like that of a hawk, following the crowd, ready to sweep and release her deadly talons. He walked over to her, sitting to her left, as Robert slid him a drink. He did not take it, but looked at Genevieve and smiled. "I knew you'd come around." A little attempt at humor to lighten a tense situation. "What is it you need from me? Robert was quite cryptic."

 

[hells_fury]

Taking a deep breath she looked over to him for a moment sliding the note over to him. Looking back out around the crowd she waited. Swallowing hard she sat there giving him time to read the note.

"You have to understand there is a reason I disappeared from my past... There is a reason no one here knew my name till I told you.... So please explain this to me."

Her voice was cold as she sat there showing him no kindness. All the progress that had been made was gone now as she watched her surroundings trying to figure out who it was and who exactly had found her.

 

[bb4ls]

He took the note, reading it once, then a second time. "When did you get this? I was with you, then I was gone." Holding his arms out and looking at her. "I believe I would be hard to miss sneaking around in here Verity, perhaps it was your friend while we were out."

Looking over at the bartender, I can tell he is straining to hear our conversation, but trying to look occupied as well. "He has already pushed your buttons this evening."