The Arrangement (closed)

[silvertongue217]

"Do you know" Lance said his eyes sweeping over to her and moving up and down as if assessing her. He finally smiled taking another slow sip of his wine and leaning back to regard her.

"I am not sure its all that its cracked up to be" Lance said shrugging "But.... I would be lying if I said I was not interested as well or looking forward to it" He told her eating his food and letting the conversation lasp into comfortable silence.

 

[Perplexia]

She enjoyed sitting in silence with him amused at the statement he made. It would be an interesting experiment. She wondered if it would only be this once or if he would end up making it a habit.
Finishing up their meal she packed up the items. Taking his arm she walked back to the house with him.
"Is there anything I can do?" she questioned "Rounds that need to be made to the villagers, or anything. I feel out of sorts just spending my days reading all of your books."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Getting a little star crazy are we?" Lance asked chuckling and rising up "I am sure I can find some thing for you to do if your that determined I will check when I get back to the home and let you know"

He patted her arm and began to walk sighing and breathing in the air "I do know that fall is coming and with it the last of the harvests and festivals it may do you good to learn about our towns traditions and the people who make it up"

 

[Perplexia]

She smiled up to him her eyes dancing as he agreed to look for something for her. "ooh i do love festivals, I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun assisting and getting to know your tenants."
she smiled placing her hand over his enjoying the contact of their skin and squeeze it softly.

"I love it when the air gets crisp like this. I enjoy the way the cold air feels in my lungs."

 

[silvertongue217]

"I do as well" He said smiling softly "Fall is my favorite time of the year"

He glanced around watching the leaves dance and sighing in pleasure. He was unable to stop himself from smiling and with a start of surprise he realized some thing.

He felt at peace

He told her as they began there walk back. Lance changed his mind however instead leading them down towards the village "How about we go on a walk into the village as we go back that way you can see where the festival is going to be and things of that nature"

 

[Perplexia]

Rose smile stroking his arm lightly. "I would enjoy that" she said softly with a look of admiration. Even though he was quite older she found him quite handsome. Despite her little tantrums he had been quite patient and accommodating. As they walked into the village they were greeted with bows and curtsies. He showed her where they held the festival and explained some of the traditions that went along with it.

She enjoyed the way his eyes lit up when he talked about things he cared about. It made her wonder if that was the same look that was upon his face as a child. "Tell me about your childhood" she asked as they took a break from walking.

 

[silvertongue217]

"My childhood?" Lance asked her sitting down at one of the marble benches that were situated in the town.

"Nothing special im afraid" He told her nodding at some of the people walking by "I was born to two nobles and as such lived a very rich comfortable life" He remarked leaning back.

"Come we must be getting back" He said checking his pocket watch and rising "Ian will no doubt be wondering where we are as will the cooks" He said taking her hand and leading her out of the village. They walked back reaching the estate just as the sun began to set.

"Well thank you for the time out" He told her stopping and reaching out to gently touch her face "I do hope you had a good time" He told her softly.

 

[Perplexia]

Her eyes danced as his fingers touched her face. Looking into his she responded. "I truly had a wonderful day with you. Thank you for taking the time to walk with me and share the traditions of the villiage. I now have something to look forward to."

On her tiptoes she kissed his cheek softly and left him to go clean up and change for dinner. She had just enough time to get a bath with rose oil. This evening she took extra care to dress and arrange her hair.

She never quite understood why one must change for dinner unless there was company present. But none the less it was a tradition she had to follow. In her beautiful emerald dress she entered the dining room and took her seat.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Well dont you look lovely" He told her rising up from his chair as his eyes took her in.

He meant it to, ever since there walk he found himself.... noticing her more and more. Tonight was no different, the emerald dress she was in show cased her body and her bueaty in such a way that had him shifting. He was dressed smartly as well in a navy blue outfit that complimented his look and his skin. He was freshly trimmed and washed and there was a lingering masculine scent on him that hit when he pulled out her chair.

"What are your plans for the evening?" He asked her moving over to his chair and sliding in as the first course was brought to them.

 

[Perplexia]

"Thank you" she replied softly a blush traveling to her cheeks at his compliment. "If I may say i do enjoy it when you where navy, it brings out your eyes. Makes you quite handsome"

Her eyes danced once again as their first course was served and he asked her of her plans. "I thought perhaps a walk in the garden if you'd care to join me" she said softly with a bit of hope.

She wanted to spend more time with him. It made her happy to see him smile, it was like watching his pains and worries be lifted from his shoulders. Her only worry is that he would back away again. That he would close himself off from her. The closer she got to him, the more she wanted to know.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I think we can do that" Lance replied smiling softly at her words "And thank you she always said it was the best color on me" He said with a wave of his hand.

He sighed noting with pleasure that it was getting easier to talk about HER. Not that he wanted to over share.... Or even give her the sense he was thinking about her when they were together.

But still it was nice to be able to talk about his late wife

"A walk would be ideal" He told her smiling softly "Lets eat and then we can go for that walk" He said tucking into the first course.

"How did you find the village?" He asked her.

 

[Perplexia]

A smile crossed her lips as he agreed to the walk.
She nodded and smiled to the comment he made about his wife. Then he asked her about the village.

"I found it to be quite cozy, and friendly." she replied taking a bite of her meal before adding after she chewed her food. "I much prefer it to the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Although there I was a smudge on the royalty and a constant reminder of the Kings indiscretions. My sister made it a point to attempt to humiliate my existence, my brother on the other hand was kind and tried to shield me from her when he could." she smiled softly missing his laughter.

Finishing her first course the second came. "Will you be joining me in helping them prepare for the festival?" she questioned.

 

[silvertongue217]

"If you need me to" He said with a shrug of his shoulders "I usually leave it to my wife and the villagers however" He explained tucking into the second course.

"Not that im against helping" He told her raising his hand "I mean I dont mind doing so however I do prefer to get the full effect when I walk in the day of, plus it will be good practice for you! We can see how well you do at surprising me" He told her winking and taking a sip of his wine.

 

[Perplexia]

"oooh a challenge" she responded smiling to his comment about surprising him. "Then I shall have to do my best to make your mouth drop, and make you the proudest husband that ever walked" she smirked again. The rest of dinner they had polite light conversation which kept her mood floating with only a small bit of flirtation she didn't want to overwhelm him.

She wished she could prod him until he finally spilled everything but the only one that would be productive for would be her and her lack of patience. It seemed they were both broken in their own ways.

Once dinner was complete and they sat for a few minutes to let their food digest she rose and waited for his arm for their evening stroll in the garden.

 

[silvertongue217]

Lance rose taking her arm and looping them together before turning to the butler.

"We shall be back in a few" Lance told him as he led her out and into the garden. He breathed in the surrounding area and the sharp scent of fall in the air and began walking with her.

"How are you?" He asked her glancing at her as they picked a trail into the gardens "Have you heard any thing from your mother? I know you have sent her a few letters"

 

[Perplexia]

"I'm well thanks for inquiring" she said softly as they began their walk. She loved the brisk air and the chill it left on her cheeks. "She has sent a reply or two. Nothing really substantial other then she misses me. Evidently my sister has revealed what a viper she truly is, and with out me there to pin it on she's being forced into an arranged marriage so that she shan't shed any more disgrace upon the crown. Seeing as it worked so well for me. " she smiled softly.

"I think that my father is also in search for a wife for my brother to be the next queen when he takes over. He'll be the last one married though, and it will be a prestigious affair. Other then him, I don't really miss living there. I have enjoyed our walks and talks. You've been a good host, and allowed me to make this my home as well. For that I am grateful." She squeezed his arm slightly.

"And you?, how have you been? I was glad to see you in better spirits today then you had been previously."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Honestly I am" Lance said nodding his head at her question. His mind filed the information about her family and specifically her sister away for later. For a long time he had contemplated getting back at her sister for what she did to her. It was family politics he probably should NOT get involved with but at the same time a part of him wanted to provide some type of justice to his new wife.

"I know its been difficult for you" Lance said as they continued there walk "But your patience has borne some fruit even though I still think of her it is not as bad and more and more often I find my self thinking of you and I together I knew she did not want the life for me I made for my self one of drink and solitude however it seemed like the only thing possible for me before you"

 

[Perplexia]

"I am sorry if it seems as though I've been pushing you past your comfort zone. It was never my intention to replace her memory or her position that she held in your life. I know that i'm only your wife in name, but I have found through our interactions that as we get to know each other I've come to value our friendship. I don't want anything to jeopardize that. But with that said, I've missed your companionship when you've withdrawn."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Thank you" He said his words kind and with no trace of bitterness as he regarded her "I do not wish you to apologize though...." He said hesitating and looking down.

"I very much doubt my wife would have wanted me to have become what I was before you" He explained to her clearing his throat "And I am sorry for both her memory and your eyes that you had to see that... Life isnt without its hardships and struggled I am over coming my dark demons and shadows with your help and for that you have my gratitude Lady Rose" Lance said with a kind nod of his head.

 

[Perplexia]

"That makes me happy" she said softly looking up to him with admiration and gratitude for finally beginning to let down his walls with her. With each interaction with him she found herself longing for the next. If he continued she would be dangerously close to falling in love with him. Which wasn't a bad thing to love ones husband. But she wasn't sure he was ready for the life she wanted with him. Tonight was a start. It would be their first night in close quarters and sleeping in the same bed.

As she looked into his eyes she found herself wanting to be kissed by him. She looked away and blushed softly. "Shall I find a book to read to you in the library?" she questioned softly.