"Ah? I hadn't taken you for a virgin at this."
Caroline and a few others tittered into their tea. His follow-on comment silenced the titters. They knew they were the mice to which he referred. Even Caroline gave him a look. Prudence was looking between the pair, wide-eyed and naive.
Ivone stopped at his comment, caught short by it. Her posture stiffened and her chin came up. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks with color. It hurt. Why did it hurt? Had she wanted company so badly? Ivone's free hand lifted to her throat, unfastening the buttons there. She couldn't breathe. All she had was her pride and it would have to carry her out of the place.
"I'm sure a lion like you can handle a few mice. Try not to play too much with your food before you eat it, kitty."
Ivone didn't bother to see if he stood or even if he followed. She did not expect him to do as more respectful men might. Ivone paused near the front and pulled Bishani from her purse, more than enough to cover the bill and a gratuitous tip for the serving girl. Her hand landed flat on the counter. The coins and her hand made a slight smack. A stray coin rolled and did a slow spin before laying flat. The sound accompanied the tinkle of the bell above the door.
Ivone kept her head held high as she walked in front of the shop in plain view through the windows. She passed the table at which the pair had sat. She had unbuttoned nearly all the buttons down to the top of her bodice. Unshed tears glittered in her eyes and despite her composed expression, one or two had betrayed her. They slipped down her cheeks even as she passed him.
She couldn't breathe! She couldn't breathe! She just needed to make it past the window, to the corner ... there! How many steps? Ivone counted her steps in her head. Her gaze was hyper-focused on the edge of the building. Three... four... Lifting her hand she bit the fleshy part of her palm until she broke the skin. The taste of blood was like copper on her tongue. Five... Six... She turned the corner.
A few more steps in... out of the sunlight. Out of the sunlight. Out of the sunlight and away from prying eyes...
In the shadows of the alley she gasped a ragged breath and let the tears fall. She pulled the hat from her head and her hair spilled over her shoulders. The hat dropped from her hand and fell to the ground. She still crushed the glove in her other hand, knuckles white as her fist and body pressed against the wall behind her.
A virgin at this, indeed. How did you go from cherished wife to widow-on-the-prowl with ease and grace? Ivone pressed her hand to her heart. The rhythm echoed her earlier thoughts: too soon, too soon, too soon... The bite on her hand throbbed and little droplets of blood formed in the wells left by her teeth.
~~
The shop girl watched Ivone leave, unsure what to do. Sweeping the coins into a pocket, she approached the table hesitantly. Seeing the glove, she bent to retrieve it.
The Black Widow and the Peacock: First Date
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
Thread Tracker
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
Thread Tracker
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Aurelio had no reason to stay in the shop. He listened to the words Ivone had to say, one eyebrow quirked, but didn't respond. Aurelio never shouted after anyone, and once she was out of his sight he didn't look for her. He was like that, most of the time, but even still there was some amount of whispering and quiet chatter. It did not appear to affect him. He went back to staring at his tea, disturbed only by the shop girl's movement.
"You should throw that out," he said, nodding at the glove when the girl looked at him. "Descendant families wouldn't dream of using something left like refuse on the ground."
The girl stared at him, and he stared back until she looked away.
"May I get you anything else?"
A canned response. Aurelio had not touched anything at the table. He was being a bad customer.
"You should be aware that either your tea is wholly inferior or your staff is incompetent. For the type of tea you have presented me with, the color of the liquor is too dark. If you have nothing of higher quality I am afraid I shall be taking my leave."
The girl's first impulses were quickly mastered. She responded graciously and with eloquence. Aurelio tuned it out, the expression on his face reverting to boredom as the laid bait was completely ignored. He waved off her offer to replace the tea with some other product, and pushed himself up to his feet. "No need, no need. I believe my tastes will be better catered to elsewhere. Good evening, Miss."
Aurelio offered a careless wave of his hand as he ambled out of the shop. He turned in the opposite direction Ivone had taken. He didn't intend to see her again.
"You should throw that out," he said, nodding at the glove when the girl looked at him. "Descendant families wouldn't dream of using something left like refuse on the ground."
The girl stared at him, and he stared back until she looked away.
"May I get you anything else?"
A canned response. Aurelio had not touched anything at the table. He was being a bad customer.
"You should be aware that either your tea is wholly inferior or your staff is incompetent. For the type of tea you have presented me with, the color of the liquor is too dark. If you have nothing of higher quality I am afraid I shall be taking my leave."
The girl's first impulses were quickly mastered. She responded graciously and with eloquence. Aurelio tuned it out, the expression on his face reverting to boredom as the laid bait was completely ignored. He waved off her offer to replace the tea with some other product, and pushed himself up to his feet. "No need, no need. I believe my tastes will be better catered to elsewhere. Good evening, Miss."
Aurelio offered a careless wave of his hand as he ambled out of the shop. He turned in the opposite direction Ivone had taken. He didn't intend to see her again.
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
A few days had passed since the fiasco of a meeting with Aurelio Merynir. Ivone had penned a letter the following day. The letter thanked the Lady Merynir for arranging the meeting and sang Aurelio’s praises for his impressive conversational skills and charm.
Ivone thought the missive was well done. The letter contained just enough honesty and social politeness to allow for multiple interpretations. Should the elder Merynir’s think Aurelio above her, the letter was an apologetic backing out by Ivone, citing her own shortcomings (her lack of experience, her recent loss…) as justifiable reasons should Aurelio decline to meet her again. Ivone was honest in her praise, stating some of the things she’d observed and felt: “intriguing”… “fascinating” … “desirable partner” … Should the elder Merynir’s have little faith in Aurelio, one could imagine the elder’s reading more into the letter than stated and his or her social horror knowing Aurelio had been rude to the one woman whose family had agreed to discuss marriage terms with them. In any case, she had done what was necessary.
Today found her back in the garden once more, dressed again in her husband’s shirt. Her hair hung loose, unfettered by pins and combs. Ivone was not thinking of social conventions. As far as she was concerned, enough shrubbery hid her, making her failure to dress properly (as a “gentlewoman” should), a moot point. A few more clips and she would move into the Conservatory anyway. She only needed a dozen roses, or rather their rose hips, for her current creation.
“Ivone! Auntie said you were being indecent, but really! You can see your breasts through that! Is that one of Tian’s shirts?” Melika, Tian’s younger sister’s voice, was like a croaking crow in her ears. Ivone pursed her lips and sat back on her haunches, resting her gloved hands on her knees.
“Do you really need to proclaim it so loudly?”
Melika eyed Ivone. Was she even wearing pants? “You’re behaving much too irrationally and inappropriately. Look at you. What would Tian think if he could see you now?” Melika had heard the gossip about Aurelio's and Ivone's meeting, but wanted to get the story from Ivone directly.
Ivone got to her feet, which were as bare as her legs. The shirt just brushed the tops of Ivone’s knees. Her knees and shins were covered in small indentations made by blades of grass. A few blades even stuck to the skin. A bandage was wrapped around the palm of her right hand. She was furious at Melika for trying to guilt her with Tian’s memory.
“My husband would think I looked very fetching. He liked it when I was being inappropriate.” Ivone lifted a basket of cut roses. She sighed.
“Why are you here, anyway?” Ivone’s expression and tone of voice made it clear. Melika was very unwelcome.
Melika made a face.
“Auntie asked me to check on you, because she hadn’t heard a report of your meeting with the Merynir’s son.”
“Amazing. Fascinating. Scintillating. Complex. He’s good looking, well-educated, self-made despite his family money, and everyone knows who he is. I am surprised someone has not snatched him up sooner. What’s not to love? I’m the one who failed the interview. Tell Auntie not to worry. I sent an appropriate thank you letter."
Melika opened her mouth to say something more, but Ivone cut her off.
“Melika, I keep the name because I love the husband and child I lost. I keep to myself and behave appropriately outside the boundaries of my own home. Now, I would appreciate it if you would leave." Ivone gestured toward the gate Melika had left hanging open. "And, close the gate on the way out!"
Melika made an affronted noise, but sensibly made a retreat. Ivone was obviously mentally unwell. She walked quickly down the sidewalk, away from Ivone’s house.
Ivone looked around her garden, pushing her hair out of her face. She eyed the neighboring homes with a critical eye. Some additional foliage was in order. She could see the windows of the house across the street from here. She also should change the gate so people would have to knock instead of just peer through. Changers save her from nosy neighbors!
Ivone thought the missive was well done. The letter contained just enough honesty and social politeness to allow for multiple interpretations. Should the elder Merynir’s think Aurelio above her, the letter was an apologetic backing out by Ivone, citing her own shortcomings (her lack of experience, her recent loss…) as justifiable reasons should Aurelio decline to meet her again. Ivone was honest in her praise, stating some of the things she’d observed and felt: “intriguing”… “fascinating” … “desirable partner” … Should the elder Merynir’s have little faith in Aurelio, one could imagine the elder’s reading more into the letter than stated and his or her social horror knowing Aurelio had been rude to the one woman whose family had agreed to discuss marriage terms with them. In any case, she had done what was necessary.
Today found her back in the garden once more, dressed again in her husband’s shirt. Her hair hung loose, unfettered by pins and combs. Ivone was not thinking of social conventions. As far as she was concerned, enough shrubbery hid her, making her failure to dress properly (as a “gentlewoman” should), a moot point. A few more clips and she would move into the Conservatory anyway. She only needed a dozen roses, or rather their rose hips, for her current creation.
“Ivone! Auntie said you were being indecent, but really! You can see your breasts through that! Is that one of Tian’s shirts?” Melika, Tian’s younger sister’s voice, was like a croaking crow in her ears. Ivone pursed her lips and sat back on her haunches, resting her gloved hands on her knees.
“Do you really need to proclaim it so loudly?”
Melika eyed Ivone. Was she even wearing pants? “You’re behaving much too irrationally and inappropriately. Look at you. What would Tian think if he could see you now?” Melika had heard the gossip about Aurelio's and Ivone's meeting, but wanted to get the story from Ivone directly.
Ivone got to her feet, which were as bare as her legs. The shirt just brushed the tops of Ivone’s knees. Her knees and shins were covered in small indentations made by blades of grass. A few blades even stuck to the skin. A bandage was wrapped around the palm of her right hand. She was furious at Melika for trying to guilt her with Tian’s memory.
“My husband would think I looked very fetching. He liked it when I was being inappropriate.” Ivone lifted a basket of cut roses. She sighed.
“Why are you here, anyway?” Ivone’s expression and tone of voice made it clear. Melika was very unwelcome.
Melika made a face.
“Auntie asked me to check on you, because she hadn’t heard a report of your meeting with the Merynir’s son.”
“Amazing. Fascinating. Scintillating. Complex. He’s good looking, well-educated, self-made despite his family money, and everyone knows who he is. I am surprised someone has not snatched him up sooner. What’s not to love? I’m the one who failed the interview. Tell Auntie not to worry. I sent an appropriate thank you letter."
Melika opened her mouth to say something more, but Ivone cut her off.
“Melika, I keep the name because I love the husband and child I lost. I keep to myself and behave appropriately outside the boundaries of my own home. Now, I would appreciate it if you would leave." Ivone gestured toward the gate Melika had left hanging open. "And, close the gate on the way out!"
Melika made an affronted noise, but sensibly made a retreat. Ivone was obviously mentally unwell. She walked quickly down the sidewalk, away from Ivone’s house.
Ivone looked around her garden, pushing her hair out of her face. She eyed the neighboring homes with a critical eye. Some additional foliage was in order. She could see the windows of the house across the street from here. She also should change the gate so people would have to knock instead of just peer through. Changers save her from nosy neighbors!
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
"My mother is quite certain I'd done something to scare you off, but I think you are not some frightened little mouse, hm?"
Aurelio leaned against the gate, one hand looped lightly around one of the bars. His arrival had been timed a few minutes separate from Melika's huffy exit, but he was as composed as if the shortness between the two was entirely coincidental. He watched her, and if the judgement of a well-bred man was in him, it was hidden beneath his sardonic front.
He was as clothed as she was not, and in much sturdier fabrics. Ostensibly simple, the cut was so flattering and the pieces so well made that even despite the simplicity of the material its worth was obvious. He was dressed in green and a rich coal grey, setting off his hair and eyes and making a spectacle of his pale skin. He was a peacock, that was undeniable, but he wore his clothing. Garish as he may appear, he owned himself. His clothing did not wear him.
"Invite me in," he said.
He smiled. It was a dare, and a promise.
Aurelio leaned against the gate, one hand looped lightly around one of the bars. His arrival had been timed a few minutes separate from Melika's huffy exit, but he was as composed as if the shortness between the two was entirely coincidental. He watched her, and if the judgement of a well-bred man was in him, it was hidden beneath his sardonic front.
He was as clothed as she was not, and in much sturdier fabrics. Ostensibly simple, the cut was so flattering and the pieces so well made that even despite the simplicity of the material its worth was obvious. He was dressed in green and a rich coal grey, setting off his hair and eyes and making a spectacle of his pale skin. He was a peacock, that was undeniable, but he wore his clothing. Garish as he may appear, he owned himself. His clothing did not wear him.
"Invite me in," he said.
He smiled. It was a dare, and a promise.
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Ivone stood parallel to the gate, profiled in sunlight, left hand on left hip as she surveyed her garden and its lack of privacy from prying eyes. A fence lined the perimeter of the property. The fence, to the sides and back of the house, was higher than Ivone’s head and made of the same stone as the house. Unfortunately, the neighbor’s homes stood as tall as hers did.
More trees, she thought, Or, perhaps just remove the gate altogether and make access to the garden directly from the Conservatory? Ivone pursed her lips and looked at the basket of rose hips and cut roses.
"My mother is quite certain I'd done something to scare you off, but I think you are not some frightened little mouse, hm?"
Certain she was alone, Aurelio’s voice startled her. She jumped slightly, bumping the basket and dumping its contents to the ground. He could have made a noise or sound, but no... She stared at Aurelio for a moment, noting the cynical and mocking look he wore. The look didn’t last long, though.
"Invite me in." He smiled then and it wasn’t mocking in the least. That smile was … dangerous. It affected her in a number of ways. Some were immediately obvious, like the heat that rose on her cheeks. Some were not obvious to anyone but her. That smile stole the words from her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat. Her mouth was dry. Her breath caught. Ivone pressed her hand to her heart, which thumped wildly for reasons more than just surprise. That smile angered her because it affected her.
“Ahh me…” she managed to get out, “You startled me.” Ivone knelt and began placing the rose hips back into the basket.
I definitely need to remove the gate… , she thought.
"I can't imagine why your mother would think that. I spoke highly of our meeting in my letter." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, through a veil of her unbound hair. "By all means, please... do come in."
More trees, she thought, Or, perhaps just remove the gate altogether and make access to the garden directly from the Conservatory? Ivone pursed her lips and looked at the basket of rose hips and cut roses.
"My mother is quite certain I'd done something to scare you off, but I think you are not some frightened little mouse, hm?"
Certain she was alone, Aurelio’s voice startled her. She jumped slightly, bumping the basket and dumping its contents to the ground. He could have made a noise or sound, but no... She stared at Aurelio for a moment, noting the cynical and mocking look he wore. The look didn’t last long, though.
"Invite me in." He smiled then and it wasn’t mocking in the least. That smile was … dangerous. It affected her in a number of ways. Some were immediately obvious, like the heat that rose on her cheeks. Some were not obvious to anyone but her. That smile stole the words from her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat. Her mouth was dry. Her breath caught. Ivone pressed her hand to her heart, which thumped wildly for reasons more than just surprise. That smile angered her because it affected her.
“Ahh me…” she managed to get out, “You startled me.” Ivone knelt and began placing the rose hips back into the basket.
I definitely need to remove the gate… , she thought.
"I can't imagine why your mother would think that. I spoke highly of our meeting in my letter." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, through a veil of her unbound hair. "By all means, please... do come in."
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
Thread Tracker
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
"Ah, that," Aurelio drawled as he opened the gate and stepped inside. He took an extra moment to close it, speaking slowly. "She is a woman whose fingers find their way into every pie. Your letter was well received but, alas, there are rumors scattered all over uptown following your flight from our meeting."
He turned around to face her, hands clasped behind his back as he approached her. He looked her up and down with such deliberateness as to be obvious, and continued, "Surely you're not so naive as to think words would not rise in a flurry at your heels? Hmm."
His eyes landed on her own, where they remained. He made no other sign towards her state of undress, nor indicated in any fashion that she was in any way salacious. He bowed, the movement as gracious as it was inappropriate given their current interaction and lack of proper chaperone. If Aurelio was any other gentleman, perhaps one would not have been needed; certainly they would not linger so long in a publically visible space. Not that sex was such a taboo subject among Marn's elite as all that, but some propriety was necessary in order to maintain both dignity and proper respect from the common rabble. Besides, it was uncouth to dally in public as might any whore.
Still, Aurelio's eyes were dancing as he straightened. "Or, is all of this intentional?"
He turned around to face her, hands clasped behind his back as he approached her. He looked her up and down with such deliberateness as to be obvious, and continued, "Surely you're not so naive as to think words would not rise in a flurry at your heels? Hmm."
His eyes landed on her own, where they remained. He made no other sign towards her state of undress, nor indicated in any fashion that she was in any way salacious. He bowed, the movement as gracious as it was inappropriate given their current interaction and lack of proper chaperone. If Aurelio was any other gentleman, perhaps one would not have been needed; certainly they would not linger so long in a publically visible space. Not that sex was such a taboo subject among Marn's elite as all that, but some propriety was necessary in order to maintain both dignity and proper respect from the common rabble. Besides, it was uncouth to dally in public as might any whore.
Still, Aurelio's eyes were dancing as he straightened. "Or, is all of this intentional?"
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
"Ah, that. She is a woman whose fingers find their way into every pie. Your letter was well received but, alas, there are rumors scattered all over uptown following your flight from our meeting."
Ivone blushed furiously. What did people expect from her? Ivone kept her face down and continued to look for the spilled rosehips, though she knew she’d already found them all. It was possible she could have blushed further had she seen him look her up and down like that. Thankfully, she did not. As it was, even the tips of her ears were pink. Despite appearances, she was a Lady after all.
"Surely you're not so naive as to think words would not rise in a flurry at your heels? Hmm."
She looked up at him. He had her at the disadvantage. She was the perfect prey for his humor, susceptible to it, but feisty enough to want to fight back. At the moment, though, she wasn’t sure how. Ivone offered a wry smile and shook her head in negation. She had been that naïve and still was, but she didn’t want to admit it to him. He probably knew that already, had already sussed that out about her as soon as they met. She had known as the words had left her mouth at the patisserie, she shouldn’t have said them. She knew she shouldn’t have broken down in public.
He bowed, playing the perfect gentleman. There he was in her garden, all green and grey, blue and red, perfectly pale with perfectly shined boots. They had no chaperone, but did it matter since she was a widow? She wasn’t sure. At the least, she should invite him in for tea on the veranda. After she changed, of course. She looked down once more, then she extended her hand to him. If he was going to play the perfect gentleman, then he could very well help her up as a gentleman should.
Some emotion, laughter perhaps, danced in his eyes. Damn him.
"Or, is all of this intentional?" Ivone’s eyes widened in surprise. Intentional? Was what intentional? Damn him! How was she supposed to respond to that? Should she be more intentional?
Ivone blinked, hand still lifted for him to grasp. Her other hand rested lightly on the handle of the basket. She tilted her head slightly to the side. The look was part wonderment and part puzzlement.
“I amuse you…” She murmured. An observation, not a question.
Ivone blushed furiously. What did people expect from her? Ivone kept her face down and continued to look for the spilled rosehips, though she knew she’d already found them all. It was possible she could have blushed further had she seen him look her up and down like that. Thankfully, she did not. As it was, even the tips of her ears were pink. Despite appearances, she was a Lady after all.
"Surely you're not so naive as to think words would not rise in a flurry at your heels? Hmm."
She looked up at him. He had her at the disadvantage. She was the perfect prey for his humor, susceptible to it, but feisty enough to want to fight back. At the moment, though, she wasn’t sure how. Ivone offered a wry smile and shook her head in negation. She had been that naïve and still was, but she didn’t want to admit it to him. He probably knew that already, had already sussed that out about her as soon as they met. She had known as the words had left her mouth at the patisserie, she shouldn’t have said them. She knew she shouldn’t have broken down in public.
He bowed, playing the perfect gentleman. There he was in her garden, all green and grey, blue and red, perfectly pale with perfectly shined boots. They had no chaperone, but did it matter since she was a widow? She wasn’t sure. At the least, she should invite him in for tea on the veranda. After she changed, of course. She looked down once more, then she extended her hand to him. If he was going to play the perfect gentleman, then he could very well help her up as a gentleman should.
Some emotion, laughter perhaps, danced in his eyes. Damn him.
"Or, is all of this intentional?" Ivone’s eyes widened in surprise. Intentional? Was what intentional? Damn him! How was she supposed to respond to that? Should she be more intentional?
Ivone blinked, hand still lifted for him to grasp. Her other hand rested lightly on the handle of the basket. She tilted her head slightly to the side. The look was part wonderment and part puzzlement.
“I amuse you…” She murmured. An observation, not a question.
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Aurelio took Ivone's hand and lifted her. He didn't immediately release her hand. He inclined his upper body over it, and pressed his lips to the back of her wrist. He straightened again, up to his full height and painfully straight. He was staring at her, lips quirked, when he replied in a very quiet voice, "Among other things."
He turned away from her then, looking out over her garden and the bits of her home he could easily see. "Shall I be troubled upon the honor of my host, or may I presume upon you for every inch of hospitality you have to offer?"
He didn't look at her. His expression did not intimate anything inappropriate. Yet, there was a certain quality to his voice that hinted at something darker. When he turned to her, he wore the restrained charm of any above-the-table gentleman. His eyes were very blue. His smile was very bland. His gaze was intense.
He turned away from her then, looking out over her garden and the bits of her home he could easily see. "Shall I be troubled upon the honor of my host, or may I presume upon you for every inch of hospitality you have to offer?"
He didn't look at her. His expression did not intimate anything inappropriate. Yet, there was a certain quality to his voice that hinted at something darker. When he turned to her, he wore the restrained charm of any above-the-table gentleman. His eyes were very blue. His smile was very bland. His gaze was intense.
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Ivone rose to her feet, assisted by Aurelio. The basket of rose hips hung from her other hand. His assist was a little surprising. The feel of his lips on her skin even more so. The follow-on comment... could he mean...? Heat suffused her whole body. Her heart pounded and her breath caught again. That butterfly feeling had returned to her stomach. When he straightened, it highlighted the difference between them even more so. With her in her bare feet and he in boots, he stood at least a foot taller than her. She had to look up at him. Her hand fell slowly and she reached to hold the basket with both. She was hyper-aware of that spot on the back of her hand.
Ivone was grateful when Aurelio turned away from her.
"I..." Ivone's voice trembled at first, but grew stronger. "As your host, of course, I will afford you every hospitality I can. I hope you are feeling rustic; however."
She was feeling wary, now. He was accustomed to being waited upon hand and foot by servants. Ivone moved to pass him, "I ... gave my servants a holiday." Few rooms in the house were ready for guests, only the ones she used with any regularity. "Please, would you join me in the Conservatory?" Ivone padded softly toward the house.
Ivone was grateful when Aurelio turned away from her.
"I..." Ivone's voice trembled at first, but grew stronger. "As your host, of course, I will afford you every hospitality I can. I hope you are feeling rustic; however."
She was feeling wary, now. He was accustomed to being waited upon hand and foot by servants. Ivone moved to pass him, "I ... gave my servants a holiday." Few rooms in the house were ready for guests, only the ones she used with any regularity. "Please, would you join me in the Conservatory?" Ivone padded softly toward the house.
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
"An empty nest, is it?" Aurelio looked past her as he walked alongside. He opened the door for her, according her the respect a footman may have. It was stained by his expression; such a look no servant would ever wear. He held on to his smile, and the glance he gave to her would have gotten any man under serious employ fired. "Lead," he murmured, "and I swear I shall follow."
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Honey bees and butterflies buzzed lazily in the background, pollinating flowers. A bee hutch was also visible.
"I found I preferred the solitude to constant questions." She reached for the door handle, but paused and instead looked up at him. He had opened the door before she could. At first, one might think he was being a gentleman, but the expression on his face told a different story. The bland smile was still there, but the look in his eye...
"Lead and I swear I shall follow." The butterflies in her stomach jumped and skittered.
"Would you now?" She murmured back as she passed him and moved toward the Conservatory. Here, he would find the fruits of her labor: mortar and pestles, candle molds, and even some finished products.
"I found I preferred the solitude to constant questions." She reached for the door handle, but paused and instead looked up at him. He had opened the door before she could. At first, one might think he was being a gentleman, but the expression on his face told a different story. The bland smile was still there, but the look in his eye...
"Lead and I swear I shall follow." The butterflies in her stomach jumped and skittered.
"Would you now?" She murmured back as she passed him and moved toward the Conservatory. Here, he would find the fruits of her labor: mortar and pestles, candle molds, and even some finished products.
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
Thread Tracker
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Aurelio held his silence until they'd entered the Conservatory, and once there he seemed momentarily absorbed by the evidence of her habits. He walked with the utter confidence of a man who was never a stranger, no matter where he went, and knew he would find welcome. Given his life and reputation, it was an absurd thought; Aurelio had been thrown out of numerous establishments and several parties, not to mention his father's home a handful of times. He bore no trace of that experience, save what cruelty might be spotted between the social masks he wore, or in the way he savored teasing gentle ladies beyond what should be considered acceptable. That was the point.
Once he'd spent some time roaming about, expression that of a bidder on a valuable lot (empty save for the interest that sparked in his eyes), he paused by a candle. He lifted his hand towards it, but pulled away. "I am capable of holding my tongue," he said, leaning in to sniff at the wax, "though I do believe a lady might enjoy herself more were I to use it."
He snorted and straightened, the scent evidently not to his liking.
"Of course, I am also a very good lead."
He moved to another candle. He gave her respite from his direct attention. That did not have to last forever.
Once he'd spent some time roaming about, expression that of a bidder on a valuable lot (empty save for the interest that sparked in his eyes), he paused by a candle. He lifted his hand towards it, but pulled away. "I am capable of holding my tongue," he said, leaning in to sniff at the wax, "though I do believe a lady might enjoy herself more were I to use it."
He snorted and straightened, the scent evidently not to his liking.
"Of course, I am also a very good lead."
He moved to another candle. He gave her respite from his direct attention. That did not have to last forever.
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Ivone moved beside him, stopping short of his continuation to place the basket of rose hips on the work surface. She watched Aurelio as he moved around, invading the privacy of her sanctuary.
"I found I preferred the solitude to constant questions."
"I am capable of holding my tongue, though I do believe a lady might enjoy herself more were I to use it."
"Perhaps. I suspect that would depend on how you use it." She replied.
"Of course, I am also a very good lead."
"One would expect nothing less." She raised her brows. Cardemom was apparently not to his liking. The next candle was a simpler warm vanilla. She moved closer to him, shadowing him, curious as to which might be his preference.
"Do you have a preference?"
"I found I preferred the solitude to constant questions."
"I am capable of holding my tongue, though I do believe a lady might enjoy herself more were I to use it."
"Perhaps. I suspect that would depend on how you use it." She replied.
"Of course, I am also a very good lead."
"One would expect nothing less." She raised her brows. Cardemom was apparently not to his liking. The next candle was a simpler warm vanilla. She moved closer to him, shadowing him, curious as to which might be his preference.
"Do you have a preference?"
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Another turn, snake quick. Aurelio moved before Ivone had a chance to flee -- if ever flight had occurred to her since their first meeting. This was not something that passed during courtship, but neither of them was perfect breeding stock to their respective families. His head dropped, nostrils flaring as he inhaled the scent of her hair. He dared. He dared, and he dared, and he dared.
"Of course," he said, his leer as inevitable as his recurring smiles. "Do you?"
"Of course," he said, his leer as inevitable as his recurring smiles. "Do you?"
Re: The Black Widow and the Peacock
Aurelio turned to her suddenly, closer to her than she'd realized. His gaze was intense and accompanied by an expression she had never had turned on her before. Certainly, Tian had never looked at her like that. Her heart skipped a beat and the butterflies went mad. There was that sizzling spark again. He did want her.
It thrilled her. His nearness made her skin prickle and she nearly shivered, even in the heat of a summer day, in a humid room surrounded by plants and flowers. The sound of a fountain trickled nearby.
Ivone met his gaze head on and her chin lifted. She wasn't going to back down, no. If she ran away again, she'd never gain his respect. She had his interest and that was something she wanted to keep, but she wanted more of him. She wanted to win.
So, chin up and bold, acting as if there was nothing amiss with the situation: she in nothing but her dead husband's shirt, alone - completely alone - in a house with a man, a notorious one, who was not her husband - having a conversation so fraught with double meanings it was nearly ludicrous. A smile slowly, slowly curved her lips and something twinkled in those, dusky blue eyes. That warm, voice unusual for her small frame, cultured by her education, couched her response.
"Of course."
I dare you.
It thrilled her. His nearness made her skin prickle and she nearly shivered, even in the heat of a summer day, in a humid room surrounded by plants and flowers. The sound of a fountain trickled nearby.
Ivone met his gaze head on and her chin lifted. She wasn't going to back down, no. If she ran away again, she'd never gain his respect. She had his interest and that was something she wanted to keep, but she wanted more of him. She wanted to win.
So, chin up and bold, acting as if there was nothing amiss with the situation: she in nothing but her dead husband's shirt, alone - completely alone - in a house with a man, a notorious one, who was not her husband - having a conversation so fraught with double meanings it was nearly ludicrous. A smile slowly, slowly curved her lips and something twinkled in those, dusky blue eyes. That warm, voice unusual for her small frame, cultured by her education, couched her response.
"Of course."
I dare you.
"Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
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Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting."
Thread Tracker