Back in a Flash V Percy's return from Business
A few long minutes later, Marguerite, with tray in hand, mounted to steps to Percy's room. Through the darkened hallway she could barely make out the number 202 on the doorway. With her foot she softly tapped the door just enough hopefully for him to hear. "Percy, is it ok for me to enter now."
His breath was still quick, but he was about as relaxed as he could be under the circumstances. "I left it unlocked." He softly called at the doorway. He had not the mental energy to deal with straining his ribs to get the door. He hoped she would understand and forgive his gentleman's oversight.
Marguerite carefully moved the tray to free one hand so that she could open the door. She entered to see Percy collapsed on the bed. She rushed over and placed the tray on the dresser, before coming over to him, "Percy, are you ok, Percy what's wrong?" She picked up one of Percy's still gloved hands and gave it a soft squeeze waiting for his answer.
His closed eyes snapped open, and his jaw clenched when she squeezed his gloved hand. He did not even realize he groaned outwardly, as his lips were pressed together so she would not see his gritting teeth. His sound became muffled out. Instantly, Sir Algernon's son pulled his hand away from her soft touch. As it was mid air, he looked at her and realized something was terribly wrong.
Putting the newly squeezed hand onto his stomach, he let out a large sigh and rested back on the bed. Re-closing his eyes, as he never really acted out so much in front of her before, he hoped she would not realize what was really going on.
Weakly he spoke, "Well, that was a nasty wave, wasn't it?"
Marguerite cringed as he groaned. Marguerite bent down and lovingly stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. "It's ok Percy, it will all be ok." she whispered.
Stepping back, Marguerite knelt down by the side of his bed and began undoing Percy's boots and pulling the muddy shoes off. Once taken care of she lifted his two legs up onto the bed so he could lay down. Pausing to think about the situation, Marguerite thought it best to loosen some of the clothes around his stomach and started to undo Percy's coat and vest.
He sighed in relief when she kissed him and did not seem to notice the timing of the "stomach wave" and the squeezing of his hand. She began to take his boots off, and he sighed and rested his head back. He slowly began to relax.
When Marguerite began to mother him by trying to undress the fool, he quickly took hold of her hands with his gloved ones. "Oooh no. Really. Tis not a good thing if I am moved too much." His eyes looked at her and his face almost spoke of an apology. Lying to her was a hard thing to do.
Gritting his teeth, he leaned up some and grabbed a hold of the blanket, pulling it out from underneath his body. "I will just slip under these. I feel cold. Is it cold in here?" his voice was barely above a whisper.
Marguerite hated seeing him in pain. Now she knew what he must have gone through when he was sick. The room itself was actually a fine temperature, but Marguerite just tucked the blankets up around Percy. She looked around and took a small washcloth from his bowl and pitcher and used it to wipe his face. "Percy, why don't you try and sit up. I have some chicken broth, it will warm you up and back you feel better. Wouldn't you please try and eat a bit of it?"
Marguerite wiped the beads of sweat off his face as even though he was cold he continued to sweat. She offered a sad, pity filled smile. Putting the cloth down, she removed her own muddied shoes and laid down next to Percy, resting her head on her shoulder, she began to sing another soft lullaby.
The sweet music coming from her lips were a melody that he had never heard before. He did not mind her resting on his shoulder. She was avoiding his midsection, which meant his throbbing side. In fact, now that he was perfectly horizontal, Blakeney was slowly starting to feel no pain. Well, that and the effect of the brandy kicking in. He kept his hands well down underneath the covers. He was becoming more and more heated, so he closed his eyes to try and rest.
Her singing was slowly putting him into a well deserved sleep.
Marguerite continued her singing as she felt Percy doze off into sleep. Once she felt his breathing even off, she stopped her singing, wiped his forehead once more, and then herself rested her head again on his shoulder and fell asleep.
Continues to sleep a few hours into the night. Only wakes once, and turns his head over slightly to see the room dark. All the candles had burned out. His whole entire body is one giant sheet of perspiration under the clothes. Slowly, he unbuttons his coat and vest, letting them slide to the floor.
Realizing Maeve sleeps next to him, the question ponders in his mind if she is going to be staying here 'til morning. His ribs, their "medicine" wearing off in his blood stream, remind Blakeney of their exact placement in his body. Closing his eyes, letting tomorrow take care of itself, the older man falls back to sleep.
Marguerite felt a slight shifting, causing her to wake up from her deep sleep slightly. She opened her eyes and realized she was not home in her flat, and that someone else was in the bed. Suddenly everything had come back to her, Percy had been ill and she was staying with him in case he needed anything. She felt Percy stir and as he laid back down she once more moved her head onto his shoulder. She softly asked if he needed anything, but he had already fallen back asleep, and soon she join him in peaceful slumber.
The sharp rays of light peaking out from behind the drapes woke Marguerite up in the middle of the morning. She turned to see Percy still sleeping soundly beside her, his forehead dripping with sweat still. Carefully, she moved away from him and retrieved the washcloth and once more wiped his brow and cheek. Noticing that he still wore his clothes from the night before, and pulled the heavy blanket off him to help him cool off.
He had been dreaming of riding his horses as a child on the land surrounding Blakeney Manor. The day was a crisp hot day, and the exercise was making him tired. Suddenly, without warning, a cool breeze stormed up, and he felt a dampness on his brow.
Slowly opening his eyes, Blakeney saw Maeve before him. She was running a damn washcloth over his face and his lips broke into a smile. He moved a little, and was quickly reminded of his current status. However the rest had done him well and he was healing more and more with each passing night. Sitting up, he sucked back the rubbing irritation in his side. His hands still bore the gloves from the night before, and he stuck them under a pillow that he put on his lap. "Good Morning sweet Maeve." He smiled at her.
Marguerite smiled as she heard Percy speak. She sat on the bed next to him and carefully stroked his cheek. "Good morning my Percy, how are you feeling?"
Leaning over, the tall blonde Englishman closed his eyes and pressed his face into her hand. It was nice, waking up with someone happy to see you. He wondered if every day was like this for married couples. "Better thank you. Much better. Almost hungry enough to eat some breakfast." He beamed at her and sat still, glad to be sitting up and not covered in blankets.
As he leaned into her hand, Marguerite turned it to let it rest on his cheek. She smiled when he said he was feeling better and even more so when he mentioned food. "Oh, would you like me to go down and see about getting you something to eat Percy. I can leave you for a few minutes in case you wish to change." she added, noting his sweat-drenched clothes. She took the cloth and once more wiped his neck and brow free of any perspiration, hoping that whatever Percy suffered through last night was over.
With a smile, Blakeney nodded, regarding her enthusiasm. "How about we think this out even better?" In his mind, she was still wearing her clothes from yesterday and part of him did not want her to have to bring him food. He felt rested enough to move as the rubbing was a high irritation instead of the burning throbbing of the night before.
"Maeve, how would you feel if we both partake in reading ourselves to greet this new day, and I will come to fetch you at your flat? From there, we can decide what we wish to do with our day. Including some food, say?" The proper Brit looked at her with a smile.
Marguerite leaned in and pushed her lips once softly over Percy's. Sadly she pulled away and smiled. Nodding her head, Marguerite looked down at her badly wrinkled dress and guessed her hair was by now in very much the same state. "Are you sure you don't need any help Percy?"
He was thankful for her delicate lips upon his and gently brushed his in a happy return. "Oh, I'm feeling much better, thanks Maeve. You look so sad." Blakeney watched the woman he desired and tilted his head every so slightly. "Do you not wish to spend the day together?"
"Oh no, of course I would like to spend the day with you Percy, especially since you only returned from your trip, I just want to make sure you are really alright. You frightened me a bit last night." Marguerite offered a gentle smile as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Well then, I'm sure you want to change and clean up. I'll leave you and you can pick me up at the noon hour and take me to lunch." she said teasing him slightly, "And don't forget your money this time. Payday does not come everyday for me."
Nodding, he leaned his head forward, enjoying each tug and pull her fingernails made as they slid along his scalp. "I am feeling better thanks. Do not worry Maeve. I am a growing boy." His own joked cracked him up and Sir Percy's voice chuckled and boomed. "Noon it is, and yes Maeve. I will be sure to bring my satchel." He smiled at her, knowing he would have to slip her some francs later when she wasn't looking.
Marguerite smiled and placed a simple kiss on his forehead as she stood up. "Noon it is then." She went towards the door, walking backwards to keep her eyes on him as long as she could. Finally she exited the room and rushed home to clean up and change.
Fortunately the flat was empty, no questioning Armand to deal with. She hastily wrote a note figuring she'd miss him again while out, explaining she stayed with an ill friend the night before and had plans for the day, noting she was not sure when she would be home at night. She left the note and a few francs for him on the table before going to the front room to watch for Percy's carriage as noon approached.
Once she left, he stood and pulled up his shirt to inspect his side. From the outside, there wasn't much to see really. A few broken blood vessels made for a nice spotty redness around his ribs. The true irritation was internal. Taking off his gloves, the scabs forming were soft from being contained in the leather all night long. Taking his time, as noon was far enough away, he let the air take to them before having to confide them in cow hide once more.
Sitting alone in his room, donning only his undergarment, he sat at the desk and wrote Frank a letter back home. Letting him in on the details to date with St. Cyr and his most recent mission. Sealing the note, he put it aside to take when he departed the inn. Now, it was time to wash and relax.
Once ready, the Baronet glanced at himself in the mirror, giving it the final once over. He was wearing a gray riding outfit with tan britches. Nothing too fancy as it was midday, but for most of France, his attire spoke rich English nobleman. He decided he wished to walk today, and swinging his cane about and giving a whistle, putting a gloved hand on top the gray cloth hat when the wind blew too hard. Glancing up at her window when he neared, he smiled and waved up to her.
She waved out the window as she saw Percy coming down the street. She waved and blew him a kiss before ducking inside to head out the door. Grabbing her shawl and purse, Marguerite dashed out the door and down the steps, often skipping the last one before a landing. Once she reached the bottom, she paused to catch her breath. In control again, she swung the door open to see Percy and she excitedly, but carefully, put her arms around him offering a playful hug.
He smiled and reached up and grabbed the kiss she offered down and clenched his fingers around it to not let it escape. How silly he had become with a woman in these past few weeks. Waiting for her to come down, he rocked back and forth on his heels. His hands behind his back, holding the cane horizontally.
When she emerged, the lazy blue eyes sparked with life and a daring gleam. When she moves over in her excited, childlike manner in a woman's body, the older man's face beamed and he gave a fun loving "Rrrrrrrr." Once the embrace of the two were over, he offered her his arm. "It appears I have been mindlessly watching the minutes tick on by until our union here formed once more. Where to Milady?" He tipped the rim on his floppy gray cloth had and smiled at her.
Marguerite giggled as she placed her arm through his. "I would go to the ends of the earth, but only if it were with you," she smiled and placed yet another soft kiss on his cheek, "but for now why don't we find a cafe of sorts for a lunch?"
"That sounds fabulous. How about some soup? I do not believe I am up for any large or real meals like mutton again." He began to walk north on her sidewalk, to no place in particular. The sun shone through the white clouds over head and Blakeney smiled. It had the makings of a wonderful day.
"Alright then, I wouldn't want you to fall ill again so a light meal should be just the thing." she said as she rubbed his belly lightly. "I believe that there is a little cafe another block or so that would be a nice place for lunch."
As the walked she leaned her head into his arm, resting against him as they walked along. "So my dear Percy, what did you have planned now that you are back on your holiday from your business."
"Well, There is one night next week I have to be on business. Catching up on the latest gossip, possible land ownership and the like." He looked over at Marguerite. How could he tell her that is was a cover up ball? The Marquis was going about normal plans, despite the fact that Blakeney had already begun arrangements for their defecting to England.
They walked into the cafe Maeve spoke of. He pulled out her chair as was his custom. The waiter glanced at the obvious English nobleman and then at the very French actress everyone knew as Mlle Marguerite St. Just. He almost stared too long, but then left them with menus and left the table.
The Baronet sat after she was seated and glanced at the French menu before him. He was actually hungry for more than a soup, as all the meals titled looked exquisite, but he knew he had to keep up the act. For fun, he tried to pronounce the words before him, glancing up and teasing with Maeve while promising himself inside to tell her the truth at a latter date.
Once he slaughtered the cuisine name effectively enough, his lazy blues smiled at her. "Perhaps you could just order me some soup?"
Marguerite giggled as Percy virtually destroyed all of the names of the French menu items. "Perhaps its time I offer you some lessons in the language of French." she mused as she read of the choices of soup to Percy. A few minutes later, while the couple was still happily laughing and generally enjoying each other company, the waiter returned and Marguerite, in her own native French, ordered meals for the two of them, but an odd stare from the waiter suddenly made Marguerite feel very uncomfortable. She stopped laughing and looked away as the man left their table.
Smiling along with Maeve, he immediately noticed her change in behavior. It was his personal life's work really, studying the underlining habits of others. "Maeve?" He crooned and leaned in closer to her, taking her delicate pale hand in his tanned gloved one. "Are you alright?"
Marguerite looked back at Percy. She guessed he had not seen the way the waiter had looked them both over. She smiled and gave his hand a soft squeeze. "Yes, yes, I'm fine Percy. Now tell me," changing the subject to get her mind of the nosy waiter, "how long is this next bit of business going to take you away from me?"
"Should be just a night or so." Sir Percy smiled at Marguerite. He did not like having to lie to her. Putting on an act all his life for the world had done him well, but right here, right now, it felt so incorrect. He felt her squeeze his hand, which ached when the bones were pressed into one another, his skin bunching up underneath the glove. His smile did not waiver however. His look remained the same. "I am sure one way or another, we shall survive the heated storm, say?"
"I suppose so Percy." Marguerite said with a sad smile. She was about to reach up and stroke Percy's cheek with her soft fingers, but stopped when the waiter returned bringing their food. She pulled back and when the waiter gave her another glance over, Marguerite shot him a nasty threatening look, causing him to quickly retreat to another part of the cafe.
Sir Percy began to laugh and laugh seeing the little interaction between Maeve and the serving staff. Once the man left, controlling his laughter, Blakeney looked upon her. "What in heaven's name what that all about?" The smell of the soup made his stomach growl.
Marguerite drew in a deep breath and gave Percy a serious but sad look, "He does not approve of the company I keep." she said plainly.
Softly he spoke, "Whot?" Sir Percy turned fully around in his chair, resting his arm across the back and spoke louder, "Say Whot?" His keen blue eyes scanned the room and when they laid upon the waiter, he spoke louder and directly to the man. "Do no like the company," Blakeney quickly turned his head at Marguerite and then just as fast, snapped it back in the direction of the waiter. "Do not like the company SHE KEEPS?"
"YOU SIR!" He pointed his gloved hand at the waiter and barked, "Please grace with me your presence if it is not *too* much trouble!"
In shocked alarm, Marguerite laid her hands over Percy's arm, trying to drop it from pointing at the waiter. "Percy," she pleaded, "Percy please, let's not make a scene here. My company is none of his business." Marguerite had never seen Percy show any type of anger before and hearing his voice go frightened her in a way. Her heart raced as she watched Percy continue to stare down the waiter.
Feeling Marguerite grab at his arm closest to her, as his other was across the way frivioulessly pointing repeatedly at the waiter, he glanced back at her and a small smile covered his face. He was not responding in anger or astonishment. That is to say, at least not truthfully. He was having fun with the waiter and his look and brief wink at her tried to reassure that all was well.
Turning his attention back to the now nearing waiter, Blakeney stood up and faced the shorter Frenchman. He was thinking there was a lot of that going on lately, such is the life when you are tall visiting a country full of shorter men. Leaning in, Sir Percy brought up his gloved hand and poked annoyingly at the chest of the shorter man. "Is this how any patron to your place," he continued his poking as he spoke, obviously having a bit of fun with it, "is treated? Guests are supposed to be treated well and I do not appreciate the stares you are giving to the lady."
Marguerite watched as Percy gave her a wink, unsure if he was kidding around with the man or actually angry with him. Either way, she grabbed tighter onto his arm to no avail as he rose and addressed the man. as he did, her worst fears grew, kidding or not, this was not a wise action. Quickly she stood and placed herself in between the two men. Looking, beggingly into Percy's blue eyes, "Percy, please, it doesn't, just please, let's go."
Hearing Marguerite's continual cries, feeling her tug on his arm so, he broke the stare he had with the Frenchman and looked over at her. Immediately, he realized his mistake that she desperately tried to correct. Somewhere, in the warm reception from Maeve intermixed with his ease at traveling in this country dressed as a pauper, the Baronet forgot what role he was playing today.
As odd as it may sound, he forgot his richly lathered dress and elegant ways about him. Yes, they had been slaughtering French aristos, but who was to say his actions would not turn for the worse. "As you wish Maeve." His voice softened and his eyes now twitched in anger. Even he could be a target.
Marguerite paused to catch her breath. She shoot the waiter one more look, and reached into her purse and put a few francs on the table and grabbed Percy's hand, "Come on Percy, let's go." she said and pulled him out of the cafe.
It became quite apparent that twice in the last eighteen hours he had not only eaten poorly, but poor Maeve had to pay twice! This just would not do. He had fully embarrassed her. Of that he was certain.
Once they had left, and he not made a motion to pull any money out of his satchel, he allowed Maeve to lead him wherever she wished. Blakeney had never been in quite a situation such as this, so he kept quiet and waited to see when the coast was clear, and to watch for how his lady friend reacted to him.
Marguerite released Percy's arm once around the corner from the cafe, but kept briskly walking, all the while beginning to sob lightly. She could hear Percy's footsteps close behind, but he said nothing to her. She walked until they came to a mostly empty street not far from her own flat. She turned down a deserted alley and once out of general view she turned to finally face Percy.
Taking that as not a good sign, he silently followed Maeve, once his arm was dismissed. His mind replayed the small little event over and over in his head. As far as he was concerned, the waiter was rude and obnoxious and deserved no less than his voice. France had scared Marguerite. He could see the fear in her eyes growing.
For the first time he had brought her tears of sadness and pain. "Percy, how could you do such a thing. Do you have any idea what kind of danger you might have put us in there? You might be English, but that is not enough if you upset someone with ties to the revolution. You are still an aristo and in France that's not necessarily a good thing to be right now. My God Percy what would I do if something happened to you?"
What started as fear, turned into tears and that was something he was not prepared for. She was yelling at him. Him. Asking him if he understood the implications of danger in France. Of course he knew! He had lived in the shoes of French aristos for the past year and she was scolding him!
He moved near her slowly, as she still reminded him of his birth origin, as wrapped his long arms around her small crying form. He had not meant it anything more than entertainment for himself. His good verbal game went astray however and he had no words to make up for his actions.
Marguerite pulled out of his embrace. She was afraid for him, but she knew being in his company in such a situation could very well put her life in jeopardy as well. "Percy, promise me, promise me right now that you will be more careful."
His naturally half closed eyes opened and looked at her with worriment. She was pulling out of his embrace as if she wished to be with him no more. A worriment crossed his features, and he listened to himself be scolded yet again. She was reminding him of the last time he was scolded in such a manner by a woman. He hadn't liked it then and he certainly did not wish to embark on those buried deep feelings with his precious Maeve.
He nodded and whispered, moving every so slowly near her, so cautiously less she pull away from him, "Yes, I promise. I'm sorry, so sorry Maeve."
Marguerite through her arms tightly around Percy and buried her face in his chest and cried. "Percy, sometimes I just get so scared. I believe in the Republic and I believe in France, I truly do, but sometimes the new Republic goes to far and innocent people get hurt. No one is entirely safe and sometimes I am afraid, but more then that I'm afraid for people like you. You are a foreigner, but you have money and are accepted with members of French aristocrats and that makes you just as an acceptable target as those that have brought on this revolution. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
He held her finally, as she allowed him to do. Hearing the woman drama pour forth from her lips surprised him, to say the least. He nodded his head and kissed the top of her hair.
Marguerite calmed down as Percy put his arms around her own body. She felt the tears subside and her breathing slow as he placed a gentle kiss on top of her head, but she didn't lift her head to face him. She kept her cheek resting against his chest as numerous thought of all the events of the past few years ran though her head. So many people she knew had been so affected by the revolution, so many people hurt, she did not want to see Percy added to that list.
He stood quietly, just holding her as she was not being receptive to much he did. Unsure of what to say or if he should anything at all he tried to slowly sway her back and forth. That always seemed to be what people did when embracing small children or each other to calm.
Marguerite calmed down as she felt Percy begin to sway her back and forth. Once the tears stopped she let Percy gently rock her back and forth in the deserted alley. She released her arms from around him only to bring them up to his face and pull him closer to her. Placing a soft kiss on his cheek, and held her little nose and cheek to his face. "I love you Percy and I don't know what I would do if something awful were to happen to you."
He nodded hearing her profess her love for him. He had never told another human being that he "loved" them. Not his father. Not his mother. Not his first fiancée.
Unsure of how to respond, he just nodded slightly and stroked her long reddish brown hair. His side began to ache him. Not his ribs so much, they were irritated it's true, but he now grew hungry.
"Everything will be alright." He tried to calm down the drama she spoke of. "What would you like to do about getting something to eat? I promise to be as quiet as a mouse."
Marguerite pulled away to look into his eyes and laughed. "Yes, perhaps we should see to that. Goodness, our last few meals have turned out to be quiet disastrous haven't they?"
Seeing her smile again calmed his nerves and reassured his worries. He nodded and smiled, pointing a gloved finger to his lips, refusing to speak a word now. He was teasing her, and lifted his chin and swayed his head back and forth, glancing out the corner of his eye at his lovely Maeve.
Marguerite smiled at Percy and pulled his gloved hand down away from his lips and brought them to her own, this time offering him a few soft kisses on his hand.
Whispering in the alleyway, his lips spoke dangerously close to her ear, "Do you mind if we leave this dissolute space for something a little more becoming?"
"Oh, of course Percy." Marguerite said taking his arm and leading him out of the alley onto the main street. The sun had risen high in the sky and she brought one hand up to shield her eyes from the sun. "Where should we go then Percy. Perhaps we should head in the direction of the theatre so I can see that there will be a ticket there for you for tonight."
"That would be find Maeve. Whichever your little heart takes you." Not getting a meal did not bother him very much. He was used to going hours upon hours of time without partaking it in. Somewhere along the way, he would purchase some fruit from a vendor to tide him over.
Offering his arm, Sir Percy let Marguerite St. Just lead the way.
Marguerite took Percy's arm and lead the way to the theatre. She stopped by the box office to set aside a seat for Percy, only to find out that all of the boxes for that night were taken. Of course the boxes were where Percy usually sat, as did most of the members of higher classes. However, she noted, space was still available down on the floor. Marguerite giggled and had a spot set aside for him. Tonight not only would he watch her but she could keep an eye on him as well. "You cannot have your usual seat tonight Percy, but I think you might like a different view." She laughed and pulled him away before he could ask where he would be sitting.
No longer hungry for anything but Percy's attention and affection, she softly took his arm again and walked with him along the side of the street, wishing for someplace nice and quiet where they could still catch up on the time together they had missed.
He followed her and hearing about the seating, he nodded absentmindedly. The boxes were the best and that is always were aristos sat. He was with her however, and did not much mind where he sat, as long as it was near.
He was his normal quiet self, deep in thought over earlier affairs. He had given her quite a scare. He was enjoying this quiet silence with her, listening to the sounds of the streets around them. Happily holding her hand in both of his gloved ones.
Marguerite's stomach began to protest the fact that she had failed to eaten so far that day, and sweet smells from a few cafes where not helping her situation. As they past one, Marguerite turned to Percy, "Percy, I have an idea, let's have a picnic. I'm sure we can find a cafe that will pack up some food for us, and then we can take it to a park of sorts, some place quieter then the usual cafes and such, and," she leaned in closer and sweetly whispered in his ear, "perhaps I can tempt you with some of those sweets I told you about last night."
He nodded. "A picnic sounds simply delightful, but only if you allow me to pay for it, and for replenishing my blunders in the past days hours." He looked at her. He was not completely sure if she meant desserts or other ways to tempt him... so he did not answer for fear it was wrong and would insult her. Instead, he only hoped.
Marguerite giggled, "of course you can treat me to the lunch, and as for the few blunders, I'm sure you can find away to make it up to me."
With a smile, he nodded and laughed. Quickly, he covered his mouth with his gloved hand and shook his head. "If we are to eat, I forget I must be silent. It is bliss, so the talk of the town is, I hear."
Marguerite smiled, "Well, there are a few sounds more pleasurable then silence." She leaning in to taunt and tease him a bit more, "I missed you Percy, I missed your laugh, I missed the sweet things you would whisper to me, I miss the sound of your soft breath blowing through my ear." Just when she could tell she was getting to him, she pulled back and loudly proclaimed, "Now, how about that lunch."
If there was such a man that could have attempted to have made a more twisted face, none would have bested the reaction on the face of Blakeney. After the initial shock of her blatant tease was over, Blakeney chuffed "Twaaa Hooo! You really think so?!"
Over the past few weeks, he had been leaving the mannerisms of the British gentleman a little bit at a time. His lazy blues glanced about around them and, seeing no person that near, he quickly reached out for her departing elbow and pulled her back.
Closely he drew her over to him, his front to her back until they touched. Without releasing the grasp on her arm, the Baronet leaned forward and spoke so softly in her ear, as he was damn well near requested. "Zounds! If you miss this so much darling, how can you dare speak to a man like you have... only to pull away equally as quickly?" He moved his lips until they brushed her ear where upon his voice grew incredibly softer, "Tis hypocrisy if you ask me." Under his coat, cravat, vest and shirt, Blakeney's pulse sped.
Marguerite drew in a deep breath as Percy took his turn in teasing her. Feeling his soft breath caress the bare skin around her ear and her neck was almost too much for. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to sink back into his embrace but only for a moment. Clearing her throat, she opened her eyes and whispered, "Yes, I think a nice picnic, somewhere quiet where no one else is around to observe would suite us just fine today Percy."
Feeling her lean back into him, he smiled, as her little game was reversed. Straightening his head up to its normal height and stance, Blakeney glanced about them onto the street. "Really? Somehow I just do not seem hungry anymore my Maeve." He licked his lips and slowly let them part so more quiet and carefully selective words could escape. "Lunch." He paused. "It just sounds so....." he paused again and squeezed her elbow. "...how can one say? So droll! After your most first descriptive."
Marguerite giggled, "Well then, we could perhaps skip a full meal, I'm not terribly hungry myself, though I wouldn't mind something a little sweet right now." She continued to lean into him and rest her head on his shoulder as he stood up. "What do you think Percy, should we try to find a nice quiet spot to stay for a while?"
He growled playfully from up above. "You lead.... I am your humble servant to only blindly follow."
Marguerite giggled and lead the way, away from the crowded streets of the busy city to a quieter area, once again nearing the wooded park. Without a word to Percy, she pulled him across the road and into the woods until she found the familiar path and marked her spot with a stone as she had done so many times in the past. She started down the path before turning back to Percy, "I thought we could continue where we left off last night."
"Well, only if you insist Maeve. I must warn you, as a proper English Gentleman, I am only too inclined to agree with whatever your ladyship says." Blakeney gave a coy smile and looked down into her green eyes, then leaned down to partake in sampling the sweets from her lips.
Marguerite smiled as Percy's lips just briefly brushed her own, but then pulled back and place a soft finger over his lips. "Just a taste until we get to the clearing," she teased him as she took his hand and pulled him along the wooded trail.
"Lud!" he thought! "Simply a taste?" For him, that was a nice and forward kiss. He was more than happy to make whatever transition necessary to entice this foreign creature. God! How he was loving the French!
Marguerite giggled as they reached the lake. She paused near the hill and handed him her purse to hold while she, as she insisted, retrieved the blanket from its hiding place. Taking a small cloth, she wiped her hands free of the bit of dirt and rejoined Percy at the foot of the hill before continuing onto the clearing.
The sun was high in the sky and the day was getting rather warm, so instead of settling in the middle of the grassy area, Marguerite spread the blanket at the base of a large shade tree.
Left standing there holding the bag, Blakeney glanced out over the lake as the clouds loomed overhead where the sun peeked through. "It best not rain" he spoke to no one in particular. He felt a little warm in the full British garb and the sticky woods area. He'd been through worse though. This was literally, a walk in the park by comparison.
Once the blanket was spread, Blakeney strolled over near and pretended to inspect her work. "Hmmm. Corners not as taut as I should think." He took her bag and tucked it under his arm, continuing to pace around her and the blanket. "It seems a bit on the dull side. All cloth has an inside and an outside. I say Maeve. Are you sure you checked to see which is up and which is down."
The Baronet's lazy blues gazed over at her. He was enjoying himself.
Marguerite bent down to adjust the blanket for herself as Percy walked around and inspected it. After hearing his continual criticism of her dear blanket and even the manner in which she spread it out, Marguerite gave Percy a mock, pouty look. She removed her shoes to keep the blanket from getting fresh mud on it from the sill moist ground and stepped to the center of the blanket. She lowered herself to the ground and looked back up to him, "Don't feel obligated to sit on my blanket. If you don't like it or the way I laid it down, they you can feel free to sit on the ground if you find dirting your clothes preferable." Marguerite slid herself back and leaned against the shade tree and settled in for a rest.
Oooh! She could be so Crass! "Now wait just a moment Maeve." He said and still continued his slow strolling tour around the outside edge of the blanket. "It would appear that you have no appreciativeness for my display of humor. Quite similar in style and taste to your own." Walking around and behind the tree, he paused for a moment, contemplating what grand scheme he could do to her next.
"Actually, my dear Englishman, would appear that you have no appreciation for my gentle sarcasm, or else you would have heard the mocking tone of my voice." Marguerite continued her little act, "Oh well, if you are so put off by such wit, there is little I suppose I could do to make any type of amends, unless you have some sort of suggestion." She was taunting him again, waiting to see how he would react.
Ah yes. There it was. How he loved a good blow to his intelligence. However, with Maeve, he did not seem to congratulate himself so as he had with England's finest in the past. Still, a recovery was already in the making, churning in his head.
"What can one say to the cleverest woman in Europe? Why, damn me, I'm surprised you missed me at all these past few days." He turned the corner and leaned lazily against the tree, one foot up against the bark. He took out his eyeglass and leaned into inspect her with that inane grin of Sir Percy. "British charm and all."
Marguerite giggled as Percy looked down at her though his eyeglass. "I especially missed the British charm Percy. You know Percy, you'd probably have a better look if you joined me down here instead of looking through that tiny glass."
"Do you really think so?" He began to move the eyeglass closer and away from his eye in a game sort of fashion. He continued this back and forth while he talked. "I don't know. There is something intriguing about all this." He took a few steps on the blanket, and leaned the six foot odd tall of Baronet nearer to her.
"First, you're close. Then, far. Close. Far. Close. Far. Why if I squint my other eye, it almost appears as if you are coming towards me." He straighten up and tucked the eyeglass back in his pocket, regaining that fine stout composure of a Brit. "Silly thing really to do, but I am rather fond of it." The languid smile smirked down at her.
Marguerite gasped as Percy stepped on her blanket. "First you criticize my dear, old blanket, and then you trample dirt on it." Marguerite said as she pushed at Percy's feet. "Off with you then, you're welcomed to join my on the blanket but your muddy shoes are not." she teased.
He blinked and glanced down as indeed, he was guilty as charged. "Oh my word... whatever have I done?" Trying to continue their fun banter, he leaned over and took hold of her shoulder and lifted up one dirt tracking shoe.
"Well now, the problem is half solved, eh?" His hand rested upon her shoulder and he put a good portion of his weight upon her. The teasing and smiling face lazily looked down at her. "Now how strong are you Maeve? If I lift two feet up, surely you will be able to catch me, whot?"
"Not while sitting down Percy!" Marguerite giggled. "just take your boots off and put them to the side." Marguerite began to fuse over the bits of dirt on the blanket while waiting to see what Percy would do next.
"Hmm. If I take off my boot, I will have to stand with the first one. If I take off that one, I will have to stand with the second. I do think I need your help Milady. This is a most precarious situation."
Marguerite closed her eyes and sighed, "If you're going to be difficult, so be it. Perhaps I'll just lay back and take a nap until you decide if you want to join me here on my blanket, without your boots, or not."
Glancing up, Blakeney extended his long reach and grabbed a hold of a large overhead branch. He pulled himself up, gave a slight grunt and tucked in his chin to not hit his head. His boots dangled just above the blanket as his body swayed.
Grunting, he asked, "Perhaps you will lend a hand to a foot?"
Marguerite just shook her head and pulled at one of the boots. Once working the fine leather booth off and placing it away from the blanket, she moved as if to take of the other, but instead ran her fingers under the arch of his socked foot to see if he was ticklish.
He almost fell on her. He wasn't expecting her to tickle him. He and Andrew as kids would tumble and tossle about, tickling or punching. He hadn't been tickled in a long, long time and it surprised him.
Surprised him so much in fact, that he released his grip on the overhead branch, planted his dirty foot into the blanket on top of the earth and his lazy blue eyes widened and he tried to regain his balance and not fall on this crazy French woman.
Marguerite nearly doubled over with laugher watching Percy struggle being tickled. "So my Englishman is ticklish," she teased, "I'll have to remember that, and perhaps later try to discover any other ticklish places." She loved to taunt and tease Percy in such ways, although sometimes she gathered that he did not always understand the underlying meaning. Of course, she had no doubt that in due time he would.
He was stooping over to prevent himself from falling right on her. Blakeney's languid look was gone and in its place was the wolf that truly lived inside. "You think so?" He challenged.
"I know so," she firmly replied as she reached up and began tugging on his coat trying to pull him down closer to her.
He leaned down at her tugs, one arm planting itself to her left, the other to her right so he held himself up directly above her. This wasn't the most comfortable of positions, so Blakeney shifted his weight onto his right arm. His face redden as it hung near upside down as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Marguerite closed her eyes as she felt Percy's lips brush her forehead. She titled up her own chin as he did to push her lips against his forehead as well while bringing her hands up to cover his cheeks. Once he had kissed her, she wouldn't let him go and brushed her lips all over his face until they finally met his lips.
Seeing her chin lift for him, he lowered his head even more. He felt the muscles in his arms slightly shift and rub together as he adjusted his weight to not fall on her. She begun to kiss his forehead. His brow. His cheekbone and nose. His face was reddening more due to the blood rushing downward, but he refused to move. The blood was pumping faster too, but it had nothing to do with his head.
When her lips brushed his, her hands still holding his face, he wished to suddenly be rid of this uncomfortable position he put himself in. He closed his eyes and returned her kiss tenderly.
Marguerite sighed inwardly as Percy returned the affection, though still remembering his position, she pulled away and turned a bit to offer him a more comfortable spot on the ground near her, although she wondered if that was too forward and if he would accept.
Gladly he brought forward his knee to rest himself on and pull back upward. She moved and in turn, so did he. He may be inexperienced, but he certainly wasn't entirely the fool of England. Sitting next to her, he aimed himself so his side touched hers. His long lanky leg, rested just next to her dress. His shoulder rubbed against hers.
With that inane grin on his face he pointed down to his one boot who's heel rested on the blanket. "I think I won." Wiggling his eyebrows at her, the lazy blues laughed and taunted the Mlle Marguerite St. Just.
"That's only what you *think* Percy." Marguerite giggled. She moved away from him and grabbed at his booted foot. As he undid it and began to pull it off she stated, "I ought to have you get me a new blanket for all the mess you've caused to this one." She giggled as she finally got the boot off, making sure to see if that foot was ticklish as well.
"Oh it's not the only thing I think." He chortled back good humouredly. As Maeve began to fuss over her blanket and his boot, he closed his eyes and leaned back into the tree. "Mmmm?" He smiled as her fingers tugged at the laces on his boot. "Yes. A new blanket."
Without warning, her devilish fingers began to attack that bottom sock of his. Equally without warning, he gave out a startled cry and jerked his foot back near himself. To safety.
Marguerite giggled, "So both of your feet are sensitive to my tickling," she said with a sly laugh. "Well, no more tickling for now, I promise." She moved closer to Percy and turned her back to lean against him. She gave a soft peck of a kiss on his neck before settling in next to him and laying her head on his shoulder, "Did you miss me while you were gone Percy?"
Wiggling his socked toes, Blakeney looked at her and smiled. "Do you really think so and do you promise so?" His light blues smiled over at her. As she kissed his neck and settled in, he wrapped his arm around and rested his gloved hand on her shoulder.
"I missed you more than words can describe." Leaning in, Blakeney breathed in deeply, smelling the scent offered by his Maeve.
Marguerite began to nestle in against his warm body, but she felt in an odd way that she had to test Percy. "What is it you miss when the two of us are apart?"
He thought for a moment. What was it, in the catacombs of the jails, that he missed most. Her green eyes. The way she laughed at him. Her long auburn hair that was so soft and curving. Her soft lips brushing against his. And more than anything, her wit.
"Damn me Maeve. I honestly don't think I could choose." He pulled her close and gave her a squeeze.
Marguerite smiled, but it was not the answer she was exactly hoping for. "Don't feel that you have to limit yourself Percy, I've never been one to turn away complements." She continued to stay close, but only to avoid looking into his eyes, waiting to hear his answer.
He turned his head and looked at her. "Fishing for compliments, are we my dear?" The flashy and catlike smile widened across his mouth. "Well, let me see. I missed your dry humor. The way you are silent and always do the proper thing. The way you wear your rag like dresses and constantly keep saying sorry for every action you make."
He rubbed his glove against his chin and tried to think of something else opposite and absurd to say. "Oh! And we mustn’t forget the way when you hit all those notes, how they make the glass crack!" He couldn't hold the straight face anymore and laughed.
"Oh Percy," she scolded as he began to laugh. She turned a bit to once more avoid his glance. Her question was not meant lightly, and though she normally enjoyed Percy's humor, but right now she wished he would stop, just for a moment, but she didn't feel she could rightfully press the question much more.
Seeing her pretend to be mad, he wrapped both arms around her and pulled Marguerite back into him in a hug. "Oh come now. I'm not truly terrible, am I?" He leaned in to kiss the top of her head.
Marguerite allowed Percy to pull her body closer to his, "No, I suppose not." she offered quietly to answer his question but when she felt his head moving behind her she turned hers away.
There it was. Women. Why was it when you walked ahead and gained five steps, a woman could simply just push you seven steps backwards. This cat and mouse part of the relationships eluded him. He avoided it in the past. Made fun of other English gentlemen who professed their love for the other sex and then got confused and heart broken.
Blakeney had sat at the way side and laughed. Laughed at them. Laughed at their plight and fight in a battle that was damn near apparent to him, they would never win. Their own heart betrayed them for a woman upset was a very powerful weapon.
Not it was his turn. Seeing her move as such, it only dampened his good spirits. Was he becoming a swooning fool for some other single and lonely sap to laugh at?
Marguerite drew in a deep, but sad, sigh. She still allowed herself to remain surrounded by his arms, but she held her head a bit away. She ran her small hands over his arms gently, but almost regretfully. Inside her mind she fought over what to do next. Move away from him? Ask him again for a true answer? Give in to his soft embrace? It was all too much and so she quietly and hoped he would break the rare awkward silence between the two.
The smile slowly came out of questioning and hiding feeling her arms rub up and down his own. Perhaps he was not one of those saps after all. Enjoying the silence, he leaned back against the tree, taking her with him if she allowed, and glanced about.
The sounds in the woods were delightful to his ears and having her so close made his heart sing.
Marguerite felt Percy lean back and his arms try to pull her back, but she sat still, not willing to lean back with him. She removed her hands from his arms and crossed them in front of her own body, rubbing her own arms instead of his.
He sighed. He was one of those fools.
"What is wrong my Maeve?" He decided to take the direct route. No use playing games he did not wish to partake in.
Marguerite shrugged her shoulders. "It's nothing Percy, it's just that, well," Marguerite turned to look at him, "it's not that I don't enjoy your humor Percy, I was just hoping for a real answer to my question before." She turned away, almost ashamed for asking it before.
He smiled. There it was. "Oh Maeve." He reached forward and hugged her from behind, hugging her defiant crossed arms as well. "Do not get your feelings hurt my dear. I am having a little fun with you. What can I say? I missed being with you all together. Can't a man miss the fun we have together and play a rough game of catch up?"
Marguerite's lips trembled as she felt his arms close around her. His embrace usually felt so safe, so sure, but it felt odd now, though she couldn't blame that on him. "I had a friend, Juliet, that I used to come here and play with when we were children. Her father died when she was young, leaving her and her mother with a decent enough amount of savings that they did not struggle so severely. After a few years, her widowed mother, through hard work and luck had increased the savings but gave up her life of hard work and married. Juliet's stepfather didn't stay around long though. He promised to provide for the two, but instead he gambled and drank away most of her mother's savings and left them penniless. I see Juliet occasionally, she is forced to sell herself to men to earn enough money to pay for shelter and food. I give her money when I can, and beg her to look elsewhere for work, but she is pretty, and has many customers, and says few other womanly professions could provide her with enough money to survive now."
At first, he just sat there. Where did the drama suddenly come from? They were sitting, laughing, tickling. Now she slipped into some odd realm and he sat there feeling more and more like those British fops he made fun of. Not a good feeling.
Marguerite felt the tears welling up in her eyes, but continued to tell Percy about the fate of the childhood playmates that used to join her here by the lake's edge years ago. "Charlotte, on the other hand, had both her parents, even now. She lived in a steady and strong home, with loving parents. A few years ago, she fell in love, or so she though. The man swept her off her feet and asked for her hand. Her parents said she was too young, but she insisted, and he seemed to worship the very ground she walked on, so they agreed. Shortly after though, she found he had a number of mistresses and quickly left her in favor of one of them."
"Milady!" Blakeney's eyes widened. "Is that what you make of me?!" He was about to go on, but Marguerite kept the forward momentum.
Marguerite felt her body shake and wanted so badly to pull away from Percy, but couldn't muster the strength. "The last of our foursome, Marie, she too fell in love. He seemed kind and gentle enough when I met him, but one night he tempted her, she was seduced to an extent by him. He must of thought her willing, but she declined. He was angered and ignored her begging and her pleas. He took her body anyway and disappeared the next day. He never really loved her, he couldn't have, but he deprived her of her maidenhood and left her with a child."
Okay. This was getting out of hand. It was obvious to Blakeney what she was implying. If this is what she thought of him.... Gadzooks!
Marguerite let a few soft tears flow when she thought about what had happened to her dear friends and wondered why she was the only one that seemed at least so far, not to suffer so cruelly at the will of a man.