Hephaestus "entered Chloris' box" Burke (igni) wrote in blurred_lines, @ 2008-08-26 18:14:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! [1979-08] august, chloris burke (née lestrange), hephaestus burke |
WHO: Chloris & Hephaestus
WHERE: Burke Manor
WHEN: Evening of 26 August
WHAT: Being cute and romantic and ugh ♥
RATING: G for Gushy M for mature MUSHY omg
Theirs was a routine they'd perfected, almost as though they'd been born to carry out the evening ritual of putting the boys to bed. Proteus and Caerus' day came to an end one hour after supper was completed, the governess overseeing their bathing and putting them to bed before their parents came in to kiss their cheeks and tuck the sheets under their chin, dowsing the lights to a dim glow as they left. Tonight was hardly any different. The governess, a grim-faced woman whose hair was pulled back in a bun as severe as her manner, did ask for a word before she retired for the evening, and Hephaestus left the two women, retreating down the hallway and into his study, uneven footsteps muffled by the rich carpeting that lay underfoot. As he waited for Chloris to join him, he busied himself with starting a fire in the hearth; it was still August, yes, and Dorset was certainly one of the milder English counties, but there had been a biting wind the past several days, and he felt a slight chill in his bones. Within moments, flames were crackling merrily. Hephaestus placed his wand on a side-table, turning away from the fireplace as he heard the door swing open to admit his wife. Curiosity left a crease between his brows. "What did the good woman want?" he asked, extending his arm to Chloris. Chloris stayed behind with the governess, though her eyes turned and lingered on her husband as he walked away. It was without the fondness she usually displayed for him in the privacy of their own home, but the governess was a stern woman, and Chloris would not allow her to see weakness of any sort. She turned her eyes on the woman and pursed her lips, "You wished a word? Please," Chloris gestured to a small alcove in the hallway, away from the children's doors. Chloris listened to the woman's concerns, her face rather impassive (after all, knitting her brows would give her horrid wrinkles and she couldn't allow such things) and she merely nodded when the woman was finished speaking, "I will speak with Master Burke and tomorrow I will attend to your issues, if we see fit." The woman raised an eyebrow and Chloris waved her away, "You're dismissed." They parted ways, and Chloris made her way to the study, glad for the woman to be gone. Sometimes she wished she could take care of the boys all by herself, but she knew that was hardly proper, and they needed the strict hand of the governess to instill in them a sense of structure and decorum. Chloris knew that sometimes she let them get away with far too much. She entered the study, and it was as though all of the tension in her shoulders from holding herself completely erect all day released. She crossed the room briskly and slid her arm into his when he offered it. She hugged herself to him, glad for his strength, glad for his touch, "she believes that it is far too early for us to begin horsemanship for Caerus, and that the new gelding we purchased for Proteus is too spirited for him." She pursed her lips in disapproval, they had bought a gelding so that it would not be too spirited for their eldest boy. "Also, she would like a week off at the end of September, paid, and apparently Proteus is not doing as well as she would wish in French and hopes that we will instill in him the importance of becoming bilingual." She rested her head on his shoulder, looking into the fire for a moment, "I do believe she is starting to overstep her bounds, Hephaestus, but she is one of the best governesses in England." As Chloris accepted his support and pressed herself against him, Hephaestus let his arm fall to her waist, instinctively tightening his grasp around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. "And it seems that she knows it, too," he replied, tone of voice a touch more wry than Chloris would probably appreciate. As he spoke, he drew her away from the fire and toward one of the couches. "I think that for now, however, it might be best to grant her this... indulgence. I don't want you taxing yourself with finding good help, not now." And he let his fingers ghost over the fabric that covered her abdomen. "And we did not hire her for her horsemanship, sweetling. Caerus does not let up with his pleas, and Proteus' old pony is quiet enough for him. As for the being bilingual," he stopped and chuckled before finishing in French, "perhaps we should begin to speak to him only in French." She nodded in agreement, as if she wouldn't, and rested her hand on her abdomen, her heart warming knowing they're love had produced yet another life that would join them. Part of her still worried for the safety of the child, but she saw her Healer nearly twice a week (except last week she had been half an hour late and Chloris had been furious) and Chloris felt as strong with this pregnancy as she had with Caerus. However, she would take no risks, and Hephaestus was right, searching for good help would only tax on her strength, "After the little one is born, I may search for someone who is more aware of her station in our home. Perhaps someone from the continent." She settled herself on the couch with him and leaned back against his chest. She drew his arm around her and settled his hand on her stomach, and left her own hand on top of his. She loved these perfect moments with him where she didn't have to worry about propriety because she knew that he loved her no matter what, "You don't agree that the gelding is too spirited for Proteus, do you? I don't wish him to be hurt... and you are quite right about Caerus. The old pony will be fine for him." She turned and pressed a kiss to his chin, loving the way the French sounded as it flowed so fluidly from her husband's lips, "You're right," she smiled and slipped into her own French, "And I suppose it would not hurt for Caerus to hear it often as well." The kiss brought a smile to his face, and he tucked his chin down, almost as if he were ticklish to the feel of her lips on his skin. "I don't know," he said after a moment, a note of teasing creeping into his voice. "I'm not entirely convinced I want to share this with the boys. I like having the option of talking to you with them none the wiser to what is being said." Hephaestus glanced down, marveling at how delicate her hand was -- more-so when placed on his own broader one. After applying light pressure on her stomach, he arched his palm upward, so that their fingers interlocked. "As for the horse, Proteus' instructor judged him appropriate for his level. He's just a completely different creature than that pony. Proteus will adjust, I'm certain." She smiled and nuzzled his neck lightly with her nose, smiling quite contentedly, "You do have a point," she purred gently in French to him, "We could always have them learn something else. Italian or Spanish." Of course, she was teasing as well, she quite knew that French would be the more important language for their children to learn, but he did have a point. It was nice to be able to talk to each other without having to worry about the children knowing what they were saying. Chloris laced her fingers through his and nodded, turning her cheek fully against his chest, "I know. I merely worry because I'm his mother and I'm always worried about his wellbeing. I trust his instructor, and I most definitely trust you," she paused, "Agatha must learn to do the same." "To trust me?" Hephaestus asked with a short laugh. "That would be a welcome miracle; she is the most sullen, distrustful woman I've had the pleasure of loosening my pursestrings to." As he spoke, he leaned down so that he could press a quick kiss against Chloris' cheek; he slid his hand free from hers and lifted it, brushing fingers first against her perfectly combed hair, then lightly up and down the rim of her ear. "What about German?" he suddenly asked, returning to the issue of language and their sons' education. "A good, strong language to know, especially if one of them is going to continue my work." Chloris adjusted so she could face her husband more he touched her hair and face. Her legs curled up underneath her and she laid a hand on his chest as she looked at him, "She is rather distrustful. I wonder if it's because she's raised so many children with parents who are rather laissez faire about parenting?" Chloris frowned softly; she couldn't imagine anyone not wanting to raise their children and care for them as best as they could, "You know, I feel like it is harder and harder to find good help. My Healer last week, she was nearly forty minutes late for my appointment. She apologized, but I was still livid." It didn't help that Chloris had her suspicions where her Healer had been. She didn't know why, but when she had seen the prescription in Malfoy Manor dated the same day as her appointment, she had grown suspicious. Narcissa wasn't pregnant, that much was obvious; the dolt would gloat about it the instant she found out. So why...? Oh, she would figure that out later... not when she was with her loving husband. "German?" Chloris was not fond of German, not in the least. She knew her husband needed it for work, but, "it's just so guttural. Though, if you want them to speak it, I understand the necessity." The ridges and dips of her ear became the smooth plane of her cheek as Hephaestus drew his thumb across her face, sliding it softly downward until he could trace the frown that pursed Chloris' lips. "I would prefer it," he said, studying her with eyes as darkly green as the trees that'd made his fortune. "It'll take them further than Italian; and besides, two Romance languages are a bit much, don't you think?" He paused, a smile deepening the lines of his face when, a moment later, he added, "But I'll enforce no decision without your blessing, Chloris. Merely... think on it." A thought hit him, then, and he straightened slightly, looking his wife over again. "What did this tardy Healer say?" he asked in a tone that clearly asked and should I be concerned? She leaned into his touch and kissed his thumb as it slid over her lips. His touch still could take her breath away... that was probably one of the reasons they were expecting yet another child. She turned her eyes to him and smiled, "Well, if you wish it, darling, then German it will be. Though they are just children and I don't wish to overwhelm them; perhaps we can have them focus solely on the German for awhile? It will be new and I am certain they will both be excited about learning something their Papa uses for work. I can discuss it with Agatha tomorrow, if you'd like." Chloris pressed her lips together, obviously still annoyed at the tardy Healer, "She claimed she had another important client who kept her over. I pointed out to her that we pay an exorbitant amount for her personal care, and that being forty minutes late for any appointment was unacceptable. She seemed quite embarrassed, but when I pressed her for more information about this 'more important' client, she refused. If it happens again I'm finding a new Healer. Perhaps we should find someone from the continent. I am sick of the poor treatment I have received here." Hephaestus nodded, a thoughtful expression sliding into place as his wife once again mentioned employing people from the continent. "Perhaps," he began, "our destination for the holidays should be one where German is spoken. Switzerland, perhaps? The boys can get a taste of the language while tearing open their presents, and you can interview potential help. I see no reason to continue employing people who distress you so -- if it's new Healers and governesses we need, then we shall get them." Chloris' eyes lit up, and she turned more fully toward Hephaestus, "Oh, love, could we go to Austria? Austria would be glorious and I've always wanted to go." She had heard so many beautiful things, but she had never been to the country. It was a shock, given how long she and Heph had been married and traveling, but she had been ill, and then always insisted on either someplace warm or French, "I could relax and interview new help, but we could keep Agatha on until we found someone suitable." She bit her lip like a hopeful child and waited for his answer, her hands resting on his chest lightly. And there it was, the sweet charm that had initially attracted him to her. It'd come as somewhat of a surprise to hear people speak about Chloris Lestrange after they'd been introduced -- by all accounts, she was supposed to be coolly polite, unattainable; in short, nothing at all like the woman who now pressed against his chest and stared at him so imploringly. As if he could deny her anything. Hephaestus, with a short burst of warm laughter, leaned forward to kiss her nose. "Then to Austria we shall go." She giggled, so unlike her 'public' self, and threw her arms around her husband's broad shoulders, "Oh I'm so excited! I will start looking into places to go immediately. And when? I will have to find out when Marius' wedding is, I know Astra is planning a winter wedding abroad." She was practically curled up in his lap now, her grin spread from ear to ear, "I will have to buy new coats for us all, I am certain it is much colder in the Alps than it is here. At least it won't be that damp cold that lingers and makes your bones hurt." She kissed his cheek lovingly and bit her lip, "Will you be able to steal away for the entire time from work?" "No, merely the frozen one that makes your cheeks all rosy," came the affectionate quip. As Chloris' spoke excitedly, Hephaestus had rested his hands on her waist; now, he gripped her with firm, yet gentle fingers and drew her fully onto his lap. "Of course I will," he continued, resting his cheek on her shoulder. "These past several weeks are not an indication of work taking me away from you on a regular basis -- especially not now, my love," his fingers stroked her stomach, "The problems have been dealt with; I am yours to do with as you will." She gladly shifted fully into his lap and caressed his cheek as he spoke, ever attentive to his words. She loved the way he spoke. The depth and cadence of his speech captivated her. At his final words though, her lips curled into a wicked little smile, "Is that so, Master Burke?" She leaned over and nuzzled his cheek gently, "That is quite a lot of power you place in my hands. Are you sure you trust me?" "Must you even ask?" Hephaestus brought one of his hands up to stroke Chloris' cheek with the tips of his fingers. "Besides, Madame, I am, as ever, held in thrall by you, so any resistance would not only be unimaginable, but futile too," he said, and then gently tilted Chloris' face so he could kiss her full on the lips. Ah. What she had wanted from the moment she met him in the room. She leaned into him and her hands slipped into his hair, a bit more forward than her public image would expect of her, but then she was a totally different person when she was alone with him. "Mmm," she smiled softly and touched her nose gently to his, "I do have to admit that I am as much in thrall with you my love as I was the day I met you. So I am as much as your disposal as you are at mine." She leaned up and gave him a lingering kiss, "So does this make us rather at an impasse?" Hephaestus tilted his head back slightly as she kissed him, both of his hands now cupping her face in his palms. "If so, I'm not complaining," he informed her in a low, warm tone when they'd parted. "It's not at all an entirely unpleasant situation to be in, my love. The only question is whether one of us will break it." "Never, my love," she said, curling into his chest. She took his hand and placed it on her belly and then kissed his jawline, "Never." |