The Gardens - 10.20
"You may call me Marius, yes," he said, taking a few steps back so that he could lean against the edge of some stone decoration or other. "Though Monsieur works as well," he added though he was unmistakably joking. At her insinuation that he would make a good addition to a family he made a slight face in spite of himself. His manners could be perfect when he was around his elders, but around those younger than him he never bothered.
"I should think that a mother would think that, yes," he said, unable to sound as if the idea appealed to him. "Or at least that my family's finances would make a good addition to a family," he mused. "And I have a theory about the shoes. They are to prevent a quick escape I am afraid, devised by a man so old that the chase would be difficult for him."
At her comment about France he nodded vaguely. He missed France more than he could express and this evening was only emphasizing the differences. It was even worse knowing Genevieve and Julian were back at the Manor enjoying themselves and he was here. Her comment about French caused him to give her a strange look.
"French is easy. It is the language of love, so if you love, the speaking is easy."
He wasn't trying to be flirtatious with that, Merlin knew Genevieve kept his thoughts occupied when she was around, but he coudn't help but express his adoration for his homeland.