Trio Maxwell-Chang (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} trio) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} fictionaltrio,@ 2007-09-08 11:58:00 |
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Title: Courtship
Author:
trioRating: G
Warnings: none
Word Count: 271
Summary: Lily reflects on Archibald Craven's courtship.
We shared tea once, sitting at a small white table in my garden. He looked tired and careworn, but he had a gentleman's wit about him, his gentle voice regaling me with tales of places I'd never been. His stories called to mind beautiful landscapes and exotic peoples, and more than once, my garden rang with laughter. With tea long past, he finally left, and I was glad that he paused then, and asked me if he might return. I never expected this...
He comes down my walk, cane tapping jauntily on stepping stones and a beautiful bouquet of roses in his hand. He does this every day now, joining me for tea, courting my favor. I wonder, sometimes, how he can't see that he already has it. It's not just the flowers, though he can easily see how much I love the beautiful plants. It's his ready laughter, and his warm smile and his eyes... Those eyes never stop smiling at me, but there's an ache behind those eyes, a bit of pain that never fully leaves. I want to soothe away that pain, leave those beautiful blue eyes with only happiness to share with me. The pain is most distant when we link arms and walk through my garden, enjoying the scent and sight.
During those times, when I feel the warmth of his arm against my side and the way my skirt brushes against his leg, I am aware of his closeness. I wonder, each time, whether I'll ever be bold enough to tell Mr. Craven just how handsome he really is, surrounded by my flowers. Perhaps someday...