Derek knows all of life is (cyclical) wrote in rooms,
Re: Mariner's Inn: Jeze C/Max M
[There were all sorts of rules about touching too, about when and where and how, and by who. But this was Max, and they were nested in the safety of a locked door. She twisted her hips in a move that would have sent her skirts swirling to and fro if she'd still been in her dress, but now was more of a frolic between her calloused hands, pleased by the compliment.
Jeze's hands were only ever calloused when she was pretending to be the maid in some gentleman's home.] Lin spoke to me barely at all. Ella, that must be your sister? I don't think she's ever happy about anything and she didn't want to play along. [Bullish, perhaps. Unyielding. And clearly not to Jeze's tastes, but without any insult.]
Luke? He's the step-son? He seemed younger and prone to melancholy. Either his life is misery or he doesn't know how to be happy. [Her fingers toyed along the edge of Max's collar.] He wouldn't make a good mark.
Jack must be the ex-lover then. I liked him best of all. [This she said thoughtfully, the edges of her mouth curling into an impish smile.] He was willing to play along, but he's also interested in your happiness. If he's true, that's a virtue not easily replaced when men have so few of them. But it could be used against him by a crafty poke.