InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I am profoundly annoying!"

Duchesse du Labarre. (laduchesse) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-06-09 19:42:00

Entry tags:

christopher_blake, thérèse_du_labarre

Subject: Dinnertime.
Who: Thérèse du Labarre.
Where: Dining room, Christopher's estate.
Warnings: None.
Open to: Christopher Blake.

For the first time in weeks, Thérèse wasn't wearing black.

She felt foreign in a colour, actually. She was unused to it. Every time she looked down, she had to do a double take. Her dress was a light lilac, almost a cream, and had pretty embroidery over the bodice. Not the plain mourning gown she was used to. But this wasn't an evening for sitting around and moping about Julien. This evening, she was to have dinner with the Lord.

She was looking forward to it. Christopher was a sweetheart, and she was looking forward to just sitting and having dinner and talking. She wanted to look her best, too, hence the new, pretty dress, and the way her hair was set in a simple but attractive updo, little flowers dotted through the dark curls. Forget-me-nots. How apt.

It was nearly eight, so she checked herself in the mirror, making sure she was nearly ready. A few last additions - a pair of drop earrings and her rosary around her neck - and she was done, opening the door and making her way downstairs to the dining hall. There, she paused, before knocking on the door and stepping inside. "Is my presence required yet?" She asked quietly, looking around for a sign of life.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

blakethesecond
2008-06-12 03:47 pm UTC (link)

His comment had not been directed at her, just a passing observation which he did not wish to degrade her feelings towards her husband's passing. He knew it must be upsetting for her... if he had known of her anger at him he would have swiftly apologised. It was never good to anger a possible source.

"That must have been rather a surprise for you, then," he replied, adopting the same tone. "To come out of such a religious world, sheilded and protected, into the safety of a man's arms and then suddenly to England... I hope you do not mind my asking but - how did it happen? Your discovery, your arrest..."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 03:56 pm UTC (link)

Thérèse simply kept her silence for a moment, still unsure as to whether she wanted to leave or not. That comment, directed at her or not, had been taken badly, and she was hurting now. Perhaps retiring to her room would be better for all, so she could cry.

But he'd asked another question, so she shifted in her chair, now simply picking at her food. She was no longer hungry. "We were betrayed by a close friend. Apparently our good friend Cerdan turned out to be Robespierre's good friend Cerdan." She sniffed, taking another long drink.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	blakethesecond 2008-06-12 05:22 pm UTC (link)
	Christopher nodded, mentally noting the name. "I am sorry for that." And I am sorry that you must be once again betrayed by a man you trust. With a sigh he continued to eat in silence. He had no idea what to tell her or how to progress further. She was obviously uncomfortable so he left it a few minutes before he spoke agani. "How did you escape?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 05:35 pm UTC (link)

Thérèse spent those few minutes in silence too, alternating between drinking and picking at her food. She was feeling a little heady, a little buzzed, and her concentration was beginning to wane. But she didn't stop drinking, simply gesturing for another refill once she'd drained the glass.

When Chris spoke again, she looked back up at him. "Another friend. Told me about you, in England. Said you'd harbour me until it was time to go back to France." Well, it wasn't like her friend had lied. He'd just been... economical with the truth. "He helped me get across the channel. And to you. It was his carriage I arrived in that night." She remembered very little about that night. She'd been exhausted and cold and utterly miserable. All she remembered was Christopher's kindness, and the memory made her soften towards him. She looked up at him again, giving him a small smile. "Thank you for keeping me safe."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blakethesecond
2008-06-12 07:34 pm UTC (link)

Christopher shook his head. "Do not think on it. The time has passed for thanks and praise as you are as much a part of this house as any. I use whatever means I can to aid those who need it, and nothing more, and I would offer you the challenge to say something different that you like about me rather than my simply being your hero."

He smiled at her brightly, thoroughly genuine; was he flirting with her? He suspected he was in his own gentleman-like way. He quickly downed his wine, hoping to mask his nerves as he went over what he had just said, hoping it wouldn't offend her.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 07:45 pm UTC (link)

Perhaps, had she not been swimming in the sea of glorious alcoholic relaxation, Thérèse would've blushed and stammered something before making her excuses and going to her room. But as it was, she didn't. She took the comment lightly, enjoyed the light flirtation, and returned his smile, leaning forwards in her chair.

"Throwing down the gauntlet, hm? Well, I accept." She cleared her throat, adopting an expression of thought. "I like your kindness and your generous nature. I like your sense of humour. I like your chivalrous sense. You treat ladies well." She leant back in her seat again and studied his face, taking him in. "I like your voice. It's gentle, and soothing, and the first thing I heard when I arrived. I'll always remember your voice. You were a comfort to me before I'd even climbed out of the carriage." She shifted her position again. "And I like the way you kissed my fingers on the way back from the church. You are so tender." She fell silent then, looking down at her plate before reaching for her glass again. "Those are my thoughts, anyway."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blakethesecond
2008-06-12 07:52 pm UTC (link)

Whatever Christopher had been expecting it certainly was not this; as Thérèse continued to compliment him he found himself blushing, pausing as he had began to bring the fork to his mouth to continue eating. His mouth had dropped open, unable to smile, but as she stopped speaking he grinned. This was refreshing. Thérèse was refreshing and for a moment he completely forgot their situation.

"There is a lot you like about me," he chuckled, putting down his fork and taking a drink. He certainly needed it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 07:58 pm UTC (link)

"Mmm, there is." She smiled in return, smoothing her skirts a little and taking another drink. "There's a lot to like about you. I hope I shall one day find it all." She wasn't sure what she meant by that. She knew it was silly to hint towards any kind of future in the romantic sense, but hadn't she just done that? She didn't know. She ran the words over in her head, before deciding to leave them open to interpretation.

"And I hope you'll allow me to put the same challenge to you. Why are you so kind to me, aside from the fact I'm in need? I'm nothing but a silly alien who speaks three languages and can do arithmatic. What use am I, in these changing times? We need strong fighters, not weak scholars."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blakethesecond
2008-06-12 08:34 pm UTC (link)

Christopher paused thinking over his reply carefully before began to reply. He was in dangerous territory but he didn't mind a jolt. "Your eyes. Those were the first things I noticed about you; though you were upset they were so striking I could barely look away. It was then that I noticed how beautiful you were and I would be a fool not to like that. Your voice has a melodic lilt which makes you all the nicer to listen to. I like that you are kind enough to thank me constantly where many do not care, and I like that you are intelligent. You are a learned woman, your emotions are either high or low and you are fascinating to me..."

With a shock that he had come out with all those things, he quickly hid behind his glass, looking away from her sheepishly.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 08:47 pm UTC (link)

As Thérèse listened, she found herself blushing too, ducking her head and resisting the urge to smile wide. "You're very sweet," She murmured, glancing back up at him. She could feel the wine closing in on her mind, clouding her rationality, but she didn't mind. It was a nice feeling. A very nice, relaxed feeling. "That's something else I like about you. You're sweet and... absolutely gorgeous." She chuckled, raising her hand.

"C'mere." She gestured with her finger, indicating for him to come closer. "C'mere, really. Don't worry, I'm not going to hit you or throw wine on you." She wasn't sure what she was doing, but she knew that she'd like Christopher closer. She'd like him not so... on the other side of the table. Closer would be nice.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	blakethesecond 2008-06-12 10:30 pm UTC (link)
	Christopher put down his knife and fork, dabbed his mouth with his napkin and then rose to his feet, walking around to Thérèse slowly but with a measured smile. "What exactly is it that you have planned for me?" he asked, still mulling over that gorgeous remark. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

laduchesse
2008-06-12 10:38 pm UTC (link)

Thérèse gave him a wide smile, glad that he had listened to her. She still had no idea why she wanted him closer, besides 'it'd be nice'. She really liked Christopher, and he was lovely, and he smelt nice! So why not? It was the alcohol thinking, but she couldn't be blamed for that, right?

Well, as he got closer, she suddenly found a reason to have him there. It seemed like a good idea at the time, yes. The fact her mind was fogging rather awfully now might've had something to do with it. She swayed a little, rationality and coherency beginning to dissipate. Perhaps she'd lay off the wine now.

"C'mere." As he got close enough, she reached up to him, curling her hand in his shirt and pulling him closer. She used him as leverage to stand up as she did so, swaying on the spot and grinning somewhat airily. "There we go. Much better." And then she leant in, her arms going around his neck, and she knew exactly what she was going to do.

At least, she would've, if her body hadn't had other ideas. It was tired, so it was going to go to sleep. And that was exactly what it did. Instead of planting a kiss on Christopher's lips like she'd originally planned to, she simply fell against him, fast asleep. Not before cracking her forehead off of his chin, of course. Ow. She'd have a bruise there in the morning. Now there was hoping he caught her. Otherwise she'd have a very undignified fall. And it would, perhaps, even wake her up.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blakethesecond
2008-06-13 03:51 pm UTC (link)

Christopher's eyes had flashed infront of them as she fell forwards, her head bashing against his lip and he immediately tasted blood. He could not inspect the damage due to Thérèse's sudden limp body in his arms. Well, that was odd. From being rather aloof, to thanking him, to flirting and wanting to kiss him all in a sitting of dinner. He was glad he hadn't brought his wine over; either he would have a mess on the floor or Thérèse would have had a mess on her dress.

Lifting her up he set her back down in her chair, finding her exhausted form rather heavy to manouvere but he had had practice with his siblings many times. Calling for his manservant he eventually began helping Thérèse back up to her room. She was almost comatose, and on so little wine! But Christopher busied himself by thinking of that and setting the task of putting her in bed, rather than the fact he had wanted and desired to kiss her in those few minutes she had held him.

That notion was too dangeorus to entertain.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -