De Monte Verde

Chapter Two
The Persuasion

I pushed back a tuff of black hair that had reached my face. There was Admiral Estrada, in all his 6 foot haughtiness.

"As long as it is in accordance with your uncle, last time I checked on the matter." He smiled a bit too smugly for my tastes.

" 'Uncle' has little, if any, saw over how I move about the world."

"Is that true?"

"Yes, very much so." I stepped back to a more comfortable distance, "Now, if it is not too bold for me to ask, what brings you out of the Sea and to our humble town Admiral?" I stepped back further to admire some of Mr. O'Farrel's hat selection, "To visit our beloved Marquis and family no doubt?"

A faint red crept into his cheeks his cheeks, "I did have some business with the Marquis, but I find his home to be rather…not to my liking."

I feigned a look of surprise "Is that so Admiral! There is home no home more exquisite than that of the Marquis of Vallado for miles! And the household contains such pleasant people," I traced the rim of a particularly absurd looking hat as I continued, "And with daughters of such remarkably beautiful disposition, especially the eldest! Some around here have even dared to hail her as the sapphire upon the Crown of Aragon! No man should find that home in their ill tastes!" My words had their desired effect upon the silent Admiral. The faint blush now consumed the greater part of his face. So it was true…

"Must you persist in such an uncivil manner Miss Francesca?"

"I am afraid I must press a bit further sir, if you do not my mind my doing so." I stepped a bit in his direction.

"As a matter of-"

"Good! No objections! Well as I was about to ask. Did you really go about in such a bumbling manner in proposing as the flock of little birdies tell me?"

He let out a most wonderful defeated sigh.

"I am afraid so."

"And did she really answer with such humiliating actions!"

"The sapphire of the Crown of Aragon is in fact very cruel. But the disgrace I suffered in her hands were very well deserved after acting in such an idiotic way."

I had had my fun; I would be on the verge of pitying him had he been some other person. But he remained inclined to remain Admiral Estrada. So I afforded him no pity. "And the Marquis still accepts you into his home!"

He shot an icy glare, which was of no consequence to after receiving a multitude of these on prior occasions.

"Yes, the Marquis still greets me with the utmost civility, unlike other acquaintances I have here."

I made my way towards him, his icy glare unrelenting. I grazed his shoulder with my chin and whispered, "It's all part of my charm, love." I stepped back as Mr. O'Farrel appeared with my desired footwear.

"Functional, comfortable, leather pirate boots Miss!"

"Oh thank you Mr. O'Farrel! They are positively divine!" I gave him the price of the boots, a bit more in gratitude. Then made another respectable curtsey in the Admiral's direction, "I must be on my way my dear Admiral."

I spun meaning to go back home, but was stopped with a firm hand on the shoulder.

"I must protest Miss Francesca. But I have a proposition to be heard by you."

I stayed in place.

"Well," another dramatic spin brought me face to face with him, with a little help from my toes of course, (which brought me not very much nearer)
"Let us go to my place for a spell aye?"

He offered his arm, which I more than happily took, "To the Green Hill! A-Ho!"

A/N A-Ho! vooooot.