Robert could not believe his eyes. He had heard and seen people somewhat change after childhood but a girl to turn into the vision of his dreams? Never happened before. He could not wrap his head around the fact that, the little awkwardly tomboyish Lyanna Stark had bloomed and morphed into this enchanting creature. She held everyone's attention and played with it well with her innocent country Miss charm. Although she met everyone with the wit and politeness no country flower could muster.
God above but she was dazzling, he thought with a soft smile. Throughout the time he stood by that group, he could not utter a word of the things he wanted to rebuke her about, but silently stood, smiled when she did and gasped when her laughter tinkled. Because a being this pulchritudinous couldn't have any less beautiful laughter.
Maybe it was the way he looked at her that changed or it was just her look, in any case Robert Baratheon's whole world tilted that night and he couldn't be more pleased for it.
He tried to catch her eye. She always looked the other way. He tried to get a dance with her. Her dance card would be full. He tried to give her his gift. She brushed him off with a polite,
"I'm sure, your Grace, our footman George is receiving those for me."
Even after being slighted amongst his peers with her constant snide remarks, he had a smile on his face. And a silly one at that. That smile followed where his eyes went and his eyes beheld her each and every gliding movement. He just couldn't help it, his Lia was so graceful.
She was his Lia.
His.
He laughed while smoking a cheroot on the terrace. God, but she was meant for him and it was about time his house received some tender female care. His house and himself. He turned his head and grinned at Ned.
"I think I just met my future duchess."
Ned scoffed, "It was always meant to be."
"Alright I think I just met the girl of my dreams."
Ned blew smoke towards the night sky and turned his damned too perceptive gray eyes at him, "Really?"
Robert held his gaze. He knew right then he was facing Lyanna's protective elder brother not a childhood bosom buddy. He tried to convey the sincerity of his intention. His gaze never wavered. He wanted her. As his wife. His lady. Just his.
Ned nodded after a second or two and took another drag from the burning cheroot, "Come to call tomorrow. Talk to father." And turned away. That was it. He had his friend's blessing. Now he only needed to make their courtship official.
Lyanna was standing in the shadow of one of the pillars that sorrounded the ballroom at the Starks residence, when she heard the movement by the fern plant beside her. That who made that movement, silently stood by her as both of them observed the crowd. How the crystals of the chandeliers covered all the elegant people in their sparkling light and illuminated their gay faces while they talked, gossiped or even danced. So far, everyone seemed busy and it epwas unlikely she would be missed.
"You were right." She said after a moment, " No matter how much it kills me to admit, you. Were. Right."
An amused chuckle, "Puss, these people have very predictable minds. I have lived amongst them, freely, yet had them believe I followed their bloody drab rules."
Lyanna hummed in agreement and then turned to him, "Where on earth were you?"
"Admiring my star pupil from afar and hearing unbiased comments being whispered among Uncle's so-called well wishers. You're a hit by the way."
Lyanna scoffed and rolled her eyes. Like she gave a damn if the ton received her with open arms into their bosom. Bunch of ninnies an fools.
"How unlady-like." He reproved in mock severity.
Both cousins grinned at each other.
"I saw someone following the principles you mentioned down pat."
Oberyn mocked a stunned look, "Was it every lady here today?"
"Well, yes, but she was truly marvelous. Had everyone of the unfair gender..."
"Funny."
"...wrapped around her finger." Lia twirled a gloved finger in the air. "I am utterly impressed. Her jibes are so fine only a mind with a perception akin to a microscope could get it."
" Did yours? "
"Do you doubt it?"
"Do I ever?"
Lyanna laughed but tried to stifle it with a hand, "Yes. Many times actually."
"Must be Cersei Lannister. Known to be not a lioness as such but a vixen. Though her golden beauty gets her away with every riot she might cause. I personally do not like her as a person. As a woman, I desire her yes."
"Of course you do." She teased, "There is hardly a woman you don't desire."
"I don't desire you." He countered.
"My heart bleeds, truly." Her tone was dry, "Besides i do not wish for us to trade skin remedies, I just want to learn from her. Like I did tonight."
"You're getting better than her I suppose, I saw a certain unapproachable duke hanging to your every word."
"More fool he."
"He's not known to be one."
"He is a waste of existence. His brother is far more charming."
"I'm sure he is. Since he wasn't even trying to charm you."
"What?" Her inquiry was hesitant due to confusion.
Oberyn had a mysterious smile on his face and just shook his head in dismissal.
"Whatever the reason, my point being that the duke of Stormend and his bizarre habit to stare with an addled smile is not charming in the least to impress me. His interest is inconsequential." She shrugged one of her dainty shoulders.
"Many mamas here would slap your wrist for saying that. I even heard him being called irresistible."
"By whom? His staff?"
Oberyn laughed out loud at that. His handsome face looked more carefree. His dark eyes wrinkled at the corners with mirth as he regarded her. He wasn't tall, no. He was shorter than Lord Winterfell, but was lithe like a snake and seemed graceful in his evening clothes, or in any apparel. He wasn't just a dandy who struts in a gathering with his impecable sene of style. He was the heart of any party. People sometimes said he could charm a queen to gamble her crown away, thus his reputation among the ladies and his luck with cards. Unlike Doran he enjoyed revelry and partying which always ensured an invite to the Carlton house. He was in short, quite a sought after guest at any gathering, if you want to make it a hit.
Whenever Lyanna was finished with her lessons with that dreadful semi-dragon Mrs. Deveril, Oberyn made time every afternoon and evening for his little cousin's original lessons. Ones that she actually needed.
He took it upon himself to teach her everything there is to know about the beau monde. From where to shop in Bond Street, to how to flirt. At first when he told her about flirting she laughed out loud on his face, which he endured with a bland look. When she was done he told her just as blandly what he thought of her BRAYING, making the young girl's cheeks grow red, which in turn made him teach her how to use her feminine blushes to enchant men. Needless to say she was a fast learner and he only saw promise that night.
"You needn't laugh, cousin. I'm utterly serious. I do not like him."
"Have a care, puss. He is not only an admired peer of the realm but your brother's very good friend as well."
"Oberyn," Lyanna turned her troubled gaze at him and only said, "No."
She wasnt negating any thing he said but stopped him from persisting on the issue. He searched deep in her eyes for sincerity, when he found only that and distress, he could just nod his head in acknowledgment.
There was certainly something his little cousin was not telling him. No one could form such a severe dislike like that. He was sure since Stormend spent a lot of his holidays with Ned at Winterfell he must've met Lia at some point. Probably teased the poor girl incessantly.
"You said there would be invitations once I have had my ball."
"Yes. That and you also require a voucher for Almack's" He looked through the crowd and nodded his chin in the direction of 3 elegant ladies with fashionably ennui stricken faces, "Those are 3 of the Lady patronesses. Elia invited them for a reason and they came because of your father's influential circle. Lord Winterfell is a very honored member of the ton."
Lia looked too and remembered how Elia too had to emphasize for a proper behavior before she introduced her to those ladies. "I remember meeting them but did not know." She remarked absently while watching an exchange between Miss Lannister and the Earl of Grisham. 'She has them all fooled. Now that is an art to learn.'
He stopped and stretched his neck to see beyond the sea of faces. "Lia, I think my sister's mother-in-law is leaving and Elia looks bad enough to faint while searching for your pretty face."
Lyanna came away from the pillar and batted her eye lashes, "Pretty?"
Oberyn groaned, "Women. Never satisfied with a single compliment. Run along, minx, before Elia faints."
When Lyanna reached her cousin she heard the duchess fluttering in distress, "Elia, my darling, I apologize again for my son. He promised he would come but at the last minute he had an emergency!" She held Elia's hands tightly, "Oh but you must come this week with Lyanna and introduce her to the rest of your family." She laughed at Elia's blush.
Lady Rhaella Targaryen, the duchess of Westeros, was a beautiful woman even in her somewhat advanced years. Her silvery gold hair was pinned up in an elegant chignon, decorated with what seemed like diamond pins and pearls. It went beautifully with her light mauve ball gown. She was known for two things in the ton, her unhappy marriage and her extravagant sense of fashion. Nothing less than perfect for the duchess of Westeros, as only superfluity could compensate for her marital state.
She and the duke were cousins, with the same grandsire and were betrothed since her birth. It could be said that she was born to be his duchess, in a way like Cersei Lannister, who was just bred to be a duchess, any duchess. But Lady Rhaella was known to be an epitome of a ducal lady wife. It was as natural to her as breathing. Almost the whole kingdom knew of the Duke's treatment with her but she was never seen cowering with a ducked head in public. She always looked fabulous and better than the rest. Even her parties are known to always be a successful affair.
Her deep blue eyes went to Lyanna and smiled, "Darling girl, what a success you are! How beautiful." She lightly tapped under Lia's chin with affection. "Elia, you must be proud of your little cousin and yourself after this night."
Elia weaved her arm through Lyanna's as she said, "I could only do so much with what was given. This is all Lyanna's light shinning through. I was but a little help."
"Modesty! Look at my daughter-in-law, and how humble she is." Lia fought against the urge to grimace in embarrassment, "I saw little Lia as a child and I can truly say you have worked a miracle, darling Elia. I only saw a swan tonight, nothing else." When Lia stiffened beside Elia, she quickly looked at her apologetically.
Lyanna let go of her cousin and just stood there with a bland face. Waiting for Lady Westeros to leave. Which she did after inviting her again and saying her loud farewells. She shouldn't have been surprised with the duchess's veiled jeers. She had a frank way of conversing which was unlike Elia. Lyanna always imagined her cousin to be married among people that were like her. Kind hearted and loving. They seemed to be loving but didn't have a kind word to say to anyone except their family.
Lyanna sighed, braved a forced smile for Elia and moved away to lose herself in the crowd.
Maybe it was a ducal thing. Families of dukes acted as such? Not thinking of others as human beings or their equals. Not that there were many of them but some of them were knoen to be a class apart. At times like these she really resented her Papa. For he kept her from knowing that people could act like thus. In a way it was her fault as well, she frowned at where Stormend laughed and talked with her father. That 2 years ago was lesson enough, for anyone who looked for it.
She made her excuses and started to go upstairs, that for a moment when she turned her head she met Robert Baratheon's intense blue eyes. Maybe she never learned that these lords...they were in a way like spoiled children and got what they wanted. Always. She looked away but not before she saw him salute her with his glass and smirk in his cocksure smug way.
The next day Robert did just as his friend suggested. He woke up in a chipper mood, which even his somber valet, Hicks, pointed out, and Robert replied with a clap on his back shocking the living lights out of the man and exclaimed, "It's a beautiful day to score a comely duchess, my man!"
"Good luck, your grace." His valet replied blandly, not really inviting conversation.
Then the young duke went about chatting while Hicks shaved him, combed his hair, helped him dress up and tie his cravat. He told his annoyed valet everything about Lyanna, her family and their betrothal, and never once really saw Hicks's strained face. He skipped breakfast, as Ned suggested they go together to their club after his call. Besides, he was too excited to eat.
So he climbed his new bay, a marvelous piece of horse flesh which he named Wallace, because he wanted to make a good impression and made his way to Lord Winterfell's townhouse. On his way he bought a bouquet of pretty heathers for his Lyanna. His. He chuckled. As he knew she lived her life in the country, she'd appreciate the gesture. What girl doesn't like flowers?
The Stark residence was a stoney roman-style mansion situated on St. James. This was maybe the work of that architect who was obsessed with combining modern with old, but the result of his labors were always magnificent. A tall entrance gate had a Lupine emblem on it, Robert noticed its detail while passing it to enter the drive towards the entrance facade with Doric columned Palladian portico. The gardeners were at work to maintain such a fresh and colorful garden, but mainly to keep it presentable for the many callers whose carriages and horses he could see.
Robert was surprised to see Luwin, who received him. "You managed to leave Winterfell behind, Luwin?"
"It was hardly a choice, your grace, when there was help needed for Lady Lyanna's season."
"Ah."
The duke never asked why he didn't see him nor the butler mentioned he was the one who received late guests last night. Ergo, him as well.
He lead him into an entrance hall where they turned left which lead into a drawing room colored in themes of green. All the ladies rose immediately when he was announced except of course Lyanna, who stopped smiling and took her time plus a discreet nudge from her cousin to stand. She was surrounded by young people of both the sexes but she was the only one who looked apart. She looked very pretty in pink and his mouth watered as his mind compared her to a confectionary. Unbidden his gaze traveled down to her chest where the neckline was deep but not too deep. Like a promise of something that can exceed your imagination. He licked his lips. He could take a bite out of her...
A throat softly cleared and brought him back to the present. God but he was losing his mind. Just a look at her newly blossomed self and lascivious thoughts bombarded his senses. He looked around and smiled, greeted everyone and made his way towards Lia. She was glaring at him. Maybe his face did play out his mind's musings. His smile widened. Good. He wanted her to know how he felt. She did an adorable mock curtsey but did not offer her hand.
"Lia you look lovely today." He presented her the flowers, "Now I see some pink roses would have been ideal. But I hope these can suffice for now."
Her eyes dropped to the bouquet in his hands then at him. She gestured vaguely at someone. As it turned out was Luwin who took them from him to place them with the rest of the arrangement.
"That was very kind of you, your grace. Thank you."
He frowned at her. She didn't even touch them. And it was such a bland thank you, even Hicks sounded more lively than that. He took a seat, thinking he already talked to Lord Winterfell and had some time before their meeting which he could spend in small talk. Lyanna served him a cup through a server and practically ignored his presence.
"So how are you finding London?" He asked.
"Tiring." As yesterday he only received a one worded answer.
"Have you seen all the sights?" Another eager chum asked.
"All the necessary ones I suppose. Bond street, Madame Cherie, the glove maker..." She smiled in a teasing way.
Everyone laughed.
'Would it kill her to give me that smile?' Robert's good mood dimmed a bit. Not a lot. A bit.
"That is true, these are necessary for the season, but have you seen the Mayfair, Vauxhall, Drury Lane ectcetra?" Some heiress, Miss Belfry, inquired.
"Not yet but one day soon."
"Oh you must come for the Wednesday show of Mrs. Delafort! The woman has an amazing voice."
"I'm sure my lord you stayed long enough to hear her perform as well."
Titters and sheepish laughter.
Lyanna slid a knowing glance at Robert, which made the teacup in his hand almost slip, and smirked, " I too would love to see the woman everyone loves to talk about."
Robert gaped at her. Did she know anything? If so, how? Because if it was Ned he would most definitely murder his friend for talking. There was already a strain between them he didn't need the devious gossip too. He kept an innocent and bland mask, and did not let her goad him further throughout the conversation.
At one point when he saw she kept ignoring him, he had to look elsewhere to talk or else again seem like an arse. He talked to people, joked and laughed and bid his time to have the minx alone to talk to her. That opportunity came when she went to the far corner of the room for some refreshments.
He sidled up beside her and she visibly tensed. "Lia." He said simply.
"Your Grace."
"Robert. Surely you haven't forgotten my name so soon." He purred near her ear. Discreetly of course.
"Our brain tends to forget mishaps more easily." She looked up and emphasized, "Your Grace."
He chuckled, "My witty Lia." She huffed but he continued, "Come now. Do not be angry with me any longer. How long has it been since I last saw you? 2 years?"
"I wouldn't know my lord. In order to keep a measure of time it would require for me to care."
"Ouch. You pierce with every parry."
She measured him up and down, "Yet here you stand." She meant to turn around but he captured her elbow.
"Wait."
She twisted away and grated, "Your Grace?"
He smiled again, "Let me take you for a ride tomorrow morning."
"I'm sorry Your Grace."
"Why not?" He frowned.
"Because I'm sure I would have a headache tomorrow."
He stared, "How about the day after that?"
She shook her head apologetically, "Stomach ache."
He felt his lips twitch in amusement, "Thursday?"
She didn't even hesitate, "Sprained ankle."
He scratched his brow to hide his smile, "I see."
She turned around and acted so bloody embarrassed that it was almost believable, if it wasn't for those teasing eyes. "I truly am sorry Your Grace. Perhaps another..." She smirked scornfully, "lifetime?" Scoffed, then walked away while swaying those delectable hips.
'Oh no my bittersweetness, this lifetime.'
He looked for her cousin and quickly formulated a plan of action.
It was a nice way to spend an afternoon, Lyanna mused while sniffing new books. New pages and fresh ink always had a dazing effect on her senses. But she would be lying if she thought that the books were the only reason for her happiness. She looked out the window again. No, it was also the anticipation of meeting him again. She felt many stares on her ever since she first stepped into the shop. First it was the grumbling owner who didn't want her in there. She told him off in the most sweetest of words that she was sure his head spun. Then as the shop filled up all the other patrons sneered at the shabbily clad waif examining the books.
Their snobbery was unbearable but she wouldn't have come unless the shop's window guaranteed a full view of the shop opposite to it. Where she first saw him.
Her plan though, seemed a bit faulty and now that she had time to think, it was rather impulsive to just clothe herself in an old shabby gown and march herself to the store opposite the one in which she saw him. Only to spy just a glimpse of him. Whether he would come again for the same reason she came.
'Just a peek.' She promised herself. She wasn't sure he was tall enough or broad as her mind perceived him so that she could do him justice while writing about him in her journal. And she couldn't quite remember the exact shade of his thick mane that hung losely and came about his chin.
Yes, she needed details. Ah, well, not that he would come for a fact but waiting while going through these books, she was not complaining. She smiled to herself.
In the next moment she heard commotion outside and strode out the door into the street's pavement after hearing a low plea in a childish voice. There was a crowd accumulated between two shops. A man's angry yelling and a child's answering screech could be heard clearly now. Lia hastened in her steps and was completely oblivious of a pair of violet eyes that followed as well as the man himself, ever since she stepped out of the shop.
As she reached the middle of it she saw a cowering little boy who clung to a book while, Lia guessed was the owner of a shop gave a solid punch and shook him violently.
"I'm telling you, Sir, it was my papa's book! I want to sell it to buy medicine for my mama! Let me go!"
"Papa you say runt? Do you even know who he was? No son of a whore is going to get away with stealing from me!"
At that Lyanna gasped and elbowed her way towards the child, who was bleeding from the head and crying big fat tears. She almost took the next hit but the man stopped. "How dare you, Sir? As if beating a defenseless child was not enough you have to use such an uncouth mouth."
The boy clutched to her skirt and tried to get up, "I didn't steal it. It was my papa's."
Lia looked at him and was surprised he could even stay conscious with all the blood dripping from his face. "Hush, sweetheart, just stay down." She knelt and cleaned him as much as she could with her handkerchief.
He was very small, almost hip length, and wore dusty and ragged clothes. His black hair was matted with blood on one side but even beside that it wasn't in any clean condition. It was short and was shaggy. His small face was smeared with dirt and contrasted his bright blue eyes. He was in short a beautiful child, Lia observed.
"Who the 'ell are you?", the shopkeeper grumbled. She's seen him before. He had an old shop where he mostly sold antiquities. He was an old gruff looking man, true, and his muttonchops only added a grizzly effect yet he didn't seem so bad. She couldn't fathom an old man could treat a child so brutally and scowled at him. Funny, how people can show their true colors.
"Someone with a little bit of moral fiber, Sir. Have you no shame? This little boy could have died." She sneered in her most haughty tone.
"Now see here..."
"Not that a person's circumstances should matter when it comes to precious life, but listen to his manner of speech! Does he seem like a street urchin to you?"
The man grumbled under his breath, "'E stole from me."
Another voice asked from the crowd right behind from Lyanna and the boy, "How much was the book worth?"
"20 shillings." The man scowled.
Lia glowered at the man, "Not worth the child's life I can assure you." Then she dug the amount from her reticule and threw it at the man's face. "Be gone, Sir. Let this be a lesson to you."
The man turned purple with fury at her insult. He tried to step up to the disrespectful young chit but was held back by a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Leave." The impeccably dressed huge gentleman said just a word and the crowd dissipated. Lyanna heard it too and stiffened. He was there.
As the noise quited the man's Hessians appeared in her field of vision but she was too upset to really concentrate on him or his voice.
"That was utterly stupid."
"I did not see anyone stepping up for the poor boy."
"Not that. But as a girl, to just leap into a situation without anyone to support you. Stupid." He crouched beside them. "Someone would have stopped him sooner or later."
She frowned, still not turning towards the man,"When? After that odious man had killed him?"
"Some people were inclined to stop him."
"Sir, had I seen such a man I wouldn't have to intervene.
"You shouldn't have intervened, regardless of the situation." He chided with an impatient tone.
"Why?"
"There is a reason to call womankind the fairer sex."
"Funny how I always wondered what is its masculine counterpart called. Unfair sex perhaps."
He laughed which in turn made her lips twitch. He stared at her a beat or two and said quietly.
"Look at me."
Lia ignored him and made a show of dusting the child's clothes and adjusting the collar. The man caught the child's eye and sighed dramatically and shrugged as if to show how much patience it required to deal with her, while he grinned in answer.
"I'm alright mi'lady. You should really look at the gentleman."
The said gentleman leaned closer and almost whispered playfully, "Yes, you should really."
Lia just clenched her jaw and decided to change the subject. "And you boy! Did you really steal the book from that man?"
The boy pinkened, "It was my papa's, I swear!" He opened the end page and showed it to her, "M. M. Stone. That was him. It was a gift from my grandfather. I'm not lying."
Lia read the note and asked, "Where is your papa?"
The child bit his quivering lower lip, "He died. People... People took away his things."
"Then sweetheart," Lia placed a kind hand on his shoulder, "I am guessing his things were sold?" When the boy nodded she continued. "This belongs to the person who bought it. It is still considered as thievery even if it once belonged to you. What you did was wrong."
The boy just stared at the ground in embarrassment and let the tears fall down his cheeks. "I'm sorry."
"I know now you are dear. You seem to belong from a good home, what would your mother think?"
The boy scoffed bitterly and wiped his nose with his sleeve. "She doesn't care. But I'm the one who has to find medicine when she needs it. It's not grown on trees I know. I just..." He looked up at Lia with bright eyes, "I just don't want to lose her too. No matter what she does. I can't..." His voice cracked and Lyanna quickly engulfed his shaking shoulders in a sideways hug.
"Come now sweetling I think it's enough lessons for her today." The man decided to break the tense emotional moment.
Lia frowned at him, "Her?"
He glanced meaningfully at the child and smiled with a tilted head, "Her."
Lia gawked at the child and blinked slowly once and then twice.
The child looked flustered, "Mi'lady... I..." She widened her big pleading blue eyes at her and whispered after a long pause. "Do you hate me now?"
"Hate you? Dear girl you just might have gotten yourself an admirer." Lia smiled at her and lightly touched a coal black curl on her head, "What is your name?"
"Mya."
Lia mused while staring at her cherubic blue eyes, "How could I not see?" Then muttered, " I did think you were quite small for a boy." Mya smiled at that. "You must come with me and have your wound cared for."
Mya jovially sprung to her feet and chirped, "Don't worry, lady." She dusted her britches, "Dr. Willson lives next door and is a very nice person. He'll fix me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Lia gauged the little girl's sincerity and then took out some money for her, "Please take this, little Mya. For your mother."
The girl frowned at the money and just stared at Lia for sometime, hesitated, and then held her book for Lia to take, "I'm not...not a beggar, mi'lady. Please buy my book."
After gaping at the small child for a long moment she mutely took her book. "How old are you?"
"6."
"Impossible."
"Almost 6."
Lia laughed incredulously while holding the book to her chest, "You're 5? Did you eat an old man to be so wise at this age?"
"Eww" Mya scrunched her nose, finally acting like someone of her age. "I did not eat an old man. They smell like medicine." She giggled.
Her mirth was contagious. Lia giggled with her while their audience chuckled in his deep voice.
After sobering up Mya asked, "Will I see you again?" And blushed.
"Dearest Mya. I must insist upon it."
With that the girl hugged her tight, smiled to the man and ran. Forgetting all about her injury, she whirled around waved enthusiastically and disappeared around the corner of a building. Lia was worrying her lip while thinking about the little girl's bloody gash on the head, that from her side she heard.
"So."
She stopped what she was doing and thinking, too much aware of the voice and of the man it belonged to.
"So," she got up and hastily shook her skirts, "Good day, Sir."
She couldn't go very far, not even 2 steps really, when she was whirled around and dragged to a darkened corner between the shops, which was also quite away from any prying eyes. 'And from anyone's hearing distance,' an unbidden thought emerged in her mind. Her back suddenly hit a cold wall while another brick wall-like body barred her escape. She just gaped at the thick column of his tanned neck, trying to regain her bearing.
She could feel him staring but could not yet meet his eyes, then out of nowhere he plucked at the ribbons of her askewed bonnet losening it and moved it enough to let her hair escape. Brown, hip length silk spilled around her yet she didn't make a sound. Not of outrage, nor of distress. She was that surprised. She felt a light tug at a lock as he pulled it to his nose and felt the texture in his fingers. "Hmm. Vanilla." He almost whispered to himself.
Anger snapped her mind back to working order. She snarled at him, "How dare you! Have you lost your mind?"
The insufferable man just chuckled making her gasp, "Perhaps."
She scoffed still angrily, "Well 'perhaps', you could do that where I do not have to endure your manhandling my person! Move at once!"
He didn't move a single inch but just grinned at her struggle.
She tsked and clenched he jaw while pushed with all her might at his hard chest. When she exhausted a little she raised her eyes towards the heavens, "Just my luck to be stuck with..." She looked at him and hissed, "with this man!"
He moved and pressed her further into the wall, "You may curse your stars, my girl, not that I can hold you accountable." He chuckled, "But I'm thanking every divine intervention for being." Violet eyes bore into her own, "Stuck. With you."
"Shut up." She spat and renewed her struggles.
"Settle sweetheart, before you hurt yourself." He said softly.
"Let me go!"
He didn't answer for a long time when she looked up at him, he was staring with a serious and intense look, "The question is, if I can?"
She panicked, "What? What does that even mean?"
"Exactly what it sounded like." He replied cheerfully.
"You can not go about abducting people!"
"I can, if I wish to and plan carefully."
"Dear God, you're a lunatic!" She practically shrieked, shrank into herself and closed her eyes tightly.
Just her luck to finally find her long ago voice to be of a madman. Now she cursed herself for ever thinking of wanting to see him again. God, will she never learn that men except for papa and Luwin are beasts. Selfish beasts. Why her? Why? Why?
"Sweetheart," she barely heard his whisper, "please look at me."
She slowly opened her lids and saw his encouraging smile. "You ran away that day." It wasn't a question but was softly uttered as one.
But Lia's temper could not be cooled that easily, "Can you blame me?" She pouted.
"Well, yes, since I told you not to move."
She just scowled at him and tried to kick his shins.
"And you did not even tell me your name."
"We just met." She grated while frowning. "And I don't make it a habit to go about, telling my name to lurking strangers with ogling eyes."
"Good. Or else, Angel, I would have worried about someone else taking you away from me."
"You don't have me!"
"Not yet."
She stopped struggling for a second and just stared. His words were very unsettling. How could he dare to lay claim on her like that after just a chance meeting.
"You're frightening me." She murmured, "Stop this nonsense at once."
Lia saw him recognize her unease and tried to induce levity in the moment. He mocked a severe thoughtful frown, "But, Angel, you must tell me your name. How else am I going to lurk the streets in my half crazed mind calling out for you?" He seemed so boyish in his teasing that a giggle escaped her but she swallowed the rest and glared at him.
"Crazy man."
"Aggravating Angel."
Lia needed to get out of there. No matter if she felt it in her bones that he would never hurt her but it was getting silly and Beth, her maid, was waiting for her. They both had to get home soon. It wasn't very original but she was glad that something finally came to her mind.
She looked past his shoulder and with relief exhaled, "Oh thank goodness you're here constable..."
He stiffened and moved in her line of vision, away from her. He turned to look behind when she slipped out of his grip and ran like hell. He laughed in surprise and disbelief but didn't follow her. She bested him fair and square. He ran both his hands through his hair and held them behind his neck and stared back at her when she turned around while hurriedly tucking her hair in the bonnet.
"I'll find you again. I promise you." It sounded more like a threat than a promise. Heart in her throat she just laughed at him and ran, vanishing among the crowd of people.
