No More Farewells - Chapter 7
Giles was trying to make his way back to his seat when he was swarmed upon from all fronts by several people he had met over the last two days, looking to engage him on a variety of subjects and he suddenly felt overwhelmed. He didn't want to keep Buffy waiting, but he also had to do his job and make contacts within the community, create bridges. He wasn't just there to present his paper and leave, he was there to represent the V&A as well. Chewing the inside of his lip, he bit down on his frustration and impatience and engaged in conversation with those around him. Buffy knew where to find him. He hadn't moved far from the stage.
As Buffy walked down the aisle, she heard someone call her name. "Miss Summers? Buffy?"
She turned in the direction she heard the voice coming from and noticed the tall strapping blond archaeologist with the cleft chin approaching her. "Hi!" And she couldn't remember his name.
When he caught up with her, he placed his hand on her upper arm, leaned in, and lightly kissed her cheek in greeting. It wasn't something Buffy was used to quite yet, this European style of greeting. "So uh…"
"Adrian. Adrian Alward."
Buffy blushed with embarrassment. "Adrian," she repeated with nervous laughter as she pointed at him. Adrian was curator of the Anglo Saxon collection over at the British Museum she'd met couple weeks back when she'd accompanied Giles as he delivered his latest round of research to him. "I knew that. Adrian. Anglo Saxon guy. Well not Anglo Saxon Saxon, although you might be." She winced. "Just one of those funny out of context things. I certainly didn't expect to see you here… and I'm babbling. How have you been? How's the British Museum?"
Adrian smiled. "I certainly didn't expect to find you here either. I am well thank you and the British Museum is still where I left it earlier this week. What brings you to our fancy party?"
"I'm here with Giles… Rupert. Rupert Giles." She looked towards the stage, seeing him trapped by a group of people. "They really shouldn't let me be sociable in this kind of setting."
He smiled gently and said, "It's charming, really. If you like we can find some coffee out in the reception hall, and some hors d'oeuvres. Rupert looks as though he'll be at it for a while."
"I really should wait for him," Buffy insisted.
"Of course," Adrian relented. "I can keep you company, if you like."
"I appreciate it, but this is a fancy museum conference. You should mingle. A-and there are hors d'oeuvres to be eaten."
"There are," Adrian answered with a small smile. He followed her soft gaze down to his former mentor. He had a pretty clear idea of the nature of their relationship now. "Rupert really has a way with them. Every one of them is still enthralled."
Buffy directed her attention back to her companion. "It was a great speech. I thought it would have been a more dry and technical dissertation sort of thing."
"I'd thought too, but I think the more personal approach worked well and added gravitas to his argument of making history and its art and artifacts more accessible to the public by way of their stories. Definitely a wonderful way to wrap up the conference." They stood in awkward silence and Adrian took that as his cue. "Well, Buffy, it was wonderful to see you again, but those hors d'oeuvres are calling my name and it would be rude of me to ignore them."
Chuckling, Buffy extended her hand and he shook it gallantly. "It was nice to see you again, Adrian."
"The offer still stands," he added, "If you would ever like a personal tour of the museum. Bring Rupert along if you like, as far as I know, he hasn't been by to see the new exhibits."
"I'd love to, thank you. And I am sure he wouldn't need much convincing," she replied.
Adrian had little doubt that he would. "Ah, it looks like the crowd around him is starting to dissipate. Perhaps I will run into you both a little later. Enjoy the evening," he said gallantly before walking away.
—
Giles bid goodnight to the last group of people who had come to compliment him on his speech and engage him in discussion. He'd tried to brush them off as politely as he could a few times, but they hadn't picked up on his cues. When he turned to start back for his seat, he saw Buffy approaching him and he completely lost his power of speech.
She was an absolute vision. Her hair was elaborately plaited, the braids mimicking a golden crown sitting on her head, and she wore a black sheath dress heavily accented with an elegant silver embroidery that was Victorian in design. It came down to just above her knees, had long sleeves and a scoop neckline, and hugged her body without being too tight, and yet moved with her in a way that made his heart race a little faster.
Unsure of how to greet her, Giles gripped his notes in his right hand and gave her a warm smile. "Buffy, you look.." he took a deep breath before finishing, "Stunning."
She gave him a radiant smile in return and turned around, revealing the dropped back line that tapered to a point just above her waist. "You like?"
He nodded appreciatively, trying not to appear wolfish. "Very much so. And you are in luck, Doctor Feinstein opted for a suit this evening," he teased, finding more neutral territory.
"Oh good, it would have been embarrassing to show up in the same dress," she deadpanned as she took his arm and led him back to their seats.
"I am certain you wear it better."
She laughed. "You certainly have stepped up your game with your tailor, Doctor Giles, I highly approve of your ensemble."
"Thank you."
"Ah, yes, you make a striking couple," Doctor Michaud complimented as he approached Buffy and Giles.
Buffy dropped her hold on Giles arm and looked down at her shoes while Giles blushed to his roots. They weren't a couple, and he had no idea to respond, so he opted for politeness and said, "Thank you. Doctor Michaud, this is Miss Buffy Summers, my dear friend and CEO of Aegis Securities, an international firm based in London. Buffy, this is Doctor Henri Michaud, Director of the Louvre."
"I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Summers," he responded as he took her hand warmly and shook it. "I hope you are enjoying yourself."
"Indeed I am. It's the first time I've been to the Louvre. The school is very impressive."
"Thank you. I hope you will spend some time in the upcoming days to enjoy the collections in the museum."
"I am sure I will," Buffy replied graciously.
Doctor Michaud nodded in acknowledgment before turning his attention back to his fellow academic and handing him a large, overstuffed envelope. "Here are the documents you need for that project we discussed yesterday. Everything should be in order, however, should you need anything clarified, please do not hesitated to ring."
"I should have the answers for you within the fortnight as agreed," Giles reassured him.
"It is greatly appreciated, Doctor Giles," he said with a tight smile, then again he turned towards Buffy. "Please excuse my interruption. It is entirely my fault he has kept you from the reception. Enjoy the evening."
They watched him leave and as soon as the door shut behind him, they found themselves alone in the amphitheatre.
"Another one of your side projects?" Buffy asked as Giles shoved his notes and the envelope full of documents into his briefcase.
"Yes," he answered plainly, taking her arm and leading her towards the doors.
"Care to share? Should I be worried?"
Giles gave her an incredulous look. "No, and we are not talking any business tonight. Tonight we celebrate."
Her eyes lit up. "Champagne?"
"Of course."
—
After dropping his briefcase off at the coatcheck, Buffy and Giles proceeded to the reception area and loaded up their plates with the most scrumptious hors d'oeuvres either had ever tasted and toasted each other's successes with champagne. They mingled about the hall, speaking with various members of Giles' peer group and Buffy noticed that Adrian Alward had struck up a conversation with a beautiful redhead with an alluring smile at the cheese table.
Giles followed her gaze to the young, charismatic museum curator. He'd seen Adrian and Buffy talking earlier when he was fielding questions after his presentation. "Seems like he's found someone else to chat up," he said as nonchalantly as possible, shoving his right hand into his pocket
"He's a flirt, but a harmless one."
"I saw you speaking with him earlier."
"Yeah, he said hello and offered to give me a tour of the museum again."
"Ah," Giles responded before taking a sip of champagne.
"He suggested I should bring you along."
"Ah," he repeated before finding something appropriate to say. "I would like that, actually, If you like."
"I would. Like." Buffy sighed and placed her hand on his forearm. "God, Giles, why is this so hard for us? Do you think we could steal away and talk?"
"Rupert!" A voice boomed from behind them.
Giles turned towards the voice and saw a large man approaching with a congenial smile as he proffered his hand in greeting. "Asa," he greeted, trying to hide the irritation in his voice at being interrupted as he shook the other man's hand. "Good to see you again, my friend. How have you been?"
"Good, good. And yourself? Lovely presentation, by the way."
"Thank you. I am doing well. Allow me to introduce you to Buffy Summers. Buffy, this is Asa Feinstein."
Buffy tried not to laugh. So this was Doctor Feinstein, the gentleman Giles had teased her about mistaking her for if she didn't disclose what her dress looked like. His tall, heavy frame certainly wasn't suited for a cocktail dress, and he'd tower over everyone in heels. He was however, impeccably dressed, wearing a nicely tailored suit, his purple tie accentuating the silver streaks in his dark hair. "It's nice to meet you," she said, offering her hand.
Asa Feinstein took her hand and gallantly kissed the back of it. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Summers, but I do have to apologize. I need to speak with Rupert for a few minutes privately."
"Oh, no problem at all. My champagne glass is nearly empty and the dessert table is calling my name." Her eyes rose to meet Giles' and he gave her the most apologetic look. She nodded in amusement and went in search of a waiter with a tray full of champagne flutes.