I loved your post. Actually, I felt really inspired to write after reading it and the the link you shared above, but real life happens and my work was kind of demanding lately.
I'm sorry, I'm just very busy these days. I've done about 1/4 of my intended reply, but I'll finish it by tomorrow night. I'm really sorry :(
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And he had to work for her affection as well, while ring hard not to mix work with pleasure. :D
Good heavens! How much money did England plan on spending for him? First the grand wedding, then there was this over the top estate, and finally he opened the present for Ms. Abbott. All the money that the queen and the parliament were pouring down its little secret service department was overwhelming. It made him feel more than just a bit anxious as to what his superiors’ expectations were. But that was a topic better discussed with Mr. Lawrence Bennett.
For the moment, Nick reveled in the surprise that registered in her face upon seeing his gift. Her eyes, those eyes he would most certainly adore, went wide and her lips produced a single syllable. ”Oh…” His lips curved at the ends. He was possibly as surprised as she was when he saw the expensive piece of jewelry, but Nick had mastered the art of looking confident and all-knowing.
“Nicholas, I don’t understand. I agreed to marry you, there’s no reason for this,” she said, running her dainty fingers on the shining stones. He would have had a witty or a charming come back, but Ms. Abbott had it her way. Without waiting for him to explain the gift, the lady tip toed and quickly, but gently covered his lips with hers. It caught the gentleman off-guard, he nearly dropped the necklace. He was surprised by her boldness, but that was not to say that he was not pleased. Her lips were soft and she was undoubtedly a beautiful lady. She might not be his red-headed crush, but then again Bennett could have had set him up with someone worse.
She pulled away as quick as she had engaged with the kiss, then turned around and requested for him to help her put on the necklace. Claire didn’t give him a chance to recover. She pulled her hair to one side, exposing the creamy complexion of her nape and the bare skin of her back and shoulders. Blasted jewelry! Was she deliberately seducing him? Well, two can play her game.
While she talked about the wedding, he freed the necklace from its box then asked her to hold on to it for a while. Nick stepped closer to her then reached around her to carefully place the jewelry over her chest. She smelled like flowers blooming in spring. “Is the length alright with you?” He whispered from behind her right ear. “I told you I intended to court you before we wed. It was not part of my plan to reveal to you that like you, I was also forced into this situation. Besides, somebody once told me that the key to a happy life is a happy wife.”
After securing the clasp at her nape, his gloved hand traced a trail from the nape to her right arm and down to her hand. Warmth radiated from her skin through the material of the gloves he most specially wanted to get rid of. Nick closed his hand around hers raised it over her head and, before she could protest, twirled her around so that she was facing him
“Miss Abbott,” he said, diving in the pools of her bright eyes. "I will not blame you if you desire the company of another. I know you don't love me. However," he lowered their joined hands. At the same time his other hand found the small of her back and pulled her ever so close against him. The gems were momentarily forgotten, he was aware of only her presence. The knuckles of his right hand touched her cheek, caressing it lightly. "I intend to change that."
He leaned in into the softness of her lips, damning all the society’s rules about propriety and proper conduct. The kiss was polite and gentle, but not lacking in passion. Nick wanted her to know, without using words, that he was as willing as her to try and make the relationship work. He wanted her to understand it, and believe in it. This was still part of his work, and this was his cover. She was now one of the people he had to decieve.
Nicholas pulled away reluctantly, though he kept an arm around her. “How very inappropriate,” his smile was sheepish. “But then again, the worst that could happen if we get caught is to be forced into marriage. So what the hell. But I’m afraid I must return you to your father’s house. I will be in constant contact.”
He wasn’t. In fact, he didn’t show his face again to Claire until the very day of their wedding.
For the moment, Nick reveled in the surprise that registered in her face upon seeing his gift. Her eyes, those eyes he would most certainly adore, went wide and her lips produced a single syllable. ”Oh…” His lips curved at the ends. He was possibly as surprised as she was when he saw the expensive piece of jewelry, but Nick had mastered the art of looking confident and all-knowing.
“Nicholas, I don’t understand. I agreed to marry you, there’s no reason for this,” she said, running her dainty fingers on the shining stones. He would have had a witty or a charming come back, but Ms. Abbott had it her way. Without waiting for him to explain the gift, the lady tip toed and quickly, but gently covered his lips with hers. It caught the gentleman off-guard, he nearly dropped the necklace. He was surprised by her boldness, but that was not to say that he was not pleased. Her lips were soft and she was undoubtedly a beautiful lady. She might not be his red-headed crush, but then again Bennett could have had set him up with someone worse.
She pulled away as quick as she had engaged with the kiss, then turned around and requested for him to help her put on the necklace. Claire didn’t give him a chance to recover. She pulled her hair to one side, exposing the creamy complexion of her nape and the bare skin of her back and shoulders. Blasted jewelry! Was she deliberately seducing him? Well, two can play her game.
While she talked about the wedding, he freed the necklace from its box then asked her to hold on to it for a while. Nick stepped closer to her then reached around her to carefully place the jewelry over her chest. She smelled like flowers blooming in spring. “Is the length alright with you?” He whispered from behind her right ear. “I told you I intended to court you before we wed. It was not part of my plan to reveal to you that like you, I was also forced into this situation. Besides, somebody once told me that the key to a happy life is a happy wife.”
After securing the clasp at her nape, his gloved hand traced a trail from the nape to her right arm and down to her hand. Warmth radiated from her skin through the material of the gloves he most specially wanted to get rid of. Nick closed his hand around hers raised it over her head and, before she could protest, twirled her around so that she was facing him
“Miss Abbott,” he said, diving in the pools of her bright eyes. "I will not blame you if you desire the company of another. I know you don't love me. However," he lowered their joined hands. At the same time his other hand found the small of her back and pulled her ever so close against him. The gems were momentarily forgotten, he was aware of only her presence. The knuckles of his right hand touched her cheek, caressing it lightly. "I intend to change that."
He leaned in into the softness of her lips, damning all the society’s rules about propriety and proper conduct. The kiss was polite and gentle, but not lacking in passion. Nick wanted her to know, without using words, that he was as willing as her to try and make the relationship work. He wanted her to understand it, and believe in it. This was still part of his work, and this was his cover. She was now one of the people he had to decieve.
Nicholas pulled away reluctantly, though he kept an arm around her. “How very inappropriate,” his smile was sheepish. “But then again, the worst that could happen if we get caught is to be forced into marriage. So what the hell. But I’m afraid I must return you to your father’s house. I will be in constant contact.”
He wasn’t. In fact, he didn’t show his face again to Claire until the very day of their wedding.
Nice to hear that :) I do feel that, though not with Nicky (not most of the time). I had characters in the past too that I regretted creating, because I can't relate. This happens more often when I try something new (like sci-fi I suck at sci-fi).
“I was raised in York by my father,” he answered from a few paces behind her. This story was already ironed out by him and his handler before they both assumed the name Rochford. “My mother died when I was two. My father remarried, but his second wife, together with my younger sister, left us for another man. So to answer your question, I do have a mother and a sibling somewhere in this world.”
Beyond the windows was the garden, which was being restored to what he imagined was its previous glorious state. He had no idea who originally owned the house or how long had it been vacant, but from the looks of it, restorations were indeed being made. And now that the existence of the property was already disclosed to him, he was fairly certain that Mr. Bennett would want Nick to take care of the remaining work to be done to the house. As if his current workload was not enough.
”Nick.”
He looked away from the ivy crawling up one of the benches in the garden then to Claire. She was holding out her hand. Without thinking, he took it in his and gently tugged her closer to him. The pair stood at the far end of the ballroom, with the orangey glow of the afternoon sunlight penetrated through the windows to light up the room. Their shadows were cast long on the floor at their feet – a man and a woman staring into each other’s eyes.
“You said you always wanted a simple life. Why are you pushing for this grand, overdone wedding, then?” She asked. There were women who looked more beautiful in the dark, but he thought Claire was a more pleasing specimen to observe in the brightness of the day, when all her features came together like a painting commissioned to a master.
It was his turn to sigh. “I have a reputation to build, Ms. Abbott. I already told you the reason I am interested in marrying you. It’s not for love,” he smiled at her. “At least not yet. My father wanted to show how deep our pockets are, and if he had to spend half the family’s fortune to make our wedding day the most talked about event for the rest of the year then he would empty our treasury. It has to do with publicity, and publicly attaching my family name to yours.”
She seemed to have bought it, because Claire let the issue go and started with another one. “When Father says everyone will be there, does he mean all those fancy men in uniforms, too? The higher-ups doing all that work and planning to defend our country and honor in this war? If we must have this wedding, if we can’t just run off and have the ceremony ourselves, then I do wish to meet all of them. I have so much respect for anyone willing to put their lives on the line for this country, don’t you?”
“I suppose most of them will be present.” Especially those who were given title and land by the crown. These were the important people of London and one of these men was the key to tear down the enemy’s information network. Lives of the brave soldiers of England were at stake. Many already fell, and more would follow, perhaps even his own brother, if the leak in information was not stopped.
“Perhaps after meeting them we could have them over for one of our ballroom parties. Perhaps after meeting them we could have them over for one of our ballroom parties,” she added as she freed her hand from his and transferred it to his chest.
“Now, my dear Ms. Abbott,” he objected. “Such statements make me jealous. Do you wish to inform me that you prefer the company of men in uniform more than mine?”
Nick took her hand from his chest and placed it on his arm. They had been gone for hours and the duke might be worried about his daughter. Besides, spending the afternoon with Claire had been entertaining, too entertaining for his taste. She was not like how he imagined her to be, certainly not like the stiff lady he met at the dinner party a few nights back.
“I have something for you,” remembered, feeling the box poke at his chest again. It was a three by five inch box that he stuffed in his breast pocket. Nick retrieved the package and opened it to show a row of garnet in a silver chain. The stones varied in size, the smallest were the ones at each end, it increased in size until the diamond-bordered centerpiece of the jewelry.
Beyond the windows was the garden, which was being restored to what he imagined was its previous glorious state. He had no idea who originally owned the house or how long had it been vacant, but from the looks of it, restorations were indeed being made. And now that the existence of the property was already disclosed to him, he was fairly certain that Mr. Bennett would want Nick to take care of the remaining work to be done to the house. As if his current workload was not enough.
”Nick.”
He looked away from the ivy crawling up one of the benches in the garden then to Claire. She was holding out her hand. Without thinking, he took it in his and gently tugged her closer to him. The pair stood at the far end of the ballroom, with the orangey glow of the afternoon sunlight penetrated through the windows to light up the room. Their shadows were cast long on the floor at their feet – a man and a woman staring into each other’s eyes.
“You said you always wanted a simple life. Why are you pushing for this grand, overdone wedding, then?” She asked. There were women who looked more beautiful in the dark, but he thought Claire was a more pleasing specimen to observe in the brightness of the day, when all her features came together like a painting commissioned to a master.
It was his turn to sigh. “I have a reputation to build, Ms. Abbott. I already told you the reason I am interested in marrying you. It’s not for love,” he smiled at her. “At least not yet. My father wanted to show how deep our pockets are, and if he had to spend half the family’s fortune to make our wedding day the most talked about event for the rest of the year then he would empty our treasury. It has to do with publicity, and publicly attaching my family name to yours.”
She seemed to have bought it, because Claire let the issue go and started with another one. “When Father says everyone will be there, does he mean all those fancy men in uniforms, too? The higher-ups doing all that work and planning to defend our country and honor in this war? If we must have this wedding, if we can’t just run off and have the ceremony ourselves, then I do wish to meet all of them. I have so much respect for anyone willing to put their lives on the line for this country, don’t you?”
“I suppose most of them will be present.” Especially those who were given title and land by the crown. These were the important people of London and one of these men was the key to tear down the enemy’s information network. Lives of the brave soldiers of England were at stake. Many already fell, and more would follow, perhaps even his own brother, if the leak in information was not stopped.
“Perhaps after meeting them we could have them over for one of our ballroom parties. Perhaps after meeting them we could have them over for one of our ballroom parties,” she added as she freed her hand from his and transferred it to his chest.
“Now, my dear Ms. Abbott,” he objected. “Such statements make me jealous. Do you wish to inform me that you prefer the company of men in uniform more than mine?”
Nick took her hand from his chest and placed it on his arm. They had been gone for hours and the duke might be worried about his daughter. Besides, spending the afternoon with Claire had been entertaining, too entertaining for his taste. She was not like how he imagined her to be, certainly not like the stiff lady he met at the dinner party a few nights back.
“I have something for you,” remembered, feeling the box poke at his chest again. It was a three by five inch box that he stuffed in his breast pocket. Nick retrieved the package and opened it to show a row of garnet in a silver chain. The stones varied in size, the smallest were the ones at each end, it increased in size until the diamond-bordered centerpiece of the jewelry.
Nick watched Claire enter the room like an engrossed child. If she was faking all the excitement and the sudden kindness towards him, then she was an excellent actress. She didn’t seem to even notice that she had left her place by his side and walked towards the middle of the room on her own. Robert, now carrying Nick’s hat, stood some paces from the double doors, while Nick leaned on the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. He felt the box in his breast pocket poking at his forearm.
“Hold on, you’ve already ordered new furniture and you’re telling me I can change whatever I want?” She suddenly asked, turning sharply towards him. Nick responded with an innocent look.
“I… uh…” he tried, but decided to finish the sentence with, “Of course you can,” plus a charming smile.
To which she answered, “That seems a bit foolish to me. I trust you chose what would look best, at least for now. If the estate were horribly ugly I would be a bit more wary, but with the right pieces in here…” Her voice echoed in the empty room, high-pitched with excitement. He thought she would start twirling around dancing. Her happiness exuded from her and it was contagious. He found himself wanting to walk up to her and twirl her around if she was not going to do it herself. Perhaps some other time when they attended a ball as a married couple. “This place will look like a dream.”
”I’m impressed. Thank you, Nicholas. Now let’s see. The bed will go right here,” she pointed where she wanted his bed to be, but since it would be his, there was no point in listening to her right then. “And the couch will go over in that corner there. That way I can watch you curled up like a dog while I fall asleep. May I see the rest of the estate? I’d like to postpone going back as long as possible…”
Nick chuckled. “If all you wanted is to watch me sleeping, I can sleep somewhere else more accessible,” he said with that lopsided grin of his as he met her halfway. He stopped in front of Claire, close enough to look her down or grab her. He did the latter, because the lady stood only up to Nick’s chin. “Then again, the question is whether or not you shall have the privilege of sleeping on the bed,” he smirked, then he looked over his shoulder and added for Robert, “None of this is to be mentioned to my father.”
The butler bowed in obeisance. Nick casually placed an arm around Claire’s shoulder steering her out of the room. “This way, your most royal highness,” he declared, his voice resounding in the room. He led her to the door and walked straight, following the corridor. “We continue the tour around your kingdom. Robert, please lead the way.”
“Naturally, sir,” the Butler answered. Even if Robert’s brown hair was starting to gray, the gentleman was fit enough to walk faster than his master. “Please follow me.”
He led the tour of the house, from the master’s bedroom to the guest bedrooms and the servant quarters. Each room was sized and designed differently, but in the latest fashion. One or two were even reserved for the future children of the couple, these rooms were already fully furnished. It made him wonder who really was in–charge of preparing the house, because the how illogical was it to furnish rooms whish were less likely to be used first.
After the bedrooms, the butler led them to the kitchen on the first floor. It was also a large room with enough windows to be airy and comfortable. Nick thought that it had the capacity to cook for a party, which led him to ask, “Robert, I remember we have a ballroom?”
“Yes, you do, sir.” He nodded. “Would you like to inspect it next?”
“Yes, please.” Then to Claire he said, “You can organize dinner parties better than any dinner party ever organized in London. No doubt your guests would say nothing but praises. But there’s something I need to tell you,” he paused, staring ahead instead of looking at her. “The guests cannot stay until midnight. The noise will disturb the spirits roaming the halls.”
Robert cleared his throat. He turned on a corner and followed the corridor again until they were met by yet another double door. However that one was taller and grander than their bedroom’s door. Without warning, the butler pushed one of the doors open and they were welcomed into the section of the house that was two storey high, with balconies around the perimeter.
“This is your grand ballroom, Mr. Rochford,” the butler introduced. “The library, I believe is almost as large, but at the moment the book collection of yourself and your father’s is still in York.”
“Hold on, you’ve already ordered new furniture and you’re telling me I can change whatever I want?” She suddenly asked, turning sharply towards him. Nick responded with an innocent look.
“I… uh…” he tried, but decided to finish the sentence with, “Of course you can,” plus a charming smile.
To which she answered, “That seems a bit foolish to me. I trust you chose what would look best, at least for now. If the estate were horribly ugly I would be a bit more wary, but with the right pieces in here…” Her voice echoed in the empty room, high-pitched with excitement. He thought she would start twirling around dancing. Her happiness exuded from her and it was contagious. He found himself wanting to walk up to her and twirl her around if she was not going to do it herself. Perhaps some other time when they attended a ball as a married couple. “This place will look like a dream.”
”I’m impressed. Thank you, Nicholas. Now let’s see. The bed will go right here,” she pointed where she wanted his bed to be, but since it would be his, there was no point in listening to her right then. “And the couch will go over in that corner there. That way I can watch you curled up like a dog while I fall asleep. May I see the rest of the estate? I’d like to postpone going back as long as possible…”
Nick chuckled. “If all you wanted is to watch me sleeping, I can sleep somewhere else more accessible,” he said with that lopsided grin of his as he met her halfway. He stopped in front of Claire, close enough to look her down or grab her. He did the latter, because the lady stood only up to Nick’s chin. “Then again, the question is whether or not you shall have the privilege of sleeping on the bed,” he smirked, then he looked over his shoulder and added for Robert, “None of this is to be mentioned to my father.”
The butler bowed in obeisance. Nick casually placed an arm around Claire’s shoulder steering her out of the room. “This way, your most royal highness,” he declared, his voice resounding in the room. He led her to the door and walked straight, following the corridor. “We continue the tour around your kingdom. Robert, please lead the way.”
“Naturally, sir,” the Butler answered. Even if Robert’s brown hair was starting to gray, the gentleman was fit enough to walk faster than his master. “Please follow me.”
He led the tour of the house, from the master’s bedroom to the guest bedrooms and the servant quarters. Each room was sized and designed differently, but in the latest fashion. One or two were even reserved for the future children of the couple, these rooms were already fully furnished. It made him wonder who really was in–charge of preparing the house, because the how illogical was it to furnish rooms whish were less likely to be used first.
After the bedrooms, the butler led them to the kitchen on the first floor. It was also a large room with enough windows to be airy and comfortable. Nick thought that it had the capacity to cook for a party, which led him to ask, “Robert, I remember we have a ballroom?”
“Yes, you do, sir.” He nodded. “Would you like to inspect it next?”
“Yes, please.” Then to Claire he said, “You can organize dinner parties better than any dinner party ever organized in London. No doubt your guests would say nothing but praises. But there’s something I need to tell you,” he paused, staring ahead instead of looking at her. “The guests cannot stay until midnight. The noise will disturb the spirits roaming the halls.”
Robert cleared his throat. He turned on a corner and followed the corridor again until they were met by yet another double door. However that one was taller and grander than their bedroom’s door. Without warning, the butler pushed one of the doors open and they were welcomed into the section of the house that was two storey high, with balconies around the perimeter.
“This is your grand ballroom, Mr. Rochford,” the butler introduced. “The library, I believe is almost as large, but at the moment the book collection of yourself and your father’s is still in York.”
There was nothing wrong, he thought, in indulging in a rare moment of cease fire between him and his bride-to-be. Especially because the day was starting to feel like it would be another long one and the sad news was that they were only halfway done. Therefore, Nicholas closed his eyes and leaned to her touch, listening to her soft melodic voice.
“I do believe that was the most honest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth. Thank you. That’s all I’ve wanted from you!”
His blue eyes fluttered open in response to her gloved hand leaving his cheek so soon. Those words and the sincerity backing it made him feel a bit guilty. She would never make the assignment easy.
“This entire time, all this silly fake romance and putting up fronts, and you’re being forced into this just as much as I am!”
“I had to. I had hoped to win you over and make this easier for both you and I,” he said, turning to face her. They both participated in a contest of wills, staring into the other person’s face, smiling their personal versions of a content smile, and not wanting to be the first to break eye contact.
“No more lying about why we’re here or what we want,” Claire continued, still watching him with her bright eyes. ”Doesn’t this feel better? Yes, we’re both unhappy, but I feel like things are better now. Though that last bit sounded a little silly…you don’t know if I’m a wonderful person. Not yet, and that’s all right. I probably won’t be wonderful for quite some time, Nick. I enjoy making you miserable all too much,”
“As far as London is concerned, Ms. Abbott,” he sighed in fake disappointment while she laughed. “You are very different.” And difficult, he wanted to add. “And as your husband, I promise, with all my heart, to retaliate no matter how petty your issue might be.”
“And Nicholas? I would love for my boy to look like you. He will. So enough of that, please? Ready to show me around? I’m excited to get a look at my bed,”
Nick didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped out of the carriage first then helped her down. He took advantage of their close proximity and leaned close to her ear to whisper, “I’m sure you would want our boy to look like me as I am – according to more than one reliable source – a painfully handsome gentleman.” Then he offered his arm while wearing his most charming smile.
They stood on a five-acre property of neatly trimmed grass and strategically planted trees – one even served as shade to the couple. The house itself rested on a small hill, elevated from the surrounding, which allowed them a beautiful view of their land and neighbors. Tree-lined cobbled stone path traced about half a kilometer from the iron gates, passing through a bridge over a pond, to the façade of their house. Had he not supposed to have seen the property already, Nick would have panicked, but standing beside Claire, he assumed a confident face. “Do you like it so far?” he asked.
The house itself was an L-shaped three-storey mansion, covering a floor area of 12,000 square meters. Its walls were of red bricks and limestone, put together to match the latest in architecture in England. He led her up the stairs to the front porch where the double doors were opened by none other than the Rochfords’ townhouse butler.
“Robert,” he acknowledged the other man’s presence. “Is the master’s bedroom prepared?”
“Not quite, sir,” Robert replied. He was generally a polite man of mid-forties, but Nicholas and Claire turning up at the door and looking for the bedroom might have had forced inappropriate thoughts in his mind. He covered the pause up with a well-studied clearing of his throat. “Some of the furniture, not just for your bedroom, has not yet arrived.”
Nick didn’t seem to notice. “I would like to show Ms. Abbott the room, for her approval,” he said. The older man had no cause to argue. He led the couple up the staircase and into their room. Much to his disappointment, the door opened to a very bare, but admittedly very spacious room with enough windows to light the space up.
“I do believe that was the most honest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth. Thank you. That’s all I’ve wanted from you!”
His blue eyes fluttered open in response to her gloved hand leaving his cheek so soon. Those words and the sincerity backing it made him feel a bit guilty. She would never make the assignment easy.
“This entire time, all this silly fake romance and putting up fronts, and you’re being forced into this just as much as I am!”
“I had to. I had hoped to win you over and make this easier for both you and I,” he said, turning to face her. They both participated in a contest of wills, staring into the other person’s face, smiling their personal versions of a content smile, and not wanting to be the first to break eye contact.
“No more lying about why we’re here or what we want,” Claire continued, still watching him with her bright eyes. ”Doesn’t this feel better? Yes, we’re both unhappy, but I feel like things are better now. Though that last bit sounded a little silly…you don’t know if I’m a wonderful person. Not yet, and that’s all right. I probably won’t be wonderful for quite some time, Nick. I enjoy making you miserable all too much,”
“As far as London is concerned, Ms. Abbott,” he sighed in fake disappointment while she laughed. “You are very different.” And difficult, he wanted to add. “And as your husband, I promise, with all my heart, to retaliate no matter how petty your issue might be.”
“And Nicholas? I would love for my boy to look like you. He will. So enough of that, please? Ready to show me around? I’m excited to get a look at my bed,”
Nick didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped out of the carriage first then helped her down. He took advantage of their close proximity and leaned close to her ear to whisper, “I’m sure you would want our boy to look like me as I am – according to more than one reliable source – a painfully handsome gentleman.” Then he offered his arm while wearing his most charming smile.
They stood on a five-acre property of neatly trimmed grass and strategically planted trees – one even served as shade to the couple. The house itself rested on a small hill, elevated from the surrounding, which allowed them a beautiful view of their land and neighbors. Tree-lined cobbled stone path traced about half a kilometer from the iron gates, passing through a bridge over a pond, to the façade of their house. Had he not supposed to have seen the property already, Nick would have panicked, but standing beside Claire, he assumed a confident face. “Do you like it so far?” he asked.
The house itself was an L-shaped three-storey mansion, covering a floor area of 12,000 square meters. Its walls were of red bricks and limestone, put together to match the latest in architecture in England. He led her up the stairs to the front porch where the double doors were opened by none other than the Rochfords’ townhouse butler.
“Robert,” he acknowledged the other man’s presence. “Is the master’s bedroom prepared?”
“Not quite, sir,” Robert replied. He was generally a polite man of mid-forties, but Nicholas and Claire turning up at the door and looking for the bedroom might have had forced inappropriate thoughts in his mind. He covered the pause up with a well-studied clearing of his throat. “Some of the furniture, not just for your bedroom, has not yet arrived.”
Nick didn’t seem to notice. “I would like to show Ms. Abbott the room, for her approval,” he said. The older man had no cause to argue. He led the couple up the staircase and into their room. Much to his disappointment, the door opened to a very bare, but admittedly very spacious room with enough windows to light the space up.
I play male in my only active RP in this site, but I assure you I can play female characters. The problem with me is that I sometimes take two or more days to reply, although I do try to post a reply once a day. Anyway, will you share your reincarnation x reincarnation plot? We can discuss via PM.
The lady was confident that she could boss him around as easily as she might have ordered around those men who she had an affair with. Well, if she was not your typical London woman, then Nicholas was certainly not a gentleman. He was beginning to regret trying to act like one by bringing up the topic of their bedroom arrangement. There was just the thought that she might not be comfortable sharing the bed with him – a complete stranger. He forgot who he was talking to. This was Claire Abbott, famed adulteress of London’s high society, the lowest hanging fruit, according to Bennett. Perhaps he didn’t need to act all gentlemanlike around her.
She shifted her attention to him again, smiling a smile that reached her eyes. He must admit that he liked that look she was giving him, as if there was something positively evil running in her head. “Oh, I will certainly take you up on that,” she said laughing. “What do you think the contest should be? What about something with our horses? We could race, if you’re all right with that. Or perhaps we could jump with them? I’ve trained in both.”
Nick frowned at her, though he couldn’t fight the irresistible urge to grin at how absurd it was to challenge a person in his profession to race on horseback. He was not just trained he learned the hard way that speed could be the fine line between life and death. Then again, she had no idea who this man sitting across her was. Nick decided to let the frown go and instead cocked a brow at her. His grin turned lopsided as he answered, “If you believe yourself a better rider than I, then by all means let’s agree to race and whoever loses, takes the couch.”
“Nick, may I ask you something?”
He was not ready to let go of the argument, it was kind of fun disagreeing with her, but Claire’s tone implied that it was over. Whether or not they really would race to decide who sleeps in the bed would wait until whatever she intended to discuss was over. Nick slowly assumed a sober expression and nodded at her.
She seemed hesitant to say whatever it was she wanted to discuss, but the lady gathered her guts and continued, “I may not understand why you want to marry me, and you’re right, this isn’t exactly how I pictured my life playing out, but there are still things I’d like to have. I’d like to start a family. Have a couple children, perhaps more. Not now, not with the war going on and things so uncertain, but one day. When we’re ready.”
Nicholas leaned forward so that his elbows rested on his knees then he reached for her gloved hands on her lap to cover it with one of his own. “Claire…” he said as soft as a whisper, testing her name as it rolled out of his tongue for the first time.
“I don’t believe that you actually love me, Nick,” she admitted, cutting him off. “But I bet you could love our children. Just picture it! Playing in the yard, maybe a dog there too. Hopefully she’ll look like her mother, though. I know you’re not one to be tied down, I can tell with your flirting for the sake of your business, but you wouldn’t have to be with us often. I could handle things at home.”
For the first time he felt sorry for marrying Ms. Abbott. She had nothing to do with the mess happening inside Queen Victoria’s military organization. Despite everything about her that was unlike every woman in London, she was still a woman instilled with a dream to build a family and live a simple and yet happy life. It was a kind of life that he could never give her. If anything, he coming into her life was only to give her pain, because as Bennett said, Nicholas Rochford IV shall die at the end of the assignment.
Nick allowed himself to smile a small sad smile. “I am happy to build a family with you, Claire,” he said. A lie and an empty promise. He wouldn’t want to father a child who he might not even get the chance to see born into the world. “And yes, we will keep a dog. Dogs are nice enough animals, not much better than horses, but it will be interesting to keep a dog. And our first child will be a boy, who will look like his father.” Emphasis was placed on how their first boy would look like him. It was unintended, and he hoped she didn’t catch it, but she thought he was a flirt, he believed that she was unfaithful.
He pulled his hand back and straightened in his seat then looked out the window. They were already in Kensington. Once the carriage stopped he would have to assume that whatever was in front of them was the property that he was supposed to have purchased. “I don’t think you love me. We are getting married for our families’ sake. Just like you, my father arranged this for me and as the heir, it is my responsibility to act for the betterment of my family’s name. Being attached to yours is quite something.” Nick watched the landscape from the window as he spoke. What he said was not completely a lie. “I had wished for a simpler life, but this is the hand dealt to us, we might as well make the most of it. You’re a wonderful woman, Ms. Abbott. I will not be surprised to find myself falling in love with you.” Now that was a lie. If there was one thing that was ultimately forbidden to agents such as him, it was to mix his personal feelings with his work. At the moment, Claire was a vital part of his work.
She shifted her attention to him again, smiling a smile that reached her eyes. He must admit that he liked that look she was giving him, as if there was something positively evil running in her head. “Oh, I will certainly take you up on that,” she said laughing. “What do you think the contest should be? What about something with our horses? We could race, if you’re all right with that. Or perhaps we could jump with them? I’ve trained in both.”
Nick frowned at her, though he couldn’t fight the irresistible urge to grin at how absurd it was to challenge a person in his profession to race on horseback. He was not just trained he learned the hard way that speed could be the fine line between life and death. Then again, she had no idea who this man sitting across her was. Nick decided to let the frown go and instead cocked a brow at her. His grin turned lopsided as he answered, “If you believe yourself a better rider than I, then by all means let’s agree to race and whoever loses, takes the couch.”
“Nick, may I ask you something?”
He was not ready to let go of the argument, it was kind of fun disagreeing with her, but Claire’s tone implied that it was over. Whether or not they really would race to decide who sleeps in the bed would wait until whatever she intended to discuss was over. Nick slowly assumed a sober expression and nodded at her.
She seemed hesitant to say whatever it was she wanted to discuss, but the lady gathered her guts and continued, “I may not understand why you want to marry me, and you’re right, this isn’t exactly how I pictured my life playing out, but there are still things I’d like to have. I’d like to start a family. Have a couple children, perhaps more. Not now, not with the war going on and things so uncertain, but one day. When we’re ready.”
Nicholas leaned forward so that his elbows rested on his knees then he reached for her gloved hands on her lap to cover it with one of his own. “Claire…” he said as soft as a whisper, testing her name as it rolled out of his tongue for the first time.
“I don’t believe that you actually love me, Nick,” she admitted, cutting him off. “But I bet you could love our children. Just picture it! Playing in the yard, maybe a dog there too. Hopefully she’ll look like her mother, though. I know you’re not one to be tied down, I can tell with your flirting for the sake of your business, but you wouldn’t have to be with us often. I could handle things at home.”
For the first time he felt sorry for marrying Ms. Abbott. She had nothing to do with the mess happening inside Queen Victoria’s military organization. Despite everything about her that was unlike every woman in London, she was still a woman instilled with a dream to build a family and live a simple and yet happy life. It was a kind of life that he could never give her. If anything, he coming into her life was only to give her pain, because as Bennett said, Nicholas Rochford IV shall die at the end of the assignment.
Nick allowed himself to smile a small sad smile. “I am happy to build a family with you, Claire,” he said. A lie and an empty promise. He wouldn’t want to father a child who he might not even get the chance to see born into the world. “And yes, we will keep a dog. Dogs are nice enough animals, not much better than horses, but it will be interesting to keep a dog. And our first child will be a boy, who will look like his father.” Emphasis was placed on how their first boy would look like him. It was unintended, and he hoped she didn’t catch it, but she thought he was a flirt, he believed that she was unfaithful.
He pulled his hand back and straightened in his seat then looked out the window. They were already in Kensington. Once the carriage stopped he would have to assume that whatever was in front of them was the property that he was supposed to have purchased. “I don’t think you love me. We are getting married for our families’ sake. Just like you, my father arranged this for me and as the heir, it is my responsibility to act for the betterment of my family’s name. Being attached to yours is quite something.” Nick watched the landscape from the window as he spoke. What he said was not completely a lie. “I had wished for a simpler life, but this is the hand dealt to us, we might as well make the most of it. You’re a wonderful woman, Ms. Abbott. I will not be surprised to find myself falling in love with you.” Now that was a lie. If there was one thing that was ultimately forbidden to agents such as him, it was to mix his personal feelings with his work. At the moment, Claire was a vital part of his work.
”With all due respect, madam,” Nick started, fighting to hide the amusement from his face. She looked so pleased with herself, she was even giggling. Was she toying with him? “I will not be sleeping in a separate bedroom.”
There were several logical reasons why sleeping in separate bedrooms was a bad idea. First was that it would give the house servants something to talk about, which in turn might catch the duke’s attention. Nick didn’t want Lord Abbott’s attention more than what was necessary. He was the gateway into the House of Lords, and to be able to use him, Nick had to be the best husband that Lord Abbott’s daughter could ever dream of. The other reason he thought was that the said rumor might suggest, though implicitly, that Nicholas Rochford IV had his interest resting on other options, someone who had anatomical parts that Ms. Abbott lacked. He would personally see to it that the second consequence of separating bedrooms would have no chance of happening.
But… Realization dawned on him too late, he had already proposed to her to sleep in separate beds. Could it be that she was thinking that he did prefer other partners? There was nothing wrong with her anyway. She was a beautiful lady, who, with what her dresses revealed, had her curves in all the right places. He should be happy to be marrying this woman. Nick especially liked the way her eyes lit up when she had something mischievous in mind like a few moments back when she talked to him about how he should sleep somewhere else. Her hair, he could just imagine him running his hands on its silky length. And then, as if having a life of their own, his eyes traveled further down his face, to her long slender neck, following her smooth exposed skin down her collar bone and into where skin ad clothes met. After they got married, no matter that it was fake, she was going to be his, and he was definitely not gay.
Nick cleared his throat. “Our bedroom will have a couch where the person not using the bed can sleep for the night. I suggest, to give both of us a fair chance, that we agree on a contest and whoever wins, will have the bed for a night.” That way they can both stay and watch the other one suffer.
There were several logical reasons why sleeping in separate bedrooms was a bad idea. First was that it would give the house servants something to talk about, which in turn might catch the duke’s attention. Nick didn’t want Lord Abbott’s attention more than what was necessary. He was the gateway into the House of Lords, and to be able to use him, Nick had to be the best husband that Lord Abbott’s daughter could ever dream of. The other reason he thought was that the said rumor might suggest, though implicitly, that Nicholas Rochford IV had his interest resting on other options, someone who had anatomical parts that Ms. Abbott lacked. He would personally see to it that the second consequence of separating bedrooms would have no chance of happening.
But… Realization dawned on him too late, he had already proposed to her to sleep in separate beds. Could it be that she was thinking that he did prefer other partners? There was nothing wrong with her anyway. She was a beautiful lady, who, with what her dresses revealed, had her curves in all the right places. He should be happy to be marrying this woman. Nick especially liked the way her eyes lit up when she had something mischievous in mind like a few moments back when she talked to him about how he should sleep somewhere else. Her hair, he could just imagine him running his hands on its silky length. And then, as if having a life of their own, his eyes traveled further down his face, to her long slender neck, following her smooth exposed skin down her collar bone and into where skin ad clothes met. After they got married, no matter that it was fake, she was going to be his, and he was definitely not gay.
Nick cleared his throat. “Our bedroom will have a couch where the person not using the bed can sleep for the night. I suggest, to give both of us a fair chance, that we agree on a contest and whoever wins, will have the bed for a night.” That way they can both stay and watch the other one suffer.
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