Charles Whitehurst Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Susan did an admirable job removing a layer of dust from his hair and clothing. A brushing, no matter how thorough, would not remove all evidence of the tunnels from his clothing. "No, they will just think I have been wrestling dusty brigands to the ground," he jested. Charles found that he enjoyed watching Susan's hands removing the dust from her bodice. It was not done in a sensual way, but it did have an appeal nonetheless. The ankle was hard to see in the dim light but he could see it in his mind. "How do you look? Stunning," he flattered. "With your radiance, no one could pay any attention to the dust on your gown." he overdid the flattery to keep things light. "If you wanted, you could take off your dress and I would take it outside and shake it," he offered, knowing that she would decline. "I would promise not to look at your undergarments, at least more than necessary." Susan would know he was jesting with her. He was not trying to seduce Susan. He already had a sweetheart. Nevertheless, he enjoyed tormenting ladies he liked so much that he cold not resist saying things to scare, embarrass or make sexually uncomfortable ladies he liked. It was that boyish streak in him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 “If you're asked, you can use that excuse and weave an exciting story around it. But I won't be able to explain my own appearance. I'll have to sneak into the palace and hope nobody sees me before I make it to my rooms and take a bath.” She had the entire afternoon free and would not be expected to attend the Queen until the next morning. Susan rolled her eyes at his flattery. “We know each other well enough to be honest with each other. I do not look stunning covered with a coating of dust. At least it isn't as visible in my hair as it is in yours. Now I know why most ladies wish they were blonde.” She continued shaking and brushing her skirts, but when he suggested she remove her gown, she glanced up at him, one eyebrow raised. Of course he was only joking. She found him very attractive, but they could be no more than friends. Ultimately, she would marry the gentleman who was chosen for her and she had to remain pure until then. However, flirting was fun and almost expected between young men and women. “Hmmmm.” Susan tapped one finger against her chin thoughtfully. “That's an excellent idea.” A resigned sigh and a wicked grin. “But I am afraid you would like it too much and never want to leave.” She could tease him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Susan was correct that her choices for exciting explanation were limited. "Perhaps you can say you were assaulted by a ghost. That is mostly true," Charles offered, trying to be helpful. It was not really much of a suggestion. "You wear dust like an adornment Susan," Langdon flattered with all the skill he could muster. It sounded poetic did it not? "You would look stunning to me even if you were covered in mud," he added with a smile. That was less poetic certainly. Surprising him, Susan toyed with him as Catherine might. He would not respond in the same way of clashing egos. Rather, he would call her bluff. "Let us find out shall we? Turn your back and I will unlace you. I shall take your dress outside and I promise to return for you ... in a day or two." He could not help but jest in return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 “Then people will think I believe in them, which I don't, and they will try to scare me with ghost stories.” She smiled mischievously. He had tried to frighten her with one the first time they had explored the passageways. “You know how well that turns out.” Covered in mud? Susan wrinkled her nose. “I think you need to work on your flattery. Some ladies could take you seriously and jump in mud puddles before throwing themselves in your arms." She should have expected that he would call her out on the dress issue. He was one of the few gentlemen she was comfortable enough with to tease. Her second eyebrow joined her first in an upward quirk. “In a day or two? No, thank you. I don't want to freeze to death. If you had promised to bring it back to me immediately, I might have agreed.” Of course, she would have done no such thing and she knew that he was aware of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 "Do not doubt ghost stories," Charles cautioned in good fun. "Are we not writing one together?" he still planned to scare her. In his youthful way, he was convinced that he could scare any lady if he put his mind to it. The mud flattery did not have the desired effect. Yet, she used it to claim that ladies would volunteer to be muddied if they could end up in his arms. This was something of a surprise coming from Susan. Where was she getting the idea that ladies were throwing themselves at him, he wondered. Is that what was said among ladies behind his back? If so, Charles would be the happiest young man in the palace, though he might pretend otherwise. He lived for royal service, heroics and gaining lady admirers. "Oh? what would it take to get you to throw yourself in my arms?" In but a second he regretted the question because it did not likely sound as he meant it. It had been all in good fun and it sounded like he was soliciting her romantic interest. The only balm for the awkwardness that he felt was that it likely would cause her some awkwardness too. He could only pretend that it was some witty statement and hope it did not offend her. He was going to volunteer to return her dress immediately as another jest, but he thought better of it in light of his previous suggestive remark. Instead, he held his breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 “The Lion and the Swan are spirits,” she clarified. “Not ghosts. There's a difference.” In her practical mind, the two terms were very distinct. Susan was not only aware of his reputation with the ladies, but she had a lot of friends. One of their favorite topics of conversation was gentlemen, and the only name that was mentioned as much as Charles' was her cousin Francis'. A couple of her friends were probably bold enough to actually cover themselves in mud if they thought he would choose them as his next wife. His question took her aback and her heart did a little flip in her chest. Was he serious? Was he interested in her romantically? Or did he want to add her to his presumably long list of conquests? Maybe he was just teasing her again. She decided to believe the latter unless he asked her brother to court her. She reached out and flicked a piece of dust from the front of his uniform. “That is something you will have to find out for yourself,” she replied mysteriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 The difference between spirits and ghosts was not so obvious to Charles. He found it hard to believe in one without the other. The good news was that Susan did not take his quip poorly. He had been worried about the awkward attempt at humor. She replied in an amused fashion, so all was good. "Grand, now I have another mystery to solve," he chuckled aloud. "As if we do not have enough already." "We best be on our way," he uttered in a more serious tone. "It will be getting dark outside." The latch was thrown, the brooms left behind, and the stale air was replaced with a fresh cold breeze. Walking out as unconcerned as he might, Charles brushed his coat as he looked about fir the palace guards. Only when he felt reasonably certain that no one was looking their way did Charles signal Susan to follow. "You go ahead," he urged, not wanting the two to be seen togather. "I'll close the door." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 To Susan, ghosts were imaginary beings made up to scare children and susceptible ladies. They were either white or transparent and usually malicious. Spirits were souls. Everyone had one. When they died, their spirits went up to heaven but she imagined that some of them lingered, waiting for loved ones to join them. They had no form at all and she had no idea whether they were able to communicate with the living. In the case of the Lion and the Swan, time would tell. She almost asked him which mystery he found more intriguing, but that sounded a bit too forward. Instead, she just smiled enigmatically. “I only have one mystery to solve. Unless you would like to give me another so that we'll be even.” Susan followed Charles out of the passageways and into the cold late afternoon air. At least the Thames didn't smell quite as dreadful in winter as it did in summer. She looked around as well, but there was nobody around. They seemed to have emerged while the guards were patrolling another part of the area. “I'll be fine from here.” she assured him. After another glance at their surroundings convinced her that they were alone, she impulsively stood on her toes and kissed him briefly on the cheek. “Don't forget to tell me what you find on the dagger and I'll see you on Wednesday.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted September 6, 2016 Author Share Posted September 6, 2016 "Feel free to add any mystery you might like to solve," he encouraged with a smile as if he had a sly one in mind. He did not, but preferred to pretend he did. Her kiss on his cheek caught him somewhat surprised and caused him to chuckle. He could not help but be pleased by female admiration. "What was that for?" Might she indicate more interest in him than previously? "I would kiss your cheek in return, but I would prefer your lips," he whispered. He really should not lead her on in such a way, but he had that boyish zeal for tormenting ladies he liked. As they parted, he secured the secret door and proceeded to brush his tunic with his hands some more. Following slowly, Charles moved towards the nearest palace entrance. He wondered silently whether the library might still be open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 “I think one mystery is enough for now,” Susan replied coyly. “I'm going to be busy enough as it is." He chuckled when she kissed him on the cheek. Her eyes widened as if surprised by what she had done. “I think maybe the Swan's spirit possessed me. Maybe she thought you were the Lion, since you have his dagger.” His whisper caused pleasant little thrills to ripple through her, even though she suspected that he was only teasing. “Oh! Now I do have another mystery to solve.” She grinned cheekily. “I am curious as to how many ladies you have said that to.” And with that, she turned around and headed toward the palace. Since they weren't supposed to be together, she didn't even spare a glance backward to see whether or not he was following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted September 11, 2016 Author Share Posted September 11, 2016 He laughed with her and bid her good day. He was not going to kiss her in return, but he watched as she departed. Pausing a moment to continue brushing his tunic with his hands, Charles smiled to himself at the adventure, interested to learn more about the dagger. Fortunately, tomorrow was Monday and the shops would be open. In the meantime, Charles planned to have Elam give the blade and hilt a good cleaning. OOC~ Finis. Merci. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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