[MM PRP]- Welcome to the party.(Anya and Marcellus)

[Charmaine Kitteridge]

Anya was clearly trying to avoid his questioning look but only sighed at his questions." Do I get disciplined, yes. These days it's just the threats of or he says a lot fo hurtful things. So again no physical damage, nothing that can be done about it. So no worries." She gently ran her hand over his cheek, totally forgetting about all the people staring at them.

She smiled at his summary of his father's speech. " Well I'm sure hearing it once will be enough for me then. And I was talking about my dad, he's seemed very... subdued that I'm off with you and not his escort for the night." She giggled softly. "Usually come here with a book? Cause I've got like 5 hidden in this thing." Her grin widened and she winked at him.

[caffeinecraving]

Caffeinecraving

Marc's frown intensified. "No one should ever put you down... in anyway." He reached up to cup her hand against his face. "Do you need to be disciplined often, mah hen?" While he was serious, his eyes glittered with a playful underline to the question... he didn't take abuse in any form lightly, but he wanted to move past the hurt and into happy again.

Marc sighed. "Ok... lets go take our seats." He lead then toward the head table. Marc was always told to pick one girl to come sit with him... thus there was always a place set next to his. However until this moment he had never invited anyone to sit with him.

"Really...5 of them... should i be looking forward to a scavenger hunt?" He grinned while he pulled out her chair for her. "I always have a book... These things get dreadfully boring if i don't have a friend to amuse me...." He took his own seat and was presented with a platter of cheese and crackers. "Please have some... Most the cheeses are made from the local people's livestock... I convinced my mother that she should try to support the local farmers."

And with that last comment he saw Adair taking the stage where the band was playing... Here came the toast... HE groaned and filled his plate with some cheese and crackers, as he watched the servants passing out champagne flutes. Two were set in front of him and Anya.

-Sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation.
-Decaffeinated coffee is the devil's blend.

[Charmaine Kitteridge]

Anya shrugged, but didn't answer his smirk. Her smile returned when he lead her to their seats at the head table. She wasn't thrilled about being up here where everyone was looking but she also understood it was expected of her. At his inquiry she blushed deeply and looked at the table. "No need for that all you have to do is ask and I can get one for you."

She sat delicately and reached for just a couple pieces and nibbled on one. " It's very good." She placed her hand on his as his father took the stage. As the glass was set in front of her she nodded to the server. It was time to remember she knew what to do. Her eyes wandered down to where her father sat and he caught her eye and gave her the look that said don't screw up. She gulped and returned her attention to the Duke.

[caffeinecraving]

Caffeinecraving

Marc frowned playfully. "Now were is the fun in that?" He glanced at where she had placed her hand over his and he curled his fingers to hold her hand while he rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. He simply nodded when she complemented the cheese.

His eyes trained forward waiting for the inevitable speech. His father would say something and drag Anya down with him. He felt anya tense a moment and looked up to see her looking at her father. He frowned looking at the man. He sighed and shook his head to tune in and out as his father spoke.

Adair was smiling when he took the stage. He was probably a little drunk,he had been taking cigars and brandy in the library with a few of his business partners. With a quick glance around he spotted his son with the Cummings girl. He still didn't know how he had been convinced to accept the new deal. He wasn't getting as much from it... He blamed his wife. "Welcome everyone!" His voice was loud and clear and his English, while a little burr was mixed in, was very understandable.

His eyes scanned around the room once more. "I hope you are all enjoying the party. We will be serving a little bit of ice cream later, so please don't retire too early. " He grinned and then looked at Charmaine's father. He was contemplate mentioning the betrothal... however his wife had warned him against it... "I would like to say just how lovely all your daughters are all looking tonight," He grinned pointedly at marc and some of the fathers chuckled" and make a quick mention of our wonderful band and my wife's ability to decorate the entire estate to this caliber." He waited for the applause to stop and then took his brandy tumbler. "With out further adieu I'd like to ask you to join me in a toast... To the Christmas season and to good friends." He raised his glass "Here Here". There were echos all around and everyone sipped their drinks, marc didn't touch his.

-Sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation.
-Decaffeinated coffee is the devil's blend.

[Charmaine Kitteridge]

Anya squeezed his hand and didn't care that everyone was looking at them, after all she was his girlfriend. Without thinking she'd sat up straighter and had leaned into Marc happily. As the Duke looked over at her she nodded politely with a smile.

As the toast began she saw him look at her father and frowned. Her father looked entirely smug and she got a sinking feeling in her stomach but couldn't place way. Shaking the feeling she reached for her punch, leaving the champagne alone, but stopped when Marc didn't move. She bent over and whispered in his ear. "What's wrong?" She squeezed his hand again and offered him a smile.