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 Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:27 am
"My sympathies," answered the Duchess, frowning. She did not look convinced. "Marcus was only in Russia, wasn't he?" It would make sense if he was only pretending to be in Russia. After all, he took nearly a month to write back to her letters.
Marcus nodded slowly. "That could be fun. But I'd rather you not take the ring off," he added. "But if we could find some way around that..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:36 am
The earl shrugged, attempting to look unknowledgable. "To my knowledge. I would not know where else he could be."
Terryn looked down at her finger, smiling at the diamond on the silver band. She didn't want to take it off either. "I could hide my hand behind my back forever."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:41 am
Fortunately for the Duchess, the earl was a terrible liar, and the Duchess was the sort of person that made sport of seeing through people. "Don't hide things from me, Arvin."
Marcus smiled. "Or develop a fondness for gloves."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:48 am
The earl gulped, not sure what exactly to say. "Well...it is just...with his reputation and all." He shrugged, looking at the flowers for a moment. "I would not want him to be out philandering with women other than my daughter."
Terryn shook her head. "I think not. I am not exactly one to wear gloves. Too hot and they make me seem as though I am too weak to let my hands be dirtied."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:55 am
The Duchess looked alarmed. "And...has he been out philandering again?" she asked, her voice rising. Stupid, stupid boy.
"I see." Marcus kissed her impulsively. "Then it makes much more sense to hide your hand for the rest of your years. No one would suspect a thing."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:58 am
"Well how am I to know?" The earl made eye contact with her for only a brief moment. "It is not as though I was there with him."
Terryn rolled her eyes, putting her hand behind her back. "I did not say we needed to hide forever. Only enough to put the elders into a slightly catatonic state."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:12 am
"That's an excellent question," remarked the Duchess, settling into her usual cool demeanor. "But the fact remains that you do know something, and you refuse to tell me."
Marcus shrugged. "It seems to me that they are already. My grandmother, at least. Your father seems much too patient for that to happen."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:20 am
The earl fell silent, instead burying himself in the cup of tea that had been brought out for them.
"Only externally." Terryn glanced out the window at the two below in teh garden. "You have never heard him up in the wee hours of the morning pacing back and forth throughout the manor."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:31 am
The Duchess frowned again. "I won't leave you alone until you tell me what it is," she announced, taking a sip of her own tea.
Marcus laughed. "Alright. I hope you enjoy this," he said, rubbing his neck.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:35 am
"Oh, dear me. Would you look at the time?" The ealr glanced over at the sundial in the middle of the garden. "I really must hurry. Serina has attending to." He got up from teh seat, shuffling back towards the door as quickly as his aged legs allowed him.
"Oh I will." Terryn pulled him into a kiss for a moment, keeping her hand behind her back.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:46 am
The Duchess raised her hem and hurried after her friend. "What on earth could be so terrible that you would sooner run away from me than tell me the truth?"
Marcus pulled away hastily when the earl came into view, the Duchess not far behind. "Is she...chasing him?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:51 am
"I would hope not." Terryn chuckled as she watched them awkwardly bustling through the room. "I am sure Serina would not like to know she is being replaced by your grandmother."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:58 am
Marcus made a face, but he couldn't help laughing. He did look a bit more serious when the Duchess stopped and looked severely at the both of them. "How was breakfast?" she asked, in her usual brisk manner.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:02 pm
"It was lovely, thank you." Terryn had to bite on her bottom lip to keep from laughing. She was having the time of her life keeping this secret of theirs.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:08 pm
The Duchess nodded. A strand of hair had slipped out from her carefully pinned bun, and she tucked it back in. "I am glad to hear it. Did you...erm...happen to see where your father went, Terryn?"
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