autumn leaves falling down

“I wish i knew how to stop milady, for it would save my heart many losses.” He laughed to himself. “Of course, I am but a man. I admit that women have the upperhand in many ways. Perhaps… but that is a rather logical view to take milady.”

“You poor soul,” she laughed lightly. “Well, that is refreshing, not many men think as so openly, my lord. I like to think that I am a logical woman.”

“I’ll take a guess that i’m doing well.” He grinned. “Yes milady.” He smiled at her innocence. “Then all men are but fools, I am not too proud to admit that.”

“Don’t be so cocky,” she laughed lightly. Of course he knew he was an attractive man. “Thank you,” she nodded. “You consider yourself a fool? Surely it is all human kind who are capable of making mistakes. Myself included.”

“And how am i doing milady?” He grinned, watching her nervous habits. “Any man would be a fool, or likely he is interested in his squires rather then any future wife. I cannot imagine any man not wishing to earn your deepest affections. Aye, and that should work well to your advantage milady. You should only marry someone worthy of your heart.”

“Now that would be telling,” she replied, trying to keep her cool. “Then perhaps he is a fool. His squires? Believe me, it is not me all men aim to please. I am just a bargain to my father’s wealth. It is not always so simple in my status.”

“I couldn’t agree more, we should all have friends like you milady.” He was very aware of how he was sucking up. But he enjoyed it. “You shouldn’t, you are a beautiful woman with a large fortune, the men should be wooing you. I couldn’t agree more with that, I am an honest man. I pride myself on it.” 

“Now you really do aim to flatter me,” she laughed lightly, playing with the sleeve of her dress. “And yet, they do not. The men who wish to marry me, do not want me, they want an alliance and money from my father. And some men do not want me because of my father. As you should.”

He smiled, seeing her blush. He was very proud of that. “How nice to have a friend like that.” He leant against the wall, once again watching her. “A woman like you shouldn’t be modest. I don’t play games, i speak my mind. If i feel something, I am honest about it. But if i do not… I am honest about that also.”

“Friends are important in this world,” she nodded, fanning herself lightly. “Oh shouldn’t I? I feel that is something to admire. Honesty. The court is filled with lies.”

“I am very good at it.” He laughed, touching her back gently and moving to her other side. Just enough contact to be appropriate. “Oh best friend? So i am honoured by your presence? I trust you won’t tell your future lord husband of me.” He laughed slightly, he would never marry for status. “I am a charming man, but i don’t aim to flatter.”

She glanced to him as he gently touched her back, her cheeks still feeling warm. “She is my best friend, yes. We spend a lot of time with each other. She trusts me. I would not say that, I am a modest woman. What would I tell him of you?” she asked. “Oh no? You enjoy the game?”

“I can see the blush in your cheeks my lady and I rather enjoy it.” He chuckled to himself. “Like i said, sounds like a fine man. You are very lucky. He gave you your looks and manners as well, I assume. Very generous of him”

“You say words to gain that reaction from me,” she laughed lightly, touching her cheek. “I am lucky. I was born into a privileged life. My best friend being the eldest princess and I know... i will marry well.” She smiled. “You know what to say to flatter a lady.”

“Now, if i told you that… you really would blush.” He laughed. “Ah, how we all look at our father’s with admiration. How i miss those days of youth.”

“You think I to be shy when it comes to men and their activities. I am quiet the gossip, I hear things,” she laughed lightly. “My father is my father. Despite his flaws, he is a clever man. And he has given me many opportunities to become a well educated and respected lady at court.”

“I am well educated my lady.” He smiled at her.  “A good man? Is that one of them?”

“And what does this well educated man do in his spare time?” she asked. “He... is loyal. Yes. He can be a good man. He is not all bad. He is my father.”

“I see things as they are and i know who i am, what i am. Lying about it will not change it. Your father sounds like a kind man milady.”

“Those are the words of a smart man,” she nodded. “My father is many things.”

“The mirror… and many ladies.” He grinned again, looking over her. He had little interest in a woman like the lady before him. She would expect a husband. Something he had no interest in being. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t flirt. “Wow, thank you for reminding me my lady. Unless your father died now, then like me would you not inherit?”

“Of course, the ladies,” she laughed lightly, her cheeks feeling warm again as he looked over her. “I feel no need to lie about how something is. I am sure you do not either. I know my father has ensured we will be looked after. Money left for us.”

“No one is born with charm and looks like this milady.” He winked again, aiming to make her blush. “You do not?” He laughed. “Ah that is spoken as someone who is not a bastard. I am a lord, with the highest status i can gain and still every door is closed in my face due to who my mother was. Society limits me, as it limits you milady.”

“Let me guess, years of practise in your mirror, my lord,” she smiled, enjoying the conversation. Her cheeks a little warm. “I do not, no. Only to those who truly deserve it.” She nodded. “I am not a bastard, no. I am the eldest daughter of Duke Dubois. Despite my gender, my status may be somewhat higher than yours. Though I understand, I am my father’s first born and I have little rights to anything without a husband.”

“I work hard on this smug face.” He whispered with a grin. “Ah, this is a world made for men. But not a world made for bastards. So you should give me that.”

“Really? I thought you were born with it,” she gave him a slight grin. “I would, but I do not give out pity. The word bastard seems to be of negative connotation, though a wise man makes his own future despite his background.”

“Not totally.” he gave a smug smile, still teasing her. “And where is my fun? Positively sexist.”

“No. And look at your smug face,” she laughed. “Oh, hush. This is a world made for men, the women can gossip about them behind their backs. Give us that,” she joked.

“Ah so you disapprove of me totally, don’t you?” He laughed. “Oh and what do the gossip circles say about me?”

“I did not say totally,” she smirked slightly, keeping her composure. “I lady does not tell, that would ruin our fun.”

“It’s only inappropriate if you deem it so milady.” He laughed at himself, watching the girl blush. “Oh? Why not? Ah so you’re a lady who enjoys scandal?”

“Of course. I am a lady of high moral standing, Sir,” she brushed the layers of her dress, looking up at him. “Because you seem like such a charmer. I do enjoy the gossip that circles around court.”

“I dare to. I know shocking.” He smiled as she laughed. He knew he was charming. “I am not honourable and don’t let anyone hear you saying it. I have a reputation to upkeep. No? Doesn’t everyone enjoy scandal.”

“Shocking indeed. Almost inappropriate,” she laughed, looking down a moment. “I would never believe such a thing from anyone. Well, scandal is rather entertaining.”