Thread: Secrets and Lies (Sync & Mali)

What was on her mind? She was lost in thought about something, he was certain about that much. Of course, he had no idea just what she was thinking, nor was he going to be so improper as to enquire. Yet there she was, seemingly in deep thought even as she looked at him while he was talking. Her eyes, so dark and heavy-set, seemed to drink in their surroundings, but there was somehow a sparkle in them when she genuinely smiled. This young lady before him, this Else Strathmoreshe was an enigma, on so many levels. She was troubled concerned bothered by something, he knew not what, nor whether he should be wary of her and yet there was something compelling about her, in a way he could not at this moment define. I cannot say that the conversation I was only passingly involved in was dreadful, he countered as he began slowly walking away from both ballroom and drawing room, after first hooking her offered arm in his and making she was she in step beside him. There were things I could identify with and maybe use to some future advantage, and there were a few things of some interest there were also a number of things that I found tedious and requiring of great effort on my part to feign interest in. It was perhaps unhelpful that the company I was holding was not so warm to my presence as I might have liked, but there is little I can do about that at this moment. They were not walking at any great pace, he was making sure of that as they talked it was a casual gait, slow and steady, just right for a lady to be comfortable. Although he was leading, he was making sure she was not put to any amount effort to keep up with him. His head was tilted towards her slightly as they talked he was both watching her for her actions and reactions, and for the way ahead, to ensure they were not surprised by the sudden appearance of person or object in their path. He was glad for this chance to speak with her again had she not been able to get away from the ballroom, he doubted hed have ever had the opportunity arise in the future. He became aware that a silence had grown between them it was only a short silence, but it did not feel awkwardindeed, it felt, to him, like a comfortable silence, and he fancied that she likely felt similarly. The eagerness with which shed agreed to walk with him suggested she found his company at least tolerable that hed asked her for the walk and talk said he was not displeased with or by her presence. Something to break the silence, though that would be a good thing. I said before that Id heard voices just prior to my exiting the drawing room, he offered quietly. While there is fact in that statement, it should not be taken to mean that any specific words were heard. I could hear that you were talking I could not hear what was being said. I hope you can draw some comfort from that. He hesitated, then sighed softly, the sound seeming to both embolden and deflate him. While I am confessing to you, my lady, I must confess that I did see a small amount of you in the ballroom. The older woman I presume to be your mother, and another man she seemed to be introducing you to. I did not see more than that, however.