Thread: Au-delà du Temps: Beyond Time (LeatrixSage x SacrlettRose)

Dont fidget, Addie. No, dont look away! Just wait. Breath. Adelaide maintained a cool, calm, and collected faade while she waited for Roarke to react. She kept her breathing slow and measured, her hands clasped behind her back, and watched him with a stern and unwavering regard. All to hide the fact that, while she was confident she had stepped on his toes, and certain he didnt want to cause her harm, she was nervous about what he might do. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold, clipped, and controlled. As he rose from his chair, the very real urge to bolt from the room and run just as fast as she could in the opposite direction weighed heavily on Addie, but she stood her ground as he approached. He acknowledged that he had already decided what he meant to do with, or about, her existence, but refrained from explaining just what those intentions were. He used his larger form to attempt to press her back, but she stubbornly refused to lean back against the door as he rested one hand on the door frame behind her head. The warmth of his seemed to radiate through his clothes and seep into her, making it impossible to ignore just how close his body was to hers. And yet, he never even touched the fabric of her dress. Addie tilted her head back to look up at him, her face calm and blank despite the shrill alarms going off in the back of her mind, but she held her breath as he bent down to brush his lips against her ear as he whispered to her. As for my carnal desires, be sure Mademoiselle, if and when you share my bed, it will be because you, my sweet Addie, want to be there. Addie felt her cheeks warm as he spoke, both in response to his words and the way her neck seemed to tingle as his breath fanned against her skin. He pulled back just enough that he could stare down at her, and his final statement made her eyebrows raise haughtily. In fact, you'll be begging me for it. Pompous as-the insult didnt make it past her lips before they were crushed beneath Roarkes. Addie gasped beneath his kiss, her hands coming up to press against his chest, and then he was pushing her out of the room and into the hallway. She was vaguely aware of servants scattering in all direction, but she could barely hear them over her own heart pounding away in her ears. He went on to point out that he had never said he believed she was a spy, but the fact that he pointed it out made her smirk at him just before he slammed the door in her face. Thank you for admitting it, Addie sighed as she ran her hands down the front of her dress, soothing herself while she collected her thoughts. A quick glance behind her told her right away that at least some of the servants were still watching, and she playfully wiggled her fingers at them to make them giggle. And then, Annette was there, and smiling broadly. She beckoned Addie away from the breakfast room and led her into the morning room. As she had guessed, the room faced east, and a lengthy line of tall, but narrow windows filled the room with sunlight. Ah, no, Madam Galae, not at all, Addie smiled indulgently at the pair of women, but stood awkwardly between them, to both questions. Paris has only been my home for a brief time, and the Marquee is not a conqueror. He is just a man that slides beneath the skirt that lifts the easiest. Please, call me Addie. The pair of women shared a look, and then turned their attention back to Adelaide. It was like being stared down by her mother, and it made her want to squirm. So, she hedged, moving over to the collection of fabric the seamstress had brought with her. Wessex told me I am to pick out a fabric for a young girl, and then something for myself, yes? He also just informed me that his plans have been changed and well be leaving tonight to catch a ship bound for marry-old England. Will the dresses be shipped to us when they are done? Leaving tonight? To England? Annette repeated, and Addie blushed. She had forgotten that Wessex kept his servants in the dark but the maid only sighed and smiled as if it were exactly what she expected, and Adelaide felt herself relax. Yes, he just told me over breakfast, she went on as she shifted bolts of cloth. Of course we can have them shipped, the seamstress spoke as she stepped forward to help Addie browse. What address will it be sent to? Oh, I dont know, she answered honestly as she picked up a delicate cloth that seemed pink in the sunlight, but then turned peach as Addie moved it, almost as if it were iridescent. I think this one for the young girl. Thats a fine choice, Addie, Madam Galae took the bolt aside and pinned a piece of paper to it. I will have to have an address that I can send the gowns to when they are done, she went on pointedly, and while Annette gave the woman an exasperated look, Addie just waved it off. Dont worry about it, Annette, that is Roarkes problem to solve, Addie was feeling a little more comfortable with herself and the women as she dug out a dark blue bolt of fabric and held a piece up to examine. Ah, this will be lovely. No lace, no riffles, just this with a compliment of Addie leaned across the piles to snag a soft, cream yellow fabric to lay it across the blue. This will be a fine accent. Very French, dont you think? Very, Madam Galae seemed to beam as she collected the bolts, made some notes, and then pinned them to the fabric. See if you can get me that address, Annette knows where my shop is, she will be sure to get it to me. Oh, of course, Annette agreed, giving Addie a warm smile. Something was off. Adelaide couldnt put her finger on it, but she felt like she had made a mistake. Neither of the other women were about to correct her, so she tried to ignore the feeling. I will see what I can do, she promised as the older woman collected her things and Annette brought in a few of the girls from before to help carry all the bolts of fabric out to Madam Galaes carriage. As they all walked out into the hall and to the front door, the Madam pulled Addie in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. As she pulled away, the left shoulder of Addies dress was caught on the womans glove and pulled down. Her eyes caught sight of the small, French royal symbol on Addies left shoulder, and for a moment, the color drained from Madam Galaes face. And then, her gaze met Addies, and a broad smile slowly twisted up the corners of her lips. Keep that covered, the woman murmured as she pulled Adelaides dress back into place. The woman glanced around to be sure no one else was paying attention, and then leaned in close to whisper, at least until youre free of the English man. Frowning, Addie watched the woman scurry out of the house as if she couldnt get away fast enough. She reached over her shoulder to touch where her tattoo was barely concealed by the back of the dress and wondered why exactly it had gotten such a response. Must be strange to see a woman with a tattoo in the 1800s, Addie murmured to herself, and then chuckled. Leaning against the frame of the front double doors, she ignored the strangeness of it while she waited for Annette to come tell her what to do next.