Post by Mariette Deveraux on Feb 19, 2015 10:35:20 GMT -5
The longer they stayed in Lockewood, the more Mariette was ready to return home to Bordelaix. These ventures into other regions were not proving such a success that she was eager to travel again any time soon; between the attack during the journey from Vasile into Shelbourne and the near-constant lectures she received, Mariette was afraid to speak, move or frankly do anything that was not sanctioned by her sisters. Even what had begun as a harmless little jaunt into the woods for a swim in the summer sun ended horrendously with injury, pain and anger.
She, for one, was tired of the strain but more, she was tired of the people, including her own family. Perhaps even especially her own family. Consequently, Mariette took to avoiding all of them, keeping to the room assigned to her and not venturing out for anything or anyone unless Nicolette or Antoinette commanded her otherwise. She did not feel confident enough to face anyone, already embarrassed beyond measure. Meals were now taken in her room, and Mariette did not go into the gardens or other areas until night had fallen and most had sought their own entertainments.
Tonight was no different, moving like a wraith through the halls until she slipped into one of the more secluded corridors in search of some fresh air. Mariette knew that Nicolette and Antoinette would not indulge her in this much longer, but for now, she wanted to be alone minus the discreetly distant guard who tried to pretend he was invisible and not keeping an eye on her. The normally sunny third Deveraux daughter was a little too subdued for belief, yet the knight did not impose himself on her, keeping his distance respectfully.
Sir Tristan was injured, so he was nowhere around, and considering Sir Nicholas's overreaction to Lucien's typical bullying, he had been reassigned somewhere else for the foreseeable future. Juliette was with her friends, enjoying herself almost in spite of their sisters, leaving Mariette feeling rather... lonely. Looking up at the stars, she sighed quietly. The storm had passed, but the wake left plenty of flotsam that needed to be cleared.
Tristan Deschênes