Beware the quiet ones

More accustomed to criticisms and slaps than compliments, Gabrielle had yet to learn how to face kind words without blushing like a silly girl. Nick was blessedly patient with her on that point, never commenting on the brilliant crimson that seemed doomed to stain her features each time he spoke of her in glowing terms. There was a part of her that cherished each compliment and praise bestowed, drinking in the words as hungrily as a flower did the sun after the long winter. Downcast eyes missed the flash of anger in his eyes, fortunately.

She noticed the surprise in those eyes at her next words, leaving her glad she'd brought her gaze back to his face. Gabrielle had not yet recognized the strength and the steel in her spine until the noblewoman sought to abuse Nick to his very face. For herself, that strength would always come with difficulty; for others, she could find it far more readily and put it to good use. That, to her, was a much better use of her recent discovery. He too had been on the receiving end of abuse, whether he admitted it or not. For once, he deserved a champion, never mind that Nicholas Miller was undeniably capable of defending himself.

Watching his face as he considered what she'd said about nobility, Gabrielle wondered if she'd crossed an invisible line in his mind. Had she insulted him without meaning to? The smile began to fade, anxiety threatening to replace it as the silence drew out for several minutes. Her teeth worried at her lower lip, the blue dimming slightly when he finally spoke, returning words to her in a way she'd never expected. The smile once more dawned over her face, touched by the gesture.

Lowering lashes over her eyes, she did not speak, merely turned her cheek into the rough-textured hand with a soft sigh. He could not have said anything to make her feel more special.


Nicholas Miller

Gabrielle was not normally so outspoken, nor so adamant in her defense of people yet the noblewoman's harsh words struck her in such a manner where silence was no longer possible. No matter who the lady proved to be, regardless of the consequences her words delivered, she could not, would not rescind them. The woman could have heaped her verbal abuse upon the ginger-haired girl's head without a single objection from her, but in making Nick her target over what had been an unfortunate accident, the sleeping virago in the girl had been awakened, rising swiftly to the surface to roar. Gabrielle was accustomed to abuse aimed at her, accepting it mutely almost as if she felt she merited it, but she would not stand for a man who had risen from nothing to become a knight, worthy to stand guard over one of the Royal Princesses of the kingdom. It simply could not be borne.

Still shocked at herself despite the resumption of her accustomed meek and gentle air, Gabrielle struggled to find her center again, freshly knocked off not by anger but by the open tenderness displayed solely for her by a man who would sooner hack his hands off at the wrists than touch her in a way that hurt or frightened her. Certainly in the last few weeks, she had grown increasingly comfortable around Nick, seeing him not just as knight, or as Mariette's guardian, but as the example of what a man could be if he chose. There was still innocence in enough in the young woman that love had not yet occurred to her, only that she could be herself with Nick, that she could trust him and carry the absolute certainty that with him, she would always be safe.

In that knowledge, Gabrielle had finally begun to bloom past the scars of her former life. Mariette had done a great deal in rescuing her, giving her purpose and helping her to accept that what was done to her was not right, not honorable and definitely not her fault, yet it took Nick to show the handmaid that men like her late husband were not men at all. They were monsters to be slain by true men, men of honor, decency and honesty. Men like Nicholas Miller.

Lifting her gaze to his as he resumed speaking, Gabrielle listened with curious interest; his words had the overtone of intention to them, though being told she was dear to him sparked a tiny smile and a nod. She did indeed know all of that, but it was his next words that made her eyes go wide. Nick was giving her the power to decide, the choice of this desired intimacy. She could say no, if she wanted to. He would not force her if she said no, yet... she did not feel the word 'no' rising to her lips.

She had to think for a moment, feeling her heart give a painful pound in her chest, wondering if she had ever really been kissed. Oh true, he'd pressed his lips to hers, but this promised to be different. No one had ever asked her that before. Suddenly nervous, Gabrielle licked her lips before she forced her eyes to meet his before she nodded slowly in acceptance, understanding that this would be her first real kiss. How appropriate that Nick should be the one to dispense it....



Nicholas Miller

Since coming to Bordelaix, Gabrielle felt like she was a different person, living a life that should belong to someone else. She was not blessed with an abundance of luck, intelligence or beauty, so how had she come so far? The gingerhaired young woman had traded hell for a kind of heaven where she was treated kindly, served a sweet and generous mistress, slept warmly and safely, enjoyed plenty to eat, clean clothing and time to herself. And now, there was a gentle, kind man who viewed her as a desirable woman yet did not force himself upon her. Gabrielle did not take these blessings for granted, repaying Mariette in loyalty and diligence, doing her best to be worthy.

But this? This moment with Nick was nothing like she'd ever dared dream. Oh true, Gabrielle had heard plenty of romantic tales between the minstrels, other young woman and Mariette's penchant for such stories, but those were tales. They were not real, at least not for people like her. Those stories were meant for people like Mariette, Rosella, Gwynevere.

Maybe this was a dream, a figment of an imagination that refused to be quiet despite her frequent self-lecturing. Gabrielle suddenly felt nervous. This would be her first real kiss, one that was given freely and accepted willingly. That it came from Nick only persuaded her it was likely a dream, but if it was, she intended to make it last, worthy of remembering when she awakened.

Her breath caught when the warmth of his hand at her waist permeated the fabric of her dress, feeling him close the little distance between them. She resisted the urge to bite her lip anxiously, instead closing her eyes when his head lowered to press his lips to hers. For a moment, Gabrielle did not move or respond, waiting for the fear to surge in her. When it did not, she relaxed slowly, her lips softening under his to let the kiss endure for a minute or so.



Nicholas Miller