Post by Nicholas Miller on Nov 12, 2016 22:52:39 GMT -5
Ten days.
That was how long it had been since Nick had asked of Gabrielle if he could court her. Ten days since she had refused his request to allow him to court her. And it had hurt to hear it. But Nicholas Miller, displeased as he had been, knew that real men did understand the word 'no' and could accept it. But it did not mean he enjoyed it.
Especially when he was certain that the reason she had given, a debt to Princess Mariette, was the reason for her refusal. It certainly was not the sunny little princess' way to ask for this sort of commitment, and that had been the first hint to the archer that the handmaiden was holding something back. Another was the look that had been on her face. He could not be certain, but he had the distinct impression she disliked saying those words at least as much as he did when he heard them. And third, it simply did not strike him as the kind of thing he would expect from her, not with her generous and kind nature.
That meant there were questions that needed answering.
But he did not know when, nor how to approach her. Oh, of course he had remained gentle and kind towards Gabrielle and had not even cast a hard look in her direction. But ten days, that was a damned long time to hold off. And he realized, it would not be she who would make the first move so it was entirely up to him.
And so, now that Mariette had dismissed them for the evening, he had a chance. It was in a small sitting room in their suite that he had found her with needle and thread. For a moment, he simply looked at her as she worked, but before long he cleared his throat and spoke, ever so gently. "Gabrielle... can we... can talk?"
And much like it had been her choice when he had kissed her in Bordelaix' markets, it would be entirely her choice if she'd speak to him.
Gabrielle Delacroix
That was how long it had been since Nick had asked of Gabrielle if he could court her. Ten days since she had refused his request to allow him to court her. And it had hurt to hear it. But Nicholas Miller, displeased as he had been, knew that real men did understand the word 'no' and could accept it. But it did not mean he enjoyed it.
Especially when he was certain that the reason she had given, a debt to Princess Mariette, was the reason for her refusal. It certainly was not the sunny little princess' way to ask for this sort of commitment, and that had been the first hint to the archer that the handmaiden was holding something back. Another was the look that had been on her face. He could not be certain, but he had the distinct impression she disliked saying those words at least as much as he did when he heard them. And third, it simply did not strike him as the kind of thing he would expect from her, not with her generous and kind nature.
That meant there were questions that needed answering.
But he did not know when, nor how to approach her. Oh, of course he had remained gentle and kind towards Gabrielle and had not even cast a hard look in her direction. But ten days, that was a damned long time to hold off. And he realized, it would not be she who would make the first move so it was entirely up to him.
And so, now that Mariette had dismissed them for the evening, he had a chance. It was in a small sitting room in their suite that he had found her with needle and thread. For a moment, he simply looked at her as she worked, but before long he cleared his throat and spoke, ever so gently. "Gabrielle... can we... can talk?"
And much like it had been her choice when he had kissed her in Bordelaix' markets, it would be entirely her choice if she'd speak to him.
Gabrielle Delacroix