Indecision Requiring Confabulation

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

The reply from her father suggested that she and her ladies rejoin the Court in Twinport in time for the Joust, yet Emma was caught by indecision. She wasn't certain she was ready to face the Court again, knowing speculation would fire afresh and gossip would run rampant. More importantly, she didn't want to deal with the Fyodorovs. True, she recognized she was being unfair, that the family themselves had done nothing to harm her, yet guilt by association was still prevalent in her mind. And she could not very well ask Rupert; he was as angry as she.

Reaching for her brush, Emma waited quietly for Natalie to return to the castle from wherever she'd spent the day and evening. Surmising that her lady had found someone new to play with, she said nothing, taking a quiet dinner with Rupert, Rosalie and other members of the Court still in residence at the castle, but trusted that Natalie would return for their semi-nightly ritual. If she did not intend to be back in time, Emma knew Natalie would have sent word. As none was received, she lighted the candles at her dressing table and sent Rosalie on her way.

She needed advice, and Natalie was often her best source for it.


Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Natalie was glowing. She would deny it, but it was it was true. A few days romp was just what she needed and she had enjoyed every moment of it. There was no telling when it would end, either and she was perfectly fine with that. Thus, when she entered the castle, she was practically humming as she moved along. Fortunately, she was not running late so she would not look quite so harried.

When she entered the princess's chambers, she doffed the cloak and passed it on to a maid to send her on her way. The dress was one of her amber numbers, cut in just the style that she preferred. It was truly amazing that not a thing was out of place. It was a special skill she had awkward over the years. "Good evening, Your Highness. I do hope that I am not tardy," she stated playfully as he approached.

One look to Emma's face, though, told her a great deal. "I see something has settled quite heavily on your mind." The brush was gently plucked from Emma's hand so that she could begin working on her hair.

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

As if on cue, the chamber doors opened to admit Natalie. Watching her in the mirror, Emma wasn't sure what glowed more - the candles or Natalie herself, confirming her suspicions. Natalie had indeed found a new playmate, one who measured up to the mark. Ruefully smiling, she shook her head with Natalie's approach. "No, you are not tardy, and though I can see for myself, I trust you enjoyed yourself?" Her tone held only amusement, a sure sign that she was only teasing her. They had been friends long enough that such teasing was expected.

Handing over the brush, she nodded slowly. "I received a reply from Father about the matter of the Artonian merchant. Rosalie brought it this evening. He requests that we rejoin the Court in Twinport as they are departing in the next few days for the Joust there. I am uncertain if I wish to do that for a variety of reasons." Dark eyes met dark eyes in the reflection. "What would you suggest?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Natalie merely nodded for now. They could go into great detail about her night later. For now, she wanted to alleviate the weight that was clearly on her friend's mind. Listening, she nodded thoughtfully and rose her eyebrows. "Well, I think that really depends on how you feel. You will have to weight the benefits and the costs. Which is heavier?" She continued to brush her hair.

"The benefits are that you are reunited with family and I imagine you would allow yourself to have a good time. I also know it would get you away from that man you feel is troubling." It was fortunate for Lucius that she had no idea he was associated with the mysterious Claude. "However, it will bring you closer to the Fyodorovs. I think the real question is ... which would you rather deal with?"

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma loved having her hair brushed. The long, thick locks of dark brown proved weighty, and the sensation of the brush passing through the strands lightened it for a time. It was a near sensual pleasure that made for a relaxing end to the evening, one she anticipated greatly. Eyes half-closed, she sighed quietly. "It's hard to say. I know our places are at the Court and that you and Rosalie are happier there. I also know I can't avoid the Fyodorovs forever. On the other hand, that man makes me uneasy, as you say."

Her eyes opened fully to meet Natalie's in the reflection. "I think it is easier to bear the evil I know. We probably should go to Twinport, and attend the Joust. Perhaps I'll even find someone to bestow my favor on." A brief, teasing twinkle entered her eyes. "What of you?"


Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Emma had gorgeous hair, or at least, Natalie always thought so. It had a natural wave to it that made it easy to work with, but then again, Natalie's hair was also naturally wavy. Wavy hair could be arranged in a variety of ways that straight hair could not. Straight hair was so bland. Her fingers traced through her friends hair, carefully seeking out kinks and then she resumed brushing. "I think it may behoove you to go the Joust, yes. Besides, Twinport is a big city. If you want to be alone, I'm sure it be arranged easily.

"What of me?" She arched a brow back at Emma. "Me? Bestowing favor on someone? Perhaps, but I really don't want them to get the wrong idea." She snorted at the idea of being courted by an effusive knight. How silly was that notion? Pah.

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Allowing her eyes to close again, she gave a tiny nod as Natalie continued to work through her hair. Emma's brief tension eased under the other's ministrations, the fall of hair taking on a satiny sheen thanks to the brush. "True, though Father says we'll be staying in the St. Claire keep. I'm not sure if that's wise, but at least everyone else will either be residing in inns or in the pavilions taken from the lakeside."

She had to smile, opening one eye to see Natalie's reaction to her suggestion. "Natalie, no one can possibly get the wrong idea from you. Besides, even if they do, they have to go through me and I'm not about to lose you to some silly, romantical fool who doesn't know or understand you by half. When you are ready, if you are ready to marry, I'm confident you'll let me know. Until then," Emma caught her hand to give a soft smile, "you're safe."

Having settled that question, she had to give in to curiosity. "Now then, why are you glowing like a candle?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

"Why would it not be wise? What could happen to you there? You'll have to deal with a grumpy ass at dinner, but you know how to handle him. And from what I've heard, he has a rather good cook in his employ. It can't be all that bad." Then again, she was not considering the fact that the man wanted his daughter to be queen. Ah, well. He would get over it. Or something.

"Ah, ha ha ha. I will keep that in mind. Don't be surprised if you find men coming to you, then. I'm sure there will be plenty that demand my hand," she snorted then and shook her head. At the question of her glowing, she looked innocent. "Glowing? Me? I'm sure you're imagining things. Rather, I think I look thoroughly satisfied. I met the most fascinating man in the market the other day. He is... mm... " She got a distant look in her eye, "He is everything I expect a man should be." A shiver raced down her spine.

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma gave Natalie a look in the reflection; was she seriously asking that question. "Natalie, Riordan's about to announce his betrothal to Selena Lancaster, rather than Julia St. Claire. Do you honestly think Lord St. Claire isn't feeling slighted and resentful? A good cook isn't going to dissolve the tension that's about to fall. And seeing as he has no son, he can't make a counter-offer for me. Add in that..." She paused, selecting her word with care to describe Marisa, "young woman he is courting and the entire thing is a scandal in the making."

At the idea that men would come to her, Emma shrugged, unconcerned. "Let them come. I'll send them away with a bug in their ears. I'm not about to lose you to a mere man." Her anger might have dissipated on the subject of the fickle Sarkozsian heir, but she was still somewhat jaded where men were concerned. Looking up at Natalie, she was surprised to see the shiver. "Oh really? Tell me about him?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

In face of Emma's rather serious expression, Natalie seemed vaguely amused. "That just adds to what I was saying. If he's going to be a grumpy ass, you'll know exactly how to handle him. He's far safer than that strange man that's sniffing all about." She would have find out more about him, anyway. Maybe her new tiger of a friend would have some good information. "Now now," she clucked fondly at Emma as she continued to brush the hair, "I happen to rather like Lady Marisa. Her sense of fashion is impeccable. I really must meet with her sometime."

Her eyebrows rose at the statement about mere men, but she let it slide for now. The attitude was understandable. "Who? Oh, my Lord Tiger?" She grinned playfully as she settled on the bench beside her. "Oh, Emma," she let out a sigh. "He has intense eyes, powerful laugh with plenty of wit about him. A large man, too, in all sorts of ways," she gave the princess a sly look. "With the stamina of an ox and the finesse and skill of a tiger."

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

The mention of the odd Artonese noble had Emma twitching again, any signs of a smile dying on her face. "I wish you weren't so close to the truth there, but you are right. And if this Artonese man has some sort of ulterior motive, it will be hard for him to pursue it under the noses of my father and half the Court." She made a face at the mention of Marisa, but nodded. "Much as I don't care for her methods, I can't argue that her taste is impeccable, as is her style. I'm surprised the two of you aren't in a competition of fashion."

Flashing her lady an impish look, Emma shifted over to make room beside her for a good gossip session about Natalie's latest conquest. The sigh had her dark brows rising, intrigued; it was a rare man that left Natalie sighing and wistful. "And the brain of a gnat?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

"Exactly. So, you will have to wonder what he is really up to..." he leaned to whisper fondly into Emma's ear, "Later. Don't worry about it right now because there is no point to doing so." Natalie knew she was right, but she did not push the point. She grinned at the talk of Marisa, "I would rather have as a friend than a competitor. Besides, I think she has her attentions on that Daven St. Claire at the moment to focus on such with me."

She shook her head, "Oh, no, no. Far from it. The man has a sharp mind and a delightful tongue in so many ways." ... Poor Emma.

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

She wrinkled her nose, once more thinking of Marisa but knew that Natalie had a valid point, one she intended to ponder when alone. "She does, and ambitions towards becoming the Duchess, I believe. The man certainly seems fascinated with her so it's likely she will achieve her goal." The thought was a little frightening and somewhat amusing in turn; some men were susceptible to beauty, but Emma had not expected it to be the Dragon Lord.

Glad to think of something else besides politics, she grinned at Natalie as the two settled in. "I don't know," Emma mused dubiously, "he sounds almost too good to be true... does this Adonis have any flaws?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

"Well, you have to admit, it certainly makes things interesting," the grin turned a bit salacious, but she kept her thoughts to herself. "A young duchess from the de Vere clan? Who knows what she will strive to achieve. I personally look forward to seeing what she gets herself into." She waggled a finger at Emma, "Oh, believe me, I intend to get to know the woman very well."

As she thought on her Lord Tiger, she let out a quiet sigh. "Hmm. Flaws? Well, he does have a voracious appetite. For food, I mean. The man could probably eat through a meal intended for an army without a second thought. He will probably be quite stubborn at times. He strikes me as the type. Curious name, though. Lucius."

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

"Interesting isn't always good," Emma reminded Natalie dryly, then shrugged. "You do that, and keep an eye on her while you're at it. She's a de Vere, after all, and we all know what they can be like. Yes," she added, "I know that they are your family's liege, but their reputations are largely of their own crafting. I doubt my opinion is vastly unpopular where that family is concerned."

Watching Natalie again as she spoke of her latest conquest, Emma slowly eased into a quiet smile that froze on her lips with the revelation of the name. "That's an Artonese name."


Lady Natalie Kendall