Panic and Distress [ 5/4 Rupert / Marisa ]

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Her departure from Fiona's chambers was a swift one, urged on by the distinct feelings of panic and distress. Wanting fresh, cool air, Marisa went directly into the gardens to calm and center herself. Too much serious discussion did not suit her, not in the slightest, nor did the realization that she could very easily break a man. It was one thing to toy with a man, to flirt and tempt and tease, but Fiona had planted a seed in her mind that did not sit well.

Was she ready for this level? Marisa thought not and desperately wished for some answers, or better yet, for her uncle to appear. If anyone could aid her in this, and present a perspective opposite to the one Fiona had, then Rupert de Vere would be it. Dropping onto a bench in a flutter of skirts, she sighed and rubbed at her forehead, feeling a headache start to form. Hardly the start to Court that she'd hoped for, that much was certain.

The hands moved to press to her face. She did not know what to do.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Rupert had been watching his niece during the past month, and he wasn't all that certain he approved of just what was happening to her. Yes, he knew she was growing up. Yes, he knew that she would eventually have to get married. However, that didn't mean she would enjoy it. He didn't enjoy it all that much, either. If he could truly get away with it, he would keep his niece with him until the end of time. Such a thing were not possible, not in this day and age. The House de Vere needed to expand its influence, and he knew Marisa was a key to that.

Thus, indeed, he appeared practically at her side as soon as she had covered her face. For now, though, he remained silent as he slipped an arm about her in a gesture of comfort that he never displayed to anyone else. Not even his own children received such a generosity, least of all his accursed wife. Turning his head, he pressed a reassuring kiss upon the top of her head.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Marisa tensed for a moment until the scent of him wreathed her senses, identifying him to her enough that she relaxed against him with a soft sigh, eyes half-closing when he dropped his kiss to her head. Aware that these gestures were rare signs of affection from him, she cherished each when they were given, her head resting to his shoulder. "You always know when I need you and come to me. Thank you, Uncle." It was neither magic nor the unexplainable; he was not the master of shadows for nothing. If she knew Rupert de Vere, he had someone watching over her at all times with the strictest of orders to fetch him if she showed any need for him.

Shifting slightly to glance up at him, she faltered, uncertain how to put her fears and concerns into words. He was no mind reader, but Marisa hoped he would know what sent her fleeing Fiona's rooms without being told.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

She knew exactly why he was able to respond to her situations of distress so quickly. There was, indeed, a man that had eyes on her at all times just so that he could keep her safe. Marisa was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, as she had frequently reminded him, but that didn't stop Rupert. Nothing would. "I would be a poor Uncle if I didn't do such a thing, sweet." He reassured her, and then looked down into her eyes.

A sigh escaped him. "In a way, we knew this would happen. You are a beautiful, intelligent, and crafty young woman and a man would be a fool if they didn't want to claim you in some way. It's a compliment, my dear, even if you don't feel that it is right now. Unfortunately, they can be life altering sometimes. What are you thinking? Tell me."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

The reminder that he was always there for her, no matter what, relieved her mind. He had been everything to her since the untimely death of her parents; Marisa could not imagine her life without Rupert's care, guidance and affection. Having him there made her feel secure, safe and cherished despite the truth of his words, and Fiona's. She was no longer a child but a woman, an attractive woman with connections; what he said was only a natural progression in her life.

That did not make her feel better, however, nor did it set her fears to rest. Then again, the truth was better confronted and resolved. "I knew it would happen, yes. But I did not expect it to be him, or for him to come on so strong. The question begs to be asked, why me?" Blue eyes, full of maidenly distress, lifted to meet his, hoping he had that answer at least.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"It is Daven St. Claire. The man is not known for being subtle in his ways. If he wants something, he makes it known and then works very hard to get it. It takes a very firm denial to dissuade him him in any way." With that explanation, he moved on to the next, "I have been making inquiries as to what is going on with the St. Claire household that would make him act in such a way where you would be involved." Surely, she would not be surprised that he had done such a thing. "It is said that the man is concerned with producing a male heir, and ... he needs a capable woman to run his household. He is hopeless with such matters, and with his daughter Julia to be married off to the Prince, supposedly, he needs a new lady of the house."

Rupert sharpened his gaze upon her. "In a way, my dear, this is an opportunity. It makes you a duchess, even if by marriage. And no one says this can't be a business arrangement that grants you some freedom."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

There was the perspective she needed to hear; rather than warning her off about the dangers inherent in a man like Daven St. Claire - of which there were many, she was well aware - her uncle offered her the points encouraging her to give the matter due consideration. There was some room for negotiation regarding the lifestyle and freedom she was accustomed to. Oh true, there would need to be compromise involved, but that was the nature of life at court - give and take was crucial.

Calmed by his matter of fact approach to the matter, Marisa spoke quietly in the wake of his words. "What would you advise me to do? The Princess, of course, wishes me to make it clear I am not interested in any sort of... permanent arrangement."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"The Princess is not in control of your life. She has provided you the refinement you need to be successful in court, but I am going to be blunt. You have a more deft hand than the Iron Princess. The stress of her family, I believe, has made her a bit too heavy handed for her own good. She would like to keep you close because you are very useful, and we cannot fault her on that particular point." That said, he seriously considered her next question.

"I would pursue it, if only expand your influence, but you make it clear. If it's a male he wants, you will do as he says until a male is produced, and from that point on, you are free to do as you wish. Granted, you will do anything to offend him or destroy him, but you get my meaning."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Much as she could wish otherwise, she asked for and received truth. Fiona had fumbled seriously in the past few weeks, enough to cause rumors to swirl about the court regarding her abilities. And Marisa knew she was extremely useful to the Iron Princess, especially in light of the lady's rumblings regarding the future of the throne. "No, we cannot, nor does it surprise me to hear it spoken so plainly, Uncle. I know what I know where she is concerned, Uncle. She... knows steps must be taken soon as pertains to the King."

She silenced herself to heed his counsel, as that was what she sought and craved from him, giving a small nod. "I will be discreet, regardless. I have no desire for that sort of notoriety, and true... the position of Duchess of Twinport is a powerful one, I must admit. But should I make it clear to him that I will accept only honorable intentions?" It was, to her way of thinking, a legitimate question.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"Oh, I am certain there are many explanations for her recent behavior, but that does not change the fact that we must be cautious of her. Given a woman of her disposition, she must be wanting to secure her family's future above everything else. This means, we must act on your future together. I do not take this as a personal slight from the Princess, however," he reassured her, and then went on to the frankly more important issue.

"Yes," he approved of her thinking. "We must make certain this is really want you want, and that he doesn't want to just romp with a nubile woman. We must be careful in this."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"Some of it is the strain on her to... repair some of the damage inflicted by the King, not only on the Kingdom but on the Carlisle family itself," Marisa replied quietly, thinking over some of what had been discussed lately. "She was very angry that the King failed to inform Princess Emmaline of the betrothal with Prince Nikolai prior to his impending arrival. And the concern over Prince Riordan's behavior was great." Her head shook, "No, it's not meant as a slight, but you are my guardian. Nothing can or should be done without your consent and foreknowledge."

On that point, Marisa refused to budge. She could navigate the waters of Court without Fiona's patronage if she had to, but she could not afford to alienate Rupert. She owed him loyalty unto death, and intended to continue that despite the decisions regarding her future. "I believe the romp is as far as he's considered. The trick now is to make it clear I won't settle for that."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"Make it clear to him that you are more valuable than a romp," he said easily, "Learn of what the Duchy of Twinport needs to grow stronger, and see what you can do to meet those goals. Prove to him that you are just as worthy a wife as you are the pleasure in bed." Marisa was a beautiful woman, and he had no concerns about the latter. Then again, if he truly thought about it, he had no concerns about the latter.

"Obviously, no doubt discount his need to slake his lust," he offered at that bit of advice. "You may need to shift your focus from Riordan and onto Daven. However, if the Prince's turn of a leaf is genuine, I will have to wonder how effective your advances would be," and then he gave her an affectionate look, "No offense intended, of course."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"Indeed. I may need to lure the Duke with less access, less revealing clothing and behaviors. Entice him into chasing me and trying to discover what it will take to have me. He is experienced enough to know nothing comes without a price." Daven St. Claire was no fool, he knew how the games were played and the moves that were incorporated. "I know some of what Twinport needs, I've heard whispers that he is increasingly discontent with one of his vassal lords. Trevelyan, I believe. You recall their confrontation the night court opened?" If anyone had a notion of what was behind the conflict, or could discover it, it would be her uncle. Trevelyan was in an interesting location, one of some strategic importance. It could prove valuable leverage, Marisa understood.

At the mention of the Prince, she merely smiled. "Riordan's interest in me has already waned in favor of Lady Selena. I could try, but I think he is sincere and earnest in his efforts to reform, and while it would be nice to have a hold over him, Uncle, perhaps it might be nice to give him an honest opportunity to prove his worthiness to hold the throne. If he is not, better to learn of it now, don't you think?"

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"You may need to make it clear to him, as well. Sometimes men appreciate rather bluntness over coyness. I think we know which method the Dragon may prefer," he gave Marisa a faint smirk of amusement. The question regarding Trevelyen made him nod. "Yes, I do recall that confrontation. Based on what I have found out, he was feeling some pressure from Lord Easton over some matter regarding boundary placement. However, I think there is something more going on there. He has been unusually nervous and flighty as of late. I'll see what I can find out for you."

"Indeed, though I am going to try to confirm that is the case," a hand came up to briefly touch his chin in thought, "I've not see any further interaction between the Lady Julia and the Prince, but that might mean anything. I am going to some concrete evidence either way. I want to know how serious he is about the Lady Selena, or if he is just going to treat her as some other conquest." These meetings with Marisa were always truly a delight.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

She nodded to his counsel regarding the Duke; he knew Daven St. Claire rather well thanks to observation of the man over the past few years and understood better than she the kind of man with whom they dealt. "I will try to do so. During the masque may be a good time, as I feel sure he will be easily spotted... and looking for me." The opportunities presented by such an event would not be the kind that the Dragon would want to resist, granting her a means to set new rules in the game they played. "But any help or information you can pass on regarding Trevelyan would be appreciated so I can astonish him with my acumen." Blue eyes sparkled slyly at her uncle. Marisa was truly his creation in every sense of the word.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Do you think any Lancaster female would permit themselves to be viewed as a mere conquest, Uncle? No, that young lady has marriage on her mind, the seed unquestionably planted by her subtly ambitious father. He's tired of seeing St. Claire females on the throne, and if I'm not too far off the mark, groomed Lady Selena to outshine the St. Claire girls by far as a potential queen." Leaning up, she brushed a kiss to his jaw. "It might be time to break with that old tradition, don't you think?"