Beauty and Solitude

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Daven had seen her in red gowns and found them far more provocative on her, especially when contrasted against her skin. Though green was the one of the colors of his house, Daven had a special fondness for red. It stirred something within that was difficult to put to words. Passion, power, fire and energy were perhaps the best attempt. The thought of Marisa in a revealing gown of red excited him a number of ways. Mm.

"Oh, indeed. Don't think that will be the only pendant I will give you. In fact, I will have something to show you when we get to Twinport. Yes, we are still going. I want my time away from Court and my time with you." That and they had to prepare for a royal visit. If that was, indeed, even still going to happen.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Observing his face only planted the seed of greater, more provocative ideas in her head. Those ideas were restrained for now, knowing she had to play her cards carefully to ensure her future. Whether that was as Daven's duchess or someone else's remained to be seen, but Marisa was too careful to risk it all for a few hours' pleasure, however exciting that pleasure was likely to be. The man's passionate nature had not abated with the passage of time, something that drew her.

A nod answered his promise that they would indeed be traversing to Twinport after the festival. "Good," was her firmly delivered response. "Normally I enjoy the festival, but I believe this one has gone undeniably sour. The sooner it is over, the better. Will your daughters travel with us, or return to Triadon with the rest of the Court?"

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Indeed, he was both fortunate and unfortunate that she was practicing such restraint. She was a young woman and she had a great many prospects for her. If she did not become Duchess of Twinport, he had no doubt she could easily become a duchess elsewhere. What man in their right mind wouldn't want her at his side? The primal man wanted to say bother with propriety and take what he wanted. Yet, the rational mind had too much respect for Marisa. She deserved better.

"I am going to have my daughters stay in Triadon for now. It is better than you become acquainted with the castle servants without them being around." He paused in thought and then gave her a thoughtful look, "We could always leave the festival a little early, my lady. Allow me to talk to my daughters, set some affairs in order and we can be off. Unless there is something you'd like to see."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

She was indeed a young woman, and an ambitious young woman at that. Her sights were firmly set on Daven St. Claire, but Marisa was rapidly coming to understand that he would not put his desire for her before the needs and opinions of his daughters. It was proving far more challenging than she'd anticipated to grow acquainted with the young women, who were remarkably elusive. And frustrating. She would find a way to deal with it, however.

Feeling his eyes on her, Marisa lifted her gaze to meet his. "I would prefer that. There is little keeping us here but duty, and the sooner that we restore a sense of normalcy, the better. The Princess is departing soon enough, I believe, that we won't be noticed in taking our leave."

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Daven was done walking. He now wanted to get into a deeper and more practical talk with her. Flirting with her was fun. Admiring her beautiful face, captivating eyes and stunning figure was fun, too. But now he wanted to play with her mind. He glanced around to realize that they were alone and then gestured for her to come closer to the lake shore with him. The large dragon settled down on the shore, gazing out at it thoughtfully.

"What if I were to tell you that I plan to invite the royal family to Twinkeep in a month or two? And additionally, what would you say that I want you to be in charge of the preparations for that visit?" He looked over to her, then, watching her reaction. She wanted to be a duchess. It was time to see how she would think as a duchess.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Following Daven, Marisa felt her stomach clench. He had a rather serious look on his face, one that suggested she might not like the tone or the topic he was about to broach. Flirtation was over; he looked to get down to business. Joining him on that shore, she debated, then risked her skirts to sit beside him in a graceful pile of red, listening attentively. The shock she felt when he spoke of his plans reflected plainly on her face. Was he mad?

Recovery was not swift, but she held her tongue while she considered the notion. It had all the earmarks of a test to determine her worthiness as the next Duchess. A slow, pensive nod preceded her reply. "It might be a good respite for the King, the sea air would do him some good, and with a week or two to prepare, I imagine the castle can be readied for a royal visit. Are the grounds sufficient to host the rest of the Court, or are you restricting the invitation to a select group?"

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Daven reminded himself that she was a young woman that had never been exposed to this before, but he had to know if she could truly handle the work that was before her. As Duchess of Twinport, she would be responsible for maintaining the castle and serving as hostess for all social functions. She knew this. The status came with work. He was also very much a dragon, giving her this trial by fire.

"I know the Court is going to want to follow the Royal entourage, regardless if they are invited or not. Twinkeep is not the largest castle in the land." It certainly did not compare to Indigo or Honeyvine castles. "But it is the most fortified and it was built to withstand a harsh beating. We have enough guest rooms for the royal family and a few of the more esteemed Dukes and their hosts." He raised a hand, "Fortunately, Twinport is renown for its fine inns and its large plazas to compensate. We can host a party, just not necessarily in the conventional way."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

She had been groomed and trained for this all of her life, between her uncle, her cousin and the Princess. They subtly instructed her not only in the graces of a future Duchess, but in the responsibilities and expectations. While Marisa did not foresee this trial by fire, a brief introspective reminded her she should have expected it. Daven was every bit as cautious as she was, the better to ensure he got his fair share of the deal. A thoughtful nod agreed. "They will indeed, and it will require swift work to accommodate them beyond the walls of Twinkeep as well as within. I think with a week or two ahead of their arrival, all can be ready." Provided, naturally, that his servants were willing to accommodate her requests. They were accustomed to heeding the word of Lady Julia, and she would prove the interloper.

A faint smile touched her lips as he spoke of inns and plazas. "If they come directly from the lakeside, there are also plenty of servants to take down the pavilions, transport them to Twinport and then re-erect them for the comfort of the courtiers who insist on following. If you host a tourney, that will help defray some of the costs, as that will draw merchants and the like who will bring in additional taxes, as well as the entry fees. Perhaps it might be held in honor of your daughters?" Marisa wouldn't be averse to seeing one handed off as prize to the Champion, but she wasn't fool enough to say so aloud.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Daven had been watching her intently as she carefully issued her response to the challenge cast before her. What fascinated him most that was that she seemed determined to get the matter straightened in a few weeks rather than a month. Still, that she was so determined to show her skill was impressive to Daven, to say the least. He nodded thoughtfully at her answer. Everything she had suggested was perfectly acceptable to him. The plan was sound. Could she execute it? He had no doubt that she could, but that had to be seen.

"A tournament, hm?" He arched a brow at her. "And in honor of my daughter? Hm. Perhaps we can see that it is arranged. I'd have to ponder just which one would be worthy of such an honor. Though, Julia has done a great deal of work on behalf of the duchy as of late. On the other hand, I would not want my other daughters to feel slighted or unappreciated."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Marisa was as determined to establish herself in terms of efficiency as she was in capability. Young she might be, but prepared to face the challenge and overcome it with a blaze of glory if at all possible. His gauntlet was picked up and now she had the bit between her teeth; not only would she prove she was worthy of his precious duchy, but he could not do without her. There was a near martial gleam in her eyes as she met his gaze defiantly. Twinkeep would accept her as mistress, come hell or high water.

A dangerous mindset, perhaps, but she concealed it behind a bland, if lovely smile. "Only one? Why not all of them? They are the jewels of your duchy, and you wish to find gentlemen worthy of them, do you not? This would be an excellent opportunity to gauge which men have not only wealth and influence, but the puissance to protect your lovely Dragons."

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

The determination in her eye was impossible to miss. She was going to do whatever it took to get what she wanted. Daven had to admire that ambition about her. Twinport was going to need a strong duchess if he was to marry again. Julia, he had no doubt of, but Marisa? He had to put her to the test. As fond as he was of the young woman, he had to put his duchy first. It was time like these that he wish he were a mercenary general, coming and going as he pleased and taking women without nary a thought.

"Hm," he toned thoughtfully at the suggestion, his hand coming up to rub at his bearded chin. "Very well. It shall be for my daughters' honor, but not necessarily for their hand. It will be a good way for the men of the kingdom to see them... and for me to see the men of the kingdom." And more accurately determine just who was worthy of his daughters.