A Fly Between Spiders

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Julia took the hint and held the bottle in silent inquiry if he desired more. Fiona had not been forgotten, her glass also topped off as the conversation continued to swirl around her. If she was aware that Alejandro was speaking of her specifically, she gave no sign of it, deflecting all the while with the skill of a trained courtier. "Perhaps you ought, as they tend to be the greatest collectors and purveyors of information. They see and hear much for passing unnoticed."

She shrugged at his comment regarding curiosity. "Time will tell. I shall begin my search immediately, however. I would not want you to suffer from unsatiated curiosity for long."

Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Before Alejandro could issue a rebuttal, she cleared her throat quietly to get their attention. The Duq had attempted to make his point quite clear, but Julia was either not seeing it or refusing to take the bait. She would have to remind him that Julia preferred blunt language more than anything else. "My goodness," she quipped, accepting the wine from Julia with a nod of thanks. "What an exciting prospect. A horse race. I don't think I've seen one in quite some time. I wonder if my liege would allow me the joy of participating."

She smiled at the two of them, hoping to break the heat that was growing between the two of them.

Lady Julia St. Claire, Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

Alejandro had honestly forgotten that Fiona was there. The temptation was strong to bring a challenge to Julia's words, especially since he wanted to continue playing with fire. Julia's fire was beautiful and bright. He could only just imagine the passion of which she was capable. He tore his gaze away from the younger woman to gaze upon the older. "Hm? Oh, yes. The horse race. We should make it quite open."

A nod indicated his desire for more wine. "What shall the prize be?" A kiss to the winner? Ah ha, Julia would not be so amused.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Grateful to the Princess for her interference, Julia relaxed slightly, a nod of thanks given to Fiona for her efforts. Her answer was delayed in a purposeful sip of wine after replenishing the glasses, considering the question regarding the prize. "If it is open, I would say some sort of purse or perhaps a new saddle, or if it is to be a grand race, perhaps the Trevelyans can be persuaded to part with a horse from their stables. They are the finest in Demeria." Looking to Fiona, she added, "Wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?"

Lady Fiona Lancaster, Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

Hearing Fiona finally speak, he had to hide his amused smile for a moment. He personally though the conversation between the two of them had been going along rather swimmingly. Another sip of wine was definitely in order and he listened the ideas shared. "Oh, now there is a fine and exciting prize. A new horse? I believe we'd get many people to sign up for that one and it brings attention to this House Trevelyan that you just mentioned."

@fiona

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

She roused herself back to the conversation and smile, "The finest horse form the Trevelyan? I would agree with that. I'm sure His Majesty would be keen on doing so. The Trevelyans need to have a stronger presence in court, anyway, and a good horse from them would be a relatively small payment." She probably shouldn't spread rumors about the beleaguered house, and so she refrained. The fact that they had rumors swirling about them did not bode well.

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

The attention it was likely to bring wielded a double-edged sword to Julia's way of thinking. She was aware of the rumors circulating regarding the current Lord of the House and the impact such rumors could wield, but she had every intention of resolving that as one final act of love and duty to her father. They would need to discuss removing the man before he brought scandal down on himself, his heir and the St. Claire name.

Smiling to brush aside any such concerns, Julia nodded. "Then I will seek out Lady Vivianne and see if she is agreeable to sponsoring the race and providing the prize."


Lord Alejandro Cerevotos

[Lord Alejandro Cerevotos]

"Then it is agreed," Alejandro stated, saluting with his glass of wine before taking a drink. "See, I can manage to provide a pair of lovely ladies delightful company while maintaining enough focus to get some business done." He pressed a hand to his chest, "I assure you that particular skill took several years to perfect." The smile was a sly one.

Lady Fiona Lancaster, Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona chuckled dryly at Alejandro's statement. "Indeed," she cast a sidelong glance at Julia but issued no further comment. "I must say, though, it was nice meeting, Lord Cerevotos. You've given me much to consider and a great temptation to visit your homeland." She looked to Julia, "And my thanks to you for hosting."

Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Deeming their picnic had reached its inevitable conclusion, Julia inclined her head to Lady Fiona. "The pleasure was mine, my lady. If it pleases you, shall we meet up in the morning for our usual walk?" Relying on Fiona not to betray any measure of surprise for the proposal, she smiled pleasantly, aware that there would need to be a dissection of the meeting. She was rather intrigued to know where the Princess stood on the Lintenese duke.

An amused glance traveled to Alejandro, her smile threatening to blossom into a laugh. Humility was apparently not amongst his most practiced traits indeed.


Lady Fiona Lancaster

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"Yes, of course," she replied to Julia's invitation. "As always, I look forward to it." How very interesting, indeed. She moved to a stand and offered a regal nod, "Good day to you." And with that, she moved off.