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An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

A select salon for those with money to spend who understand that dressing well is not a luxury but a necessity. The Silver Thimble has a tasteful sign that hangs above a pretty bay window in which a few fabrics are carefully draped. Inside is lavishly decorated: there is a dark, sweeping cherry wood counter for sales, clear glass cabinets and a consultation room that practically exhales the sofas and coffee table nested therein. Cabinets around the shop hint that merchandise is stored there but nothing is on display. Indeed, it's well known that if you wish to see a garment then the shop girl will fetch it to you as you take tea with the proprietor. Highly unusual, it is run by a women - one Miss Valentina Audley. Kindred know her as the Master Seamstress of Bath, Clan Toreador, which would explain the odd closing hours.

Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Valentina Audley » Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:52 pm

Valentina props an arm on the sofa and leans her head against it, looking up at him and smiling lazily.

"Well, you did ask me not to stop... Perhaps next time I should not heed you." The smile that accompanies this statement is akin to one from the Cheshire Cat.

"You had better stay sitting for a little longer though darling and tomorrow you must take things gently. A shop manager who is ill because he does not take care of himself is no use."

In comparison to his giddy lightheadedness she seems more certain, more alive than before. Her movements are purposeful and her voice vigorous. Clearly his blood has done her good.

Purely to see how he'll react she reaches for his hand.
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Jacob Swainswick » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:38 pm

Swainswick took her hand. His smile was quite unguarded for a moment.

"You're right, of course, Miss Audley," he said. His voice sounded softer, less formal.

"Did I ask..?" He looked down, still abashed; although that seemed somewhat abated also. "I - I, ah, suppose that I did. It's a little, ah, hazy." He released her fingers in order to gesture vaguely at his head.

"I didn't intend to - that is, if I've embarrassed you, I can only offer my sincerest apology. That wasn't at all appropriate of me. I didn't realise that it would be so - so -"

He looked at his own hands; then, more alert, lifted his left wrist to examine it. Nothing!

"Good Lord, there's nothing! Not even a bruise!" He gave her an astonished look. "It could all have been - it has the semblance of a dream. Even now."

The look he gave her sought some measure of assurance; whether in the affirmative or the negative, Swainswick himself was not entirely certain.
"...[A] young man, tall, and of elegant proportion, dark locks combed neatly into place atop a high forehead. Deep blue eyes are set in an intelligent face ...; his physiognomy on the whole speaking of studious attentiveness."
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Valentina Audley » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:21 pm

Valentina took the opportunity to slip up onto the sofa next to him as he examines his arm.

"It's a defence darling. I promise it wasn't a dream, but you have to admit, it's easier to hide if even the person fed from isn't sure it happened."

The opportunity to erase some of his shyness appeals so she leans in and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"You didn't embarrass me. Dear Jacob, you must remember I am old, far older than I look and I have fed many, many times."

She smiles shyly at him. "That was one of the most enjoyable feeds I have had in a long time." It had been as well, though not for the reasons she was insinuating
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Jacob Swainswick » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:41 pm

Jacob felt a flare of something in his breast at those words. He seemed uncertain whether or not he should turn to face her; and if the truth be told, that was not the only impulse he was wrestling with.

Nonetheless, the fine qualities he prided himself on were reasserting themselves. The trouble being, in the main, that Debrett's was wholly silent on the question of apposite deportment after a vampiric encounter.

I enjoyed that very much too, whilst a return of the compliment, did not seem something that one might say to a lady at this juncture.

"The Moon is quite pretty tonight," he essayed. The comment fell between the two of them and lay there for a long moment. Fortunately, Miss Audley seemed to find occasion for humour in it, smiling at his rueful wince.

"I don't know what to say," he confessed.
"...[A] young man, tall, and of elegant proportion, dark locks combed neatly into place atop a high forehead. Deep blue eyes are set in an intelligent face ...; his physiognomy on the whole speaking of studious attentiveness."
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Valentina Audley » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:07 pm

Valentina rests her head on his shoulder.

"I find at times like this it is best to lay the conventions of society aside, for a little while at least. What do you want to say?" She's speaking softly, gently, trying to tease some of the barriers down.
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Jacob Swainswick » Wed Aug 31, 2016 9:43 pm

Jacob spent a moment collecting his thoughts.

"In large part, Miss Audley -"

He stopped for a moment, pursing his lips in self-recrimination.

"What I have to say you will think trite, like some awful melodrama. But I must say it anyway, for it is true.

"I feel that something has passed between us here. My earnest hope is that it might deepen our friendship, rather than be the cause of its ending."

He took her hand, encouraging her to better sit so that he might fix his deep blue eyes upon hers.

"I know - that is, I suspect - that you may harbour feelings for another. No - you do not have to say anything! Mr. Verity is fortunate, indeed, and I am certain that he must know that.

"I am devoted to you, Miss Audley. I do not wish to leave your service. But neither can I bear to be a source of chagrin, or a reminder of embarrassment. If you wish it, I will of course tender a resignation. I would hope that you could still count upon me as a friend. If you would suffer me to remain, I shall not speak of this night again. I shall give you no reason to recall my moment of weakness. If not, know that I will take your secrets with me to the cold embrace of the grave."

And so waited for her judgment, a stern and manly stoicism letting no dewy eye betray him; nor any wavering weakness detract from the set of his jaw.
"...[A] young man, tall, and of elegant proportion, dark locks combed neatly into place atop a high forehead. Deep blue eyes are set in an intelligent face ...; his physiognomy on the whole speaking of studious attentiveness."
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Valentina Audley » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:14 pm

Valentina stays still, keeping he head on his shoulder.

"You might put your arm around me darling" she suggests.

"I must tell you that the society of my kind, such as it is, runs differently to mortal society. It is expected that I should have flirtations and Mr Verity is merely the latest in a long line. It hides me from notice amongst my kind and as a recipient of such attentions he will accord me a measure of protection from the less civilised of our society."

She looks up at him wistfully.

"Am I so very awful darling? For doing as I must to survive both worlds I find myself in?"
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Re: An Evening Visit (Epilogue)

Postby Jacob Swainswick » Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:10 am

"No, Miss Audley," he said, "you are not awful."

And there we must leave our little tableau, as Swainswick slipped his arm around Miss Audley, and both lapsed into tacit companionship: she with her head upon his shoulder; he staring at the lambent yellowishness of the flickering gaslight.
"...[A] young man, tall, and of elegant proportion, dark locks combed neatly into place atop a high forehead. Deep blue eyes are set in an intelligent face ...; his physiognomy on the whole speaking of studious attentiveness."
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Jacob Swainswick
 
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