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He kept his eyes on the trail ahead, placidly waiting for her to stop sputtering and come up with some sort of passable answer. When she finally laughed, that drew his attention and he raised his eyebrows, seeking to know the reason. She told him, of course. That he was twisting her words, to which he merely shook his head sagely with a small smile. “Twist your words? If I have, it was unintentionally done.”
At her final, good natured pronouncement that he could stay unhappy, he grinned. “I will,” he vowed. She let out another laugh and he looked over to find her covering her eyes and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. What could have brought such a reaction, he had no idea but once she uncovered her eyes, they were unusually bright and lively, made still more pretty against the rosy hue of her skin. It put her in the most attractive light she’d been in thus far and he smiled at her when she asked if he wasn’t a wolf.
“I’m not, no,” he looked down at his fist gripping the reins, then back at her. “I do hunt them, though.”
From there, they’d ridden down a hill and were now on flat land again. He then turned, caught her eye, gave her a quick flash of teeth, and then ground his heels into his horse’s flanks. The beast lunged forward in a blur of mane and tail. The wind carried a brief, “Keep up!” over to her. If they kept talking, he was pretty sure she was going to try to pry some more. Best way to get her not to do that was to render her unable to talk to him directly.
He would admit to himself, though, that while he had not sought company on this morning’s ride, the company he had found was pleasant enough. Evangelina was a bit impertinent, but then, he’d never really liked speaking to women who insisted on being nothing more than decoration. They had nothing interesting to say and while he didn’t necessarily want to engage in all her topics of conversation, this was certainly the most entertainment he’d had thus far in the city - of the wholesome verity. There was more than enough politics to keep him unfortunately occupied.
Glancing back only once to see if she was behind him or not, he turned to the front again. There wasn’t a specific finish line he was trying to get to. He’d let the horse run as long as she felt like and then he would let her slow down.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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He kept his eyes on the trail ahead, placidly waiting for her to stop sputtering and come up with some sort of passable answer. When she finally laughed, that drew his attention and he raised his eyebrows, seeking to know the reason. She told him, of course. That he was twisting her words, to which he merely shook his head sagely with a small smile. “Twist your words? If I have, it was unintentionally done.”
At her final, good natured pronouncement that he could stay unhappy, he grinned. “I will,” he vowed. She let out another laugh and he looked over to find her covering her eyes and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. What could have brought such a reaction, he had no idea but once she uncovered her eyes, they were unusually bright and lively, made still more pretty against the rosy hue of her skin. It put her in the most attractive light she’d been in thus far and he smiled at her when she asked if he wasn’t a wolf.
“I’m not, no,” he looked down at his fist gripping the reins, then back at her. “I do hunt them, though.”
From there, they’d ridden down a hill and were now on flat land again. He then turned, caught her eye, gave her a quick flash of teeth, and then ground his heels into his horse’s flanks. The beast lunged forward in a blur of mane and tail. The wind carried a brief, “Keep up!” over to her. If they kept talking, he was pretty sure she was going to try to pry some more. Best way to get her not to do that was to render her unable to talk to him directly.
He would admit to himself, though, that while he had not sought company on this morning’s ride, the company he had found was pleasant enough. Evangelina was a bit impertinent, but then, he’d never really liked speaking to women who insisted on being nothing more than decoration. They had nothing interesting to say and while he didn’t necessarily want to engage in all her topics of conversation, this was certainly the most entertainment he’d had thus far in the city - of the wholesome verity. There was more than enough politics to keep him unfortunately occupied.
Glancing back only once to see if she was behind him or not, he turned to the front again. There wasn’t a specific finish line he was trying to get to. He’d let the horse run as long as she felt like and then he would let her slow down.
He kept his eyes on the trail ahead, placidly waiting for her to stop sputtering and come up with some sort of passable answer. When she finally laughed, that drew his attention and he raised his eyebrows, seeking to know the reason. She told him, of course. That he was twisting her words, to which he merely shook his head sagely with a small smile. “Twist your words? If I have, it was unintentionally done.”
At her final, good natured pronouncement that he could stay unhappy, he grinned. “I will,” he vowed. She let out another laugh and he looked over to find her covering her eyes and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. What could have brought such a reaction, he had no idea but once she uncovered her eyes, they were unusually bright and lively, made still more pretty against the rosy hue of her skin. It put her in the most attractive light she’d been in thus far and he smiled at her when she asked if he wasn’t a wolf.
“I’m not, no,” he looked down at his fist gripping the reins, then back at her. “I do hunt them, though.”
From there, they’d ridden down a hill and were now on flat land again. He then turned, caught her eye, gave her a quick flash of teeth, and then ground his heels into his horse’s flanks. The beast lunged forward in a blur of mane and tail. The wind carried a brief, “Keep up!” over to her. If they kept talking, he was pretty sure she was going to try to pry some more. Best way to get her not to do that was to render her unable to talk to him directly.
He would admit to himself, though, that while he had not sought company on this morning’s ride, the company he had found was pleasant enough. Evangelina was a bit impertinent, but then, he’d never really liked speaking to women who insisted on being nothing more than decoration. They had nothing interesting to say and while he didn’t necessarily want to engage in all her topics of conversation, this was certainly the most entertainment he’d had thus far in the city - of the wholesome verity. There was more than enough politics to keep him unfortunately occupied.
Glancing back only once to see if she was behind him or not, he turned to the front again. There wasn’t a specific finish line he was trying to get to. He’d let the horse run as long as she felt like and then he would let her slow down.
Even has a child Evangelina hadn’t been easily intimidated by others. There was some part of her that thoroughly enjoyed pushing her limits. Physical punishment had just made her grit her teeth and rail all the harder against them. Her parents had learned that with, to get her to behave, she needed a certain amount of responsibility to rest upon her shoulders; more importantly to understand that her actions had consequences for not only her but those that she loved.
Her uncle Fotios was a frightening man in his own way, but the man who sat on his horse next to her left her feeling like a baby still learning to walk. The more she flirted and tried to be coquettish with him the more she felt like an infant. It was alarming, and far more frightening then Fotios. She hated to admit it but the stone-cold truth was that she was so far out of her depths with him. Lord Gavriil wasn’t a boy she could easily trade flirty assertions with.
‘I am not, no. I do hunt them, though.’ His gaze had drifted from his reins to settle on her and her breath caught. He wasn’t a wolf. He was all man. There wasn’t anything boyish or inexperienced about him. That alarmed her. It left her reeling for dry land, she felt like she had gone too far into the ocean and her feet could no longer quite touch the bottom, the water was slowly wearing her down, all the while the current kept pulling her further out into the sea against her will. She couldn’t tear her gaze away and her breath had caught in her chest. A tingling bolt of awareness tickled her from the top of her head all the way to her toes, "No, I don't guess you are a wolf..." You are something a bit more dangerous.
Had her hands tightened on her reins? They must have, he was riding slightly in front of her now and her gaze drifted slowly from the calves of his legs up to his hips that moved softly with his mare’s swaying movement, slowly they moved up his spine which after watching his hips they were a great deal less interesting and she found her gaze falling back to his hips. Oh, for the love of…. Get your mind back… Evangelina’s thoughts were cut short as he shifted and she had to act quickly and drag her gaze up to meet his eyes. She swallowed and blinked wide-eyed at him as if she’d just been caught guilty stealing something.
His mare lunged forward putting more distance between them as his voice barked the order, ‘Keep up!’
Blinking, she sat there dumbly a moment. Altair throwing his head up and pulling on the bit like a child wanting their parent to hurry up. The world clicked back in for her and she grinned dropping the reins and giving him his head. Tearing off after Lord Gavriil, it didn’t take long before she was laughing again; whatever her thoughts had been moments ago forgotten. Altair was bounding forward closer and closer to Lord Gavriil’s mare, he had a certain amount of Leventi pride too and wanted a chance to redeem himself. He pulled up to gallop nose to nose with the mare as if egging her on before he started to slowly inch away from her.
Evie would have pulled Altair up if she’d not been distracted by the fact that she was pulling away from him. She would have seen that shallow dry creek bed hidden in the grass. Instead, she had only seconds to prepare herself. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened, an unladylike curse slipped out. Altair was the most unreliable when it came to going over obstacles.
One.
Two.
Three.
She cringed, her legs grow claws trying to hold onto Altair but she was already sailing through the air as Altair sat on his hocks coming to a grinding halt at the very last minute. Her hands let go of the reins and she landed with an indelicate thump on her chest. The wind knocked out of her. Her eyes opened but she didn’t rush to get up. Her air came back in a whoosh and she groaned. She wiggled her toes and moved her knees and arms slightly to make sure everything was still attached. Pushing herself up on her hands, she winced but managed to get herself situated in a sitting position, the world around her still not entirely back into focus yet. How long had it been since Altair had pulled that nasty little trick of his? How long had it been since he’d unseated her? Where was that grey bastard…? Someone was going to get braids in their mane for that just as soon as she got back to the stable. It was entirely her fault though… she knew he did that and she’d not been paying attention. Her focus had been on Gavriil… Gavriil… Poseidon's Balls!
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Even has a child Evangelina hadn’t been easily intimidated by others. There was some part of her that thoroughly enjoyed pushing her limits. Physical punishment had just made her grit her teeth and rail all the harder against them. Her parents had learned that with, to get her to behave, she needed a certain amount of responsibility to rest upon her shoulders; more importantly to understand that her actions had consequences for not only her but those that she loved.
Her uncle Fotios was a frightening man in his own way, but the man who sat on his horse next to her left her feeling like a baby still learning to walk. The more she flirted and tried to be coquettish with him the more she felt like an infant. It was alarming, and far more frightening then Fotios. She hated to admit it but the stone-cold truth was that she was so far out of her depths with him. Lord Gavriil wasn’t a boy she could easily trade flirty assertions with.
‘I am not, no. I do hunt them, though.’ His gaze had drifted from his reins to settle on her and her breath caught. He wasn’t a wolf. He was all man. There wasn’t anything boyish or inexperienced about him. That alarmed her. It left her reeling for dry land, she felt like she had gone too far into the ocean and her feet could no longer quite touch the bottom, the water was slowly wearing her down, all the while the current kept pulling her further out into the sea against her will. She couldn’t tear her gaze away and her breath had caught in her chest. A tingling bolt of awareness tickled her from the top of her head all the way to her toes, "No, I don't guess you are a wolf..." You are something a bit more dangerous.
Had her hands tightened on her reins? They must have, he was riding slightly in front of her now and her gaze drifted slowly from the calves of his legs up to his hips that moved softly with his mare’s swaying movement, slowly they moved up his spine which after watching his hips they were a great deal less interesting and she found her gaze falling back to his hips. Oh, for the love of…. Get your mind back… Evangelina’s thoughts were cut short as he shifted and she had to act quickly and drag her gaze up to meet his eyes. She swallowed and blinked wide-eyed at him as if she’d just been caught guilty stealing something.
His mare lunged forward putting more distance between them as his voice barked the order, ‘Keep up!’
Blinking, she sat there dumbly a moment. Altair throwing his head up and pulling on the bit like a child wanting their parent to hurry up. The world clicked back in for her and she grinned dropping the reins and giving him his head. Tearing off after Lord Gavriil, it didn’t take long before she was laughing again; whatever her thoughts had been moments ago forgotten. Altair was bounding forward closer and closer to Lord Gavriil’s mare, he had a certain amount of Leventi pride too and wanted a chance to redeem himself. He pulled up to gallop nose to nose with the mare as if egging her on before he started to slowly inch away from her.
Evie would have pulled Altair up if she’d not been distracted by the fact that she was pulling away from him. She would have seen that shallow dry creek bed hidden in the grass. Instead, she had only seconds to prepare herself. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened, an unladylike curse slipped out. Altair was the most unreliable when it came to going over obstacles.
One.
Two.
Three.
She cringed, her legs grow claws trying to hold onto Altair but she was already sailing through the air as Altair sat on his hocks coming to a grinding halt at the very last minute. Her hands let go of the reins and she landed with an indelicate thump on her chest. The wind knocked out of her. Her eyes opened but she didn’t rush to get up. Her air came back in a whoosh and she groaned. She wiggled her toes and moved her knees and arms slightly to make sure everything was still attached. Pushing herself up on her hands, she winced but managed to get herself situated in a sitting position, the world around her still not entirely back into focus yet. How long had it been since Altair had pulled that nasty little trick of his? How long had it been since he’d unseated her? Where was that grey bastard…? Someone was going to get braids in their mane for that just as soon as she got back to the stable. It was entirely her fault though… she knew he did that and she’d not been paying attention. Her focus had been on Gavriil… Gavriil… Poseidon's Balls!
Even has a child Evangelina hadn’t been easily intimidated by others. There was some part of her that thoroughly enjoyed pushing her limits. Physical punishment had just made her grit her teeth and rail all the harder against them. Her parents had learned that with, to get her to behave, she needed a certain amount of responsibility to rest upon her shoulders; more importantly to understand that her actions had consequences for not only her but those that she loved.
Her uncle Fotios was a frightening man in his own way, but the man who sat on his horse next to her left her feeling like a baby still learning to walk. The more she flirted and tried to be coquettish with him the more she felt like an infant. It was alarming, and far more frightening then Fotios. She hated to admit it but the stone-cold truth was that she was so far out of her depths with him. Lord Gavriil wasn’t a boy she could easily trade flirty assertions with.
‘I am not, no. I do hunt them, though.’ His gaze had drifted from his reins to settle on her and her breath caught. He wasn’t a wolf. He was all man. There wasn’t anything boyish or inexperienced about him. That alarmed her. It left her reeling for dry land, she felt like she had gone too far into the ocean and her feet could no longer quite touch the bottom, the water was slowly wearing her down, all the while the current kept pulling her further out into the sea against her will. She couldn’t tear her gaze away and her breath had caught in her chest. A tingling bolt of awareness tickled her from the top of her head all the way to her toes, "No, I don't guess you are a wolf..." You are something a bit more dangerous.
Had her hands tightened on her reins? They must have, he was riding slightly in front of her now and her gaze drifted slowly from the calves of his legs up to his hips that moved softly with his mare’s swaying movement, slowly they moved up his spine which after watching his hips they were a great deal less interesting and she found her gaze falling back to his hips. Oh, for the love of…. Get your mind back… Evangelina’s thoughts were cut short as he shifted and she had to act quickly and drag her gaze up to meet his eyes. She swallowed and blinked wide-eyed at him as if she’d just been caught guilty stealing something.
His mare lunged forward putting more distance between them as his voice barked the order, ‘Keep up!’
Blinking, she sat there dumbly a moment. Altair throwing his head up and pulling on the bit like a child wanting their parent to hurry up. The world clicked back in for her and she grinned dropping the reins and giving him his head. Tearing off after Lord Gavriil, it didn’t take long before she was laughing again; whatever her thoughts had been moments ago forgotten. Altair was bounding forward closer and closer to Lord Gavriil’s mare, he had a certain amount of Leventi pride too and wanted a chance to redeem himself. He pulled up to gallop nose to nose with the mare as if egging her on before he started to slowly inch away from her.
Evie would have pulled Altair up if she’d not been distracted by the fact that she was pulling away from him. She would have seen that shallow dry creek bed hidden in the grass. Instead, she had only seconds to prepare herself. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened, an unladylike curse slipped out. Altair was the most unreliable when it came to going over obstacles.
One.
Two.
Three.
She cringed, her legs grow claws trying to hold onto Altair but she was already sailing through the air as Altair sat on his hocks coming to a grinding halt at the very last minute. Her hands let go of the reins and she landed with an indelicate thump on her chest. The wind knocked out of her. Her eyes opened but she didn’t rush to get up. Her air came back in a whoosh and she groaned. She wiggled her toes and moved her knees and arms slightly to make sure everything was still attached. Pushing herself up on her hands, she winced but managed to get herself situated in a sitting position, the world around her still not entirely back into focus yet. How long had it been since Altair had pulled that nasty little trick of his? How long had it been since he’d unseated her? Where was that grey bastard…? Someone was going to get braids in their mane for that just as soon as she got back to the stable. It was entirely her fault though… she knew he did that and she’d not been paying attention. Her focus had been on Gavriil… Gavriil… Poseidon's Balls!
The Dimitrou estate was nestled deep in the forest, surrounded by tall trees and mostly untamed terrain. It was not a place where horse or rider would willingly gallop as fast paced as he was doing now. However, a little ways down from the village just below his manor, there were fields where horses grazed and wandered. It was here that he would sometimes go to ride like this, but that was seldom done anymore. Not unless one of his daughters got the wild idea to do so.
Probably he wouldn’t have thought to race Evangelina now, except that she’d started it. It had been fun the first time and was incredibly rewarding this time. His mare wasn’t the great racer that hers was and most of her energy had already been spent winning the previous one. She slowed down enough for him to be able to get her to a near walk, rather than the screeching halt Altair had pulled.
All Gavriil really had time to see was Evangelina plunk hard over the gray’s head, with her bare legs up in the air before her ankles nearly connected with the top of her shoulders. He slid off his horse and moved over to her side, his hands hovering over her back, trying to decide if it was best to roll her over or wait. Evangelina ended up deciding for him when she struggled up onto her hands and knees. Without a word, he reached over and tugged down the hem of her dress from her mid back, down over her rump and legs again, rendering her much less exposed when she finally was able to sit down.
He peered at her face, trying to gauge how she fared. There were several things he didn’t bother to ask. The first was if she was alright. That she was moving and breathing, and able to situate herself told him she’d probably be fine. Merely winded. The second thing he didn’t bother to ask was, did she want help? The far away, dazed look on her face answered that for him too.
Cupping her jaw gently but firmly, with his thumb on one side and his forefinger curled along the other side, he eased her head very slowly from side to side, examining her face. Muddy, probably she’d have a bit of a bruise. Luckily she’d landed in grass and anything amiss with her was superficial at worst. He picked obvious bits of grass and dirt out of her hair and then dropped his hand away.
He was crouched in front of her, with his arm resting on one knee, still giving her a look of half concern and half satisfied that she was in no danger.
“Evangelina,” he kept his voice low, trying to bring her around. In her face, he thought he saw the wheels of thought beginning to turn again and she looked as though she was forming something more than confused notions. “Stay here, I’m going to get your horse.” He rose and stepped around her. Her horse hadn’t gone far. Only a few steps away but it was easier to have both animals in hand, rather than risk one bolting for something as stupid as a startled bird taking flight.
“Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?” He came nearer to her to offer his hand if she wanted it.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The Dimitrou estate was nestled deep in the forest, surrounded by tall trees and mostly untamed terrain. It was not a place where horse or rider would willingly gallop as fast paced as he was doing now. However, a little ways down from the village just below his manor, there were fields where horses grazed and wandered. It was here that he would sometimes go to ride like this, but that was seldom done anymore. Not unless one of his daughters got the wild idea to do so.
Probably he wouldn’t have thought to race Evangelina now, except that she’d started it. It had been fun the first time and was incredibly rewarding this time. His mare wasn’t the great racer that hers was and most of her energy had already been spent winning the previous one. She slowed down enough for him to be able to get her to a near walk, rather than the screeching halt Altair had pulled.
All Gavriil really had time to see was Evangelina plunk hard over the gray’s head, with her bare legs up in the air before her ankles nearly connected with the top of her shoulders. He slid off his horse and moved over to her side, his hands hovering over her back, trying to decide if it was best to roll her over or wait. Evangelina ended up deciding for him when she struggled up onto her hands and knees. Without a word, he reached over and tugged down the hem of her dress from her mid back, down over her rump and legs again, rendering her much less exposed when she finally was able to sit down.
He peered at her face, trying to gauge how she fared. There were several things he didn’t bother to ask. The first was if she was alright. That she was moving and breathing, and able to situate herself told him she’d probably be fine. Merely winded. The second thing he didn’t bother to ask was, did she want help? The far away, dazed look on her face answered that for him too.
Cupping her jaw gently but firmly, with his thumb on one side and his forefinger curled along the other side, he eased her head very slowly from side to side, examining her face. Muddy, probably she’d have a bit of a bruise. Luckily she’d landed in grass and anything amiss with her was superficial at worst. He picked obvious bits of grass and dirt out of her hair and then dropped his hand away.
He was crouched in front of her, with his arm resting on one knee, still giving her a look of half concern and half satisfied that she was in no danger.
“Evangelina,” he kept his voice low, trying to bring her around. In her face, he thought he saw the wheels of thought beginning to turn again and she looked as though she was forming something more than confused notions. “Stay here, I’m going to get your horse.” He rose and stepped around her. Her horse hadn’t gone far. Only a few steps away but it was easier to have both animals in hand, rather than risk one bolting for something as stupid as a startled bird taking flight.
“Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?” He came nearer to her to offer his hand if she wanted it.
The Dimitrou estate was nestled deep in the forest, surrounded by tall trees and mostly untamed terrain. It was not a place where horse or rider would willingly gallop as fast paced as he was doing now. However, a little ways down from the village just below his manor, there were fields where horses grazed and wandered. It was here that he would sometimes go to ride like this, but that was seldom done anymore. Not unless one of his daughters got the wild idea to do so.
Probably he wouldn’t have thought to race Evangelina now, except that she’d started it. It had been fun the first time and was incredibly rewarding this time. His mare wasn’t the great racer that hers was and most of her energy had already been spent winning the previous one. She slowed down enough for him to be able to get her to a near walk, rather than the screeching halt Altair had pulled.
All Gavriil really had time to see was Evangelina plunk hard over the gray’s head, with her bare legs up in the air before her ankles nearly connected with the top of her shoulders. He slid off his horse and moved over to her side, his hands hovering over her back, trying to decide if it was best to roll her over or wait. Evangelina ended up deciding for him when she struggled up onto her hands and knees. Without a word, he reached over and tugged down the hem of her dress from her mid back, down over her rump and legs again, rendering her much less exposed when she finally was able to sit down.
He peered at her face, trying to gauge how she fared. There were several things he didn’t bother to ask. The first was if she was alright. That she was moving and breathing, and able to situate herself told him she’d probably be fine. Merely winded. The second thing he didn’t bother to ask was, did she want help? The far away, dazed look on her face answered that for him too.
Cupping her jaw gently but firmly, with his thumb on one side and his forefinger curled along the other side, he eased her head very slowly from side to side, examining her face. Muddy, probably she’d have a bit of a bruise. Luckily she’d landed in grass and anything amiss with her was superficial at worst. He picked obvious bits of grass and dirt out of her hair and then dropped his hand away.
He was crouched in front of her, with his arm resting on one knee, still giving her a look of half concern and half satisfied that she was in no danger.
“Evangelina,” he kept his voice low, trying to bring her around. In her face, he thought he saw the wheels of thought beginning to turn again and she looked as though she was forming something more than confused notions. “Stay here, I’m going to get your horse.” He rose and stepped around her. Her horse hadn’t gone far. Only a few steps away but it was easier to have both animals in hand, rather than risk one bolting for something as stupid as a startled bird taking flight.
“Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?” He came nearer to her to offer his hand if she wanted it.
It’d be much later that evening before Evangelina realized just how much that Lord Gavriil had seen. Under different circumstances, it might have registered in her mind that his hand had tugged the hem of dress down from her mid-back, down her over the curve of her rump to cover her legs again. She’d been to busy cataloging all the places that had hurt in her head. It wasn’t the first time she’d come off a horse, and it probably wouldn’t be the last time… but it didn’t mean that hitting the ground hurt any less.
She was coming around and finally managed to focus in on Gavriil as he grasp her chin tilting her head. Her chin had small gash and a bit of road-rash on her cheek under her eye, it no doubt looked worse from the mud and the disarray she was in but she was on a whole just fine. Meeting his eyes from beneath her lashes, one corner of her lips lifted in amusement. Evie’s words came out in a raspy low murmured tease, “What’s the prognosis?”
The more he stared at her, the more uncomfortable she became, it was taking everything she had not to squirm.
‘Evangelina.’
Dropping her dark eyes momentarily only to flick them back upwards him with a sigh, “I am fine.” She’d been about to try to stand up and go catch Altair herself when he’d offered, it didn’t stop her from making an attempt to stand up after him but a wave of nausea hit her and she eased back to the ground. She’d be fine. Lifting her gaze, she watched carefully to make sure that Altair didn’t give Gavriil any trouble but he behaved and after secured Gavriil started back over towards her.
Flicking her gaze over him, she sighed inwardly. Well, you have made quite a ninny of yourself today, Evangelina. Her gaze dropped to the ground. It wasn’t so much the falling off that bothered her, she’d learned a long time ago that if you rode horses you would fall off. Anyone who said differently either hadn’t ridden enough or was lying through their teeth.
‘Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?’
Glancing up, she saw him standing next to her offering her a hand up. With a last sigh, she grasped firmly to the hand and hoisted herself up. The blood rushing to her head at that moment causing her to sway. No. No, she was not going to be a complete invalid in his eyes. It was worse than disappointing her father.
“I need to look Altair over…” She murmured as she steadied herself, let go of his hand and walked slowly past him trying not to hobble. Her pride was bruised and busted. What she’d have given to be alone right then, she might have given into the rare occurrence of tears. Burying her face in Altair’s neck, she sucked in the smell of him, the comfort of the closeness. A wave of guilt shot through her, and she glanced over her shoulder at Gavriil.
“Thank you for catching him.” Her face dropped and she turned back around to run her hands softly, expertly over him checking for anything abnormal. If she’d hurt him by not paying attention she wouldn’t forgive herself. With a sigh, not turning to face Gavriil, she continued after a moment, “Altair doesn’t jump… or… well, he’s a bit unpredictable with obstacles. Sometimes he surprises me and actually goes over it rather than stops.”
Satisfied that he was fine on the left side, she moved to his right side. Her head was throbbing and tried to hide the fact that she was still a bit wobbly. She was tired of looking like she always needed rescuing when he was nearby. Feigning interest in Altair’s shoulder, she blinked trying to gather her senses completely. She rested her forehead against him, letting Altair shield her for a moment.
“I know he does it, it’s my fault I fell off. I should have been paying attention to where I was going,” Evie defended the older grey stallion. Lord Gavriil could think whatever he wanted of her, she’d resign to that fact, but she’d not have him thinking badly of Altair. He had no one else in this world to defend him, she jutted her chin out determined not to fail this responsibility. Satisfied that he was fine, she managed to peek around the stallion’s shoulder to finally look at Gavriil again. Smiling faintly at him, “I would have won that time though…”
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It’d be much later that evening before Evangelina realized just how much that Lord Gavriil had seen. Under different circumstances, it might have registered in her mind that his hand had tugged the hem of dress down from her mid-back, down her over the curve of her rump to cover her legs again. She’d been to busy cataloging all the places that had hurt in her head. It wasn’t the first time she’d come off a horse, and it probably wouldn’t be the last time… but it didn’t mean that hitting the ground hurt any less.
She was coming around and finally managed to focus in on Gavriil as he grasp her chin tilting her head. Her chin had small gash and a bit of road-rash on her cheek under her eye, it no doubt looked worse from the mud and the disarray she was in but she was on a whole just fine. Meeting his eyes from beneath her lashes, one corner of her lips lifted in amusement. Evie’s words came out in a raspy low murmured tease, “What’s the prognosis?”
The more he stared at her, the more uncomfortable she became, it was taking everything she had not to squirm.
‘Evangelina.’
Dropping her dark eyes momentarily only to flick them back upwards him with a sigh, “I am fine.” She’d been about to try to stand up and go catch Altair herself when he’d offered, it didn’t stop her from making an attempt to stand up after him but a wave of nausea hit her and she eased back to the ground. She’d be fine. Lifting her gaze, she watched carefully to make sure that Altair didn’t give Gavriil any trouble but he behaved and after secured Gavriil started back over towards her.
Flicking her gaze over him, she sighed inwardly. Well, you have made quite a ninny of yourself today, Evangelina. Her gaze dropped to the ground. It wasn’t so much the falling off that bothered her, she’d learned a long time ago that if you rode horses you would fall off. Anyone who said differently either hadn’t ridden enough or was lying through their teeth.
‘Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?’
Glancing up, she saw him standing next to her offering her a hand up. With a last sigh, she grasped firmly to the hand and hoisted herself up. The blood rushing to her head at that moment causing her to sway. No. No, she was not going to be a complete invalid in his eyes. It was worse than disappointing her father.
“I need to look Altair over…” She murmured as she steadied herself, let go of his hand and walked slowly past him trying not to hobble. Her pride was bruised and busted. What she’d have given to be alone right then, she might have given into the rare occurrence of tears. Burying her face in Altair’s neck, she sucked in the smell of him, the comfort of the closeness. A wave of guilt shot through her, and she glanced over her shoulder at Gavriil.
“Thank you for catching him.” Her face dropped and she turned back around to run her hands softly, expertly over him checking for anything abnormal. If she’d hurt him by not paying attention she wouldn’t forgive herself. With a sigh, not turning to face Gavriil, she continued after a moment, “Altair doesn’t jump… or… well, he’s a bit unpredictable with obstacles. Sometimes he surprises me and actually goes over it rather than stops.”
Satisfied that he was fine on the left side, she moved to his right side. Her head was throbbing and tried to hide the fact that she was still a bit wobbly. She was tired of looking like she always needed rescuing when he was nearby. Feigning interest in Altair’s shoulder, she blinked trying to gather her senses completely. She rested her forehead against him, letting Altair shield her for a moment.
“I know he does it, it’s my fault I fell off. I should have been paying attention to where I was going,” Evie defended the older grey stallion. Lord Gavriil could think whatever he wanted of her, she’d resign to that fact, but she’d not have him thinking badly of Altair. He had no one else in this world to defend him, she jutted her chin out determined not to fail this responsibility. Satisfied that he was fine, she managed to peek around the stallion’s shoulder to finally look at Gavriil again. Smiling faintly at him, “I would have won that time though…”
It’d be much later that evening before Evangelina realized just how much that Lord Gavriil had seen. Under different circumstances, it might have registered in her mind that his hand had tugged the hem of dress down from her mid-back, down her over the curve of her rump to cover her legs again. She’d been to busy cataloging all the places that had hurt in her head. It wasn’t the first time she’d come off a horse, and it probably wouldn’t be the last time… but it didn’t mean that hitting the ground hurt any less.
She was coming around and finally managed to focus in on Gavriil as he grasp her chin tilting her head. Her chin had small gash and a bit of road-rash on her cheek under her eye, it no doubt looked worse from the mud and the disarray she was in but she was on a whole just fine. Meeting his eyes from beneath her lashes, one corner of her lips lifted in amusement. Evie’s words came out in a raspy low murmured tease, “What’s the prognosis?”
The more he stared at her, the more uncomfortable she became, it was taking everything she had not to squirm.
‘Evangelina.’
Dropping her dark eyes momentarily only to flick them back upwards him with a sigh, “I am fine.” She’d been about to try to stand up and go catch Altair herself when he’d offered, it didn’t stop her from making an attempt to stand up after him but a wave of nausea hit her and she eased back to the ground. She’d be fine. Lifting her gaze, she watched carefully to make sure that Altair didn’t give Gavriil any trouble but he behaved and after secured Gavriil started back over towards her.
Flicking her gaze over him, she sighed inwardly. Well, you have made quite a ninny of yourself today, Evangelina. Her gaze dropped to the ground. It wasn’t so much the falling off that bothered her, she’d learned a long time ago that if you rode horses you would fall off. Anyone who said differently either hadn’t ridden enough or was lying through their teeth.
‘Would you like to sit a moment or can you stand?’
Glancing up, she saw him standing next to her offering her a hand up. With a last sigh, she grasped firmly to the hand and hoisted herself up. The blood rushing to her head at that moment causing her to sway. No. No, she was not going to be a complete invalid in his eyes. It was worse than disappointing her father.
“I need to look Altair over…” She murmured as she steadied herself, let go of his hand and walked slowly past him trying not to hobble. Her pride was bruised and busted. What she’d have given to be alone right then, she might have given into the rare occurrence of tears. Burying her face in Altair’s neck, she sucked in the smell of him, the comfort of the closeness. A wave of guilt shot through her, and she glanced over her shoulder at Gavriil.
“Thank you for catching him.” Her face dropped and she turned back around to run her hands softly, expertly over him checking for anything abnormal. If she’d hurt him by not paying attention she wouldn’t forgive herself. With a sigh, not turning to face Gavriil, she continued after a moment, “Altair doesn’t jump… or… well, he’s a bit unpredictable with obstacles. Sometimes he surprises me and actually goes over it rather than stops.”
Satisfied that he was fine on the left side, she moved to his right side. Her head was throbbing and tried to hide the fact that she was still a bit wobbly. She was tired of looking like she always needed rescuing when he was nearby. Feigning interest in Altair’s shoulder, she blinked trying to gather her senses completely. She rested her forehead against him, letting Altair shield her for a moment.
“I know he does it, it’s my fault I fell off. I should have been paying attention to where I was going,” Evie defended the older grey stallion. Lord Gavriil could think whatever he wanted of her, she’d resign to that fact, but she’d not have him thinking badly of Altair. He had no one else in this world to defend him, she jutted her chin out determined not to fail this responsibility. Satisfied that he was fine, she managed to peek around the stallion’s shoulder to finally look at Gavriil again. Smiling faintly at him, “I would have won that time though…”
He kept hold of her hand as she stood up. The second she paled and swayed, he put a steadying hand on her back but it turned out not to be necessary. She mumbled about seeing to her horse and he let her do it. She was more of a horse expert than he was - he wouldn’t have thought to look the beast over. It was standing. That meant it was more than likely fine. Although, as that thought crossed his mind, he realized that this wasn’t always the case. She’d sat up, after all, and he’d checked her for injuries.
Watching her disappear behind her horse, he turned and ran his hand along his mare’s neck, giving her a hearty pat. Her voice came from out of nowhere and he nodded away her thanks, saying nothing in return. Her thank you was proper, as was his getting the horse in the first place. After all, she’d just taken a nasty fall. He’d have been worse than a simpleton to make her go trouncing across the field to get control of her horse too, which was why he didn’t take her gratitude very seriously.
Leading his mare around a little as she spoke, he watched her going over Altair. Her voice was pleasant and he didn’t interrupt her little explanation as to why she’d fallen. It was amusing, though. It almost sounded like she was presenting him with a valid reason as to why she fell, as though she thought that he had been judging her for falling. That, or she was simply explaining what had happened, which, he decided was more likely the case.
“Make him face his fears more,” he said. “He’ll throw you less.” And then, “Eventually.” Obviously she’d be thrown more if she took Altair on paths like this every day, if the horse took it into his head to shy at every dry creek they came across.
He raised his eyebrows when she then started to defend her horse. “People fall or get thrown,” he tilted his head a little. “It’s alright.” Casting a quick glance at her chest, where she’d taken the brunt of the fall, he then added, “Would you like me to take you home?” At the same time as she declared that she would have won.
He smiled and laughed a little. “You would have.” He resisted adding ‘if the creek had been the finish line’. Asking his question again, though, he said, “Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.” Though he didn’t believe it would harm his relationship with the Leventi’s, he didn’t really want any sort of breach either. What her father wouldn’t believe in court was that he and Evangelina were doing anything untoward. What he would believe was that it was his fault anything got too rough. After all, he preferred forests to courtyards. How else would a young woman of standing come to be in the position she was in?
Though, Gavriil was getting a sneaking suspicion that Evie might frequently find herself in this sort of predicament. She was not the delicate little maiden he’d mistaken her for. He had yet to decide his feelings on this. Dorothea was cut from the same cloth and was having a terrible time finding a husband. Evangelina might run into the same trouble and the thought made him a little concerned for her, since she’d stated openly that a husband was definitely what she wanted.
He sighed through his nose and steered his mind away from unhappy thoughts like those. They weren’t productive or even all that relevant to what was happening in the moment.
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He kept hold of her hand as she stood up. The second she paled and swayed, he put a steadying hand on her back but it turned out not to be necessary. She mumbled about seeing to her horse and he let her do it. She was more of a horse expert than he was - he wouldn’t have thought to look the beast over. It was standing. That meant it was more than likely fine. Although, as that thought crossed his mind, he realized that this wasn’t always the case. She’d sat up, after all, and he’d checked her for injuries.
Watching her disappear behind her horse, he turned and ran his hand along his mare’s neck, giving her a hearty pat. Her voice came from out of nowhere and he nodded away her thanks, saying nothing in return. Her thank you was proper, as was his getting the horse in the first place. After all, she’d just taken a nasty fall. He’d have been worse than a simpleton to make her go trouncing across the field to get control of her horse too, which was why he didn’t take her gratitude very seriously.
Leading his mare around a little as she spoke, he watched her going over Altair. Her voice was pleasant and he didn’t interrupt her little explanation as to why she’d fallen. It was amusing, though. It almost sounded like she was presenting him with a valid reason as to why she fell, as though she thought that he had been judging her for falling. That, or she was simply explaining what had happened, which, he decided was more likely the case.
“Make him face his fears more,” he said. “He’ll throw you less.” And then, “Eventually.” Obviously she’d be thrown more if she took Altair on paths like this every day, if the horse took it into his head to shy at every dry creek they came across.
He raised his eyebrows when she then started to defend her horse. “People fall or get thrown,” he tilted his head a little. “It’s alright.” Casting a quick glance at her chest, where she’d taken the brunt of the fall, he then added, “Would you like me to take you home?” At the same time as she declared that she would have won.
He smiled and laughed a little. “You would have.” He resisted adding ‘if the creek had been the finish line’. Asking his question again, though, he said, “Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.” Though he didn’t believe it would harm his relationship with the Leventi’s, he didn’t really want any sort of breach either. What her father wouldn’t believe in court was that he and Evangelina were doing anything untoward. What he would believe was that it was his fault anything got too rough. After all, he preferred forests to courtyards. How else would a young woman of standing come to be in the position she was in?
Though, Gavriil was getting a sneaking suspicion that Evie might frequently find herself in this sort of predicament. She was not the delicate little maiden he’d mistaken her for. He had yet to decide his feelings on this. Dorothea was cut from the same cloth and was having a terrible time finding a husband. Evangelina might run into the same trouble and the thought made him a little concerned for her, since she’d stated openly that a husband was definitely what she wanted.
He sighed through his nose and steered his mind away from unhappy thoughts like those. They weren’t productive or even all that relevant to what was happening in the moment.
He kept hold of her hand as she stood up. The second she paled and swayed, he put a steadying hand on her back but it turned out not to be necessary. She mumbled about seeing to her horse and he let her do it. She was more of a horse expert than he was - he wouldn’t have thought to look the beast over. It was standing. That meant it was more than likely fine. Although, as that thought crossed his mind, he realized that this wasn’t always the case. She’d sat up, after all, and he’d checked her for injuries.
Watching her disappear behind her horse, he turned and ran his hand along his mare’s neck, giving her a hearty pat. Her voice came from out of nowhere and he nodded away her thanks, saying nothing in return. Her thank you was proper, as was his getting the horse in the first place. After all, she’d just taken a nasty fall. He’d have been worse than a simpleton to make her go trouncing across the field to get control of her horse too, which was why he didn’t take her gratitude very seriously.
Leading his mare around a little as she spoke, he watched her going over Altair. Her voice was pleasant and he didn’t interrupt her little explanation as to why she’d fallen. It was amusing, though. It almost sounded like she was presenting him with a valid reason as to why she fell, as though she thought that he had been judging her for falling. That, or she was simply explaining what had happened, which, he decided was more likely the case.
“Make him face his fears more,” he said. “He’ll throw you less.” And then, “Eventually.” Obviously she’d be thrown more if she took Altair on paths like this every day, if the horse took it into his head to shy at every dry creek they came across.
He raised his eyebrows when she then started to defend her horse. “People fall or get thrown,” he tilted his head a little. “It’s alright.” Casting a quick glance at her chest, where she’d taken the brunt of the fall, he then added, “Would you like me to take you home?” At the same time as she declared that she would have won.
He smiled and laughed a little. “You would have.” He resisted adding ‘if the creek had been the finish line’. Asking his question again, though, he said, “Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.” Though he didn’t believe it would harm his relationship with the Leventi’s, he didn’t really want any sort of breach either. What her father wouldn’t believe in court was that he and Evangelina were doing anything untoward. What he would believe was that it was his fault anything got too rough. After all, he preferred forests to courtyards. How else would a young woman of standing come to be in the position she was in?
Though, Gavriil was getting a sneaking suspicion that Evie might frequently find herself in this sort of predicament. She was not the delicate little maiden he’d mistaken her for. He had yet to decide his feelings on this. Dorothea was cut from the same cloth and was having a terrible time finding a husband. Evangelina might run into the same trouble and the thought made him a little concerned for her, since she’d stated openly that a husband was definitely what she wanted.
He sighed through his nose and steered his mind away from unhappy thoughts like those. They weren’t productive or even all that relevant to what was happening in the moment.
This world had never offered many shelters for Evangelina, but she’d found a little bit of one in the horses, Altair, especially. He’d been a sturdy shield for her more than once, which made him an object of power that her family used to control her. Her temper, her feelings, who she was… it could all be reined in with just a twist of a thread from her uncle. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d cut her off from the horses. Gavriil didn’t know that. He didn’t know that she had to defend Altair. Not defending him would have him torn away from her so quickly her head would spin. Sneaking another perplexed glance around the grey’s head at Gavriil.
‘Make him face his fears more…’ She smiled faintly at that. Altair had come to her almost seven years ago. ‘He’ll throw you less...eventually.’
“I’ll keep that in mind,” She smiled to herself as her hand swiped another pass down his neck in a loving stroke. Leaning her head forward she pressed it to his jaw, whispering a sweet nothing to the stallion. “You’ll be brave enough one of these days...Won’t you?”
‘People fall or get thrown. It’s alright’ That was his reply to her defense. She blinked turning her head to stare at him again. He stared at her chest, it wasn’t an amble chest like… well… like her aunt’s. As far as assets went, she wouldn’t have listed it among her top ones. Her lips twitched at his offer to take her home, turning she grasped the reins and started towards him. Ignoring that question she’d teased him. Managing a smile and a laugh out of him from her teasing, she was glad it seemed to ease a bit of the tension in the air after her fall.
There were two kinds of people in this world, those who would have seen a fall like that and had instantly wanted to blame the horse, ban her from riding, they would have been horrified that a lady could take a fall like that and shake it off. The other kind, would check, make sure she was still alive and then would hoist her back up in the saddle. It was a surprise that Lord Gavriil didn’t seem to be too shaken up. That was good, she had no use for weak-minded men. She had better things to do than constantly worry about offending their sensibilities. It wasn’t her first time to crash and burn and it definitely wouldn’t be her last.
“Oh, I just dismounted with style, that’s all,” Leading Altair past him, she glanced over her shoulder at him as she passed, a teasing dimpled smile on her lips. A mischievously wicked sparkle in her eyes as she made light of her fall. “Who knows, maybe I’ll start my own sideshow act up…”
‘Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.’
That caused her to pause, turning around to look at him fully. The pint-sized Leventi wasn’t sure what to make of that. Blinking her eyes at him, before she shook her head softly and stopping again. She leaned against the grey’s side, her gaze focused on Gavriil. “Already tired of my company?” She teased, deflecting his question lightly before sighing.
“Do you think that when I go riding alone that I just ride along sedately? That I only fall when I have company?” Her lips pursed and her brows furrowed, “Let me clarify if you do, the answer is no. I ride and fall off. I also walk and trip and fall. My uncle and father are going to be far more interested if I impressed you? Did I embarrass the family? And did I win the race?”
With a tug of the reins, she led the grey stallion over to the obstacle that’d scared him earlier enough to dump her. Letting him look at it, she looked back to Lord Gavriil. “As your friend, I am compelled to be perfectly honest with you. If you are concerned that my family will hold you responsible for my fall or any injuries I have, you are wrong.” She smirked at him in amusement. “You are an eligible match.” You’ll have to try harder than that for their disapproval. Evie didn’t say it but it was definitely written between the lines of her teasing statement. Turning her attention back to the stallion, she clicked her teeth and pulled a little on the bridle to get him to step down into the river bed with her. Not sparing a look at the man in question, her voice took on a rather set tone as if this was a conversation that she’d had regularly with her family, “Altair and I’ll take the brunt of any disapproval.”
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This world had never offered many shelters for Evangelina, but she’d found a little bit of one in the horses, Altair, especially. He’d been a sturdy shield for her more than once, which made him an object of power that her family used to control her. Her temper, her feelings, who she was… it could all be reined in with just a twist of a thread from her uncle. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d cut her off from the horses. Gavriil didn’t know that. He didn’t know that she had to defend Altair. Not defending him would have him torn away from her so quickly her head would spin. Sneaking another perplexed glance around the grey’s head at Gavriil.
‘Make him face his fears more…’ She smiled faintly at that. Altair had come to her almost seven years ago. ‘He’ll throw you less...eventually.’
“I’ll keep that in mind,” She smiled to herself as her hand swiped another pass down his neck in a loving stroke. Leaning her head forward she pressed it to his jaw, whispering a sweet nothing to the stallion. “You’ll be brave enough one of these days...Won’t you?”
‘People fall or get thrown. It’s alright’ That was his reply to her defense. She blinked turning her head to stare at him again. He stared at her chest, it wasn’t an amble chest like… well… like her aunt’s. As far as assets went, she wouldn’t have listed it among her top ones. Her lips twitched at his offer to take her home, turning she grasped the reins and started towards him. Ignoring that question she’d teased him. Managing a smile and a laugh out of him from her teasing, she was glad it seemed to ease a bit of the tension in the air after her fall.
There were two kinds of people in this world, those who would have seen a fall like that and had instantly wanted to blame the horse, ban her from riding, they would have been horrified that a lady could take a fall like that and shake it off. The other kind, would check, make sure she was still alive and then would hoist her back up in the saddle. It was a surprise that Lord Gavriil didn’t seem to be too shaken up. That was good, she had no use for weak-minded men. She had better things to do than constantly worry about offending their sensibilities. It wasn’t her first time to crash and burn and it definitely wouldn’t be her last.
“Oh, I just dismounted with style, that’s all,” Leading Altair past him, she glanced over her shoulder at him as she passed, a teasing dimpled smile on her lips. A mischievously wicked sparkle in her eyes as she made light of her fall. “Who knows, maybe I’ll start my own sideshow act up…”
‘Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.’
That caused her to pause, turning around to look at him fully. The pint-sized Leventi wasn’t sure what to make of that. Blinking her eyes at him, before she shook her head softly and stopping again. She leaned against the grey’s side, her gaze focused on Gavriil. “Already tired of my company?” She teased, deflecting his question lightly before sighing.
“Do you think that when I go riding alone that I just ride along sedately? That I only fall when I have company?” Her lips pursed and her brows furrowed, “Let me clarify if you do, the answer is no. I ride and fall off. I also walk and trip and fall. My uncle and father are going to be far more interested if I impressed you? Did I embarrass the family? And did I win the race?”
With a tug of the reins, she led the grey stallion over to the obstacle that’d scared him earlier enough to dump her. Letting him look at it, she looked back to Lord Gavriil. “As your friend, I am compelled to be perfectly honest with you. If you are concerned that my family will hold you responsible for my fall or any injuries I have, you are wrong.” She smirked at him in amusement. “You are an eligible match.” You’ll have to try harder than that for their disapproval. Evie didn’t say it but it was definitely written between the lines of her teasing statement. Turning her attention back to the stallion, she clicked her teeth and pulled a little on the bridle to get him to step down into the river bed with her. Not sparing a look at the man in question, her voice took on a rather set tone as if this was a conversation that she’d had regularly with her family, “Altair and I’ll take the brunt of any disapproval.”
This world had never offered many shelters for Evangelina, but she’d found a little bit of one in the horses, Altair, especially. He’d been a sturdy shield for her more than once, which made him an object of power that her family used to control her. Her temper, her feelings, who she was… it could all be reined in with just a twist of a thread from her uncle. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d cut her off from the horses. Gavriil didn’t know that. He didn’t know that she had to defend Altair. Not defending him would have him torn away from her so quickly her head would spin. Sneaking another perplexed glance around the grey’s head at Gavriil.
‘Make him face his fears more…’ She smiled faintly at that. Altair had come to her almost seven years ago. ‘He’ll throw you less...eventually.’
“I’ll keep that in mind,” She smiled to herself as her hand swiped another pass down his neck in a loving stroke. Leaning her head forward she pressed it to his jaw, whispering a sweet nothing to the stallion. “You’ll be brave enough one of these days...Won’t you?”
‘People fall or get thrown. It’s alright’ That was his reply to her defense. She blinked turning her head to stare at him again. He stared at her chest, it wasn’t an amble chest like… well… like her aunt’s. As far as assets went, she wouldn’t have listed it among her top ones. Her lips twitched at his offer to take her home, turning she grasped the reins and started towards him. Ignoring that question she’d teased him. Managing a smile and a laugh out of him from her teasing, she was glad it seemed to ease a bit of the tension in the air after her fall.
There were two kinds of people in this world, those who would have seen a fall like that and had instantly wanted to blame the horse, ban her from riding, they would have been horrified that a lady could take a fall like that and shake it off. The other kind, would check, make sure she was still alive and then would hoist her back up in the saddle. It was a surprise that Lord Gavriil didn’t seem to be too shaken up. That was good, she had no use for weak-minded men. She had better things to do than constantly worry about offending their sensibilities. It wasn’t her first time to crash and burn and it definitely wouldn’t be her last.
“Oh, I just dismounted with style, that’s all,” Leading Altair past him, she glanced over her shoulder at him as she passed, a teasing dimpled smile on her lips. A mischievously wicked sparkle in her eyes as she made light of her fall. “Who knows, maybe I’ll start my own sideshow act up…”
‘Would you like to go home? I regret that your father might not be too pleased when he finds out we’ve been racing and you ended up hurt.’
That caused her to pause, turning around to look at him fully. The pint-sized Leventi wasn’t sure what to make of that. Blinking her eyes at him, before she shook her head softly and stopping again. She leaned against the grey’s side, her gaze focused on Gavriil. “Already tired of my company?” She teased, deflecting his question lightly before sighing.
“Do you think that when I go riding alone that I just ride along sedately? That I only fall when I have company?” Her lips pursed and her brows furrowed, “Let me clarify if you do, the answer is no. I ride and fall off. I also walk and trip and fall. My uncle and father are going to be far more interested if I impressed you? Did I embarrass the family? And did I win the race?”
With a tug of the reins, she led the grey stallion over to the obstacle that’d scared him earlier enough to dump her. Letting him look at it, she looked back to Lord Gavriil. “As your friend, I am compelled to be perfectly honest with you. If you are concerned that my family will hold you responsible for my fall or any injuries I have, you are wrong.” She smirked at him in amusement. “You are an eligible match.” You’ll have to try harder than that for their disapproval. Evie didn’t say it but it was definitely written between the lines of her teasing statement. Turning her attention back to the stallion, she clicked her teeth and pulled a little on the bridle to get him to step down into the river bed with her. Not sparing a look at the man in question, her voice took on a rather set tone as if this was a conversation that she’d had regularly with her family, “Altair and I’ll take the brunt of any disapproval.”
Because she’d spoken immediately before him, he’d finished asking if she wanted to go home before responding. “A painful style, I think,” he said of the dismount. The starting up a side show was obviously a joke. Her pause, though, had him momentarily wondering if the offer was out of turn. It had been so long since he’d had to navigate conversation with a woman he did not know well. This one kept him wondering, from one moment to the next, what was going to fly out of her mouth. It was entertaining, if nothing else. As forward as she was, he imagined she was suffered to speak however she liked at home and not silenced nearly the amount that her cousins seemed to be.
For someone less patient, the trait would likely be irritating but she found herself one of the few barons who did not mind women being forward. It was just a little surprising whenever he did find them. Quite a lot of women, in Vasiliadon in particular, were simpering, flattering, thoughtless beauties and trained to be that way.
She ran her hand along her horse’s neck and he watched her progress for a second, only bringing his gaze back to her face when she teased him again. He did not answer her because of the way she said it. It wasn’t a real question. She went on to add that falling off her stallion was one of her many past times and such a common occurrence that he was surprised she didn’t have visible bruises along her arms and shoulders, chest and face. Even her legs, which had been on full display, weren’t littered with claims to back up what she was saying, but he knew what she meant. It wasn’t every day, but people did fall. Like he’d said earlier.
It had been such a long time since he’d fallen off a horse, though, that he didn’t altogether remember what it felt like except that he’d avoid it if he could. “Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering,” he directed his gaze over her head at the now brilliant blue sky. It was no longer early morning. People would be waking up and breaking their fast by now. Though, if she went out riding as often as she said she did, he was no longer worried that her father would send out servants to look for her. Probably they would expect her to trod in, scraped up and mud covered as she was now. He’d be delivering her home in her usual state, apparently.
When she tugged the stallion over to the dry creek bed, he followed her, his arms crossed over his chest, the reins loose in his grip and his mare trailing along behind him, content to just be led around now that she’d had her exercise. She was a fairly docile creature once her energy was spent. Ideal for riding back and forth from the city to the country. Not a lot frightened her. Nothing was said between them for a minute or so while Altair snuffled around but then Evangelina was assuring him that he would not be held responsible. His mouth was open to respond but she kept going and he clamped his jaw shut.
Now everything she had said and done made quite a bit of sense. Up until now, he’d written off the flirting as unintentional, or just part of her nature. Perhaps it still was all those things. However, she’d already made it perfectly clear that she was on the hunt and he looked at her now with a completely different view.
“You need not concern yourself on that account,” he finally said. “Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.” There. Now she was perfectly free to act how she chose. She was not in danger from him and that should suit her. He knew that, while what she was saying was true, that he was obviously able to make an offer, and such age differences as they had weren’t uncommon, he did want to put her at her ease. She did not need to try and make her father or uncle happy. Neither man was looking to him to take one of the girls off their hands.
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Because she’d spoken immediately before him, he’d finished asking if she wanted to go home before responding. “A painful style, I think,” he said of the dismount. The starting up a side show was obviously a joke. Her pause, though, had him momentarily wondering if the offer was out of turn. It had been so long since he’d had to navigate conversation with a woman he did not know well. This one kept him wondering, from one moment to the next, what was going to fly out of her mouth. It was entertaining, if nothing else. As forward as she was, he imagined she was suffered to speak however she liked at home and not silenced nearly the amount that her cousins seemed to be.
For someone less patient, the trait would likely be irritating but she found herself one of the few barons who did not mind women being forward. It was just a little surprising whenever he did find them. Quite a lot of women, in Vasiliadon in particular, were simpering, flattering, thoughtless beauties and trained to be that way.
She ran her hand along her horse’s neck and he watched her progress for a second, only bringing his gaze back to her face when she teased him again. He did not answer her because of the way she said it. It wasn’t a real question. She went on to add that falling off her stallion was one of her many past times and such a common occurrence that he was surprised she didn’t have visible bruises along her arms and shoulders, chest and face. Even her legs, which had been on full display, weren’t littered with claims to back up what she was saying, but he knew what she meant. It wasn’t every day, but people did fall. Like he’d said earlier.
It had been such a long time since he’d fallen off a horse, though, that he didn’t altogether remember what it felt like except that he’d avoid it if he could. “Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering,” he directed his gaze over her head at the now brilliant blue sky. It was no longer early morning. People would be waking up and breaking their fast by now. Though, if she went out riding as often as she said she did, he was no longer worried that her father would send out servants to look for her. Probably they would expect her to trod in, scraped up and mud covered as she was now. He’d be delivering her home in her usual state, apparently.
When she tugged the stallion over to the dry creek bed, he followed her, his arms crossed over his chest, the reins loose in his grip and his mare trailing along behind him, content to just be led around now that she’d had her exercise. She was a fairly docile creature once her energy was spent. Ideal for riding back and forth from the city to the country. Not a lot frightened her. Nothing was said between them for a minute or so while Altair snuffled around but then Evangelina was assuring him that he would not be held responsible. His mouth was open to respond but she kept going and he clamped his jaw shut.
Now everything she had said and done made quite a bit of sense. Up until now, he’d written off the flirting as unintentional, or just part of her nature. Perhaps it still was all those things. However, she’d already made it perfectly clear that she was on the hunt and he looked at her now with a completely different view.
“You need not concern yourself on that account,” he finally said. “Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.” There. Now she was perfectly free to act how she chose. She was not in danger from him and that should suit her. He knew that, while what she was saying was true, that he was obviously able to make an offer, and such age differences as they had weren’t uncommon, he did want to put her at her ease. She did not need to try and make her father or uncle happy. Neither man was looking to him to take one of the girls off their hands.
Because she’d spoken immediately before him, he’d finished asking if she wanted to go home before responding. “A painful style, I think,” he said of the dismount. The starting up a side show was obviously a joke. Her pause, though, had him momentarily wondering if the offer was out of turn. It had been so long since he’d had to navigate conversation with a woman he did not know well. This one kept him wondering, from one moment to the next, what was going to fly out of her mouth. It was entertaining, if nothing else. As forward as she was, he imagined she was suffered to speak however she liked at home and not silenced nearly the amount that her cousins seemed to be.
For someone less patient, the trait would likely be irritating but she found herself one of the few barons who did not mind women being forward. It was just a little surprising whenever he did find them. Quite a lot of women, in Vasiliadon in particular, were simpering, flattering, thoughtless beauties and trained to be that way.
She ran her hand along her horse’s neck and he watched her progress for a second, only bringing his gaze back to her face when she teased him again. He did not answer her because of the way she said it. It wasn’t a real question. She went on to add that falling off her stallion was one of her many past times and such a common occurrence that he was surprised she didn’t have visible bruises along her arms and shoulders, chest and face. Even her legs, which had been on full display, weren’t littered with claims to back up what she was saying, but he knew what she meant. It wasn’t every day, but people did fall. Like he’d said earlier.
It had been such a long time since he’d fallen off a horse, though, that he didn’t altogether remember what it felt like except that he’d avoid it if he could. “Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering,” he directed his gaze over her head at the now brilliant blue sky. It was no longer early morning. People would be waking up and breaking their fast by now. Though, if she went out riding as often as she said she did, he was no longer worried that her father would send out servants to look for her. Probably they would expect her to trod in, scraped up and mud covered as she was now. He’d be delivering her home in her usual state, apparently.
When she tugged the stallion over to the dry creek bed, he followed her, his arms crossed over his chest, the reins loose in his grip and his mare trailing along behind him, content to just be led around now that she’d had her exercise. She was a fairly docile creature once her energy was spent. Ideal for riding back and forth from the city to the country. Not a lot frightened her. Nothing was said between them for a minute or so while Altair snuffled around but then Evangelina was assuring him that he would not be held responsible. His mouth was open to respond but she kept going and he clamped his jaw shut.
Now everything she had said and done made quite a bit of sense. Up until now, he’d written off the flirting as unintentional, or just part of her nature. Perhaps it still was all those things. However, she’d already made it perfectly clear that she was on the hunt and he looked at her now with a completely different view.
“You need not concern yourself on that account,” he finally said. “Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.” There. Now she was perfectly free to act how she chose. She was not in danger from him and that should suit her. He knew that, while what she was saying was true, that he was obviously able to make an offer, and such age differences as they had weren’t uncommon, he did want to put her at her ease. She did not need to try and make her father or uncle happy. Neither man was looking to him to take one of the girls off their hands.
‘Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering.’
And apparently, yours are too innocent. Biting the inside of her cheek, she’d barely caught that one before it flew out of her mouth, it took a few moments longer for her eyes to stop flashing sparks at him. Her brows came together and her lips pursed. Why was what she said unflattering? Studying him, she noted he was staring at the sky again and it exasperated her. There wasn’t anything unflattering about what she’d said about her father and uncle and it wasn’t an opinion it was a fact. Coddling wasn’t big in their family, and all of the girls were well aware that they were raised for one purpose… they were to strengthen the family name. Preferably as wives.
Leaving him to stare at the sky and contemplate whatever notion was going through his mind, she focused her attention on being productive. Altair needed a look at that creek bed and she needed something to do, something to drag her attention away from that exasperating man who seemed intent on not understanding what she was saying or rather what she meant.
Making an attempt to deflect the humor yet again, it fell flat as his mouth opened like some sort of fish out of the water and closed, this time clamping shut. She didn’t dare turn her feigned attention away from Altair. What had she said this time? Was it the eligible match comment? That hardly should have come as a surprise to him , she huffed inwardly.
‘You need not concern yourself on that account.’
Evangelina’s ducked head shot up, her dark eyes framed by her thick lashes seeming all the wider as she stared at him waiting to see what else he would say.
‘Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.’
He was talking about being an eligible match, wasn’t he? Her mouth twitched a little and she dropped her gaze and looked back at Altair who was still trying to decide if he wanted to settle a foot down into the rocky river bed.
“Do you…Um...” Her words died as her forehead creased, glancing awkwardly in his direction, she raised her eyebrow at him. Tilting her head, the question popped out, “Why would I be concerned?” Her lips pursed into a slight frown and she cleared her throat, pinning him with a look, “Are you saying I shouldn’t be concerned whether or not I made a good impression upon you because my family knows your stance on remarriage?”
Momentarily forgetting about trying to coax Altair into the river bed, her hands found their way to her hips. Not really waiting for him to answer she continued in an exasperated growl, “Because if that is what you meant, let me set you straight. I like you. You seem to tolerate all my questions and nosiness reasonably well which is saying a lot… it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are an eligible match. I mean… that doesn’t hurt things either, but since you’ve already made your stance on that abundantly clear I do not see how your marital status is any of my concern.” A puffed sigh escaped as her rant ran out. Drawing her gaze back to Altair, she visibly softened and her words followed suit, “I may not know a lot about marriages but I know I don’t want to enter into one with someone who doesn't want to be in one with me.”
Whether it was that the grey sensed her tension had floated away, or if he’d just decided it was the opportune moment, he half stepped and half hopped down into the dry riverbed next to her. Shoving her with his head for the praise he knew he deserved for his moment of bravery. Ignoring Gavriil’s presence, she focused on petting Altair. Chasing after him would be like chasing the wind and trying to catch it. As long as he didn’t want to be caught, he wouldn’t be.
“Do you mind giving me a boost back up?” It killed her to ask that, and there wasn’t any doubt in her mind she could swing up on Altair all by herself. The question was, could she do it and maintain any dignity? It’d be much better to simply ask for help and be done with it.
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‘Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering.’
And apparently, yours are too innocent. Biting the inside of her cheek, she’d barely caught that one before it flew out of her mouth, it took a few moments longer for her eyes to stop flashing sparks at him. Her brows came together and her lips pursed. Why was what she said unflattering? Studying him, she noted he was staring at the sky again and it exasperated her. There wasn’t anything unflattering about what she’d said about her father and uncle and it wasn’t an opinion it was a fact. Coddling wasn’t big in their family, and all of the girls were well aware that they were raised for one purpose… they were to strengthen the family name. Preferably as wives.
Leaving him to stare at the sky and contemplate whatever notion was going through his mind, she focused her attention on being productive. Altair needed a look at that creek bed and she needed something to do, something to drag her attention away from that exasperating man who seemed intent on not understanding what she was saying or rather what she meant.
Making an attempt to deflect the humor yet again, it fell flat as his mouth opened like some sort of fish out of the water and closed, this time clamping shut. She didn’t dare turn her feigned attention away from Altair. What had she said this time? Was it the eligible match comment? That hardly should have come as a surprise to him , she huffed inwardly.
‘You need not concern yourself on that account.’
Evangelina’s ducked head shot up, her dark eyes framed by her thick lashes seeming all the wider as she stared at him waiting to see what else he would say.
‘Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.’
He was talking about being an eligible match, wasn’t he? Her mouth twitched a little and she dropped her gaze and looked back at Altair who was still trying to decide if he wanted to settle a foot down into the rocky river bed.
“Do you…Um...” Her words died as her forehead creased, glancing awkwardly in his direction, she raised her eyebrow at him. Tilting her head, the question popped out, “Why would I be concerned?” Her lips pursed into a slight frown and she cleared her throat, pinning him with a look, “Are you saying I shouldn’t be concerned whether or not I made a good impression upon you because my family knows your stance on remarriage?”
Momentarily forgetting about trying to coax Altair into the river bed, her hands found their way to her hips. Not really waiting for him to answer she continued in an exasperated growl, “Because if that is what you meant, let me set you straight. I like you. You seem to tolerate all my questions and nosiness reasonably well which is saying a lot… it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are an eligible match. I mean… that doesn’t hurt things either, but since you’ve already made your stance on that abundantly clear I do not see how your marital status is any of my concern.” A puffed sigh escaped as her rant ran out. Drawing her gaze back to Altair, she visibly softened and her words followed suit, “I may not know a lot about marriages but I know I don’t want to enter into one with someone who doesn't want to be in one with me.”
Whether it was that the grey sensed her tension had floated away, or if he’d just decided it was the opportune moment, he half stepped and half hopped down into the dry riverbed next to her. Shoving her with his head for the praise he knew he deserved for his moment of bravery. Ignoring Gavriil’s presence, she focused on petting Altair. Chasing after him would be like chasing the wind and trying to catch it. As long as he didn’t want to be caught, he wouldn’t be.
“Do you mind giving me a boost back up?” It killed her to ask that, and there wasn’t any doubt in her mind she could swing up on Altair all by herself. The question was, could she do it and maintain any dignity? It’d be much better to simply ask for help and be done with it.
‘Your opinions of your father and uncle are unflattering.’
And apparently, yours are too innocent. Biting the inside of her cheek, she’d barely caught that one before it flew out of her mouth, it took a few moments longer for her eyes to stop flashing sparks at him. Her brows came together and her lips pursed. Why was what she said unflattering? Studying him, she noted he was staring at the sky again and it exasperated her. There wasn’t anything unflattering about what she’d said about her father and uncle and it wasn’t an opinion it was a fact. Coddling wasn’t big in their family, and all of the girls were well aware that they were raised for one purpose… they were to strengthen the family name. Preferably as wives.
Leaving him to stare at the sky and contemplate whatever notion was going through his mind, she focused her attention on being productive. Altair needed a look at that creek bed and she needed something to do, something to drag her attention away from that exasperating man who seemed intent on not understanding what she was saying or rather what she meant.
Making an attempt to deflect the humor yet again, it fell flat as his mouth opened like some sort of fish out of the water and closed, this time clamping shut. She didn’t dare turn her feigned attention away from Altair. What had she said this time? Was it the eligible match comment? That hardly should have come as a surprise to him , she huffed inwardly.
‘You need not concern yourself on that account.’
Evangelina’s ducked head shot up, her dark eyes framed by her thick lashes seeming all the wider as she stared at him waiting to see what else he would say.
‘Your father and uncle know my stance on such matters. They won’t assume anything at all.’
He was talking about being an eligible match, wasn’t he? Her mouth twitched a little and she dropped her gaze and looked back at Altair who was still trying to decide if he wanted to settle a foot down into the rocky river bed.
“Do you…Um...” Her words died as her forehead creased, glancing awkwardly in his direction, she raised her eyebrow at him. Tilting her head, the question popped out, “Why would I be concerned?” Her lips pursed into a slight frown and she cleared her throat, pinning him with a look, “Are you saying I shouldn’t be concerned whether or not I made a good impression upon you because my family knows your stance on remarriage?”
Momentarily forgetting about trying to coax Altair into the river bed, her hands found their way to her hips. Not really waiting for him to answer she continued in an exasperated growl, “Because if that is what you meant, let me set you straight. I like you. You seem to tolerate all my questions and nosiness reasonably well which is saying a lot… it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are an eligible match. I mean… that doesn’t hurt things either, but since you’ve already made your stance on that abundantly clear I do not see how your marital status is any of my concern.” A puffed sigh escaped as her rant ran out. Drawing her gaze back to Altair, she visibly softened and her words followed suit, “I may not know a lot about marriages but I know I don’t want to enter into one with someone who doesn't want to be in one with me.”
Whether it was that the grey sensed her tension had floated away, or if he’d just decided it was the opportune moment, he half stepped and half hopped down into the dry riverbed next to her. Shoving her with his head for the praise he knew he deserved for his moment of bravery. Ignoring Gavriil’s presence, she focused on petting Altair. Chasing after him would be like chasing the wind and trying to catch it. As long as he didn’t want to be caught, he wouldn’t be.
“Do you mind giving me a boost back up?” It killed her to ask that, and there wasn’t any doubt in her mind she could swing up on Altair all by herself. The question was, could she do it and maintain any dignity? It’d be much better to simply ask for help and be done with it.
"I meant no offense," he said smoothly, noting the tizzy he'd accidentally thrown her into. Obviously he'd misread her signs, which might have made the whole situation confusing and alarming but for a few things. First, she reaffirmed that she did like him and that she was merely looking for friendship. Secondly, he was not easily embarrassed. Mistakes could be made by anyone and he was not immune to them. That he'd accidentally upset her, though, that probably needed remedied.
"I apologize, Evangelina for assuming. I was attempting to put you at your ease, since you seem to think that, despite your own feelings, you might be married off where you do not choose." All of this was coming out in a softer tone but blunt nonetheless. "I meant that you do not need to worry about your uncle or your father being angry at you about not impressing me. As we are friends, I wish you to be at ease. I am impressed by your strength of character. You seem to know your own mind well enough."
He was probably not making her feel any better. His words seldom made anyone calmer. They seemed to have an inflammatory effect where the other person puffed up and wanted to argue. This, he did not want. Stepping forward, he rested his hand on her shoulder and locked eyes with her. "What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me." He had been for a second, but only that. She'd made her stance abundantly clear too. When she asked for a boost up, he nodded and took her by the hips, rather than bending down to let her step on his hands. Once she was up in the saddle, he tilted his head at her and patted her horse.
"And, just to be clear," he glanced down at her horse. "If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand." There. That would soothe her pride, probably. He wasn't afraid of remarrying. It was just that he still loved Sibyl very much and no woman had yet to equal her. Until he found that, if he found that, he didn't think it would be fair to marry. His wife had been dearer to him than life. A new one would likely be too, and he wasn't entirely sure he was prepared for it.
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"I meant no offense," he said smoothly, noting the tizzy he'd accidentally thrown her into. Obviously he'd misread her signs, which might have made the whole situation confusing and alarming but for a few things. First, she reaffirmed that she did like him and that she was merely looking for friendship. Secondly, he was not easily embarrassed. Mistakes could be made by anyone and he was not immune to them. That he'd accidentally upset her, though, that probably needed remedied.
"I apologize, Evangelina for assuming. I was attempting to put you at your ease, since you seem to think that, despite your own feelings, you might be married off where you do not choose." All of this was coming out in a softer tone but blunt nonetheless. "I meant that you do not need to worry about your uncle or your father being angry at you about not impressing me. As we are friends, I wish you to be at ease. I am impressed by your strength of character. You seem to know your own mind well enough."
He was probably not making her feel any better. His words seldom made anyone calmer. They seemed to have an inflammatory effect where the other person puffed up and wanted to argue. This, he did not want. Stepping forward, he rested his hand on her shoulder and locked eyes with her. "What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me." He had been for a second, but only that. She'd made her stance abundantly clear too. When she asked for a boost up, he nodded and took her by the hips, rather than bending down to let her step on his hands. Once she was up in the saddle, he tilted his head at her and patted her horse.
"And, just to be clear," he glanced down at her horse. "If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand." There. That would soothe her pride, probably. He wasn't afraid of remarrying. It was just that he still loved Sibyl very much and no woman had yet to equal her. Until he found that, if he found that, he didn't think it would be fair to marry. His wife had been dearer to him than life. A new one would likely be too, and he wasn't entirely sure he was prepared for it.
"I meant no offense," he said smoothly, noting the tizzy he'd accidentally thrown her into. Obviously he'd misread her signs, which might have made the whole situation confusing and alarming but for a few things. First, she reaffirmed that she did like him and that she was merely looking for friendship. Secondly, he was not easily embarrassed. Mistakes could be made by anyone and he was not immune to them. That he'd accidentally upset her, though, that probably needed remedied.
"I apologize, Evangelina for assuming. I was attempting to put you at your ease, since you seem to think that, despite your own feelings, you might be married off where you do not choose." All of this was coming out in a softer tone but blunt nonetheless. "I meant that you do not need to worry about your uncle or your father being angry at you about not impressing me. As we are friends, I wish you to be at ease. I am impressed by your strength of character. You seem to know your own mind well enough."
He was probably not making her feel any better. His words seldom made anyone calmer. They seemed to have an inflammatory effect where the other person puffed up and wanted to argue. This, he did not want. Stepping forward, he rested his hand on her shoulder and locked eyes with her. "What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me." He had been for a second, but only that. She'd made her stance abundantly clear too. When she asked for a boost up, he nodded and took her by the hips, rather than bending down to let her step on his hands. Once she was up in the saddle, he tilted his head at her and patted her horse.
"And, just to be clear," he glanced down at her horse. "If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand." There. That would soothe her pride, probably. He wasn't afraid of remarrying. It was just that he still loved Sibyl very much and no woman had yet to equal her. Until he found that, if he found that, he didn't think it would be fair to marry. His wife had been dearer to him than life. A new one would likely be too, and he wasn't entirely sure he was prepared for it.
The soft afternoon breeze blew a strand of her untamed hair against her dirty cheek. She listened without interruption of him, her almond-shaped eyes remaining downcast and neutral. It was not anger or hurt that had plagued her, but rather a sense that she was drowning in the impression he’d seemed to develop of her. With her delicate hand, she reached up and brushed the strand away.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as the tension she felt started to ease. Closing her eyes for a moment, her lips lifted in a bit of a mirthless smile as he mentioned the fact that she’d not impressed him. Opening her eyes slowly, she slanted a sardonic look his way. It took a bit of gumption to be so truthful with her. Not that she hadn’t already known she hadn’t impressed him, but the sting still pricked her senses. At least he was truthful with you. Pursing her lips, she dropped her gaze again and gave a small nod of her head of acceptance, still, she remained decidedly quiet.
‘What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me.’
That she had a hard time believing after the things he’d said moments ago. She wasn’t quite ready to trust those words. Slanting him a sideways look, her eyebrows raised silently questioning him. Really? Why do I not believe you? But she let it go, with another nod of her head and a sigh before she asked him for help onto her horse. He stepped forward, his hand grasping around her hips as he easily heaved her compact body up onto Altair, where she’d settled deeply into the seat almost as if she melted into it.
‘And, just to be clear.’ He didn’t step away from her horse, although his gaze drifted from hers as he spoke, ‘If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand.’ That mirthless smile formed and she shifted her gaze away from him to stare at the grassland in front of them. Did he think that was some kind of ointment for her? It somehow made it all a little worse. It felt like a bit of a knife to her heart. Studying him for a moment, any anger she felt slipped away. Her throat tightened, and she thought maybe she could guess where his thoughts had drifted.
Nudging the side of Lord Gavriil’s hip softly with her foot, she smiled faintly down at him.
“We all make assumptions. Yours are forgiven if you’ll forgive any I’ve made. Did you ever think I was perfectly at ease with you until you started trying to put me at ease?” She murmured quietly to him, her gaze soft but carrying more weight in them than when she’d started the ride. Leaning her forearm against her pommel she continued speaking, “You know, trying to patch the holes your truths poked in my pride feels a bit like rubbing salt in my wounds. I know you don’t mean to but I’d much prefer to try and repair those holes on my own without feeling like you are offering me pity.” She could and would fix her own problems. Letting her eyes meet his, she offered a small smile, “I’d much rather be disliked than pitied.”
Sitting up in the saddle again, she sucked in a breath of air and let it out slowly, carefully.
“Just some food for thought here,” She started softly, her brows furrowing a little. “As a friend and simply offering a bit of advice, I meant what I said earlier on our ride about not wasting happiness. Love isn’t static, there isn’t a magical limit to how much you can have or how much you can give. No two loves are the same either. Some are fast, some are slow, some will sneak up on you slowly, others hit you as if you were just been sucker-punched. If the right person comes along… whether they are younger or older… if it happens don’t be stupid and throw it away because it’s not what you had once.” Reaching down she stroked the grey’s neck, “I sincerely hope you take my advice. A little bit of love can solve a lot of hurting. But I won’t mention it again, and I won’t mettle. You are quite capable of sorting yourself out.”
“Thank you for the ride this morning. I did enjoy the company immensely.” Gathering her reins, “We’ll part ways here. I…” She sucked in a breath and looked away, “I wouldn’t want us riding back together to raise any secret aspirations from my family…that you don't want.” Feigning a brightened smile, she tossed him a vixenish wink as she nudged Altair with her heels to get him to move out. “Have a good day, Lord Dimitrou.”
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The soft afternoon breeze blew a strand of her untamed hair against her dirty cheek. She listened without interruption of him, her almond-shaped eyes remaining downcast and neutral. It was not anger or hurt that had plagued her, but rather a sense that she was drowning in the impression he’d seemed to develop of her. With her delicate hand, she reached up and brushed the strand away.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as the tension she felt started to ease. Closing her eyes for a moment, her lips lifted in a bit of a mirthless smile as he mentioned the fact that she’d not impressed him. Opening her eyes slowly, she slanted a sardonic look his way. It took a bit of gumption to be so truthful with her. Not that she hadn’t already known she hadn’t impressed him, but the sting still pricked her senses. At least he was truthful with you. Pursing her lips, she dropped her gaze again and gave a small nod of her head of acceptance, still, she remained decidedly quiet.
‘What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me.’
That she had a hard time believing after the things he’d said moments ago. She wasn’t quite ready to trust those words. Slanting him a sideways look, her eyebrows raised silently questioning him. Really? Why do I not believe you? But she let it go, with another nod of her head and a sigh before she asked him for help onto her horse. He stepped forward, his hand grasping around her hips as he easily heaved her compact body up onto Altair, where she’d settled deeply into the seat almost as if she melted into it.
‘And, just to be clear.’ He didn’t step away from her horse, although his gaze drifted from hers as he spoke, ‘If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand.’ That mirthless smile formed and she shifted her gaze away from him to stare at the grassland in front of them. Did he think that was some kind of ointment for her? It somehow made it all a little worse. It felt like a bit of a knife to her heart. Studying him for a moment, any anger she felt slipped away. Her throat tightened, and she thought maybe she could guess where his thoughts had drifted.
Nudging the side of Lord Gavriil’s hip softly with her foot, she smiled faintly down at him.
“We all make assumptions. Yours are forgiven if you’ll forgive any I’ve made. Did you ever think I was perfectly at ease with you until you started trying to put me at ease?” She murmured quietly to him, her gaze soft but carrying more weight in them than when she’d started the ride. Leaning her forearm against her pommel she continued speaking, “You know, trying to patch the holes your truths poked in my pride feels a bit like rubbing salt in my wounds. I know you don’t mean to but I’d much prefer to try and repair those holes on my own without feeling like you are offering me pity.” She could and would fix her own problems. Letting her eyes meet his, she offered a small smile, “I’d much rather be disliked than pitied.”
Sitting up in the saddle again, she sucked in a breath of air and let it out slowly, carefully.
“Just some food for thought here,” She started softly, her brows furrowing a little. “As a friend and simply offering a bit of advice, I meant what I said earlier on our ride about not wasting happiness. Love isn’t static, there isn’t a magical limit to how much you can have or how much you can give. No two loves are the same either. Some are fast, some are slow, some will sneak up on you slowly, others hit you as if you were just been sucker-punched. If the right person comes along… whether they are younger or older… if it happens don’t be stupid and throw it away because it’s not what you had once.” Reaching down she stroked the grey’s neck, “I sincerely hope you take my advice. A little bit of love can solve a lot of hurting. But I won’t mention it again, and I won’t mettle. You are quite capable of sorting yourself out.”
“Thank you for the ride this morning. I did enjoy the company immensely.” Gathering her reins, “We’ll part ways here. I…” She sucked in a breath and looked away, “I wouldn’t want us riding back together to raise any secret aspirations from my family…that you don't want.” Feigning a brightened smile, she tossed him a vixenish wink as she nudged Altair with her heels to get him to move out. “Have a good day, Lord Dimitrou.”
The soft afternoon breeze blew a strand of her untamed hair against her dirty cheek. She listened without interruption of him, her almond-shaped eyes remaining downcast and neutral. It was not anger or hurt that had plagued her, but rather a sense that she was drowning in the impression he’d seemed to develop of her. With her delicate hand, she reached up and brushed the strand away.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as the tension she felt started to ease. Closing her eyes for a moment, her lips lifted in a bit of a mirthless smile as he mentioned the fact that she’d not impressed him. Opening her eyes slowly, she slanted a sardonic look his way. It took a bit of gumption to be so truthful with her. Not that she hadn’t already known she hadn’t impressed him, but the sting still pricked her senses. At least he was truthful with you. Pursing her lips, she dropped her gaze again and gave a small nod of her head of acceptance, still, she remained decidedly quiet.
‘What I am trying to say is that I wasn't under some delusion that you were trying to bait me.’
That she had a hard time believing after the things he’d said moments ago. She wasn’t quite ready to trust those words. Slanting him a sideways look, her eyebrows raised silently questioning him. Really? Why do I not believe you? But she let it go, with another nod of her head and a sigh before she asked him for help onto her horse. He stepped forward, his hand grasping around her hips as he easily heaved her compact body up onto Altair, where she’d settled deeply into the seat almost as if she melted into it.
‘And, just to be clear.’ He didn’t step away from her horse, although his gaze drifted from hers as he spoke, ‘If I was younger or had the need, perhaps I would ask for your hand.’ That mirthless smile formed and she shifted her gaze away from him to stare at the grassland in front of them. Did he think that was some kind of ointment for her? It somehow made it all a little worse. It felt like a bit of a knife to her heart. Studying him for a moment, any anger she felt slipped away. Her throat tightened, and she thought maybe she could guess where his thoughts had drifted.
Nudging the side of Lord Gavriil’s hip softly with her foot, she smiled faintly down at him.
“We all make assumptions. Yours are forgiven if you’ll forgive any I’ve made. Did you ever think I was perfectly at ease with you until you started trying to put me at ease?” She murmured quietly to him, her gaze soft but carrying more weight in them than when she’d started the ride. Leaning her forearm against her pommel she continued speaking, “You know, trying to patch the holes your truths poked in my pride feels a bit like rubbing salt in my wounds. I know you don’t mean to but I’d much prefer to try and repair those holes on my own without feeling like you are offering me pity.” She could and would fix her own problems. Letting her eyes meet his, she offered a small smile, “I’d much rather be disliked than pitied.”
Sitting up in the saddle again, she sucked in a breath of air and let it out slowly, carefully.
“Just some food for thought here,” She started softly, her brows furrowing a little. “As a friend and simply offering a bit of advice, I meant what I said earlier on our ride about not wasting happiness. Love isn’t static, there isn’t a magical limit to how much you can have or how much you can give. No two loves are the same either. Some are fast, some are slow, some will sneak up on you slowly, others hit you as if you were just been sucker-punched. If the right person comes along… whether they are younger or older… if it happens don’t be stupid and throw it away because it’s not what you had once.” Reaching down she stroked the grey’s neck, “I sincerely hope you take my advice. A little bit of love can solve a lot of hurting. But I won’t mention it again, and I won’t mettle. You are quite capable of sorting yourself out.”
“Thank you for the ride this morning. I did enjoy the company immensely.” Gathering her reins, “We’ll part ways here. I…” She sucked in a breath and looked away, “I wouldn’t want us riding back together to raise any secret aspirations from my family…that you don't want.” Feigning a brightened smile, she tossed him a vixenish wink as she nudged Altair with her heels to get him to move out. “Have a good day, Lord Dimitrou.”
As she did not interrupt his blunt, and ultimately futile attempts to fix what he couldn't even really say was the matter, he did not interrupt her. Like he'd somehow misunderstood her points, she misunderstood his, except the last part. He stared at her, unsure if she could read his mind or not. It felt like it, at least. And yet again she called him 'unhappy'.
He'd have liked the chance to protest that assertion but there was little point. She would believe what she would and, it didn't matter. Friends they might be, now, but constantly in each other's lives they were not. It still chafed just a little that she thought him some brooding widower who would huff or pine at the windows, wishing to be saved from the vacuum of loneliness.
Without a word, he nodded and watched her ride away, deeply dissatisfied with how their conversation had ended. He stood, watching her go until she was out of sight over the little hill. He turned to his mare, then. She had been watching him critically. "At least you don't argue back. Verbally," he added. He just wasn't great with women. They didn't flock to him and even if they did, he was fairly certain that they'd attempt to get away pretty quickly.
Their conversation played over and over in his mind as he rode back home on a completely different direction than she took. Their manors were not far from each other and he was not going to risk running into her a second time. His first display of cowardice in quite a while. He was trying to decide what to do about her but by the time he had his mare watered, brushed down, and back in her stall, he'd decided there was nothing to be done. It was awkward, it had happened, life went on.
And yet, he found himself at his desk later that day, writing a short letter and sending it off, more satisfied now than in the morning hours. There. now everything was solved.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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As she did not interrupt his blunt, and ultimately futile attempts to fix what he couldn't even really say was the matter, he did not interrupt her. Like he'd somehow misunderstood her points, she misunderstood his, except the last part. He stared at her, unsure if she could read his mind or not. It felt like it, at least. And yet again she called him 'unhappy'.
He'd have liked the chance to protest that assertion but there was little point. She would believe what she would and, it didn't matter. Friends they might be, now, but constantly in each other's lives they were not. It still chafed just a little that she thought him some brooding widower who would huff or pine at the windows, wishing to be saved from the vacuum of loneliness.
Without a word, he nodded and watched her ride away, deeply dissatisfied with how their conversation had ended. He stood, watching her go until she was out of sight over the little hill. He turned to his mare, then. She had been watching him critically. "At least you don't argue back. Verbally," he added. He just wasn't great with women. They didn't flock to him and even if they did, he was fairly certain that they'd attempt to get away pretty quickly.
Their conversation played over and over in his mind as he rode back home on a completely different direction than she took. Their manors were not far from each other and he was not going to risk running into her a second time. His first display of cowardice in quite a while. He was trying to decide what to do about her but by the time he had his mare watered, brushed down, and back in her stall, he'd decided there was nothing to be done. It was awkward, it had happened, life went on.
And yet, he found himself at his desk later that day, writing a short letter and sending it off, more satisfied now than in the morning hours. There. now everything was solved.
As she did not interrupt his blunt, and ultimately futile attempts to fix what he couldn't even really say was the matter, he did not interrupt her. Like he'd somehow misunderstood her points, she misunderstood his, except the last part. He stared at her, unsure if she could read his mind or not. It felt like it, at least. And yet again she called him 'unhappy'.
He'd have liked the chance to protest that assertion but there was little point. She would believe what she would and, it didn't matter. Friends they might be, now, but constantly in each other's lives they were not. It still chafed just a little that she thought him some brooding widower who would huff or pine at the windows, wishing to be saved from the vacuum of loneliness.
Without a word, he nodded and watched her ride away, deeply dissatisfied with how their conversation had ended. He stood, watching her go until she was out of sight over the little hill. He turned to his mare, then. She had been watching him critically. "At least you don't argue back. Verbally," he added. He just wasn't great with women. They didn't flock to him and even if they did, he was fairly certain that they'd attempt to get away pretty quickly.
Their conversation played over and over in his mind as he rode back home on a completely different direction than she took. Their manors were not far from each other and he was not going to risk running into her a second time. His first display of cowardice in quite a while. He was trying to decide what to do about her but by the time he had his mare watered, brushed down, and back in her stall, he'd decided there was nothing to be done. It was awkward, it had happened, life went on.
And yet, he found himself at his desk later that day, writing a short letter and sending it off, more satisfied now than in the morning hours. There. now everything was solved.