I'm Not So Good With Subtlety. (Tag Daine, Merton)

[Daine Merton]

A smile tugged at the corner of Daine's lips as Sebastian hung his head. She liked to believe that part of her knew his was all an act, him being embarressed about caring for, but she was caught up in the play and was a believing audience. The look on his face made her heart do something very weird and she couldn't help but smile more. He was worried about her, and his reluctance made her believe that he had so more, more than he was admitting. Daine felt her cheeks warming and could not begin to comprehend why she was blushing! She did not blush! Though it seemed she was blushing more and more nowadays.

She was liking this attention though. No one had ever really cared about her to this sort of level - with the exception of her mother and Maggie. She gave him a skepitcal look, "Don't you trust Maggie's ability? As you can see I am perfectly healthy again, with the exception of the healing hole in my leg," She muttered quietly to herself, seeing in her mind the revenge she'd get on that dark-haired outlaw. "And you have Maggie to thank for that." Still was touched he was concerned. It was nice to have someone outside her family think about her. "No, I can't blame you."

Daine couldn't believe how much of a fool she felt. Why had she said that? It implied that he made her happy. That was not allowed. Sebastian Mannering was a cad who took any woman who'd fling herself at him, Daine was not going to be one of those women. It was phsyically impossible for Daine to be one of those women, she knew of his antics and therefore couldn't do it. Oh why was her chest feeling so tight? It made her want to grip her heart to stop it from exploding. Why was this happiness?

Sebastian coming closer to her made her heart stop and then buzz when he squeezed her hand. Thoughts had escaped her, what was he asking her about? Oh yes, what made her happy. Her mind was blank, with the exception of that time she and Sebastian kissed. Why was her mind focusing on that nauseating epidemic? (Nauseating in a good way, which was the worrying thing.) "Urr. Things. Which are nice." What happened to being strong? One step closer and Daine was a bumbling mush. Her world was upsidedown and had gone wrong. "I'd like to be happy too." She admitted quietly. She missed out on the fact that Sebastian wasn't being subtle. Her mind was too crazy to be thinking coherantly.

[Sebastian Mannering]

Clearly calling Margaret’s abilities under question was not something Sebastian should risk in Daine's company. Both the Merton's seemed to have a fond allegiance to the housekeeper and while he had no qualms about offending her brother he did not want to upset the pleasant balance he had found with Daine. "I believe wholeheartedly in your housekeeper's impressive healing expertise." He corrected to placate her. "Your speedy recovery is proof enough of that and I'm endlessly thankful for it, I couldn't bear to see you hurt." Sebastian threw the compliment in, hoping to hear that little hitch in her breath once more, or catch sight of the pretty blush she was trying so hard to hide.

"I was merely drawing attention to the fact that your brother would boastfully describe the drapery if he thought it would impress me." The wry smile was back as he made another dig at Merton, the first slight to her brother's character had not affronted Daine so why not try another. Especially as it had led to such an entertaining result before. He made her happy. Sebastian was still feeling smug about that and was having a hard time not grinning like a loon every time he thought of it.

Daine paused for a long time, still looking flustered and Sebastian would have given just about anything to know what she was thinking about. He chuckled at her answer, not exactly one of her most feisty or intelligent responses. It made him feel triumphant that he could affect her so and tempted him to do it again. "I have something for you that I think will do just the trick." He said, tone still teasing. Sebastian reluctantly released her hand, missing the warmth of it beneath his fingers, and reached for his pocket where the necklace was still safely nestled. He took his time, building up the suspense and watching Daine's face carefully as he did so.

[Daine Merton]

Maggie was the one person Daine trusted her life with. She didn't take lightly to people bad-mouthing her. They could slate her brother all they liked, just not Maggie. Hell, she'd even join in when verbally battering her brother's image. She smiled and nodded thankfully to Sebastian as he assured her of his belief in Maggie. She couldn't have any kind of relations with this man - friendship included - if he couldn't accept Maggie. Maggie had been Daine's second mother and best friend while she grew up. But, as ever, Sebastian effectively cast aside all those thoughts. "I tell you, it was no fun being hurt."

She was such a wreck! The heat was rising in her cheeks again. If he dared mention it, Daine would blame the fire and the copious amounts of blankets Maggie had her wrapped in. It was the summer! Of course she'd be over heating with all this extra warmth. It wasn't Sebastian's kind words at all. No. She was stronger than that. She didn't melt to the first words expelled from a man's mouth. Daine did not do that. Oh how she wished that was still true. Her carefully grown image was rapidly fading away, and it was all Sebastian's fault.

Daine scoffed at the mention of her brother and the drapes. He was oddly proud of those. It was strange to say the least. "Well that's Brian for you. The amazing curtain man, who must show off his curtain-ly powers to every unsuspecting fool." She was so caught up in grumbling about her brother that Daine didn't notice she may have just called Sebastian a fool. Well, he was a fool - all flashy and flamboyant, he was going to get himself robbed one of these days by the less savoury outlaws - but so was she. She clamped her free hand to her mouth in embarressment. "I didn't mean to call you a fool then. I do not think of you as a fool."

It was times like these when Daine was glad no one had the ability to read minds. To have Sebastian know what was going on in her - to be frank - demented mind would be just horrible. She needed to tame her demented mind and get it into a vaguely sane state again. She missed coherancy. Coherancy made sense. What was happening now, did not. "You have something for me?" She asked, truely confused. What did Sebastian have that could possibly make her happy? Other than his kisses... No! She did not just think that! She was greatful for once that he took his hand away, maybe without the connection she'd be able to think straight. Whilst she sorted her mind, she furrowed her brow at Sebastian, what was he doing?

[Sebastian Mannering]

Sebastian was not disappointed with the reaction Daine gave him. The heat was rising in her cheeks once more, staining them with a pink blush. He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with flirtatious good humour. "You're looking rather flushed, my dear." He said, hoping to fluster her further by drawing attention to the blush. "I could not forgive myself if my company hindered your recovery, perhaps I should leave..." He trailed off, he had no intention of leaving, but he wanted to hear her tell him to stay.

He chuckled as Daine corroborated his drapery comment. He would have to take the opportunity to comment on them to the man at some point, in a less than complimentary manner of course. It wasn't as though he actually had anything against the furnishings of the Merton Manor, but tormenting Brian was almost as fun as flirting with his sister. What made it even more enjoyable was that the man was so spineless he utterly failed to defend himself to any great degree, he was easy pickings, it was almost too easy.

Sebastian let his expression drop to one a little more serious, his head hanging as though ashamed when Daine spoke of foolishness. "In truth I am a fool." He said quietly, it was most unlike him to admit any kind of weakness at all, but it couldn't hurt to remind Daine of his fabricated situation once more. After all last time he'd got a kiss out of it. "I should never have allowed myself to get in so deep with the Sheriff and his nefarious ways. But mother..." Again he trailed off. His act had probably been a tad melodramatic, but Sebastian had a flair for theatrics.

Seeming to pull himself back together he returned his attention to the necklace resting in his pocket. He truly hoped she'd be pleased to have it returned to her. Daine had got herself stabbed over the stupid trinket so it must be worth something to her, which was why he'd held onto it until now, he'd wanted to give it to her in person. Reaching into his pocket he curled the chain around his fingers and drew it out, allowing the locket to dangle in the air as he held it out to her. "Here," Sebastian spoke softly. "I believe this is yours."

[Daine Merton]

Had she not supposed to be playing nice, Daine would have glared at Sebastian for bringing up the colour of her cheeks. Actually, maybe she could work the glare in to her favour. She shot him a glare, very much in jest - apparenlty, she really was qute narked off that he'd mentioned it - and said, "I'm very warm. Maggie is still sweating out the fever 'just in case'." She used air quote to express some of the grump she was feeling, to Sebastian it seemed she was annoyed at Maggie (which she was a little, surely it had been long enough now?) when really she was annoyed at him. A little.

Brian was an idiot. And that was possibly the nicest thing Daine had ever thought about her brother. He was going against the family's political side - he was defying their late father! - and he was being a prat about it. Everyone could see that the Sherrif thought of him purely as a toy for entertainment. What did Brian actually bring to his court? A big fat nothing! Unless a blithering fool counted as something, and last Daine looked it didn't. Brian was purely there until the Sheriff got bored of him. It could only be a matter of time until an assissin was sent to take out the Merton household, for the Sheriff knew where their alliences lay. Maybe Daine could be safe with Sebastian's protection; like Sir Guy gave Lady Marian before she punched him at the alter. Now that was a good wedding.

"Why do you say that?" Sebastian's act pulled Daine back into the present and at her heartstrings. She didn't know what it was about Sebastian that made her so easy to play. She hated it! It made her feel weak, which she wasn't. Daine wasn't the sort of pathetic girl who could be moulded into whatever her father wanted her to be. She was raised to fight that, to be her own woman, but it was happening anyway. Before she knew it, Daine was putting a hand to Sebastian's cheek in comfort. "One does what one must to survive." It wasn't his fault that surviving included siding with the wrong man, at least it wasn't his own choice unlike someone Daine knew. And she thought nothing of his melodrama, this was Sebastian she was talking to.

She looked at Sebastian in confusion as he pulled out her necklace. Her jaw dropped in surprise. "Oh my..." Daine had forgotten that she'd lost the neclace, even after she'd got stabbed. everything was a bit of a blur after that. She rememebered telling the identical boys that she needed it, but after that was just seeing Maggie every so often. That was when the fever set in and she'd not quite been herself. But she'd long recovered so she had no excuse for forgetting the trinket which got her into this mess. She touched the edges of her necklace, her mother's necklace. "Thank you." She said, truely greatful, Daine had forgotten how lost she felt without her mother's locket. "Where did you find it?"

[Sebastian Mannering]

"I see." Sebastian said lightly, a hint of mischief in his voice suggesting he did not entirely believe her explanation for the blush. "You said yourself Margaret is a competent healer, she would not subject you to this if it wasn't necessary." He couldn't help scolding her a little, he'd been worried sick about her for days and here she was dismissing her treatment as though it was a hardship. He didn't not care if she had to sweat out the fever for one hundred days, so long as it made her better.

"It is rather hot in here though." He admitted, fanning himself with one hand. "Perhaps I could get you a drink, or open a window until my departure." Sebastian leaned in conspiratorially, using the excuse of a secret shared to get closer to her once more. "Margaret need never know." He whispered in her ear, warm breath undoubtedly tickling her neck. He drew back a little and winked at her, impish grin fixed on his face. He had somehow managed to make an action as simple as opening a window into something far more outrageously devious.

Daine fell for his little act concerning the terrible situation with his alliances and his mother. It was so easy to fool her, feed her some sob story about his family and he had her eating right out of his hand. In reality he hadn't spoken to his mother in years, leaving the bitter old woman to wither away and do as she pleased in the family home. He looked at her, doing his best to keep an entirely sincere expression on his face. "I just wish..." He trailed off, trying to make it seem that talking about this was hard for him. "That it didn't have to be so difficult."

Daine's reaction to seeing the necklace again made it all worth holding on to it for a little longer. He allowed her to touch it for a few seconds before untangling the chain from around his fingers and setting it in her palm. "It's my pleasure." He answered, for once not having to fake a smile. He paused wondering what story to tell her about the trinket. One that gave him the most praise and glory of course. "I tracked down the man that did this to you." He gestured to her wounded leg. "Managed to get it back, but he got away from me." He set his mouth in a grim line.

[Daine Merton]

If anything, the blush rose more. Making Daine scowl more. She hated how easily Sebastian saw through her lies. Unless he was just guessing, maybe that was it! Only know she'd confirmed it completely. Daine hated Sebastian, she really did. Only he could do this to her. "I've been confined to my bed for who knows how long. I think I'm beginning to hate the place." She said, trying to get herself back on track. She gave Sebastian a coy smile. "I was merely finding something to complain about. Maggie is a wonderful nurse, I am just that bored. You are the first person I've seen in a while." Though how all this was hiding the fact that he'd made he blush, Daine didn't know.

But at least he agreed with her about it being insanely warm in this room. It was summer, all windows were closed and the fire was raging. Plus, Daine was burried under a multitude of covers and quilts. "There's a pitcher of water by the window..." She started, but then Sebastian leaned in closer and Daine lost track of what she was thinking. His breath tickled her neck and sent shivers down her spine. Mentally kicking herself for being such a girl about all this, Daine blamed it on the fact that she was very ticklish. It had nought to do with the fact that Sebastian was very pretty. Very, very pretty. "What ever you think is best." Daine tried to match his impish manner, enjoying the first bit of scandal she'd experienced for a while - though what was scanadlous about opening a window? - but it was a little hard when her stomach felt like it wasn't going to stay friends with what it held.

Had Daine have been in the know about Sebastian's little play, she would have instantly felt the fool. She was supposed to be good at reading people, spotting lies. But apparently the lies got a little harder to spot when one's heart got involved. Not that she loved Sebastian, she couldn't love Sebastian. He just made her heart beat a little faster that's all. Nothing abnormal about that, right? "Nobody said it would be easy. Life would be boring if it was easy though, eh?" She tried a different tact. "Besides, there has to be a bit of a buzz you get when you lie to the Sheriff and stuff?" He was lying, right? About his alliengences. "Well, maybe not lie. But you know what I mean?" Being isolated had done nought for Daine's way of speaking. She'd all but forgotten how to talk by the time Sebastian had come to her. Maybe she should get more friends, so next time she was incapacitated maybe someone would come and visit her.

It felt good to have her necklace back, in her hand. Only now had she realised how much she'd missed it. Daine firmly believed she wouldn't have got so sick if she'd have had her mother's necklace with her to keep her strong. She smiled back to Sebastian, fighting the temptation to give him a hug. It would be so bad on so many levels. It would hurt her leg for one thing and give him all sorts of wrong impressions. Though, their kiss may also have done such a thing. "Sebastian!" Daine cried out in shock. "You went after him! Please tell me you took some guards with you. It took two people to take him out before!"

She smiled and put her hand to his face once more. "It was brave of you. And I thank you again." She wanted to kiss him. It was so bad. Her lips itched to be pressed against his. But she couldn't let it happen. Not again. Not whilst she was in her home. What if Maggie walked in, bringing her food? Or worse, what if Brian walked in to kick Sebastian out? He already hated Lord Mannering enough as it was! Seeing them - kissing! - would only fuel that hate more. And, as much as she hated to admitt it, Daine quite liked having him around. But kissing was off the menu. For now...

That line of thought had to stop! She pulled all expression of her face and took her hand away from Sebastian. Daine turned her attention back to the necklace in her hand. Her mother's golden locket. She wanted to wear it, and never lose it again. Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted the necklace up. She was shaking from the closeness between her and Sebastian. Something had changed, and it wouldn't change back. "Ack! I can't do this. I'm too shakey." She chewed the inside of her lip. She shouldn't be asking this favour, but she wanted her necklace back on. "Can you help me put my necklace back on?" All she would have to do was focus on anything but the fact that Sebastian's fingers would be very close to her neck.

[Sebastian Mannering]

Sebastian chuckled as Daine began to justify herself, delighting in the blush that was still warming her cheeks and only seemed to become more pronounced with each word they exchanged. She was babbling slightly in her haste to explain, which he thought was really quite sweet. He reached out and pressed his fingers to her lips, even though she appeared to have ground to a halt on her own, using the gesture as an excuse to feel the soft press of her mouth under his fingertips.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me Daine." He said soothingly, teasing still clearly evident in his voice, then he allowed his expression to shift slightly, revealing the all too real desire he'd had to come and visit her on several occasions before this one. "In truth I've thought of little else but coming to see you for days." Sebastian admitted, looking completely unabashed at this needy confession. He was an expert at making women feel wanted after all, his success rate wouldn't be nearly so high otherwise.

Cutting off the contact between them as swiftly as he had initiated it, Sebastian rose and quickly crossed the short distance to the window. With expert hands, as though he completed such menial tasks on a daily basis, he flicked the catch across and let the window swing open. Then it was only a matter of filling a cup with water from the pitcher and he was back at Daine's side once more, trying desperately to quell his impulse to inform her that Mannerings did not play nursemaid under usual circumstances so she had better not get used to it.

Sebastian was affronted that Daine didn't see all that sympathetic to the difficulties he supposedly faced on a daily basis. Still, he couldn't prevent the mischievous smile that quirked his lips at her words. She was right; life would be terribly dull without all the deception and social politics that filled his days, it was part of the reason he lied on a daily basis. That and for the thrill he got when somebody fell for one of his fantastical tales, as Daine had done just moments before. In truth he knew no other way to behave.

"I suppose it can be rather exciting." Sebastian agreed and then frowned the next second as Daine scolded him for being reckless. She was such a contradiction in terms, one moment encouraging adventurous behaviour and the next telling him off. Sebastian tried not to admit to himself that her unpredictability was what made her interesting. Part of him was offended that she didn't think he could handle himself in a fight and part was pleased that she had reacted in a worried manner, suggesting she cared about him.

"I'm afraid I got so angry that he hurt you that I wasn't thinking straight. Because I acted rashly he got away from me, if only I had taken a couple of guards with me we could have overpowered him." Sebastian said, trying to look frustrated that he had failed when really he was enjoying himself making up this fabricated story, which was earning him more glory than it was costing him. "It was brave, but foolish. I would do it again in a heartbeat." He fixed Daine with an earnest stare, flirting outrageously.

The younger noble responded by giving him the perfect opportunity to step the flirting up a level. Sebastian was still congratulating himself on holding on to the necklace for a while, it had been a move with a lot of positive consequences, some of them even he hadn't anticipated. He leaned forwards towards her, taking the ends of the necklace and sliding his hands under her hair to fasten the chain at the back of her neck. Daine's skin was warm and soft beneath his fingers and her hair tickled lightly across the back of his hands. When he was done he didn't pull away, his gaze on hers unwavering even in such close proximity.

[Daine Merton]

Daine was as bad as her brother! She was such a bumbling fool when she wanted to be. It was terrible because she prided herself on being well spoken and with enough spine to form a sentence. Sebastian really did bring out the worst in her. But it all seemed worth it, especially when their skin touched. She felt a spark as his finger pressed to her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise - was she really this naive? - and shock filled her face. This was all very forward, but it was also Sebastian. Should she really be so shocked?

His words helped to bring that little bit of her true self back, putting a slight scowl on her face as he teased her. She would have liked to answer back, but his finger on her lips was - not only very distracting - in the way. He also seemed to have more to say. It was a buggar he did, because his words melted Daine's heart and made her admit to her own horrible truth. She too had spent most of her conscious time thinking of him. She'd told herself that she wasn't allowed to, thoughts of Sebastian were off limits - which of course meant she was thinking of him. As soon as she realised as much it took a lot to get him out of her mind. Behind his finger, she smiled, letting him know she liked this outcome. Even though she really shouldn't.

Her lips felt cold as soon as Sebastian took his finger away, but she wa grateful for what he was doing. Fresh air! She gulped it in greedily, surprised at how stuffy her old air had been. She knew it had been clammy, but how clammy she had not known! She accepted the cup of water, taking a dainty sip before saying, "Thank you, Sebastian." She wanted to guzzle the drink, but Maggie's words and proper teaching told her not to. Not only would guzzling just make her want more, she would look like some sort of wild child without manners. Somehow she didn't think Sebastian would like to see that side of her - the side that didn't care much for manners.

In all honesty, she wasn't that sympathetic to Sebastian's plight of loyalties. Although she was slightly more forward with her opinion of Vaysey and his court, everyone still had to live the double life. Pretend to be alright with the way Vaysey ran his county, but really be shuddering. It was worse for Sebastian though, at least Daine's parents had also hated Prince John and the Sheriff. She grinned when he agreed with her. What she wouldn't give to have something exciting happen to her - rather than painful.

Daine was very unpredictable, but it was because she was verging on crazy. Had she been a peasant, a phsyician would have declared her insane and unsuitable for society long ago. In another life she would have been roaming the streets, wailing for petty cash. Being a noble did have its perks. A hand went to her heart as Sebastain spun his story further. She made him not think straight? Daine was unaware he cared that much. The want to kiss him just kept on growing. "Thank you." She whispered, unable to think of anything better to say. A small smile grew at the corner of her lips, flirting back.

Asking Sebastian to put her necklace on was very stupid. Because of course she would only focus on his hands brush against her neck. Her mind even wandered to the thought of his fingers tangling in her hair. She tried to bring her mind off its wayward path, but it stayed put. This wasn't helped by Sebastain keeping their close proximic, hands still buried deep beneath her crazy hair. She felt locked by his gaze, but she wanted to be locked there. Suddenly the world was forgotten. Brian and Maggie? Who? They were downstairs? She didn't care and before she knew it those off limit words were slipping off her tongue as if they were well practised manners. "Kiss me." It was a squeak. Barely a whisper. But she said it. And didn't regret it.

[Sebastian Mannering]

Daine seemed shocked into silence by his finger at her lips and Sebastian couldn't help but feel a thrill of delight that he could have such a drastic effect on her with such minimal contact. He felt the hitch of breath as she made to protest his teasing, her lips moved every so slightly under his fingertips, a soft brush that seemed magnified by the flirtatious tension zinging between them. She stopped again though at his words and Sebastian had to hide his triumphant smile at playing with her heart by retreating to the window.

"Anything for you, my dear" He answered, a smile quirking at his lips when she thanked him. His gaze fixed on her as she drank, blue eyes following the curve of her throat as she swallowed then flicking back up to her mouth and taking in the way her lips glistened with a few lingering droplets of water. He gave a small cough and quickly switched track to the fabricated story he was feeding her, he would have reacted the same way to any woman, Daine Merton was not special to him. At least that's what Sebastian told himself.

When Daine thanked him again he used her soft tone as an excuse to draw closer. Shifting up the bed to sit nearer to her and crowding in so close that he could practically feel the warmth radiating from her skin. It no doubt went both ways and so he was probably undoing any cool relief that opening the window had brought the noble woman. And the intensity was only ratcheted up another notch by Sebastian allowing his far too experienced hands to linger at her neck once he was done fastening the locket.

"Well," He said, voice a little breathy and his smile just a little smug. "If you insist." He increased the pressure on her neck ever so slightly, pulling Daine in and leaning forwards to meet her half way. Their lips met ever so lightly, the softest brush of skin on skin that still sent a shiver of sensation shooting through him. Sebastian tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her against him and deepening the kiss. He did not even think about the possible consequences of anybody walking in, but even if he had he wouldn't have stopped. He lived for the scandal.

[Daine Merton]

She hated it. She really hated it, how Sebastian seemed to have her wrapped round his little finger with a single touch. Was this that strange concept Maggie had told her about, love? She hoped not! When Maggie spoke of love, she got all gooey-eyed and wistful. She also went rather poetic, "There's nothing like true love Daine. You feel alive..." And all that sort of jabber. Somehow Daine thought Maggie would disapprove if Daine got all poetic about Sebastian Mannering. Daine had been so stupid for letting herself get in so deep with Sebastian. It was Sebastian. He had a reputation for ruining the word love. How could she be so stupid?

"Anything for you, my dear." That was how. His well practised tones and expressions hypnotised her everytime and she fell; hook, line and sinker. She was a fool, as easily manipulated as her brother. But she didn't care. Certainly not while his eyes were trained on her as intently as they were. Although she didn't know where they fell, she was just very aware that he was watching her drink. Had she taken a bigger sip, she would have surely choked. Concern etched on her face as Sebastian coughed. "Do you need a drink?" It sounded like he had a tickle at the back of his throat, and she had the water going spare. There was even a cup for him.

When Sebastian drew even closer to her, Daine forgot completely that she'd just been complaining about over heating. Her body yearned to be close to his and it was finally getting its wish. She'd been ignoring that voice up until now, it was thanking her just that little bit too loud for it to be ignored. His fingers felt cold on her neck, but she reasoned that anything would be cold to her - even a flame licking her skin would feel cold. Her breathing became ragged, too many zinging feelings for her fragile mind to mantain. Something of her cool - pah! Cool?! - composure had to give, and it was her breathing. So much for hating Sebastian's effect on her. She was loving this.

At least her request went down well. A pleased smile was on her lips before Sebastian pulled her in for the kill. He teased her slightly, but she knew better than to rush into things. Maggie's teachings on love and so on. But her mind did not stay on her nurse - not that she wanted it to. That would just be weird. She shivered too, loving the feeling of skin on skin. She certainly had no intention of slapping him after this kiss. Sebastian did not need to pull her closer, she was willing to go on her own. She wondered how close they could get before he leg twinged.

But she was so lost in Sebastian's arms she doubted it would ever hurt again. As the kiss deepened she lost all grip on the real world. Merton? Where was that? It was her surname too? Get out of here! It didn't even cross her mind that her family were downstairs. She was focussed soley on every place she and Sebastian touched. She put her hand to his cheek, thumb stroking his skin - it felt far nicer than the velvet he wore. Part of her questioned why she'd been resisting this, it just felt... exhilerating. Yes he was a cad who wouldn't say no to any of the serving staff, but in this moment he felt like her cad. It was oddly empowering, maybe she had some sort of an effect on Sebby? Who knew, she could only hope.