Erica
Shiny Browncoat
Anna offed a small smile to Robert as he entered the room. He looked better already, perhaps because he was dressed in his customary style. After seeing him shirtless and prone for so many days, it seemed slightly odd to her, but her mind did a fair job of reconciling the two views of Mr. White. Without realizing it, she curtseyed, albeit minutely when he bowed. Beside her, James Stroud returned the bow with a nod of acknowledgement.
She was suddenly conscious of the state of her music room. The piano was tuned regularly, although she honestly could not say when the task had last been performed, for while she dabbled at the piano, her patience was devoted to the garden. There were several chairs in the room, as is customary in the event of an impromptu performance. Often a guest would play during one of her parties, but never Anna. Her skill was rudimentary at best, and she would not subject others to the torment of hearing her play.
When Robert addressed her with some annoyance, she smiled. All was right with the world if Mr. Robert White was being churlish and brusque with her, and surely her father could not suspect that the rumors held any merit in the light of such address. She opened her mouth to speak, but her father interjected before she could.
“I assume full responsibility for delaying Anna.” His expression softened as he glanced at his daughter. “Ms. Stroud, that is.” He took a step forward as his gaze fell back on the monarchist in his daughter’s house. “I arrived unannounced, which is not in my habit, and Anna here was gracious enough to receive me. I dare say I may have interfered with ...” he paused, looking between Anna and Robert with a gentle expression of curiosity on is features. “Your ‘engagement’?” he asked of Robert. The charming smile on his lips was colored by the intense question dancing in his eyes. This man had certainly not lost his faculties despite the gray that had nearly taken over his hair. (Although, ironically, it was less than that of Mr. White.)
Beside him, Anna’s lips twitched briefly in annoyance before she stepped forward and rested a hand on her father’s arm. “Father, Mr. White is a guest in my home, and still recovering from serious injury. I will not have you interrogate him.”
Both of James’ eyebrows lifted at that, and his gaze slid to his daughter before he patted her hand. “I suppose I have been too long out of the game. I see intrigue everywhere,” he jested, although again, his eyes showed that he was observing everything about the way the two senators were interacting.
Anna shook her head and smiled at her father. “We are meeting on the business for the King, Father. Which, I am afraid, means that I must cut our visit short. I hope you understand.”
James nodded slightly, then looked to Robert. “I am glad to see you up and about, Mr. White. The country has been abuzz with talk of your injury and concern for your recuperation.”
She was suddenly conscious of the state of her music room. The piano was tuned regularly, although she honestly could not say when the task had last been performed, for while she dabbled at the piano, her patience was devoted to the garden. There were several chairs in the room, as is customary in the event of an impromptu performance. Often a guest would play during one of her parties, but never Anna. Her skill was rudimentary at best, and she would not subject others to the torment of hearing her play.
When Robert addressed her with some annoyance, she smiled. All was right with the world if Mr. Robert White was being churlish and brusque with her, and surely her father could not suspect that the rumors held any merit in the light of such address. She opened her mouth to speak, but her father interjected before she could.
“I assume full responsibility for delaying Anna.” His expression softened as he glanced at his daughter. “Ms. Stroud, that is.” He took a step forward as his gaze fell back on the monarchist in his daughter’s house. “I arrived unannounced, which is not in my habit, and Anna here was gracious enough to receive me. I dare say I may have interfered with ...” he paused, looking between Anna and Robert with a gentle expression of curiosity on is features. “Your ‘engagement’?” he asked of Robert. The charming smile on his lips was colored by the intense question dancing in his eyes. This man had certainly not lost his faculties despite the gray that had nearly taken over his hair. (Although, ironically, it was less than that of Mr. White.)
Beside him, Anna’s lips twitched briefly in annoyance before she stepped forward and rested a hand on her father’s arm. “Father, Mr. White is a guest in my home, and still recovering from serious injury. I will not have you interrogate him.”
Both of James’ eyebrows lifted at that, and his gaze slid to his daughter before he patted her hand. “I suppose I have been too long out of the game. I see intrigue everywhere,” he jested, although again, his eyes showed that he was observing everything about the way the two senators were interacting.
Anna shook her head and smiled at her father. “We are meeting on the business for the King, Father. Which, I am afraid, means that I must cut our visit short. I hope you understand.”
James nodded slightly, then looked to Robert. “I am glad to see you up and about, Mr. White. The country has been abuzz with talk of your injury and concern for your recuperation.”