Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #283 is a reply to message #282] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 16:00   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
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The night was winding down at last, and he had to admit it. He'd had a wonderful time. Lots of dancing, good music (and some bad). Great food, nice gifts, and his family around him. Yes, Virgil had to admit, this was the best birthday in a long time.
He also had to admit he'd had a bit too much to drink. Just a bit. Enough to make him act silly, as it always did.
"Thank you ever so much for coming to my party, your Ladyship," Virgil said, smiling. He bowed elaborately over Penelope's hand, then lifted it to his lips, giving her a wink.
Penny's eyebrow went up, and she tried hard to smother a smile. "Thank you ever so much for inviting me, dear boy," she replied, trying to sound even more posh than usual. Behind her, Tin-Tin giggled a little.
Virgil dropped Penny's hand, his attention captured by the little giggle. "Ah, my dear Tin-Tin! I hope you've had a wonnnnnnderful time at my party!" He grasped both of her hands, and kissed each in turn.
"Of course I did, silly," Tin-Tin replied, giggling again.
"I am sooo very gratified to hear it." He pulled her closer, and putting his mouth right next to her ear, whispered the word, "Kumquat."
She laughed aloud, and Virgil put a finger to his lips. "Shhhhh! Don't want Brains getting jealous now, do we?"
Brains, who had come up behind Tin-Tin, shook his head. "Personally, I don't see anyone here to be jealous of."
"Ooooh!" Virgil wasn't the only one who uttered that syllable. Elise and Nikki joined in, which brought Virgil's attention to Nikki, as Brains and Tin-Tin said their goodnights, and the engineers began to leave.
"Parker?" Penelope said. "Please bring the cart up, and inquire whether Mrs. Hanson would like a lift."
"Mr. Kyrano h'already took care 'o that, Milady," Parker said as he headed for the door. "'E drove 'er t- th' Round 'ouse h'earlier, before 'e an' Mrs. Parkhurst said goodnight."
"Excellent." Penny turned to the others. "Goodnight to you all. And, again, happy birthday, Virgil."
"Thank you, Penelope." Penny's goodnight wishes were echoed through the small crowd. As the rest watched the aristocrat leave, Virgil reached out grasped one of Nikki's hands in both of his, and she obligingly allowed him.
"My dear, dear Nicole," he said dramatically, pulling her hand up to his chest, clasped in his. "Please, tell me that tonight was the most exciting night of your life!"
She gave him an incredulous, slightly suspicious look. "I've had a wonderful time, Virgil, but I don't know I'd go quite that far."
"I am wounded!" Virgil said dramatically. "Well, then, perhaps I can change your mind." He kissed her hand, then her wrist, then began up her forearm.
"Okay, okay," Alan said briskly, moving to take Nikki's hand from his brother's and put himself between the two. "We've had enough of that."
The others laughed at the exchange, and Alan turned to Nikki. "Can I escort you to the elevator?"
"Sure," Nikki replied, smiling. "Goodnight everyone!"
The few who remained responded with their own goodnights, then Virgil turned to Heather. "Oh, Heather, darling! You sang such a wonderful song this evening! Let me return that heavenly kiss!" He grasped her hand and kissed it, withdrawing quickly when Heather retaliated with a quick swat.
"You seem to be a card or two short of a deck, sugar," she told him, an amused look on her face.
Gordon hooted with laughter, as Virgil shook his injured hand and exclaimed, "Yow! Dangerous woman!"
"So right, Virge." Gordon said, grinning. "And that's the way I like 'em, tall and sassy!" He turned to Heather and offered his arm. "May I escort you to the elevator, ma'am?"
"Certainly, sir!" Heather took his arm. "I've had a wonderful time, Virgil. Happy Birthday!"
The two strolled out of the lounge, Heather carrying her shoes and going barefoot. Scott was fixing himself something at the bar, when Virgil turned to Elise.
"Saved the best for last," he murmured, taking her hand. She laughed as he bowed over it, just as ornately as he had Penelope's.
"Are you always this silly when you're drunk?" she asked, grinning as he straightened up, her hand still in his.
"Drunk? Drunk? I'll have you know, mademoiselle, that I am most indubitably not drunk. I'm merely a tad tipsy," he replied with a false haughtiness. His raised eyebrow and mock affronted look made her giggle. Perhaps she'd had a bit too much, too; she wasn't quite sure.
"Right, Virgil, sure," she replied. "Can you put your finger on your nose?"
"Why don't I put your finger on my nose instead?" Taking her hand in both of his, he gently extended her forefinger and tried to put her fingertip on his nose.
She helped out a little, and when he finally managed to accomplish his goal, she ran her finger lightly down the ridge of his nose. He let go with one hand and gathered in her loose finger with his thumb, then kissed her knuckle. His brown eyes met her green ones, and he drew in a sharp, quiet breath. In an instant, something had changed between them. He let the breath out slowly, knowing what it was that had happened. His mind was suddenly cold sober, and all he wanted to do was keep gazing into those green eyes. He considered kissing her on the lips... but a small voice inside him said, "Not yet. Too soon. She may not feel the same."
Instead, he put his free hand to her cheek, and with his other hand, put hers to his face. His fingers toyed briefly with a lock of blonde hair before he slid his palm down and away. Turning his head toward her hand, he kissed her palm, then took the hand away, curling her fingers over it. "Something to dream on," he whispered.
Elise looked down, breaking their gaze. Her fingers still tingled from brushing over the slight stubble on his face. She glanced up again, and smiled softly, murmuring, "Thank you."
They stood there, neither knowing what to say next, when Scott came up. "Virge, you look all in. Why don't I escort Elise down to the elevator while you head for bed? You were up pretty early this morning."
Virgil swallowed, and moistened his lips. The feeling of confusion was growing on him, as well as a bone weary feeling. He was coming down off the buzz, and was soon going to crash, something that Scott could see from across the room.
Nodding, Virgil said, "Sure, Scott." He still held Elise's hand, and he lightly squeezed it. "Thanks for coming."
"Thanks for inviting me," she said softly. "I had a good time."
"I'm glad."
Scott herded Elise toward the study with his arm, but she looked back at Virgil standing there, looking different than he ever had before. More mysterious, more alluring, more confusing. She raised a hand and said, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Elise."
She gazed over her shoulder at him until she reached the steps and had to pay attention to where she was going. Then she and Scott entered the study and were gone.
With the room now empty, Virgil made his way to a chair and sat down heavily in it. He swept his hands back through his hair and sighed heavily. With his elbows on his thighs and his hands dangling in the open space between them, he shook his head. "Why now?" Turning his head to glance at the study, he asked the air, "Why her? Not that I'm complaining or anything; she's a great lady. But I certainly didn't expect it. And it's hit me like a ton of bricks." He snorted a laugh. "And I asked Scott who'd be next. Never thought it would be me."
He got up, stretched and yawned noisily. Then, feeling more exhausted by the minute, he shuffled off to bed.
Post by Tikatu on 3/8/2007
  
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