{ Kissy Starters }
Maintaining a neutral expression in the wake of that particular confession proves phenomenally difficult. Thomas knows his jaw has slackened slightly in shock, perhaps more because he felt his lips part than any particular attention spent on how tightly clenched his teeth had been up until that very moment.
Quietly, his gaze seeks out the lilac vision of his wife as she mingled among their guests, seemingly harmless with her charming smile and innocuous remarks. She was perhaps his most delicate and dangerous device in these political games, her cautious wit affording her the capability of gathering intelligence with none being the wiser for it. She was a formidable ally, but she was not without her own games – he thought, for a moment, she might have put James up to this.
As it was, she was most engaged in conversation with Peter, and appeared to not be paying him or James any mind at all. He supposed that was fitting enough all things considered – she was the one who among them, was the least reckless. Making this gambit all James’ doing and therefore, all the more enticing for the fact the once so formal lieutenant could now possibly be so wickedly and delightfully bold.
“In good time,” He assured mildly, as if they were merely discussing something as indifferent as when it would be best for them to make a proposal before parliament, as opposed to the unspoken promise that there would be a great deal of kissing once their guests had taken leave for the night. “Patience may be a virtue I lack, however,” He warned, glancing over at James with a slight, hidden smile upon the corner of his lips – it wasn’t as though they couldn’t excuse themselves for a moment or two if need must.
Ocean Archive 