florxdexcerezos

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Maly immediately took Violet's suggestion seriously, thinking the Dowager much more knowledgeable on such things. "Oh, forgive me, of course Lady Bridgerton." She dipped her head briefly and was about to explain about her chaperone when someone appeared beside her.

A deep redhead who had been standing off quietly to the side had approached alongside Lady Kenobi. She was the same height as Maly, but more purposefully poised and graceful in the same way Maly had been when Adam was first introduced to her. "I apologise for interrupting-" came the smooth voice that drew Maly's attention and smile. "Lady Bridgerton-" Meeka curtseyed, "Viscount." Another curtsey, with . "Our mother is residing in Spain at the moment, grieving. She has sent me in her stead. My name is Mekayla. Meeka, if you will. I will be happy to accompany my sister, if you wish."

Violet liked seeing Adam smiling--her eldest didn't smile these days. He hadn't smiled in over ten years and it was possibly partly her fault. However the diamond's next words caught her completely off-guard and made her choke on her bubbly drink, having to cough very-unlady like for a moment.

"Uhm, this is the very first time I'm asked for a child's hand in marriage Miss Alves," even though Prue had been out for two seasons, even if she had been proposed to (Prue hadn't) those questions would go to Adam, not her. Violet couldn't quite see if this was a joke--she certainly hoped it was or if it was real. She was quite lovely and clearly had no idea what she was doing.

"I believe that before accepting your proposal, as charming as it was, you should probably court him a bit more. Maybe come for tea tomorrow with your mama?"

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Olivier didn't believe him for a second. He'd evidently done something wrong, but Teddy simply didn't want to explain himself. Alright. Olly sighed. "We can start whenever you like, cher. But if you're wanting to start now, it comes with the condition of explaining yourself." He realised that, even in his soft voice, that sounded far too insistent for something so serious. "I'd like to know what I've done, Teddy. I can try and make it right. Don't shut me out."

"Nothing's wrong," Teddy said simply, keeping his shoulders straight and the stiff upper lip attitude. Was he being a fool again as he had been with Caspian? Possibly. That should've taught him a valuable lesson on trusting the wrong person, even though Olivier had nothing to warrant this distrust.

"No, thank you," he added shortly. "I only need to know when I should return for the painting lessons. I wouldn't want to impose and begin right away, you seemed busy."

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"With your permission, I could tell them I've been requested to work the grounds in London?" He figured that would suit the purpose fine enough and wouldn't raise too many questions. It wouldn't cause too much trouble, of that much he was sure.

Once given his confirmation and his instructions, Brett finished his tea and politely excused himself. Returning home, he explained to his stepfather what was to be occurring and packed himself a bag. All of the nicest clothes that he had, of which there were a few, and anything else that he needed. Books, razor, writing materials - all of his life in a bag. He wasn't sure what to do with it, so he brought it to the hall to be stored safely until informed otherwise.

"Miss Prue, these clothes are rather tight. Are you sure I cannot wear any of my own?" The dressing of the giant man was going as well as expected.

Violet nodded her agreement. "Of course, whatever you need Mr. Hampshire. We'd like you to be comfortable here and truly wholeheartedly appreciate your help on this matter." She did pause for a moment, setting her tea cup on the table. "Though if you could... avoid mentioning the true nature of your work. Perhaps only say you'd work for my sons? I wouldn't want your family or anyone else to get the wrong idea." She was protecting her child, she protected all of them and wouldn't want a slip to become a rumor. Rumors became reality in mere days both here and at the ton.

"You can go now if that would suit you and my daughter in the meantime will find your suitable garments, yes?" she asked both Brett and Prue in turn--though it wasn't a question at all, not to Prudence at least. She was to go through Adam and Ben's old things and try to find something that'll fit this massive tower of a man. Brilliant, as if she had nothing better to do than to babysit her mother's latest insane idea. "Of course mama," she agreed nonetheless.

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She squeezed his hand briefly in return before turning to Lady Bridgerton and curtseying respectfully. "Thank you, Lady Bridgerton, and I as well." Once her formalities were out of the way, and she straightened herself out, she shot Violet her classically beautiful smile.

"I wanted to ask if I might take the Viscount's hand in marriage. I think we'll make a fine pair. He has a handsome smile and I intend to make sure it is part of his expression permanently. I will also find him a ring befitting of him before the next dawn if we are in agreement." She felt comfortable enough with Adam's approval of her gesture to speak her flattery, sincere and soft.

"I would truly appreciate that. That is a very thoughtful gift. Thank you," he said softly, still in mild shock that conversation flew easily with a young debutant for once. She will make a wonderful viscountess and his mother would dote on her he was sure. "Miss Alves, you don't cease to amaze me," Adam said with a soft smile still holding onto her hand before his mother walked towards them. "Mother, allow me to introduce you to miss Alves,she has a question for you." He teased Violeta letting go of her hand after giving it a little squeeze.

"Oh? Is that so? Good evening miss Alves. Happy to make your acquintance," the older woman said with a hint of confussion but happy to see her son smiling for once.

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She covered and rubbed her eyes as Ben explained, soon finding it within herself to sit up properly to face him. Forever tempted by good food, it wasn't difficult. Blueberry and mango pancakes smelt delicious. She stretched her arms above her head and focused her attention on Ben as he explained what he had brought for them. "Thank you, looks amazing." Simple appreciation compounded by the fact she reached for her smoothie to take a healthy sip. Heavenly. Made her briefly consider what else Ben could do for her - stop it.

"Maybe, but I wanted to just get out a little. Dance, drink responsibly, see if there was anyone at this resort worth giving more of my attention to." She had always kept herself open to that sort of thing. Catholicism hadn't accounted for how much fun there was to be had in living a freer life. "Still, we're on time. My alarm hasn't gone off yet." Little hungry punctuality freak had accounted for such things.

"What about you, d'you sleep well?"

Ben caressed the skin of her arm softly as he kept trying to get her to wake up--and secretly basking in the fact he could shamelessly touch her skin without seeming like the total pervert that he was. The little things.

Also, there was a big chance he wouldn't get a chance to do this again after they talked--whenever that happened, so every minute of this vacation counted for the memories alone.

"Well, we have the fish thing today and we need to eat a decent breakfast before heading out, so I got you a mango smoothie with a nice plate of mango and blueberry pancakes," he commented bringing the tray table closer to bed. "I got myself regular pancakes and a pint of coffee." He took a deep breath--he didn't particularly enjoy swimming so this was going to be hillarious in a horrible way but well, maybe they'd get to see some underwater ruins. A nerd could only hope.

"Did you stay up too late?" he asked casually as he took a sip of his black coffee.

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"As long as you are fabulous, then the worst he can do will only make you shine more. Even if it's a shitshow, they will still be able to appreciate your acting." She remembered seeing reviews of other media, complimenting good acting but disparaging the writing. "Of course, I'll happily be your support. You'll barely even feel it. We can get ice cream after, and I can bring spongebob bandaids so you'll feel a little silly for a day max."

"I guess I can do some mindfulness and focus on the fact that this being a big break for me and not on how the asshole is certainly gonna screw up the part and fuck us all in the process." Yes, he was still salty about it and no amount of tequila would fix it. "I will have to go to Colombia so that's nice. I need to get some vaccines though, and take some tablets. Ugh, would you go with me tomorrow and hold my hand? You know how much of a pussy I am about needles."

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Something flashed in her eyes, her smile quirking up in one corner as Adam played into her hands. Most brushed her off, or didn't do so so sweetly. Perhaps she was tying too much into it, attaching too much meaning. But what was life without a little thrill? Fuck it, he did ask really nicely after all. It's a treat. Meeka leaned in closer to Adam, bending at the hips to come closer to his level, eyes observing his reaction through the lenses of her glasses.

"I can learn to appreciate a well-trained man." Good boy. Her voice was much quieter for her expression, her tone a little deeper than her sunshine day to day tone. "Should you want for anything else, you know how to ask me." She reached for the shoulder of his closest to her, not willing to throw it all away just to touch his pretty face just yet, and squeezed gently before leaving to return to her counter to fulfil his request.

Adam found himself smiling an awful lot at the way she spoke. It felt easy, as if they were old friends bantering. He liked it. He could get used to it. "I may bring her here, but you'll have to give me tips on how to detox a pre-teen of an epic sugar rush. There's only so much I can do and I do want her dad to keep talking to me after."

He half expected a polite refusal when he asked for her number. He hadn't done this thing since he was barely legal. His hookups of late were not quite in the sunlight as this one, nor in fine PG establishments owned by cute bakers it seemed. CEO. "Calls are difficult while I work but I can text you in advanced before bringing the little coffee menace."

"Nicely? Alright, I think I can do that," he smiled at her. "Could you please box those two cute mugs and bring them here? And maybe share a slice of red velvet?"

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"Oh, I want to go to Colombia, no fair." Stupid schooling. That is a lie she loved her midwifery course, she's just jealous. "I will, I will support you. You've come to the right place." Maly with all her very expensive tattoos was the perfect person. "If you're a brave boy, we can go for ice cream afterwards."

"I guess I can do some mindfulness and focus on the fact that this being a big break for me and not on how the asshole is certainly gonna screw up the part and fuck us all in the process." Yes, he was still salty about it and no amount of tequila would fix it. "I will have to go to Colombia so that's nice. I need to get some vaccines though, and take some tablets. Ugh, would you go with me tomorrow and hold my hand? You know how much of a pussy I am about needles."

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Maly smiled as Adam did, soft and encouraged to be comfortable. "I could bind some notebooks for you to fill with your notes. Between myself and my eldest sister, we can create something beautiful for you. Then your letters would be the thing of envy."

"If you're agreeable, I would love to speak to Lady Bridgerton. I'm sure I'd love her company. Then perhaps I can ask her for your hand, and pray a Dios she does not faint from the shock. Regrettably, I don't have a ring, but can I interest you in a promise brooch?"

The diamond wasn't only proficient in many languages, articulated, an artist and a good listener. She was also kind and soft and when her hand reached for his, his mind was set. She was the one he would marry. "He was a very good man. I truly hate that my younger siblings didn't get to know him very well, there were barely walking when he passed."

Her next words caught him a bit by surprise, being so blunt and transparent that made him chuckle, holding her hand a little tighter for a moment. "Are you proposing to me? Because if that is so, you should speak to my mother for my hand," he teased, his smile sad but there. "I think Egypt would make a fine honeymoon trip."

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Maly's expression turned to one of sympathy, and she offered him her hand again. To hold and offer comfort. "I'm also sorry, Viscount. I would have loved to meet him." Her voice was quiet, the conversation just between the two of them. His grief might have been known but his deeper feelings did not need to be heard. "Would we be able to make the trip if we were to marry? I think it'd be nice to feel real heat in the air again. "

"Truly? Because I've been known to put all my siblings to sleep talkiing about ancient kingdoms," he admitted with a soft smile. She was good, she was going ti make a great viscountess.

Her next words darkened his mood which was always on the brink of sadness when Egypt was mentioned because of his father. "I am sorry. My father passed as well... He loved Egypt as well, they went with my mother multiple times, fancied themselves explorers," he shared with a little smile. "I always wanted to go. They took Prudence and I when we were little but I don't recall much I'm afraid."

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"Come now, Miss Marie. We should go introduce ourselves, no? I can handle any fees that need paying, but I think we will need to capture their attention somehow to get me in the fight." He offered his arm for her to link onto. Time to go make some friends!

"I'm sure they'll be happy to have you. If they're running bets, everyone'll bet on you. I would," Prue tried the compliment with a hint of a smile. She would bet on him, he was kind and decent and honorable and could take a swing at men without breaking a sweat--she had seen it happen more than a few times. He was the perfect person for this.

"A manager wouldn't be a bad idea," she agreed though he couldn't be thinking of her now, could he?

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Adam may not have thought his side ventures interesting, but Maly did. It was a change, a freedom to invest into history and world culture. It was beautiful. "No, Viscount. Not at all. I'd like to hear more about it when you have time." Maly simply smiled. It appeared genuine, dark eyes filled with warmth.

"Regretfully, my father is no longer with us, paz a su alma. I am chaperoned by one of my older sisters, actually. I can lead you to her still, if you like?"

Adam continued to be pleasantly surprised by the diamond--she truly was one of a kind and even though she wasn't the mysterious horse rider, she was the most obvious choice, the better choice even. There was no room in his marriage for attraction, but this young woman was exceptional and she'd make a fine viscountess.

"Very little time for joy I'm afraid," he commented with an easy smile. "I write letters to friends, I read about their exciting lives while I fill the estate ledgers," he admitted entirely too truthfully for such a bubbly conversation. "I do read when I can, about Egypt and antiquity," he added a moment later. "Very boring for an artist such as yourself I'm sure," he commented as the danced ended. "Is your father in attendance? I should like to speak to him."

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She allowed him a couple moments to finish his sentence but when he found nothing to add, she answered. "I mostly read to further my knowledge of languages rather than for pleasure. Instead, I take the act of creation very seriously in every context. I sew, embroider, paint, draw - I tried my hand at book binding twice, and found my hands blistered over but I enjoyed the act. What of you? Is there any time for joy as a viscount?" Though she didn't mind talking about herself, she didn't want for him to put in all the work. She wanted to know about him as well.

Adam's lips twitched up in a ghost of a smile. She was proper, she was articulated and she could form compound sentences. That had already put her ahead of the line. She was also from Spain and yet spoke perfect English--far better than what most mamas breeded locally. Besides, she was the diamond and the Queen herself had made their introduction. All auspicious signs. As they moved through the dance floor he nodded.

"I see. And what are your interests? What do you enjoy doing? Do you perform or read?" he asked also quite directly, as he twirled her around. "I believe it's important to know one another in the event of--" he found himself lost for words for a moment.

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She'd known. She'd known from the first glance at him that she craved his attention and approval. She had wanted him to notice her amongst hundreds. To find his light in her. She wanted him to want her like the moons craved the stars. Over the months of them moving closer, she had come to need him desperately just to stay sane.

She loved him. It was far too soon for that, but at least she could admit she wanted him. She needed him in ways she couldn't articulate. The way he said her name made her melt. It was all she wanted.

"Don't make me go." Maly truly believed that Ben would keep her safe from anything that would bring her harm. She sunk easily into the kiss. Though inexperienced, she knew how she could please him. It would be an immaculate communion.

Her hands reached for him, first clutching at his robes on his chest before caressing his shoulders. "Let me take care of you." She whispered between kisses, pleading for her to be able to return the favour. Her hands then moved down, gliding over his his chest as much as he would let her.

It was odd and comforting to hear someone else call him by his given name. So far only Padme did and Ben wouldn't admit how he craved it, how he wished to be just Ben Solo again, how tired he was of keeping appearances for the greater good. He wanted something, something small, something that was only his and his alone. Somewhere where he could be himself, someone he could be just Ben with.

As she spoke softly he felt her pull--it was stronger than the Force, than his duty, than the greater good. He just wanted her, here, now. He was in pain, not just from his arm and how little his plan was working. He ached for something else, something Maly could give--and was willing to. He leaned closer as she spoke, hesitant, unsure, terrified of making the wrong move and getting her hurt--but her pull was stronger, his need was stronger.

"I want you to stay too," he admitted in a whisper as his good hand reached for her shoulder. "But it's not safe for you," he tried to convey again but his body was not listening--just as she wasn't. He wasn't going to let her go was he?

"Maly..." he whispered her name again, his fingertips moving slowly from her shoulder over her neck, towards her jawline. "You are so soft," he added a moment later before he found his lips pressed against hers, kissing her slowly.

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He waved his hand to dismiss her comment - he paid little mind to Prue's attitude. She was like that with everyone, her being right was a secondary justifying matter.

"Reacher is good. Seems simple enough. So, I just inject myself into someone's business I suppose." He had the plan, but putting it into action was another matter. "Perhaps I'll need a manager to get me in." Hint hint, nudge nudge.

"Sure, once we have proof we can tell him but not before," Prue agreed with a nod. She didn't mean to be bossy and obnoxious, she just knew better than most people. It usually didn't make her feel bad but with Brett well, things were different around him lately.

Prue narrowed her eyes for the briefest of moments when he mocked her, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, half the ton knows who you are by now. You're not--" she looked up at him again with furrowed eyebrows, trying to think of the right word but it escaped her. "But using a pseudonym to fight wouldn't be that off I think. Hmm, Thomas? Smith? Reacher? McGregor? Just pick one you'd like, I don't know."

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Meeka remained silent, her face still but terse. She had things to do, words to offer and threats to throw at on all sides. There was going to have to be a plan of action. She was going to have to be delicate.

Perhaps it was greedy of her, but she wanted nothing more than for Ben to speak to her all night. She could picture it in that moment - the stars, a shining moon, a twinkle in his eyes not unlike the sky above them. Heavens. Was this what it meant to be a love match? But Meeka had plans for them all. Her parents did, and her match was already chosen.

"We would not want to impose, Lady Bridgerton. Perhaps, we could assist in some way with something. We would not want to be idle, even as a guest." Meeka suggested.

"If the Duke still requires medical attention, I can lend my aid, I'm trained." Meeka's going to kill her.

Oh this was definitely not good. Ben had a type--Maly was Ben's type. Prue knew all of the boys' types more than her own and Maly didn't quite match Adam but that was not a conversation to have now. She had tried to talk some sense into her brother back at Aubrey Hall and had gotten absolutely nowhere.

But this? This was a new set of problems. Prue's eyes briefly met Meeka's, arched eyebrow and the smallest nod towards the eldest Alves to talk later. Now she needed to damage control (and clean her bloodied hands).

"Only for your wedding to Lord Bridgerton, then I'm off to Clyvedon to sort out some state matters," he said with a soft expression towards both of the sisters though he quickly collected himself when Prue accidentally on purposed stepped on his toe.

"Silly me, I apologize," Prue attempted pressing her lips together in a very thin line. "Mother will surely want to see you. Let me take you to her, and here, take this," she added handing over the pot she had with bloodied water and set it over his hands. "I apologize sisters, but I need to get him to mother and clean up before she sees me in this state and has a fit. Would you like me to get you some tea and let Adam know you're here? You'll stay for dinner of course," she added looking at the sisters and then remembering Ben was there too and that'd go against whatever was happening here but heck, she had to do the polite thing. "And you too, mother wouldn't have it any other way. Probably Lady Kenobi will come too. Full house."

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Meeka chuckled, waving it away. "I've lived here for so long now, I shouldn't be offended." That would stop nothing. It wasn't worth holding onto. "Oh, I totally get it. I've spent so long working that I haven't really seen beyond the cities in which my bakeries are based. So, recently, I've been making the effort to get out more. Take a step back and make some plans. Maybe you could do something similar that works for you and your schedule."

She would have continued but instead, she took his instruction seriously, looking around the busy cafe. Finding a spot amongst the crowds tucked off to the side, she gestured for him to follow her. It wasn't until she sat comfortably in the booth side of the arrangement that she piped up again. "Are you more of a solo traveller or a group traveller?"

"Well, you know that Buenos Aires is in Argentina and that Santiago is actually Chile, that is more than the average knowledge of south america," Rios started and then set his hand over his chest mournfully. "I am very sorry for calling you american, I wrongly assumed but your geography knowledge should've tipped me off," also the slight change in how she pronounced some sounds, if he had been a bit less on edge he would've picked on it.

And she had a conversational group, wasn't that cute? She was cute. Oh no, he wasn't supposed to do this, he was better than this---right off therapy to make it even worse. "It is? I think I heard that. It's one of those places I've always wanted to go but ended up never going. Kinda happens, doesn't it? Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans' or so they say," oh no, great, now he was getting depressed. Awesome pickup Cristobal.

Thankfully, the barista saved what was left of his ego by setting the order in a single tray. "Where do you wanna sit, I'll take that."