@blue_topaz
George led him over to the worn sofa, sitting him down with an expression of care and concern. "Well, the war definitely isn't bound to leave you unscarred. Maybe this is one of those scars."
George led him over to the worn sofa, sitting him down with an expression of care and concern. "Well, the war definitely isn't bound to leave you unscarred. Maybe this is one of those scars."
His nose twitched. Bailey took that as an accusation of weakness. "I'm not scarred," he huffed.
George sighed, scooting back to give the man space. "You're not?"
Bailey crossed his arms to distance himself. "I've braved it just fine. Perfectly capable. I'm perfectly capable of it. Why else would I be commander?" He spoke defensively. Of course the man wasn't used to feeling or being vulnerable. There was no room for it in war.
"Well, you can't lose by being too safe," James pointed out. "It's the least I can do to thank you, is make sure you stay alive," he half laughed.
She smiled. "I thank you for your generosity, James, but I couldn't imagine John's reaction if he were to come home and find another man in his house with me."
"He won't be upset if he knew is was my word," James replied candidly.
"In that case, I'd appreciate your offer very much," she said, taking a sip of her tea.
He dipped his head and smiled. "If it makes you feel better, I can even have the men rotate so they dont get too attached." He winked to imply humor.
"You're too kind," she replied smoothly, her smile spreading wider.
"Simply returning the favor," James sipped his tea. "It's the noble thing to do,"
"Such a gentleman," she added, tilting her head in acknowledgement.
He laughed flatteredly. Clearly he didn't know how to revieve a compliment, in the way James's face rushed red.
"Are you alright, sir? I'm afraid you've turned quite crimson," she commented, arching her eyebrows.
"I don't get many compliments," he laughed quietly.
"I'm surprised," she replied, placing a hand to her chest. "Certainly a man like you should be embraced with compliments."
Bailey crossed his arms to distance himself. "I've braved it just fine. Perfectly capable. I'm perfectly capable of it. Why else would I be commander?" He spoke defensively. Of course the man wasn't used to feeling or being vulnerable. There was no room for it in war.
"I'm not saying that you aren't capable," George said gently. "Of course I'm not. But everyone has scars of their own, I'm not accusing you of being weak, or a coward."
"I'm surprised," she replied, placing a hand to her chest. "Certainly a man like you should be embraced with compliments."
"Embraced?" He laughed. "What makes you say so?"
Bailey crossed his arms to distance himself. "I've braved it just fine. Perfectly capable. I'm perfectly capable of it. Why else would I be commander?" He spoke defensively. Of course the man wasn't used to feeling or being vulnerable. There was no room for it in war.
"I'm not saying that you aren't capable," George said gently. "Of course I'm not. But everyone has scars of their own, I'm not accusing you of being weak, or a coward."
Bailey's eyes shifted to the side. "War may have had some say in my doings." He mumbled admittedly.
"I'm surprised," she replied, placing a hand to her chest. "Certainly a man like you should be embraced with compliments."
"Embraced?" He laughed. "What makes you say so?"
"Any man as brave as you, sir, deserves recognition."
George's shoulders relaxed visibly; at least the man was finally opening up a bit. "And..?"
"I'm surprised," she replied, placing a hand to her chest. "Certainly a man like you should be embraced with compliments."
"Embraced?" He laughed. "What makes you say so?"
"Any man as brave as you, sir, deserves recognition."
He scratched his nose, smiling. "I suppose,"
George's shoulders relaxed visibly; at least the man was finally opening up a bit. "And..?"
"That's it," he scratched his chin. A heavier look softened in his eyes. "Yet.. I did resign, didn't I?"
"I'm surprised," she replied, placing a hand to her chest. "Certainly a man like you should be embraced with compliments."
"Embraced?" He laughed. "What makes you say so?"
"Any man as brave as you, sir, deserves recognition."
He scratched his nose, smiling. "I suppose,"
Jane smiled in return. "Perhaps I should check on your clothes," she suggested, setting down her teacup.
George's shoulders relaxed visibly; at least the man was finally opening up a bit. "And..?"
"That's it," he scratched his chin. A heavier look softened in his eyes. "Yet.. I did resign, didn't I?"
"Perhaps for the best," he replied softly.
James dipped his head politely.
Bailey rubbed his palms up and down his marked arms. "I'm not going back.." He realized again.
James dipped his head politely.
Jane curtsied and left, a smile tracing her lips.
James sipped the rest of his tea, waiting patiently.
Jane returned. "Just a couple more minutes and they should be fine. Do you need more tea?" she asked.
"I'm good, thank you, ma'am," James replied, straightening his navy blue suit.
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