((Sure, why not?))
Winifred tossed the gloves in the trash before packing her things once more. She folded the sheet and stood. The work had made her shaky and slow moving but she knew she had done well. She turned to Marcus. "Lord Marcus, I suggest you get ready to depart. We have a schedule to keep." Giving him a curt nod, she returned her bag to her room.
Marcus's tensed muscles relaxed as soon as she left, and he leaned against the wall, his head in his hands. His insides were a mess of horror, anger, and fear for his friend, and for once, every single one of those emotions was portrayed openly on his face. He took a shuddering breath in, casting a look to Angeline, who, thank the lord, was already asleep.
A few minutes later, he was groomed and ready for an outing, but his face still betrayed his thoughts.
Winifred returned with her hat and umbrella. She looked Marcus over and herded him out of the room, locking it behind her. "Chin up." she told him. "This is better for the both of you." She lifted his chin with a silken gloved hand and proceeded.
Winifred could only imagine what that man was thinking as she walked. Taking care of a friend who had be ravished by a man… She had never had to experience that at least. A small mercy.
Marcus swallowed, face closing up. Angeline. His stomach twisted. He couldn’t imagine how she might be feeling… she was but nineteen and his uncle was in his late forties. Marcus might have wept for her if he hadn’t trained himself never to shed a single tear. He made a vow to himself; tonight would be the night he killed his uncle. (Maybe Winnie could catch him and stop him? Would that work with the plot or is it too early?)
He caught up to Winnie as they walked, face breaking open again for a split second, just enough to whisper “Thank you. For Angeline.”
((That could work… Maybe she accepts the dinner with Luc and catches Marcus trying to kill him before or after?))
Winifred looked to Marcus and saw a crack in those walls for a split second. She wanted to hug him, hold him, and run her fingers through those messy curls. But she couldn't, after all, she was just his doctor. Nothing more. So instead, she gave his a gentle pat on the shoulder.
"Lord Marcus, I'm a doctor, it's my job. But what you did, that's what real friends are made of."
(Great, after dinner sounds better to me, but we can do before if you want)
Marcus looked away. “You may think I’m a good friend, Doctor Winnifred, but I can assure you I am not.” He shook his head slightly, face closing up as he changed the subject. She was only saying that because she didn’t know him, the real him. She should hate him much more. “Where are we off to, if I may ask?”
(Good morning, how are you?)
((I'm sick… but doing okay. How are you?? And after the dinner would be perfect))
Winifred glanced at Marcus and looked away before words could form. She had no intentions of arguing with him, not after they had been getting along so well. So she kept silent and kept moving until they were outside and approaching the carriage. "I have a shipment to pick up at the post office and perhaps we'll go out for lunch, hmm? Yes, that's sounds nice." Once again, she ignored the footman's hand as she got in the carriage.
(Aw Sorry, get well soon. I’m eh)
Marcus nodded. “That sounds nice. And don’t even think about paying, I’ll cover any costs.” He sent the footman an amused glance when Winnifred declined his hand, stepping into the carriage after her.
(Also, please don’t feel pressured to say yes, but I had an idea for a one on one rp based off a story I wrote a while ago, I was wondering if you’d like to rp it with me? It’s about two noblewomen in a medieval-based setting, one of which [my character] is engaged to the son a nobleman. The other rper would hopefully be the son’s sister, and when my character meets their betrothed they fall in love with the sister instead. I totally get it if you’re not up for it, dw)
(I just thought to ask you because I really love your writing style)
((Just eh? Well I hope your day gets better.))
The footman perked up from his crestfallen state at the bemused glance Marcus gave, he bowed as he shut the carriage door. Winifred shook her head. "Oh, I know you will." She quipped as she took her compact for her purse and powdered her nose.
(Thanks, you too)
Marcus resisted rolling his eyes, turning his head away when she began to powder her nose. “Where do you want to eat?” He forced his thoughts away from Angeline.
Winifred snapped her compact shut and glared at Marcus. "I have no preference. You forget I am not from here, I know nothing of this place. You choose somewhere to dine." She said, putting her compact back in her purse. The carriage began to move, the footman taking them to the post office first.
Marcus shrugged loosely. “What kind of food do you like, Doctor?” he asked her, crossing his legs and leaning back. He adjusted the collar of his doublet self-consciously.
(Also, please don’t feel pressured to say yes, but I had an idea for a one on one rp based off a story I wrote a while ago, I was wondering if you’d like to rp it with me? It’s about two noblewomen in a medieval-based setting, one of which [my character] is engaged to the son a nobleman. The other rper would hopefully be the son’s sister, and when my character meets their betrothed they fall in love with the sister instead. I totally get it if you’re not up for it, dw)
((I didn't even see that up there, I'm so sorry!! But, I'm gonna pass, it sounds like a great idea though and I thank you for asking me.))
(It’s no problem at all! I thought I’d run the idea by you since you’re an amazing writer)
"Hmm… I'd like something simple. Nothing grand. How about a sandwich and some tea?" she suggested as she crossed at the ankles like a school girl.
“There’s a nice place by the lake, you can see the swans,” he offered, remembering with a start that he still hadn’t combed his hair.
((Aww, thank you. You're writing a beautiful as well. I fell in love with your style when I saw it in the Tetorra rp. I'm only gonna say this once, but I fill like i'm writing with a celebrity when I rp with you! YOU'RE SO GOOD!!!))
Winifred perked at the idea. "That sounds absolutely grand!" Romantic! Her mind shouted. She swept the thought away. "Take me there." She said with a bounce of her leg. When was the last time she had been out on a date? When she was back at the university? Her first year, maybe? Maybe it was befor- Winfred shook her head.
This is not a date, Darcy! Pull it together!
(Aw thank you so much!! That’s exactly how I feel about your writing, you’re word use and description is so amazing, your characters really shine through!)
Marcus was grappling with the tiny voice in his head, the one screaming about romance and courting and flirting. She blew on your chest for God’s sake! She’s seen you half-naked.! Still, he couldn’t exactly deny the fact that she was quite a fetching woman. “I’m a regular there, it’s quite a nice place.”
((Aww imma cry))
Winifred smiled. "Well that's nice. I'm sure the food with be wonderful." Her smile faltered, her thoughts going back to that morning. He still hadn't combed his hair, she loved its riotous nature. It suited him so well.
(Aw)
"Do you–" he faltered slightly. "Do you happen to have a comb on you? It seems improper for me to go to lunch with the Doctor that healed my best friend with this un-brushed mess."
Winifred had the audacity to look crestfallen. "Uh, yes…" she fished through her purse and pull her comb out. "Here." She handed to her, covering her saddened look and brightened. "Don't break it with those knots.." She smirked.
Marcus's mind flashed back to earlier that morning, when she had pulled his hand from his hair in order to stop him from combing it. He wondered if it was better to leave it uncombed after all. "I'll be careful," he told her, removing his hat and raising the comb to his hair. "If the lady would not mind me asking…" he started, feeling strangely vulnerable and knowing that she could tell, "Would she prefer for me to leave it as is?" He silently prayed that Winnifred would not be upset by his question.
Winifred's eyes widened, utterly perplexed by his question. She was shocked that he asked, and he seemed to care of her opinion. She tried to think of something cheeky or witty to reply with; but she came of short. So she answered him plainly.
"The lady would prefer you leave it." She replied.
Marcus offered her a lopsided smile, pressing the comb back into her hand.
What are you doing?? Get yourself together!!
"In that case, I believe that it is fine as is." He folded his gloved hands in his lap, glancing over at her.
Winifred could hardly breathe as he handed her back the comb. She froze utterly and completely. He's not going to comb his hair because I don't want him to? What is this? What is he playing at? Her mind was on a rampage. Marcus was switching up the game.
Slowly, her fingers curled around the comb and she pushed it back inside her purse, her wide brown eyes never leaving Marcus.
"Oh." That was all she could manage.
Marcus felt an odd sort of fluttering in his chest, but as soon as it was registered he had shoved it away. No. Stop. Now. His gaze definitely did not linger on her chocolate eyes, wide from surprise, for a second longer than necessary. His fingers most definitely did not twitch in longing to gently close her open mouth. Stop it.
He turned his head away, trying to get a grip on himself. "What was it that you had to pick up from the post?"
Winifred's mind began to function once more. She blinked. "Um, just a care package from my aunt. And a few new supply from my professor. He keeps me in the loop, since I cannot purchase these items myself." She told him, turning her gaze to her gloved hands, fussing with her skirts.