thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

William dropped down from his horse. It had been a long ride - from London straight down to the southern coast of England. But he'd barely stopped, only doing so when his horse refused to go further without rest and water. But each time, William did little more than tap his foot anxiously, trying to focus on anything but his thoughts of what happened the day before.

But now that he'd arrived, there was nothing else to distract him. The horse was forgotten as he walked towards where the English Channel extended out to what seemed like eternity. With the thick fog of the early morning, there was no telling just what was out there. William's breath was shaky as his gaze then drifted down. Beachy Head, a beautiful site for some, with the tall cliff towering over the shore line below. But for him, this day, it was his enemy - or perhaps his closes friend. Whichever the case, he was terrified.

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[ Even though he'd just admitted to his impression being completely off, he still gives quite the offended frown at her laughing. ]

Must you laugh? I am trying to assist you.

[ Something about how seriously he takes it makes the situation hilariously endearing, and she's for ed to bite her lip to keep herself from snickering.]

I'm sorry, darling. I don't mean to upset you--

[ Wait, did she just call him.....

She blushes brightly. ]

Darling?

[ Yeah, he caught that. ]

Nnoooo--

[ Of course he did! The redhead covers her face, shoulders curled inward. ]

I'm sorry--!

You don't need to apologise. Just make certain you do not call me that in front of anyone at the gala. I am not introducing you as my lover, merely a friend who has needed a place to stay. Making it seem as though we are intimate will cause a lot more of a headache.

[ An unwed woman in his home is one thing, her in his bed will be another matter entirely. ]

[ So, he isn't mad? Grell's hands curl so that she may peek over them - and inevitably, she nods with a frown. ]

O-of course, I wouldn't have expected that at all...!

[ Perhaps there's some reasoning behind his lack of anger. He's so monotone about it, though, that it's pretty hard to discern. ]

I suppose it would have been simpler to introduce you as male, but that would hardly be comfortable for you.

Edited 2020-01-09 06:50 (UTC)

[ To that, Grell's brows knit and she gives the most unsure hum. ]

No, I think they would've questioned why you invited a molly to live in your home.

True.

[ He sighs. It's a concept William had never really thought on before, but now that he's gone through all this with Grell, he can't help but feel anger over how others would treat people like her. ]

I do not see you as that, I'm sure you know that by now.

[ Features easing just so, she looks down as they soften into a smile. ]

I do, but unfortunately, you're a rare one, William. This truly must stay a secret between us, for your well-being as well as mine.

Regardless of it remaining one, or not, I won't be leaving your side.

[ It's said so calmly, it may be that he doesn't fully realise the severity of the consequences. ]

[ Ah, she's incredibly moved by that, and it shows-- but there's also a notable sadness to her features as she smiles.

Gently, she takes his hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. ]

Should the authorities ever get involved, though... please tell me that you'll do what you must to evade them. There would be no sense in having you hang beside me.

I just said I won't be leaving your side. We will simply have to escape together.

[ Simple certainly wouldn't be the word for it, but he's a stubborn one, after all. He briefly squeezes her hand in return before stepping back to collect his jacket. ]

Shoes, then?

[ Breath fluttering, her eyes search his features for some explanation as to how this should make her feel. She's frustrated, a little terrified, perplexed, and awed-- but it instills an indescribable obsession within her. Somehow, her expression shows a bit of it all, before she gives something of a nod. ]

Fine, yes. I hope you won't mind assisting me with that, as well...

[ As he looks up to her, holding a shoe, he sees that range of emotions play across her features. ]

We can discuss this at another time, if you would prefer.

[ Grell lifts her skirt to extend a foot to him. It isn't unusual to have him care for her so, but something about having him kneel before her is still a bit fluttering! She makes herself swallow that down, nodding soundly. ]

Of course, yes. I'm sorry. Discussing such a heavy thing isn't proper for the occasion.

[ The boot is slid smoothly onto her foot. It was a bit of work to find some delicate ladies shoes that would fit Grell's larger feet, but William's rather pleased with how good they look on her. They won't really be seen much under such a full skirt, but it's how Grell feels in them that's important. ]

I agree. After the holiday.

[ Wait, the shoe-- she'd been so caught up that she hadn't noticed that it isn't the pair of booties she'd come accustomed to wearing. This is a proper women's heel! Leaning forward to get a closer look, without her glasses and all, she can see the fine detail of them.

With a wondrous gasp, her shoulders raise, excitement written all over her face! ]

Oh, Will! They're beautiful! I can't believe you've really gone to all this trouble for me...

[ He taps at her other ankle, a quiet command to lift the other foot. ]

It is Christmas. Honestly, did you expect me not to get you something?

[ Gathering herself with a breath, she stands upright so that she may shift her weight onto her heeled foot. Balancing on this one will be more difficult with how clumsy she is - hopefully, she can keep it together! ]

I didn't know what to expect, but you've truly outdone anything I could have imagined.

[ With the second shoe on, he riders once more. ]

Consider it a thank you, as well. Which, in my opinion, makes it not nearly enough.

[ Quite moved by his words, clearly, she drops her skirt in favour of cupping William's face. ]

You're enough on your own, Will. Positively perfect.

[ There is a long moment where William gazes at her. His face might not be one to show much expression, but it seems to have softened a great deal. It almost seems as though he might... ]

We should leave soon if we are to get lunch beforehand.

[ In that moment, Grell has just about forgotten how to breathe. When he speaks, she expects-- well, not that. Her face drops for a moment, snickering with a wry smile. ]

Yes, if course.

[ Patting those cheeks, she steps back to approach the vanity, opening her mother's jewelry box. ]

I can meet you at the door, if you'd like. I've just one more thing to do...

Very well.

[ As he leaves her to it, part of him wonders if he should have acted on that moment. It had been on his mind for awhile now. But no, as perfect as it may have seemed there was another more perfect one on its way. ]