thedispatch | (no subject)

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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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[ It would be dishonest for William to say he didn't hold a bit of nervousness, himself. But showing that to Grell wouldn't have helped her anxiety over the situation, so he pushed the emotion down like he had with so many others in his life.

A bit of relief came when his father was fooled into believing who Grell was. He didn't seem entirety pleased that William had been hiding a lady away in his home but at last he did think it was a lady. It was when his mother pulled him aside that he felt that nervousness build up again. He took a stressing breath as he followed her to the empty kitchen. If anyone were to see through this, it would be her. She'd always been able to read him despite his attempts to cover up his emotions. Perhaps that's why he'd avoided her those last few days before he'd ridden to Beachy Head.

And she'd been correct in all her guesses about Grell, and fearful about what fate that would bring her son. Especially after she asked him if he loved her. The question left William thinking long enough that she had her answer before he spoke it. In the end, the only thing that kept her from outright forbidding it was his confession to her on how they'd met.

Finally, William emerged from the kitchen, and glancing around the hall briefly he spotted Grell looking rather uncomfortable at the side of the room. The dance that followed was an attempt to bring a smile back to her face, but also to give him some time to think over the pay few minutes.

With the song coming to its conclusion, William gives her a polite bow then takes her hand. ]

Come with me.

[ He leads her off to another quiet part of his childhood home. A barely used sitting room with large windows that look out over the front courtyard. It's begun to snow and a light dusting has settled over all, giving a rather magical glow to the yard. ]

I need to speak with you about something.

[ Just like that, Grell feels as though her heart has fallen into her stomach. Swallowing, she settles her hand in his and nods. She's silent, dreading what she believes is to come.

The sight that he shows her has the redhead enraptured; she grasps his hand to take the lead and bring them closer to the windows.

There, she turns her eyes away from the gorgeous landscape, settling on his gaze, instead. It seems so bittersweet, she thinks. ]

You can tell me anything.

My mother knows.

[ He states simply enough. The tone of his voice is slightly off though. Anxious, perhaps. ]

[ A sharp inhale sounds from her nostrils, eyes wide. ]

I hadn't convinced her. [ Her gaze drifts, terrified. ] And your father..?

Thankfully, he's none the wiser.

[ Her hand still in his, he gives it a reassuring squeeze. ]

I believe mother will want to speak with you tomorrow.

[ At that, her fingers intertwine with his-- but then, she looking to him, rather bewildered! ]

What, she isn't demanding that I leave? [ Ah, then her brows raise. ] Oh dear... she plans to tell me herself...

I believe she wishes to thank you.

[ His fingers remain threaded between hers. ]

For saving her son's life.

Edited 2020-01-16 06:22 (UTC)

[ Features softening, she searches his face, weary that he may just be attempting to assuage her fears. But, no, she knows better; perhaps his heart could skew his perceptions, but he wouldn't knowingly lie.

For the sake of the moment, she must choose to believe him - and so, exhaling, she shakes her head. ]

You told her that?

She couldn't understand how I'd become so attached to someone I just met. Much less someone as...unconventional as you.

[ She'd used a different descriptor but he'd rather not use it, himself. ]

There was no way around it.

[ Oh dear. There are certainly some red flags here. What had she really said? Called her a molly? Abhorrent?

No, no-- she can't think like that. It's paranoia whispering in her ear, that's all. ]

I've got you into quite a mess, Will... I'm so sorry. [ She raises his hand, holding the back of his palm to her heart. ] Still, it's kind of you to speak so well of me. I can't wait to praise her for giving me such a gift.

[ There's a short shake of his head. His free hand raises, cupping the side of her face with surprising gentleness. ]

No. You are the gift.

[ Fingers move below her chin where he lifts it slightly. Then he's leaning in, pressing his lips to hers. ]

[ Ah, his words warm her heart, and the manner in which he caresses her is unlike any way he has before. By impulse, her lashes droop with a quiet, sweetened sigh.

Until his face is quite close! For a split moment, her eyes widen, focus on his lips, her grip on his hand tightening, but it doesn't last; bliss washes through her and she gives in, melting into his kiss. ]

[ The moment he feels her body relax against his, the tension he'd been feeling drifts away. He hadn't realised just how stressed he was about his feelings towards Grell. How much he was holding back what he really felt. But now, things finally feel right.

The kiss doesn't last terribly long, but the intensity speaks for itself. And as he pulls back, he wonders if he should take her for another one. ]

[ The redhead's eyes remain closed just a moment too long, enough to take a shaken breath. When she looks at him, her lashes flutter to hold back tears that mist her eyes. Rather than cover her mouth, she raises his, which she still holds dearly, to press her lips against. ]

I...

[ She doesn't understand. After pointedly distancing himself, the gossip of engagement and all, he brought her here to kiss her? Then again, with all he's gone through, and the risk he's taken just to have her here, perhaps it's what he's intended all along?

Oh, fuck it all, what's it matter? He's done it, and she is going to lean in and steal another kiss for herself! ]

[ He's not surprised she takes him in that second kiss before he has the chance. But he doesn't complain, instead leaning in to deepen the moment. When they finally part, he remains close, hand moving from her cheek to join the others against his chest. ]

We can leave, if you'd like.

[ Parting her lips, the quietest little croon might muffle against his as they embrace. She certainly won't hesitate-- unless his tongue should dash past her lips. She would falter then, fearful he should be disgusted by the breaks in her teeth.

Ah, but to leave... yes, she would be eager to. In fact, she might even need it. Meeting his eyes, she nods quite surely. ]

Very well.

[ He offers his arm to her, then leads then from the sitting room and back to the main hall. Their coats are collected and he gives a farewell to his parents and a few various guests. Before they reach the door, William's mother approaches, placing a hand on his forearm to get his attention. He's pulled into a protective embrace and when she finally pulls back, it's obvious she's been trying to hold back tears. Those misty eyes turn to Grell, giving her a look that conveys her gratitude without uttering a word. ]

[ Grell blinks before her features soften, nodding with quiet understanding. She's also grateful - amoung many things, so very grateful to be wrong in her suspicions.

Stepping forward, it's clear that she's quite shy to, but she extends her arms to offer his mother an embrace, as well. ]

[ Rather than hug Grell, William's mother takes both her outstretched hands in hers, pulling them to her chest. Then, leaning in, she places a soft kiss against her cheek. 'Thank you.' Is spoken quietly against her ear before she pulls back to look over Grell's features. There's a gentle caress of her cheek after, followed by a caring smile. ]

If my straight laced, stubborn son is willing to accept you for who you are, then I can only trust his judgement.

[ At his mother's description of him, William can't help but frown. ]

Edited 2020-01-17 16:45 (UTC)

[ Grell is uncertain of what to do as this unfolds, a bit too tense, but enthralled by the warmth of a mother's affections. It's something she's missed for the past twenty-something years.

Ah, but that statement is a loaded one. A twinge of a smile crosses her face at the frankly natural descriptor of William-- but that quickly falls. She must force the smile to return. ]

Thank you for that.

[ Perhaps it isn't her fault; they've all been raised in a society to abhor deviants like Grell. Acceptance is a basic human right, but she is something else entirely.

Looking down, she will almost fearfully pull away from that touch, but not without bowing her head in another nod of thanks. ]

[ She's not entirely blind to Grells unease in this moment. She is a mother after all, able to read even the slightest change in William's emotions. But she certainly can't relate to or fully comprehend what Grell must be feeling. ]

The two of you need to be very careful. I will forever be grateful to you for pulling my son out of his depression, but this is dangerous as well. Thankfully I am the only one who noticed.

[ With the smallest sigh, she nods. ]

More than anything, it terrifies me to think that any harm could come to William on my behalf... But I promise you, I'd do whatever I must to defend him.

[ At that, she finds William's gaze, and she looks more confident than she ever has. ]

[ Seeing that confidence, William can't feel anything but proud of her. There's still a lot to work on but is a good start. ]

Honestly mother, we will be fine.

[ She gives him a skeptical look but nods, nonetheless. ]

We will be over tomorrow, then.

[ He wishes her a happy Christmas before the couple leaves for home. There isn't much to talk of on their trip home, what with William steering the carriage and the cold being more than a bit distracting. ]

[ Grell feels a bit skeptical, herself, but she resists the inclination to pull a face. Instead, she takes Williams's arm and bids his mother farewell.

There's much to say, but she doesn't know where to begin. Her mind bubbles over with questions-- but she'll simply keep close, head nestled upon his shoulder, to share their warmth.

Dressed so delicately, she is shooed away from assisting in the stable. Though huffy about it, she brushes a hand over William's cheek and agrees to meet him inside. There, she starts the fire in the sitting room and prepares warm drinks. ]

Edited 2020-01-18 02:24 (UTC)

[ Sufficiently chilled by their trip, William is reluctant to remove his coat. But the fire slowly warming the room has him wanting to get into more comfortable clothing. He's certain Grell must be feeling the same way with how heavy her dress is. Not to mention that corset. ]

I am going to disrobe, if you would like assistance to, as well.