"Yes, we were just having the most...illuminating conversation," said Hettie. She decide to put d'Epilly on the spot. "I believe Lord Comborn had just asked me to dance the next bourree." She turned and smile sweetly to him. He, again, raised his eyebrow. "Yes, I believe I did." He stood, pulled out her chair, and they headed to the dance floor.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Luke looked up from washing some dishes. He was surprised to see Lady Geni looking for him. Why would she be looking for him? What did the Duke say to her? More questions raced through his head, but as the rest of the servants, he bowed and then said,

"Lady Geni? Why to you come here?"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"To escape the Duke, and to see if you were in trouble." Geni said lightly, as if it were something she did everyday.

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"It isn't night yet." Luke said, putting the dishes down. "He won't get to me...yet." He sighed and then hit himself for his rudeness. "Forgive me, Lady. It is nothing to worry about...but I am...touched, that you came..." For one of the first times in his life, Luke was lost for words.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Geni smiled warmly.
"I am relieved that you are not hurt. But if he does..." she paused for a moment after her voice cracked, "...hurt you, please let me know. I wish I could do something."
She couldn't look at Luke, she was dreading that she had gotten him into trouble.

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Luke gave her a sideways grin. "Lady, this is the time of thing that happens to servants. It is not unnormal." He shrugged. "He can't do anything to me that he hasn't already done in the past."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Geni's face fell. Her stomach clenched uncomfertably. She looked at the ground for a moment, thinking and then looked back up at Luke, "Well, things should be different. You should not get punished for talking to a foolish noble like me."

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"Foolish?" Luke said, smiling. "Nay, Lady, you are not foolish. I was the foolish one, for thinking I..." Luke stopped, blushing.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

The bourree as a dance did not give Hettie a good opportunity to talk to this infurriating man. As frustrating as this was, she was able to come up with several witty comebacks that would have been absolutely perfect in their previous conversation. Each time they passed, she swore she could see angry sparks in the air, as if someone was beating hot iron. Once it had ended, he whispered in her ear, "It was lovely to infuriate you this evening. As much as I have enjoyed it, I must be going." Before Hettie could sputter an answer, he had kissed her hand and exitted the ballroom, leaving her standing, quite flushed and breathless with fury. She went and sat back at the hazard table and drank a glass of champagne, sulking.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

(wait who was that? The Marquis? I'm so confused!)

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

"Thinking what?" Geni asked in a small voice.

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Luke sighed inwardly. He guessed he would have to tell her now. His voice shaked as he looked around towards the ground, and he said,

"For thinking that I ever had a chance of courting you." And before he could see Geni's reaction, he rushed out of the kitchen with a serving plate in his hand, and went to work, far away from Geni. He didn't want her to hit him...he knew she would report him soon and his life might be short-lived soon.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Geni opened her mouth to say something, but then he rushed away. She couldn't believe her ears. Geni broke into a huge smile and left the kitchen. She wouldn't look for him now, but she would tomorrow. Hopefully she would find him at the stables. If not, the Duke was trying to court her, but the only way she would agree is if she could see Luke. Geni felt much happier and went off to mingle.
Geni saw Hettie over by the drink table and moved over there.
"What brings you down, it is such a nice party." Geni said, taking a champange glass.

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Nicole chatted idily with other nobles though she watched Hettie sulk but there was nothing she could do about it. Things had to take their own course. Nicole took a glass of champange from the serving boy who she regonised as Luke from the stables. " luke? what ever is the matter?" she asked taking a sip of her drink " you look as ifyouve' seen a ghost"

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Luke looked up to see Lady Nicole talk to him. "Oh, Lady Nicole!" He bowed low. "I am...." He took a deep breath. "I am fine, your ladyship. How are you this evening?"

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Nicole looked at him with a slight smirk " oh I am delightful. if i didn't know any better i would think that you are head over heels for some lucky girl? " she asked in a questioning tone.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home