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 Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:08 pm
Oddly enough, Eduard noticed Peter's gaze, but he didn't put two and two together in the slightest.
He just figured the man was thinking.
"Rose..." the young Marquess spoke softly, trying the name on for size so to speak. "Lady Rosaline... I think we could pull that off nicely." he smiled again, moving to stand next to the bed. "If you wish to quit your career at the theatre, then I believe I may need you to be by my side more than before."
Eduard put his chin in his hand, thinking for a moment. He leaned forward, studying Peter for a long moment.
"A tutor." the Marquess whispered. "I'll hire a tutor to give you the same lessons that you receive at school. The best money can buy... and please Peter," his voice softened tremendously. "Take my offer. If you disappear from the theatre but turn up at school... it will look awfully suspicious."
Eduard was less than a foot from Peter, and while Peter had been admiring Eduard's own beauty... Eduard's mind was filled with ideas on how to transform his budding actor into a beautiful lady.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:10 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter struggled to reply, but no words came to him. His mind was absolutely clear of all thought. Why did Eduard have this effect on him? It really wasn't fair! Peter didn't like being overpowered so easily, especially when he had always felt himself as someone with a relatively strong constitution.
"You're... beautiful..." It slipped without him even realizing it at first. Bringing up both of his hands to clamp his mouth when he realized, he glanced up at Eduard quickly, searching for a reaction. His eyes were watery from sheer embarrassment. This day wasn't going well already.
Peter nodded, showing that he agreed to the idea of a tutor. He couldn't say anything. He probably wouldn't allow himself to speak for the rest of the day. He was too afraid that he would say something to anger Eduard. He was already being quite out of line and straight forward as it was. His posture slumped, almost saying: I'll accept all punishment that is due. His hands were still tightly held over his mouth.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:59 pm
Eduard paused... and then began to laugh. He was obviously amused, and the sound was a happy one, not the dark laugh of despair that Peter, no doubt, had expected.
The Marquess straighted, putting his hands on his hips and looking down at the confused man with a smile. "You are hardly the first man to say that and," he carefully pried Peter's hands away from his mouth. "Probably will not be the last either. Look, Peter..." Eduard's voice softened as he tried to reassure the young actor. "You are going to have to stop reacting like this when you say things. If you are to be Rose... you will need to treat me as a lover, not as a nobleman and you a commoner." he smiled again. "Can I trust you, Peter?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:22 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter really couldn't reply for a while. At last, he swallowed conspicuously and looked up at Eduard with a completely different expression. His eyes glittered and he almost glowed as he murmured, "Of course, Eduard." When he got into his act, everything about him changed. He turned professional. No more stuttering; no averting of eyes; it was just another role.
But this one strained him a lot more than the other ones. Even when he was playing women, he knew that none of those roles would be this difficult. It would be one or two performances a day at most, not an almost constant acting job. But Peter always welcomed a challenge, even if he never really admitted it.
Peter smiled serenely at Eduard. Deep down, he actually felt that way a little. Eduard's voice was so soothing. He felt his hangover already disappearing from just being around Eduard.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:52 pm
"There we go then." Eduard whispered softly, moving toward the opposite side of the room.
"Now... these will be yours to choose from."
He flung open the wardrobe doors... and dozens upon dozens of beautiful dresses, the like of which even a terrific actor may never get the chance to ware.
"I do hope you can find a dress that you like, Peter." the Marquess spoke, turning his dark eyes on the actor. "Because you're to accompany me to ball tonight at Viscount Rutherford's."
It was sudden, but Eduard felt that Peter was well up for the challenge.
He brightened for a moment, "I have arranged for a personal maid, do not worry... she knows the secret. She has been a part of my household since I was a child, and will help you dress. After all, it would be hardly prudent for me to be seen coming from your room when you are dressing."
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:08 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sThat little tidbit snapped Peter out of his act. "T-tonight?!" He wasn't ready for this. He couldn't act as a Marquess's lover! He didn't know any of the aristocratic manners, nor did he know how he was supposed to talk. After all, his manner of speech was quite different from Eduard, though it was already better than most commoners. But he pushed that all out of his head in an attempt to calm himself. It was half-successful...
Peter swallowed hard again and waited for Eduard to exit before standing up. After all, he was completely naked, and it made him feel quite vulnerable. He ran right into the wardrobe, losing himself in the many ruffles and laces. He wanted to get something decent on before the maid entered. He had already acted as women enough to know how to dress as them quite well.
Picking out a lavender dress, all the appropriate ruffling layers, and undergarments, he started changing amidst the dresses. They provided adequate cover for what he needed to do. He blushed when he went to find a bra. Apparently, Eduard was also quite acquainted with women's dress. And as he strapped on the bra, he found that it fit perfectly, and had great padding. He almost stopped. That meant that someone must have taken his measurements, right? His face was flushed. He didn't want to think about it.
Quickly changing into the rest of the layers with precision and speed that would have shamed any woman, Peter stepped out of the itchy refines of the wardrobe, finding the maid standing by the door, looking slightly confused towards his direction. She definitely looked surprised when she saw Peter completely dressed, just missing hair, makeup, shoes, and accessories.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:26 pm
"Mi'lady." the maid spoke, curtsying before smiling at Peter. "Marquess Michaels asked me to help see to your hair and make-up. My name is Elizabeth O'Donnell, but I see you've already figured out how to put on the dresses."
Quickly, he lead Peter over to the vanity.
"We're going to need to fit you for a wig... you're hair's too short, after all."
Meanwhile...
Eduard was getting dressed himself.
The Marquess wore a dark purple overcoat with a beautiful silk ruffled shirt beneath. His pants matched the overcoat, as did his boots. But the man's hair remained falling around his features.
And so, Eduard sat at his own vanity, looking into the mirror.
"Peter is more perfect then I could have imagined..." the Marquess thought, recalling how angelic the young actor had looked when asleep. "It has been quite some time since I met anything with such a strange sort of beauty." Eduard smiled, dabbing a bit of cologne on. "Too bad he isn't really a woman, hmm?" he asked his own reflection before laughing softly.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:45 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sBefore long, all was done with Peter's appearance. He was now wearing his light purple dress, which was quite form fitting. It usually wasn't a choice for most women, but Peter had a figure that left really nothing to be desired... at least, if he was a woman. He had a small decorative purse and his brown wig was put up in an elaborate bun. The slight blush that had been put on his cheeks was quite unnecessary, for his cheeks were quite rosy as it was. Quite fitting to his name.
Miss O'Donnell had excused herself upon finishing her duty, stating that Eduard would be by when he was ready. Peter spotted a small shelf of books at the corner of the room. He never read much himself, for the people in his class rarely had time to read. But he had went against his parents yet again, taking time to teach himself how to read.
He picked up a book on etiquette and sat down on a rocking chair in the corner of the room, trying his best to look the part that he was about to play. His posture was good, his feet put together and placed perfectly in their position. His head was held high, even though he was reading, and he had a slight air of dignity around him.
He learned quite a bit from the etiquette book, glad that he had picked it up. Now he knew how to hold a cup, and whom to address, in which order, and how. It was all so formal and formatted, which had always annoyed Peter about high society. Little did he know that he would ever be part of it.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:05 pm
Standing on the other side of the door, Eduard pulled his jacket down a bit, straightening out any wrinkles, before lightly knocking on the door.
"Rose?" he spoke before opening the door and closing it softly behind him.
The Marquess smiled, "You look perfect, Rose." the man spoke, walking forward and bowing before Peter. He put out his hand, taking Peter's own and then lightly kissing the top.
Standing straight once more, Eduard's smile remained. "Learning a bit about protocol, I see." he replied, eyes traveling from Peter's high up hair to the tips of his barely seen shoes. "I have had Sebastian prepare a mock dining table, as well as space to dance. I do hope you would join me for a more practical lesson than that of a book."
One of his dark eyebrows was arched, awaiting Peter's answer, while still holding his hand out, biding the 'woman' to come with him.
However, in the back of Eduard Michaels' mind, he was astonished. Peter looked perfect! More perfect than any woman he had come across in quite some time.
This notion, of course, hardly sat well with the young Marquess. He was a known admirer of all things beautiful.
Never before had he considered any man actually beautiful.
Except, perhaps, for himself...
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:20 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter blushed when he felt Eduard's lips lightly brush over his hand. He wasn't sure why his complexion turned crimson, but he knew that he was, for some reason, embarrassed. Perhaps it was because he was now acting as a woman, but so personally, and not yet for an audience. Calm... This is just like a dress rehearsal...
Peter graciously accepted Eduard's hand and stood up, placing the book back on the rocking chair. Peter hooked his arm through Eduard's. That's what the book said he should do, at least. It felt right enough. Amazingly, their heights were well matched and walking along in such a position felt just like it should be.
Peter walked along with the Marquess out into the hallway, letting himself be led through to the dining room. Dinner before dancing, or after? But half of Peter's attention was on his surroundings. After all, this was his first time seeing the manor that was outside of his room. It was quite well-decorated and the wealth of the owner was visible at every turn. Though the house didn't seem as gaudy as he had imagined anything owned by a noble to look like. There were many pieces of decoration that pertained to music, Peter noticed. Framed pieces of music by very famous composers hung on the walls. Peter knew that those were probably the original manuscript.
Gaining a new level of awe for Eduard's lifestyle, Peter readied himself for whatever was to come next. He had never danced before, except for those choreographed steps necessary to make a scene, such as the ball in Romeo and Juliet, believable. Which is to say, Peter had no experience when it came to dancing. As for dining, he figured that it couldn't be that difficult. At least he hoped that it wasn't.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:43 pm
"Very good..." Eduard whispered as they walked through the mansion's halls. "That book was useful then, I take it." he smiled down at Peter but continued until the dining room.
Once they reached the table, Eduard carefully withdrew his arm from Peter's and moved to pull a chair away from the table for him to sit at.
Once the 'woman' was seated, he made sure 'she' was close enough to the table, and then took a seat opposite 'her'.
"Did that book tell you anything about dining utensils?" the Marquess asked, gesturing for the butler, Sebastian, and a few of the maids to bring in dinner. "I do hope you enjoy dinner tonight, Lady Rosaline. It was prepared for this training specifically."
There were various courses to the meal, of course; a thin soup, salad, roast duck, and apple pudding were just a few of them.
"And of course there is the preparation of a background history for you as well." Eduard spoke as he carefully ate his soup. "The daughter of Lord Hamilton, I think... if I remember correctly, he has not been seen at court in ages, and has no other relatives to speak of. Born in Berwick-upon-Tweed near St. Abb's Head... your mother was named Ashlin Duns, a rather obscure woman. Obviously you will have to be equally obscure... we can assume that Sebastian here went north to visit his kin, who are working in Lord Hamilton's service, and happened to meet you. That way, an introduction is hardly far-fetched."
Looking across the table to Peter, Eduard smiled. "Is that satisfactory? Now you are on holiday here in London, staying at my manor on Sebastian's request. It just so happened that I took a fancy to you and, well, vice versa."
There was an odd spark in Eduard's dark gaze, something that had never been there before.
To think of himself in love again... it was an odd feeling.
And it made Eduard feel alive again... for the first time in a long time.
(((I tried to look up some good dinner ideas... but dialup and surfing just don't mix well... gomen nasai!)))
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:56 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter felt a little nervous as he felt Eduard's subtly burning gaze upon him. There was something new that he had yet to have seen in those dark eyes. It wasn't something horrendous, but more so... passionate? Peter couldn't quite put a name to it, but he had never seen it before with Eduard. He couldn't help but stammer, "U-utensils? Yes, Marquess Michaels..." Peter picked up the outermost spoon as the soup came, to show that he did know a thing or two about table etiquette.
As he ate, he listened to the story of 'his' life. It irked him a bit that Eduard seemed such a natural at this sort of thing. He nodded to show that he had learned the background to his role, and decided to venture out a rather bold question. Slipping out of character for a little, since, after all, they were still in the comforts of Eduard's house, Peter asked softly, "D-do you do this sort of th-thing often?" Since Eduard seemed so prepared to lie to the public and mess around with women, yet avoid serious relationships completely, Peter couldn't help but be a little curious about the habits of this man before him.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:19 pm
Blinking in surprise at the question, Eduard carefully laid his soup spoon to rest. He dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin, before setting the cloth back on his lap.
"Do I do this sort of thing often?" he asked, reiterating the young man's question.
Eduard sighed, "To be perfectly honest, Peter... I hate deception. And yet, I excel at it. I call it a curse while others a blessing. My father thinks me made for politics, and this 'blessing' is why he is pushing me so hard to marry." he sighed again, turning his attention to the window.
Strangely enough... it was still raining out.
"I abhor lies, Peter. I was lied to far too much when I was younger, and I would rather those around me be honest on everything; their wants, their desires, their emotions, their innermost feelings and aspirations." he smiled sadly. "Music never lies." the young man spoke softly. "And, strangely enough, neither does the theatre. You enter that realm of acting, knowing perfectly well that what you see is a play... not a lie, but a strange reflection of some truth. I like to think that what we are doing now, Peter... is a obscure version of the truth... but not a lie."
Dark eyes landed on the young man once again. "So... to answer your question. No, I do not do this sort of thing often and, if my station would allow me to live as I would, then this would hardly be necessary because, long ago, I would have married for love." he laughed softly, the sound somewhat sad however. "But then again, that is a conversation we have already had. So tell me, dear Peter... do you have any other questions for me? I can supply more background if you wish it or, perhaps you have some tidbit of your own to contribute. After all, an actor should have an active role in the formation of their character."
It was clear from Eduard's eyes, that the deception that he was willing to pull on his father and the other nobles of London, weighed on the young man's soul terribly.
And yet...
It was also clear that Marquess Eduard Michaels would never marry for anything short of love.
No matter the sacrifice.
He would never push away someone he loved again...
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:30 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter all of a sudden felt compelled to do something he never would have done willingly, even in theatre. He reached a hand over to caress Eduard's cheek—for they were sitting quite close—and leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly to Eduard's cheek. Blushing, he pulled back and murmured, "I... I'm sorry for bringing that up. I can see that it pains you." Peter wasn't sure if he was in his role or not, since he had just kissed the man he was supposed to love. Even if it wasn't a full-blown one, it had felt natural. The only thing that was keeping Peter calm was the excuse of being in character. Otherwise, he probably would have gone crazy with confusion.
Peter dropped his hand from Eduard's cheek and concentrated on the next course. He stared at the dish with much more intensity than needed, for he really didn't want to see the expression on Eduard's face at this moment. Thinking about Eduard's statement, Peter murmured, "My father, Lord Hamilton, is suffering from a serious malady which prevents his appearances in court. And my mother, Ashlin Duns, passed away not so long ago. That way, there can be nary an inquisition as to where they were, nor would there be a wish to meet them." He glanced up quickly, to see if Eduard approved of his statement.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:43 pm
It was such a simple act.
A light touch, a feather soft caress of his cheek, that Eduard hardly even noticed.
Except that Peter was now directly before him, blocking his view of anything else.
But perhaps even more soft, perhaps far more light than any touch of the hand... was the gentle kiss which found it's way to the Marquess' cheek.
When Peter pulled away, Eduard said nothing. In fact, the man did nothing. He sat there, stunned and speechless for a few moments because, despite everything he had previously said...
Acting wasn't always a lie.
And certainly, for Eduard in that moment, it was impossibly hard to tell if Peter were acting or not.
However, the Marquess didn't question the action. In truth, such things would have to happen from time to time and it would be best that they both get used to it.
"I think that a marvelous idea." Eduard spoke, carefully cutting into his own roast duck. "In fact, we could even go so far as to assume that Lord Hamilton's malady is quite contagious and that you have been sent into Sebastian's care in order to prevent yourself from contracting his illness."
Almost as if on cue, the butler appeared and filled both Eduard's glass and Peter's own, for both had become rather dry by now.
The Marquess sipped his wine carefully, glad to know it was nowhere near as strong as the brandy from that morning.
Eduard smiled softly, "If you did not bring things up, Peter... you would never know the answers to your questions and... you would hardly get to know me better now, would you?" he reasoned, obviously not put off by the young man's question at all. "Forgive me... perhaps I have given you more answer than you required, hmm?"
Of course the Marquess was slightly teasing, but he did mean it.
Eduard wanted Peter to ask anything he wished.
Whenever he wished to.
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