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 Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:48 am
P e t e r - W i n t e r sGlad for a little more freedom, Peter finished placing the blankets and pillows with his now free arms. His plan was to move and leave Eduard here to rest, but he found that he couldn't. In his current state, Eduard seemed to want him to remain there as a pillow, or possibly a cooling mechanism. Peter had to oblige.
Surprisingly, Peter felt quite comfortable at the moment. He had his arm wrapped around Eduard's shoulder, wondering just how comfortable his own stomach could really be. That same hand was gently and subconsciously stroking Eduard's hair. He was very, very flustered though. And although he was comfortable, he wasn't ready to admit it. He was still a little tense from just the general situation. Squeezing his eyes shut, he swallowed audibly and found that he really couldn't fall asleep like this.
He opened his eyes again and glanced around. Peter, finding nothing else to look at, observed Eduard's face. His eyes were closed and he looked very peaceful. Surprisingly though, unlike most people, he didn't look that much different when he was asleep than when he was awake. Peter smiled. That was probably because he was so peaceful when conscious also. "D-don't ap-p-pologize," he whispered, though not sure if Eduard was even able to hear him anymore.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:05 pm
Eduard seemed quite deeply asleep. His chest moved at a normal pace, and the tension which had been around his eyes had eased with this sudden rest.
Of course that did nothing for the fever, but somehow he found peace by pressing his burning body close to Peter's frozen one.
At least Peter wouldn't be cold anymore after a while.
As he slept, Eduard dreamed, though the dreams were sporadic and hard for him to grasp, let alone understand to any significant degree.
His theatre dominated a large portion of his dreams, different costumes and masks flashing through his vision as if from some grand production were taking place and he were being ferried through the throng of actors. Each masked face seemed to want something, seemed to be asking him for this or that, none of it making much sense until Eduard found himself with a feeling of being overwhelmed.
But then he heard Peter's voice...
"D-don't ap-p-pologize,"
And the young man was standing there, offering Eduard a hand as he took the mask from his face. Doing so however, transported the dream and it's occupants and Eduard found himself starring at his rose garden.
It was raining, lightning flashing overhead and the flowers were drowning in the torrent.
Until he saw a woman, and not just any woman but Peter in his guise of Lady Rosaline, step into the garden. Immediately the clouds parted and the flowers lifted their buds, seeming to draw comfort and warmth from this new presence.
As Rosaline reached out her hand toward Eduard, a dark shadow passed over the garden and the Marquess found himself starring up at the gates of Viscount Rutherford's manor. He could see Rosaline on the balcony, Rutherford behind her. The Viscount stripped her... stripped him of the wig and costume he wore, exposing Peter in nothing more than the undergarments of a lady...
Exposing Eduard's "Lady" for the guests of his ball to see.
Laughter fell on the Marquess' ears just as rain pounding his body. He grasped the gate before the manor, unable to do anything, let alone come to Peter's rescue.
"I should never have asked this of you..." Eduard whispered, fear tinting the words, words that were as real in the waking world as in his own dream.
In the waking world, Peter's gentle touches through his hair kept Eduard from rising from the dream turned nightmare, kept him in the confines of his fevered mind because, in truth... that gentle hand through his hair relaxed the Marquess' body and soul...
But it could do nothing to relax the mind nor protect it from the suggestions and fears which had plagued him all night long.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:15 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r s"I should never have asked this of you..."
Peter had been quite close to sleep when these words penetrated his lull. He was quite surprised and looked immediately to Eduard to see if he was awake. All evidence pointed to the opposite. Peter's expression remained puzzled as he attempted to figure out it Eduard's message was meant for him or not. At last, he smiled, hoping that his smile could reach Eduard in whatever dream he was surely having.
"Sleep, Marquess... Sleep..." In private, it was still hard for Peter to call Eduard by his first name. Only when he wasn't consciously thinking about it could he do so. And as for his reply, he really didn't want to address that matter. How was Eduard feeling about it all? Was he regretting something already? Because of Eduard's whispered statement, Peter couldn't help but feel terribly guilty that he had already done something wrong without realizing it.((Such an interesting dream...)) L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:29 pm
The hours passed and as Eduard fell deeper into his mind... the man's fever broke.
Somewhere near dawn, Eduard opened his dark eyes and tried to make sense of his surroundings.
"Where am I?" he whispered, tilting his head up to try and figure out just what he was laying on.
The windows, curtains pulled back just a tad, were letting in the pre-dawn light and for a moment, Eduard wondered if he had fallen asleep with female company.
'But that couldn't be right... there had been a ball yes, and dancing... and...'
Purple eyes opened and he sat up in shock, immediately wishing he hadn't done so.
Dizziness claimed the Marquess and Eduard collapsed back onto the bed though, this time, not pinning Peter down beneath him.
"Peter?" he asked, his voice confused and hesitant with a strange hint of shy embarrassment leaking through.
The young man felt comfortably warm and Eduard realized that he himself was just barely shivering.
He remembered the fever, the feeling of being drugged and out of control of his own body, and the notion of slipping into unconsciousness sometime during the night.
(((Yeah... I was feeling poetic and random actually...)))
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:50 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter was startled by Eduard's sudden whisper. He himself had barely slept at all last night due to their situation. Though he was comfortable, he was also very wary of how Eduard would react when the morning came. To find oneself in such a position with a man was surely damaging to one's pride. He didn't want to show anything, like comfort, at such a situation, just in case Eduard would somehow dislike him for it.
"Y-you... Are in y-your room, Marquess..." His voice showed some level of embarrassment, but also a high amount of weariness. He wasn't sure that he could do much today. Once he got back into his own room, he was sure to fal asleep whether he liked it or not.
Peter's hand was still on Eduard's head, and now that he was conscious of it, he removed it quickly and struggled to get up. Eduard's sudden rise and collapse had led to a slight change in position that allowed Peter more freedom with his movements.
Eventually, Peter managed to extricate himself from Eduard and the bed and stood up beside it. He almost fell over himself from exhaustion, but tried his best not to show it. He didn't want to worry Eduard, or show Eduard his weak side. He turned and tucked Eduard in with the discarded blankets and sat down next to the bed, not really able to stand. "I apologize..." he added heavily.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:00 pm
Eduard draped one pale arm over his eyes, keeping out the scant light from the drapes.
"Don't..." he whispered, wincing as he spoke. "Don't apologize." strangely enough, he was smiling and... laughing?
For a moment it seemed the Marquess had gone a bit mad.
"It was my fault, Peter." the young man eventually spoke, his smile remained as he moved his arm from his eyes and focused that dark gaze on the actor at his side. "Things are starting to come back... about last night. I should have sent you off to bed before I passed out." his smile was gentle and calming. "You just surprised me... still being here, I mean..."
He sighed, carefully pushing himself up until he was sitting against the headboard. Eduard shifted his hair back and over to his right shoulder, pinning Peter with his gaze.
"Get some rest." the Marquess ordered, but the smile on his face remained. "No doubt you didn't sleep a wink last night. I can have Sebastian look after me. Besides... you are my guest. I should never have burdened you. Forgive me."
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:07 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter looked up, surprised. It was apparent that he had once again underestimated Eduard's kind personality. He had expected at least some anger from the Marquess for still being around and not shying away from something that society had labeled taboo. He blushed a dark crimson and averted his eyes from Eduard's gaze.
He didn't say anything for quite a bit and then looked up, still silent. "Y-you need r-rest more than I-I do..." Even though he wanted to stay and take care of Eduard in whatever way he could, his feet felt like lead and he could barely sit up straight at the moment. Still sitting, he made the mistake of putting his head down on the soft bed for a moment and immediately started to lose consciousness. "There's nothing to ever forgive you for..." he trailed off as he fell into a deep sleep, finally in a position that enabled him to get some rest.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:18 pm
Eduard smiled softly, watching Peter sleep for a long time. "Ever is a long time, Peter..." he eventually whispered, reaching one hand out to smooth away the actor's bangs from his face.
Soon however, sleep began to pull at the Marquess. Sebastian entered, asking not a question about why Peter was there and instead asking if the two men would like some hot tea.
Eduard had shaken his head, saying instead that they both simply wanted sleep, though some strew for afternoon lunch would do them both a world of good.
Bowing to his lord, Sebastian left and soon, Eduard as asleep once more.
He had moved back down in the bed, dark hair strewn over silken white pillowcases. Sebastian had put a blanket over Peter and carefully slipped a pillow beneath the actor's head. But Eduard had instructed him to not be moved from the room. In fact, Sebastian had deftly managed to position Peter in the chair so that he would not be stiff when he woke.
Now, both men were able to sleep off the events of the previous night. Eduard, recuperating from his fevered delirium and Peter simply getting rest after his exhausted vigil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:36 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sViscount Rutherford decided that this would be a perfect day to pay a visit to the Marquess, since he surely was delirious from yesterday's small cup of tea. He gleefully approached the front door to Eduard's grand manor, a little jealous of its size, and knocked. Surely, someone in his house would hear. And now that Eduard was temporarily out of action, he could use this time to investigate a little into this new lover of his. So far, all he knew was that the woman's name was Lady Rosaline Hamilton, but nothing else. It was curious that none of his acquaintances knew of her either. And knowing Eduard, William couldn't help but be a little suspicious at her sudden appearance. He planned his excuses and various phrases of politeness as he stood in front of the door, waiting to be admitted. He was quite aware of the fact that Eduard probably wasn't awake, and that his doorman probably wouldn't grant him entry if that was true, but he banked on the fact that his status as a Viscount would have some influence. L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:46 pm
Sebastian opened the door, staring rather angrily at the guest. "Viscount Rutherford? I take it you wish an audience with my lord?" he stepped out of the way, allowing for the man into the manor. "I will alert him of your arrival. If you could wait here."
Sebastian had lead Rutherford to a rather comfortable sitting room. Elizabeth stood nearby, bowing to the man. "Would you like some tea, Viscount?" she asked once Sebastian was gone.
"My lord, Eduard?" Sebastian spoke, the butler looking down at the man in bed.
Eduard opened his eyes. "What is it now?"
"Viscount Rutherford is here."
This made the young man pale. "Take Peter." he spoke, carefully sitting himself up.
He was too dizzy to get out of bed however, and slowly began to button up his silk shirt until his chest was just barely visible.
"Use the servant stairwell and get Peter into bed and lock the door. I would rather Rutherford not go poking his nose where it doesn't belong. But make sure you check on Peter while Rutherford is here, won't you?" he spoke before laying back against the pillows.
Bowing, Sebastian picked up the young actor, careful not to wake him, and carried him from the room. He turned a few rooms down from Eduard's and disappeared through a wall.
Almost literally.
In fact, he had pressed against the side and it moved, just enough to allow him and the man in his arms to pass through, before appearing like a normal wall once more.
Sebastian eventually was able to place Peter in his own bed, tucked in, before exiting the room. He withdrew a ring of keys and carefully locked the door.
Not long later, Sebastian returned to Rutherford and bowed. "My lord the Marquess is unable to come to the sitting room. If you would be so kind?" he asked, leaning Rutherford down the hall to Eduard's private chambers.
Inside, Eduard was sitting against the headboard, a cup of tea from Elizabeth in his hands. He looked perfectly fine to the untrained eye, but one could see the slight haze in his dark purple eyes, the dulled effect from the drugged tea, a drug that was still in his system.
He had to be cautious...
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:37 am
P e t e r - W i n t e r sRutherford was a inwardly taken aback by the butler's angry disposition as he was greeted. Nonetheless, he said nothing and allowed himself to be led to the sitting room. "That would be delightful," he replied to Elizabeth. Hmm... So Eduard is awake after all... Maybe I didn't do enough damage to him yesterday... Rutherford observed the birds and trees outside on this rare sunny day in April as he waited. He was satisfied when Sebastian came back to lead him to Eduard. Maybe he did do enough. He frowned as he saw Eduard, pretending to be sorry. "My, my. Last night seemed to have done you in. Maybe you should not have attended in such poor weather, Marquess." He sat himself down in the chair that Peter had just been in not seconds ago. He noticed that it was warm, but said nothing. William pulled off a perfect expression of concern and asked, "And what of dear Lady Rosaline? Is she too not well?" Privately, he was enjoying himself. Though Eduard was a good actor when he needed to be, to those who were in the know, he looked terrible. This brought William great happiness. ((I think Peter'll wake up soon... xD)) L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:18 pm
Eduard smiled charmingly, putting his tea back on the saucer in his lap. "Poor weather and I never agree with one another." he spoke, letting that secret slip.
Though he refrained from saying why.
"So you must forgive me receiving you here, Viscount Rutherford." he smirked a tad, giving the older man a look that simply oozed charisma. "Asking after the lady... I take it my company is not to your liking?" his smirk remained before he noticed Elizabeth returning into the room with a cup of tea for Rutherford.
Once she was gone however, Eduard's smirk faded. "The Lady is resting. I'm afraid she was quite worried about me last night and remained by my side, in that very chair you're sitting in, until my fever broke early this morning." he shrugged slightly. "I am rested, she is not, thus I received your lordship's calling."
The Marquess was obviously tired, his skin a bit clammy and paler than usual, but his eyes were alert.
At least most of the time.
There had been moments as he spoke, where the bright sheen of his purple eyes had dulled, as if his mind were searching for the right words.
A testament to the strength of Rutherford's drug, and to the will of the Marquess.
He wasn't about to let the man enjoy himself... too much.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:14 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sRutherford couldn't help but feel gleeful at the Marquess's obvious delirium. "Your company is always welcome, dear Marquess." He smirked himself. At Eduard's explanation of Rosaline's non-attendance, Rutherford couldn't help but envy Eduard for having such a steadfast and loving woman. "She is wonderful... Are you going to drop her sometime later his week, as you do with everyone else?" He shook his head. "Pity..." Though his hopes of seeing Lady Rosaline was all but crushed at this moment, he found that in talking to Eduard about her in his disheveled state could yield some results in itself. Peter was wakened by the light streaming in through his bedroom window. He looked around, dazed, and immediately whispered, "Eduard...?" But upon further observation, he realized that he was in his own room. That idiot... Eduard was probably doing something straining at the moment, not caring much for his need for rest.
Peter was feeling slightly more refreshed, though still tired, and managed to rise. Upon walking to the door, he found that it was locked. He knocked, hoping that someone was outside who would hear him. Maybe Sebastian was walking by or something. He was still dressed as a male at the moment.L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:15 pm
Sipping his tea, Eduard's dark eyes narrowed in an obvious glint of rage and anger.
"Perhaps everyone else is simply hanging on my arm for my title and wealth." he spoke, and the sentence was hardly a question.
It was a stated fact.
Sighing, Eduard set his tea down again, the anger gone from his gaze. "If you want honesty, Rutherford... I shall give it." he spoke, leaving out the man's own title. "When I met the lady, she knew not who I was. It was not until earlier this month that she learned my actual identity aside from my first name, of course. That, in itself, warranted her a place in my company."
In fact, nothing that Eduard said was a lie.
He had just met the 'lady' and 'she' hadn't known who he was at the time.
And of course, though it had happened just a few days ago... that was still earlier in the month.
"Unlike most women," he smirked, lifting his cup to his lips, his smirk absolutely charming. "Her first thought wasn't to try and jump in my bed." Eduard replied before sipping his tea again.
Oh how he simply wanted to see Rutherford put on edge, to smile as the Viscount realized that this game of words was the Marquess' championed battlefield.
In that moment however, he loathed the man with every fiber of his being. To keep Rutherford from noticing though... Eduard put forth an air of charm and charisma, a flirtatious and sensual appeal that sometimes worked to his advantage.
Eduard's masks were as effective as a suit of armour.
And, if he could get Rutherford flustered... he would win.
Of course Sebastian had placed Elizabeth outside of Peter's door, a spare key on her person.
She turned, unlocking the door and quickly pushing Peter out of the way. The maid closed the doors and locked them again.
"Beggin' your pardon, sir." she smiled, bowing. "But you're to remain here, under lock and key, for the moment. Lord Eduard's orders, you see." her smile remained friendly and helpful. "I can keep you company if you'd like. Answer any questions you might have."
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:25 pm
P e t e r - W i n t e r sPeter was surprised. "Marquess Michaels ordered you to...?" He was very bewildered at the situation. What had happened that could cause such an act of obvious protection from Eduard? He looked up, very worried, and asked, "What's wrong? Is the Marquess all right?" And, of course, the only thought that was in his head before he even knew about the problem was, It's all my fault...Rutherford did his best to remain calm as he listened to Eduard's witty remarks. "But now that she knows, like any other sane woman, I'm sure that she will be more compelled to be within your company." Though she deserves more than the likes of you, I'm sure. His expression relayed that last little bit quite well. "Tell me, dear Marquess, what will become of the Lady? Surely you wouldn't allow her heart to be broken like all those other poor women that you've forever damaged." He spoke those words as if they were nothing, though in truth, they were a grand issue. "'Twould be such a shame for a beautiful and fair lady like her to suffer at the hands of the likes of you..." Rutherford stood up and walked over to the window, surveying the streets outside. L a d y - R o s a l i n e
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