[Past-ish] In The Garden (Lili and Francis)

[Lili Walser]

No one would punish her for... something about that statement had Lili nodding slowly. "J-ja... you're right..." Or at least, she hoped he was. She wouldn't want him to have to ... to take care of the problem. That didn't lend itself to anything good... for anyone.

As he bent and tilted the flower, her eyes were once more drawn to it. She did so want it... Truly she did... but... but... slowly, her eyes returned to his face, uncertainty once more showing on her own. Seeing nothing but patient expectation in his eyes, however, had her nodding. "Th-then... bitte, Lord Bonnefoy... that one... a-and two of the white peonies." Six was a good size for a bouquet, right? And then she'd have the lavender... and the white, and the pink.

Even if more would be nice... she wouldn't ask him. She couldn't... somehow, she had a feeling, if she did... she'd go home with an armload of flowers.

[Francis Bonnefoy]

In a flash of steel, Francis held the clipped blooms carefully in his hands. He added a few more pink flowers to the collection, placing each flower in Lili's growing bouquet where he thought it would look best. He saved the last pink peony to tuck over Lili's ear.

Stepping back, he smiled with satisfaction. The young noblewoman resembled a forest nymph now. "Ah, if only we had an artist to capture how you look now," sighed Francis wistfully. "You would give him his masterpiece."

[Lili Walser]

Lili opened her mouth to protest, but by the time the words would have formed, the flowers were already severed, and there was no repairing such things. So she just closed her lips again, and watched as he added to her growing bouquet.

The blush that crossed her cheeks when he tucked the flower over her ear paled in comparison to the peonies... but the blush that his next comment incited put the peonies to shame. Did he really think...? She... "Y-you are too kind, L-Lord Bonnefoy..." She finally managed, though her voice was softer and more hesitant. "I... I'm... n-no artist w-would..." She wasn't masterpiece material. She was too slight, too small, too delicate... too sheltered and noble...

Sarah had about had enough. There had to be a way to get Lili away from Herr Bonnefoy before anything else untoward happened.

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Lili's rosy color only completed the look. Francis brushed her hair away from her eyes, his smile sincere.

"But of course an artist would," he exclaimed. "I am only telling you what is true."

He turned toward the path, tucking Lili's arm in his. He led her on a stroll down the path, watching as the peonies made way for snow-white gardenias and azaleas tucked under the shade of trees.

"Our next stop." Francis pointed at the flowers with his cane. "Some other blossoms would surely spruce up your bouquet, would they not?"

[Lili Walser]

Lili wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. Francis didn't appear to be teasing... but she just... she couldn't believe that someone would want to paint her portrait... that doing so would be a masterpiece... she couldn't. She wasn't altogether that pretty... she was just... her.

As he tucked her arm in his, Lili shifted the bouquet slightly, but didn't protest. She didn't know how she would... he was already moving... and she truly didn't mind. He was a friend of Ludwig's... she was certainly safe with him, wasn't she?

Sarah wasn't so sure, but again, there was nothing outwardly wrong with the situation. She would be speaking to Herr Beilschmidt later, however... perhaps if he spoke to his friend, things would change if there were a next time. ... Either way, perhaps he'd give her instructions as to how to deal with this gentleman in the future.

"Oh... g-gardenias..." They smelled so pretty from here. But surely... the noblewoman looked up at her escort, eyes wide. "Lord Bonnefoy...?" Did he truly think...? Of course he did... but she... could she... well... there was no one else around... perhaps she'd... "J-ja... p-perhaps just a few..."

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Francis exacted a small bow before pulling out his saber again. Once he picked out the choicest, fullest blooms, he cut them with great care. He returned to stand before Lili.

"As you wish." He presented her with the flowers. Glancing over at the young noblewoman's chaperone, he offered her the flowers instead. It would do to appease the woman, especially if it would get her to stop scowling at him.

"Or perhaps you would like to do the honors? I'm afraid we've neglected you!"

[Lili Walser]

"Nein." Sarah's retort was short and sharp. "Und I don't think that you should, either."

Lili gasped, her eyes widening. "S-Sarah! L-Lord Bonnefoy, I... I apologize... I... goodness..." She turned her attention back to her chaperone, still shocked. That had been very... very sudden and out of character for her. What had... "Lady Lili, I think we ought to be going. Herr Beilschmidt would not like me to have you here in the park for this long. Who knows what might happen." Here, the maid's eyes flicked to Francis, and then away again. She didn't trust the nobleman... who knew what sort of interests he had in the naive Lili?

Lili, on the other hand, was frowning. "Nein, Sarah, w-we're perfectly safe with Lord Bonnefoy... h-he is Cousin's friend... he... he wouldn't let anything happen..." And he had that hidden sword...

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Francis straightened to his full height, presenting an impressive stance. It was a stroke of luck that a lone gust blew back the hair escaping from its ribbon, enhancing what must be a truly heroic image.

"Of course I will never let anything happen to my dear lady," he said grandly. "I have sworn to protect you and your honor, haven't I, Lady Lili? Our friendship seals it."

He flashed the women his most winning smile. "And because we are friends, I will see to it that you both arrive home safely. Sadly, those flowers won't remain as full and lovely the longer we stay."

Stepping closer to the pair, he offered both his arms for each one to take.

[Lili Walser]

His heroic pose and image certainly convinced Lili, who had needed no convincing. She trusted Francis implicitly, where Sarah did not. And his heroic pose had done nothing to change Sarah's mind. She only took Francis' arm to mollify Lili.

"O-of course, Lord Bonnefoy. I... I n-never doubted you..." Until Sarah had spoken. What, really, had that been about? She'd corner her maid and demand an answer later. "B-before we return home... do you suppose we could... w-we could go to see the roses, Lord Bonnefoy?" Surely, some of them were blooming by now... and the lilies had to be near the roses - unless they'd moved them. Part of her considered asking if they could go that way solely so that she could add to her bouquet... the rest of her refused - she hadn't intended to go home with an armful of flowers... whatever would Luddy think?

(( I tried to change all of "gilbert" to "ludwig" in my previous posts. I just wanted to give you a heads' up on my changes. ))

[Francis Bonnefoy]

At the mention of roses, Francis lit up. Of course Francis would not miss an opportunity to admire his favorite flowers, a fact that surprised the many people who believed he favored the iris that was his family' emblem.

"A lady after my own heart," he said, beaming at Lili. "Your bouquet would not be complete without roses!"

He walked less like a dignified noble and more like an excited child toward their destination, slightly dragging his companions with him. And there they were.

If it was possible, Francis' smile became bigger. "We caught them at the right time," he said happily. He pointed at the trimmed bushes, which were adorned with roses halfway between buds and full blooms. "They're perfect!"

He stepped away from his companions and bent to examine the flowers, picking out the most mature to cut. There weren't many yet, but four fair flowers should be sufficient for the lady, so he presented them to her before tucking them into the bouquet. Then Lili wouldn't have to touch them and risk piercing her delicate hands.