Lady Dorothea agreed as she referred to their unfamiliarity. “How unfortunate that may be that I am only now meeting such a kindred spirit as you.” He flattered her. In his homeland, Nikhil was known for his duty of letting many down slowly, however, it was for that reason that when he did hold affection for a particular woman, he delivered what was expected and more. Openly, he did have a unique sentience for romantic emotion, enamored in a way that was not standard to high society and the arranged future father had planned for him. Nikhil was a free-spirit, at heart, and upon the chance to choose whom he desired, one could tell his love had been a conscious decision.
Dorothea Addington. The name reverbrated through his mind as he attempted to make a note of it, knowing to ask for her name upon future request to seek a maiden. She returned the compliment and he smiled softly. Many say the quickest way to a man’s heart is his stomach, and although Nikhil did appreciate a meal of quality, her validation of his confidence melted on his skin as if it were honey soaking into his pores, soaking through his skin into the bloodstream. For him, flattery was a cupid’s bow through his chest.
“I suppose I should not retaliate, Lady Addington.” He accepted her assurance, referring to the woman by her last name. He believed it to be adequate considering the speech in the region. “It would be an offense to refuse your excellence.” Nik added, transitioning as the music began. He gave her one hand, and placed the other gently to her waist. Her small, thin frame held a softness to it, and he could feel the curvature above her hips. It made him a bit nervous internally, shy as to being so close with a woman. He was not accustomed to the feeling until they begun to dance. Thankfully, he had taken ballroom dancing lessons from a friend before arriving in England, so he had found himself to be satisfactory in his rhythm.
The lady made conversation with him as they danced, and he took his attention away from footwork and into her eyes. “As many others, I have been searching for a… companion.” He answered her question, honestly, attempting not to say wife. The ideal of committing to a life with someone was not a shameful topic of discussion for them, however, Nikhil did not simply wish for child-bearing hips to breed noble children. Perhaps he may have been a bit unrealistic for thinking this way, but Nikhil was not disposed to take anything less than a love match. He did not sail across seas dreaming of the same life he was destined for in his native land which he left, he needed more. He needed a reason to stay here.
Before Azu had a chance to react, or pull away in some manner, the girl pulled her into a tight embrace. Instinctively, she yearned to return it, giving in to her love for her dearest friend and act as if they had last spoken yesterday and their relationship was perfect. In Azu’s mind, it sometimes still was, and when she would feel lonely she imagined going over to the Ellis estate and brewing tea to share as they could speak of topics as mundane as the weather and feel as though it were the most fascinating and productive conversation possible because they were speaking with each other. That was Azucena’s voice in her head, though.
At some point in time, however, Azucena had died, the fields of her soul running dry and barren. And Lillith emerged from murky waters, as a lotus born to endure the torments of its natural habitation. There was malice in the dark green of her nature, and poison saving her from this kindness she knew to be ingenuine.
Azucena believed herself to have deciphered Aurelia’s betrayal. The one thing she could not comprehend was why the fellow lady had shifted so strongly in her attitude toward Azu. Lia would have said something if she had made a mistake, asking patiently for an apology or some sort sort or discussion to reach a mutual understanding for their issue. Did she provoke something for her to allure Harrison? Was she distancing herself from guilt? Or was this because of the events taking place after…
The girl let Aurelia hold her, anxious until she could pull away, not returning the embrace. She forced herself to be just as cordial. “I have found myself alright. I had missed you, my friend.” She admitted with a hint of aggression in her words asking did you not miss me? did you miss me so much that you had forgotten me? what happened to us?
Thankfully, Azucena held the strength to not entertain the banter Aure attempted to initiate. Still, she had to say more in order to prevent the interaction from dwelling. No, she was not intending to thank her for the left-handed compliments she spoke. Instead she simply agreed. “I returned to Spain for a bit!” Azu attempted, pausing. “Countless tales indeed…” She said awkwardly, pleading for her to give some sort of explanation for her disappearance. Please Lia, just one reason why and this may end, we can run off to the garden and I will share everything you wish to know, everything no one does, please just come back to me as the woman I believed you to be.