(just curious, in the description of the rp you say 'it all started with a game of cards', what exactly happened?)
Marcus nodded his head. "Wait, why can't you purchase the items yourself?", he asked, furrowing his brow. "If money is a problem I'd be happy to pay."
((Well, before Winifred takes the job as Marcus's nurse, she was with her aunt, visiting her in the asylum. What they do for fun is, they take a choice, In this case it was whether or not Winifred would take the job, and gamble it on a game of cards. She lost, her aunt told her to take the job)
Winifred looked up at him. "Oh, that's not the issue at all. I-" she looked up at him with a small smile. "I am an illegal doctor. Woman aren't allowed to have this type of occupation in all places. I am only limited to nursing jobs, but I've taken on many that have nothing to do with nursing. My caliber of knowledge within the medical world is far more than is should be."
(ooh cool, thanks)
Marcus blinked, surprised and very impressed. "Wow, that's– that's very admirable. And difficult to achieve. And I must say, I am very glad that your knowledge extends so far, you probably have and will save many lives." He meant it completely genuinely, there was not an ounce of scorn or sarcasm on his face.
Winifred was practically beaming like the sun, a bright smile on her lips. "Thank you, Marcus."
The carriage stopped and the footman knocked. "We have arrived at the post office." He said. Winifred still had her eyes on Marcus. "Uh, yes, I'll be right back. " She opened the door, her eyes finally sliding away. But her mind, it was still on the mysterious male.
Marcus looked down at his lap when she left, trying to collect his thoughts and emotions. What was happening to him?? You complete and utter imbecile, stop getting distracted! After tonight, she won't want you anyways… He bit his lip so hard that his teeth almost drew blood. Just stop. Why would he want her to want him anyways? What was wrong with him?
Winifred's mind remained on Marcus and his actions as she got her packages and returned to the carriage. As she handed them to the footman she wondered what could've cause his change in emotions. Her own words came to mind. Lord Marcus, I have said it before, but you are a lonely young man, it's normal for you to desire a young woman….
Winifred's cheeks flushed tomato red as heat engulfed her, the footman finally getting her hand as she unsteadily got into the carriage. She didn't raise her eyes to Marcus, her wide gaze remained glued to her lap.
Am I the woman he wants to bed?
Marcus could almost read her thoughts, and it was slowly tearing him apart. “Are you alright?” he asked, although he already knew the answer. “I—“ He cleared his throat. “I am sorry if I offended or made you uncomfortable.”
Winifred waved a hand dismissively. "My mind drifted, that all." To uncharted waters, I'm afraid… she added in her thoughts. And she had no idea how to get back to safer ground. So, she sat there, studying her gloves. "Don't worry you mind about it. Tell the driver where we're going so we can eat." She instructed him, that steadiness returning to her voice once more.
Marcus nodded, finally drawing himself together. Fully composed– at least externally– he did as she instructed. Soon the carriage was moving along at a moderate pace. "Did you retrieve everything you came for?" he asked her, now able to meet her eyes unwaveringly. It was then that he realized that there had been almost no pain coming from his chest; the painkiller she'd given him really worked miracles. He decided not to take it tonight, he'd had enough of relief and it was time to slip back into the familiarity of pain.
"Yes, yes I did…" she gave him a nod. She looked away from him, out the carriage window, finding solace in the warm sunshine that leaked through. "How does your chest feel?" she asked him, her face still to the window. She couldn't manage to look at him any longer. She had already treaded outside of professional boundaries within her thoughts.
Winnifred looked away, and Marcus was disgusted with himself when his heart sank. Stop it. He managed to keep the act up, but barely. “The painkillers did the trick.”
This was bad. Lying should come easily, should come out flawless. It had always been that way for him. But apparently not anymore. Wishing she would look back at him and hating himself for it, Marcus rubbed his thumb over his knuckles. “We’ve almost arrived.”
"Hm." She shifted a bit in her seat, her one leg over the other as she waited for them to arrive at their destination. She felt disgusted with herself. How could she think of such things after what had just happened? His friend lay in pain and sorrow at the manor and her she was, think such immodest things. She had brought him out to distract him.
Consider him distracted, he must be thinking about how much of a harlot I am…
(good morning)
"Are you sure you're alright?" Marcus prompted gently, turning his head to look at her as the carriage came to a stop outside of a pleasant little building with large windows and a pretty arched roof. The door swung open, and he got out, offering an arm to her.
((Good Morning!))
Winifred looked at him as she exited the carriage, hesitantly, she took his arm.
"Yes. I'm fine." she answered, her voice betraying her. She was in fact far from fine. But that was her personal issue. Why should she burden him with her problems?
She looked to the restaurant. It was quaint and homey-looking, even if small.
(how are you?)
Marcus hesitated. He could tell that she was clearly not fine, but he didn't want to push her. After a pause that lasted long enough for him to walk her through the door of the restaurant, he spoke. "If you need to talk, that's fine by me. If not, also fine." As soon as they entered, thoughts of Angeline came crashing back down on him. He'd taken her here once, snuck her out of the manor….
((Im doing good, how are you?))
Winifred said nothing. What had she to say?
He's acting so strange… she thought as they entered. She rolled his words over in her mind again. He had softened towards her tremendously. Maybe it took some humbling situation, but it happened nonetheless.
"Why do you come here often? What's so special about this place?" She asked.
(I'm good)
Marcus directed her out the back door and onto a veranda overlooking a serene lake. They sat down at a table closest to the edge, his eyes lingering on an elegant swan that glided by. "It's peaceful. Not too busy, nice view." He settled for a partial truth.
"And?" Her eyes slide over to him. He certainly looked in his element here. Not the place she had put him in her mind, but that was more akin to a saloon or a casino. She was started to feel very shamed of her earlier assumptions of this man.
His thoughts flashed back to Angeline, how broken she'd been when he'd held her only an hour ago. Rage sparked up within him, rage at his uncle.
Marcus leaned back in his seat, breathing in deeply. "It's… a calming force. I found it a few years ago.. I was upset.. it's a long story." He shrugged, the atmosphere of the place already working away at his nerves. "It's quaint, no?"
She gave a nod. She could understand that. Everyone needed that place where say could getaway.
A hiding place… For Winifred, that had been her books, little pockets into a world she wasn't apart of. For him, it was this place.
She turned her gaze to the swans gliding over the sparkling waters, the midday sun reflecting in them.
"Very quaint, indeed."
After a pause, Marcus opened the menu that had been set in front of him. "What would you like to order?" he asked Winnifred, his eyes skimming over the neatly printed pages. A light breeze blew by, ruffling his hair. It escaped his notice, however, he was too occupied with letting go of any destructive thoughts.
"Oh…" Winifred turned back to take up her menu; she hadn't even looked at it.
Her eyes caught the sight of his hair being ruffled in the wind. It was so soft and wild…like him. Her eyes slid to his face as he looked over the menu. His handsome face… those lashes low and thick, covering his beautifully chocolate brown eyes. Her gaze slid down his nose to his lips. Full and pink, his cupid's bow just as inviting to her sight. She felt silent.
Suddenly noticing the tension between them, Marcus raised his head to glance at Winnifred— and his gaze clashed with hers, already fixated on his face. His pulse sped up a little, which caused any illusion of calm to slip away. No– Goddammit, you weakling, stop it now. The mental chiding didn't make a difference, his eyes were too busy exploring hers to allow themselves to be forced back down. Like chocolate… he thought absentmindedly, before coming to his senses. No. Stop. Now.
Winifred stiffened when he eyes caught hers. What am I doing? She screamed at herself. She took her gaze from his violently, snapping her menu up to block her burning cheeks.
Darcy, you must pull yourself together! You look like a thirsty fool! Get out of your feelings and pay attention! This is your patient! She fumed behind the shield she had just placed, chiding herself viciously.
"I'll have the m-mushroom soup with cucumber s-sandwiches." she fumbled, her voice trembling, picking the first things her eyes landed on.
Marcus could have sagged in his seat. You idiot. You complete and utter idiot. She hated him. She must. There was no way she didn't, especially not after what just happened. God, he must have looked like a complete pervert, staring at her, his doctor like that. Her teasing words from a few days before echoed in his ears. It is natural for a young man such as yourself to desire a woman…
"The soup is nice, very therapeutic too," Marcus managed to reply, choosing a meal for himself.
((Oof those words are coming to bite her in the arse!!! I love it!))
Winifred kept the menu up still a waiter came and took it away, to her displeasure. She turned her eyes to her lap, picking lint from her dress. She couldn't looked at him, flustered and blushing. He laughed.
Her hands still trembled as she did her best to reign in her emotions.
The waiter eyed them with an amused glint in his eyes. "Will that be all for you and the miss?" He asked Marcus, offering him a sympathetic smile. He poured them glasses of water, his eyes flickering to Winifred slouched form before going back to Marcus, a silent question.
(XD)
Marcus gave the waiter, Thomas, a slight nod, eyes flickering briefly to Winnifred. They knew each other well, going back a few years, he was one of the only people Marcus trusted. "That's all, thank you." This was all he said verbally, but his eyes pleased his friend for help. Thomas winked, mouthed a message, and left the veranda.
After a pause, Marcus cleared his throat. "I apologize, Lady Winnifred, for my inappropriate behaviour. I hope that you will forgive me, and we can move on as acquaintances." He almost said 'as friends', but he remembered the promise they'd made to each other on her first day; no friendship, no attachments.
Winifred straightened slowly, her head rising. "I fear both have behaved like such immature children. All is forgive and brushed aside." she waved hand dismissively in the air, scattering her embarrassment. Most of it. She was relieved he had spoken first. She took a sip of her water.
Marcus smiled, relieved. "I'm glad." He shifted forwards slightly, keeping his stance casual, relaxed. "How are you after…. this morning's events? That operation must have been taxing, I'm sorry if I put too much pressure on you." You've apologized to her three times in the past two hours, get a hold of yourself!
Winifred gave a sad, sympathetic smile. He must be wracked with grief… she thought, her mind returning to that morning. Angeline was someone dear to him, perhaps the only companion he had. And she had been harmed in the worse way.
"Think nothing of it. Your concern was of Angeline, and I commend that of you. I was trained to do what I did, under pressure and with efficiency. I fear I took too long, to be honest."
