A Game of Cards.... ((One on One// PRIVATE//CLOSED))

Winifred glanced over at Angeline for the 5th time since they'd left the manor. She couldn't hide the mischief in her eyes. Angeline looked absolutely beautiful in her blue gown, like a doll. Winifred could imagine her standing at Thomas's side right then and there.

She hugged Marcus's arm and looked to him, her joy faltering. He still looked exhausted, not at all what she had expected after his first week without the stitches.

This is good for him.. she told herself, A little sunlight and some exercise to get better.

Marcus turned his head to smile warmly at her, every trace of exhaustion disappearing from his eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked her in a voice softened over the span of time he had been with her. He would have leaned in close to kiss her had he not wanted to make Angeline feel like a third wheel, or inspire the town gossips.

On the other side of Winifred, Angeline too was happy. Not just happy for the couple, but also for herself. Today was going to be a good day, the first in a while, was what she told herself. And she was determined to make it a reality.

"I'm fine…" she drawled, returning his smile with one of her own. He looked truly handsome today. His hair messy in the most perfect way, his suit and vest tailored and dark. As they walked, she felt the eyes of others passing by on following the trio. But the eyes of women lingered on Marcus in a way that made Winifred's stomach curl. So instead she ignored them. Looking to Angeline, she hooked her arm through hers and pulled her close.

"You'll adore this restaurant. I assure you." And a certain someone in it… Winifred smirked.

Angeline gave her a questioning smile. "What are you two planning? You're all smirks and winks this morning." Chuckling, Marcus gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Nothing, just a walk." A lie, but a convincing one. "I was thinking, why don't we go to the lunch place with the swans out back? We've all been separately, why not go together?"

Winifred nodded her agreement. "Yes, that would be splendid, wouldn't it Angeline?" Winifred thought for a moment. "Perhaps we can find a nice park to go to afterwards?" She looked to Marcus.

Marcus nodded in agreement. "There's one nearby." Angeline had sobered slightly at the mention of the restaurant where Marcus had once taken her, but her smile quickly returned full-force.

Winifred beamed. "Great! Oh, this is going to be magnificent!" Her gaze traveled to Angeline once more. She hoped that she enjoyed this outing much more that she or Marcus did. The young woman deserved every ray of sunshine and happiness she got.

Chuckling, Marcus raised his head to look at the crystalline sky above. Even when he had been healthy, outings like this had not been common for him, he'd spent most of his time in his room plotting against his uncle. In a way, it had been a curse– killing him was all that had ever occupied his mind, leaving no room for anything else. But now he was free of it, a breath of fresh air, both literally and metaphorically.

As the quaint restaurant came into view, Winifred squealed happily. Oh the fine memories that were building within this place. She thought of the first time she and Marcus, but not with embarrassment but fondness.

Marcus squeezed her hand, stepping ahead to hold the door open for both women. “Ladies first.” He grinned.

Winifred led Angeline in. "We should sit outside near the lake." She said before turning to Marcus. She pecked his cheek. "Thank you, love."

Marcus grinned, all dimples and messy hair. “No problem. And yeah, grab a table, I’m just going to say hi to one of my friends.” He gave Winifred a meaningful look.

Winifred gave him a small nod before pulling Angeline along. She went out to the terrance and selected a four-seat table. She sat down and turned to Angeline, leaned towards her to give her cheeks a good pinch or three, flushing them with color.

Angeline blinked in astonishment, her instincts kicking in as she recoiled. But she quickly relaxed, giving Winifred a quizzical look. “What is going on here?”

Meanwhile, Marcus was hunting down his only male friend in the country. It took a while to track him down, a bit of bribery to get into the kitchens— and there he was. “Thomas!” he called, weaving between two terrified waitresses.

Winifred smiled like the Cheshire cat. "Oh, you'll see my dear." She sat a bit straighter in her chair. "Look alive." she instructed Angeline. "Chin up girl, we're not planning to horn you. Its a very good day…"

Angeline furrowed her brow but did as Winnifred instructed, thoroughly confused. “No hints as to what I should be expecting?”

Thomas, who was in the middle of pouring a string brown brew into a glass, turned around upon hearing his name. Recognition kit up his eyes, and he smiled at his friend. “Marcus! What brings you here?”

Winifred thought for a moment before answering Angeline. She didn't want to give anything away. So she simply replied "It will change your life for the better…. That is, if you allow it to."

Angeline tilted her head, pushing silken locks of fair hair from her line of vision. “If you say so.”

Marcus grinned. “I’m here with my, er, lover— the young woman from last time— and Angeline.” Something flickered in Thomas’s eyes at the mention of the maid. “Congratulations. You’re feeling better then? I heard about your injuries—“ he lowered his voice. “It was your uncle, no? I’m sorry.”

Marcus waved it away. “I’m better now. When do you have a break? You should come sit with us!”

Winifred smiled with satisfaction. After a few minutes of silence, she cleared her throat. "May I be transparent with you, Angeline?" Winifred asked. Angeline was still so stiff and quiet, she really needed to relax here. So, Winifred decided to engage in some more *feminine * conversations. For the sake of laughter of course.

The confusion in Angeline’s eyes was growing by the second, but she managed a nod. “Of course.”

Thomas blinked, baffled both by how open and happy Marcus was acting and at his invitation. “Oh— I shouldn’t—“

(Would you mind controlling Thomas for this particular scene?)

((I don't mind at all))

"Note, don't think any less of me for this but," Winifred placed her elbows on the table. "Have you ever desired to wear a man's clothes? I have." She set her head on her hands.

(Awesome thanks
Happy New Year!!)

Angeline blinked, evidently baffled. “You mean, to wear trousers and vests and such? I suppose it would be nice to own a pair of men’s bottoms… practical..”

“I insist,” Marcus persisted with a tilt of his head. “When is your next break?”

"It is extremely practical and much more efficient, even if it isn't as dainty. I think with a few feminine touches, the fashion of trousers could essentuate the female form." Winifred winked.

Thomas puttered, happily shocked by Marcus's behavior. "Well- I have one in a few moments. Let me serve you three and then I'll take my break." He smiled

Angeline blushed slightly, but managed a nod of agreement. “I suppose.”

“Fantastic.” Marcus’s grin grew, and he embraced his friend. “Just give us a few moments to decide what we want. And— I’m buying you something. Anything you want from the menu. What’ll it be?”

Winifred leaned back in her chair, consumed by thought. "I may just have to try that out one of these days.." She said jokingly.

Thomas beamed, his eyes trailing towards Angeline. Such a beauty….

"Whatever the Miss is having." Thomas told Marcus, that mysterious glint returning to his eyes, just as it had when he served Winifred and Marcus not too long ago.

Marcus glanced at Angeline from across the restaurant, a smirk forming on his lips. He winked at his friend. “I’ll tell her you said hello.”

Angeline chuckled. “I’d like to see the look on Marcus’s face…”

Thomas returned the wink with one if his own. "Thank you. I'll be over to take your orders in a few minutes." He gave Marcus a small bow and turned to other guests waiting, flashing them a bright and contagious smile. All fueled by a girl he was dying to talk to.

"You and me both." Winifred laughed.

Marcus, still grinning, approached the two girls and took a seat next to Winnifred, giving her a nudge under the table to signify that he’d accomplished his part of the ordeal. He gave Angeline a mischievous glance, causing her to throw up her hands in exasperation. “What is going on?”

Winifred smiled, setting her hand on his leg underneath the table. "Stop asking, Angeline. You'll find out eventually…" Winifred purred with joy. She sighed. "I already know what I'm getting."

(This is random, but my character from the Lovely Ladies rp is actually an important figure in Marcus and Angeline’s original story)

Marcus leaned sideways to press a kiss to her cheek, and Angeline wa surprised to find that it didn’t hurt so much anymore. “Oh, and Angeline.” He grinned. “Thomas says hello.”