Persuade

Mischief

Anne just grimace as Mr. Laufeyson took her hand and kissed it. He was tall and lean with his black hair all slicked back and cool blue eyes. His overcoat was a deep emerald green with black trim. It was a well cut coat and fit him very well. "Miss Anne it's is such a delight to finally meet you I have heard nothing but praises about and your beauty which I find very true" said Mr. Laufeyson in a cool tone. Anne just quickly drew her hand back and gave him a small nod. Anne felt a hand on her elbow "Miss Anne is everything alright who is the gentleman?" asked Captain Barton. Anne just looked up at Barton "Captain Barton all is well may I introduce to Mr. Loki Laufeyson my cousin who is the heir to Ironhall and this is Captain Clint Barton of the ship the Hawkeye" said Anne.

Both men quickly shook each other's hands but were staring coolly at each other. The rest of the group joined the introductions were made and Jane opened fond over Mr. Laufeyson chatting endlessly of Ironhall and how it was such a privilege to grow up there. Mr. Laufeyson just silently nodded looking back at Anne sometimes with a grimace expression. When the group made it to the lodgings Mr. Laufeyson walked up to Anne "Miss I must leave I wish we could have gotten to know each other better maybe another time if we get the chance, I bid you farewell my fair lady" he said taking her hand once more pressing a kiss to it. "Good bye Mr. Laufeyson I bid you a good day sir" replied Anne quietly. Mr. Laufeyson walked away and Jane exclaimed "What a gentleman and he was so taken with me don't you think" said Jane excitedly. Laura laughed "Oh Jane I don't think so I think he was quite smitten with Anne couldn't take his eyes off of her" said Laura sweetly as she poked Anne who blushed but shook her head. Jane exclaimed in surprise "ANNE ! Really she is no beauty why would he want with her" cried Jane. Everyone groaned and Thor just stepped forward "Come now wife you are looking quite pale maybe you should lay down before dinner" said Thor firmly. Jane then wilted a bit "Yes you're right all that walking really did put out my poor nerves" said Jane in a timid tone. Thor guided his wife to the stairs and waved goodbye.

Anne went to the parlor to get some tea Laura and Wanda along with Captain Barton. The tea was sitting there waiting for them Anne offered a cup to Wanda and Laura who took it gratefully. "Captain Barton would you like some as well?" asked Anne. Barton nodded "Yes, Miss Anne thank-you" he responded. Anne quickly put together his cup of tea of one sugar and a scoop of cream she also added a shortbread biscuit. Barton took gratefully he smirked "Just the way I like it Miss. Anne thank you and your famous biscuits I have missed these" he said with a polite nod as he took a bite he closed his eyes as he savored the flavor.
Wanda raised an eyebrow as as watched Anne and Barton look at each other but said nothing and had a small smile on her face. "Miss Anne your cousin Mr. Laufeyson is very handsome man don't you think?" asked Wanda.

Anne who had been drinking nearing her tea nearly spilled it but luckily caught before anything spilled. She raised an eyebrow and looked at Wanda "Really is he I didn't notice Wanda" answered Anne quickly. Wanda just laughed "Anne he had such a well cut coat and gave him such lean and tall figure don't you think?" asked Wanda. Anne looked over at Barton but quickly looked away and shook her head. "I agree it was a well cut coat but that is all I noticed Wanda, Mr. Laufeyson is not a man I would notice or call handsome" replied Anne. Laura spoke up "What about Captain Barnes he seems quite till you brought poetry and you two had a good rapport" said Laura. Captain Barton stood up gave a quick bow "If you ladies excuse me I just remembered a issue I have to take care of thank you for the tea and the biscuits were just as good I remember good day Ladies" he said as he made it swiftly out the door. Laura looked surprised  but Wanda smiled "I wonder why he's in such a hurry  maybe it was something we said what do you think Anne?" asked Wanda. Anne blushed slightly and shrugged her shoulders "I don't know Wanda" she replied but look at Wanda who was watching her closely almost if reading her mind.

The next morning the group went out on the Cobb again. Thor and Jane were walking together so was Laura and Wanda when they were joined by Captain Rogers and Mrs. Rogers. "Morning everyone I hope you all slept well?" asked Captain Rogers with a smile. Everyone said their greetings and nodded in agreement. Soon they were walking along the Cobb when they saw two figures walking briskly towards them. Captain Barnes and Captain Barton joined the group, Laura quickly grabbed Barton's arm "Walk with me Captain Barton" she said giving him a smile. The others followed them Captain Barnes fell back with Anne.

Captain Barnes and Anne move into a quiet conversation. "Captain Barnes don't you love the sea and it's constant change it can be calm one moment and a raging tempest the next it's beautiful " said Anne as she watched the sea in front of her. Captain Barnes just a gave a quick nod of the head. "I admit it does have a beauty to it" he responds. "It reminds me of love or what it can be like" said Anne. Captain Barnes just gives her a look with look of surprise. "The loss of a love one can be very lonely just like the sea" said Barnes sadly. Anne's eyes softens "Forgive me Captain I am sorry for your loss" said Anne. Barnes just nods "I take comfort that she is at peace but I will always carry her in my heart" said Barnes. Anne gave him a smile "A constant heart is rare in deed I know all to well" said Anne. Barnes just raised an eyebrow "The poets say a women's heart a fickle and change constantly" said Captain Barnes with a frown. Anne just laughed " Sir all those poets are men" replied Anne. Captain Barnes threw his head back in a loud laugh. "I believe Miss Anne that is the truest statement I have ever heard" he replied still laughing. Anne just smiled "Captain Barnes I truly believe that women do love deeper and
within our hearts and our very souls we definitely love longer" said Anne as her eyes drifted towards Barton whose eyes meet hers. Anne looked quickly away and back to Captain Barnes. Captain Barnes just smiled at her "Spoken like a true poet Miss. Anne" he responded.

Captain Barton kept looking back at the couple behind him watching them. They were in deep conversation he slowed down to ease drop to find out what was so engaging. When he heard Anne's words and then his eyes meet hers and his heart stood still for a brief moment but she quickly looked away and back to Barnes. Barton sighed this caught Laura's attention "Are you well Captain Barton?" asked Laura. "Yes Miss Laura just got lost in my own thoughts is all" he replied. Laura just smiled "Well I hope you are thinking of happy thoughts" she said smiling. Barton didn't say anything only just gave her a small smile cause his thoughts had in both agony and hope by Anne's words.

They got to the stairs with the gentleman helping each lady down the narrow steps. Barton was helping Anne down the last step when Laura shouted "Captain Barton catch me" she said mischievously. Everyone yelled at her to stop but Barton was too late and Laura Odinson landed on the ground with a loud thud. The whole group went silent as Laura laid there unmoving and unconscious.