Persuade

Starkness

Anne just half listened as Mr.Laufeyson talk about his travels. All Anne could think of was Captain Barton it broke her heart the way he looked at her like she was the last thing on earth he wanted to see. But she really couldn't blame him after all that happened between them. She walked along the path back to the Stark's lodgings "Miss Anne are you alright you are very quiet this morning" said Mr. Laufeyson pulling her close to him. Anne could smell his cologne she couldn't place it but it made her stomach to turn so much so she took a few steps back to get some space between her and Mr Laufeyson. "I am well Mr. Laufeyson just there is a smell in the air that makes me uncomfortable is all" replied Anne. Mr. Laufeyson nodded "Of course let's get you home quickly" he said leading her up the street.

Mr. Laufeyson lead Anne into the parlor where they found her siblings and Mrs. Potts sitting. Sir Tony stood up "Oh Anne, your back we were expecting you to be gone all day what brings you back so soon?" said Sir Tony with a tone of boredom. He then pulled an out a pocket mirror and ran his fingers through his hair. "Brother I was running errands but I ran into Mr Laufeyson and Mrs. Banner...." she started to say when Sir Tony looked over at her. Sir Tony walked over her "Anne did you say Mr. Laufeyson as in our cousin the heir to Ironhall?" he asked with a surprise look. Anne nod "Yes, brother matter of fact Mr. Laufeyson accompanied me home from the bookstore, may I introduce you to Mr. Loki Laufeyson and Mr. Laufeyson this my brother Sir. Tony Stark" said Anne.

Both men bow to each other than shook each other hands. "Sir Tony it is a pleasure to meet you just like it was to meet Miss. Anne here I hope we shall be come good friends" said Mr. Laufeyson. Sir Tony wrinkled his nose "Yes, I am sure it is my sister hadn't mentioned meeting you I am sorry for her lack of decorum" said Sir Tony glaring at Anne. Anne looked down but Mr. Laufeyson just shook his head "Please forgive Miss Anne it was a brief moment and then Miss Odinson accident I don't blame her it slipped her mind, but now we are here together and what great friends we shall be" responded Mr. Laufeyson. Elizabeth than stood up and walked over to the group "Anne you must introduce me to this charming gentleman" said Elizabeth in a cheerful voice putting her hand out in front of the gentleman . Anne winced at Elizabeth's display "Sister, this is Mr. Laufeyson our cousin and Mr. Laufeyson this is my older sister Miss Stark" said Anne. Mr. Laufeyson gave a small bow and placed a kiss on the top her hand. "Miss Stark it's a pleasure to meet you and what they say is true the Stark women are great beauties first Miss Anne and now you Miss Stark I am truly astonished by your beauty" said Mr Laufeyson with a charming smile.  Elizabeth blushed and giggled "Oh Mr. Laufeyson you flatter me it is a pleasure to meet you and you are most welcome to our home" said Elizabeth in sickly sweet tone. Anne just rolled her eyes at her sister as Elizabeth grabbed Mr Laufeyson's arm "Now that you are here Mr. Laufeyson Bath will finally have worthwhile company don't you agree brother" said Elizabeth as she spoke to both men.

Sir Tony nodded "Yes sister, and I just read in the paper this morning that Lord Ross and his daughter Lady Sharon shall be coming to Bath as well such pleasant company they shall be" answered Sir Tony. Anne silently groaned at the mention of Lady Sharon who was the opposite of pleasant company. Lady Sharon had to always remind Anne of her place Anne and her friends were ever around, Lady Sharon Carter daughter of the Earl of Ross couldn't understand why Anne Stark daughter of Earl of Ironhall would rather keep company of others like Miss Yelena Belova and Miss Kate Bishop.

The next half hour was filled with endless conversation which was lost to Anne. Mr. Laufeyson finally stood up "I shall take my leave but I do hope to make another call upon the Miss. Stark in the next few days" said Mr Laufeyson. Sir Tony smiled "Of course I am sure my sister look forward to your call with much anticipation" he replied. Elizabeth stood up "Yes Mr. Laufeyson please do come again" she said smiling. Mr Laufeyson gave a small bow to both Sir Tony and Elizabeth than turn to Anne "I shall look forward to your company the most Miss Anne" he said in firm tone looking straight into her eyes, Anne shifted uncomfortably but just nodded but said nothing.

After Mr. Laufeyson left Elizabeth sighed "Isn't Mr Laufeyson such a gentleman I can't wait to know him more" she said happily. Anne scoffed "He puts on an illusion sister like he's not showing his true self" said Anne. "Oh Anne why would you say that" asked Sir Tony in mocking tone. "Well his first wife..."started Anne, Sir Tony glared at her "That was a very unfortunate marriage but the women is dead now and it's in the past I am sure he doesn't think of her and knows now where and who you should marry" said Sir Tony with frown. Anne gasped her brother's word "Tony it's not wise to speak ill of dead" said Anne shaking her head. Sir Tony just shrugged "She was the daughter of a tradesman no one of consequence" said Tony with a shutter. Anne just looked at her brother and shook her head "Oh brother please" said Anne glaring at Sir Tony who just glared back her.

A few days later Anne was walking up to the door of a small townhouse on the edge of Bath far from the fashionable part of town. A rosy cheeked maid answered the door "Miss Stark please come in Miss Belova and Miss Bishop are in the parlor" said the maid as she opened the door. Anne followed the maid to a small but warm parlor where her two schoolmates had been waiting. Miss Kate Bishop stood up "Oh Miss Anne it is so nice to see you, it has far too long my friend" said Miss Kate reaching her hands out to Anne. Anne grasped her friend's hand "Truly Miss Kate how have you and Miss Yelena been I hope all is well" asked Anne. Miss Kate just gave Anne a small smile " Oh as well as two old maids can be" answered Miss Kate.

"Oh speak for yourself Kate my knee is giving me trouble and no thanks to that Mr. Iceman it's a wonder we are not begging for scraps" said Miss Yelena. Miss Kate looked at her friend and gave a small nudge with her elbow and made a shh sound. Anne raised an eyebrow and went to say but Miss. Kate just shook her head "It's nothing Miss Anne to worry about we just want a nice visit with our dear friend" said Miss Kate. The visit was full of laughter and warmth but all to soon Anne was back at the Stark lodging and all Anne could think of was the starkness difference between the two homes her friends while simple was full of warmth and happiness. Her home  with full of beautiful things it was cold and empty just like most her life had been except when she was with him.