Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Draco was a regular speaker at the Meetings, inspiring the young members of the congregation to try harder and to have faith. Like his father, his calm voice was easy to listen to but he had a fire that prompted action from his audience. Tim was banned from attending all social events with the Luries. Secretly, it seemed a relief to Timothy to be left at home. Once, on returning from a tea party, Francis spied him in the outskirts of the woods, Blanche by his side once more. Unlike Timothy, Francis seemed more in demand with Lord Lurie, he invited her to most things and she was expected to dress to dazzle. Before she made her appearance Lady Lurie would come to inspect her, congratulate her on her dresses and hair and they would turn up at parties and dinners, together, arm-in-arm. Francis witnessed Darlin's tears of frustration in confusion. At least Draco and Dechuange kept her grounded. She still stayed with them, refusing to dance with anyone else, though this only seemed to increase the desire for her.

At his birthday, Dechuange teased her, "You tease, Miss Cecil. All these boys with broken hearts and who will win your favour for escort?"

"Don't," she tutted.

"Are you embarrassed? You made it a game."

"No I didn't," she sighed. Allowing him to lead her to a quiet corner of the room. She could see Draco at a cards table, laughing at his fortune.

"You did. You can't become the most attractive girl in Kay and seem to do it for yourself," Dechuange laughed.

"Don't laugh at me."

"I would never," he clasped her hand in his as they sat down.

She sighed and turned her head to watch Draco. His table was quite noisy, the other players expressing their anger and frustration crudely. Dechuange attended to his usual gang of admirers, which buzzed around them, getting in her way. Their glassy eyes and wide smiles a little disconcerting when she accidently caught sight of their faces.

"You look more beautiful every time I see you." Dechuange whispered in her ear, and she wondered if her smile was as strange.

"Nona has a good taste in fashion," she shook her head.

"I mean, when I see you away from parties too. Every time, Francis."

She felt her heart beat in her chest and laughed.

"You'll tease me too!" he cried, smiling playfully.

"Me, a tease?" she was laughing openly now, causing an upset in their crowd, Master Greene cast her a murderous look.

"Then grant me one kiss?" Dechuange touched the tip of her nose with his. His bright blue eyes shaded by dark eyelashes, so exquisite she felt stunned, unable to even admire them as her thoughts jammed to a standstill, she could only breath.

Finally, she pulled back laughing and then quickly planted a chaste kiss on his lips. She stood up and went to Draco. The blush burning onto her cheeks but she made sure she didn't look back as she was certain she would collapse with laughter. Draco looked up at her and smiled.

"My goodness, Draco, some of these more men have families," she smiled, as she looked down at the card table.

"It will be over soon," he told her.

"At least you care for us, Miss Cecil," Lord Brillig nodded at her.

"I can't say I like gambling very much. There's no one else to blame but oneself, if one loses, and I hate that," she smiled at him.

He nodded, "You seem to have attracted quite a crowd over there." He looked at her abandoned corner.

She turned her head, and could barely make out Dechuange in the middle of his attendants. She laughed and shook her head, "They're not mine."

"Of course not," Lord Cecil came to stand behind Lord Brillig, "I hear, these days you keep everyone at arm's length."

"Unlike your friend there." Lord Brillig chuckled.

Francis met her father's gaze, but found it was not as cold as she expected. She bowed her head to him.

"Master Casa has always been popular," Draco told them, throwing down his cards.

They all sighed, some even swore. Francis giggled at their reaction and helped Draco transfer the bets into his pile.

The game was ended and the men leant back starting their own conversations between them.

"You really don't go easy on anyone," Francis told Draco.

"It was Dechuange's theme for his birthday. Indulgence. I'm only fulfilling his wishes," Draco said.

"Right."

"Why are you not with him?"

"I got tired of his posy. They scare me a little."

"Scare you?"

"Not scare. Disturb me, they're unsettling how they get around him." Francis shrugged, "I worry about what I look like with him."

"Happy."

"Pardon?"

"You look happy. That's all." Draco sighed.

She looked away from him, feeling guilty and angry, he made it sound like the worst thing imaginable, " Why are you here, playing cards anyway, I thought you didn't like gambling."

"I'm avoiding Darlin," he said in a low voice.

She glanced at Lord Brillig who was in deep conversation with Lord Cecil. "By taking her father's money?"

He didn't appreciate the tease.

"She's been looking miserable lately." Francis continued, her anger not quite settled.

"Her father is pushing for it too, now. He sees me as a good match."

"Of course, especially now you're regular speaker and a prominent officer in the Home Security. Will she give you more time?"

"I think she will. She's been trying to get me on my own, probably to amend the terms."

"And will you accept an extended deadline?" Francis asked in a hollow voice.

He shrugged, got up and held out his hand.

She looked up at him, questioning for a moment before taking it and being lead out of the room, to the dance hall.