A Truelove of Turtle Doves

Chpt 7 - Le Dauphin

My statement visibly shocked them.

Even Edward looked surprised.

"Wow," mused Lauren, "I wasn't expecting that, actually."

"I'm meeting him again tomorrow," the excitement that entered my voice was difficult to hide.

"Ooooh," teased Lauren, "Does someone have a bit of a crush?"

"Pffft," I scoffed and waved her off as I leaned back in my seat, "No. I've only just met him."

"What's the name of this charming French pirate who has you all up in a tizz?" asked Josie.

"First off, I'm not 'all up in a tizz', as you put it. I'm just... Happy to have another person to talk to," I admitted.

"And his name is..." coaxed Lauren.

"Captain Francis Bonnefoy."

"Francis Bonnefoy?"

The question came from Josie, who looked ever so slightly startled.

"Yeah. Why, what's wrong?" I asked, suddenly a bit worried.

"Oh, nothing, nothing, just... He's a... very... well-known French pirate, right?"

Lauren nodded enthusiastically. "Yup. Pretty well known guy in the pirate world."

Narrowing my eyes, I said "Well then how do you two know who he is?"

"Word gets around," Josie brushed it off, "We were at one of those fancy house parties and we overheard a riveting conversation about how a certain French pirate had raided a merchant ship."

It seemed like a weak story, in my opinion, but it's not like I could push it - for all I knew, it could be true. Then again... 

"Anyway," the topic was quickly changed, Lauren leaning forward as she fixed her eyes on me, "How are you going to find an opportunity to see him tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Lauren here has a point," re-joined Josie, "Michael's probably going to be tailing you all day tomorrow."

"I er... Hadn't gotten that far yet. But I definitely have to see Francis tomorrow. I kind of promised I would."

"And the Chief Idiot award goes to..." Lauren gestured to me, "(Y/N) (L/N)!"

"Oh shut up."

She stuck her tongue out at me and because I'm mature, I copied her.

"I could always volunteer to switch places with Michael?" suggested Edward.

I'd actually forgotten that he was there, which made me feel a tad guilty after his kind offer.

Josie and Lauren looked thoroughly offended.

"You'd leave us with the chauffeur from hell?" accused Josie.

"Do you happen to have an important meeting to attend tomorrow?"

"Yes, actually, I do. It's called sleep, and I don't expect myself to be finished until noon at the earliest."

"Well, I'm terribly sorry, but you'll have to give the head of your meeting - your bed, I assume - my condolences."

She huffed and sank down in her seat.

"Traitor," muttered Lauren, folding her arms and copying her sister's position.

I turned towards Edward, "I appreciate the offer, Ed, but I'm not sure my parents would allow it."

He simply smiled. "Leave it to me. I assure you I will have it sorted by tomorrow morning."

I opened my mouth to object, but he held his hand up to stop me. I closed it.