𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 ⚜ l͏o͏r͏d͏ t͏e͏w͏k͏e͏s͏b͏u͏r͏y͏

9.

Here we go!
-

Tewkesbury's fingers were hesitant to pull on her strands scared in which she might be hurt by the action. Therefore he was trying to slowly and carefully pull the strands around one another.

Sibyl could hardly feel his movements as she bit down on her lip. She wondered if he was even moving at all, how would he get a tight plait without pulling any strands. She would tell him this but she was slightly preoccupied on the breath which was fanning closely to her neck.
It tickled, making a shy smile creep upon her as she tried not to let a giggle slip from those shadows.

Tewkesbury had come to the end of the plait, satisfied and pleased with his working.  It was only when he looked up he realised how close his face had neared her neck, he could even make the outline of a shy smile playing on Sibyl's lips.

He was unsure whether to move away or stay but something told him, his intuition, told him that his closeness might be causing that smile. Her strands were still between his fingers as he searched for something to tie them up with. He didn't own a hair-tie, maybe he should? Assuming this might be a reoccurring factor.

Sibyl felt his movements come to a halt as she turned her head slightly to see Tewkesbury gazing around. He was probably trying to find something to tie her hair with. Sadly, she didn't have a hair-tie either. She pondered on what she did have as her hands smoothed out her dress. Her dress which fitted a corset tied with ribbons upon ribbons. A lightbulb brightened in an instant as her hands moved round to her back.

At the bottom of her laced up dress was a decor-bow, a piece of ribbon tied merely for the purpose of looking nice over the other wretched knot which held the corset/dress tight.

Tewkesbury's eyes filtered back towards Sibyl's sudden alertness and movements. A small shallow breath escaped his lips as he watched her back arch further forward and hands come around to the base of her dress where ribbon lay. He didn't think ones back could curve so much but that was a thought for another day. Today's thought was more careless in his words as he watched her start untying the ribbon at the base of her dress.

"Sibyl, what in heavens name are you doing?" He blurted out carelessly as his heart raced in his chest.

Sibyl now couldn't resist a giggle at his thought process, however the meer fact did make a small blush dot over her cheeks.

Boys, she supposed.

Tewkesbury felt his stomach turn as the embarrassment of his statement dawned on him. How could he be so daft as not to think about who he was with before he spoke?
Now all he could hear was a giggles falling from Sibyl's lips as she catches on to his train of thought.

"Tewkesbury, it is an excess bit of ribbon, please gather yourself" she half-by scolded in a light tone - almost joyful as if she couldn't contain herself. She finally managed to undo the ribbon before holding it up for him to take. Tewkesbury hesitated under the circumstances that he didn't really want to believe what he had just said was actually real, taking the ribbon would prove to be just that.
Real.

Nevertheless he took the ribbon from her dainty fingers and began tying the bow around her plait end.
Once he released the plait it fell softly against her back making Sibyl grin as she reached back to run her fingers over it. She took a moment to admire Tewkesbury's work before she placed her hand back in her lap.

"Well now that one childish wish has been granted, what do you suppose we should do next?" Sibyl stated calmly a blush still apparent on her cheeks. She shifted herself back around so she was facing Tewkesbury.

Who still seemed flabbergasted by his actions earlier. He had heard her question but was unsure of what to suggest, allowing Sibyl to ramble on a little longer.

"We could stop somewhere but I really do wish to get to London. It would have to be something simple seeing as we are currently in a carriage" she joked blatantly as a small smirk slipped onto her lips. Tewkesbury felt the corners of his own mouth being upturned at the comment. So far, no matter what idiotic occurrence happened between them she always seemed to stay witty, on-point and collected.

Well, with the one exception of that 'wall' comment which escaped her grasp before she could rethink it.

Girls, he supposed.

Suddenly her head turned away as a hand came to cover her mouth. A small hum echoed off her lips as Tewkesbury came to the realisation that she was yawning. Even in the midst of a yawn she still seemed so lady like. Tewkesbury could never look so poised while yawning, more like a dog drooling crossed with a lion.

"Are you tired?" He asked as Sibyl gulped away her second yawn as her turned slightly back to Tewkesbury's. Her eyes were slightly wide in a small panic as her jaw went a little limp as she sought a reply.

Her eyes conveyed a small panic because she often expected a scolding after yawning anywhere. Usually by her mother for being unladylike.

"If you wish to get a suitor your mouth is better shut. No words. No yawns..."
Her mother would drag on lowly.

"I-uh-I mean- uh a little" she stuttered before continuing to mentally scold herself for doing so.
She could already feel her face flush and hands dampen with sweat at the vulnerability she had just shown through stuttering once more.

Tewkesbury gave a kind smile as he cautiously moved closer to her so his shoulder was touching hers. Sibyl leaned away slightly only to wonder what Tewkesbury was doing, not because she felt uneasy about having him close. If anything her heart beat quickened once again and her breaths felt nonexistent.

"What are you doing?" Sibyl softly snapped and eyed Tewkesbury up and down as her jaw tightened once more. Her fingers knitted together in her lap, trying not to pry themselves apart with the sudden overflow of nerves.

"Lady Sibyl Lloyd, I would be no gentleman if I didn't offer my shoulder for you to rest your head on" The young Lord smugly offered with a smirking smile as Sibyl's lips parted with another uneven breath.

Due to there closeness this breath skimmed over his neck like it had done at the banquet.

Except this time it was no surprise.

Tewkesbury could feel his hairs stand on edge at the warmth which was just transferred over his body. He watched as she sat frozen; the emotions only playing out through her eyes which he had locked with her.
The aster shined with a hint of fear and comfort as Sibyl slowly leant her head to rest on his shoulder.

If Sibyl was being truly honest she was at a loss for words, to weak to utter a simple 'thank you'. She was completely and utterly knotted up in the feeling of frightened comfort and ease which Tewkesbury gave her. Frightened because it was something new, someone new who made her mind calm and settle.

Tewkesbury allowed a small victory smile slip onto his lips as he felt the weight of Sibyl's head press on his shoulder. Sibyl snuggled her head into his shoulder to find the right position as she kept her lips tightly pressed together. She didn't want Tewkesbury to see the giddiness of a grin which was blooming.

Sibyl slowly closed her eyes as her hands nestled in her lap as Tewkesbury admired the girl which leant on him. He would stay admiring everything; especially the faint grin painted on her lips
until they arrived in London.

-

Chapter Finally Finished!!
Sorry for the wait lovely's!!
Hope you enjoyed it even if it is slightly shorter and a bit of a filler!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!

Love,
Laya <3