#earthrunes

After a beat he nods too. Not confidant or determined but... he nods.

"And if it helps any..." she reaches to touch his cheek and murmurs, "I am honored to be a member of House Truthbranch."

He blinks, looking a little stunned. "Ahh... ah. Oh. Well. Good."

Amused, she nudges, "You might want to come up with a response that's more complimentary."

"Ah. Y...yes. I'll, ah, think about it. Ah." He takes a breath.

"Maybe...House Truthbranch is honored to have you? Or House Truthbranch is improved by your presence?" Teasing suggestions. "House Truthbranch would be nothing without you?"

She shifts and playfully settles in his lap. "Maybe House Truthbranch would like to give you a great, big kiss?"

He blinks at her rather owlishly and looks around the library. "Ahhhh... well. Maybe not that last one but.... " His look softens. "I -am- glad you are with me for this."

"should I go so you can woo properly, sir?" From the shadows a whisper.

Coradel winks at him as Velvet whispers.

A small jolt. "Ah. Velvet.... of course... .and I'm sorry to have to say it but... what you've heard here is a confidence. You understand? I... -We-... are trusting you with a secret."

"trust me to be true to my kith, lord. I'll not even tell Tylar."

"Thank you." Gravely serious.

With his arms full of Baroness.

A low bow, hand spread upon her breast, to her liege, and to the baroness.. and velvet slips away to leave the two to themselves.

"Thank you, Velvet." Coradel watches the girl go, then glances around before whispering, "I think it's safe to kiss me, now. You know, in the place where everybody knows that we're oathed and sleeping together."

"There's such a thing as respecting the ... ah... respectability of... others."

"Oh, of course," she concedes before nibbling on his lower lip.

"AHem...message from Father B, for Sir August?" A young friar troll says

He holds up a scroll.

August jerks again, jolting Coradel, and looks around. "What?"

"Ah......" He gently shifts an understanding Coradel to another seat. "I should..... I should read this." Apologetically. He straightens his voile and crosses to the troll. "Thank you." And he takes it to read.

"A message, sir." He hands it over, bows and with draws.

August reads... an immediate audience with a Duchess has been granted...'as soon as possible'

August pales again, explains as best he can to Coradel and goes to change voile.... and then.... as soon as possible.... he presents himself to the Duchess.

Leaving a possibly IRKED Fiona

(End scene)