#earthrunes

He smiles and gets a leather tongue of a bookmark, and offers it to her.

She puts it there, then hands the book to him "I think it's the only copy of this one. Zara didn't seem impressed by it"

August acknowledges the hand-off with a nod, and flicks through the pages.He scans a few. He offers it back.

She takes it "So...?" Curious

"There are formulas that carry humanity through the experience of being human. We are Dreams of such. Romance is part of that, and this seems to be part of that Dream."

"Oh, very much so" Leonora's eyes sparkle

A nod. "You are enjoying the story?"

"Quite a lot" She admits "I feel like I'm reading about old friends through fresh eyes"

A smile. "That is what literature should do."

"I'm sure Zara would agree" And she goes back to reading

A puzzled pause..... and he goes back to work.

Leonora is soon lost again in the book, though ,she giggles at one or two spots

August glances up, but allows her Leonora's enjoyment.

Exasperation as when it looks like sex is about to be had... only to have the WORST timing for an interruption

"Oh come on.."

"Shall I put things away?" He offers innocently. He is trained to her tone of voice......

"Candles?"

She holds up a finger "I'm close to the end of the book... just a bit longer" She looks at the book "Come on... say it with me now, three is a magic number" She not talking to August

August waits.

While reading!

"Oh.. " She flips the book's last page and finishes it "Oh thank goodness.. that was like a gothic tease"

August understands a reading hangover. He waits, ready and patient.

"Itw as good.." She puts the book carefully to the side, "So..candles?"

"If you like." He nods, steady.

"I do... looks like our heroine found 'the sweetest of surrenders and triumphs'" She scoots closer to August

The Baron rises, and lights candles. He arranges for refreshments. And he returns to Leonora.

And she says "Vicar, It has been weeks since my confession, and there's quite a backlog" A throaty chuckle

"Pardon?"

Leonora says "Sorry, just a bit of roleplaying.... I hear it's catching on, Roleplaying. Big come back" But she kisses him, "But this is very nice too" After the kiss

And it gets nicer

(Fade to Reading is inspirational)