Even More Venom -Morning [6/25 Bruce, Amalie]

[Amalie Delamere]

Already she had silence in her room now without the babe Victor in her chambers with her she suddenly found herself more lonely. She may have had free range to roam where she pleased but she was still a captive here. She missed Trinda, she missed her children and she certainly missed Blasa. She didn't know why she missed Psyna suddenly, her dreams had returned to that of her childhood home lately. It was startling but yet comforting. She was in Ovador now, away from Blasa yet she still ached to return home.

Yet her new found fun was in tormenting Bruce Douglas and after their previous encounter she had wanted another reaction she wished from him. Halfway dressed even now, her hair still down, the dark mass of hair had been swept to the side she already awaited his passage down pass the corridor her room was in and when she spotted him, she tilted her chin. “Sir Bruce, I require your assistance. Now.”

[Bruce Douglas]

What the fuck? Typical of Bruce's shitty luck to be passing the woman who could have him whipped just as she was 'coincidentally' standing by the door...half-dressed. That certainly drew his attention. But he had his duties to attend to, even if he was primarily in the midst of a short break to review candidates for the Leviathans, most notably a certain Fleetwood boy...But his eyes drew him closer, and the tiny brain of his made him stop. He was today in his formal attire imperial purple from neck toe, with his sword at his belt.

Still, he had to refuse. "Lady Amalie." He said, stepping towards her; once you have broken the stoic's face completely, once you have 'struck' a noble, it tends to be hard to retain it. "Why are you so eager in drawing me to your rooms?"

[Amalie Delamere]

Amalie looked at him, not even revealing any emotion on her face before she crossed her arms over her chest. “My maid has left and I need assistance in lacing. My corset.” She asked him, although there was more to it than that. She just didn't think he caught on to it. “If you do not mind helping me or am I keeping you from your duties?”

[Bruce Douglas]

Unfortunately, Bruce was not at all very good with 'hints'; all he knew was that the Lady Delamere was trying to annoy him, possibly knowing that he was on his way to tend his duties. Yet he also knew that if he refused, she could have him punished. Perhaps it was best to mollify her and hope she forgave him. The man sighed, deeply, before following her into her chambers, with the sense of a man walking to his trial.
"You seem intent on switching between invitation and dismissal, Lady Delamere." He muttered; he was getting better at speaking properly now. His words were reasonably enunciated, but he still had a thick common drawl.

[Amalie Delamere]

Perhaps there was nothing more fun for Amalie than tormenting Bruce, but she wondered indeed if he had been getting her hint. Yet she was merely playing with him to see his reaction and it was certainly more fun for her than it perhaps was for him. “Is it a crime to ask for assistance? If you do not wish to help then leave.” Amalie replied. “But if you would be so kind, I would be grateful.” She responded in kind although her voice held no harsh tone to it. As she walked back into her room she turned around, baring her back. “The laces need tightening, if you would Sir Bruce.”

[Bruce Douglas]

Bruce's breath tightened, with some part of him screaming out for very, very specific action. But the idea of a Noblewoman seeing him as anything but a toy to toss aside once he was no longer amusing never entered his mind, not for a second. It just wasn't possible; after all those years of being carefully ignored by -her-, all Bruce could do to Amalie was obey. But he could not hope but run one scarred finger up the line of her back - something primal made him do that, fucked if he knew what. Still, his hands quickly fumbled with the strings as he spoke "Surely you can get a maidservant to do this, Lady Delamere..."

[Amalie Delamere]

Amalie pretended not to notice if he had touched her, or even if his stance had changed. She had her back to him, making sure that she pulled her hair to the opposite side so that he was free to grab the laces. “I could have but the girl was not here this morning and then you walked by. I could always get another man that is more...willing to the task Sir Bruce.” Amalie replied, making sure her tone hinted at what she meant. It wasn't as if he was immune to the ways of women, or maybe he just wasn't getting any of what she had been saying. “Unless my presence offends you.”

[Bruce Douglas]

Bruce pulled at the cords, almost leaning forward to kiss the bare flesh of the Lady Amalie's back. But reality was hard on his heels, as always, and he instead turned his head away and muttered a rather snide answer. "Do I have any say in the matter, Lady Winter?" No, he didn't. Why was this older woman, old enough to be his mother, taunting him? Perhaps she found it truly uplifting to parade her flesh before the common man and see them like pups? Well, Bruce was a warrior; he would not attempt to mount the Lady Amalie like some dog in heat. He pulled the corset as tightly as he could.

[Amalie Delamere]

Her breath caught as the laces were tightened and immediately a hand went to her chest. “Not too tight.” She spoke through clenched teeth for a moment. Just what was she doing? Seducing a boy that was old enough to be her son? Well, yes. Not that it mattered, she was a widow but why was she so shamefully doing it? She had mourned her husband, that was true. “Why should I ask a maidservant when I have you? Unless you are so offended then leave Sir Bruce, but you haven't yet. Do you have no familiarity with a woman's clothing or is your inability just a hint to tell me that you have never bedded a woman?”

[Bruce Douglas]

"Lizzy May might have something to say about that..." Bruce murmured, primarily under his breath, as he reluctantly loosened the corset. It was becoming more and more difficult to view her words as anything other than a sexual advance, but Bruce knew that he was simply fooling himself. So, instead of tearing the corset off and bedding the widow, he simply asked the words of the dutiful servant "Anything else, your Ladyship?" He tried to keep it neutral, firm, and he even managed it, just by half. Controlling your desires was not something a common man practiced, but he was doing so now, admirably.

[Amalie Delamere]

Amalie's chest still tightened when the corset was loosened. She wondered why she was feeling her nerves get the better of her. The man was just a commoner- a common born boy who was as old as her oldest son if not younger. She was old enough to be his mother yet here she was teasing him, dangling herself in front of him like a fresh piece of meat to a starving dog. “No, thank you.” She finally turned around to face him, still standing at her height that was indeed taller than him. “You may leave now then Sir Bruce, lest my presence still continues to offend you. Next time I'll be sure to ask the next manservant that comes along to help me instead since it was too much of a hassle for you.” She casually let go of a smirk. “Go back to your duties then I am sure you'd much rather be guarding the King than spending time with an old widow."

[Bruce Douglas]

Bruce fled out of the door. Well, not fled. He merely took a breath and allowed himself to leave. No longer would she taunt him with her form; his brain fled and the man was simply desperate to be away, yet desperate, so very desperate to stay. But he was smarter than he gave himself credit for. Without another word, he stood, bowed, and left. That was the right thing to do.