Knocking on her door

[Marqués del Stry]

Preparing for the day the Marqués had a talk with his friend Leo the other day, there were a few things they had to discuss. One topic of conversation had been Casandra. Having come to a conclusion he sat at his desk ad penned a very careful letter on finely woven paper. It felt almost like cloth but sturdy so that ink from the quill would not seep through.

At the corner of the paper was his insignia in artful calligraphy. When that was set Leo headed out to make the arrangements. The Marqués folded the letter and sealed it with a wax drip. Rising from his spot he put the letter in the inside pocket of his cream blazer and left his room, closing the door behind him,

It was not far to her room, he remembered that it did not take him long to come across it the first time. His pants were neatly pressed and the same color of the blazer, the inside shirt a dark brown working as an offset and a black tie. His hair was left to hang naturally.

Was Casandra a morning person? He would find out soon enough for he knocked upon her door.

[Casandra Lightheart]

Yes Casandra was a morning person and she had just finished dressing for the day in a blue wool dress made for riding. This morning her scent was a mixture of roses and lavander. She was just finishing putting her hair into a long braid when she heard a knock at the door. She crossed the room to open in and her face broke out into a huge smile.

"Good morning, do you want to come in?"

[Marqués del Stry]

She was awake. More than awake she seemed ready for the day. A morning person and she seemed to be ready for going out. He reached out to lightly brush the back of his hand across her cheek. "A pleasure to see you this morning. If I come in I may keep us both from what we have planned today."

His hand delayed as he looked at her before letting it fall. "I have come to deliver to you a letter." He reached inside his blazer and pulled out the letter, holding it out to her.

[Casandra Lightheart]

"I was just going to go out for a morning ride."

She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand for a second and then smiled as she took the letter.

"Is everything ok?"

[Marqués del Stry]

"I do not know. I will not know the answer to that until you open the letter that I have given you." It was truthful and the smile he was giving her was warm.

"I have been thinking about you, and I hope that you will say yes." He did not want her to worry, that was not his intention. He remembered that often when people received letters from the person they were interested in, it was not for good reasons. However, in many regards the Marqués was old fashioned, and this was one of the things that he did.

[Casandra Lightheart]

She smiled as she carefully broke the sceal on the letter and unfolded it to read.

[Marqués del Stry]

Inside, it read as follows:

Dear Casandra,
I would like to invite you to a candle light dinner in the privacy of my Manor on Monday night. If you would like to come there will be transportation waiting for you outside off the Inn that evening. They will know who you are and I request that you wear the dress which will be delivered before hand.

Signed,
el Marqués del Stry

[Casandra Lightheart]

She looked a him with a smile and and nodded.

"Yes it will be an honor to come dine with you."

She hoped he would not think her inapropriate but she moved closer and tilted her head up and kissed his lips softly.

"And yes I will wear the dress."

[Marqués del Stry]

A kiss was a better way of agreeing than a simple 'yes', and hers was welcomed. Again his hands came to the side of her face for he did not want to let her go so easily. Or so soon. It may be a while before he sees her again.

When he did break the kiss his forehead rested against her own for a moment as his fingertips trailed down along the sides of her neck and graced her shoulders. "I must let you go. There is.. business." He would leave it at that, though he lifted his chin and kissed her forehead before beginning to step away from her.

[Casandra Lightheart]

She smiled as he kissed her back he just had a way of making her feel alive.

"We well be togeather soon."

Just a simple statement and yet it said so much. There was more she wanted to say but it could wait.

"I hope that your business concludes soon and goes well."

She did not want him to leave but understood he had to go.

[Marqués del Stry]

He would see her again soon enough. He nodded to her words and made a full withdrawal from the threshold of her room. With a dip of his head for a partial bow the Marqués turned and headed down the hall to the stairs.

Business. There was always business to do of more than one kind. One thing he knew, was that she started his day on the right foot.

[Casandra Lightheart]

She went into her room and closed the door behind her. She needed to think and the ride that she had intended on taking would be perfect she waited a few minutes and then went to the stables.

[Guest]

Venis looked up from her desk when she heard voices in the hall. She saw a rather handsome man heading down the stairs. She smiled.

A few moments later she saw Cas headed for the stairs as well. "Casandra Marie Lightheart." That was enough said, she knew Casie would stop and detour to her room.

[Casandra Lightheart]

She heard Venis call her name and did stop and turn back around and go to her room.

"Hi V, I guess I'm caught?"

She smiled.

[Guest]

Her hand came up from her work and one long finger pointed upwards and motioned for her to enter. "Was that stud puppy your new beau?" Venis was never one for mincing words. She was smiling, but with her face burried in a file, Cas wouldn't know that.

[Guest]

Krys had got bored downstairs, and decided to go see her Mom. As she reached her mom's floor, she saw saw a really hot guy talking to Cas outside her room. She also saw something she had never seen before, Gawain of all people was running down the hall shaking his head, and saying something about someone calling themselves alady and lightening fixing to crash the inn.

Krys saw that her Mom's door was open and saw her and Cass inside talking. Hey Mom! Hey Miss Cas, who was the hunk you were talking to. Not bad, not bad at all!!!!"

[Casandra Lightheart]

She laughed at the stud puppy response.

"Yes that was the Marques"

[Guest]

Krys was smiling ear to ear."Wow Miss Cass very nice. Might want to hold on to him, or Mom might want to make him a part of her ever growing collection! Krys winked at Cas, knowing she would catch the joke.

[Guest]

Venis laughed. "My collection hasn't grown in years, not since your step-father. And yes, Cas, very attractive. Still waiting to meet him though dear."

[Casandra Lightheart]

"I know I know, you will get to meet him soon I hope."

She smiled softly.

"He is the sweetest man I have ever met."

[Guest]

"I know Mom, I was just teasing, and from wat I saw Miss Cas and the good looking man would make a cute couple. I came up here to see if you needed any assistance with work."Krys was really wanting to spend time with her mom, and she thought she might want the help.

[Madeline Cauthon]

Madeline left the bar and made her way to the third floor, she reached Lady Venis's room and saw that the door was open. She didn't want to be rude so she knocked on the door frame.

[Guest]

She smiled. "Well, Cas, you look like you're off for a ride. Don't give that stallion of yours too much of a workout. And yes, Krys, I have plenty you can help with. Yes Maddie?" She picked up a stack of files.


((Ok, after Cas leaves this needs to move to my thread, "Back on Duty".))

[Casandra Lightheart]

She nodded and smiled.

"I was on my way out to ride when he knocked on my door."

[Guest]

She smiled again. "Well, we will not keep you. Let me put my child to work and see to little miss Maddie here. Stop back by when you get back ok?" Venis was not trying to be rude, quite the contrary. She didn't want to keep Cas from her ride any longer.

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