"She is, she is indeed, that I have ascertained myself, alas," she agreed, a little reluctantly, sighing at the very recent memory of that nimble sloop beating the ponderous Merry Widow to port. "You can keep all the glory and excitement, monsieur. I am the widow of a merchant, and I must consider practical concerns. As you have seen first-hand, my late husband's flute is not exactly a warship."

She gave him a warm smile as he read her mind and got her a glass, and raised it for a toast.

"To beauty, then. As fleeting as it must be, in this gritty and thankless life of the Caribbean sailor. One lives for those brief flashes, amongst the daily toil."

"Not a warship perhaps, but strong and handsome and I'd wager as roomy as the inside of a doxy's head," Jean said, blissfully unaware he was talking to a former doxy.

He clinked his glass against hers at the toast and smiled. "To beauty Madame. Oui, perhaps it comes in flashes but it is dazzling all the same non? And we are a grand ball and I am talking to the most charming woman here. How many common sailors can boast that?"

Kttys's smile waned a little at the captain's words, but her glass clinked delicately against him nonetheless.

"To beauty. But you are no common sailor, captain, and I am hardly the most well-endowed lady in the room," she remarked, resting a hand casually on the edge of her bodice. "So it must be something else, perhaps my English accent. Or the fact I am a captainess: most men find that extraordinary. You must be regretting the fact we did not wager anything on that wretched race of ours."

"Perhaps," Captain Lefanu agreed, and smiled, "but I might have lost and then where would be madame?"

"As for your extraordinary nature, well it is true I have not many many such as you... Nor do I think I am the only man who has noticed your charm, even if I am the lucky one who actually gets to experience it."

Setting aside his now empty glass Jean offered a hand to Kitty. "A dance ma chérie?"

"Je vous en prie, capitaine," she chuckled, finishing her drink and leaving the empty glass on a nearby table. The alcohol was starting to have a pleasantly soothing effect. "Do not flatter a widow like that, I am still supposed to be in mourning, officially." She offered him her hand. "Why not."

Jean smiled and gracefully led the Englishwoman onto the floor, moving in time to the music from the players and gliding past the other couples.

His own blood had been warmed by the fine glasses of port and he was a good dancer so he was delighted to perform the minuet with this utterly enchanting if bewildering English minx.

Kitty allowed herself to be led to the dancefloor, enjoying the feeling of relaxing in such a sumptuous atmosphere for once: no more dirty decks, rotten water, saltwater splashes and sweaty men. Ah, what she could have had and had lost forever...

"I am not well acquainted with French courtly dances, alas," she apologized as he led the dance, with a smile. "Monsieur Chatelain was never a keen dancer."

And while she was adept at the jig and other less respectable ones, that night she would play it safe and let him lead.

Truthfully Jean was less experienced with courtly dances than he might have seemed but he moved with sufficient elegance and conviction to disguise the fact, and the two glasses of wine had helped.

"Pas besoin d’excuses ma chérie." Jean told Kitty has he led the Englishwoman across the floor. "You have a natural grace."

He couldn't help but glance down Kitty's bodice, taking in her figure, though he tried manfully not to be too overt about it.

At the mention of her late husband his smile faded and turned into a look of genuine concern. "Do you miss him terribly ma chérie?"

When was the last time she had actually danced? Kitty wondered. Well, there was the strutting around in Roydon's place in Bridgetown, but that hardly counted. So it must have been back in old London, a lifetime ago...

So it was a welcome change: moving in unison around a lavishly decorated room, surrounded by richly attired people, the heady feel of fine wine going to her head, in the company of a refined gentleman that wouldn't...

But then she caught him staring down her decolletage and that broke her reverie.

Oh well, men are men, no matter how parfumed and periwiged - they like winning races, they like being right, and they love nothing better than staring at tits... except squeezing them.

"Terribly," she repeated after him, taking a deep breath that, incidentally, made her chest bulge out, squishing her breasts against the edge of the bodice. "It is one thing to be the only woman in the ship, having to order around a few dozen brutish men every day and endure their lecherous stares, alone in the middle of the ocean. But the worst part, if you can believe that, monsieur, are the nights. I believe a captain's cabin at night must be the loneliest place on God's green earth, without a husband to clasp me tight in his strong arms," she sighed.

"C’est tellement triste ma chérie!" Jean said, emotionally. He realised belatedly he was staring at Kitty's bosom, but the combination of the wine and the English minx's beauty had clouded his wits and at this point he might have believed Kitty if she said she was the Empress of China.

With an effort he tried to regroup. "I too am lonely during the nights Madame Chatelain... it is no life for an honest maiden like yourself surely?"

"Funny," said someone as he tapped Lefanu's shoulder, between musical pieces, "people never leave me alone, and I am rarely lonely. To have such a problem sounds blissfully amazing. May I cut in?" Le Marquis des Marais himself was very recognizable, even with his mask.

Jean bowed and managed to - more or less - conceal his unhappiness at this interruption. Alas it was Le Marquis des Marais...

"Of course Your Grace. Madame," he regally inclined his head towards Kitty and walked off to get a glass of brandy for himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Thu 24 Feb 2022.

Given the way Jean's eyes were following her bosom's every movement, Kitty was completely sure that, if she suddenly shook her chest like a tambourine, the man would follow suit and move his head like a maraca. The image made her giggle and she put a hand to her breast, as if to calm down her racing heart.

"What a tragedy, for two souls to be alone like that. Would it not be only fitting if...?" she started saying, only to be interrupted by another gentleman whose interest in dancing with her had gotten the best of him.

Oh, and here comes Des Marais. Well well, if I am not in high demand tonight...

Kitty curtsied at the aristocrat and bid LeFanu adieu with a nod before her smile focused back on the marquis.

"My dear marquis. Taking advantage of your high position to steal a lady from a man of lower birth. Utterly ruthless," she purrs suggestively. "Well, to the victor, the spoils. Take me then. For a dance, I mean."

"Oh come, now," a very bejewelled lady said as she let go of the Marquis' arm and took Lefanu's, "no need for that sullen look..!! I've been meaning to talk to the captain that has so famously raced into port this morning. My husband will return your paramour after the next dance." The lady waited patiently for Lefanu to lead as the Marquis sped away with Mrs. Chatelain.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Fri 25 Feb 2022.

Le Marquis bowed politely, returning Kitty's politeness. He took her arm, and then led her into the next dance. "My wife, she is ravissante," said le Marquis, "and very shrewed. She and her ladies have been gossiping about the race, but myself and my advisers couldn't help but notice that you have sold the Alizé. Congratulations on your new ship... the... what have you decided to name it?"

For some unfathomable reason, Kitty had never been popular with wives, so she was relieved to see the back of the marquise.

"Should I worry for poor captain Lefanu's safety now, then?" she asked playfully as she let the marquis lead the dance, regaling him with the views formerly enjoyed by Jean. "They say the most dangerous people of the Roi Soleil's court are the ladies. I suppose it was a pleasure to meet him... oh, that old flute? Hélas, it brought me too many memories of my sadly departed husband. The Sirensong shall be a fresh beginning, or so I dare hope."

She let some silence settle, a little pause of just movement and silk brushing against silk, before she asked:

"May I ask... what has become of master Roydon?"

Le Marquis gave Kitty a michievous smile at the mention of the ladies and Lefanu's safety. "Surely, Lefanu is as safe as I am when in your presence, probably more so... non? Sirensong! Interesting choice," said the Marquis as the tow of you navigated the dance floor. The Marquis' smile faltered at the mention for Roydon, though he tried to hide it. "Roydon? Roydon has been safely tucked away into a cell until we process the evidence against him. For now, he is being treated well... even if his creature comforts are far from being met. Did you.. eh.. wish to put in a good word on his behest for the investigators?"

"Alas Madam Marquise des Marais I must decline," Jean replied to the noblewoman, refusing to move to the dance floor. "Indeed I must bid you adieu. My ship sails soon and I have much to attend to. Excuse me."

Retrieving his elbow from the Marquise des Marais he made to depart and return to his ship.

Though he knew he was perhaps being rude and even foolish in snubbing the Marquis's lovely wife, Jean had no desire to stay further. The evening had been humiliation enough, the wine was getting to him and the thought of discussing matters with Le Marquis had lost all it's appeal.

"Mais...! Monsieur!!" The Marquise seemed perplexed, perhaps dismayed. Some of her ladies rushed to her side, one of them cracking a joke to diffuse the tension. The last thing Lefanu hears is the wave of laughter and giggles the ladies made as he exited the room.

The Marquis noticed the commotion, but quickly returned his attention to his immediate guest.

"Oh, you feel safe in my presence, monsieur le marquis? My word, I do not know if I should be flattered, insulted, or just advise you against being so trusting," Kitty remarks ironically. Her next remark dies in her lips when she spots Lefanu rebuffing the marquise and taking his leave.

"Our dear captain shall be safe, after all, but your lovely wife might have to endure a lonely night," she observes, her fingers lightly squeezing their hold on him. "I suppose she will soon be back to claim you, then. What a pity... Oh, put in a good word for master Roydon? Quelle idée!" she giggles. "No. I would put in a bad word for him, if I thought you were such a man as might be moved by the supplications of a woman. No, but I would like to pay him a visit perhaps, and bask in his misery."

Le Marquis listened attentively as Kitty spoke, taking a look towards his wife when the dance permitted him to. Though he took special care to keep his attention on his dance partner, he seemed curious what the ladies were giggling about. "I suppose a visit to the dungeon can be arranged, but I'd be keen to have someone listen in in case he lets certain details slip," he finally answered as he returned his full attention, relieved that she did not care to put in a good word.

"While I have your ear, I might request a small favour. My nephew is the Captain of the Némésis, and I fear he is late. Could you please keep an eye out for him and his ship on your journeys? He is, Isabelle's favourite, you see..."

Kitty grimaced, considering the kind of comments Roydon is apt to throw at her in his presumable current state, angry and desperate. No, no, not worth it just for the satisfaction of seeing him rotting in a French prison; she might as well imagine it and amuse herself with the vision in her own mind.

"On second thoughts, I must sail with the tide, Excellence," she said, shaking her head while she shot Des Marais an appraising look. By then it was obvious he was not looking at her in the same way and with the same obvious intentions as Lefanu had; it was all calculation from the marquis. Wasn't he asking for favors now? Quite the politician, and quite single-minded in following his plans, but then, what did Kitty expect? It was his palace, his ball, his wife milling around the place, in all probability also serving one of his plans or the other: all business, business, business.

"That is awful to hear, Excellence. I do hope your nephew appears soon, safe and sound, but regretfully I am due south as soon as the wind rises. But I shall remember him, and you, in my prayers."

Kitty, too, had business to tend to.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Mon 07 Mar 2022.

"You are very kind. To be fair, he's probably been detained by some unlucky trader that needed rescuing. It just isn't like him to be late for the Mardi Gras festivities," Des Marais seemed distracted, though not overly worried. The oversight of a colony plagued by territorial wars -- ripe with fresh tension to boot -- would most certainly keep his mind on the business at hand. The fact that he had freed himself to talk to her (and many others as the night continued), only served to underline his interest in the welfare of his countrymen (and women), and how seriously he took his duties.

"I knew you'd be eager to test out your new ship..!" His smile seemed genuine; it even alleviated some of his seriousness. His attention was cheerfully back on his dance partner now, his eyes twinkling. "We have been honoured by your trust in our shipwrights, Madame Chatelain. Thank you for gracing us with your presence tonight, and may I add that you looked lovely in that dress. I believe it was worth every sou..!" He stepped back gracefully as the music came to a lull, still holding your hand so that he could see the dress better. "Truly," he added happy with what he saw, as he inclined his head in Kitty's direction.

"I am indeed," she replies, her mind already set on the delightful prospect of sailing the Sirensong. "And consider me grateful too, your lordship, for your kind patronage."

She gives him a couple of seconds to admire her in the dress before she curtsies.

"Without your generosity, I would have had to attend this sumptuous ball in my shift. Which might have amused you, perhaps, but methinks madamme la marquise would not have been all that keen."

The Marquis smiled, "She might surprise you, though I do believe I have been lucky in Marriage." He looked in the direction of his wife, and there was pride and respect there. "I shall let you be off, madame. Until next time."


OOC: Closing this thread.