Reinette was aware of the words abandoned in their interchange, but said no more of it. After all, who was she to argue over the quality of Jack's sleep. That was for him and him alone to judge. She knew what it was like to have others constantly pressing their opinions upon you about your health.
Still, she smiled as she glanced out the window to judge the promise of the day. It would suit her purposes well, she thought.
"I prefer to direct somewhat more influence over the course of the day, and leave optimism for those without the skills to do so. If you would like a good day, we shall simply have to make one for you."
Of course that was not always the case. Reinette was far too much of a realist for anything else. But to suggest any less control over her life than she already possessed was unacceptable.
She did spare a brief glance for her dressing gown. It occurred to her then, how eager she had been to seek Jack's company again. She rarely allowed anyone to see her so unfinished.
"And yet hardly acceptable for court," she accepted his compliment with a slight tilt of her head.
"I like it," Jack said with a defiant nod and an agreeing smile. "Life is but what we make of it and we are all just coasting on through." He thought, perhaps, that he might be quoting something, but if he was he wasn't sure of what.
"So we'll make it a good day then," he said, straightening himself a little and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I'm sure Versailles is just waiting for someone like me, wouldn't you agree?" He smirked slightly, a smile that was more for show than anything else. But not entirely false, more an attempt at banter.
Her glance forced his eyes to look himself, just a brief glance up and down, but a noticeable one and punctuated with a half amused smile. "Mm hardly acceptable for court," he echoed as though he were tasting the words, "my favourite."
Reinette caught his glance, and though it brought renewed awareness of her current state of dress there was very little awkwardness that followed. Despite her care and presentation of her person, she knew that ultimately she possessed very little that the man before had not witnessed already.
Many times over.
She had learned at an early age that presence was just as critical. To that point she took another half steps towards Jack and maintained her own.
"I see. So you so not favor my laces and corsety and silk stockings. I shall have to remember that."
But she was smiling, Reinette knew. She was still smiling.
"Versailles is in no way prepared for you, Monsieur Harkness. And I am going to thoroughly enjoy your meeting. Starting with today. I thought perhaps I might take you driving in my curricle."
"Oh now now," he said, holding his hand out as if signalling stop. "Don't go jumping to conclusions. A guy can't like more than one thing? Lets put it this way, I'm sure just however you decide to put yourself together? Whatever the decoration? The package will be perfectly wrapped."
He shot her a brief conspiratorial wink and smiled before ducking his head just a little.
It still seemed to take him off guard, smiling, and he felt the muscles shifting in his face as he did as though they were unfamiliar. It had been far too long.
"Driving with you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Now how could I refuse an offer like that?"
"You, sir," Reinette accused with good nature ,"are a flatterer. And unlike many in this place? You actually excel at it."
Versailles was full of empty people with even emptier words. But there was something in Jack's nature, she thought. That no matter how outrageous his claims, there remained a sincerity about them. She looked at him speculatively. Just how many hearts had he claimed, Reinette wondered.
"The morning suits you as well."
With one more glance outside a sense of action seemed to settle over her.
"A drive it shall be them. I shall go dress and meet you in the sitting room shortly?"
"I'm glad to hear I'm earning my stripes," he grinned, overly pleased with himself for achieving something (were it any achievement at all, given no effort had been expended).
It was exciting though, he had to admit, the thought of an adventure. In a time and a place he'd never before been, it felt fresh. It felt fresh yet strangely comfortable. New yet understandable in many ways. Or was it just her that he understood?
He nodded to her, a nod that with flair became almost a bow.
There was something smug in Jack's expression that Reinette could not help but challenge. It was just as much a part of her nature to do so as she imagine it was in his. She looked him over from tip to toe, gaze lingering where it suited her.
"Odd, then, that I do not see any stripes. You must have hidden them well."
He could do with that what he wished.
And would.
Reinette smiled, moving to turn away.
"The sitting room then, in a half hour. I shall give instruction for them to bring out my curricle."
Reinette dressed carefully in a driving gown cut in delicate rose-hued satin. The care was not particularly taken for Jack's benefit, though she already recognized he would be appreciative. Rather because she simply knew other way. Especially now, with all of court aware of her altered status. She could not afford a single misstep.
What then of Jack?
It was a perfectly honest question of herself. He certainly could do her no favors in court, a stranger. And that made him dangerously close to one of the missteps she claimed to eschew. So what then of Jack, Reinette thought.
She liked herself again, when she was with him. There was that. What was the point of projection a reputation, even a not always popular one, if she did not like the woman behind it.
Standing from her vanity,. Reinette critically examined her reflection. The skirts of the gown were narrower as to allow more ease when driving. Tuberose, one of her favorite flowers, were embroidered in a delicate caress up the lines of her bodice. Her hair was now freed of its braid, brushed and coiled back neatly at the nape of her neck. And to finish, a sweeping hat the shade of her gown, placed at a angle that favored the line of her chin.
Yes, she would do.
Gathering her skirts Reinette moved into the sitting room.
Jack, in the lounge, was not sitting. He was standing there, and in fact had been for a good twenty minutes. It was remarkable really, but a fact she would in no way be aware of; Jack was rarely on time. He usually had excuses. He liked to keep people waiting, not be the one to wait. Call it a side affect of his lifelong waiting.
But there he was, in the lounge, back turned towards Reinette's doorway. He wore his coat and stood tall. His very best hero pose.
He heard her footsteps and waited until they were close before turning.
He smiled at her. He looked at her, up and down, but while his gaze was obvious it wasn't overt. Appreciative.
She took his arm easily, her own resting lightly over his. She was vaguely aware of the warmth beneath, though not in an overt way. But in that he stood in stark contrast to her other visitor.
They were more different than she initially gave him credit for.
"It would be a pleasure."
And she found that she truly meant the words..
Reinette lead Jack through several hallways, down into the gardens and finally to the main stables where her curricle was being readied. It was the very one she had first placed herself squarely in the way of a certain hunting party with. All with the intention of catching the eye of a king. Those that believed that they first met at the Yew Tree Ball would be mistaken.
Jack smiled sideways at Reinette as they walked, a small yet private smile and he didn't care if anyone else should see it.
"And I do aim to please."
He walked with her, observing the corridors in the light of the new day. He felt almost strange to still be here. He hadn't expected to. A quick trip and nothing more, yet here he was arm in arm with a woman who knew his name, new more about him than he'd have ever expected to freely admit, and that more than that, knew the Doctor to.
It was more than surprising.
And what else was surprising was the fact that he liked it. He liked being here, and his heart felt lighter because of it.
"You know," he said overly lightly as they approached the stables, "I could be irreparably damaging the timelines by being here."
She smiled up at him, the brim of her hat shading her eyes from the early morning sun.
"I am certain that you do. Just as I am even more certain that you hit your mark."
Reinette considered Jack's physical presence and the playful if competitive sense of companionship that seemed to be developing between them. They would have to spend an afternoon devoted to archery. It seemed a promising idea.
The thought made her pause, and very nearly misstep on the gravel path. She was planning on his presence. And that was not at all wise. Experience taught her that.
His words seemed to echo her thoughts.
"Do you care so much then?" Her voice was deceptively light. "Of timelines?"
"I do," he said with a nod and a slight squint of his face. "Never used to, but then you learn what you should be looking after. The things that matter. If I didn't care about timelines then I'd--" he stalled, trailed. "Well I'd be off somewhere doing a lot of things I shouldn't, lets put it that way."
He had considered it before, damaging timelines just to see people he wanted to see. To be utterly selfish once his vortex manipulator had been finally fixed and to visit people he loved. To go and intrude on times in his own life where there had been people he loved. They'd never have to know the difference. But he would.
"Lets just say I'm coasting," he said with a half smile. "Sure, I shouldn't be doing this, but I could be doing a lot worse. Small mercies, and all that."
"Coasting," Reinette repeated, taking in a general understanding of the word. She liked the way in which is sat in her mouth. "As long as you are not hiding behind trees, I suppose I must approve."
From across her shoulder she considered his profile, still walking.
"I shall tempt your worst out some you some time later."
If only because it was that much more telling of a person.
Reaching the stables Reinette moved over to her groomsmen and accepted several small sugar cubes. Her team was perfectly matched, a pair of dappled grey mares that had been a gift from Louis very early in their relationship. Offering them each the sugar in turn Reinette leaned in to murmur a soft greeting.
She very nearly accepted the assistance of one of the grooms into the curricle before another thought came. Her eyebrow arched softly to Jack in question.
"Oh you know," he said with a flippant shake of his shoulders, "there's the odd tree here or there, but that's just punctuation."
He smiled at her, an honest smile, but it faded along with her next statement. His face fell, crestfallen, and for a moment it was as though a very dark veil had been pulled over him.
"You don't want to see my worst," he said, voice low, glancing down at his feet as they walked.
He stayed a step or two back then, watching at a distance as she greeted her horses. It was briefly as though he sat under an unpleasant cloud, though the rest of the world had nothing but sunshine.
It was her look though, that drew him out of it, and as his head lifted so did the cloud, gone, at least for now as he stepped forward, hand reached out for hers.
"If I may," he said with a smile all too quick and easy after the apparent sorrow before. Oh he was far too good at painting his own emotions, he often forgot which ones were real.
Still, she smiled as she glanced out the window to judge the promise of the day. It would suit her purposes well, she thought.
"I prefer to direct somewhat more influence over the course of the day, and leave optimism for those without the skills to do so. If you would like a good day, we shall simply have to make one for you."
Of course that was not always the case. Reinette was far too much of a realist for anything else. But to suggest any less control over her life than she already possessed was unacceptable.
She did spare a brief glance for her dressing gown. It occurred to her then, how eager she had been to seek Jack's company again. She rarely allowed anyone to see her so unfinished.
"And yet hardly acceptable for court," she accepted his compliment with a slight tilt of her head.
Reply
"So we'll make it a good day then," he said, straightening himself a little and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I'm sure Versailles is just waiting for someone like me, wouldn't you agree?" He smirked slightly, a smile that was more for show than anything else. But not entirely false, more an attempt at banter.
Her glance forced his eyes to look himself, just a brief glance up and down, but a noticeable one and punctuated with a half amused smile. "Mm hardly acceptable for court," he echoed as though he were tasting the words, "my favourite."
Reply
Many times over.
She had learned at an early age that presence was just as critical. To that point she took another half steps towards Jack and maintained her own.
"I see. So you so not favor my laces and corsety and silk stockings. I shall have to remember that."
But she was smiling, Reinette knew. She was still smiling.
"Versailles is in no way prepared for you, Monsieur Harkness. And I am going to thoroughly enjoy your meeting. Starting with today. I thought perhaps I might take you driving in my curricle."
Reply
He shot her a brief conspiratorial wink and smiled before ducking his head just a little.
It still seemed to take him off guard, smiling, and he felt the muscles shifting in his face as he did as though they were unfamiliar. It had been far too long.
"Driving with you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Now how could I refuse an offer like that?"
Reply
Versailles was full of empty people with even emptier words. But there was something in Jack's nature, she thought. That no matter how outrageous his claims, there remained a sincerity about them. She looked at him speculatively. Just how many hearts had he claimed, Reinette wondered.
"The morning suits you as well."
With one more glance outside a sense of action seemed to settle over her.
"A drive it shall be them. I shall go dress and meet you in the sitting room shortly?"
Reply
It was exciting though, he had to admit, the thought of an adventure. In a time and a place he'd never before been, it felt fresh. It felt fresh yet strangely comfortable. New yet understandable in many ways. Or was it just her that he understood?
He nodded to her, a nod that with flair became almost a bow.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
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"Odd, then, that I do not see any stripes. You must have hidden them well."
He could do with that what he wished.
And would.
Reinette smiled, moving to turn away.
"The sitting room then, in a half hour. I shall give instruction for them to bring out my curricle."
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"Oh you don't?" he said with an air of surprise. "I'll have to work on that then, won't I?"
And he would, of course.
"Thirty minutes exactly," he said with a smile. I'll be there."
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What then of Jack?
It was a perfectly honest question of herself. He certainly could do her no favors in court, a stranger. And that made him dangerously close to one of the missteps she claimed to eschew. So what then of Jack, Reinette thought.
She liked herself again, when she was with him. There was that. What was the point of projection a reputation, even a not always popular one, if she did not like the woman behind it.
Standing from her vanity,. Reinette critically examined her reflection. The skirts of the gown were narrower as to allow more ease when driving. Tuberose, one of her favorite flowers, were embroidered in a delicate caress up the lines of her bodice. Her hair was now freed of its braid, brushed and coiled back neatly at the nape of her neck. And to finish, a sweeping hat the shade of her gown, placed at a angle that favored the line of her chin.
Yes, she would do.
Gathering her skirts Reinette moved into the sitting room.
Reply
But there he was, in the lounge, back turned towards Reinette's doorway. He wore his coat and stood tall. His very best hero pose.
He heard her footsteps and waited until they were close before turning.
He smiled at her. He looked at her, up and down, but while his gaze was obvious it wasn't overt. Appreciative.
Reaching out, he offered her his arm.
"Care to join me, Madame?"
Reply
They were more different than she initially gave him credit for.
"It would be a pleasure."
And she found that she truly meant the words..
Reinette lead Jack through several hallways, down into the gardens and finally to the main stables where her curricle was being readied. It was the very one she had first placed herself squarely in the way of a certain hunting party with. All with the intention of catching the eye of a king. Those that believed that they first met at the Yew Tree Ball would be mistaken.
Reply
"And I do aim to please."
He walked with her, observing the corridors in the light of the new day. He felt almost strange to still be here. He hadn't expected to. A quick trip and nothing more, yet here he was arm in arm with a woman who knew his name, new more about him than he'd have ever expected to freely admit, and that more than that, knew the Doctor to.
It was more than surprising.
And what else was surprising was the fact that he liked it. He liked being here, and his heart felt lighter because of it.
"You know," he said overly lightly as they approached the stables, "I could be irreparably damaging the timelines by being here."
Reply
"I am certain that you do. Just as I am even more certain that you hit your mark."
Reinette considered Jack's physical presence and the playful if competitive sense of companionship that seemed to be developing between them. They would have to spend an afternoon devoted to archery. It seemed a promising idea.
The thought made her pause, and very nearly misstep on the gravel path. She was planning on his presence. And that was not at all wise. Experience taught her that.
His words seemed to echo her thoughts.
"Do you care so much then?" Her voice was deceptively light. "Of timelines?"
Reply
He had considered it before, damaging timelines just to see people he wanted to see. To be utterly selfish once his vortex manipulator had been finally fixed and to visit people he loved. To go and intrude on times in his own life where there had been people he loved. They'd never have to know the difference. But he would.
"Lets just say I'm coasting," he said with a half smile. "Sure, I shouldn't be doing this, but I could be doing a lot worse. Small mercies, and all that."
Reply
From across her shoulder she considered his profile, still walking.
"I shall tempt your worst out some you some time later."
If only because it was that much more telling of a person.
Reaching the stables Reinette moved over to her groomsmen and accepted several small sugar cubes. Her team was perfectly matched, a pair of dappled grey mares that had been a gift from Louis very early in their relationship. Offering them each the sugar in turn Reinette leaned in to murmur a soft greeting.
She very nearly accepted the assistance of one of the grooms into the curricle before another thought came. Her eyebrow arched softly to Jack in question.
Reply
He smiled at her, an honest smile, but it faded along with her next statement. His face fell, crestfallen, and for a moment it was as though a very dark veil had been pulled over him.
"You don't want to see my worst," he said, voice low, glancing down at his feet as they walked.
He stayed a step or two back then, watching at a distance as she greeted her horses. It was briefly as though he sat under an unpleasant cloud, though the rest of the world had nothing but sunshine.
It was her look though, that drew him out of it, and as his head lifted so did the cloud, gone, at least for now as he stepped forward, hand reached out for hers.
"If I may," he said with a smile all too quick and easy after the apparent sorrow before. Oh he was far too good at painting his own emotions, he often forgot which ones were real.
Reply
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