[open post of crackiness]

[tip_tilted]

As a result of Draco's charm, the Lynet who walks at a brisk pace down the path from the Mansion to the Orkney cottage is almost unrecognizable as Lynet. It's amazing what a smile can do. Anyone who might stop her on the way would, under normal circumstances, get a tongue-lashing -- but today, who knows?

Comments

[hadley_bright]

Hadley-Bright does not go often to the woods, but chance would have it that he is traversing that particular path on this particular day. Passing Lynet, he offers a polite bow and his most charming smile. The charm he cannot help.

[tip_tilted]

While under normal circumstances, Dame Lynet would return his bow with a grimace and keep going, or stop only to mock him, today she pauses to curtsy and smile back.

"Good morning!"

[hadley_bright]

'And to you, miss,' he replies, the smile broadening. 'Captain William Hadley-Bright, at your service, miss.'

[tip_tilted]

"And I am Dame Lynet," she answers courteously, her own smile growing as well. "From your clothes, I take it we are not so far-removed in our home eras as I am from so many who reside here, though not so close as others, either."

[hadley_bright]

'Might that mean you are an Englishwoman, Dame Lynet?' Hadley-Bright asks with a laugh.

[tip_tilted]

"It might," she responds with a light laugh.

[hadley_bright]

"For I am an Englishman, and would be glad to see a countrywoman in this strange place." Not that Hadley-Bright, by virtue of appearance, speech, or manner, could possibly be anything but.

[tip_tilted]

"I believe there are many Britons here, far more than seems entirely reasonable, if we go by the law of averages!"

[hadley_bright]

"You have made some study of mathematics then, miss?" he asks in a gallant way that suggests no great interest of his own in the subject, save that it is one she may have pursued.

[tip_tilted]

"Hardly!" she laughs. "But you must have noticed the truth of what I say."

[hadley_bright]

'I have indeed, miss,' Hadley-Bright agrees, 'but none I have met have been so charming as you.'

[tip_tilted]

She smiles and looks away demurely (and it's remarkable how much more people seem to like one when one is nice to them). "You are too kind, sir."

[hadley_bright]

Hadley-Bright laughs. 'Only to ladies such as yourself, I assure you.'

[tip_tilted]

"And what kind of lady is that, pray?"

[hadley_bright]

'The pretty, charming ones,' he replies with his best smile. He is not the sort of boy who must apologize for boldness.

[tip_tilted]

She laughs. "Not my sort, then, I'm afraid! You must have me confused with my sister."