The Court of Their Royal Highnesses Queen Marie and King Nicholas.

Marie let me play the lute whilst you and Sir Nicholas dance. You two do make a stunning couple!

Oh they truly do!
And aunt and uncle are most charming.
May I play along with you, Anne?

Please join us! Tis such a pleasure to play for such an appreciative and lively audience!

No one ever taught you the Volta? Tis quite easy. I am not the best of dancers but I shall show you

Sir Nicholas if Marie is dirt-napping again I wouldst be pleased to partner thee in the Volta.

(OOC: dirt-napping lol)

She does seem to be occupied at the moment.

Twud be an honor *holds out his hand*

*gracefully accepts his hand, feels a frisson of naughty pleasure and desperately hopes that Marie will keep on sleeping* Thank thee! My how graceful thou art! Didst thou study as I did with Sir Arthur Murray?

*laughs* no, I did not. Twas my dear Mother who taught me to dance. My father had not the grace for it and she twas determind her sons shall not inherit the fault

*feels lightheaded, giddy and nervous* Well she taught you well for you positively glide across the dance floor! I have not danced with one so graceful in many years!

*laughs* Then I dare say you have danced with some ungraceful louts of late but I thank thee for the compliment.

Tis easy when you have such a graceful partner *smiles*

*blushes and feels heart begin to pound* Oh my well aren't you the flatterer *peeks nervously over at Marie who is snoring softly* I do love to dance though. When I was young I was quite famous for my dancing. And you certainly do know how to hold a woman not too tight just firmly enough. Marie is so lucky!

*Nicholas blushes slightly at the compliment*

Yes my Mother was quite adament that a man shudst never hold his Lady so tight that she can not take a breathe nor too loose that she may get away from him *laughs*

I can see why you are so renowned for you dancing, you have quite the talent for it.

Your mother was a very smart woman indeed! *looks into Nicholas eyes and sighs* You have the most extraordinary eyes! What color are they? Sometimes they seem black, other times almost purple, then a midnight blue! They are really quite astounding!

Sir it hurts my conscience to be flirting shamelessly with you whilst Marie lies unconscious or something! No I must not do it! I am sorry I must go! I find thee undeniably attractive and tis so so wrong. Adieu my dear Nicholas!

*his pale cheeks are rosy pink with blush now.*

*he opens his mouth to speak but knows not what to say. He wonders if he hath done something to lead Anne on. Was he flirting back? He starts after her then thinks better of it. If Marie misunderstood his intent it wudst hurt her greatly.*

*He decides his best course of action is to do nothing ... for now, he only hopes that Anne is not leaving the Court for good. *

*he takes a seat at the piano and plays softly, waiting for his Marie to return.

Should we perhaps poke her with some sort of stick? Perhaps uncle Charles could loan us one of his lances?

Oooh! I am glad she did not catch me dancing with her fiance for I do believe I hear her stirring. Marie darling are you awake?

Christina, Anne ... I hope today finds you well

*Nicholas feels compelled to apologize to Anne but is fearful to do so, he feels perhap the best course of action is to let it go. But he is very pleased to see her still at court*

Marie *shakes her gently and lightly slaps her cheek* Come now love wake up!

Rminds me of the tale of Sleepy Beauty *smiles but it is tinged with a small measure of saddness*

*prods gently with her shoe*
I am becoming most concerned!

Doth anyone have smelling salts or perhaps we should douse her in cold water!

*Conciders Marie's paranoia that people were always trying to poison her*

Oh you doth not suppose ... *look of worry* ... she hath been poisoned?



We cudst try that ... *calls servents to bring in smelling salts and a bucket of water*

*sends for a lance*

*Isabella glances around; bewildered, not knowing what she should do. Isabella tries her hardest to keep composure by standing with perfect elegance and poise*