Snippet #1606858

Lady Mayfair had taken the time to introduce her to the man that was known as Aulay. Strange name, but Clarice found it to be pleasant on her lips. A waiter offered her toast with roe which she easily denied. She was never one for eating, let alone eating in public. Clarice was picky when it came to what passed her lips and the only foods she ingested were normally raw vegetables and rare fruits.

“Lady, excuse me, or was it Duchess Phaedra? It’s a pleasure. Your name is quite famous. It’s rather unusual, admirable to me, for a woman to be in such a high place in this society without a husband by her side. You as well Lady Renoldi, the company I'm in tonight is truly great. How are things back home for you both? Has fortune been smiling upon your wealth and estates?"

Lord Aulay spoke kindly to her, strange. He was to innocent for her palate. She mostly went for rugged and tough men but he was so soft and innocent. Clarice would never forgive herself if she corrupted the poor boy. A small smile flickered over her crimson lips. "I am a duchess, but whichever title suits your taste better is what you can call me by, but please, refrain from my last name as it is much to formal. Simply Lady or Duchess Clarice will fit perfectly." With three fingers she lifted a glass of red wine from a platter and took a small sip letting the crimson liquid sink down her throat and disperse over her tongue. "My husband has passed on, otherwise he would have attended with me. Perhaps you knew him. Duke Irvine of Versailles. He was quite the man." She had mastered the look of sadness in her face, though no one would be able to tell it was fake. Her pale eyes even watered up a small bit, "Home life is pleasant, lonely at times," Which was true, she did get lonely. Just because she had men in her bed did not mean her mind was appeased emotionally. There was no reason not to be honest with the man, she was not one to hide anything, "It is quite difficult to make a living as a woman in the most lavish cities in France and the only way to keep my money would to be to marry, but I do not intend on giving away Irvine's possessions so easily. They meant so much to me."

With that she nodded and smiled humbly again, despite every rumor he ever heard of her, the woman he was meeting now would be totally different. Instead of sultry and sly she would come across as humble and lonely. Perfect. "What about you Sir Archer?"