( thoughtlessly, her gaze follows the movement of his fingers, the way his thumb slips between lips she's had one too many dreams about. pressed against her own, sliding down the column of her throat, lower and lower. before she's even fully registered it's happening, she can feel the flush creeping across her cheeks and down said throat, and quickly she ducks her head. though nowhere near fast enough to hide the red stain now coloring pale skin.

he does it on purpose of course. she's all too aware of the way he can barely stop himself flirting with just about anyone in his path. if only that knowledge were enough to stop the way her body warms to him.

finally she looks up again, clearing her throat softly. )

Time, yeah. I've noticed it all seems a bit meaningless here. ( what with the near constant parties and how they all seem to run into each other. not that she's actually attended any of them. ) Still, I'm surprised I haven't run into you sooner. ( though maybe not so surprised. she would have had to have left her room for that.

dimly she registers him taking the plate from her, self-consciously smoothing her now free hand over the waist of her dress, feeling suddenly very plain. far too caught up in him to notice the approaching merchant or the way rupert smoothly deflects, she does her very best not to look too pleased with the offered arm, she doesn't hesitate to slip her own through his.

it's a humiliating thought, but she would lead just about anywhere he wanted to go. )

The perfect gentleman, even in these bizarre circumstances.