It is a truth universally acknowledged... (closed)

[Birdie]

Nick let out a little chuckle at that. "Yes, you see? I don't think many gentlemen actually enjoy those sorts of things. Frankly, I can't stand horses, I'm miserable at games I can't bet on, and I only read when I'm avoiding people."

Bea giggled triumphantly at his loss of words, then shook her head at him. "No, I won't tell you. I didn't win."

[Skittery]

"...Oh," Lillian replied, averting her gaze. Well, maybe they wouldn't suit after all. Not that she had been thinking they would, of course. No, definitely not. She most certainly hadn't been thinking that. Ever.

"Oh, come on!" he exclaimed. "Please?" He was tempted to pull out his puppy face. He knew it worked wonders.

[Birdie]

"We don't all have our noses buried in books like you do, Lillian," Nick told her with a small smirk, teasing her. "But don't hold it against me."

Bea shook her head again and lifted her chin with an impish smile. There was absolutely no way she would admit her favor. It was ridiculous, first of all, and secondly, he'd probably laugh his head off and abandon her in the middle of the dance if she told him.

[Skittery]

"I'd like to think that's a compliment..." she said softly, feeling a bit embarrassed, frankly. Society didn't necessarily look down upon ladies who read, but they didn't speak openly for it, either.

And, with that, Michael widened his eyes and stuck out his lower lip, just a small bit. "Please?" he asked again, his voice soft and very boyish.

[Birdie]

"Don't look like that, Lillian," he said a little quietly, realizing she was uncomfortable. "It's good that you read, even if your choice in novels is questionable. You can think for yourself, and you have more interesting things to talk about than muslin and charity bazaars."

Immediately Bea's breath caught in her throat, and her eyes drifted to Michael's mouth. She swallowed a little hard and furrowed her brow. She'd seen this look before, though usually not directed at her. "Absolutely not," she said without much strength. Ugh, why must his eyes be so lovely?

[Skittery]

"How would you know the novels I read are questionable?" she asked, quirking a brow and trying her very hardest not to smirk. "Have you read them?"

Her resolve was weakening, he could tell. "Oh, come on, Bea," he pleaded, not breaking his expression.

[Birdie]

"As a matter of fact, I have," he sniffed, holding in a laugh. "Udolpho, and Clermont, and all of those awful 'The Duke in Distress' books that Bea has."

She could tell she was not going to win this fight, not with his eyes being so pretty, and his voice being so soft, and that little dimple being so adorable -- curse him! "I won't," she said again, finally closing her eyes simply to get the sight of him out of her mind.

[Skittery]

Lillian was momentarily speechless. "You...you've actually read them? Honestly?"

"Aw, please? If you're worried I'll laugh at you, I promise I won't," he assured her earnestly.

[Birdie]

Nick nodded a little guiltily. "I have. If I'm reading, my brothers won't bother me much, and the only books I ever have around seem to be Bea's. Honestly, she leaves her things everywhere except at her own house."

"You will!" she said, opening her eyes and making a face at him. "You always do."

[Skittery]

"Oh... well..." Lillian wasn't quite sure what to say. A gentleman who read novels? Horrid novels?

Michael's puppy dog expression finally broke as his brow furrowed. "No, I don't!"

[Birdie]

"You can't tell anyone," he said with a very small smirk. "My reputation would be in tatters. White's would certainly not allow me inside."

"You do!" Bea cried with a pout. "You never take me seriously!"

[Skittery]

Lillian let out a chuckle, rolling her eyes. "Don't worry, my lips are sealed. I wouldn't dream of tarnishing your reputation."

"What are you talking about?" Michael countered, looking ever more confused. "I tease you sometimes, yes, but that's all in good fun!"

[Birdie]

"Thank you," Nick said with a duck of his head, while his smirk finally crept fully onto his face. The last strains of the waltz rang out, and he slowed Lillian to a stop.

"You always tease me, even when I'm trying to be serious," Bea said, furrowing her brow. "You act like I'm still a little girl."

[Skittery]

Lillian looked up into his eyes as she came to a stop, finding herself smiling widely. "That was actually quite lovely," she observed.

Michael shook his head a little, apologizing when they almost ran into another couple. He hadn't realized the dance was over. "Bea, I'm sorry...I didn't know that's what you thought. Truly, I don't mean to...Well, the truth is..." But he couldn't finish his sentence because the ballroom burst into applause, clapping for the musicians.

[Birdie]

"Neither of us had an apoplectic fit because of it," Nick said, unable to stop himself from returning her big grin. He turned slightly and clapped with the other dancers.

Bea clapped, too, still giving Michael a little frown. As the applause finally died down, she turned back to him with a sigh. "I suppose it's useless to get angry about it. It's just how you and I are." She gave him a small smile. "Anyway, tonight is for having fun."