dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

dukehumphrey:

iamthefirechild:

“Anything, my lord. I place myself entirely in your hands.” She let him lead her to the balcony, neatly side-stepping drunks and dogs. Once there, she drew away, clasping both hands on the railing and gazing upward. The night was clear and warm and the sky blossomed with the light of a million stars.

“Is not God’s work beautiful to behold?” she asked softly at last, turning to look at Humphrey.

“I am certain God’s most beautiful work is not up in the sky, for it is you, my lady…” Humphrey said, stepping to her. “May I?” he asked as he touched her neck with a finger, his other hand drawing a leather poach from his pocket. “This is something I had made for you, and I had some other occasion in mind to give you… yet I saw you tonight and I thought, it is exactly what you shall wear along with your dress.” He took from the pouch the necklace of rubies and pearls. “I hope you like rubies. I thought they suit you… well I hope you like the gift,” and with that, he placed the necklace on her neck and clipped it behind her head, the motion inevitably drawing him close. His hand traveled down to her waist as he held her for a long moment. “I wish not to start any talk,” he whispered, “I restrained myself all night so no gossip goes around, but you shall know that my heart is yours still… that I want none but you.” He raised her cheek to face her, and looked into her eyes when saying it. “I wish I have been as chaste as my brother the king, for then I had no gossip around me and I could dance the night away with you. I want no talk and no damage to your honour, my love. So tell me, what to do. And first of all, tell me if you would have me.”

“Your Grace,” Summer whispered. It felt as though everything around them simply faded away, leaving only the two of them, on the balcony in the starlight, looking at one another. His gift weighed around her throat, the metal warming to her skin. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Dared she believe him? “Wilt have my heart in trade for thine? I fear thou hast stolen it all the same. Yes, I’ll have thee, with gladness.”

Humphrey smiled at her submission, the confirmation that he was right. He knew that she wasn’t the kind who would take just anyone, and he even dared to believe that she didn’t take him just because he was a royal duke. He looked around, but besides two drunken lordlings quarrelling and a couple lost in kissing and more in the corner, the balcony was empty. Thus he leaned down and kissed her, gently touching his lips to hers, and when her lips parted he deepened the kiss passionately with tongues teasing as they danced. He held her close, feeling her arms on his neck, not wanting to part even when breathing became a necessity.

“Your lips truly taste like summerwine…” he whispered to her, smiling. “I would gladly be sickened with drunkenness from it. So tell me, my lady, when can I see you? And how? I need to know to be able to endure more dancing with my aunts… and their ladies-in-waiting with their offerings. I need to know how long I am to starve…”

Summer gave him a soft smile, cheeks flushed. “‘Tis simple, my lord. Who would question thou and I encountering one another in the library? Or writing to one another of texts modern and ancient? Or ever thou canst escape council, I’ll meet thee in the gardens. Now kiss me again, to stave off thy starvation.”