For Better or Verse [Percy]

[Deleted]

The events of the night before would not soon leave Marguerite. She had been hoping for a night of light-hearted fun with her husband, but she should have known that it could not be. The reason they were in France at all was for Percy and the League to protect people, which meant they were likely to incur violence. He had barely allowed her to come to France at all, not that she would have needed his permission to go anyway. She knew it was dangerous; she knew more than he might have realized she knew. Marguerite St-Just had always been lauded for her intelligence, after all. It had been hard to convince Percy to take her to France, and now she would have to convince him to take her on whatever mission he was plotting. Because as dangerous as the violence was that the League faced, now, the malice was personal.

Marguerite had been so exhausted by dancing, and by dancing around her pursuer, that she had hardly been able to do more than collapse into bed when they arrived home late from the masquerade. But Percy had known that something was amiss, of course, and she had to tell him: Sylvie St-Cyr wanted to kill her. Paul had told her, and she had no reason not to believe him.

If she had not been so tired - by the other part of the equation that Percy did not yet know, which was that she was with child - then she did not think that she would have been able to sleep. However, she had slept deeply, then risen early this morning and had begun to pack her things. Whether a portmanteau was entirely practical for the journey remained to be seen; she would find out soon when Percy realized she was preparing. He would scold her, no doubt, but she was not about to let him leave without her.

She had packed lightly, and was wearing a practical dress that was loose around her middle. Her clothing already felt different on her, even if she did not look noticeably different yet. No, if she did, Percy would be sure not to let her go. As it was, however, she waited for Percy to fuss, keeping her hands on her hips pre-emptively. "Well, Percy, are we leaving or aren't we?" she asked, leaving him no option to say that she wasn't coming or that he didn't have something up his sleeve. She knew he did!

[SIR PERCIVAL BLAKENEY]

[style=font-family: times; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #989898; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;]458 WORDS FOR MARGO SINK ME! If you arent right...for a change. ODDSFISH! [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: #6d6d6d;] [style=padding: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; color: #1e1e1e;] Zounds! What a right kettle of fish the Blakeneys were in, Percy thought as he tossed and turned in his bed. What a demmed inconvenience the St-Cyr’s vendetta against his wife was. Percy didn’t particularly want to believe Chauvelins warning, but the league was able to confirm pretty quickly that there was certainly something fishy going on. Percy would have felt a lot better knowing his wife was out of harm’s way, and the moment they had arrived back in their quarters he had sent a note to get the Daydream rigged and ready for his Ladyship to return to British soil. He waited impatiently for the small signs of light to peek through his curtains, indicating dawn. An hour before dawn broke there was a brisk knock on his door; he rose quickly and opened the door to a fully dressed Balon, the butler he had hired for their French quarters. ‘Sir, an urgent message for you’, Percy nodded taking the note that had been carefully placed on a silver tray. ‘Thankyou Balon’ he said briskly, shutting the door and moving to the window. A few rays of light were bursting through the shutters and Percy opened them, as his pale blue eyes scanned over the envelope. It appeared to have been privately delivered, and the seal was one he recognised. Breaking the seal he opened the note and read it quickly, his brow creasing as he read its contents. Percy knew the Count De Rochambeau reasonably well, he had not been aware of the trouble the Count had undergone until he had arrived in England. It appeared that his daughter Lady Helene was still in France and in the upmost danger. The Count was imploring with him to insure she was safely taken to England. Percy reread the letter before lighting a candle and burning the letters contents. He dressed quickly in his smartest travelling outfit and descended the stairs. He would ensure Margo was delivered safely to the Daydream and then make the journey out of Paris to Barbizon, where the young Lady was in hiding in a nearby convent. It was still early hours when he heard the stairs creak, looking up from his map of France his blue eyes fell on Margo who was already dressed in her travelling gear. Percy sensed he was in for a battle of wits, the demmed woman just couldn’t do what she was told, but that’s what he loved about her. ‘Odds fish me dear!’ He said mockingly, ‘Yes we are leaving, I have the daydream prepared and you should be on its smooth deck before noon’ he said firmly, standing up and rolling the map back up and placing it back in a set of drawers. [/style]

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[Deleted]

After Margo had risen, she had been seated quietly by the fire when someone had knocked on the door and gone to see Percy. She recognized the messenger who handed the note to Balon, though he had not spoken to her more than polite pleasantries, and she suspected that he was in the League. Granted, Marguerite suspected just about everyone who swarmed around the house... even the imbeciles who laughed heartily at all of Percy's jokes no matter how tiresome they became! But this man she had seen more than once. Or at least she thought so. He was gone in a moment.

This was what had ultimately convinced her that Percy was up to something, which she had already suspected, but now believed to be confirmed. Part of her wondered whether it was simply about Sylvie St-Cyr. But if St-Cyr was the reason why they were leaving, it didn't explain why they had come in the first place. Why would Percy have come to France just for the fun of it, especially at a time like this? Yes, he enjoyed stirring the pot and causing trouble, but he never did it without just cause, did he? He had come to France for a reason, the same reason that probably had him wanting to move again.

She certainly was not packing to go back to England, either way. She wanted to be safe from Sylvie St-Cyr, but she also wanted to be in France, with Percy, whatever he was plotting. She raised an eyebrow. “The Daydream,” she repeated skeptically. “A sea voyage hardly sounds like a dream come true.” The trip was never pleasant, least of all without her husband. “And how exactly, Percy, did we traveling become only me on the ship?”

Closing the distance between them in a few steps, she caught his wrist as his hand was pushing the drawer closed. “The map, Percy,” she demanded. “I would like to see it, please.” She met his gaze resolutely, one eyebrow raised dangerously as she looked up at him. True, she did not have Andrew here to side with her, but she hardly needed him to extort information from her husband as to where, exactly, he planned on going. Without her, no less.

[SIR PERCIVAL BLAKENEY]

[style=font-family: times; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #989898; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;]373 WORDS FOR MARGO SINK ME! If you arent right...for a change. ODDSFISH! [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: #6d6d6d;] [style=padding: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; color: #1e1e1e;] Percy had been looking for the best root to Barbizon; he would ride there the moment Margot was safely on board the Daydream. He had already prepped Andrew, who at this very moment was readying the horses, along with any permits and items they would need along the way. He wanted to leave immediately; for he feared the longer he left it the greater chance the mission would fail. Of course trying to get his wife to do anything for her own safety, was about as difficult as Chauvelin found tying a cravat. He could not risk her safety and he feared the St-Cyr woman’s crafty means, he didn’t know if he would be able to save her if the woman got close to Margo. He wasn’t willing to risk it. Not his Margo. ‘The Daydream my love, is one of the finest yachts in England!’ he exclaimed, he was extremely proud of the Daydream, it was a fine boat and one of his hobbies. He loved the freedom brought by the Daydream; she was a truly spectacular ship. ‘Melady, I have business to attend to, and I’m finding your resistance remarkably tiring. You shall return to the safety of England and no more is to be said on the matter’ he said firmly. Percy sighed, rolling his eyes as his wife intercepted the maps, but he did not struggle and let her take them. A map of France after all was not the most telling of items. He was not going to argue on the matter anymore. He would never be able to forgive himself if Margo where killed. ‘Damnation Margo! Do you think I can risk you staying here’ he said passionately, ‘this aint a game!’ Percy sometimes feared his wife didn’t realize that there were many lives at stake, and he couldn’t risk them unjustly. He had everything prepared, he was dressed to go and he hoped by the end of the week he would have Helene safely transported back to England and his assessments of Frances political state under his belt. He confessed he was greatly looking forward to returning to England; France just wasn’t the same anymore. It sent a shiver down his spine to think of it. [/style]

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[Deleted]

Marguerite was not impressed by her husband's arguments. He could rant and storm until a week had passed and the opportunity to complete his mission had failed - she still had no intention of going home alone. It was selfish of her, perhaps, to want to go with him, and to delay his journey this way. But she was frightened, and that, even more than her desire to be with him and to have an adventure, was excellent motivation.

"The Daydream could be one of the finest yachts in France if you let it stay here," she shot back, unfazed. She was not going to be talked into going home on that ship, or any ship! If he wasn't going to be swayed by their witty banter, then she was going to have to resort to other tactics. "Percy," she wheedled. "You know the sea voyage is always perfectly miserable, even on the Daydream, and especially if I must make it alone." They rarely, if ever, verbalized their love to each other seriously, especially in situations like this when they were made angry. However, he knew how it pained both of them to be apart.

At his next comment, she snorted."I suppose you would prefer to leave me, and my resistance, and whatever else you do with me that you find tiring!" she retorted pointedly. She hated when he acted like he could just silence her! "I will say everything on the matter, sir,," she emphasized sarcastically, "that I please! I will not be trampled upon like one of your English roses!" Percival Blakeney had chosen to marry a woman with wit and a sharp tongue, and though he had known exactly what he was getting himself into when he married famous actress Marguerite St-Just, she supposed, he probably regretted it often. Snatching the map, she opened it and glanced over it hastily, only to set it aside with a huff as she realized there was nothing of any use on it.

Eyes blazing as he started to shout, Margo drew herself up to her full height and stared back unflinchingly. His words, however, made her blink, her jaw go slack in surprise. "Percy," she sighed, looking up at him and tenderly touching his cheek. His concern had affected her, and she drew his face down to hers for a deep, passionate kiss before she pulled away to meet his gaze. Their resolutions were often as enthralling as their arguments. "You know I can't stay here alone, but I won't be any safer in England," she said quietly. Sylvie St-Cyr would stop at nothing to have her dead. She did not want to endanger Percy any more than he already was, but she truly felt like he was her best and only protection. She was frightened of being without him, for her own sake and for the sake of her baby, the existence of which Percy still did not know. If he had, Marguerite was certain that he would never agree to take her with him, and so she must keep it a secret for a while longer.

Still caressing his face, she murmured, "Let me come with you. You know that if you don't, I will only find my own way to you."

[SIR PERCIVAL BLAKENEY]

[style=font-family: times; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #989898; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;]394 WORDS FOR MARGO SINK ME! If you arent right...for a change. ODDSFISH! [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: #6d6d6d;] [style=padding: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; color: #1e1e1e;] Percy was fully accustomed to finding himself constantly sparring with his wife, the demmed woman was mighty good at the verbal sport of sparring. Percy took to ignoring her words about the sea journey; it was poor attempt at gaining his sympathy. He would rather she be slightly uncomfortable on the sea voyage back to England, than lose her life here on French soil. Percy started to turn his back on her, finding the urgent business of tidying some papers more important than listening to his wife’s words. He however could not ignore her any longer as she persisted on the subject. He could not help but meet his wife’s eyes as her hand found his cheek, their lips met and Percy held her firmly in his arms afraid to let her go, but afraid to keep her by his side. Life was demmed in tolerable at times. Percy sighed at her words, his head resting for a moment against hers before he drew himself tall again ‘Margot, you will be much safer at Blakeney Hall than anywhere else; the league will make sure of that.’ He said, softer this time, but the firmness still resonated in his words. Margots last words triggered a distant memory, they had barely been married a few months when she discovered his identity and followed him across the channel to France. Her terror for his life was so strong she stopped at nothing to find and warn him. He recalled how he had nearly lost her then, and knew if she was feeling stubborn enough she would do as she said. The woman was French after-all and if Percy knew anything about Frenchies, it was that they never knew what was good for them. At one last feeble attempt to convince his wife to stay he added ‘for heaven’s sake Margot you’re not prepared for such a journey! It’s a long ride and I can’t guarantee your safety, we are going into rebel country and they are mighty unpredictable!’ he said, moving away from her and removing the temptation that came with such proximity. He longed to have her by his side. Trying to distract himself he began to pack up some papers he would need, he was ready to go…all he needed was for his wife to get on the daydream and sail into England’s safe embrace. [/style]

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[Deleted]

Kissing her husband hungrily, Marguerite let herself feel for a moment that she was gaining the upper hand as he held her tightly. Even though he wouldn't admit it, she knew that he did not like to be apart from her. Still, that did not mean he would not overcome that dislike and attempt to send her away in any case. They had been apart for missions like this more than once, as much as she detested it. Knowing that, she appreciated this moment, eyes closing momentarily as he rested his head sweetly against hers, relishing his embrace, before they pulled away from each other at his stubborn proclamation.

“The League!” Margo repeated in surprise. It was rare for Percy to mention them at all, even to her, so she knew that he must be serious about something. But to say that they would help her was even more surprising. Weren't they supposed to be helping him and keeping other Parisian citizens safe? That was what they were here for after all. “I know you won't admit it, sir, but I am quite certain that the League is otherwise engaged.” She stared at him, challenging him to deny it. “They are most certainly not going to be at Blakeney Hall, and neither am I!”

She was insistent upon this point. Her husband could not make her do anything. He might forbid her from going with him, but she would only find her own way, and that would be doubtless much more dangerous. Although, knowing Percy and all of the people after him, it would be extremely dangerous to be in his presence as well.

His insistence that she could not manage a journey made her scoff. Being told she couldn't do something was sufficient encouragement to make her believe that she could, and that she must. If only to prove her husband wrong, of but also because she wanted to be by his side. She sighed in exasperation as he said that the rebels were unpredictable. “Well, so are Englishmen! And I've managed to keep up with you well enough,” she pointed out dryly.

As he turned away from him, she stepped closer again to wrap her arms low around his waist from behind. “Percy,” she purred sweetly, “if you don't let me come with you, I'm only going to come on my own, and you wouldn't that.” She had already told him that, but he didn't seem to believe her threat - though he well should! "I am more than prepared. Don't think your scheming's gone unnoticed."

[SIR PERCIVAL BLAKENEY]

[style=font-family: times; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #989898; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;]369 WORDS FOR MARGO SINK ME! If you arent right...for a change. ODDSFISH! [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: #6d6d6d;] [style=padding: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; color: #1e1e1e;] Lord darn it! Percy knew he was going to have to take his wife with him; there truly was no escape from the ties of marriage. The imprint of their previous moment still lingered on his lips and was hazing his mind as he fought to find a reason to keep her from the harm of the rebels. Andrew would laugh at his situation; he always said Percy had met his match when he married Margot. Much to Percy’s distaste, he still liked to think he held the upper hand in the marriage. ‘The league’ Percy said firmly, ‘will go anywhere I ask, and I still have members who would be able to keep an eye on you’ he almost threatened as he felt his argument slip away. Sighing loudly, he dropped the papers he had been uselessly shuffling back on the table, and turned to face his wife. It seemed they were having one of the infamous Blakeney arguments, which often sent the servants scuttling back to their quarters. The arguments rarely meant anything other than a small difference in opinion, but the two always went for the dramatics when confronting each other. He tutted loudly at her words turning away to look out of the window, he could see Andrew waiting impatiently for them, he frowned noting a third horse had already been prepared. Lud! Andrew seemed to have placed his bets on Margot coming! Damn the man! Percy felt Margot wheedle her way onto him, her arms finding their way around his slender waist. He stood silent for a moment, sulking at the prospect of Andrews’s smug face when he exited the building with his wife in tow. He certainly would not hear the last of it. It would change his plans slightly, perhaps he could convince Marie Roquefeuil to allow his wife to stay with her while he ventured through the woods to the convent. He didn’t want Margot at the mercy of the rebels. ‘Fine, get your things at be outside in ten minutes’ he said briskly, with a sense of sulkiness about his persona. He didn’t want to discuss the matter any further. He’d rather they just get the demmed mission over with. [/style]

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[Deleted]

Margo beamed triumphantly as Percy acquiesced and told her to be outside in ten minutes. “Thank you, Percy.” She stretched up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek gratefully. Though he would act affronted, hopefully it would cheer him up a little. She could not tell him that he wouldn't regret it, because she was not sure that he wouldn't. Sulk though he would, she would not say “I told you so”, either; she was content in her victory, and would relish it in silence. “I'll be out in three,” she declared proudly. Her servants would help her, and she had packed light. She did not know the full nature of the mission, but she knew that it was not the sort which would allow her much comfort.

Now that she realized this, that she was truly going – though she would not admit it, she had not known going into it that she would win the argument[/s] – she began to feel some fear. They were going into enemy territory, it was true. It would not be comfortable, and it would not be safe. There was no knowing what this mission would entail, exactly. And she had her child to think of. There were many who thought that riding horseback could induce a miscarriage. She could not stand the thought of losing another child, not when she had been carrying this one for some four months now. But she knew that if she did not go with Percy, she would only be endangering her child more, not at the hands of revolutionaries, but at the hands of Sylvie St-Cyr.

She glanced out the window just as Percy had done and saw Andrew waiting below with her horse. Collecting her small parcel, she moved downstairs and outside, greeting Ffoulkes, who did not seem altogether surprised to see her. “Andrew,” she smiled warmly, taking his hand and pressing it before letting him help her mount the horse. “How very good of you to prepare my horse.” She smoothed the skirts of her dress over the sidesaddle and settled in carefully, knowing that this would be a wild ride. It always was, being married to Sir Percival Blakeney.