Wrong thing to say to someone well into their cups. But worry had made him rather foolish when it came to Fortuna. “I don’t doubt that.” He humored her. “You may not be feeling the greatest in the morning, though.” Rufus calmly explained, worry clear in his eyes. He felt it rather safe to assume this was not something that Miss Lockhart partook in regularly.

At her words he couldn’t help but smile too. “I’m glad to see you too.” He brushed back a strand of her brown hair that had fallen loose. “We should probably get you to sleep too, though.” He added gently. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but he supposed with Tommy out cold on his bed, that it would be much more appropriate to make up a bed for Fortuna on the couch. It was the least scandalous option he could think of in their current predicament.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Tuni wrinkled his nose at his first response. She really didn't want to think about tomorrow. Not when they still had tonight. Tomorrow was hours away anyways and he'd only just gotten there. Going to sleep sounded like an absolutely awful idea.

"But you just got here," she all but whined up at him, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout as she did so, "And I came just to see you and to bring you cookies. Besides, I can't very well go back to the room like this." And she did at least have a point there. Walking around London in her drunken state even if he did escort her home would only create more problems.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus had had more drunken nights than he cared to admit. Perhaps because of that he had already ruled out taking her home. He smiled gently at her, though and put his hand lightly on her shoulder. “Let’s sit and talk then.” Looking down at the box of cookies that was nothing more than crumbs, he felt it safe to say that although she had had the best intentions cookies would not be in his future. “Perhaps in the sitting room so dear ol’ Tommy can sleep.” He looked over his shoulder with a glare at the sleeping man in the room. At least he couldn’t cause too much more harm in his present state.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Continuing to smile, Tuni was glad when he didn't insist she go to bed. She really didn't want to have to throw a temper tantrum over it but she wasn't above doing so. "I like that idea," she said pleasantly enough before offering her hand to him, "Help me up?" She knew he would, he was far too much of a gentleman not to. She was also fairly certain she needed the assistance. Her legs felt rather weak even though she was sitting.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

There was his Fortuna. His. The thought of that alone made him smile. Despite it all Rufus felt rather lucky to be able to call her that. To be able to have her in his life. Even when his best pal set her to her cups for the first. They all had their moments.

“Of course.” He stood up, holding out both hands to help her to her feet. It was so hard to be annoyed at her when, one, it clearly wasn’t her fault, and two, she looked so happy.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Grinning up at him, she happily took his hands and enjoyed the warm skin to skin contact as she pulled herself up. Only, her legs were rather weak and despite his help she felt herself stumbling some and right into him. One hand came to press against his chest as she fell into him. She started giggling again as she rested her head against his chest. "My legs feel like someone's cast a jellyleg jinx at me," she said with a giggly voice but she certainly didn't mind. Not with her cheek pressed against his chest and being able to feel and smell him. She took in a deep breath, reveling in all of him.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

Fortuna did not seem entirely steady on her feet as she stood up. In fact she stumbled into him. Rufus braced himself as she landed softly against his chest. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her as she pressed close, holding her tight and enjoying her presence there. “I’m sure you do.” He told her with humor in his tone.

It was going to be difficult to get her to stumble into the sitting room without waking Tommy from his stupor, “How ‘bout I carry you to the couch?” He offered with a kind smile as he looked down at her.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Tuni tilted her head back so that she could smile up at him and give a small nod. "That would be lovely," she answered, grinning wide with big dimples, "My knight in shining armor." She'd clearly had too much to drink.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus never thought of himself as a knight in shining armor. However, he was quite certain in that moment that if she asked it of him he would become one, what with that smile and those happy eyes. He easily scooped her up in his arms, skirts and all and carried her through the doorway before settling her softly on the couch. “Wait here a moment.” He told her before he disappeared back into the bedroom. A moment later he reappeared with her glass of water, a blanket, and his pillow. “Here, these might make you more comfortable.” He told her handing her the glass of water before tucking the blanket around her legs and putting the pillow by her side. Then, so she wouldn’t think he was trying to put her to bed, he sat down beside her. A respectable distance, of course. “What would you like to talk about?” He prodded gently, watching her with gentle eyes.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Tuni nodded silently as he sat her on the couch then wandered off back into the bedroom. She watched him as he left then as he came back. Her eyes were simply drawn to him and she couldn't quite look anywhere but at him. Though, that had always been the case so it wasn't just because of the alcohol.

She took the glass of water easily enough and sipped on it but frowned slightly as he tucked the blanket around her legs and set the pillow down. It seemed like he was still trying to put her to bed still even though he'd agreed not to. He did, at least, sit down next to her but he was still to far away.

"Are you cross with me?" she asked, frowning still slightly but with a look of worry to her eyes.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

Her question took Rufus off guard. “Cross? No.” Perhaps a small bit, but he really did blame Tilcott entirely. Whatever had the man been thinking. “Worried.” He admitted, the emotion clear in his eyes. Looking back he’d never really been able to pin point just when he began to worry so much about her, but it had begun to happen. He’d always look to her safety and well being - even if it came before making her family - the worry would see to it as would his natural inclination to look after her.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

He wasn't mad. That was a relief. But Tuni still felt as if there was more off than just being worried. Had he assumed the worst of her and Mr. Tilcott? Merlin, she hoped not. That would be the last thing she would ever do. All she wanted was him. Rufus. He was hers and she was his. They'd had that discussion and it still rang true in her mind. She didn't want anyone else no matter what the outcome could lead them to.

"Then why haven't you kissed me yet?" she asked, too bluntly but it was asked nonetheless. She wanted him closer to her. She wanted to be able to touch him and smell him again just as she had when she'd stumbled into him. And clearly, his lack of kissing her, was why she'd assumed him cross.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

She thought him cross for not kissing her? Rufus fought to keep the incredulously surprised look from his features. “Because,” He started gently, “I am not going to take advantage of you when you are in such a state as you are. It’s not courteous.” There was a code about these things, especially when the person was the one he intended to marry. That really made him want to play by the book. He hadn’t always, but with Fortuna it would always be by the book. She deserved that.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Still frowning slightly, Tuni looked at him with what could only be described as confusion. Though her brain likely would have understood such a thing, it wasn't functioning nearly as efficient as it should. The water was helping some at the very least though. She didn't feel quite as loopy as she had when he'd first shown up but she was still drunk by any sense of the word.

"But what if I want you to?" she asked simply, "What if it was the whole reason I'd come here?" Thoughts of what she'd read in that book flickered through her mind just enough to color her cheeks but she didn't say anything further.

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!

“That is precisely why it’s considered a very un-gentlemanly thing to do.” He explained, knowing she’d understand if she hadn’t been in her cups. Then she mentioned her real reason for visiting, her cheeks turning that pretty pink they had a tendency to turn when she was embarrassed.. “Tuni,” He said gently, leaning forward to brush that stubborn strand of hair from her face. “We will have all the time in the world. If only you give it a few weeks.” He didn’t want to jeopardize this before they even had a chance to soar forward. Not that he didn’t want to kiss her. He wanted that very much. But he was in control of himself and as long as she wasn’t he’d have to be in control enough for the both of them.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Tuni's frown slowly turned to a pout as he continued on. She didn't really like this sensible and calm Rufus. At least, not in that moment. Not when all she wanted to do was to kiss him and feel his hair between her fingers. She didn't see what a few kisses would hurt, especially since they'd already shared several before that.

"But that never stopped use before," she answered softly, "What harm would another kiss do? Especially since I had the thought while sober." Shouldn't that at least count for something?

---

  

---

Another Glorious MJ Set!