Their eyes met and Atticus grinned at her; he hadn’t meant to embarrass her, but watching a slight blush spread across her cheeks was worth it. His eyes flicked back down to the board before him as he considered his options. Her king was protected, as was his, although he would go to great lengths to win an opening dance with her. His lips pursed together as he ran some moves through his head, causing him to take a moment to answer her. He reached forward and moved one of his knights closer; his goal was to corner her pieces and force her hand.
A laugh escaped him as she gave a date he wasn’t familiar with. “September eighth. That’s coming up,” he mused, although he assumed from her explanation that she wouldn’t be celebrating her birthday. Maybe he could talk Poppy into surprising something for her, even if it was small. Miss Mountbatton deserved to celebrate her birthday the English way, if she wished. Even if it was just once. “That sounds like an interesting concept, celebrating your birthday on New Years. This year, with your permission, we shall host a ball in your honor.” It was strange to offer such a thing, especially something so far away.
He glanced up and smiled at her. “If you enjoy being the center of attention, it’s not too bad. I’m not too keen on hosting events because I don’t have an eye for detail.” He shook his head, Mama Foxwood and Poppy had put together most of the details after Atticus had given them a theme - it had been more a joke but they had run with it. “But I hope in the future this property will be used for far more events.” If his wife wanted to be a socialite, he would be happy with it. Parties, teas, any event she could think of he would glad to help host - as long as she took care of the details.
He hummed quietly at her mistake. “Miss Mountbatton, your gift to me shall be the first dance tonight, because I do not think you’re going to win.” Atticus smirked at her as he moved his pawn to capture her knight.
A laugh escaped him as she gave a date he wasn’t familiar with. “September eighth. That’s coming up,” he mused, although he assumed from her explanation that she wouldn’t be celebrating her birthday. Maybe he could talk Poppy into surprising something for her, even if it was small. Miss Mountbatton deserved to celebrate her birthday the English way, if she wished. Even if it was just once. “That sounds like an interesting concept, celebrating your birthday on New Years. This year, with your permission, we shall host a ball in your honor.” It was strange to offer such a thing, especially something so far away.
He glanced up and smiled at her. “If you enjoy being the center of attention, it’s not too bad. I’m not too keen on hosting events because I don’t have an eye for detail.” He shook his head, Mama Foxwood and Poppy had put together most of the details after Atticus had given them a theme - it had been more a joke but they had run with it. “But I hope in the future this property will be used for far more events.” If his wife wanted to be a socialite, he would be happy with it. Parties, teas, any event she could think of he would glad to help host - as long as she took care of the details.
He hummed quietly at her mistake. “Miss Mountbatton, your gift to me shall be the first dance tonight, because I do not think you’re going to win.” Atticus smirked at her as he moved his pawn to capture her knight.
@"Natsuko Mountbatton"
![[Image: cBAJGlb.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cBAJGlb.png)