Natsuko felt breathless, giddy and she couldn't keep the smile from her face. She wanted the world to leave them be, let her enjoy this moment -perhaps even another kiss. Locked away in the box together alone she could imagine there was no one else in the world but her and Atticus.
The door to the box opened, and a shock of fear ran through her - at being caught touching a gentleman. Natsuko's first impulse was to pull back, to let go of his hand, pull back and feign her indifference and she was shocked when he didn't. He was arguably the one with the most to use - he was the one that ran the risk of being forced into marrying should society interpret their interaction the wrong way. He was the one liable for breach of promise if she felt herself aggrieved by him.
Instead he kept a hold of her hand, and she watched with a dewy expression as he kissed her hand once more. She chuckled lightly at his comment, 'I'm fairly sure she would be due it.' she demurred, her neck bent, wave, arched in lovely pride. She made a mental note to send Poppy something lavish by way of thank you. Suki gazed out from under her lashes at Poppy, flashing her an expression of utter gratitude. She didn't know what to say to her friend - what was the precedent for being caught in adoring intimacy with her cousin.
She tried to read Poppy's face for any expression or indication that she was affronted or otherwise outraged - aware as she was that Poppy's plan to set up Atticus had other players, and that Poppy may have settled upon one of them as her preferred 'sister', sister as she was in every way that mattered.
The door to the box opened, and a shock of fear ran through her - at being caught touching a gentleman. Natsuko's first impulse was to pull back, to let go of his hand, pull back and feign her indifference and she was shocked when he didn't. He was arguably the one with the most to use - he was the one that ran the risk of being forced into marrying should society interpret their interaction the wrong way. He was the one liable for breach of promise if she felt herself aggrieved by him.
Instead he kept a hold of her hand, and she watched with a dewy expression as he kissed her hand once more. She chuckled lightly at his comment, 'I'm fairly sure she would be due it.' she demurred, her neck bent, wave, arched in lovely pride. She made a mental note to send Poppy something lavish by way of thank you. Suki gazed out from under her lashes at Poppy, flashing her an expression of utter gratitude. She didn't know what to say to her friend - what was the precedent for being caught in adoring intimacy with her cousin.
She tried to read Poppy's face for any expression or indication that she was affronted or otherwise outraged - aware as she was that Poppy's plan to set up Atticus had other players, and that Poppy may have settled upon one of them as her preferred 'sister', sister as she was in every way that mattered.
![[Image: 1h84GbB.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/1h84GbB.jpg)
Gin made something stunning