Sheepishness overtook the brunette’s features as Ms. Torie gave him a reassuring squeeze and asked if he was back in London. So she’d heard he was spending a lot of time in France then. She couldn’t possibly know it was to escape the possibility of seeing her, but his cheeks reddened tellingly regardless. “Er— yes,” he admitted. “Temporarily.” The plan had been to go straight back to France after Tillie’s birthday and oversee work that was starting on the main house but now…? Well, he’d still have to go back, but the schedule after that would need to be changed. Wouldn’t Lucy be pleased. Anthony smiled despite himself and made a mental note to stop by his sister’s house later that day. She would have to be the first to know!As for seeing Ms. Torie’s father… a sudden knot twisted itself all up in the brunette’s stomach again. Roderick Malfoy. He didn’t know too much about the man really, but most of the older generations in those ancient pureblood families tended to be… reserved. They liked their own kind to intermarry, as if there was something wrong with mixing with halfbloods and the like. Anthony had never paid it much mind before but he was almost sure he would have to now. Putting on a cheerful face however, and determined not to let Ms. Torie know how much he was dreading such an encounter, the brunette nodded. “I’ll be in town on Monday,” he agreed. “If it’s alright with you, I’ll stop by before tea.” Better to get things sorted as quickly as possible after all!
“In the meantime,” Anthony took a slight step back and appraised the girl’s skirts as if he could possibly see her ankle from here. “How are you feeling?” They really ought to get back soon before they were missed much longer.
Victoire Malfoy & muse song (it's especially fitting because tombé means fall lol)
© darling MJ for this spectacular sight