Geoffrey returned once more, late in the evening as he had suggested, so that he could speak with Lady Nichole. He wondered what kind of emotions she was dealing with as he approached the tents. The guard had come to recognize him and pretty much understood the situation. Future spouse to the daughter and in-law.

The guard gave him a smile as he opened the flap, and there sitting in a fine dress was Nichole d'Aubigny. She smiled as she saw Geoffrey...well, more of a smirk, to be honest, but she rose and curtseyed all the same.

"My lord Tournemine," she said by way of greeting--emphasis on 'my.'

"Sweet Lady Nichole," he replied, approaching to within arms reach. He bowed deeply and respectfully, but also reached out to take her hand in both of his, kissing the back of it. "Your Lord Tournemine presents himself for your inspection."

When he rises again he does not drop her hand.

She lets it go and withdraws to sit and give you a slow once-over.

"It is difficult to imagine a scenario I expected less than to come away from the coronation with a husband-to-be. Matty, I thought. Matty would go first, but you just upset all the apple carts you can find, don't you, Tournemine?"

"It's one of my special talents," he replies, with a charming smile, before moving a chair so that he can sit and look directly at her.

"You'll find that I know the proper procedures, the right steps and moves, the courtly things to do. And that I am wiling to fly in the face of them as needs be. In private, just you and I, please do not stand on ceremony. Tell me honestly, everything that is on your mind and I will do the same for you."

"Oh, I plan to give you a great deal of shit, Tournemine." She says, smirk spreading wider. "Don't you worry about that."

"I'd expect nothing less from a partner," he replied, chuckling. "And you are my partner now, make no mistake about that. I will do my best to lift you up and support you. Nothing is worth more than family and you have become my closest family."

"That's nice, Tournemine. Seriously. Although, I do worry about you knocking around with Kings and Duchesses--it can be a little precarious, can't it?"

"It can. But Richard didn't stab me the other knight when I was shouting at him," he says with a shrug. "Just gotta pick the right people, time and place. And hopefully be charming enough to make someone think twice about stabbing you. But if things work out, it may be Earl and Countess, so a bit easier to knock around at that level."

"Well, that wouldn't be too terrible. Countess." She thinks about that. "Yes, Countess Nichole. It sounds correct, doesn't it?"

"It really does," he agrees.

"I would like to know what you expect from me, other than what is expected of all husbands. What does Nichole expect from Geoffrey..."

"Well, I expect you to be kind and gentle. I expect you to keep me safe. And I expect you to show me the world."

She considered for a moment. "I expect you to be nice to my father and my brothers...and even my sister. And I expect you to do what needs to be done to hold to your oaths and to be a good man. I refuse to sleep with a bad man."

He nods at her list of expectations. "Those, I will spend my life fulfilling. Your expectations are now mine," he stands once more, moves to kneel at her feet.

"Kindness, gentleness, protective, and adventurous. Familial, honorable, good... and yours. I promise them all to you Nichole. I cannot promise I will be without failure, but I will always be trying to fulfill this promise to the best of my ability."

"That's very earnest, Tournemine." She tilts her head and rests her hand on top of your head. "It's touching. Now come up here and kiss me."

He does as asked, moving to meet her lips and didn't particularly feel a need to say anything witty in the moment.

She responds with tenderness, though of course she bites your lip as it becomes time to withdraw. Her hands disengage from where they have twisted themselves in your shirt front, and she tosses her head and says quietly. "Alright, that's through. Enjoyable enough, I think."

"Of course it was," he says with a smirk.

"I suspect that neither of us knows what we're getting into with each other. Makes it a bit more exciting, no?"

"Does it?" She looks up. "I've heard a lot of horror stories about husbands that turn nasty, Tournemine. And I won't just sit there and take it like Countess de Vere. That's a promise."

"I have never and will never raise a hand to a woman in my life, Nichole. I was raised by my mother and with my sister. Both strong and independent minded women."

"What I meant by exciting, is that we get to learn everything about each other. I'll get to learn your favorite meals and have them prepared for you, we can read your favorite books and stories together, we can go riding, swimming and hunting together... we get to explore, and get to know one another Nichole. That is what I find exciting about the things I don't know."

"There is something to be said for novelty, it's true. I just hope you'll forgive the timid streak I've shown. This is very new, but it gets built up for girls. Maybe beyond proportion, but we'll see."

"Young ladies are usually taught to be accommodating," he smiles. "I don't want that. I want a wife that will speak her mind and challenge me. Call me on my mistakes."

"That much I can promise," she deadpans.

"Thank you," he says, in response to the promise, with all seriousness in his tone, but a warm smile on his face. "I want to invite you to join me for dinner soon, Nichole. And I would like to invite my sister and your brother. Does that sound agreeable?"

"Duchess Constance?" She tilts her head into your touch. "I suppose so. What's William got to do with anything, though?"

"I would like our families to get to know each other and work together well. I said that I would introduce the two of them at some point and this seems a good occasion to do so," he replied. "Less formal and more friendly meeting."

He pauses and offers a heartfelt smile.

"When I saw you in the garden a week ago, I never suspected. Approaching you there might have been the best decision I've made in my life."

"Matty thought you a terrible rake, with your innuendo. She has no idea." Her kisses are interested, but cautious. She is, after all, right there in her father's pavilion. It would be a total buzzkill to have the family walk in on a make-out session.

"Well, she's got a good sense," he says with a laugh. Guiding her back to her seat and moving one so that they can sit closer for their conversation.