Gestures and Notions

[tripp]

Late February - Year 1

This time Everitt provided her the courtesy of knocking on her door and waiting, not fully expecting her to open the door since he'd been so bold in the days before. When the door creaked away in front of him, he tipped his hat and gestured with an unlit cigar. "Would be much obliged to ya," he grinned devilishly, waiting to be invited inside.

She hadn't expected it to be him when the knock came on the door and she found herself smiling a bit brighter when she found it was. Something about him had her tickled and pink quite a bit, he was bold, forward, and seemed to enjoy teasing her but he did it in such a way that she was flattered and amused by it. She saw the cigar in his hand as he gestured and she warned him. "Don't even attempt.." She paused and caught her breath, darn his smile... She opened the door and stepped aside to let him in once she remembered to be polite.

He frowned, looking at the addition to his hand and waving it about a little. "This? This here's just my gesturing cigar... not to worry your pretty head, miss Liza." He slipped off his hat and stepped in on his own, looking around at how the place was becoming comfortable and nice.

She regarded him with an odd though curious expression as he came inside, she closed the door quietly behind him and folded her arms. "Dare I even ask why you have a gesturing cigar?" She half smiled at him now, somewhat amused at someone having a cigar for gesturing.

He grinned again, setting his hat aside on a peg and leaning Gertrude within easy reach. "Would you rather I gesture with something else?" It was just his way, being bold. With all loud boys around, it was unnatural not to be.

"Well yes.. actually I would." She said, moving to perch on the edge of the chair. "My father always said, cigars had their place in a room full of men and talk, after dinner... and the women should keep away from those doors." She folded her hands in her lap and regarded him, still holding on to the prim and proper ways of society in the east.

"Seems I'm the only man on the premises, miss Liza... makes the room full of just you an' me, I'd say. You mean to be leavin' me by myself for havin' this in my hand merely as tool for point makin'?" He pulled it under his nose to smell the sweet and heavy scent of the leaves.

She glanced around and blushed, realizing the truth of his words and.. that they were indeed, all alone. She swallowed and glanced at him, shyly. "I suppose that would be awfully silly... and since you're not lighting it.." She tapped her shifted her feet, blushing a bit darker. "Though.. it's really not proper for you to be here.. alone.. with me."

He pointed to the room with it, but hushed down, teasing as if he were telling her secrets. "But we're in the parlor and the parlor's a room for jus' talkin'. And that's all we're doin' is talkin' ... on subjects that are proper, miss Liza. Not here to make you nervous 'n all. I'm not, now am I?"

He was, but she'd not say so. Shaking her head, she looked at him, not meeting his eyes, but rather looking to his shoulder. "No.. no.. why would I be nervous? Nothing to be nervous about, correct? I was just saying how it's not proper.. I am an unmarried woman... You a man in the age range.. where we are suppose to have a chaperone.."

[tripp]

He moved to the neighboring chair, tucked the cigar in a pocket on his shirt and gestured, this time with a gentle hand, asking if he could take a seat. "Then maybe your daddy oughtta get you a chaperone if he ain't gonna be around much to keep an eye on things, hm? Now supposin' there were a raid just now and you were here alone? He'd be glad I was here to keep you safe, so miss Liza... it would appear... I am the chaperone, wouldn't ya say?"

She looked down at the floor, her lips pursed slightly. "My father... he would rather send someone to drag me back east, than to chaperone me. He does not approe of my choice to come here." She turned her head toawrds him, chin lifted in slight defiance. "He thinks I'm ruining my chances.. and he'll never be able to find me a proper husband... You know.. now that I've spent time amoung the uncivilized heathens." She shook her head a small smile coming to her face. "I think.. he'd rather I were killed in some tragedy... that way he could talk about me in polite circles as his poor daughter who has passed away.." Her eyes ran over him and she nodded. "I, on the other hand.. would be most grateful.. were you here to look out for me, should something.. unexpected happen."

He grinned gently this time, his dark and narrowed eyes glistening kindly. "Would be an honor, miss Liza." He had every intention of keeping her under close watch, one way or another.

"I do hope... that it never comes to that... I wouldn't like to see you hurt or taking any risk to your safey on my account." Her expression was a kind one, appreciative of his offer but sincere in her wish not to see harm come to him.

Who's protectin' who? The thought of any of his brothers ever coming to real harm was a funny one, but if it ever did get bad, Sam could patch them. It wasn't likely anyhow. "With me and my brothers around, I don't see it comin' to that any time soon, miss Liza. I can darn near guarantee it."

"Is that so? Well then I suppose I should rest easier, knowing that." She smiled, much more warmly than she normally did, for him. Her chin lost it's tilt and her face seemed to soften a bit. "I have forgotten my manners... since you are here now.. would you like some tea?" She paused. "Or coffee.. perhaps? I can put some water on."

"Have a match?" He asked, pulling the cigar back out of his pocket, giving a warm smile as he teased. "Not much for tea, but if you have coffee, I'd again be much obliged.. might even go to say you're startin' to spoil me, miss Liza."

"I do have coffee." She raised an eyebrow at the cigar, but walked to fetch the matches off the mantle. "I hope you won't take offence to me opening a window." She held out the matches, a slight up curve to her lips. "Don't go saying I'm spoiling you, this is not even close to spoiled... this is just my more pleasant side."

"None taken at all.. none at all," he chuckled and moved the window, clasping her fingertips softly as he took the matches from her. His eyes held her gaze for that moment, until he nodded and stepped back to the open window, lighting the cigar.

She felt the light blush in her cheeks as he held her gaze, she looked away quickly once the contact was broken and scurried off to get the coffee. She made a small noise as she poked around in the stove to get it burning hotter again. Setting the kettle to the top she came back into the parlor wiping her fingers on a soft cloth. A small smudge of black from the coals unnoticed on her jaw.

"You're going through an awful lot of trouble... you really don't need to bring me a thing, honest," he smiled, watching her from where he leaned into the window, his boot on the rail below the sill where he steadied himself. He needed to drop the ash from his cigar and moved to the door to step outside, but stopped a moment, motioning to his own face to hint at the smudge.

"It's no trouble, really... I fancy a bit of coffee now and then. Your company gives me the excuse to have some." She smiled, as she folded the cloth neatly into a small square. She watched him flick his ashes out the door and thought for a moment. She moved to the mantle again and took down a small bowl, meant for sweets but emptied. She brought it to the window and set it on the sill, offering him a place for the ashes that did not require him making a trip to the door each time.

[tripp]

He chuckled and took the dish graciously, being careful not to mar the edges with the hot coal end of the cigar. "Spoilin' me, I say. You.. um... step over here just a moment, if you don't mind."

"I told you not to say that." She teased softly, taking a tentative step towards him. "Yes?"

"You've got a... here," he said, reaching a knuckle to her cheek to brush the soot off. "Beggin' pardon... but it was in the way of your pretty glow."

She chuckled softly. "Thank you." A soft pink color rose lightly in her cheeks. "I'll just be a moment.." She turned towards the kitchen as the kettle began to make noise as the water heated.

He watched her go and chuckled softly, looking to the window as he tapped the last of the ash into the small piece of fine china. She was a minute in returning, so he ground out the last of his smoke to the bottom of his boot, not wanting to scorch the finish on the dish. He took the lot out to the rain barrel, rinsing it clean and drying it for her with his shirttail.

She returned with a tray, hot kettle and mugs, with a smile. She set the tray to the side table and went about pouring their cups. Looking up as he came in with the bowl in his hand, she shook her head. "You didn't have to trouble yourself with that. Thank you."

"Not meant for ashes. Where would you put your fine confections then? Can't say as anyone'd want a taffy that tasted like a cigar, now, would they?" He smiled and placed the dish back where it had been and sat near her. "And trouble for trouble... you're doin' the lion's share, I'd say."

She shook her head, waving her hand to brush away his words. "No, just being polite is all... and it's no trouble, I told you that. I'm happy to share a pot with you."

The quiet of the late afternoon... nearing dusk was broken by the sounds of a dog yelping and yapping in the distance.

His ear was trained for alerts, the barking drawing his attention. "May have to wait, miss Liza.. if you'll excuse me a moment. Stay inside and close that window, if you don't mind. Should be but two shakes... just a touch of sugar and a little stir." He smiled briefly and moved to take his hat from the stand and his rifle from the doorway.

"Something amiss?" She started to stand, heading towards the window, hearing the sound of the dog, more urgently now. She jerked at the sound and froze for a breath as the dog was silent. Her hands quickly pushed the window down and moved away from it.