is this really just another crush?

[Adrienne Elkins]

Adrienne sighed and continued with the puppy face. She refused to let him off that easily. She continued holding his hand delicately in her own, brown eyes gazing at him pleadingly and almost longingly. "Will you at least come spend Christmas Even with us?" She asked, sounding and looking almost like a whipped puppy.

"Please, for the love of all things holy, do not leave me alone with my brothers." She continued. "They get me in trouble." Of course she was teasing. She almost never got in trouble around her house. All she had to do was make the puppy eyes, much as she was now, and all blame got passed to her brothers. And when she did get in trouble, it never was severe.

When he mentioned spending New Years Day together, she smiled slightly, surprised that the idea sounded...fun. She usually was not one who would enjoy something so similar to a carnival, despite her love of social events. She more preferred to dress in her best gown and be the center of a waltz.

But spending all day acting like a child again did sound enjoyable, even if it wasn't in France, where she so longed to be. "I would like that." She responded softly, almost affectionately. "I would like that a lot."

  

[Roderick Elkins]

He found himself unable to resist her charms, despite how hard he had tried to. He'd been quite determined, but the more he watched her the weaker his resolve became. The dam broke and overflowed so suddenly that he felt himself smiling widely and heard himself say, "I suppose I could spend Christmas Eve with you." If anything were to happen, he could apparate back to the Ministry in only a second.



Her agreement to spend the day with him cheered him greatly. Oddly enough, he found himself quite looking forward to it. She was good for him, he decided, and made him feel... happy. Perhaps, he thought, once they had spent the entirety of New Year's together, he could confess to her that he had asked for her father's permission to wed her.



"I ought to get you a gift," He realized. It was rude to show up and spend a Christmas with a family and not bring the hostess a gift. "I'll admit that it has been a long while since I gave anyone a gift - perhaps you might humor me and hint at what you might like?"

  

[Adrienne Elkins]

Adrienne smiled broadly when he agreed to at least spend Christmas Eve with her family. She was delighted by the prospect of having someone besides her brothers and father to entertain. And she found herself enjoying Mr. Elkins' company, perhaps more than she should. But that was hardly of consequence. At least now she knew he wouldn't be alone, at least on Christmas Eve.

She was looking forward to not only his company on Christmas Eve, but also on New Years as well. She was so delighted, she could kiss him...if it was appropriate. Which it wasn't...so she wouldn't....maybe. She smirked internally at the concept, but kept her face completely blank of her far more mischievous ideals. Oh, she was far too flirtatious, and she had no intentions to do anything about it.

She blushed once more when he mentioned getting her a gift. She shook her head, still smiling. "Oh heavens no. My present is your presence." She insisted. It was hardly polite to invite him to spend Christmas Eve with her family and expect a gift. It was far too rude to ask for such a thing.

  

[Roderick Elkins]

"Oh no, Miss de Marque. I insist," Roderick reassured her quite stubbornly. Even if she did not allow him to purchase her a gift, he would bring her one anyway. It was difficult to know what exactly to get her however, since he only knew that she liked her musical instruments, France and the seasons. It was difficult knowing what she had and what she did not have, as well as what would be considered appropriate considering the fact that she was not aware that they were betrothed.



"I could not bare to have you open presents Christmas morning and not have a single one from myself," He told her, "Such a woman as you deserves all the gifts in the world." It might have been a little overboard, but he felt sincere in saying it. He would buy her anything she asked for.



Unfortunately, he did not have anyone to turn to to assist him in finding a gift for her. Emelina Winters, his assistant, might help, but she didn't know Adrienne at all. It was just another thing that he needed to figure out in a short time period. His list was growing longer every hour, it seemed.

  

[Adrienne Elkins]

Adrienne sighed and rolled her eyes. "If you show up with a gift, I won't open it." She teased, letting go of his hand and crossing her arms over her chest. She had a tendency to be stubborn, and she was perfectly aware of that fact. She was also perfectly at ease with the fact. And she felt the need to use it to it's full potential.

Satisfied that he had at least agreed to spend Christmas eve with them, she moved back to her side and wrapped her arm delicately back through his. She resumed her position close to his side, her hip pressed slightly to his. She knew that the people walking passed them were beginning to whisper, but she hardly cared. She was used to gossip by this point.

Now that she was in a position to be escorted again, she turned dark chocolate eyes back up to him, gazing at him beneath layers of thick, dark lashes. "Now that we have reached an agreement, perhaps we should continue home. So perhaps you will not have to rush off right away."

  

[Roderick Elkins]

Her protests were endearing, but he thought that perhaps once she saw his gift she would change her mind. Granted, he hadn't a clue what sort of gift he could give her just yet, but it would have to be interesting enough to bring her to accept it. For some reason, he felt like she was the type of woman who found joy in receiving gifts. It was fortunate because Roderick quite liked to give gifts, should he find someone worthy enough of one. He found Adrienne to be incredibly worthy.



"We shall see," He replied rather smugly.



He smiled down at her when they continued their walk. Roderick could definitely grow used to walking with her so near to him. And he would, he reminded himself, he could walk next to every day if he wished. They walked the length of High Street in what only seemed like a minute to him, but was most likely quite a bit longer than that.

  

[Adrienne Elkins]

Adrienne could not help but smile broadly at his smug tone. "Oh we shall." She purred in reply, nudging him with her elbow playfully but still very gently. "But don't get your feelings hurt if I don't open your little box." She teased. "I'm a woman of my word. If I make a promise, I keep it." Her eyes went back in front of her as they continued walking down High Street, observing all the shops with their Christmas Decor.

Their walk up High Street seemed to take merely moments, though she knew it was much longer than that. She did enjoy spending time with him, and she was not sure if she liked that. She had never been one to enjoy the company of a man, especially like this. Of course she was a flirt, and was often with a suitor more days than not, but she did not enjoy being with him like this. This was not mere flirtation, she actually liked Rod-Mr. Elkins. Lord help her, she was getting way too familiar.

She allowed the silence to fall for a moment before she spoke again. "Well, I know you said you could not join us on Christmas, but do you mind if I come to visit you? At least for lunch? I would hate for you to be locked up like a recluse on Christmas. It's the happiest time of the year." Her voice was even, as if she didn't care either way. But she did, and she hoped he would say yes. She would love to see him on Christmas, if not for him, then for her.

  

[Roderick Elkins]

As stubborn as she sounded, he couldn't help but think that perhaps if he bought her a present that was great - one that perhaps was not wrapped - than she could not refuse to open it. He would need to think on it some more. Work would probably not get done because his thoughts would be upon Adrienne and her gift. He was determined to come up with something unforgettable. It was their first Christmas together, after all.



When she spoke again, her request surprised him. Touched that she truly seemed to care that he had some company on Christmas, he allowed affection into his voice as he spoke, "I would love to have your company at any time, Miss de Marque, especially on Christmas. If you would send a note to my office before you visit, I will make sure that I am there to meet you."



The fact that she wanted to spend more time with him, and was even requesting to do so, was something that made Roderick incredibly happy and hopeful. It was silly of him to allow a woman to make him feel that way, as if she controlled his happiness. Perhaps some time away from her would have been better for him, but he did not want to miss a chance, should it present itself, to inform her of their betrothal.

  

[Adrienne Elkins]

Adrienne's smile turned into one of pure delight when he agreed to her request. "Wonderful." She replied happily, her eyes all but glittering. "I will make sure to let you know before I head this way." She rubbed his arm affectionately, happy that at least she would be able to make sure that he was not alone.

As they reached the end of high street, she turned back towards him. "I can apperate from here. I would hardly ask you to walk me any further than you already have." She reached to her waist and pulled her want from beneath a fold on her skirts. The black wood held carefully in one hand, she reached the free one to his.

She laced her fingers with his for a mere moment, squeezing his hand slightly. "Thank you for escorting me." Her voice was soft and low, meant only for him and not the people walking around them. "I'll send you a letter with the exact location of the house in just a few days. Wouldn't want you ending up in the middle of the Seine River, would we?" She teased.

  

[Roderick Elkins]

The look on her face only enhanced her beauty. The way she lit up was indescribable - he adored it. It almost made him want to bow to her every whim simply to see it again and again. Get a hold of yourself, he thought, it will do no good to be smitten with her. He had seen far too many men go to ruin for a woman.



She opted to apparate. Although he wanted to insist that he escort her all the way to her doorstep, he figured it was best to let her go. He didn't want her thinking that she had him wrapped around her finger, or that he could not live without her. While he quite enjoyed spending time with her, he did not want her to see just how much he liked her.



"Directions would be much appreciated," He chuckled. With a bow, he added, "I shall see you then, Miss de Marque. It was a pleasure."