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Right...she was definitely, definitely, being beyond a doubt inappropriate. Of this Aidan was absolutely certain, and really, really hoping he was right. It was awkward enough with his certainty, it would be horrendous if she was being completely innocence. But she couldn't be being innocent. There was too much of a tone in her voice. Caitrin knew exactly what she was doing, and it was making Aidan even more uncomfortable because now he had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. Was he supposed to be playing along or being honourable? Which one was more likely to offend? And, if he was supposed to be playing along...how far? Aidan's experiences with women could be summed up in one word: none. Whereas Caitrin's experiences with men would probably need an entire library.

"Well," he cleared his throat, trying to pay attention to the conversation and not how his thoughts were wandering. This was probably the effect she'd been trying to acheieve, which was all very well and good, but Aidan was still at a complete loss as to how he was supposed to act. If she could just stop being all...innuendo-y and just tell him what was going on everything would be so much easier. "I'm sure you have many...and that will be...enjoyable..." He really wasn't good at this whole flirtation business and his awkwardness was just making that all the more apparent. If he had the confidence he could just blag his way through their entire conversation. Unfortunately all he could do was sit there and try not to offend her.

“I could give you a tour of the estate? It might give us a chance to get to know each other better.”

He almost choked on his wine. Get to know...? She couldn't possibly mean what he was thinking of? He'd heard some, quite frankly, startling rumours about Caitrin de Archer but even so. She was using that tone again - the one that was telling him that his understanding was indeed correct, despite what his sense of propriety was trying to tell him. But that was not the worst part, or even the most confusing part. Aidan wasn't actually sure which meaning he wanted to be true. Yes, part of him was all for running away but another part of him was finding Caitrin's manner increasingly more attractive. There was just...something about her. She was beautiful, of course she was, and the more she flirted the worse his thoughts were becoming. Maybe getting to know her was the way forward - not like that - but in order to...convince himself that she was not in any way being suggestive or inappropriate. "A tour sounds...well I'm sure it would be very interesting and erm, much appreciated."

There was probably only one place, other than his own chambers, that Aidan felt comfortable. Well, alright, that wasn't entirely true. Usually wherever he and Arthur were was somewhere he could be comfortable - the prince was one of the few people who actually accepted Aidan the way he was. He'd been a good friend since they were children, but now he was getting older he was being given more and more responsibilities and so Aidan was finding himself alone more frequently. He didn't mind though, he'd spent a lot of his life alone, it was just what he was used to. And it gave him more time for reading, one of his greatest pleasures. When he wasn't in his own chambers or with Arthur or being forced into some horrible situation with Struan he could be found in the castle's library. It had everything he could possibly want in there, and more, and this was not the first time he'd completely lost track of time while he was there. He'd only been intending to borrow a book but he couldn't decided which one he wanted and ended up on the floor surrounded by piles - that's when he saw her.

Elenora hadn't seen him, or at least she hadn't acknowledged him. Maybe she'd forgotten who she was, it had been a fair few months since they'd met, and it was only a short meeting in which he was awkward and unable to hold a conversation and she'd been pulled away by some dancing dimwit - or at least Aidan liked to think he was a dimwit. Not that that was important right now, he was far too busy watching Elenora finding her own books and remembering that she'd said she had a passion for reading. He thought he heard something behind him, turned around to find nothing and when he looked back she'd disappeared. Well that was just brilliant, wasn't it?

Fortunately, that was not to be the last he saw of her. He'd been on his way out, literally in front of the door, when he remembered he'd forgotten one of the books from the pile that had been on the floor. Just as he turned around he felt someone collide into him and heard a load of books falling to the floor. Immediately he bent down to pick them up, not noticing who they had been held by. Wait a moment-

"Oh God! I'm so sorry!"

He knew that voice! "Lady Elenora!" He half exclaimed, surprised to see her again. "Please don't apologise, I-I should have been looking where I was going." He continued to gather the books together, accidentally brushing his hand against hers. For a moment he just stared at her hand before remembering himself and looking back at her. "It's not a problem at all." Of course it wasn't a problem. This was his chance to actually have a conversation with her - a proper one without awkwardness or his brother making comments or the dancing dimwit and he was going to make the most of it.

Aidan held up his own goblet before repeating her words, "To the prince's birthday," he looked at Elenora, that small smile finding its way onto his lips again, "And to new acquaintances." Somehow that seemed like the better part of the toast to him. Of course he and Arthur were good friends and had been since childhood and he was pleased to celebrate his birthday but, well, he had one every year and would continue to do for a fair few more years to come. Whereas Elenora...she was someone new and therefore far more important than celebrating a friend being older without said friend being there.

His eyes briefly scanned the room, trying to see if he could spot Arthur but didn't manage to. He was probably off speaking to various nobles without standing there looking awkward and/or annoyed. Aidan had always envied Arthur in that respect - he was always so good at talking people, then again, he was the future King of Camelot. Talking to people was required. Aidan, on the other hand, he just shuffled about or spoke about mundane things.

He turned his attention back to Elenora and tried to think of something to say but found the ability to do that had completely escaped him. How wonderful that was. "So...I see you are a fan of dancing," he took a sip of his goblet, trying to buy himself some time, "Is there anything else...you...enjoy?" Well that was as smooth as ever...

It was rather embarrassing for Aidan, having a woman - a woman of noble birth, he might add - having to tend to his wounds. It was made all the more embarrassing by the fact he was so obviously in pain. It wasn't particularly brave or gallant behaviour, but at present it was the best he could do. Really, it was no wonder he never made it as a knight - accident or no. If this was how he coped from a little injury, he'd be no use to anyone in a war.

He smiled at Romily's words although he found himself unable to agree. His non-existent wife, whoever she might be, would not find herself so lucky to be married to a cripped younger son. No woman who came courting at the d'Amory estate would be looking for Aidan. His brother was the much finer choice, probably less fun, but fun wasn't really taken into consideration when marriage was discussed. "You flatter me. I am not nearly as fine a man as you think." His words were said with a light-hearted tone, but there was an all too familiar truth about them. He wasn't a fine man by anyone's standards, no matter how much Romily flattered him.

At her words about her kingdom he waved a hand dismissively. She had no need to sound quite so apologetic. Thieves would find him no matter what kingdom he went to and anyway, there was no point dwelling on that now. What had happened had happened, but if it hadn't then he would be closer to his father instead of here, and right now here seemed like the much better prospect. If anything, the thieves had done him quite the favour. "Think nothing of it, the whole of Albion is filled with those who wish others harm. I promise I will not let it tarnish my view of your kingdom," he grinned, he was teasing her but there was a truth in his words as well. "I cannot thank you enough for your kindness." He said seriously, looking down to see her work. It was rather well done, he had to admit. "You have a natural talent, or do you make it a habit of rescuing people?"

Aidan was no longer sure what was expected of him anymore. He'd been throw into this situation knowing virtually nothing about Lady Caitrin and expecting to be dining with her uncle as well and now he was sat there trying to work out whether she was being inappropriate or not. If she wasn't then he was being very ungentlemanly for thinking so, if she was - was this a test? Was he supposed to be being inappropriate back (not that he really knew how to do that) or to just run away, metaphorically speaking of course. It was all very confusing and something Aidan really hadn't been expecting. How he hated formal dinners.

She was winking at him, and biting her lip in a rather suggestive manner so it was more likely that she was being intentionally inappropriate. Well that was one question answered at least. It didn't make him feel any better though. Did he actually want her being quite so forward? She was beautiful, yes, and, if the rumours were true, rather experienced, but still, he was probably supposed to just sit there and try not to stare at her chest. "I'm sure you could. A young woman like you must have many talents." That sounded a lot better in his head. He was just going to have to go with that one now and accept that he'd just given her more cause to be inappropriate.

It was fairly obvious - even to Aidan and his lack of people skills - that Caitrin was not overly enthusiastic about discussing the weather. He'd panicked and inevitably said the wrong thing. But now she was suggesting taking a tour of the gardens and although he could probably do with the fresh air their dinner was in the process of being prepared and he didn't want to be late for that. Food would give him something else to focus on, or give him another oppurtunity to be awkward and nervous. "No, no, I'm fine to stay here. Unless you want some fresh air. It is rather," he cleared his throat, "Stuffy in here."

Havins successfully shut Struan up for at least a minute, Aidan took his oppurtunity to escape his brother's rather unnecessary comments and ever so subtley made his way across the hall. He kept glancing at Elenora, despite trying not to. The best thing to distract himself with seemed to be a drink - and hopefully he'd find someone else to talk to while he was at it. Only he didn't have such luck. No, he had to go and step on the foot of Lady Elenora. Because obviously he hadn't made a fool of himself enough.

"It was my fault entirely, please forgive me." His words were a little rushed, but he was eager to get his apology out. He didn't want her thinking of him any worse than she already did, only he was at a complete loss as to why exactly that was.

He had been trying to find someone to talk to, and to save him from another conversation with Struan, but he'd been rather hoping to find someone that wasn't Elenora. He'd only say the wrong thing again. "I saw you dancing," he began, feeling slightly like a stalker. "Did you...enjoy?" It seemed this conversation was going as well as their last one. Wonderful.

Struan, being Struan, wasn't helping the situation and while Aidan was trying to stand nonchalantly, his brother kept making comments. The youngest d'Amory was trying to ingore him because he was using most of his concentration of looking nonplussed, rather than responding. He was almost certain he'd offended Elenora in some way as she'd practically ran off. Well, alright, she'd been dragged off by her sister, but even so. She kept looking back at him though, so he kept having to avert his gaze and pretend he was't looking at her and ended up making it horribly obvious that he was.

At least Struan was enjoying himself. "You, brother, are a master of subtlety."

Aidan glared at him. He'd only gone over so he didn't have to stand by himself but now he was seriously regretting that. Standing alone was a much more attractive prospect now. "I'm not trying to be subtle."

"Evidently." Struan was watching Elenora as well, only he wasn't pretending he wasn't. He cocked his head, trying to work out what was going on between her and the man she's talking to. "Ooh, there's been a development."

Aidan tries a casual "Oh?" like he doesn't care either way. Well, he does. The one time he actually tries to talk to a girl and she just goes off and finds someone more interesting. This was why he didn't like social events. He didn't like people.

As he watched Elenora made her way into the centre of the room with her sister and the man, and Struan starts pulling faces. "Looks like she's found someone more...equipped for such events." He says, looking on while a circle is formed and Elenora ends up holdings hands with a secnd man.

"Be quiet, Struan."

"Or what?" Struan teased, evidentally enjoying his brother's reaction. "You'll march over there and demand she dance with you instead? Slight problem with that: you can't dance."

No, he can't dance (and even if he could the likelihood of him "marching over and demanding she dance with him instead" was very slim). He could elbow his brother though.

"Ow."

Aidan just smiles before turning his attention back to Elenora.

Aidan gave a small smile at Elenora’s words; it was probably painstakingly obvious just how nervous he was. Deciding to talk her had definitely been a bad move – he may be in search of a wife but that didn’t mean he was actually good at doing anything about it. If he had his way he’d just disappear and find himself somewhere nice and quiet but he couldn’t exactly do that, firstly because it would be the height of bad manners and secondly because he was supposed to be celebrating his friend’s birthday, not running away.

“Yes, I do agree.” He replied, in actual fact he hadn’t given the food or wine much thought, he’d been too busy trying to avoid eye contact with people and as for the dancing...well, it was best to the indulging to those who were able to. There was something about the way Elenora spoke that made him think she was hinting and wanted to dance – it would certainly give them something to do, that was, if he was any good. He’d never learnt to dance before his accident and afterwards he’d never wanted to for fear that it was something that he simply wasn’t going to be able to do or something that would only embarrass. He did have some pride though and he didn’t want to admit to Elenora that he couldn’t dance because he was scared of embarrassment.

“Except for indulging in dancing – I find no pleasure in the pastime.” Well, that was true. “Merely excessive frivolity.” Right...he should have probably stopped as “pastime” – he was trying to get her to like him, not think he was some pompous noble who was too rigid to dance. Well, this was certainly going well.”

Aidan was sure Caitrin was being inappropriate now. There was no way she could be saying what she was with any innocence. The only problem with this revelation was that he wasn’t actually sure what to do now. Talking to people wasn’t one of his strong points, unless he happened to know that person for several years and, preferably, that person wasn’t a female and they definitely weren’t flirting with him. He shuffled rather uncomfortably. What was he supposed to say to that? “I’m sure you wouldn’t.” He replied – was that the sort of thing she was looking for? This was all rather unchartered territory and he didn’t want to disappoint.

It seemed Caitrin wasn’t making any effort to make Aidan feel any less comfortable. Winking and speaking in that tone of voice definitely weren’t making the situation better and he was quite convinced that her thoughts were anything but innocent. He took the goblet from her gratefully, “Thank you.” Right, wine, a beautiful woman...what could go wrong? There probably wasn’t enough time to answer that. “How are you going to stop me?” He asked, not entirely sure why he was saying that. It sounded like a good idea at the time.

Right. She was definitely doing this on purpose now. He immediately diverted his gaze and started staring at the floor. When Caitrin hadn’t moved he shuffled rather uncomfortably. What was he supposed to do? “Erm...well...I believe it is customary in situations like this to...erm...” it was rather difficult to keep looking at the floor as she was now sitting next to him and rather too close. “Discuss the weather. How are you finding the weather?”