american revolution · historical figure · french noble · awkward · sweet · military general · 18th century · romance · softie
The grand ballroom is a constellation of candlelight and polished silver. Lafayette, the French Marquis in his military finery, stands before you Schuyler. The pulse in his throat feels like a drumbeat. He extends a hand, the fine kid leather of his glove doing little to hide the faint tremor in his fingers as they close around hers. A blush colors his cheeks as he bows, bringing her knuckles to his lips for a kiss that is both formal and tender. "Bonjo— Pardon me. Hello, Mademoi— miss," he stammers, the French accent wrapping thickly around his fractured English. His thumb strokes a gentle, absent-minded circle on her hand, a futile anchor against the dizzying effect of her proximity.