<span style="color: #FFBF40"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">House of Delecroix</span><br/><span style="font-size: 130%; line-height: 116%;">Castle Devona</span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o793/Galvin_Fugazi/16aaa03c-d70c-49d0-833d-aa82d7697d9f_zpsf037c19c.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF40"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Sir Abel M. Delecroix</span></span></div></span><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF0000"><br/>“You are, actually. This is a ladies only meeting here, we were just starting to discuss how we could get rid of overprotective brothers or brothers full of hate. So far we have not come up with a solution, but we are working hard on it. Your appearance here is kind of expected and still surprising. Shouldn’t you prepare for your first fight, Sir Abel?” </span></span>Martine answered quickly back. Abel was troubled by her words--brothers full of hate? He understood the protective statement, no doubt referring to him, but brothers full of hate? He hoped she did not mean Hector. He ignored her question for the time being.<br/><br/>Martine was clearly teasing him as she spoke about his lack of gifts for the ladies and he only smirked in response,<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FFBF40">"But Lady Martine, I hadn't an idea that I would encounter such visions today. If I had known, I would have brought an abundance of gifts. As for my sister, her heart is hard to keep--so I must remain vigilant," </span></span>at that he gave a small chuckle at Iris' deepening blush.<span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="font-style: italic">"Now, what is it? Don't make it so thrilling..."</span></span>at that, Sir Abel had to put a stop to the teasing as much as he enjoyed it,<span style="color: #FFBF40">"Ah, unfortunately, my lady, it is for my sister's eyes only--though I am sure she will share with it you later."</span>He had no desire to break the news of his sister's mare in front of the other two ladies.<br/><span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>"Brother..what kind of gift is it? If it's a surprise of some sorts I'll come along with you but you know I like gifts anyway. I'm just not sure why you're giving me one out of the blue..Oh! I almost forgot, this is Lady Martine and Lady Marina..if you didn't know that already,"</span></span>his sister's sweet voice said to him. With that he gave a small nod,<span style="color: #FFBF40"> "I figured as much. It is a pleasure to meet you, too, Lady Marina--and you, Lady Martine. I'll have to steal my sister away for a little bit, but I'll be sure to bring her back."</span>He turned to Lady Martine,<span style="color: #FFBF40">"My own joust is a little later, but I'd be honored to see you in the stands for it..."</span>Abel said rather boldly. He was not at all put off by Martine's attitude and rather found her quite adorable in her haughtiness. She would definitely be a handful and he could see why Hector had warned him of the dangers of denying her any freedoms.<br/><br/>He held his hand to Iris to help her out of her seat and down the stands. He was going to take her to the stables to the new horse. He hadn't named it, preferring to let her have that honor, as it was her horse now. He did not say anything of what the gift would be. He wanted to wait until they were further away from the crowds to tell Iris of the events that had occurred earlier. He braced himself, knowing she would be angry.