<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/05/Graham_Ellery_1.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Graham Ellery</strong></span></div></div><div class="floatleft">(http://)</div><strong>"Yes indeed, a climber you are, dear lady..."</strong> Graham responded dryly. If he was relieved that she was safe, it did not show in his demeanor and expression, both of which were as reserved and private as ever. In his position and given his duties, one learned very quickly to keep much of one's own thoughts to themselves. If a face became too easy to read, it became impossible to bluff... and lie. As much as Graham wished he did not have to get involved in the messy side of politics as much as he did, it remained a fact of life that his station required less savory actions from time to time. Lying was among those, though he tried his best to keep ethics into account with everything he did. When she nearly slipped he instinctively reached out to catch her. He had not gone through all of this trouble to take her in just to have her fall out of a tree and crack her skull on a rock. Beyond just being terrible, it'd also be completely anti-climactic and unexpected... But, she held her own, giving the lord mental images of her scaring the living daylights out of her parents all the time by performing similar stunts as a child.<br/><br/><strong>"As long as you are safe..."</strong> it was at that point that they were joined by the captain of the guard. Graham knew the look on the man's face well. That was the look that all guards and staff in the household feared. The look that preempted the mother of all lectures, and sometimes some severe punishment as well. Lord Ellery could not blame the man. This had been an exceedingly dangerous situation. For starters, their charge could have perished. But, Even Asher himself could have been hurt in the scuffle. But, everyone was fine and they had learned a valuable lesson. Don't trust Meg to not wander around. And assassins were dangerous, of course!<br/><br/><strong>"It seems we need to be more mindful of the people who want you six feet under than we first believed, lady O'Hourihane. We will strive not to make that mistake again. From now on there will be a guard posted outside your quarters, unless given permission by myself or lord Bray here, that guard is to accompany you whenever you walk the grounds at night, or go anywhere else that does not have patrols during the day,"</strong> he raised a hand reflexively in case any protests came from her. He figured she might be the type to be fond of her freedom, but her safety was more important. <strong>"I realize this is an inconvenience, but if you wish to go climbing again, it might be best to have someone armed and attentive nearby..."</strong> he looked at at the tree, his voice taking on a slightly sarcastic tone. <strong>"If only to stop you from slipping?"</strong><br/><br/>He then turned to Bray, his voice retaining its authoritativeness. <strong>"Lord Bray, we will see to the prisoner once he's been patched up. In the meantime, assign a guard to Meg to take her back to her quarters and have a maid bring her something to drink. I'm sure she needs to calm down after this ordeal,"</strong> the young lord had nothing else to relay for the moment, instead casting his eyes up at the tree again.<br/><br/>What had she been doing up there. And why had she been embarrassed even before she'd heard Graham's call? Stern eyes followed what would have been her line of sight from the branch she'd occupied, all the way to the bare window on an upper floor of the mansion.<br/>Oh dear.<br/><strong>"Actually, lord Bray. Have Meg escorted to the meeting room and please remain here for a moment, we should discuss other safety measures first,"</strong> Graham kept his tone the same, even though he felt some shame in that moment. There was no doubt about it. She had seen the two men together. He did not think she would scream this information from the rooftops, but a conversation on it was definitely required.<br/><br/>With the rest of the guards dismissed, and Meg escorted away, Graham could speak to Asher in the privacy of the garden. <strong>"She saw us,"</strong> straight to the point. <strong>"Upstairs. I do not believe she climbed that tree with the express purpose to spy, but she happened to pick just the right branch to see us. Her behavior and unwillingness to look me in the eyes? We're going to have to make sure she understands this information cannot leave private circles,"</strong> the young lord sighed slightly, one hand reaching up to run through his strands. Yet another concern heaped onto the pile, though hopefully this one would get resolved sooner.<br/><br/>Eyes settled on Asher's chest, which was still bare from the chase. A few steps and a glance around them, was enough to remove all distance and make sure they were truly alone. Fingers began to button the shirt back up, from bottom to top. <strong>"Best not look too disheveled for that meeting either..."</strong> the young lord leaned closer, lips by the other's ear as he spoke in whisper. <strong>"Tonight just got even more tiring and stressful... You better make me feel that leftover adrenaline as you pound away the frustration..."</strong> a brief, playful peck was all Asher got from his lover, as the Ellery heir walked by his captain and expected the man to follow.</div>