Fiona's fingers deftly plucked the cords of the harp as the two ladies sat, and Lorraine couldn't help feeling more at ease. The music drew tension from her in a way little else could hope to. Her slender fingers ran over her hair almost subconsciously as the song wound down and Fiona responded to her earlier praise, "Thank you my Lady, I play for the love of it and that sweetness it some I suppose. As for your singing, you never need be insecure on that account, as often as you wish to share a gift of such beauty I will always be pleased to receive it." There was something in the phrasing of Fiona's words that caused Lorraine to turn toward the woman, her pale brown eyes to search the other woman's expression. Fiona's posture, movements, and words spoke to Lorraine as clearly as voice, telling her one simple thing,<em>'Trust.'</em><br/><br/>Lorraine felt herself swallow as she considered the other woman, who turned to face her. Their eyes met, aquamarine and brown, each pair as gentle as the other, as soothing. Lorraine broke their gaze briefly to take another sip of her tea. As the cup lowered from her soft lips she saw Fiona's hand come forward and touch her cheek. Lorraine didn't move at first as her brown eyes sought Fiona's face again. The young lady wore a soft smile, reassuring, warm, even tender. Lorraine's neck tilted slightly, pressing her cheek further into the hand cupping it. There was the sensation of slightly callused fingers brushing along the soft skin of her cheek, and then one of Fiona's thumbs ran along her lower lip.<em>'Oh my...'</em><br/><br/>There was apprehension with it, a swell of worry in her chest. Anxiety, even. But it was such a small thing. Discomfort. As that of a lady about to don her first corset. She knew what would come next, or thought she did. Fiona spoke, words soft and gentle, a caressing request for Lorraine to shed the guards that she had brought into this chamber, "Will you tell me now then, what you desire lady songbird now that you have shared your song? I promise, whatever it is, in this room it will stay and all that you share will be safe in my keeping. Trust me lady songbird, you won't regret it." And then Fiona leaned forward and Lorraine felt soft lips press against her own.<br/><br/>It took Lorraine by surprise, though not for the reason one might expect. She'd anticipated the kiss from the brush of Fiona's thumb, but the words had thrown her, making her second guess herself. And yet, as soon as they had finished the kiss had come, and in the time that it took Fiona to speak there had been room for surprise to bloom. Lorraine's first instinct was to shy away, but the lady didn't let herself. She stayed seated as she was, and contrary to how she thought she would react, Lorraine relaxed.<em>'They are a woman's lips... And a woman's fingers.'</em>That made all the difference in the world as Lorraine yielded to and reciprocated the invitation of Fiona's sweet attentions.<br/><br/>Her eyes grew softer as she returned the kiss and once done let her lips tug into a smile that highlighted certain gentler lines upon the canvas of her face. After a few moments' delay the lady drew in a breath and took Fiona's free hand within her own. "I desire to-" And the words halted in her throat. Lorraine swallowed again and chuckled lightly at herself before beginning again, "I desire, miss Fiona, to move beyond harm put upon me in my past." She gently squeezed Fiona's hand as she spoke the words slowly and deliberately. She was certain someone as bright as the young miss Fiona would not need a more detailed explanation to understand. She was also certain that this harebrained scheme of hers would actually pan out in her favor.