"Would your hand maiden like to join us?"

The smile on Olivia's lips widened at both invitations. She didn't really expect that Paul would extend the invitation to Darma as well, seeing his caution as graciousness. [color=tan]"Oh. Thank you,"[/color] she said as she took a seat and motioned for her handmaiden to join them. 

Darma was watching Paul carefully from her vantage point near the door to make sure that her mistress was safe. It was rare for a noble to be as warmhearted as the the blonde teen, merely two years younger than she was. While most in the household still looked at her as a vagabond who lucked out by winning the Count's youngest child's favor, she knew that she was more than that to Olivia. She was right, of course. Being the only female child in the Count's four children, Olivia longed for a sister and found it in Darma. And in return for the affection given her, Darma treated Olivia as a sister and was extremely protective of her. When the younger woman gestured to her, she raised an eyebrow but approached the two nobles nevertheless. She bowed low to Paul before settling down on the seat beside Olivia.

"Please forgive me, m'lady.  I do not believe myself capable of forgetting the name of a Lady as [i]indescribably[/i] beautiful as yourself.  Therefore, I am forced to believe that we have not been introduced before... [i]however ...!...[/i] if, by chance, I [i]have[/i] tragically forgotten you, please allow me to lay the blame upon the many times I have [i]thumped[/i] my skull in battle, and [i]not[/i] any chance that you, m'lady, are in any way unforgettable."

Olivia felt a little crestfallen at the nobleman's words. [color=tan][i]But of course he would not recognize me. I was 9 when he first saw me...if he did at all[/i][/color] It seemed unfair to be upset about his ignorance of who she was so she pushed the thoughts aside. Better to just introduce herself. She paused for a moment, contemplating whether she should speak her real name or give him the moniker she used while in town. It wasn't prudent to let everyone know who she really was, was it? But then again, why would she keep it from the soon to be Duke?

[color=tan]"It would be foolish of me to expect you to remember me, my Lord. I was merely--"[/color] her words were cut off when she noticed the young man to be distracted. Before she could turn to look, the source of his distraction came walking towards them and spilled both herself and the ale she had with her on Paul. She almost stood up to see if she can be of assistance when she felt Darma's hand touch her arm.

Darma looked at the dark haired woman, critically assessing her with narrowed eyes. The way she entered the scene made it painfully obvious that she was either intruding in her mistress' conversation with the Lord of Westrock or was just desperate to catch the noble's attention. A peasant looking to improve her status, perhaps? Or a whore looking to make a pretty penny?

Sophia was taken aback by Paul's reaction to her. Most men would jump at the chance to remove their clothes and have her launder them as well as other parts of their bodies. But this man was different. Of course, he was different. It was probably the reason why she was employed by the Count for this job. She'd have to think of a different tactic. Being her usual assertive self was probably not gonna work. She flashed him a sweet smile. [color=lightgreen]"I would still insist that you let me clean your clothes, my Lord. It is my fault, after all. I should be more careful on my feet next time."[/color] Yes, she'd have to be sweeter and... She stopped and stared at the young blonde woman sitting across him. She didn't recognize her at a distance earlier but now that she was closer...

[color=lightgreen]"Lady Olivia Barker,"[/color] she blurted out without thinking. It was the woman she had always envied. But before her face could betray what she felt, she plastered a smile on her face and bowed low.

Olivia blinked, not really expecting anyone to recognize her. [color=tan]"I..."[/color]

Darma's eyes narrowed a bit more as she continued staring at the woman but she remained seated. "Who are you?"

Sophia looked from Olivia to Darma, an innocent look on her face. [color=lightgreen]"I apologize. I had no idea you wanted to keep your identity hidden, my Lady. My name is Sophia Blake, a simple farmer's daughter."[/color]