A Beauteous Flower Ch. 17

Chapter 17 - Shakespeare in the Dark, a Search for Knowledge, and the Near Miss.

*****

Two hours later, Madison sat on her bed and fidgeted. The wait made her glance nervously at the clock. Fortunately, she had not been idle the whole time.

First, she made reservations at for Friday at 7:30 PM, which took longer than expected, as expected. Initially, the maître d'hotel informed her in his pretentiously nasal faux French accent that what she asked of him was simply "impossible, jeune femme". Absolutely no reservations were available for Friday on such short notice. He went on to snobbishly suggest that if she wished to dine at a fine and popular establishment such as Bistro Chardenoux on a Friday night that she be more punctual with her reservations but, given the urgency of her request, perhaps he might fit her in for the 5:00 PM sitting two Wednesdays hence at a table by the bathroom. Madison anticipated this reaction and let slip a not-so-subtle drop of Daniel's name. Miraculously the maître d' discovered that a table right by the kitchen had opened on Friday due to a cancellation.

Madison pouted appropriately and hinted to the maitre d', in the strictest of confidence of course, that they wanted to celebrate a great event and that Daniel might be severely disappointed if they weren't seated in an appropriate place, away from other patrons with as much privacy as possible. The maitre d' hemmed and hawed dramatically and then only just found a way to just squeeze them into the perfect place in the dining room. Madison thanked him profusely and lavished praise on him, while she politely implied that she relied on his discretion with regards their celebration. The maître d' assured her of his cooperation in that regard and, before he could change his mind, Madison hung up the phone with a grateful lilt in her voice, but a sour puss of distaste on her face. Despite Daniel's star power, this "favor" would require an extra generous tip to the maître d' and the purchase of some of the pricier items on the menu, but Madison had factored all that in. After all, it could be her last meal as Daniel's wife if this plan didn't work out, so it might as well be a spectacular meal.

Next, Madison sorted out her wardrobe for Friday evening. She had initial reservations about Deva's suggestion. A double slit maxi with no underwear would require a lot of concentration to prevent awkward wardrobe malfunctions, but after she sorted through her closet and gave it a second thought, she decided that was her best "come get me" dress. After she slipped on some black pumps, the mirror confirmed that she did look rather spectacular. It was just the effect she sought and after the job Daniel had done on Madison's feet, Ivy's suggestion of toe cleavage was a master stroke. She looked elegant, but also conveyed the kind of sexy that clearly signaled her expectation of all manner of sins. Now all she had to do was invite Daniel to dinner with her on Friday and for that Madison had a plan.

Her request for Friday's date was also the start of a nightly campaign of small romantic events that would culminate on Friday in what she hoped was the kind of sex Cassidy had described. Each night she planned to ramp up the sexual pressure on Daniel to get him to express himself and get their relationship out of the polite doldrums. If the subtle approach did not work, her last ditch was an all-out blitz after Friday's dinner, but tonight Madison planned to just put out a little bait and see if she could lure Daniel in.

To that end Madison had done a little quick research. Shakespeare had brought them together that night in the garden, so Madison hoped that some more Shakespeare would cast the same romantic spell. With a book in one hand, she tapped her teeth nervously with the other index finger. This was her opener and it had to go just right. She was so focused on the scene in her head that the first blow of the axe startled her. Madison hurried to the French doors and peeked out around the curtains. Daniel stood by the woodpile to split some firewood for the night fires.

"Showtime."

For tonight's performance Madison chose a white gossamer nightgown decorated with black lace around the low-cut bodice and the floor-length hem. Overall, this was to be a romantic presentation, but Daniel hadn't had sex in six weeks either and Madison was an orgasm up on him. It was a safe bet that Daniel had to be at least as horny as she was, so a little sexy edge to the romantic mood made sense. Madison figured she could use every advantage she could get, and although the nightgown wasn't a very practical selection given the autumn chill, it caught her hips and chest in just the right way and when she stood backlit on the balcony, it would give Daniel a translucently silhouetted tease of the grand prize.

Madison shivered a little and put it down to a bit of stage fright. After a deep breath of courage, she dramatically flung the French doors open before her and fluttered out into the Fall evening. Her bare toes patted on the chilly tiles and her nightgown swished behind her as she swept to the railing and posed in the twilight. When she cleared her throat, Daniel did a double take and the axe paused at his waist. Madison shot Daniel a veiled look and smiled a secret to him with breathy parted lips. Daniel immediately gave her his undivided attention.

"Bingo!" thought Madison happily as she opened the book and prepared to read.

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments.

Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

Her recital finished, Madison settled a sultry gaze on Daniel. The quiet of the autumn evening surrounded them and halted time. Daniel gazed up at her and smirked at Madison in a way that refreshed Madison's soul like a cool drink of water after a six-week thirst. For a moment the polite and crisply starched veil between them parted and tasty sexual tension vibrated in the colors of sunset. Daniel's attention warmed her against the fall touched air and his dusky green eyes sparkled in bright relief against the gloaming.

"Maybe that's what love looks like," Madison thought as a magic little bubble of solitude formed around them for the first time in what had seemed like forever. "The rest of the world pales in the presence of that one special person."

On cue, Daniel answered her.

"Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,

And each doth good turns now unto the other.

When that mine eye is famished for a look,

Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother,

With my love's picture then my eye doth feast

And to the painted banquet bids my heart.

Another time mine eye is my heart's guest,

And in his thoughts of love doth share a part.

So either by thy picture or my love,

Thyself away are present still with me;

For thou no farther than my thoughts canst move,

And I am still with them, and they with thee;

Or if they sleep, thy picture in my sight

Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight."

The same heady thrill from that night in the garden swirled through Madison. Her smile widened to a grin and Daniel's smirked back. They had made a good start.

"I've made reservations at Bistro Chardenoux for Friday. 7:30 PM," Madison intoned in her sweetest voice. "Will you join me for dinner? Please?"

Daniel inclined his head in a small, respectful and gentlemanly bow that raised goosebumps on Madison's arms.

"It would be my pleasure, my lady."

"I'm so happy!" Madison bestowed on Daniel brightly. "Please pick me up at 6:30 P.M.!"

"I look forward to it."

Madison posed a few extra seconds to be sure Daniel got a good eyeful of what was and was not under her nightgown. She should have been cold, but she felt positively toasty. Even the chilly tiles against her feet did nothing to cool the moment. She decided to go out on a high note.

"Good night, Daniel," she cooed to him and Piqued to flare the whispers of her nightgown. For extra emphasis, Madison shyly bit her lip and shot a sultry look over her shoulder.

"Good night, Madison," Daniel's called after her as she hipped through the French doors with a belly dancer's Chasse she learned from Deva.

After the curtains closed on her performance, Madison squealed with delight and danced some celebratory steps across the carpet to make sure the bedroom door was unlocked. That done she reclined as regally as she could on the bed to wait and see if Daniel took the bait. Unfortunately, Daniel did not arrive as she had hoped, but Madison figured she had hit the target tonight anyway. She had gotten Daniel's attention, so just in case, she slept in her fancy nightgown.

Daniel never woke her that night, but entanglements between the nightgown and the flannel sheets did wake her a few times. It appeared that this particular nightgown wasn't meant to be slept in, as its true function was to be summarily discarded after it had successfully enticed the target of one's dirty intentions, but that aside, in her estimation, Madison had made a good start.

*****

At breakfast the next day, Madison played it coy as she sensed that overnight a small connection had formed. Breakfast came with a glow of warmth from Daniel as he cozied up to her and listened as she talked about the news. As they both reached for the maple syrup, a little spark passed between them, and Madison let her fingers linger on Daniel's for a Lady and Tramp moment. When Daniel didn't pull away, Madison's heart got a little fluttery and when he left the breakfast table, Daniel told her he loved her before she told him she loved him. A gleeful Madison felt sure she was on the right track.

While she wanted to bask in this little victory, Madison avoided Daniel to give that spark a bit of room to breathe and grow. In the meantime, she implemented a new phase of her plan although she didn't look forward to this new phase quite as sanguinely because it involved humility on her part. It was time for her to learn about Daniel and the best people to learn from were the people that knew him best. To that end, Madison got out her phone, prepared herself to take a few well-deserved lumps, and dialed up the first person on her list of people in Daniel's tight inner circle.

As phone rang, Madison pictured Burt's bemused face when he saw her name on the caller ID. Madison reasoned that since Burt was Daniel's best friend since his college days, Burt probably had some insights into Daniel. The only question was if Burt would share them with Madison and that was a big "if".

Honesty required Madison to admit that her relationship with Burt, if one could call it that, mirrored her relationship with Gandalf the cat. Madison and Burt had never connected on any level. Burt was a good and gentle giant of a person and had never said or done anything offensive to Madison and he had been polite and respectful of Madison's relationship with Daniel. Burt had simply been himself, which might have been a touch quirky, but was ultimately a kind, gentle soul.

For her part, Madison had not put any effort into a relationship with Burt, because like other aspects of Daniel's life, she considered Burt Daniel's friend and therefore, not a part of her life. Actually, she had even viewed Burt as a mild impediment to her pretty life with Daniel, and, to remove that impediment, Madison had taken many opportunities to take digs at Burt directly and indirectly, publicly and privately. It had been Madison's previous opinion that it just wouldn't do to try and mingle Burt with the kind of people she thought she and Daniel should associate with and, therefore, he had to go. As a result, in Madison's estimation relations between herself and Burt were, at best, coolly polite. If she was to get any kind of information or aid out of Burt, Madison had to mend some fences and as Madison listened to Burt's phone ring, she cringed a little at the memory of how shabbily she had treated Burt. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Burt... it's Madison."

Burt went silent on the other end. Madison visualized that a frown gathered on Burt's big expressive face at the sound of her voice.

"Hello," Burt responded cautiously.

"Burt, I'm sorry to bother you, but I need some help. Help with Daniel."

More silence from the other end of the phone and Madison pictured Burt's big face pinched into an expression of mistrust and distaste.

"I don't think I can help you, Madison."

"But Burt, you know him so well and...."

"No," Burt interrupted in his measured, pensive voice. "I mean I don't think I can help you... in particular."

That rocked Madison a bit. She might have deserved it, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. Old Madison would have told off Burt and hung up, but thanks to Mrs. Sheena's story, new Madison realized that if she wanted anything from someone she had wronged, then she would have to show a contrite heart. That meant her way forward with Burt was the same as her path Daniel's heart; accept responsibility, apologize, and show she meant it by a change in behavior.

"Burt, I know we don't get along. That's my fault. I haven't treated you very well, and I'm sorry. I... well... I'm sorry."

Again things went quiet as Burt thoughtfully chewed on her apology and Madison waited uncertainly. It was Burt's move and Burt never hurried.

"Thank you for that," Burt accepted.

"Friends then?"

"Ummm... we'll see."

Madison flinched. Too much too soon, she guessed. This process would take time. It seemed her change in attitude would require a few extra lumps of humility, but Daniel was worth that and, as Burt was Daniel's best friend, that meant Burt was worth the effort as well.

"Well, I could still use your help, Burt. Anything you can tell me about Daniel would be great."

"Like I said, I don't think I can help you, Madison."

"What do you mean?"

Burt ruminated for a moment to collect his thoughts. One thing Madison knew for certain was that Burt never spoke hastily and new Madison could appreciate the real value of that trait.

"I've never seen him like this before, so I don't think I can offer you any insights; you know? Daniel's been so closed off the last few weeks. He barely talks. He's distracted all the time. It's very strange. It's like he's lost a part of himself. I mean we play games, and we hang out, but Daniel no longer talks about stuff. About story ideas or about potential photo shoots... about you."

"Daniel talked about me?"

"All the time. He really loves you, Madison, although I never understood it myself."

Madison winced. She was pretty sure she would not like the answer to her next question, but to find out what she needed, she had to ask it anyway.

"Why?"

"Because you don't care for him anywhere near as much as he cares for you."

Madison opened her mouth as if she had been slapped and fumbled for a response. Her instinct was to object, but her recent self reflection had taught her that, at least to outward appearances, the evidence wasn't in favor of her objection.

"No?" Madison questioned uncomfortably.

"Nope."

Despite the fact Madison had expected some harsh truths, she did not expect anything like this. She loved Daniel. She loved him in a way she didn't think was possible, and she had thought that love was obvious. However, Burt's observation indicated that perhaps she had not been as obvious as she had thought she was, maybe even to Daniel himself.

"Can... ummm... can you give me an example?" she bumbled like boxer struck by a haymaker right.

"How much time do you have?"

Madison winced again.

"Never mind," Burt asserted. I'll go with the first example that jumps to mind. Remember when we all went out for ice cream that time? It was right after you guys had started dating and Daniel wanted to introduce me to you. Remember how you didn't like that ice cream that you ordered, and Daniel offered to buy you another? Remember how you got all upset and pissy and refused to go order another because you didn't want to look like a pig who ate two ice creams? You got miserable and you, well, honestly Madison you seemed like you wanted to make Daniel as miserable as you. Remember that?"

Madison hated to admit that she remembered, but she did ask and Burt answered. Madison swallowed her indignation and pressed forward.

"Yes."

"Remember what Daniel did?

Madison's face flattened in uncertain embarrassment. Here came the moral of the story, but she couldn't see it before it hit.

"He gave me his ice cream?" she questioned.

"That's right," Burt agreed. "He gave you his ice cream."

"So?" Madison protested a bit. "He was a good boyfriend. Is that so bad?"

"No. But what was that bad was that you didn't even notice that he gave up his favorite ice cream to save your ego. You just assumed he would go out of his way for you. Or maybe that was some kind of intentional test of his loyalty? Either way it didn't look good. He might have been a good boyfriend, but you... well..."

"Oh. I see."

"You didn't even say "thank you"."

Madison flushed with embarrassment. She hadn't considered it that way. She couldn't even recall what flavor of ice cream Daniel had given up for her. Thanks to Burt she knew whatever it was it had been Daniel's favorite flavor, but that was it. Of course. Yet another example of ingratitude and thoughtlessness. Madison took a big bite of humble pie and pressed on.

"Is there anything else? About Daniel? Any insights you can give me Burt? Please. We're in a bad place and it's my fault. I need to make it up to him. I just need some... I don't know... clues."

Burt heaved a heavy sigh.

"Madison I'd love to sit here and beat on your ego for the rest of the day, but I'm kind of busy right now."

"Busy?"

"Yes. Busy. Like I've got stuff to do. Besides, you're his wife. Aren't you supposed to know him better than anyone?"

Burt's tone implied a bit more reproach than query and Madison felt as if Burt had just poked her on the forehead with a thick accusatory finger. Madison also felt a little peeved that Burt was about to bail on her, but then she recalled that he had answered the phone and given her information even though she didn't deserve it. Rather than get snotty and belittle Burt's contribution with a traditional Madison hissy fit, she went with humility and honesty.

"Theoretically. I've kind of dropped the ball in that department."

Burt paused for a beat in polite acknowledgement of Madison's new humility.

"Well, good luck, Madison. Daniel is a very tough person to get to know, I'll tell you that for nothing."

"Thank you, Burt. I'm grateful." Madison replied and meant it.

Madison waited for the line to click, but apparently Burt decided to take some extra pity on her. Maybe he was moved by the humility she had shown.

"You might try his agent, Alina. Daniel calls her "Frosty" for some reason," Burt offered. "She's known him for a while now. Maybe she can help you."

Madison brightened.

"That's a good idea!"

"Do you have Alina's number?" Burt asked.

"No."

"Then I'll text it to you."

Madison smiled gratefully.

"Thanks, Burt."

"Sure thing."

"See you down the line?" offered Madison in the sign off Burt and Daniel used when they gamed together.

"Down the line. Out."

Madison beamed and made a note to treat Burt better if things worked out with Daniel. If things didn't work out, all she could do was remember Burt as a good guy because, frankly, she'd never see Burt again. Burt truly was the type of guy that would make some lucky girl very happy.