|
Post by anjelrocker on Jan 14, 2012 16:26:21 GMT -5
It was damn well bothering him but he could not see himself explaining the strange case to his older twin as he simply shook his head. "Its nay problem..." He muttered as he pressed his horse forward. "Just happy to be on the way home, you ken as well as I do that the stench of London is disgusting..." He smiled as if to reassure his brother that nothing was wrong for the moment as they continued on. "That's rare for ye to be the one to wait for the sake of yer new wife." Tomas mentioned thinking it odd how he had been the one to bed his wife, only to find that she had played whore to her disgusting stepfather. Not that it had been her fault.
"And here I thought that you lacked self control... you and Tristin with all the duels that I had to second on your behalf." He mentioned as they went down a hill passing some trees.
---
Glancing at her new sister in law, Joanne had to think for a moment as she thought of the night before when they had played chess. As it turned out, he was quite good at the game but then, so was she. She had beat him and naturally, Joanne had been smug about her win since she had beaten her brothers before as well. "I suppose that I do but learning of his reputation is a bit unnerving..." She said truthfully as she crossed her arms. "He is the type of man that wrecks a home with adultry..." Something that Joanne did not think that she could stand for in a marriage. Her father had had mistresses and her mother had confronted him on this.
She did not want to think of that day as she looked out the window. "Hopefully, your new husband is not like his twin..." She said simply as she knew that she would find out more about her husband during the coming journey.
---
The last two weeks had been a long journey but Tomas knew that they were staying at their last inn for the evening as he glanced at his wife. After two weeks of brooding, he had spoken to her about what had happened. He was upset because she was so sure that it had been her own fault, something that he could not get through his head because this young woman had been an innocent to pleasure and yet, she had been used like a whore for two years of her life.
"Alice..." He was quietly. "I cannae understand yer cock eyed ideas but no..." Tomas shook his head at her before sighing. He had only tried to make love to her three times during the journey since he was tired by the end of it most days. "We will be arriving to Tulloch by tomorrow, I sent a messenger ahead so that everything will be prepared." He informed her as he sat on the bed rubbing his face before looking up at her.
---
They were in another inn in the middle of nowhere as she was looking out the window. Joanne missed the court but the last two weeks, she was on civil terms with Lady Alice which she supposed was a good thing. Not that she liked the other woman, but there was something about her that she respected. Atleast, she supposed that she did. As for her husband, he had not touched her in the time since their marriage, which she had expected since he had said he would not until they arrived back but the man did not sleep in the same room as her. She had spoke to Lady Alice about the subject during their long boring hours and she had said that her husband slept in the same room.
|
|
|
Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 16, 2012 22:15:19 GMT -5
Tori sighed, glancing at her grandmother who was busy working a needle before looking out the window of the upstairs solar, trying to watch the gate. She sighed, dropping her needlework in her lap. "Are not Tavis and Tomas supposed to be back by now?" she asked with a sigh, eagerly waiting for her brothers rather than doing her needlework. Her blonde hair was braided simply and her violet eyes, inherited from her grandmother were watching eagerly. She was not the prettiest girl, but she was not plain either. When it came to her and her sister Tara however, Tara won the beauty contest in spades. She knew it was a sin to be vain, but she was a wee bit vain, especially since most boys tended to go for her sister's sweet smiles rather than her own. She sighed.
Her grandmother Aislinn sighed. "Patience is a virtue my dear," she said giving a soft smile as she gazed at her then went back to doing her work. She had outlived her husband and two of her three children, but she still held joy in her heart as she gazed at her two youngest grandchildren and only granddaughters. She sat her things down then stood slowly. It took her longer to get around than it used to. And she was almost glad Will had not lived to see her get so old and gray. The blindness of course, had overtaken his eyes by the time their youngest had been born and ten years before, he had died in his sleep. Their oldest son William, had died a year after. A bullet wound turned infected. The girls did not remember their father so well, but their brothers did. She had played dowager, and caregiver, till the boys had come of age at eighteen to take over together. She had played governess to them, enjoying the time she spent.
Both of them, were of course, excellent pupils, but they were sometimes distracted these days by boys and young men. "Come on you two, let's forget the sewing," she said then heard the horn calling the boy's arrival. "Ah...just in the nick of time," she said and smiled. "Tori...help me downstairs..." she said, making her oldest granddaughter pace herself. She laughed softly at her sigh and then felt her arms around her and they walked downstairs and into the courtyard where the carriage was pulling up and all of the men were dismounting.
Tavis dismounted first then walked to the three of them and grinned, giving both of his sisters a great hug before kissing his grandmother's cheek. "Ah grandmum....I did miss ye whilst I was away," he teased her then kissed both tops of the girl's heads and then drew away smiling.
"I have to introduce you to my new bride," he said then touched both of their noses before walking away and going to the carriage, helping Joanna out then approaching slowly. "Joanna, me grandmum, Lady Aislinn, and me younger sisters. The taller one is Tori, and the brunette one there is Tara. She's the youngest o' course. Girls, grandmum, this is my wife, Lady Joanna..." he introduced.
Tori looked at her, brow raised, but then she curtseid. "Welcome to our home," she said diplomatically. Aislinn smiled.
"Tis verra nice to finally meet ye lass..." Aislinn said, pinching Tori and causing her to wince.
-----
Alice slowly slipped from the carriage, glancing at her husband then looking around at her new home. It was not how she imagined. It was beautiful. The white stone of the manor was covered in ivy, the stables were well built, the barracks large. There was a lot of greenery and little mud, and there was a sense of pure history and pride that was lacking from the place she had grown up.
She walked to her husband, seeing the trio of women on the front steps and slowly took her husband's arm. "This place is lovely," she said, giving a soft smile to him before nervously looking at his family.
|
|
|
Post by anjelrocker on Jan 17, 2012 19:01:34 GMT -5
From what she had seen from the Scottish landscape, her husband had been right so far, the views and moors were peaceful and awe insipiring as she stepped from the carriage and was greeted by his grandmother and two sisters. The sisters were certainly not twins as she curtised to the grandmother politely always having a feeling that it was best to respect your elders. "It is very nice to meet all of you as well, Tavis has told me so much about you all and Tulloch." There were times when Joanne could be a sweet as sugar and this was one of those rare times mostly because she wanted her new husband's family to like her.
Right behind her, her husband's twin with the scarred face was helping out Lady Alice, he took her hand and led her to where they were staying. "Grandmum..." He started. "Tori and Tara..." Nodding to his two younger sisters and wondering where Tristin was at the moment as he said. "And this is my new wife, Lady Alice..." Eyeing this sisters knowing the sort of mischief that they could get into when they were not with his grandmother, a woman that he respected since she had had a hand in raising all five of the siblings.
"I want the two of you to be kind to her... none of what you two did to Lady Janet when she was visiting for a time last year." His Aunt had wanted both Tomas and Tavis married off as soon as possible and had been sending young women to Tulloch from Edinburgh to see if they could capture the heart of the two brothers. Of course, Tavis had captured more than just Lady Janet's heart... Something that had become a pain in the arse when he found out that the damn 'Lady' had shared a bed with both his brothers and half the guards.
Tomas smiled gently at his wife thinking it best not to explain that little situation at the moment. "We should get you settled in..." He said to her, as everyone was making their way to the keep. Looking to Tori and Tara, his youngest sister had wrinkled her nose at both her new sister in laws as if she wanted to say something to Tori but could not for fear of her brothers.
"Where is Tristin off to? He's not back in Edinburgh?" He asked curiously knowing that the middle child tended to go there.
Tara shook her head before giggling and poking her older sister before pipping up in her sing song voice. "I saw him with the oldest Grant sister..."
Tomas raised an eyebrow. "And what were you doing way over there?" He asked knowing that it was probably because both his younger sisters were crazy about some of the idiot village boys. Not like they had a chance and he sure as hell thought to keep an eye on them.
|
|
|
Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 17, 2012 21:14:50 GMT -5
Tori looked at her older brother and sighed. "We only meant to spend time with Lizzie...it was such a shame to learn she was rolling about in the hay with Master Holmes..." she giggled. Alice smirked at that. It was almost cute how innocent these two were. When she was the same age, she was not so so it was good to see the two of them were so innocent. Boy crazy perhaps, but innocent in the ways of men. The idea that most girls their age would be married, is ridiculous. She would not of been ready. Not at such a tender age. She was hardly ready now and she was eighteen.
Aislinn laughed gently. "They have been mostly well behaved since you left for London. But it has been Tristan to cause, most of the trouble...you seemed to of picked two fine young ladies," she smiled then took a deep breath, leaning on Tavis to walk inside the keep. "Now...there is some food prepared once you get your wives settled, I want to know all about you ladies. After all, you are my grandson's brides," she said, looking at both of them and smiling then going to the sitting room with Tavis' help. After Tavis had sat her down, he kissed her cheek, promising to return then leading Joanna upstairs to their rooms.
Alice took a deep breath as she entered the one she would be sharing with her own husband and slowly looked at him. "What was it about that Lady Janet?" she asked curiously as she walked to the bed as their things were brought up and she moved to look out the window, taking a deep breath as she gazed out then closing her eyes before looking back at her husband. They had had marital relations three times already in their marriage. Each time, it was a little easier. And the last time, he had even moved her to experience pleasure. Something she never had before. Once their things were brought up, she started unpacking her things herself, though there was not to very much.
"Or is that to be a secret?" she asked laughingly, giving a soft smile before taking off her cloak and then removing her cornet and letting the unpinned part of her hair fall in soft gold curls. She sighed then ran her fingers over the pins and then looked at him again.
-----
Tavis looked as his wife. "We will be sharing these rooms," he said simply and shrugged then cleared his throat. "And tonight Joanna, I intend for us to be man and wife this evening," he said calmly. "I didn't want you to be hurting on the trip," he said simply then cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. "Um...and if my sisters try to be mischievous, it's because they are jealous things...they crave attention. I guess it's because they are babes and were to young by the time both of our parents died. Tara was only three when mum passed away..." he said then sighed. "If they do anything to bother you, just let me know and I or Tomas will give them a stern talking to...Lord knows they should be acting like ladies at their age," he chuckled good naturedly.
"Thank you for being so considerate and kind to my Grandmum. She has seen much heartache and grief in her life, moreso than me or my siblings...I guess..." He took a deep breath. "I will try to make you happy here wife...it's the least I can do for the moment, but in time, I am sure you and I can come to have a care for one another. My parents did.their match was arranged as well..." he said.
|
|
|
Post by anjelrocker on Jan 17, 2012 22:43:34 GMT -5
"Nothing that really concerns me..." He sighed as he rubbed his temple from the long journey. "My Aunt was wishing to see both myself and Tavis wed and content." He started on explaining. "She use to send ladies of the Scottish court to pay us visits. Lady Janet simply causes the most trouble out of them. It was what made us stop the unexpected visits." Tomas said simply as he went to sit down on the bed slowly as he was watching her. "These are our rooms... if you prefer to have your own chambers then I will see to it, however... I would prefer if we were to share a bed." He said simply knowing that most men and women did not do so. His parents had had separate rooms but, he wanted to see if he could have a proper love with some fondness of each other.
After all, he did like his new wife thinking that she was quite comely as well as, he found that he enjoyed speaking to her as well. "Atleast for the time being..." He explained since he did want to have a child or children at some point in his life. "I have not done much in decorating but if you wish, I will allow you to change anything to suit your tastes."
Lifting his shoulders, his own things had been brought up and he supposed that he could unpack as well but he decided to leave it for one of the servants to do so. "Knowing Moira, we will have a grand meal tonight... I do look forward to it..." Standing up, he had some business to take care of.
"Do you ride horses?" He asked her, despite his injury. It was one of the few things that did not involve the politics of the keep that he enjoyed doing.
---
"Tavis, do you think that I would be disrespectful to your own grandmother?" She asked him with a tilt of her head. "I admit that I can be rude at times but I know how to act in public." Joanne was looking around her new chambers as she wondered why it looked like some sort of den of debauchery. Not commenting of that little fact but she had a feeling that there was going to be some work needing to be done.
"After all, she seems like a good woman... I believe they call it wise." She smiled thinking how strange it was that she had two younger sister in laws. Well, she supposed three including Lady Alice. "If they bother me, I suppose it is best if I speak to them myself, I can not go running to you to fight all my battles." Joanne looked up to her husband. "Thank you..." Leaning up, Joanne kissed his cheek gently.
---
Tara looked to her older sister with frown. "What do you think of our new sisters?" She asked looking a little worried that she would be overheard by their grandmum who would give them a talking to if they spoke ill of the new family members. "They are English... which isn't so bad... but..."
|
|
|
Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 26, 2012 13:31:05 GMT -5
Looking at him, Alice smiled and nodded. "I would love to go for a horseback ride. It's one of my favorite things to do. In London I hardly ever got the chance because I was busy being the Queen's handmaiden. Let me get into some breeches," she said, grinning brightly and kissing his cheek. Digging through her things, she found herself a custom pair of breeks then quickly went behind the dressing screen. Taking off her petticoats, she slid on the breeks and laced them up at the crotch, adjusting the skirts before grabbing her boots and putting them on, rather than the soft slippers ladies wore.
All finished, she took her hair down and braided it then came from behind the screen. Ready to go.
-----
She was given a horse of a fine dark chestnut color and after it had been properly saddled, she sat upon it astride because that was the way she had been taught by the stable hand back when she had been a little child. He had never taught a girl to ride side saddle so she had learned as any boy would, how to ride a horse. She adjusted her skirts and then gathered up the reins, moving her braid back to trail down her back. She moved the horse outside of the stables and then glanced back at her husband.
"Are you planning to give me a tour of your home my lord husband?" she asked curiously. Looking at the beauty that was to be had in the landscape. It was rocky and craggy and nothing like the countryside where she had grown up nor nothing like the city where she had spent three years of her life
-----
Tavis looked at her. "Well that's true. I suppose they would not garner much respect for you if you tattled on them but if they do anything to serious, I ask that you tell me so I can take care of it. They can be true hindrances when they wish to be," he said simply then ran his fingers through his dark hair before he stopped her. "You're welcome," he said softly and then kissed her deeply, moving her close to him. "God knows I have little self control. I have wanted to consummate since the moment we said I do," he muttered thoughtfully then kissed her deeply again and sighed.
"But I suppose, we shall just have to wait,..until a more appropriate moment. Tonight...it won't be to long now. After dinner," he said, clearing his throat and drawing away from her. "now...do you require anything?" he asked curiously, drawing away and taking off is jacket, tossing it on the bed, loosening the folds of his doublet before walking to a nearby table and pouring some wine. it was good to have is grandmother's mulled wine again rater than the horse piss he had endured drinking in London.
-----
Tori looked at her. "No...English isn't so bad," she agreed then bit her bottom lip. "I think I should like to get to know them. And they are our sister's now. Permanently. They are going to give us nieces and nephews. They are going to be helping grandmum run the keep. I suppose we should treat them well...otherwise they can make our lives hell...and I really don't want that," she admitted, biting her bottom lip then looking out as her new sister in law, the blonde rode her house, smiling at her brother. She could see that the two of them could easily fall in love. And she wondered if that would affect herself and her sister. Especially if deep down, those two weren't any good.
"We'll just give them a chance...that's the least we can do...alright Tara?" she said, glancing back and looking at her younger sister, giving a soft smile.
|
|
|
Post by anjelrocker on Jan 29, 2012 16:08:42 GMT -5
Apart of him preferred when his wife had her mask on or rather when she looked this joyful in the simple act of riding a horse. Despite having been disfigured from a horse ride when he was only a lad, as his grandfather had told him when he had been afraid to get back on the horse that had tossed him off. And he had... it was not the same horse from all those years before but he had strived to become just as good as his twin. He supposed that everything in his life was a bit of a competition in his eyes, or rather his eye being half blind since the age of seven. And this was because he felt that he had something to prove, to strive for in his life. Glancing at his wife, he thought that she looked beautiful and the look of freedom in her eyes... he could not describe it, she looked as if she belonged on a mare that she had been given to ride. "I suppose that a tour of some sort is in order. You will be formally introduced to the people of the village but there is no harm in showing you about the lands." He said simply and to the point as he shook his reins so that his steed would push forward.
His home was beautiful and being back in Scotland for him was calming unlike the feeling of turmoil when he was in England. As if he was in enemy terrority despite his Great Granddad having being an English Earl before he had been adopted into the MacLeod clan. Deciding to lead the way, he thought of taking her to a few of the places where he had use to play as a child as well as to the small village where his stone keep overlooked. "Come... I shall give you the tour..."
They started downward from the courtyard and towards a forested area that would not be too far from the edge of his lands. Of course, he would not go too far for the MacKenna as well as the MacLean's lands bordered their own. There was a truce with the MacLean because his Grandmother had been born one but if she were to pass on, he did not know if the current Laird, who was the Grandnephew and a distance cousin of his. However, they were not on speaking terms. As well as the MacKenna was simply friendly with his own clan... it did not help that the MacDonald's were looking to range in on ther terrority as well.
After sometime, he waited so they were side by side on the trail. "This land has been the MacLeod's for centuries so for my own land. My Great Grandfather was the infamous Earl of Brighton and cousin to the King Henry the VIII. He had escaped from the Tower of London and went to Scotland and became the Laird when the one before him adopted him as well as his sister. Her line is with the Earl of Cauldwell." He went on to some of the stories that his Grandfather as well as Grandmother had told him of his history. Tomas making a point to record them as he had heard him so that generations to come would remember them.
---
Looking slightly nervous for a moment when he had mentioned what was going to happen on that night, she supposed that for the last ten days during their ride from London that she had been nervous the entire time. However, the look of nervousness was replaced as Joanne blinked and said. "No, I do not require anything at the moment. I suppose it is best that I unpack unless you require me to do something else?" She asked wondering if she would be given duties being that she was mistress of the keep. Well, she supposed that she would be one of them since it seemed that the two brother shared their duties.
She had to wonder being that Tavis was the older of the twins, why he had not become the sole heir or whatever these damn Scots called themselves. Glancing up at him from under thick eyelashes, Joanne watched for a moment. "There will be duties that I will need to take on, will there not?" She asked curiously.
---
The fourteen year old girl did not look convinced as she crossed her arms and sighed. "I guess yer right about giving our new sisters a chance... I just don't want to see them try to change Tomas or Tavis..." She said simply as she watched the blonde before saying to her older sister. "Let's go down to the village and see if the Keith MacEvans is working with the blacksmith again... you saw him with his tunic off... aye?" Tara giggled trying to convince her sister since she had a crush on him.
|
|
|
Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 30, 2012 21:32:16 GMT -5
Alice had to admit, she liked listening to the sound of his voice as he wove stories of his great grandparents and other family stories. Of how both had been English and that his great-grandfather had actually kidnapped his great-grandmother, only to find her not his bride intended. As they came across the small graveyard, she saw that it had only ten graves or so. They walked their horses past it and then headed back toward the keep where she was then led inside and led to a hall holding all the portraits they had of the first two generations. The first was of this beautiful redheaded young woman with a dark haired handsome man standing behind her. No doubt the first William MacLeod. The next portrait was of three young men with red or black hair and two girls of the same age. One redheaded the other a brunette. As she walked along, she saw a younger version of the older woman Lady Aislinn. His grandmother who was still surviving. All of the men in this family looked so stern looking. As she came across the last portrait, she saw the mirror image of her husband and Tavis, minus the scarring standing with a beautiful young woman.
"Were these your parents?" she asked curiously.
-----
Tavis smirked and then sank down on the bed. "Well...the duties for the wife around here I am uncertain of. I guess it would be dying wool, taking care of the household, seeing to the servants and hiring and firing household staff, helping plan the meals, just making yourself useful wherever you need to. And since we have younger sisters, being good role models to them. They are boy crazy little wenches and as much as I love them, they need more than my grandmother looking after them. Of course, my grandmother can tell you everything you need to know and as Alice shares the same duties as you, the two of you have to work together to accomplish the household being in harmony and unison."
He looked at her and grinned then took a deep breath and sipped at his wine. "I am wanting you to like it here. and though the life of a highlander is a little rough around the edges, it is no different than any other community in England or Wales or Scotland. Everyone does their part. Granted the winters are longer but our land is rich and fertile and we never go hungry. We haven't since the great war between us and the MacKenna and MacLean clans. As our grandmother is a MacLean, we do not get many raids from them any longer. The same can not be said for when she passes on. Even if the Laird MacLean is our second cousin."
He shrugged. "I want you to be happy here Joanne."
-----
Tori blushed. "No..." she she said simply. "Oh come on Tara...It's not like he will give me the time of day. It's you he fancies," she said simply then sighed, giving into her sister who was only eleven months younger than herself. She gathered up her skirts, taking her sister's hand and walking with her.
Her sister was, after all, the pretty one and she knew she was probably destined to a life of spinsterhood and childlessness.
|
|
|
Post by anjelrocker on Jan 30, 2012 22:21:10 GMT -5
The last portrait in this corridor was of himself and his older twin along with their mother and father. He remembered that he had only been about five year old and his mother had been pregnant with Tristin at the time of the painting. "Ah, yes..." He said remembering having been hit because he as well as his brother could not sit still for long periods. It seemed that the painting had taken forever to be finished. There were other paintings of him but this was the only one that did not have the tell tale scarring on the right side of his face. "My mother, Jennifer and my father, named Liam. The gaelic form of William." He explained to her as he crandled her arm as they were walking the halls of the keep. "My mother was an interesting woman before she passed on, she always seemed as if she was happy despite the fact that father did not really love her. It had been an arranged marriage, but I think that they were content with one another." He shrugged remembering that the two of them had passed on in a carriage accident in Edinburgh.
it was funny that they had been together during that time since it had been rare in the last few years of their marriage. If they had not been together then atleast one of them would have survived. He did not tell her this part of the story as he led her on down the hall to show the paintings of himself as well as his other siblings. There was one of the five of them when he and his twin had been fifteen, Tristin had been about eleven and his sisters were only been about four and five at the time. They had been painted as pink cheeked churubs but he remembered how they had cried and whined about not being able to go outside to play.
"Perhaps, one day... we will be able to have paintings of the two of us with our own children." He said looking up wondering if he always looked that stern, perhaps it was the look of his family. "Perhaps they will be blessed with your looks." He smiled more to himself as he was giving her the compliment.
---
"The duties do not seem all that terrible..." Being that she had not had a mother to teach her how to care for a house, the truth was that Joanne had lived a life of ease. It had been when she became the Queen's maid that she had been terrible at it. Lady Alice had tried to help her but the prideful Joanne had seemed to toss it into her face because of the poison that she had been given by her father. "After all, they will be quite easy to help out and accomplish... however, it was going to be a new challenge for the young woman who was use to the lapse of luxery. After all, some of those duties were servant's jobs. Was she not suppose to weave tapersies, hire and fire the servants. She could not sully her dainty hands with work...
"Well, you have yet to prove that you are some barbarian running around the highlands with only a kilt and no small clothes undernearth..." Joanne said simply with a wave of her hand. "As for the winters, I am made of tougher stuff than you might think, Tavis MacLeod." She said softly as she watched him as she went over to the window to look out to the hills and moors of her new home.
---
"He doesnae fancy just me..." Tara said with a frown as she wanted her sister to come with her. After all, she wanted to say hello to the baker's son as well as a few of the other boys of the village. The idea of flirting and teasing the boys of the village was like a game to the young girl as she looked to her older sister. "You are just as bonny as I am... you need to stop being so hard on yerrself." She crossed her arms as she then dragged her sister along behind her.
|
|
|
Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 31, 2012 13:17:06 GMT -5
Alice blushed and looked down as she walked with him. "You are a great charmer. And you don't have to try," she mused, glancing at him and giving a soft smile before walking to through the rest of the keep with him before somehow getting back to their chambers where a tub of water was already hot and steaming. She was so glad to see that bath. Though most considered lots of baths wasteful. She thought it was a great way to feel better and be clean.
-----
Tavis chuckled. "Oh we only bring the kilt's out for special occasions. You should see us in a couple of weeks at Midsummer's night," he grinned then stood up and walked over to her and kissed her deeply before withdrawing. "We should clean up for dinner," he said simply then stroked her cheek, grabbing some fresh clothes before moving to the seperate bedchamber to change and freshen up.
-----
A few days after their initial arrival Alice found herself getting into the routine of things. The Lady Aislinn was proving to be a great help. Especially where her sister-in-law was concerned. Joanne had refused to learn by Alice helping her back at Queen Elizabeth's court and so it was nice to think that she was learning something. With two ladies, the household was easily dispersed and taken care of. Alice had taken to working in the kitchen and great hall and helped anywhere else she could. Joanne oversaw cleaning and dying wool and it was almost humorous watching her get her hands dirty. She was a bit haughty after all. There had been a few times where her sister and law and herself had clashed heads but overall, they got along well. Alice assumed it helped that Joanne did more helping Lady Aislinn tutor the girls with their maths and reading than anything.
Alice had just finished laying the rushes in the great hall then walked to the solar upstairs, peaking inside as Tara and Tori giggled and spoke about the boys in the village. Both Joanne and Lady Aislinn absent from their presence. She took a deep breath and entered, watching both girls immediately stop and look toward her.
"Mind if I come in?" she asked. The older of the two smiled.
"I am fine with it," Tori said then sank down. Alice smiled and entered, shutting the door behind her and then coming to sit with them. seeing the game of Nine Men's Morris. She smirked and looked at the two of them. "I remember playing this as a younger girl with my mother and a few servants. Are you two good at it?"
"Well I am better at it then Tara," Tori said and smirked. "She much prefers flirting with the village boys than practicing. I told her that it's funny when ladies play the game and win but Tavis says it's unladylike fer us to beat a mon at a game of chess or something like it. I don't see why. I think he thinks that it's up to ladies to make the men think they are especially clever even if they are not."
Alice smiled. "Tis normally the way of things. Men like to think they are smarter. But my Aunt used to say that the men were the head of the family but their wives were the neck and they could turn a man any way they wanted...she just has to know how too."
Tori smirked. "That is rather funny. Yer auntie seems wise enough," she smiled. "We have other games to play. Fox and Geese, Alquerques, and Chess. Though Chess is not so fun..."
Smiling, Alice nodded. "Perhaps..." she agreed.
|
|