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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 18, 2012 15:57:42 GMT -5
Emma looked at him. "Very funny," she said dryly, walking around the castle with him, seeing several servants and townsfolk eyeing them. She ignored their stares and snickers and looked at him. "I think I am ready to go back inside. I can find my room by myself. I shall definitely spend my time with Lady Catherine. While I am here, I might as well make myself useful and help her where I can. Have a good evening Laird MacLeod,"she said though her tone said otherwise. She was, after all, still angry at the fact that she had been kidnapped and dragged here and wasn't so easy to forget it. Especially since her wrists were still raw from the rope. She looked at him and curtseyed then walked into an archway that led to the inner courtyard and walked into the castle, easily finding her own rooms. Once alone, she sighed, taking care to remove the gown she wore so that she could wear it tomorrow and then she laid down on the bed, glad a fire was already made so she wouldn't have to make it. Sighing, she could only hope that all went well and that things would turn out for the better. And she would not tell William the truth about Belle. He wouldn't believe her first off. And secondly, she did not feel like hurting his feelings, though the man was in sore need of an attitude adjustment.
Sitting up, she unpinned her riot of curls and then laid down on the bed, blowing out a deep breath before closing her eyes. It was early yet, probably not past eight in the evening but she was exhausted and needed some sleep.
-----
Brett smiled. "I admit I am not the exception. I am quite a rake,"he chuckled then watched her. "You are a good housekeeper my lady, but what about your dancing skills? You are clever and witty, but you must know how to dance. Gavottes, la voltas, minuets. A carole is easy enough," he shrugged. "But the court thinks of dancing as a great past time, especially at feasts. Country dances do occur but courtly dances occur more often. If you don't know any of those dances, I would be glad to teach you," he grinned then gazed at the chessboard. Realizing a move that would put her in check. He quickly placed the mark and then looked at her.
"Reading of course, is a good idea. Pristine needlework. Ladies who know cards are quite a catch. And you definitely know that. Also at court, if you want to capture a man's attention in a game. You can flirt, or you can beat him. Flirting, would induldge his manliness, and would increase his confidence. While beating him, would do one of two things. One, it would enrapture him, confound him and make him want to know this clever woman that beats him at a game he is rather good at. Or secondly, it would make him shy away from you because you are showing yourself more clever than him. A detriment to his manhood and to his confidence. A clever woman, would take the gamble. A fliratious one, would only flirt and allow the man to win. So are you the type that would allow a man to win, or the kind to win?" he asked grinning and then stroking his slightly shadowed jaw.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 18, 2012 16:26:33 GMT -5
He went to his study and called the two bastards in and basically told them to go pound salt, and if they did not leave his land then he would make sure the two of them were dead by the morning. And he meant it since he would sent the guard out. How they acted towards Lady Emma, well... it could have been Belle and he would have probably have them killed for their neglect. He thought of it and as soon as they were beyond the river, he told his men to cut of one of their thumbs each. He would be cruel to those who were cruel to women.
---
She supposed that she would need some dancing lessons as well as some practice with her needlework since she was absolutely terrible at it. She had always been better at organizing as well as somewhat good at riding side saddle and when she was feeling daring, she would ride like a man. Of course, her brother nor anyone knew of that skill.
"I accept your offer for some dance lessons... I am a little rusty on that." She said with honesty as she watched the board and then looked up into those blue eyes. "I intend to win, Lord Cauldwell." Catherine said with a little teasing grin and the right amount of sass before moving the final peice and saying. "Checkmate."
---
The next morning, Catherine knew that there was much to do since they were having a banquet that evening but... she had decided to go towards the village to talk to the village Tailor as well as his daughter, Mary. She was a kind young woman with dark hair and eyes and a round face but she had a plain look to her. Once down with the measurements, Lady Emma was given one gown that fit her before the other gowns would be made for her. "The green really goes well with your eyes." Catherine said as she was wearing a gown of a light pink and blue.
---
"Admit it, Brett... you have been bested." He said with a grin under his helmet as he looked down at his friend before putting out a hand so that he could help him up being that Allistair was the winner but he was not an ass about that fact.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 18, 2012 18:48:17 GMT -5
Emma was glad that they were making her gowns but she liked making her own as well and made sure to buy some fabric from Miss Tailor so she might make her own. Not that she doubted The tailor or his daughter's skill but she had been making her own clothes since eleven years old. As they walked back from the tailor house, she sighed. "I hope you don't mind me helping you out around the keep. I am a busy body. Back in London, I did a lot of things. I mended things, I scrubbed floors. I was even in the kitchen helping with dinner and did scullery. I was little more than a servant as my uncle's ward. So I learned a lot. So if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me," she said smiling. How else was she supposed to get on her good side. Her idea of friendship was not exactly ideal. It was what she had learned from a small child through adolescence till now. To be a good girl and to not anger anyone, she had to work for her supper. Being a lazy thing was not a good thing...
It was because of this that her palms were calloused and rough instead of the hands of a woman who was a lady by birthright. She had been raised in an entirely different manner than most ladies but she was sure Lady Catherine could sympathize. Catherine had been uprooted from her life in a convent and had been forced to come to Scotland and learn to be a lady. Emma knew some things about being proper but not much. She was better at boyish things. Swordplay, chess, cards, archery. Lady skills like needlework and dancing and playing the lyre or flute were...never taught to her. She could read, but not well. Cypher but again, not well, but new plenty about running a household only because she had been a part of it to keep it up and running.
She watched the men as they entered the inner courtyard at the finish of a duel. It appeared to be over as one helmeted man was helping the other. "Hmmm..." she said, sitting the basket of fabric down then going over to watch, arms crossed over her chest. -----
Brett sighed, allowing his friend to help him up and then brushing himself off before doing away with his helmet. "The only man to ever beat me in battle..." he grinned then walked to the bucket of water and ladeled some into his mouth before taking off the armor and rolling his shoulders. He grinned ten looked at Catherine and the little redhead. He bowed.
"Ladies. Laird MacLeod was doing so well as to teach me how to land on my backside with grace," he grinned, causing Emma to smirk.
"So Laird MacLeod is handy with a sword as well as charming with his word then," she smiled.
Brett grinned. "One of the best milady O'Hara. The only man to ever beat me at my favorite game..." He gave a good natured laugh, wiping the sweat from his brow before watching Emma walk over to the swords, lifting one and testing the balance of the blade.
"Know a thing about swords do you milady?" Brett asked as he sank down on a wooden bench to start undoing the armor on his legs.
"Plenty. I used to spend time polishing them with a squire. My uncle's master at arms taught me how to handle them," she shrugged, putting it back, only to grab another.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 18, 2012 19:43:03 GMT -5
William could not help himself but smirk as the little redhead was naturally being snarky and sarcastic. It was as if it flowed out of her very veins as he stepped up. "Oh, and how well ye ken the sword, lass?" He had a scottish accent as he spoke due to the fact that his men were watching, there were a number of young men who seemed to think that a woman could never best a man at sword play. Of course, he was of the same mind as one of the men shouted. "Me thinks the lady believes she can best a man..." There was a roar of laughter as this was going on and him being a man filled with male pride turned and said. "Settle down, lads... I doubt that she could make me drop my sword no less beat me at this game." He chuckled as he could see that she was getting upset and he gave her a half grin.
"Ye think ye can best me, lass?" He asked her as he dropped the wooden sword from his shoulder and said. "Well, if ye ken ye can then let us make this interesting..." There was a loud roar from the men as he said. "If I win then ye will do whatever I request... and if ye win, likewise. Fair, lass?" He asked her as he glanced to his sister who was watcher with a frown on her lips as if to disapprove of the situation.
His sister could best him in archery and so, he hoped that she would not interject saying that she would challenge him to the sport since it was known that she beat him almost every year and was the second best archer in the area.
However, Catherine only said. "You don't have to let him be a bully, he will be if you let him..." Knowing how William could be at times but she could tell just by Lady Emma's face that she was not one to step away from a fight when she was being tauted. It was then that Catherine washed her hands clean of this and glanced at Brett thinking that he looked quite handsome in the armour and as he was taking it off. Well, she glanced away when he looked up before looking back as he was focusing on his other leg armour.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 18, 2012 20:38:51 GMT -5
Emma looked at him. "You know what they say about big mouth's Laird MacLeod," she said, which caused a few chuckles. She glanced at Catherine. "He's not bullying me my lady," she mused thoughtfully then looked at him, her eyes glaring at William or Alistair or whoever the hell he was. She sat the sword back in it's slot then glanced at his men. "I don't think I want anything in particular...and I get the feeling that your idea of debt paid is something sordid or wicked..." She raised her brow then smirked.
Slowly, she walked around him then heard Brett smiled. "Oh give it a rest Alistair..." he said as he finished with his armor and then stood in his breeks and cambric shirt, going to stand by Catherine, arms crossing over his broad chest as he watched the display. He sighed. "This is not going to end well," he mused. "It doesn't take much to get your friend's dander up does it?" he asked curiously, watching her go back over to the rack of swords.
"I can't say I'll beat or best you. I haven't practiced with a sword in a good while, but I do know plenty about swordplay, footwork, and swords themselves," she said then smiled and grabbed a wooden sword that seemed fitting enough for her size. She was short but she was also quick to step. Which could be quite a valuable asset in a fight. She tested the balance of the blade.
"What irritates me most is a man thinking himself the master of the universe and lord of everything..." she mused then sighed and shook her head. "So I'll take this challenge of yours if only to prove I can do anything as good as a man, if not better. At least I'm not trying to compensate for something with my big mouth," she smiled then curtseyed, causing a few men to laugh as she walked over to the middle ground and raised her hand. "And we'll keep the wager..." she shrugged then moved her hand behind her back, raising her sword and taking her footing.
"Looks like she is going to play you for a fool!" one man shouted and caused the other's to laugh.
Brett wiped his brow again, shaking his head at the two of them. Alistair was hard headed and it seemed that Lady O'Hara was short tempered. A perfect match in hell.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 18, 2012 21:21:47 GMT -5
"Alright then, Lady Emma." He said to her as he had his own sword in his hand and he took his position so that he could fight against her. "Best two out of three then?" He said to her as he waited for a moment as the men around him were jeering mostly at the young lady with the deep green eyes who was staring him down. "You are a brave lass..." He said with a small smile as he waited for a moment, both of them not moving to see who the first one would attack as he moved first. He was going to have to do so as he was about to move his sword but she made a quick attack, this set him off guard as he looked shocked that she had been able to hit him but not knock him down.
As it turned out, the young lady was actually quite good... for a female as he had tricked her and bested her the first round. This sent the men into jeers about a woman never being able to beat a man. Of course, she had showed them but tricking him in the second round so that he had fallen flat on his arse. This was unexceptable to him as he was now in the third round and he was moving as fast as he could, sweat in his eyes and yet, surprisingly... Lady Emma was quite fast as she blocked a few of his hits like an expert. He had a feeling some of the younger soldiers and guard could learn a thing or two off of her as there was a moment of horror when she had almost gotten him.
However, he had the upper hand with his strength and soon... he had knocked the wooden sword from her hands as it clattered against the fence and there was a roar of the men. And yet, William did not feel like a winner when he saw the look on her face. "You are good, Lady Emma." He said simply but not adding 'for a woman.' The truth was that she was good. "However, I have won..." He said with a small smile as if he knew this was to happen. Reaching out his hand, he offered her a handshake... as if to see if she was a sore loser.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 18, 2012 22:09:54 GMT -5
She sighed. She had nearly gotten him that last swing but he was stronger and she was tired by the time he knocked the sword from her hand. Emma hated losing, but it had been a fair fight. He had treated her like he would another man and not a woman so it had been equal footing. She sat the sword in it's slot and then brushed the curls that were drenched and stuck to her cheek back before walking over to him to give his hand a shake in good sportsmanship.
"Well played Laird," she said, panting for breath as their hands connected. In a flash he had tugged her to his chest and up on her tiptoes to kiss her. She gasped as he kissed her and quickly pushed away from him and slapped him, giving a glare before turning and stomping off in a huff.
Brett broke out into laughter. "Jesu Alistair," he laughed good naturedly then clapped the man on the shoulder. "I think she is more pissed you kissed her then you beating her in the sword play," he mused thoughtfully then shook his head, watching the redhead storm off.
"A pretty lass she is my friend, but obviously to spirited for the likes of you," he grinned. "I'm going in to wash up," he mused, noting the basket that Lady O'Hara had been carrying still on the ground where she had left it. "Mayhap you should bring that basket up to her and offer peace?" he suggested then smirked and walked off to go inside and wash up and change before the evening feast that Catherine had been working on to prepare.
-----
Emma was in a fury. How dare he kiss her? It was the second time he had stolen her kisses and she hated it. Almost as much as she liked it truth be told. Both times had left her feeling heated and warm inside. The infuriating man. She was busy musing in her thoughts when she felt herself run into something or rather someone. She gasped, nearly losing her footing but strong arms caught her and righted her.
"I'm sorry," she said looking up and her green eyes meeting very cool looking gray eyes that were seemingly appraising her. She drew back some and fixed her dress.
"Doona fret it lass..." the man said. he was handsome enough she supposed but something was off about him. She could sense it. the same way she knew that Robert had been off the day she had first met him. Her initial feeling was normally a good indicator. He smiled charmingly. "Ross MacKenna, at yer service." He gave a bow and she nearly rolled her eyes.
"I am Emma H...O'Hara...I am here visiting with Lady Catherine. If you'll excuse me," she said moving toward the entry way to the castle, quickly rushing toward her room only to kick the door shut and then throw herself on the bed, screaming into the pillow to mute the sound.
Ross watched her go off and chuckled before moving toward the inner courtyard, seeing Cauldwell and MacLeod. "Jesu MacLeod. A nice bit of handiwork on the left cheek there. Might it be the redhead virago's work?" he asked curiously, giving a grin and running his fingers through his blonde hair. He looked at Catherine, inclining his head. "Milady..." he said smiling before looking back at MacLeod and Cauldwell.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 19, 2012 9:30:58 GMT -5
He did not regret for a moment when he had kissed her and that was because Lady Emma happened to have a very sweet lips and the fiery temper was a surprising turn on for him. Belle had been a sweet and gentle young lady with reddish blonde hair but, Lady Emma had a darker red and she suited the colour. After his sister was giving him a pointed look, she said. "I will have to agree with Lord Cauldwell, you can't just whisk a girl up into a kiss and expect her to just accept it... after all, you did..." She paused as she looked to Brett for a moment and finished the sentence "Invite her here on my behalf... Please do not be rude to her as well." Catherine was a terrible liar and the idea of her almost saying 'kidnapped' would have perhaps gotten him in trouble with Lord Cauldwell. Of course, there was the fact that he was really William and not Allistair and she was Elizabeth... not Catherine. Although, she preferred the name Catherine since it was her middle name.
William looked to his sister for a moment and wanted to scoff her off for this sort of talk that she was giving him since she was his younger sister and not an older sister.
It was then that they walked toward Ross McKenna who was the heir to being the Laird of the much smaller McKenna clan, however they shared a border with the MacLean and he want to keep peace with the McKenna so they would not side with the MacLean in a war. "Aye, I suppose ye could say that it is nice handiwork... this is what ye get when ye kiss her. Just imagine what she could do in the bedroom." He chuckled.
Catherine went red over that comment about Lady Emma and wanted to glare at her brother for it but instead, she made her polite nod to McKenna. Personally, she did not like him... aye, he was a handsome devil but there was something about him that she simply did not like. Catherine almost always went with her gut feeling. "I will see you later, I am going to go prepare for today's events and conduct the on goings with the servants." She said as she looked back for a moment at Lord Cauldwell, as if to completely ignore her brother and the McKenna.
"Strange creatures, females..." He said to Ross McKenna before saying. "And what news do you bring from your father, young McKenna." There was a number of McKenna's men who would train with his own since they had an alliance if the MacLean were to ever attack for the much fought over terriority.
---
Catherine decided to check up on Emma as she softly knocked on the door before slowly opening it. "Are ye alright, Emma?" She asked since she had checked on the kitchens as well as the housekeeper's preparations.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 19, 2012 10:59:36 GMT -5
Ross smiled. "He is just wanting me to come and express that there is still peace and all of that between us and that ye have no need to fear us attacking you. All that shite I have to tell ye every time I come," he grinned then gave a chuckle. "I'm planning to stay for a night or two. It is better than being home and I have company of men my own age and pretty ladies. When are you going to let me court your sister?" he asked good naturedly, giving a chuckle as he fixed his doublet.
Brett watched him suspiciously. "I suppose we should get inside Alistair. It is late afternoon... and we do have that banquet in a few hours to prepare for," he grinned then bowed. "Excuse me MacKenna..." He clapped Alistair on the shoulder and then moved out of the inner courtyard toward the keep's entrance to get a quick bath and change into clothes more befitting a banquet then a fight in the bailey.
-----
Emma was busy changing when she heard Catherine and she turned and went to the door, opening it and giving a smile. "Me I'm fine...Just a little upset but...hardly worth ruining my day over. I gave him a slap Your brother is impertinent," she mused, turning away to finish undressing out of the dress she had soiled and grabbed a wet cloth to wipe herself down. It was dipped in rose scented water andshe was able to clean herself thoroughly before smiling as a servant came in with the basket of her fabric. She thanked her then looked at the dresses on the bed before glancing at Catherine.
"If kissing is the worst he does to me then I'll live...Your brother, as much of an arse that he is, is nothing like the guardians I have back in England. He at least, is treating more as a guest than a hostage, though I don't know much of the difference." She shook her head then sighed. "I don't much of anything. Not like you. I know you can read. You looked over the steward's accounts. Those papers and things. I can barely right my name...Belle could write and read. I never got to learn ladylike skills. I can sew and make my own dresses but needlework as far as embroidery, I am terrible at. Your brother loved my cousin when I was a child, but he shouldn't of. She was terrible. She still is. He just never saw it and I think I'm going to be nice enough to not destroy his image of her." She sighed and lifted up one of the dresses. It was a white and green dress with a pattern on the fabric. It was truly beautiful. Smiling, she started unlacing the sleeves on it then slid it on over her body before adjusting her bodice and then looking at her sighing.
"While I'm here Lady Catherine, I hope you'll be able to teach me some things. I don't know much about being a lady..." she mused thoughtfully.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 19, 2012 11:54:53 GMT -5
William laughed good naturely and said simply. "Never, you know that." He had said this with a smile but he meant it because he did not trust McKenna as far as he could throw him. Catherine was also a terrible liar and he had a feeling that McKenna could know their secret by the end of the wedding night. He had also seen how the man treated women. And there was the fact that his sister had stated that she did not wish to be courted by a pompous ass like Ross McKenna. And that was one thing he would not force on his sister since he had had to force this life on her, he would not force her to marry someone he wished.
Personally, he hoped that Cauldwell would start to court her since it was obvious her feelings for him and yet, he did not know if he would ever see that happening as he excused himself from the young McKenna's company and followed his friend. "So, when are you going to ask to court my sister?" Allistair asked his friend with a curious look since he had seen the look on his face when McKenna had asked. "I thought you would do so soon, it is obvious that she has been looking at you with a sparkle in her eye and because I tend to lose atleast two bottles of wine to the floor, table, other guests and of course yourself when she spilled it on you.
Atleast his friend was always good natured about the fact that Catherine seemed to be head over heels when she was in his company.
---
"Well, I can not help you with any sort of needlework... I am terrible at it myself. I suppose we can start on reading and writing in English and then, you can come to the weekly classes I give in Father Beaton's church to the local villagers." She smiled. "I am quite good at the lute but I can not sing... perhaps you can sing?" Catherine thought that would be lovely as she thought of some of the things she could teach her. "I do have some books that I was taught with as a child, first by my mother... then a governess named Anne, then the nuns and finally Lady MacLeod."
Catherine decided that her new friend would be following her around for the day as a shadow. "You will be able to see how I organize the keep... I like to think of myself as an Army general and my staff are my men." She chuckled as she said. "I am far more kind however. Come, I will not let my brother bother you anymore."
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