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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 19, 2012 14:09:45 GMT -5
Brett chuckled. "I was going to mention that to you today actually. Catherine and I spoke last night while you were otherwise engaged with Lady O'Hara. She wants to go to court. As taxes are due soon, I thought what a perfect oppertunity to take you with me to Edinburgh and introduce Catherine to court. But also to get the chance to court her. She has always wanted to go and as court life is an integral part of me," he smiled. "Well I figure if she learns to handle it then I will have a good bride on my hands," he mused thoughfully. "But if that redhead is still here, she too i welcome to come along. I just thought I might run the idea by you. Your sister wants to come to court, and I don't see why she can't. Of course, I can not take her by my self as you are her brother and guardian."
He grinned. "Come with me to court, meet the king, find a lovely lass to wed. Unless you have your eyes set on that pretty redhead that gave you a red mark to your cheek," he smirked as they walked up into the keep, moving toward the stairs where the living quarters were.
"So do I have your full permission to court your sister? And if I do, I would like for my courting to remain a secret for a bit."
----
Emma smiled. "You are truly saintly Lady Catherine and I would love to help where I can as repayment," she smiled then quickly drew on her sleeves and laced them tight before pinning her hair up but leaving it uncovered.
"Thank you...and I sing I suppose. I only know a few songs from childhood and a couple of ballads but not many songs compared to some. I'm a girl with boyish past times," she mused thoughtfully then bit her bottom lip. "You had the upbringing, somewhat, that I was supposed to. I remember reading some when I was a small child but after my parents death, I was not something my Uncle wanted to invest in," she mused aloud. He had his perfect daughter after all and had no need of the younger girl. The daughter of his dead brother and the reason he was now titled and rich. She had been nothing to him, and still wasn't. Even though she had been kidnapped and brought here, Emma was certain that here, her life was a turn for the better.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 19, 2012 15:08:17 GMT -5
"Well, I have been talking with Catherine about taking her to court." After all, it had been seven years and he did look a little different then he had when he was a boy. However, there was the case of said redhead who knew who had really want after all these years. Would other know as well as she did? "As for permission to court my sister, it's granted as long as you treat her better than the other women of the court." He gave his friend a serious look for that moment before finally saying. "Then again, I thrust that you will be good to my sister." He gave a clap on the shoulder as he said. "Now, there's a certain red head that I will need to be apologizing to..." He grinned thinking that he was too young to get married at the seven and twenty... he was almost eight and twenty at that time.
Leaving his friend to his own devices, he went looking for the kid as he remembered how she was as a child. Not as spirited as she was now, no... she had been a shy young thing who would jump at every turn. He had always been nice to her not only because he was trying to get on Belle's good side but because they had something in common. He had lost his mother at the age of six and his father at the age of fifteen and he had remembered being upset about that. However, he had been lucky that Catherine's mother was a kind woman and had raised him until he was eighteen and his sister had been ten.
Coming to the door of her room with the basket of fabric, William stopped and waited as it opened and it was his sister.
---
"Please, call me Catherine... none of this lady stuff from now on... right, Emma?" She said looked quite happy since it had been a long time since she had had a friend who was around her own age. Well, she considered herself friends with Mary Tailor as well as some of the servants but she supposed this was a different case. That was when there was a knock at the door and she said. "I bet you it is my idiot of a brother..." She said with a giggle as she got up from her seat and went towards the door and opened it.
She had been right as she glanced at Emma and said. "I do not think that she wants to speak to you." Catherine said as she then said to her new friend. "I think he is here to apologize... are you not?"
William rolled his eyes. "I am here to speak to Lady Emma and give her a peace offering... can you leave us alone?" He asked and watched Catherine got the 'alright' from the redhead as she was on her way. "Alright, Emma... I will be downstairs if you want to help out later." She smiled as she went towards the downstairs to see how the feast and banquet was going with the set up.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 22, 2012 15:20:58 GMT -5
Emma smiled at Catherine and then looked at William, walking over to him and taking the basket of fabric. "Thank you," she mused thoughtfully before looking at him and then moving the basket to the foot of her bed. She grabbed a brush, beginning to brush out her hair so she could re-pin it. "I'm sorry I hit you," she mused thoughtfully. "I did not mean to...honestly...But...my temper gets the better of me sometimes...I wouldn't of been surprised if you had hit me back." She cleared her throat and then looked at him as she pinned her front hair and then lowered her arms before looking down. She was nervous. Why in god's name was she nervous? Perhaps because she was scared he would kiss her again. She was coming to like those kisses.
"Thank you for not hitting me I suppose...Listen...William...Alistair...I truly do want to get along with you. But undermining me and treating me like you do doesn't help....I'd like to think you are like the man I knew as a child...." she trailed off then sighed. "Just...please say what you are going to say. I promised your sister that I would help prepare for the evening....and it isn't long now," she mused thoughtfully.
-----
Brett was quick to wash up and change and entered the banquet hall in a fresh cambric shirt and red and gold doublet. He had a sword at his waist and paused at the entrance to the hall, watching as Catherine directed the placement of trenchers, pewter cups and goblets. Decorating and all that. He smiled and slowly approached her then went to stand by her. "I spoke with your brother. I think he will be open to the idea of going to court," he smiled.
"Perhaps by April you will be on your way," he grinned. As it was the beginning of March now, that would be a few short weeks away. "Since taxes are due by the end of April for your brother that is to say..." he winked and then watched as servants flurried to finish up the preparations. They were definitely efficient.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 22, 2012 16:55:14 GMT -5
He stared at her as if she had three heads when he said. "I donae hit lasses, even when they hit me. I deserved it since I snuck up on you like that." William said to her wondering if she was used to men hitting her, it was not an uncommon occurence but never the less, the idea never sat well in his mind to pray in those who were weaker. Even if she was a hell of a swordman... rather woman. "You do know that when you beat me that second time, well... you had me and the third time. You almost had me and I give credit when it is due." He said simply wondering why he treated her the way that he did, William supposed that he should be treating her like a guest but he liked making her upset, riling her up. Seeing the temper spark up and flare like a braze.
"I was a much different man from when you knew me, Lady Emma. I was a stupid man." He said sincerely having been tricked so easily so that he had lost everything. The only reason that he was alive was pure luck or the grace of God, however a man who had been the son of the late Laird of the MacLeod had died instead. And he had escaped...
"If you do not like the kisses then I guess I will simply stop, focus my attentions on another." He said to her as he thought about going to court and perhaps settling down and... it was at that moment that he thought about her. Lady Emma was pretty but then, he had not seen her since she was a little girl. William turned to go towards the door as he said. "As for my winning, I humbly ask for one more kiss... however, I will not sneak up on you for this one." He mentioned before glancing over his shoulder with a slight smirk on his face.
---
Turning slightly as she had been directing some of the younger servants, Catherine smiled when she saw Lord Cauldwell, "That will mean that my brother is going to go to court." She knew that he went but did not bring her for the fact that she was a missing person in England. However, the idea that she could finally go and meet more worldly people then herself. She wondered if there would be anyone from Spain or France or even the New World. Catherine had read so much about the New World in the newest books that her brother and sometimes Lord Cauldwell would bring from Edinburgh. "I hope that he does not change his mind, I have been asking for a number of years... I do always wonder why he says no..." She said with a smile as she looked up at him for a moment.
"I will have to have you teach me a few courtly dances before you have to leave again. Oh!" She almost forgot. "Lady Emma will need to be refreshed as well, she will be staying with us for a few months." Truly, she did not know how long as she lied about this fact but did not give it away in her face.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 24, 2012 11:56:59 GMT -5
Emma looked at him and ran her fingers through her hair then nimbly started braiding the strands. Sinking down slowly on the edge of the bed, she listened to him and then got up, stopping him. "Will....I mean...Alistair...It's not that I do not like your kisses...I just get the feeling you are using me for your own means of entertainment. I am not here because I wanted a vacation to Scotland. I am here because of you. Despite everything, I like to think you are much like the young man who was so kind to me when I was a girl. And back then you weren't stupid...you were just mislead and seduced..." She sighed.
"And you can have your kiss..." she promised. "Whenever you wish it. Just warn me next time would you," she smirked then flushed. "I have to go down to Lady Catherine and help her," she mused then clearned her throat and walked to the vanity and put in the drop emerald earrings that Catherine had loaned her and then slipped on her shoes, efficiently pinning her hair up off her neck and then adding a simple golden chain to her neck to go with the gold in the dress. Biting her bottom lip, she walked out of the room and smiled at Alistair and then looked away, walking to the stairs and moving downstairs.
-----
"He won't say no," Brett assured him then gave a chuckle. "And it will be an honor teaching you, and teaching Lady Emma. Provided that she doesn't hit me," he teased then nodded. "Alistair knows a few dances I'm sure. I'll be certain to let him help me tutor you and that redheaded virago you call a friend. She is definitely the polar opposite of you my dear Lady Catherine....I don't think I've ever seen you in a temper," he mused then cleared his throat.
"How did you come across befriending an English lass anyway. You never go anywhere," he mused thoughtfully, stroking his chin before going to pour himself a bit of wine. "And not a lot of people come to the highlands...Not English anyway. Being one of them I'd know," he mused thoughtfully then watched her, taking a sip from his pewter cup. Giving her a grin.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 24, 2012 13:16:23 GMT -5
"I simply do not show a temper in company..." Catherine had been upset before but she was good at keeping her emotions under wraps and when she was upset then she would go to her room to cry or hit her pillow. There was also going on walks that calmed her down. "And sometimes, two different people work well together despite being opposite." She stated as she looked to see Lady Emma coming right at that moment and she knew that she was going to have to lie. She hated lying because she was so terrible at it, her mother had always known when she lied as well as the nuns and Lady MacLeod. "Well, Emma is the daughter of an Irish man of business that the late Laird MacLeod did business with. We use to play together when she visited, her mother is English and so, when her father passed on. Well, she went to live in England but we kept in touch by writing letters." She glanced at Emma with a smile expecting her to go along with this story.
"We will leave you to your wine, Lord Cauldwell." She gave a curtisy before taking Emma's arm into her own and walking. "I hate lying to him but... if he ever found out, we would be ruined." Catherine said as she got Emma to help with the banquet for that evening.
---
He thought of her as the great hall was finished and the first of his guests were arriving. Most were from the village, the priest, the people of the court system, the head of the village, the head of his guard Ian and his wife and daughter, Abigail. He saw that his former mistress, Jennifer was there with her older brother who was both a guard and the owner of the wool and fabric shop in the village. Miss Emma O'Hara was of course there, Lord Brett Cauldwell as well as Ross MacKenna who was there since they had the peace agreement with his father who was an older man in not so good health.
His sister was playing hostess as she always did since all were having a meet and greet before they would be taking to the tables to enjoy the feast. There was plenty of wine, ale as well as drams of whiskey for his guests as he went up beside 'Miss O'Hara.' "Enjoying yourself?" He asked her politely as he noticed that Jennifer was staring with a look of anger and jealousy.
It was then that Ian was talking to him and he lost sight of Emma, that was then Jennifer struck as she went over with a pewter wine cup in her hands. "So, you are his new mistress... he said something about you... that you are suppose to be wed." She said with a frown. "He'll break your heart if you don't shield it... protect yourself, Red. I know I didn't..." She said as she put her nose in the air and walked away. Others whispering since she was the supposed village whore. Although, she had only had sex with three men... all of which, Jennifer Connelly had though she was in love with but she had been a hopeless romantic fool and now, she was bitter.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 24, 2012 14:49:58 GMT -5
Emma looked at her surprised as she spoke about being a mistress and their supposed wedding. She opened her mouth to speak and deny both but the woman was gone before she coud say another word. Frowning, she closed her lips and then turned as someone offered for a dance and she saw that it was Ross MacKenna again. She gave a soft smile. "I'm sorry...I'll have to decline," she said not wanting to embarrass herself. She turned but he caught her arm. She was really starting to hate that.
Clearing her throat, she drew her hand away from the handsome blonde. He smiled. "Come now milady...only a dance," he crooned.
She frowned. "I'm sorry...but no...I don't dance..." she said then cleared her throat and turned away. He caught her arm again, squeezing it hard. She looked at him frowning. "Please release me..."
He looked at her and then smiled. "It's just a dance..."
"And I declined the invitation..." She tried pulling away but his grip was firm. She kept a hold on her temper, truly trying to keep her temper in check.
"So you did..." he mused then released her, licking his lips. Her stomach rolled and she turned away, walking through the crowd and managing to escape through a hallway and then stand there, feeling a little sick to her stomach. That man really did give her the creeps. She sighed, watching the movements of everyone on the dance floor frowning. She wasn't used to being around so many people and felt more like an outsider than she did the day before. She sighed and looked away. "Gods above," she whispered softly, closing her eyes and then looking away before walking down the hall to the empty drawinng room. Once inside, she sighed, trying to mimic the dancing but it was useless.
"Damn it," she muttered, tripping over her own two feet.
-----
Brett watched Catherine being the hostess and smiled. He walked behind her and tapped her shoulder. "Milady....perhaps we can dance?" he asked as a gavotte was begining to play. Before she could answer, he whisked her by the waist up to the dancing line and turned to face her, giving a bow. "Enjoy yourself before you go crazy looking after everything," he grinned.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 24, 2012 15:20:44 GMT -5
Ian was telling him something amusing as Allistair nodded but Ian's wife pulled on his arm for the dance as he noticed that Brett was dancing with his sister and that made him smile. He could tell by his sister's red face that she was enjoying herself and looking shy around his friend. It was at that moment that a servant came and said that they were almost out of whiskey and if she could fetch some of his from the drawing room. Shaking his head, he said that he would go not noticing that there was a certain red head missing from the festivities as he went down the hallway. Hearing someone say 'Damn it.' William glanced into the drawing room to see Emma trying to mimic the steps in the dancing as she was doing it wrong and he chuckled before stopping himself.
"You are not enjoying yourself?" He asked her curiously as he went into the room slowly and shut the door, he did not lock it because he was not going to do anything to her. The music could be heard but, she was in here alone. "Is something the matter or... are you not able to dance?" He asked her as she nodded looking embarassed by this fact as he slowly took her hands. "I could teach you... it is easy." Having her stand in front of him, he demonstrated the dance to her and telling her to try as he grinned waiting for her to do so.
"Come on, this should be nothing for you... I have seen your swordplay, dancing is like that but for ladies."
---
Catherine was good at being a hostess but not as good at dancing despite having learnt a thing or two. She was better at the country dances than those of the courtly fashion. However, being with Lord Cauldwell gave her a slight boost of confidence as she nodded. "Aye, I suppose but someone needs to organize the chaos that is a feast and party." She said as the music was starting and she danced the appropriate steps in the dance, looking at him with a shy smile and pink cheeks as she was doing so.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 24, 2012 16:04:19 GMT -5
Emma was embarrassed at being caught trying and sighed, exasperated. "Dancing may be for ladies...but...well...I was lady born but not lady bred...My knowledge of ladylike past times is well...not much..." She swallowed hard and sighed, watching his steps and then trying to mimick them, only to screw up again. "Damn it," she muttered then sighed and looked away, shaking her head. She felt foolish. "I was never...taught how to dance...or...to play instruments...the only reason I know how to make my own clothes is because my nurse taught me when I was little. Needlework, I can't do at all...flirting....all those things Belle is good at...Lord knows...." She tried again then gave a frustrated groan. "This is hopeless...I tried mimicking the steps I saw the tutor teaching my cousin and the ones I saw her dancing...but..." she looked at him then sank down on a chair.
"You must think me socially inept," she murmured then frowned.
-----
He smiled at her. "You are doing well milady Catherine," he winked, doing the steps with her and then turning and switching partners. He grinned and then looked at her smiling before turning again to become her partner once well. When the music ended, he led her off the dance floor and then winked at her.
"That was fun..." he grinned. "Take a rest. The party and feast is fine..." he said to her then smiled and stroked her cheek, tucking a stray dark strand of hair behind her ear. "Everyone is enjoying themselves. There is wine aplenty, food stacked high, and not a single brawl has broken out. For now, a success...so do enjoy yourself midear....." he tolkd her offering her a cup of the wine. "Drink and be merry...."
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 24, 2012 16:41:07 GMT -5
Her cousin Belle had been born and bred as a Lady and yet, she had not and it made him wonder why knowing that she was the daughter of an Earl who had passed on. "No, you were simply mistreated and we not given the same consideration as your cousin was given." He sighed as he went over to her and lifted her up so that they could try once again. "Come... If you can fight and I know you can... then you have the ability to dance." However, the feast would be start soon as he went to get the bottle of the whiskey. "You do not have to dance on this evening and if you are asked then come do the country ones, most of the men and women do not know the steps either."
He was trying to cheer her up but thought it would be a fine idea if he taught her in private the dance since he knew most of them despite being a little out of practice. However, he could teach her. "We will learn again, alright? I can teach you personally since I think your pride will not like to be taught in a group." He looked sympathic to her as he put her arm on his arm. "Let us return... and atleast have a good time at the feast. No?"
---
Watching him, Catherine looked away and at the couples dancing to another dance as she accepted the cup of wine. "I suppose I can allow myself some merriment..." She said with a light laugh before sipping at the wine and enjoying the taste. She would not drink too much but enough as she looked over to him for a moment, thinking that there were none so handsome as Loud Cauldwell. "Although, if anything goes a miss then I will have to blame it on you, milord for making me have too much fun." She teased taking another sip of the wine sweet and yet with a bit of tart, the McKenna was dancing with Jennifer Connelly who when finished smiled before turning her back to him. It seemed that she was smart for not being interested in McKenna as well, although there was another lady at his side soon after.
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