Fascination

[slippedhalo]

Marie was surprised when MIss Grace did not want her assistance in packing. So, Marie set to packing a few things for herself, including her porcelain unicorn her father had scrimped and saved to buy for her when she was a child who did not understand why her Little Miss had an entire menagerie and she had nothing to play with but the girl's hand-me-downs. That following birthday her father had surprised her with a unicorn. He could not afford the entire menagerie and had worked hard to afford the unicorn on a butler's salary. As he explained the beginings of finance to his little girl she felt a twinge of regret for having been so insistant and spoiled. She felt badly that her father had suffered for her and cried. But, he smiled and kissed her saying, that's what fathers do. He died not even two years after that. At the age of eleven she was an orphan.

Marie smiled at the memory of her father, she treasured that unicorn because it reminded her of her father and how good he had been to her, raising her from a baby all alone. Marie's mother had died in childbirth. She wrapped the unicorn carefully in her clothing to protect it from any bumps or jostling. She then took her bag and set it in the hall as The Mrs. Wren was now calling to her and she hurried to help the older woman with her things and endeavor to keep her calm as they packed their things into the carriage.

 

[icu1978]

everything seemed to be happening so fast. almost to fast, why was mama sudenly pushing them all to get to scotland. she looked next to her at her mother who was sitting with a sour expresion on her face. she didn't know what to think of her mothers behaviore lately had been even worse than lately.

turning to look out the window at the rolling hills and blue sky's... she wished with all her heart she could be out there instead of in this contraption. the atmispher within the stage was gloomy at best. she could feel the wait of tension in the pit of her stomache. she felt as if something was going to happen or it could be her own nerves.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie watched Miss Grace's face, changing between apprehansion, uncertainty, longing... Marie knew what she must be feeling because she felt some of those same emotions when she thought about moving to this new situation and how life for them might change. She smiled at Grace in her quiet supportive way.

 

[Gothmaster]

Callum Innes

Callum felt his spirits raise as they made ready to leave for Scotland. The ladies was travelling in the relative comfort of the carriage. Callum was travelling beside on a horse. He did not like the small compartment the coach offered anyway. It was so much better like this.

He was armed with a flintlock pistol and a cavalry sabre. This trip could be more dangerous than most. He was one of the few that knew how dangerous it really was. He leans down and looks in at Grace and Marie with a smile.

"Just relax ladies. Relax and rest. We will be at our destination in no time."

 

[dreamr66]

Tabby woke from her restless slumber. Today was the day- Callum should return. She quickly went to her wardrobe to choose her gown. She found an emerald green gown that would do very nicely. She dressed quickly, as Mortimer never saw fit to let her have a maid so she was adept at dressing herself. Lastly she donned the clan plaid.
She hurried downstairs wanting to find James she didn't see him so she went to the kitchen to break her fast. She didn't have the servents set the dining table for her. She felt comfortable with Cook and Cook felt comfortable with her. They chatted whilst she ate her meal. Not gleaning any news from Cook, she meandered about the castle, trying to appear busy.

Soon she would see Callum again.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie looked out of the window of the carriage to see it had begun to rain hard. It was already darker than usual in the wooded area they had passed through but it remained dark as they emerged into a hilly countryside to see the sky had gotten gray with storm-clouds full of rain to pour upon them in their journey. But, she also could see, after hours of sitting in the carriage, that they were getting close to their destination. The unmistakable castle was up ahead just a few miles. Marie nudged the sleeping Grace awake so she could see her possible new home as they approached.

 

[icu1978]

opening her eyes when marie gave her a gentle nudge, she looked to the woman and then to out the window. what she seen nearly took her breathe away. the castle itsself was almost mystical looking like something a little girl would imagine froma fairytale. looking back at marie with wonder in her eyes and a little smile on her lips. she heard her mother gasp and turned to see that she too was looking out the window at the castle.

the greedy almost hungry look in her mama's eyes was enough to set her teeth on edge.turning to look back out the window at the impressive castle sitting amoungst rolling green hills.grace fear hat and hard in the pit of her stomach. what was this man like. would he be like papa loving and kind and so tender with a good heart. or would he be like her mama hard hatefull. she hoped that he was kind.

as they rounded a corner she seen the the front gates just before the went through them. when the carriage came to a stop infront of the castle doors jenny clasped her hands in her lap. she was shaking with fear and did not know what to do to calm herself. she watched as the door was slung open and a hand appeared to help the woman alight from the carraige.

her mama of course went first climbing over grace and marie to get to the open door. grasping the mans hand she steped down and looked up at the castle infront of her. grace and marie exited the carriage and did the same. looking up the castle. when mr. callum apeared nest to them witha large smile on his face grace knew he was happy to be home again.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie made sure Miss Grace and the Mrs. Wren were being accompanied along the path to the castle doors. Meanwhile, she turned to help unload the luggage from the carriage, turning to see an older gentleman with kind eyes looking down at her with a slight smile as he handed her the lighter of the bags and took the heaviest ones himself. He introduced himself so quickly all she got in the rush to get in out of the weather was that he was the butler. Marie smiled back and answered, "Marie, I'm the Miss Wren's maid."

 

[SuthernCumfort]

Ms Madoch heard the appending guests and with a disgusted sigh, she thought again how impervious it would be to have them here. She prided herself on running the tightest of ships and would do doubt have trouble out of those coming.

Everything in its place and a place for everything was her motto. She was a staunch Irish woman, tall and lithe. She had those piercing green eyes and the signature red hair of her Irish heritage. Yet, her brouge was soft and almost unnerving. She spoke low and slow and with a tone almost soothing. She was older, but yet she still possessed her youthfull beauty and on occasion found pleasure in the arms of the occasional rogue traveler. She was not a prude by any means, yet, she was harsh in dealing with her household. She was in charge and that was that.

As the butler ushered her charges inside, she hurried down the hall to meet them properly.

"That will be all, you may take their things to their respective rooms. I am Ms. Madoch. This is my home, and you are guests in it. Please do remember that. I am the run of the household and see to it that all are accomodated nicely, yet, this is again, my home and I do not wish to see it trashed by those whom do not appreciate its finery. Now, who are you and why are you here?" as always, she was disarming in her manner yet stern in implication.

 

[icu1978]

grace was speachless. she stood in shocked silence and stared at the tall woman before them. she said she was the house maid but she acted as if she where the mistress of the house. for a servant she spoke to them in the most apalling maner. grace swallowed the lump in her suddenly dry throat

Msr.Wren narrowed her eyes at the woman, taking a deep breath. " I am the mother of your future mistress, and you will do well to remember YOUR place when speaking to us." looking around her she spoted grace cowering behind her and rolled her eyes. looking back to the woman again her rage noticable.
" now we require rest after such a long journey, take us to our rooms."

the woman and mrs.wren stared each other down and finally after a hate filled glare and a humph of her own the maid took them through the castle and up 3 flights of stairs. finally turning down a long hall they where each taken to their rooms. thankfully grace was several doors away from her mama walking into her room marie not far behind her. the room was lovely. not fantsy or anything but lovely all the same. it fit grace perfectly with bright colors and big windows. moving around the room while marie put her things away grace opened a door only to discover another smaller but just a nice room.

with agasp she looked to marie." MARIE MARIE LOOK!!!" grace was so excited that her friend was to have such a nice room so close to her own. steping in she seen that it was much nicer than any of the servant's rooms that her mama had provided at home. it had it's own full size bed with lovely bedding on it. and windows just like grace had in her room. and a door leading to the hall. so that marie could come and go as she pleased with out disturbing grace. the room was lovely indeed. and marie deserved a nice comftorable space of her own. turning to see marie standing in the door way jenny laughed and grabed her hand pulling her into the middle of the room.

" come in and look at your room you goose.. a slight pause.." oh maire isn't it lovely." turning she looked at marie who seemed to be at a loss for words. smiling she huged marie " you stay and get settled in marie. i can unpack the rest of my things......besides it's not as if mama let me bring much." grace walked to the door and turned back smiling. marie was slowly walking around the room. as if she where trying to take everything in.

steping out grace shut the door between them. giving marie the privacy she so seldom had. moving around her room she unpacked her bags and then lay on her bed. it was comftorable and soon she had dozed off.

 

[Gothmaster]

Callum Innes

Callum was pleased that they reached their destination safe abd sound. He raised his eyes as he heard the duel between Mrs. Wren and Madoch. A duel that Mrs. Wren seem to win. For now at least. He smiles widely as he greets the house maid and the butler before he walks in. He immediately walks up the stairs to reach Arran's private quarters.

As one of the few that ever visits Arran he opens the door after a knock and then walks straight in. "Arran, we have arrived. I have your bride with me." He smiles widely. "And her lovely mother."

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie was astounded at the room that was obviously to be hers being that it was somewhat connected to Miss Wren's, ah, but it was so lovely! She walked around, actually able to walk around the room, it was certainly big enough. She could have fit four or five copies of her old room into this new one. It had a high ceiling, one she would not bump her head on in the middle of the night, and a large window. The furnishings and decor were obviously chosen by someone with an inpeccable eye for detail and it fit her personality quite well. She felt relaxed and at peace in this space and was honored that she could sleep and spend her off time here. Marie smiled as she straightened her hair in the mirror over the long dresser, still admiring her bedroom past herself through the reflection. She sighed and contentedly unpacked her meagre belongings which barely filled one drawer in the large dresser. She laughed as she looked over to the wardrobe closet which was nearly the hight of the room as she thought that was a waste of space for someone as herself with hardly much to wear beyond her work clothing, one civilian outfit and a sunday gown. Unpacking her cross, she set it to stand upon the beside table, leaning against the wall behind it. She didn't want to disturb the lovely painting hung above her bed. A landscape painting of the Scottish coast during a sunny summery looking day. It was a painting she could easily get lost in but cheerful and calming. She liked it where it was. Marie unpacked her unicorn last and placed her treasured item carefully upon the bedside table, centered so that it was clearly on display for her to see from any angle in the room.

After she had settled her things in her room, Marie opened the door to Miss Wren's to see if her charge needed anything from her. She could see she was asleep.

Marie closed the door again, stood regarding her own room once more, then looked out the window to watch the sun making it's attempts to show itself after the wicked storm they had just come inside from.

 

[macmillian]

I knock at the door of Marie, maid to Grace her mistress and maybe bride. I wished to talk with the Lady's servant to find out many things about the young woman, and what better way than to meet and talk with her servant.

It was never to early to start a dialog with the new "Family Members"

 

[slippedhalo]

Her outside door, the one that led to the hall was knocking and Marie moved to answer. It was the butler, James, who had kindly introduced himself to her earlier. "Oh, hello, James." said Marie with an easy smile. "What can I do for you?" she asked.

 

[macmillian]

Her outside door, the one that led to the hall was knocking and Marie moved to answer. It was the butler, James, who had kindly introduced himself to her earlier. "Oh, hello, James." said Marie with an easy smile. "What can I do for you?" she asked.

"Good day to you to Miss", I replied. "I know that it was a long journey from London, But I was thinking that maybe you would like to stretch your legs. See some of the castle and learn some of the important and maybe not so important areas." I let it pause a moment or two. "What I be askin, is would you mind taken a walk with me?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie blushed at the directness of the last question but nodded, "Yes, alright, I suppose it would benefit me to kno whow this house runs." she admitted taking his offered arm despite the warmth in her face upon doing so.

 

[macmillian]

"First I wanted to give you a better welcom than what you Received from the Irish Shrew. We here in the Highlands are Kind and for the most friendly.
Now, Lass, Will you be needing your wrap. If we go outside, it may have a bit of a chill." I pat her hand that rests on my arm and smile at her.

You shook your head and so we stepped into the hall and closed your door behind us as we left. "James you old dog you. You were correct, She is a beauty. I hope master Callum has not already put her to the test. That young man is always coming round the ladies. I hope Marie likes me.....

I took Marie to the large main kitchen first. Here is where all the food it brought to and gone through and most of it is prepared. Some is sent to smaller kitchens through out the castle. Such as the keep, where the guards stay.

"Would the Lady like a cup of tea before continuing?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie wasn't used to such kind treatment from fellow house-staff. There was never much time to be pleasant amonst each other in the Wren family estate as Mrs. Wren kept them all constantly on their toes. This was a very nice change for Marie and she was enjoying James's company. "I would love a cup of tea, James, thank you. Perhaps I should make it, so I can learn where everything is when I am asked to serve?" she said, questioningly. She hadn't been in a new household since she was fourteen years old, learning the Wren home. Before then, she had served in the home she had been born and raised in, over two years worth of service to pay off her father's funeral costs.

 

[macmillian]

"That is a wounderful idea Marie, There is always a pot of hot water on the stove there, (pointing to the far side of the room), Tea pots, cups and trays in the cubbard next to the stove and the tea and other spices and sugar and flour in the cubbard next to that." I lead Marie over and showed her too.

I pointed out the ladel for drawing water from the pot. We will sit at that little table in the bay window. I walked over and sat down and watched as Marie worked to prepare a pot of tea for us.

Ms. Madoch stood in a side pantry, watching what was taking place in her domain. I saw her and wondered what she would try next. She worked here for so long, she acted like she was the Mistress and not the Head of Household Staff, Excluding me and two others that served the Lord directly. That was still a sore she would not let heal. She kept picking at it and was constantly getting into trouble over it.

Marie was doing a good job and soon she brought the tea and all over to the table on the tray.

"Marie...........Excellent job........Tea, cups, sugar, cream, spoons and napkins.:" I said smiling and adding that she sit down.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie sat, happily basking in James's approval. "Thank you, James. So, how long have you worked for this family?" she asked conversationally.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran paced impatiently in his room as he waited for Callum to arrive. He had gotten the message that he had found a suitab;e woman to be his wife and that they were on their way.

"Come in Callum" he said as he heard the knock on the door and saw him enter. "So, where is she at the moment?" he asked, wanting to see the woman who was going to give him an heir.

 

[macmillian]

"For more years than I wish to remember. You would have to say all my life. My Great-Grandfather, Grandfather and Father served the family for all these years. First as personal bodyguards and then as man servants/butlers........"

I paused and watched as Marie poured the tea.

"I had at first trained to be more of a soldier but my father was the Lord's Butler and he asked that I come in and join his household staff. Which by the way I did. But I kept up my pratice of arms and I still do practice."

When his son, Aaran, was born, he asked me to be one of his attendents and I accepted. I have been with him these thirty two years. Friend, teacher, instructor, butler and confidant. I have been all things to the young Lord except he would not let me go and serve him in the fighting.

Well enough of me.......tell me a little about yourself. In time I may tell you a major secret about myself and this castle. That is in time if you stay and we become very good friends.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie shrugged modestly, "Me? Nothing too special. My family worked for the Beaumonts for over one hundred years. My father, an only child, grew up in their household and came to work as their butler from the age of nineteen. He met my mother who worked in the kitchens at first and then later was a housemaid, they courted for over a year and fell in love. They married and my mother was pregnant soon after. My mother gave birth to me...and died during childbirth just two days before her nineteenth birthday. My father raised me alone. He struggled sometimes but he did a wonderful job of it. His bad heart got the better of him too young in life and he died when I was just eleven. I was taken in as a ward of the Beaumonts but worked as an unpaid servant for two years in order to pay off the debt of my father's funeral and burial. At fourteen, my debt paid, I moved out of the Beaumont household and was hired on as a maid for the Wren family. I have been there ever since, as a personal maid to Miss Wren. " she sipped her tea and looked up just in time to lock eyes with James, blushing after a gaze that lasted perhaps one or two seconds too long. "And now I am here." she finished, staring into her teacup.

 

[macmillian]

"I hope you take what I say to heart and not be troubled by it. The color(of your cheeks) becomes you and you are a most lovely lady."

We finish our tea in silence and Ms Madoch approaches us and glares down at Marie.

"Ms Madoch, Head of Household, My I present Marie, who is the maid of Mistress Grace. Marie, Ms Madoch."

Well introductions done. Marie and I shall be off. She wishes to learn her way about and I am helping her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Madoch simply glares down at Marie and Marie is glad to have James pull her away for the rest of her tour.