Fascination

[macmillian]

As we walked down the hall I remarked how much alike His Lord and Master Callum appeared. "The best of Scotland " I announced. From that we walked on in silence.

When we reached the first level, Sir Arran sent me on ahead to prepare the room for his entrance. I called to two of the male servants and had them accompany me into the lounge. As we approached, we heard music, someone was playing the piano and was doing an excellently.

I entered with the two servants and we rapidly extinguished over half the lighting brasiers. The two servants left and I approached the older woman sitting .

"Mrs Wren, I am James, his lordships butler, Will you please arise and come with me over towards the window. Mistress Grace, Please."

I set Mrs Wren first and then her daughter, seperated by about ten feet. Mrs Wren was surprised but said nothing.

Master Callum would do the announcing and presentation. I went and stood in a darkened corner. Mistress Grace looked simply adoring. Her light hair was radiant and lighted the room, even without the extra light.

 

[icu1978]

grace looked at her mama who was busy grumbling under her breath. she was unable to make out what the older woman was saying but was sure that it was probably not very nice.
looking down at her hands tha light played softly with her silky tress's making her hair look as if it shone. grasping her hands togethor in her lap, grace could feel her heart beating rapidly, she was sure that the others in the room could hear it as loudly as she herself could.

she wished that marie where here. some might consider her friendly relationship with her maid to be proper but then secretly grace couldn't give a fig what society thought. oh she stuck to the rules that polite society set for her but when in the privacy of her own home. who was to tell her who her friends could be..... and marie was the very best friend young grace had ever had.

when grace heard the door open and two sets of foot steps enter the room and stop in the door way grace slowly lifted her gaze from her folded hands to the two shapes standing just inside the door.

 

[macmillian]

Standing alone in my corner, I hoped that this meeting would be a big sucess. A lady's presence, the Mistress of the house was need to help raise the stature of the Lord's family, it's holdings and it's heritage.

It was all here in this room tonight. Arran became the head of the family and would take firm control of it's obligations.

A prayer was on my lips....'Plese miss Grace, be the one for our lord Arran, make him yours and he will make you his. Please see him in his best light. Arran who needs the love of a woman and for a woman who needs a man. Grace , you are the one.....your destine is here and no where else.... All Hail Scotland......

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie enjoyed the company of the other servants who lossened up a bit once out of the presence of those they served but she finished her meal slightly dissappointed to have never seen James. Then again, if he was the head butler he would likely have been asked to serve the family and her charges as they ate their dinner.

Afterward, she was asked if she wouldn't mind helping to clear the table and set it again for the next group. She didn't mind one bit. The kitchens had a warm, cozy atmosphere with no pretentions and no one putting on airs. She liked being asked to stay a little bit longer and help out. After all, there was nothing for her to do upstairs in her bedroom except daydream, and with the kiss still haunting her lips, she knew that could be a dangerous pasttime.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran and Callum entered the room, stopping in the door way for Callum to make his announcements. "I present to you Arran Francis William Rossmara, Marquees of Stonehaven" he said and led Arran into the room to introduce him to the two ladies. "Arran, I present to you Mrs. Wren." he said waving a hand to her.

Arran went to her and bowed slightly, taking her hand and kissing it lightly in a gentlemanly manner. "It is my pleasure to meet you" he said in his deep Scotish accent. "I hope you had a pleasant journey and enjoy your stay in my castle." he said politely. She gave him a strange look which Arran dismissed as fatigue from their trip.

Next Callum brought him to Grace "Arran I present to you Miss Grace Wren." Again Arran bowed slightly and kissed her hand. He looked Grace in the eye and smiled at her. She also had a confused look. "My lady, you are quite a stunning woman. I would like you to sit with me durring diner." he said.

 

[icu1978]

It is my pleasure to meet you" he said in his deep Scotish accent. "I hope you had a pleasant journey and enjoy your stay in my castle."

mrs.wren could not believe her eyes.. HE WAS YOUNG no where deaths door by the look of him. and deformed at that... good lord could she let her grace marry a young deformed man. she thought on this a moment as she eyed him criticley... yes she absolutely could.. she had to there was no choice.

when he turned to grace mrs.wren also turned to look at her duaghter.

when he turned and took her hand grace was a bit confused, but when she felt his warm soft lips touch the back of her hand it sent an elctric shock up her arm making her heart skip a beat. looking from her hand to his face grace offered him a smile.

"My lady, you are quite a stunning woman. I would like you to sit with me durring diner."

feeling her face grow warm grace looked down in her lap. " i would enjoy sitting with you at dinner sir."
her heart still seemed to be skiping every other beat as grace looked up at the marquees. she hadn't expected him to be so young or handsome. but he was both and it set her nerves to tingling.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran held his arm out to Grace which she took tentatively. He escorted her to the small dining table and pulled her chair out for her, sliding it in behind her. He moved to his chair and stood as the others joined them. Mrs. Wren was seated on his other side and Callum across from him.

"So, Miss Grace, Mrs. Wren, I see by the look in your eyes that you are confused about something. I do not know what Callum has told you to get you here, but I will tell you the entire story." he said as he looked at them and seated himself.

"You see, I am 32 years old. When my father passed, he left his entire estate to me under the condition that I be married and produce an heir by my 34th birthday. I was married once before, but my first wife passed before we were able to produce an heir. If I do not meet this condition, the entire estate will go to my cold hearted uncle. He will use the money and the castle for evil things and I cannot allow it to happen." he said, his anger at the condition rising, He paused a moment to regain his composure before continuing.

"I sent my brother Callum to London to find a woman suitable to be my bride. I wish I could have gone myself, but I fear to leave this castle for my uncle has too many friends who would gladly kill me and enable him to gain control of our family estate. I sent him to London for the same reason. I do not trust my uncle and fear that he would pay the young women of this area to kill me also. So, I needed to find someone outside of his reach. Thus, you have been invited to my castle.” He said as he looked from woman to woman.

“Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.” He said as he looked at Grace with a smile. He found her to be quite beautiful and could see why Callum had chosen her. He hoped she was as personable as she was beautiful.

 

[icu1978]

grace felt her heart tighten in her chest.. what a sad situation.. who would think an uncle would be so heartless as to put that kind of fear into the mind of his own nephew. looking into arran's face grace offered a timid smile.
she could really think of any questions taht she might have at the moment. but her mama had no such problems.

mrs.wren straitend her back and looked from callum to arran. " well i was mislead but that is neithor here nor there. with your situation being so.....desperate... i am sure that my grace would do just fine as your wife... as you can see she is of child baring age... and in fine form. you do understand that i of course must stay with my duaghter. i would never leave her alone in such a strange and unfamiliar place."

it wasn't so much as a question as a mandate. graces face flamed to hear her mama speak so to arran. looking to the man beside her she lifted her shoulders and offered a smile. she could see he was thinking the same thing she was.. her mama was a rude overbearing woman used to getting her own way.

placing her hand on top of his she raised her chin just slightly "sir i think that what my mama is trying to say is, we are honored to be invited into your home."

she could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest. and hoped that she had suitably covered her mama's bad behavoir. looking across she knew she had angered her mama by speaking for her but their was no choice for it. she couldn't let arran think bad manners ran in the family.

 

[slippedhalo]

Once there was nothing left for her to do in the kitchens Marie decided to do some exploring on her own and learn her way around the castle. She would pay attention to time, of course, in order to return to her room by the time Miss Grace's evening was ended. She half hoped she'd run into James again but only briefly entertained that thought as she walked around, examining tapestries and paintings, learning the twists and turns that led to differing corridors and rooms.

 

[schmoe_128]

"Well, Mrs Wren, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Please realize however that afer we are married, Grace will be the Misstress of the castle, and you will be a guest. As for your daughter being in fine form, I have seen fewer more beautiful." Arran said, hoping to put the seemingly rude woman in her place.

He jumped slightly as Grace's soft hand touched his. "sir i think that what my mama is trying to say is, we are honored to be invited into your home."Arran listened to Grace and smiled at her. He noticed the defiant look on her face as she looked at her mother and realized their relationship was a strained one.

"James, I think we are ready to eat now." Arran said as he looked at James. "Please serve Miss Grace first." he said as James brought the food first to him.

 

[macmillian]

The small intimate dining room was just down a short corridor from the main kitchen and so the food arrived hot and ready to be served. My Lord asked that I serve Grace first and so the meal progressed slowly. Couse after course until all had been served and were satisfied. I enjoyed watching my Lord Arran and Mistress Grace an I could not be more pleased. Master Callum had made a fine choice indeed.

 

[icu1978]

grace smiled warmly at arran as she was served her first course. it was unfamilure to her but she tryed her best to eat as much as she could. as the food kept coming grace began to just pick at her plate.. she was never much of an eater unlike her mama who was eating every bite on her plate in between kicking grace's ankles under the table.

as dinner was drawing to an end grace looked around the table. aside from her mama she could not remember when she had so enjoyed herself. she had taken notice that her mama had calmed some what durring dinner and was being very polite to their host's. to her it seemed everyone was enjoying themselves as much as she was. every so often she would glance at arran from the corner of her eye when his attention was otherwise occupied by eithor her mama or callum. at those times she could feel the heat of a blush creaping into her cheeks and would look away.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran noticed Grace hadn't eaten much and wondered if the food wasn't to her liking or if she just wasn't hungry. Her mother on the other hand it seemed would have eaten the plat if James hadn't removed it when she finished.

He passed the meal conversing with Mrs Wren and Callum about the latest there was to know about London. Not that either Callum or himself were really interested, but Mrs. Wren seemed to love to talk about the city.

As he finished his meal he asked James to bring the desert wine that had been chosen for the evening and directed his attention to Grace. "So, Grace, I dont mean to embarrass you . Was there something not to your liking with our meal? If there was, we will have James take note and it wion't be prepared that way again. Or were you just not hungry this evening?" after he asked her the question, he felt Mrs. Wren kick her under the table.

"Mrs Wren, need I remind you that Grace will hopefully soon be the Misstress of this castle. After that time, that action will be unacceptable." he said as he glared at her. Grace may be, be Arran was in no way intimidated by the woman.

 

[icu1978]

Grace's mouth fell open when she heard arran call her mother out about kicking her under the table. she also noticed that her mama's face had gone quit pale before turning bright red. it was rare indeed to see her mama imerassed. or perhaps she was angry at having been talked to in such a maner.

grace turned to arran, he seemed so large and so handsome. in these last few minutes he had magicly turned into her dreams come true. she wondered how her mama would feel about that.. but of course she would never tell her.
smiling very warmly at arran all her emotions plain to see on her face.

" there was nothing wrong with the meal sir.. i have never really had a large apitite.. but what was served was a pleasure to the palit. i wouldn't ask for anything to be changed."

when her glass was filled grace took a small sip and closed her eyes. the dessert wine was heavenly. she swirled it around in her mouthe before slowly swallowing it. opening her eyes she looked to arran who was also drinking from his glass. taking another small sip she again swirled it around in her mouth when her attention was cuaght by her mama's sharp comanding voice.

" grace stop playing with your wine child. act like a young lady not..." her voice seemed to have left her as she cast her eyes to arran and then callum.
" just drink it, if you please."

swallowing her wine she nodded her head. " sorry mama"

looking to the others with bright pink cheeks she offered a weak smile. " it is very good isn't it." setting her glass on the table and placing her hands in her lap she fell silent.

mrs.wren finished her wine and then had her glass refilled. she began talking about the balls that her and grace would attend while in london. the beutifull gowns and brightly lit ball rooms. the music that would fill the halls.
she seemed to be going off into a world of paty's and meriment that only she could see. she seemed to be leading up to something but not even grace could tell what it was until her mama said very matter afactly.

" i believe that you should throw a ball in honor of grace and myself. wouldn't you agree grace my dear." the two wemon exchanged looks. grace having had enough carefully set her napking on the table and straitened her back. looking into her mothers eyes and smiling sweetly her voice so soft and musical.

" no mother i do not think so.. i hated the balls in london and i would hate them here. i love the country. and we have not been here even 24 hours and already you are trying to ruin the quite buety of this place with ugly lightly tacky dresses and snide snotty people. but then.........what i liked never mattered to you has it mama. becuase if it had you would have never shown such horrid maners to our hosts."

looking to arran and callum who where both looking at her she smiled shakely.
" i am sorry gentlmen.. it seems i let my anger get the best of me. i try never to cause a seen. do forgive us."

 

[macmillian]

"My Lord. will there be anything else before I retire to the kitchen." I asked his Lord as I went around the table to fill those glasses that needed refilling. I was hoping he would release me and I could go off and see Marie again. Why was that young woman playing on my mind. I have to pay attention to my duties. I was not some young maiden to be daydreaming like this. I would have to control myself.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie was enjoying her own quiet tour of the house, getting a feel for the quickest routes to her Miss Grace and the main rooms of the place, and finding hidden treasures to admire around every corner. She stood before such a one now, a portrait, unnamed, of a lovely woman with flowing tresses holding a curly haired, angelic looking infant. If this was anyone the Lord knew she wished she could make their acquaintance for the woman had kind eyes, much like Miss Grace's and Marie had no doubt that this woman adored her child.


OOC: I thought this might be a painting of Arran and his mother or Arran's father and grandmother, but that the woman's eyes being much like Grace's might hold some comfort for him in looking upon his future bride.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

"Very well Grace, I was just concerned and wanted you to know that when, or shall I say if, we are married, you will be the misstress of this castle, and as such will be able to tell the kitchen what you wish to eat." Arran said as he smiled at her.

"Thank you James, I don't believe we will be needing anything else. If you will kindly layout my bed clothes, I think I shouldn't need anything the rest of the night." Arran said to James. He could tell James was anxious to be dismissed but was unsure why.

He was about to chastise Mrs. Wren again when she started to belittle Grace, but simply gave her a look that seemed to take care of it. He looked back at Grace and was about to talk to her when the woman went into her speech about balls and parties.

He was about to inform her that there were no balls and parties held in this castle when Grace finally stood up to her mother, telling her, more or less, that she was being rude. Arran looked at Grace and smiled, then across at Callum "I like this womans energy, I think you have chosen a fine woman to be my bride, if she'll have me" he said to him as he turned his eyes back to Grace.

"And my dear, there is no need to appologize. As misstress of my castle and as my wife, I expect you to voice your opinion. I prefer not to have a meek and timid wife." he said to her smiling deeply as he took her hand in his.
"As for balls, Mrs. Wren, there have been none in this castle since before my father became ill several years ago, and I do not intend on changing that. I do not welcome so many people in here. We may have one on our wedding night, but we do not have a ball, just for the sake of having one."

OOC: as for the portrait halo, I like the idea. It would explain why Arran is so suddenly drawn to Grace. I say make it Arran and his mother.

 

[icu1978]

"I like this womans energy, I think you have chosen a fine woman to be my bride, if she'll have me" he said to him as he turned his eyes back to Grace.
Grace met his eyes her cheeks turning pink, she couldn't stop from smiling if she wanted to.the butterfly's in her stomache where fluttering and her heart was pounding. " i would be more than honored to be your wife."

"And my dear, there is no need to appologize. As misstress of my castle and as my wife, I expect you to voice your opinion. I prefer not to have a meek and timid wife." he said to her smiling deeply as he took her hand in his.
grace's face lit with an inner light as she smiled at arran. she could not remeber when she had felt so happy. surely before her papa had passed away. she looked over at callum and seen him wink at her which sent her to laughing. when her laugher had died and she once again sat looking at the man she was to mary.she seen arran turn his eyes to her mama. the woman was posotively aglow with self saticfaction.

"As for balls, Mrs. Wren, there have been none in this castle since before my father became ill several years ago, and I do not intend on changing that. I do not welcome so many people in here. We may have one on our wedding night, but we do not have a ball, just for the sake of having one."

mrs.wrens glow evaperated as she listend to arran. gasping and throwing her hand to her chest." why that is just scandlouse. who ever heard of sucha thing." mrs.wren looked to her duaghter for aid but knew she would get no assistance from that corner. finally she straitened in her chair" well if it is to be just the one ball then i will have to ensure that it is the grandest of the season."

grace snaped her head around to look at her mama " mama we are not in the city.. there is no season for balls here. every one has gone to london as you well know. and i will not have you ruin my wedding day byinviting all your caty friends to the most special day of my life..." turning she looked at arran." i think perhaps a small ball if one at all. only close friends. what do you think arran?" she desperately hoped he would agree with her. but she also knew that if he wanted a large ball she would say nothing against it.

mrs.wren watched the two closely her left eye began to twitch ever so slightly.

 

[macmillian]

I rechecked the glsses of wine and said good night to my Lord and did a slight bow to him and those at the table, turned and lef. I walked down the hall and into the kitchen and the first person I see is my dear friend Ms. Madoch.

"How are we this evening, my dear Ms. Madoch? Lord Arran sends his nod of approval to the kitchen staff for a well prepared diner. If you would please tell those involved. Thank you" I give her my best James the Butler smile, a slight bow and I continue on through the kitchen and out into a corridor that will allow me access to a small flight of stairs that will take me right to the fourth floor and his Lord's apertments.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran smiled at Graces reaction to her mother. Proud of her coming out of her shell and standing up to her. "My dear, your wedding day is to be your day. I will allow you to plan as you see fit. From the wedding to whatever celebrations we have after. As misstress of the castle, it is yours to plan. Everyone in the castle will be at your disposal for the planning. You should start tomorrow, for we need to have the wedding as soon as possible."

He looked across at Callum, seeing his smile. "Make sure everyone is aware that they are to be at Grace's complete disposal. And Callum, I should like you to be my best-man"

 

[icu1978]

grace smiled at arran " thank you i think perhaps it should be a quite affair. just family and friends." looking to her mama she seen that the woman was near to busting. " oh mama do not worry so, we will invite some of your friends.. 2 friends should be enough i think."

grace could tell that her mama was only slightly placated for the moment. turning to arran with a brite smile " tonight was enchanting sir.. but i fear mama and i must bid you and callum a good night. we have much to do tomarrow..."

mrs.wren was already standing and waiting for her daughter. with a curt nod and a sour face she bid the gentlemen good night. grace and mrs.wren walked slowly from the room. mrs. wren was going on and on about nothing particular and grace was so busy thinking of what needed to be done before their wedding day she hardly heard a word her mama had said.

opening the door to her room she was still smiling and closed the door behind her. as she moved around the room she noticed that marie was no where to be found. figureing she had stayed in the kitchen to talk witht he other maids grace got herself ready for bed.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran looked at Callum "That went remarkably well." he said to him. "You did well in your selection, my brother."

"But, I am tired and I think I too will adjurn for the night." he said as he stood and walked towards the door, stopping to give Callum a brotherly hug.

He took the main stairway to the fourth floor of the castle, where his apartments were and was shocked to see a woman standing in front of the picture of him as an infant with his mother.

"That's a portrait of me and my mother. She was definitely a beautiful woman, wouldn't you say?" he said as he walked next to her. His words causing the woman to gasp and jump, startling her. "He assumed she must be with the Wren's as he didn't recognize her and his people knew he prefered to keep this level private.

"I am Arran Francis William Rossmara, Marquees of Stonehaven, Lord of this castle." he said as he bowed politely to the woman.

 

[macmillian]

I was quickly at my Lord's apartmenrs and I set about putting together his envening clothes and also his sleeping attire. I didn't take long and I checked his belt and shoes, they were fine. I looked around the room, picked up one or two items and placed them in the soiled closet for pickup tomorrow morning.

I left and went through his sitting room and into my small room and out a side corridor and took the stairs down to the second floor.

 

[slippedhalo]

Arran looked at Callum "That went remarkably well." he said to him. "You did well in your selection, my brother."

"But, I am tired and I think I too will adjurn for the night." he said as he stood and walked towards the door, stopping to give Callum a brotherly hug.

He took the main stairway to the fourth floor of the castle, where his apartments were and was shocked to see a woman standing in front of the picture of him as an infant with his mother.

"That's a portrait of me and my mother. She was definitely a beautiful woman, wouldn't you say?" he said as he walked next to her. His words causing the woman to gasp and jump, startling her. "He assumed she must be with the Wren's as he didn't recognize her and his people knew he prefered to keep this level private.

"I am Arran Francis William Rossmara, Marquees of Stonehaven, Lord of this castle." he said as he bowed politely to the woman.

Marie curtsied and tried to shake off her surprise and embarrassment, "Forgive me, Lord, I didn't realize this was your own private hall, nor did I recognize you or else I would have bowed much sooner, you surprised me. I am Marie, the maid of Miss Grace Wren, and yes, your mother was indeed a an exceedingly beautiful woman. Her eyes...they are kind and expressive. I have no doubts they were not just painted this way." said Marie as she recovered.

 

[schmoe_128]

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Marie. If you are Miss Grace's maid, then I will make sure James knows to have everything you need at your disposal. Grace will definitely be needing your help over the next few days, planning our wedding and all." Arran said to her as he took her hand, kissing it gently in a gentlemanly fasion.

"My mother had the most striking eyes. Her passion showed in them from the moment she woke in the morning until they closed at night." he said as he smiled at Marie. "If I may be so bold, where did Marie get her beauty. I find it hard to believe that her mother was as beautiful when she was younger." he said with a chuckle. Mrs Wren was not an ugly woman physically, she just didn't have the same striking features as Grace. The features that didn't change with time.

"As I said Marie, it is my pleasure. I am off to bed. Please feel free to explore the castle. Just please stay on the lower levels unless you are escorted by either myself, James or Callum as typically they are the only people I allow up here." he said as he bowed slightly to her. "Good night Marie." he said and turned to walk away.