Fascination

[icu1978]

laying in his arms she looked towards the door as it started to open. wondering if it would be marie or james.. perhaps both of them. or neithor at all. looking up to arran she pressed her body up and kissed the side of his jaw.
before relaxing against him again to look out the window.

" perhaps we could have a picnick out by the pond some time." slowly runing her nails in small curcles on his arm as she thought about that. it would be a lovely idea.. they could even ask marie and james to join them. as far as she was concerned the two of them deserved a vacation from work.. her mama had nearly worked them to the bone while she was here. smiling she nuzzled her cheek against arrans chest.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran almost disagreed with her about having a picnic by the pond. He hadn’t told her that he rarely left the castle, not the grounds, but the building itself. He was slightly surprised that he actually liked the idea, especially being joined by James and Marie. He had always felt bad for James, he almost looked at him more like a brother than a butler.

“I think that might be a wonderful idea.” He said softly as they cuddled tighter together. The knock on the door was repeated “Enter.” He said a bit louder, not wanting to move from having her in his arms.

 

[macmillian]

"I appologize my Lord. The page at his post on the seconf floor informed us that Lady Grace and Lord Arron have left Lady grace's rooms. The Household is making arrangements to move her belongings to her new appartment. They will do the same for her maid Marie.

"I came to inquire where you wanted the evening meal served. Up here in your private dining room or downstairs in the main dining room. I also bring news that your uncle and his wife are on the move and are coming here to see you."

 

[slippedhalo]

OOC: I'm stuck until Grace comes to bathe. Marie has nothing else to do at the moment.

 

[macmillian]

A young servant girl smiled and bowed slightly to her. "I'm Sarah. I've been told you may need help finding the kitchens so I have been sent to help you." said the girl in a voice as sweet as an angels.

"Thank you, Sarah." said Marie, following young Sarah's lead despite the fact that she really did know her way but that getting lost was simply an allabi to explain her wherabouts when Miss Wren had awoken to find her missing. Watching Sarah reminded her of herself at that age, working at the Beaumont residence, still grieving her father's death and working like a slave to pay off the debts of the funeral and burial the rich family refused to pay for as a way to show their respects for his years of service. She supposed if she had been older she might have been able to negotiate with them but as a mere child she was powerless when they had made the arrangements and informed her of her debt and how she'd pay it. This made her curious to find out how this child ended up a maid as well. "So, Sarah, how long have you been a maid here?"

Sara gave a half smile and looked down meekly, "Well, just these past six months, since my twelfth birthday. Only to help out my family and to pay for the school I'd like to go to when I'm fifteen." she answered. "My mother works in the kitchens but since my father died it's been difficult and she needed the help. I have six younger brothers and sisters." she explained.

"I see." said Marie as they descended the stone stairs entering the warmth of the kitchens. "Ah, here we are. Thank you so much Sarah and I myself have been also a maid since I was your age. You are very lucky to be able to go off to school in a few years. If you ever need someone to talk to who knows what it felt like to be such a young house servant please feel free to come and talk with me whenever you feel you'd like to." she said with a smile.

"Thank you, Miss Marie." said the girl with a shy, polite smile, nodding to her and to a woman who resembled an older, heavier version of herself who was stoking the oven at the other end of the room. Marie looked over her shoulder and caught the nod between mother and daughter before Sarah excused herself to finish her work upstairs. Marie smiled politely at the woman who watched Sarah go with pride in her eyes and then Marie walked into the dining area of the kitchen to find many of the house-staff had already assembled for their meal. She wondered if James would join them as well.

Before I had entered Lord Arran's room, I had sent a page to the kitchen to fetch the young housemaid, Sarah, and to brigh her here to me. I caught sight of two housemaids carring clothing and entering the apartment of Lady Grace. They were probably bringing Lady Grace's things to her new home under the direction of Marie. Maybe I would get to see Marie sooner than tonight.

There she was again, intruding into my mind when I have so much more to think about and to do. His Lord and his new Lady. The arrival of his uncle and how that will affect this evening. A full supper with his aunt and uncle or just a quiet reception afterwards. So much to do.

I knocked on the door of my Lord and waited for his reply.

 

[icu1978]

Arran almost disagreed with her about having a picnic by the pond. He hadn’t told her that he rarely left the castle, not the grounds, but the building itself. He was slightly surprised that he actually liked the idea, especially being joined by James and Marie. He had always felt bad for James, he almost looked at him more like a brother than a butler.

“I think that might be a wonderful idea.” He said softly as they cuddled tighter together. The knock on the door was repeated “Enter.” He said a bit louder, not wanting to move from having her in his arms.

looking up at him she smiled" i am glad that you agree.. i am so looking forward to seeing the grounds." sighing she closes her eyes. content to spend the rest of her life in his arms in this little alcove. when she hears james coughing in the door way she opens her eyes and looks at him smiling.
" perhaps i should go and see marie now."

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie is pleased to see everything getting into some semblance of order in the Lady's new rooms and bows graciously when she sees Lady Grace enter and look around. She tries not to notice the flush of color on her charge's cheeks, wondering quietly to herself it it is out of a sense of self-consciousness or just healthy color due to her recent exhertions with the Lord.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

Arran reluctantly let go of Grace. "Yes, my love, we should prepare for dinner." he said and kissed her cheek gently before she went to her rooms. "James, I believe tongith I would like to dine alone with my new bride. Make it a romantic setting." he said to James. "Also, I will require a bath prior to dinner, please see to it." he said and started to undress.

 

[macmillian]

"Yes my Lord, water is heating and I 'll have it brought right in." I turn and call out for the esquirers to bring the water to the Lords Bath. I go in the closet and bring a robe for Arran to wear. Water is poured into the tube and towels laid out. Everything is in readyness for his bath.

Arran gets into the tube and I begin to lay out his clothes. Dark pants and a white shirt with vest. Black boots and belt. Neat and simple and quite dashing.

I return to the bath as Arran has finished bathing and I assit him drying and then into his robe. We return to his bedroom.

"If everything is correct Sir, I will go and make preperations for dinner."

 

[macmillian]

Lord Arran dismissed me to make the arangements for dinner. Sarah was still waiting for me out in the hall. "Come with me Sarah" and I led the way to the private dinning room. I looked over the room and instructed Sarah to wipe everything down. Making sure that the room was neat.

I went into the small storage room next to the kitchen and returned with two wall lamps with with green glass. I lit them both and placed them on the walls. They cast a soft green glow on the room. Next came the candle holders. Two singles on the table and two triples on the side board. These I would light just before they entered.

"Sarah, A tray and fresh water decanter for the table."

Sarah .... "Here? Sir!"

James .... "Yes, yes, very good. Now go to her Ladyship"s room and ask for Marie. Find out if Lady Grace likes soup. Also ask if she would like fowl or meat for this evenings meal? When you know, hurry right back."

Sarah .... "Yes Sir, I know Marie. I will be right Back" and she leaves and goes to lady Grace apartments.

 

[slippedhalo]

As Marie bathed Lady Grace who was surprisingly quiet but looked quite happy to Marie's relief, she heard a knock at the door. "Shall I get that?" asked Marie politely, rising and wiping her wet hands on her apron to dry them. A nod from Grace and Marie was over to the door to find young Sarah waiting in the corridor.

"I've been told to come and ask for you, Ms. Marie." announced the girl, her eyes huge with silent apology for any possible interruption.

Marie smiled, "Oh, Sarah, I'm sre Lady Grace would not mind your precence, please come inside to keep the warmth in the room from leaking out into the hall." she said moving so that the girl could slip past her into the room through the small opening in the door. Marie would never open the door fully while someone inside needed privacy and warmth.

Sarah slipped inside and once in the room bowed low toward Lady Grace, "My apologies for the interruption, Lady Grace. I was sent to ask your preferences for dinner."

"What do you need to know, Sarah?" asked Marie.

"Does Lady Grace like soup and fowl or meat for today?" asked Sarah, the expression on her face showing she had trouble remembering these two details.

Marie smiled and motioned toward Grace for her to answer, "Well, Sarah, she can answer for herself but I happen to know she does like soup. Lady, Grace, what do you prefer from fowl or meat tonight?" she asked looking to Grace for an answer.

 

[icu1978]

laughing grace stood in the tub and wraped a towel around herself before steping out of the tub of water. " well i suppose we could have fowl this evening." blushing slightly she turned and sat in her chair by the fire and began to comb her fingers through her long silver hair.

she looked over at marie and seen how she handled the younger girl so tenderly. " marie after i dress i would like to give you the night off so that you may have some time to yourself... does that meet your aproval my friend?"
she knew that marie had been working hard trying to take care of her and her mama before the wedding and surely she had run herself to the bone afterwards with the bath and preperations. she wanted marie to have some time to relax and enjoy a little time without having to worry about looking after grace.

 

[macmillian]

I left the small kitchen and and waited out side Lady Gracie's room. When Sarah came out, we went down to the main kitchen where the Lords Personal Chef was working off to one side.


I explained to the chef was would be need for tonights repasse. A Plate of sliced apples and pears with cheeses and broken fresh bread. wine. Soup with bread on the table. wine Fowl, send up three game hens, two for his lord and on for her Lady. Split and broken apart for ease of eating. Wild race stuffing. A bowl of peas. wine Custard with cinamine for desert. Pot of hot tea. Brandy. Have two french pastries available as an alternate to the custard.

I had Sarah return to the upstairs kitcken with me and we would complete getting the dinning room read. I went to chek on Lord Arran. I knocked and entered.

"Sire....woul you like the Fruit and cheese and wine servered in the turret room before dinner, r all food and drink in the dinning room. Marie,Young Sarah and I will be serving. Will there be anything else after dinner. Your uncle has stopped at southford at his Inn there. He will arrive tomorrow afternoon."

"Lord Arran, Sir. I ask a boone of thee. Marie and I would like to talk with you after dinner before we are dismissed for the night. If that meets your approval."

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran busied himself dressing as James went off to see to the dinner arrangements. He returned shortly and asked about the food. “I think we’ll be in the dining room tonight James. Actually, it would be better if you spoke to us before we had our meal. Grace and I would like to give you and Marie the night off from serving us, unless you feel you must be there for our meal. I believe we could have Sarah serve us this once.”

 

[macmillian]

"Thank you Sir. All arrangements are set for the meal. There is a flask of Scotch from your own distillery. The very best. The rest of the Meal will be ready within the hour. Your cook is preparing the last now."

"I thank you for the evening Sir. We shall indeed speak with you and Lady Grace be fore the start of dinner. If there is nothing else, I'll return to the dinning room and make sure all is in readyness."

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

“Very good James. I will wait for Miss Grace and Miss Marie find their way there. We can have your discussion, then Grace and I can have our meal.” Arran said politely to James.

He couldn’t help but wonder what they wanted to speak to them about. The thought of them being a couple flashed through his mind.

“Also James, we will need to make preparations for my uncle’s arrival tomorrow. Although I do not look forward to his arrival, we will make him feel welcome.” He said, unnecessarily reminding James that they would extend their hospitality as long as it was warranted.

Arran followed James into the hall and sat in the chair outside of Grace’s rooms, waiting for the two women to emerge.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie was finishing up Grace's hair and straightening up her gown before they would leave to go to dinner. "Lady Grace, you do look lovely this evening...I hope the day's events haven't left you completley speechless." she commented on Grace's ucharacteristic quiet mood since returning from her husband's apartments.

 

[macmillian]

The dining room was complete and was in readyness for the Lord and Lady.

The Table and dinningroom
A tray on the table had a decanter of wine and one of water and four cut glass wine glasses.

A second tray of sliced fruit, apples and pears, cheese and broken bread.

Place setting of knifes, forks and spoons, napkins, finger bowls and a towel.

The candles on the table were lit, The two green lamps on the wall were lighted along with the candlelobrss on the side board. There was a small fire in the fireplace to add a little warmth and mood. The side board had both decanters of brandy and scotch and a white wine for the game birds. Extra glasses were near if need.

I returned to the hall and advised Lord Arran all was ready. I hope you enjoy what we have put together for you and your new Lady, Sir.

I went and knocked on Lady Grace's door and stood waiting for a reply .

 

[icu1978]

giggling grace turned and looked at marie." you must be lost in your own thoughts tonight marie.. *laughs* i just asked if you would like to have the night off tonight instead of serving arran and myself at dinner and then waiting around for me to come to bed... you could have some time to yourself."

standing she brushed the waist of her gown with her hands as she looks in the mirror. the dress itself was low cut and a light pink with white lace around the arms,waist,and neckline making her cheeks look almost rosey.
turning back to marie she smiles brightly looking happier than she ever has before. taking marie's hands she tugs the other girl into a hug and kisses her cheek." marie your my best friend and i have to tell someone.. i love him so much marie.. arran is like the sunshine. he just brightens the world and makes everything beutifull and new...do you know what i mean?" smiling she tugs marie to sit on the bed next to her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie blushes, thinking of James, "I do, madame, I understand completely. And, normally I would jump at the idea of having some extra time off but...James and I have something we'd like to discuss with Lord Arran so I think it is perhaps better if we do serve tonight." she said, eager to get things rolling. She stood again and said, "We should be going to dinner. The men are most likely already waiting for us."

 

[schmoe_128]

James returned to the hall and said all was ready in the dining room. “Very good, shall we see if the ladies are ready?” Arran said as James knocked on the door. Marie opened it and smiled at James. It was a smile the told everything. “Ms Marie, if you and Lady Grace are ready, we would like to escort you to the dining room. Everything is ready for our dinner.” Arran said offering his arm to Grace as she stood beside Marie

 

[macmillian]

My heart skipped a beat when Marie answered the door. Lord Arran stood next to me and offered his arm to Lady Grace who was next to Marie. I like wise offered my arm to my Marie

"Be prepared, Lord Arran asks up to speak before Dinner and then we are supposed to leave." I placed my hand on top of her's, "Do you still want to go through with this. I know that I still do!"

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie looked at James as if he were crazy to even ask, "Of course, James." she said simply, in case the others overheard them talking, she didn't want to give away too much too soon. "Not a doubt in my mind." she concluded.

 

[icu1978]

steping from her chanber she slips her arm through arrans and lets him lead her to the dinning room. she couldn't keep from smiling as she looked at him. " sorry for the delay, marie and i where just having a little chat." entering the dinning room she gasped. " it's so beutifull." the candlight providing a soft glow to the entire room with a delectable table setting. taking her chair when arran pulled her chair out she looked up at him her eyes addoringly moving over his face as he stood and moved to his own chair.

 

[macmillian]

Arm in arm, we followed Lord Arran and Lady Grace into the private dinningroom.

"Marie, you remain here while I check on preporations in the kitchen." I turned and walked down the hall to the kitchen. Sarah and a cook and another maid stood by. I told Sarah she would be in the dinningroom and the others would bring the food to her to be served. I returned to the dinningroom with Sarah and intoduced her to Lady Grace. Lord Arran knew her already.

"Wine my Lady?", picking up the flask to pour. I poured a glass for Lady Grace and Lord Aaran. I returned to the other end of the table and stood by Marie. I waited untill each had tasted the wine before proceeding.

"Now my Lord, Should we begin?" I asked of our Lord and Lady.