Fascination

[schmoe_128]

Arran put his hand on Grace’s as her tiny fingers wrapped around his arm. He looked down at her with a loving smile as they led James and Marie to the dining room.

He held her chair as she sat and sat next to her, reclaiming her hand with his. They chatted lightly, as James went to the kitchen to check on the meal. As he returned, he poured some wine then he stood next to Marie and asked about beginning. “Please James what would you like to speak to us about?”

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie looked to James, their secet now about to reveal itself and she wondered if she was dreaming or if this was actually happening? She fought the butterflies in her stomach as James cleared his throat to begin explaining.

 

[macmillian]

I was standing next to Marie when Lord Arran asked what it was that we wished to talk to them about.

Lord Arran .... "Please James what would you like to speak to us about."

I took a step forward and replyed, "My Lord and Lady, Marie and I have a request to make of you." I turned slightly and took Marie's hand in mine and she stepped up next to me. I stood up straight and tall, shoulders back as I proceeded.

"My Lady, Sir, Marie and I ask for your permission to marry! I fell in love with her that very first night and she has been part of me ever since. It is our custom in Scotland that a Clan Member always out of respect and loyalty ask the Head of the Clan to Marry. Sir, I now make that request. Lady Grace, I know what Marie means to you and I assure you that I do love her with all my heart and soul. This is my pledge to you. Lord Arran, I have known you for all your life and my fielty still is to you Sir." I turn and face Marie and give her a reassuring smile and squeeze her hand.

Turning again to face Our Lord and His Lady, "I hope you will say yes to our request. Thank you for hearing us", and I give a short bow to them both.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie wraps her arm arounf James's and gives a squeeze as near to a hug as propriety would allow in such a public situation. She then grips tightly and waits for the Lord and Lady to make their decision. She stood by, besdie James, hoping they would have no problems with the match, after all, they had been hasty in making love already out of wedlock... and without a marriage to seal the deal Marie would feel very foolish and incredibly dirty for having made such a hasty choice. It was not her normal way but James had such an effect upon her...but why wouldn't they allow the union? It would do them no harm at all.

 

[macmillian]

I felt the increased pressure on my arm and I smilled inwardly. It would not be proper to break out with a large grin at this time. Marie was reassuring me, I think, that I had done a good job. I hoped so, our lives and happiness depended on it.

We stood there arm in arm, together, waiting. I had not yet relaxed unless our Lord or Lady had any further questions for us. I wanted to be prepared to answer. I could only answer in truth for I have never lied (on matters of importance) to Lord Arran, even as boys.

 

[macmillian]

It seemed like an hour that we stood there. Lord Arran looked stunned by our request and I couln't read how Lady Grace felt as shee looked to Lord Arran. I turned my head towards Marie and then back.

"If it may please our Lady and Lord, We could withdraw to the kitchen and there wait for your summons!"

With a flick of your hand, you dismiss us. We turned and walk down the short hall to the kitchen. In the kitchen we move to the small alcove where there is a plae to sit and wait. Th alcove is a place where the serants can rest while waiting for things to begin. (If all work is done)

"It is all going to be alright Marie, I don't think they expected to hear what we just said. Belive me, I love you Marie, very much", and I take your hands in mine.

 

[slippedhalo]

"It would be so shameful after what we've done if we weren't allowed to marry, James." worried Marie aloud, her blush deep.

 

[macmillian]

"It would be so shameful after what we've done if we weren't allowed to marry, James." worried Marie aloud, her blush deep.

"I'm sorry Marie, maybe I rushed you. I am not ashamed because I found out how much I really do love you. I also found out what a woman you are. Kind, caring, loyal and loving. I could not ask for more."

Sarah entered the alcove and told us that Lord Arrand asked her to leave and await their summons. She sat down with us and for the moment we were all silent. Waiting and listening for the summons.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie found pleasant distraction in engaging Sarah in conversation and teaching her how to do a proper 'cat's cradle' trick with a string of yarn. The girl found this very fun and Marie smiled secretely at James as Sarah rattled on about little girl things.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran had been expecting a request from James to court Marie. The word wed had thrown him for a loop. He sat stunned as James suggested they retire to the kitchens to give him and Grace a moment to talk about it and Arran agreed.

Turning to Grace "That is a surprise. I could see they had feelings for each other but had no idea they were that strong. James is like a brother to me and I do not wish to stand in the way of his happiness." he said as he looked at her.

 

[macmillian]

I sat there and watched as Marie interacted with Sarah. I was glad to see that Marie liked Sarah and was taking an interest in her. " should I tell her now or wait untill later when we are alone. Marie had so much to think about right now, I don't think sh could handle another big personal item to come up. So I decided that it would have to wait until another time." I thought about this as I watched the two ladies in my life talk with each other.

"Marie, Sarah, ladies, a cup of tea while we wait?" I asked. I go and prepare it right away. I stood and went into the small kitchen to prepare the pot of tea.

 

[slippedhalo]

"So tell me Sarah, how many younger siblings do you have?" she asked, remembering that once of the cooks in the kitchen was Sarah's mother and Sarah's tale about working as a houseservant in order to help out her mother a bit in paying her own way toward the schooling she wanted for herself.

Sarah smiled, "Six. There's Jacob, he's eight, Moira is six, Angela is five, Micheal is three, and the twins: Stella and Serina who will be two this coming Easter sunday. My mother was young when she had me, only sixteen, the same year she and my father eloped because my mother's parents had turned her out of the house at fifteen and my father didn't have a lot of money to care for her. I did the math..." she whispered the last part with her face all crimson, "I don't think I was created in wedlock...but the fact that they were together for so long afterward and had six more children together is testament to their true love for one another and that makes it easier to bear." decreed Sarah.

Marie had seen some of Sarah's siblings playing in the garden outside of the kitchen and would never dare mention the oddity that although Sarah somewhat resembled her mother, she looked nothing at all like her brothers and sisters who all looked like mirror versions of one another. With the admission that Sarah might have been concieved before her mother and father's marriage it did make Marie silently wonder if Sarah was indeed her father's child.

Then again, Marie liked the woman and would never insult her by asking such a personal question. Who knows a woman's reasons for doing what she might do when pregnant out of wedlock? Who was she to judge? She, who had suffered the temptations of the flesh in a premarital fashion not even twenty-four hours ago herself. What would she do if she fell pregnant and something happened to James, or worse, he would not claim her child as his? She supposed she might take the first offer of marriage to secure her child a family and less stigma in life as well. No, Marie would not judge the actions of one in a bad way. She liked Sarah and was glad Sarah was in the world, no matter how or why that might have happened.

 

[macmillian]

I returned with the tea and set id on the table. I poured out three cups as Marie and Sarah continued to talk. Marie had this expression on deep thought on her face as she listened to Sarah

"OK Ladies, We have sugar or honey, no milk! So, Sarah , your pleasure?"

Sarah .... "Oh Sir! I should be doing that."

James .... "Nonsense girl, I'm just as capable to pour as you or Marie. Now, sugar, honey or plain."

Sarah .... "Honey, please ......Thank-you"

James .... "Your welcom Sarah. And you my Dear Marie!"

 

[slippedhalo]

"Honey too, please, dearest." replied Marie warmly deciding that even if Lord Arran did not consent to their marrying that she'd try to convince James to elope too, much like Sarah's parents. God forbid if she were with child at this very moment she would not want her baby to grow up one day and 'do the math' as Sarah had on her own mother.

 

[macmillian]

"Honey too, please, dearest," replied Marie.

Trying to keep things light I answered. "That honey, are you refering to me (taking a small bow) or that from the bee's?"

Sarah laughs, "That's funny!"

James .... "Thank you Sarah.", placing a spoon of honey into marie's cup of tea. "Here you are my dear, enjoy", as I pass Marie the cup of tea along with my warmest smile.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie just shakes her head and smiles at James's silliness more for Sarah's benefit than for her's, she suspected. "James, they are taking an awfuly long time. I didn't think it would need so much discussion from them. I'm worried now, what if they say no?" she asked, unable to hold her tongue any longer.

Sarah politely occuppied herself from things that weren't of her concern by paying an exxagerated amount of attention suddenly to her tea and the hem of her apron.

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

OOC: since our Grace is having some PC troubles, I'm going to take some liberties.

IC:
Arran and Grace discussed James and Marie's request, weighing the pros and cons of it all. As they came to a decision, Arran rang the bell to summon them back to the dining room.

When the entered, he stood and walked to James. He stood in front of hime for a moment before wrapping his arms around him, hugging him. "James, I think it is great that you have found someone that you love. You both are like family to us and we will not stand in your way if you wish to marry Marie."

 

[macmillian]

At his words, I hug Lord Arran back, "Thank you Sir, Thank you", as I clap you on the back. We seperate and I step back and look into your eyes and I am happy to have you as a friend. "Sir, will you stand up with me on that day?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie gasps excitedly and in relieved happiness she accepts the embrace of Grace and the congratulations whispered in her ear.

"Thank you, m'Lady, thank you. I'm so very happy." she said beaming.

Sarah, hanging back in the hallway as if she wasn't certain if she'd be welcome in this celebration shuffled her feet and turned to go back to the kitchen but Marie pulled her too into the room and hugged her. "Oh, Sarah, my little friend, will you be a bride's maid?" she asked.

Sarah's face brightened, "Yes, Marie, oh yes! How exciting! I've never been invited to a wedding before, let alone been involved in one. I'd be so happy to be your bride's maid!" she exclaimed.

Marie had an idea, "The older of your sisters can join you too if you'd like, Moira, was her name?" Sarah nodded.
"And, the five year old, Angela, she can be the flower girl. Is that an idea? I'd ask for the twins but they are still just barely walking straight at their age."Marie said with a chuckle.

"Yes, yes, I'll ask them. They'd be happy to do it." exclaimed Sarah, so excited she was jumping up and down on the balls of her feet. "and the twins won't mind not being asked, they don't even know what a wedding is yet."

Marie then turned to Lady Grace, "For years you have been so much more than my charge or my employer. Would you please consider being the maid of honor?"

 

[macmillian]

Lord Arran and I shake hands and watch the small celebration between Lady Grace, Marie and Sarah. Everyone is in a good mood.

Lady Grace .... "Ohh, Arran, We need a toast. The wine" she announces.

Sarah .... "My Lady with your permission, I will get the wine" and she walks to the other end of the table, places their glasses on the tray and returns with the decanter and glases and sets the tray on the table, next to Lord Arran.

 

[icu1978]

smiling to marie her eyes twinkling she nodded her head." i would be honored to stand next to you marie.. you know i always thought much more of you than what mama demanded." looking to arran she leans over and slips her fingers between his remembering their wedding allthough small and intament it was special to her, she also remembered what happend after the wedding in her chanbers and a bright blush grew on her cheeks, turning them from white to a light pink as she cuaght his eye. her feelings for this man where confusing to her but also so very strong.

looking to james and marie she smiles " i hope that the four of us have very long healthy happy lives filled with love and lots of little children" giggling she again turns and looks to arran.

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie blushed and snuck a peek at James's direction, "Children! Oh, my, yes, that would be nice. I hope at my age it's not too late." she said remembering she was already ten years past when most of her friends had begun their families. Thirty was just around the corner for her, according to all typical society of their day she'd been a spinster for eight years already.

 

[macmillian]

I saw Marie glane my way and responded. "Why yes of course, maybe even three or four hardy boys." I knew that would somehow add to the merriment of the moment.

"Sir, Shall I pour the wine for the toast?"

 

[schmoe_128]

Arran

James poured every one a glass of wine for a toast, as everyone raised their glasses, Arran looked around the small group "To new beginnings, and hopefully happy endings. May our two families fill this castle with the sound of many happy children."

Before Arran dismissed Marie and James "James, Marie, you shall have the wedding you both want. The kitchens and the grounds of this castle will be made avalable to what ever you wish. Plan whatever you want, spare no expense. It will be our wedding gift to you along with any assistance you may need of us."

 

[slippedhalo]

Marie was very pleased at this offer. She bowed low answering, "Well, I don't know what James had in mind but my wants and needs ar very simple, Lord Arran. But, even still, I thank you for your kind hospitality and I promise we will try not to be of too much trouble with this."