Sarah

[TheAntiRebel]

OOC: In the interest of keeping my character's subplot moving, I'm going to assume that Jarrod booked Mal in a room.

IC:
Malcolm walked to the room assigned to him. It was smaller than most of the large hotel suites he had stayed in his lifetime, but, larger than the tiny train sleeping cars he had stayed in on his journey across the land.

He sighed and began unbuttoning his waistcoat. Once he had made his intentions clear, both to Sarah and her father, he probably could buy a spot of land and have a house built. He would have to have some money wired from back East, if any of his family was still able to. The end of the Civil War seriously hurt the RSN (Roberts-Smith-Newton) Manufacturing Company, and the Roberts clan, once very visible in East Coast social circles, now was noticeably absent, with rumors that the patriarch, old man John Paul Roberts, had ran off to France to evade the IRS, and gotten a French whore pregnant.

Mal sighed, hopefully, rumors of his family's downfall hadn't gotten pass the Mississippi yet. He sighed and continued undressing. Now in his undergarments, he walked over and began drawing himself a bath, hopefully to remove the stench from the horse crap he had fallen in earlier.

 

[The_Irishman]

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. O'Farrell. If you're looking for a room to rent you won't find anyplace more comfortable than my hotel. If you're strapped for money at the moment just speak to the General Manager Jarrod and I'm sure an arrangement can be made to work for room and board until you find steadier work on one of the ranches."

"Oh? Aye, Miss Grant.. that would be most kind of her."

Eamon gives a friendly smile to Miss Blake. And clasps her hand in a friendly gesture.

He then leans in a bit toward Miss Grant, keeping a respectable and tasteful distance from her.. yet close enough his words are for her alone.

With that, Eamon smiles and tips his hat to Miss Grant, Miss Blake and Toby. Then resumes his short walk to the boarding house of Miss Blake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Eamon's eye adjusting to the dim light of the setting sun, the first thing he noticed of the apparently upscale building was the odd odor of a barn.. the city man, no doubt.

Eamon then approaches the desk, and glances down at the little bell on it's surface.

...The high pitched bell rings out...

Eamon looks up to the Abbey bells ringing in the distance, the sun teetering on the very point of the cathedral's top. His sister and mother exiting the carriage with him.

His friends and neighbors all engaged in light-hearted conversation as everyone moved up the stone walk towards the large doors of the stone building...

Eamon blinks away the memory. Unbidden, another returns.

His father is speaking, sharing the words of The Lord with the people of his town. A young child is crying somewhere. The collection of townspeople is not as large this Sunday. The shortage of food and recent troubles of the town have slowly cut away at the number of men and women whom attend, and Eamon's father has a strained look to his eyes as he speaks of triumphing over tribulations that the lord sets before his faithful...

The memory jumps forward.

...Eamon's father stands now before their dinner table in their large, but certainly not extravagant home.

His voice deep, full of concern and conviction, "Eamon and I are taking a ship to America, I have done everything I can to help our friends, family and community - but it is not enough. Every day, life long friends go hungry. This will only go on as long as people in the position to do something stand by and do nothing." The words rang out, sounding virtuous, and full of compassion. I have spoken to many local gentleman and I will be taking a ship of linen and flaxseed to trade for food provisions or any relief we may gain from it..."

 

[The_Irishman]

Eamon's eyes snap up as his memories come to an abrupt halt. His gaze rising onto a tall, older gentleman.

"May I help you, Sir" the lean fellow spoke, as his eyes took in Eamon's details.

"Oh, Aye, Sir. I was told that a fella could find a place to rest here."

Eamon pays up front, for a day's stay. And for breakfast in the morning. And shortly after, without lingering - makes his way to his room.

Eamon steps into his room, then closes his door behind him.

Setting down the rest of his belongings, Eamon leans the exceptionally well made chair up against his door, barring it from the inside.

As he hangs his suit on a nearby lamp bracket, Eamon wonders if he will meet with Miss Grant or her father tomorrow. And in no time at all, after making a meal of the remaining bread from yesterday's dinner, falls into some much needed sleep.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

William and Corrigan had moved from the study into the sitting room. William found himself on one of the opulent sofas, his head buried in the copy of William had removed a book from his study and sat reading Darwin's Origin of Species while Corrigan was noting with some awe the works of art that hung in the spacious room.

"Who's this by?" Corrigan asked as he inspected a particularly impressive piece that hung over the fireplace.

"Mmmmm?" William's attention was consumed by the book and his response indicated as such.

"The painting. Who's the artist?"

William furrowed his brow as he tried to think of the answer.

"Couldn't say. Paintings are an interest of the women of the family, I'm afraid"

"Looks expensive" Corrigan noted with a chuckle

"Well, that I can tell you" William closed his book, taking careful note of his page number "I bought that from some Northern dealer for almost a thousand dollars. Supposed to have been done by an important frenchman, I'm told."

Corrigan whistled as he heard the impressive sum

"Did you ever think, Will, in december of '64 when we were tired and bloody and freezing ourselves to death that we'd at some point be sitting around talking about spending thousands of dollars on a bloody piece of canvas and a few splotches of paint"

"As I recall, John, my thoughts were more centred on whether or not I could convince myself to catch and eat whatever forest creature I could find" William said, a sour look on his face. They'd both eaten more squirrel than any man should that winter. He returned to his book.

"Speaking of which, what will we be dining on this fine evening"

"I thought I'd indulge in nostalgia and serve a couple of hastily roasted squirrels" William's voice was again detached as he continued to read

"Jokes now? Good lord the West really has changed-"

The sentence was cut off by a loud knocking at the door.

"Come in" William again removed himself from his book and stood. A smile grew on his face as Sarah entered the room. Gone was the plain clothing and disheveled look from her trip into town and she stood, looking the picture of a proper young lady, in a blue dress.

"That's a beautiful dress, dear. You look lovely" William said, his smile telling of his pride once again as he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. "And just in time too. Dinner should be ready. Shall we?"

The three made their way into the dining room. The long mahogany table had been elegantly set, the silver ware glistening against the light provided by the lamps.

"So, Sarah dear" William said as he picked up a small silver bell, giving it a small and sharp ring "Anything interesting happening in town?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"That's a beautiful dress, dear. You look lovely"

Sarah flushed with pleasure seeing how father’s approval. She smiled at the affectionate kiss and said good evening to Mr Corrigan.

"And just in time too. Dinner should be ready. Shall we?"

Sarah accompanied the two men into the elegant dining room. She seated herself between them both and watched them too seat themselves at the sizeable mahogany table. Though opulent compared to their neighbours Sarah was used to dining in such a manner. She sat at ease as her father summoned the first course to be served and admired the best silverware, the only change to their usual routine that had obviously been set out for the benefit of their guest.

"So, Sarah dear … anything interesting happening in town?"

Sarah’s thought flew automatically to Eamon, but seemed to consider saying instead.

”Well … Margaret Hudson is busy as usual … she mentioned some town social … “

Sarah commented casually.

”I said I might be able to help out in someway … that I’d talk to you about it … “

They had agreed this fabrication would be the best way for Sarah to come into town so they could get together for the preparations for her father’s birthday … if only William Grant would agree to her doing so.

” … and … we have visitors in town …”

She added to distract him and considered relating the incident that Elizabeth had told her about, but she hadn’t actually seen.

” … some gentleman from town … I’m not sure he’ll be staying long ….”

Her mouth twitched, but she did not think the table was the appropriate place to describe the details.

” … though the other stranger … Eamon .. Mr O’Farrell intends to.
He … told me he’s seeking work … “

She tried to introduce this fact as casually as possible pleased at the slight distraction as their first course was served.
When they were left alone again she elaborated.

”He’s newly arrived in town … I told him that I’d speak to you about him … that you might need someone else to help out around here … “

She amended thinking it best not to tell her father that Eamon had approached her.

”Toby met him … he seemed to like him … “

She reassured her father.
The statement wasn’t a lie, but then again … it wasn’t quite the truth she realised.

 

[caela]

Watching everyone leave Elizabeth sighed softly and decided not to head back to the hotel for the evening. Most night that's where she could be found, she liked overseeing the dinner rush at the attached restaurant; it was one of the few places in down that were family friendly and served dinner. Mostly in the evening it was the saloons that were open and one certainly didn't have a family dinner out at a saloon.

Tonight though she found herself in no mood to deal with the rest of the townsfolk. After Sarah's jab at her morals earlier she simply didn't think she could make it through the dinner hour with a smile still on her lips. To her face most of the people in town treated her well but she wasn't stupid or blind. She'd seen the looks other women thought were shot behind her back, heard the whispers, and worse the deafening silence when she'd walk into a shop unexpectedly that screamed they'd been talking about her for one reason or another.

They called her the town gossip but the truth was most of the women in this town gossiped just as much as she did and most weren't nearly as careful as she was about the news they passed along. She at least had the common courtesy not to pass along rumors she knew were blatantly false and to wait until the people that needed to know something knew it before she spread the news.

Entering her own home she sighed and then smiled softly. It was a little house, and he could have afforded much larger, but it was warm and cozy and hers alone. Anytime she was upset or simply out-of-sorts all she had to do was step through her front door and she was instantly soothed. Lighting her lamps she settled at last in her small library with a book and plate of cold meats and cheeses to snack on while she read.

A quiet evening home was just what she needed.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

”Well … Margaret Hudson is busy as usual … she mentioned some town social … Sarah commented casually. ”I said I might be able to help out in someway … that I’d talk to you about it … “

William nodded his approval as one of the staff brought in the first course of the meal, a delicately prepared consomme. William gave thought to what Sarah said. He didn't like her spending too much time in town, and he certainly didn't approve of some of the behaviour at town socials, but it was harmless enough. Besides, Sarah had taken a shine to Ms. Hudson over the years which was a bit of a comfort to him. Despite the loss of her mother she still had someone to teach her womanly things.

"That sounds fine, dear" William nodded as they began to eat. "Just make sure to take someone with you when you go into town"

” … and … we have visitors in town …”She added to distract him and considered relating the incident that Elizabeth had told her about, but she hadn’t actually seen. ” … some gentleman from town … I’m not sure he’ll be staying long ….”

Her mouth twitched, but she did not think the table was the appropriate place to describe the details.

” … though the other stranger … Eamon .. Mr O’Farrell intends to.
He … told me he’s seeking work … “

Upon hearing this, Corrigan let out a derisive sound and a sneer appeared on his face while William's face betrayed some concern.

"Typical Irish. No decent folk will hire him so he has to go begging a young girl for work." Corrigan said, his contempt showing "There's not a good one in the whole drunken lot of them"

William looked over towards Corrigan with a look of puzzlement

"John, you are Irish"

"Well, yes." Corrigan sputtered, slightly embarrassed "But good protestant stock. Family's been in the country since the 1600's. Not like this rabble"

William rolled his eyes as he beckoned for Sarah to continue.


”He’s newly arrived in town … I told him that I’d speak to you about him … that you might need someone else to help out around here … “ She amended thinking it best not to tell her father that Eamon had approached her. ”Toby met him … he seemed to like him … “

William dabbed his mouth with his napkin as the next course was served. It was a delicately roasted pheasant along with potatoes. William had to contain his initial reaction to hearing of Sarah's meeting with the Irishman. He certainly didn't approve of the man talking with Sarah and he did have a certain natural disagreement with papists but, well, he was always looking for decent ranchhands. If Toby recommended him then there probably was work for him.

"Well, I can't say for certain if there's any specific work that needs to be done, Sarah" William said thoughtfully "But I'll talk it over with Toby and see if we need anyone."

"But dear, you really shouldn't be speaking to strangers in town. The nature of my business can attract some disreputable people and my wealth does make you something of a target."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"That sounds fine, dear … Just make sure to take someone with you when you go into town"

Sarah picked up her knife and fork.

”Yes daddy …”

She gave him a sweet smile. True she found the chaperone rule somewhat … claustrophobic … of late, but she was just relieved that he agreed to her going into town more often.

Perhaps it was that fact that prompted her to breech the subject of Eamon O’Farrel, but he had seemed in a good mood. And indeed he was, she just wished she had not chosen to speak in front of Mr Corrigan!

"Typical Irish. No decent folk will hire him so he has to go begging a young girl for work.
There's not a good one in the whole drunken lot of them"

Sarah looked up shocked to hear such a comment from a man she had always thought of as reasonable. Her worried gaze turned to her father wondering what effect that comment would have on him and saw him looking puzzled.

"John, you are Irish"

It was Sarah’s turn to look puzzled.
Her eyes widened at the other man’s embarrassment.

"Well, yes … but good protestant stock. Family's been in the country since the 1600's. Not like this rabble"

Sarah did not dare respond to that comment, but continued with the explanation of how Eamon was new in town and even stated that Toby had liked him, though that was actually a bit of an exaggeration …

"Well, I can't say for certain if there's any specific work that needs to be done, Sarah"

Sarah tried hard to disguise her disappointment and to bite back any comment she would have liked to make to Mr Corrigan.

"But I'll talk it over with Toby and see if we need anyone."

Her face lit at the offer. She immediately tried to disguise it and limited her response to a casual acknowledgement. She just hoped that Toby would back her up. He certainly hadn’t disliked the Eamon, but as to whether he’d recommend him to her father … she really couldn’t predict …

"But dear, you really shouldn't be speaking to strangers in town.”

Her father’s tone was gentle, but serious, the nearest he ever got to censure.

”The nature of my business can attract some disreputable people and my wealth does make you something of a target."

Sarah considered his words.

”There aren’t often any strangers in town daddy … but … I don’t see how I could be any kind of target. If they’re strangers they wouldn’t know anything more than the fact you run a ranch … would they?”

She smiled across at Corrigan pleased with her own logic, the previous discussion about the Irish quickly forgotten.

”Besides … they couldn’t get any money out of me so … “

She shrugged dismissing the idea.
They had accounts in the town, she carried very little money and rarely wore jewelry when in town so she couldn’t see that any stranger would find her worth accosting …

”And Toby is very attentive …”

She added making sure she had not gotten Toby in to trouble with her father.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

”There aren’t often any strangers in town daddy … but … I don’t see how I could be any kind of target. If they’re strangers they wouldn’t know anything more than the fact you run a ranch … would they?” She smiled across at Corrigan pleased with her own logic, the previous discussion about the Irish quickly forgotten. ”Besides … they couldn’t get any money out of me so … “

She shrugged dismissing the idea. They had accounts in the town, she carried very little money and rarely wore jewelry when in town so she couldn’t see that any stranger would find her worth accosting …

”And Toby is very attentive …”

William couldn't help but frown slightly at his daughter's naivete. It was as much at himself as anything. He had kept her sheltered but it may have proven a detriment.

"Dear, apparently I'm making quite a name for myself." William said as he looked uncomfortably at Corrigan "So there will be men who have heard that I'm very wealthy."

"And it's not any money they could take from you that I'm worried about. It's that they may try to abduct you and ransom you to me. My wealth, unfortunately makes you a target for bad men."

"And it's partially that Toby is so attentive that this concerns me so. If some men sought to abduct you, Toby would likely have to defend you and may be hurt himself."

William saw a look of worry growing in his daughter's face and he decided to soften his tone somewhat.

"But sweetheart, I'm not saying you shouldn't go to town. Just that if a stranger approaches you that it's best to direct him to either Toby or myself. There are all manner of sorts who would take advantage of a beautiful young lady. Especially one who comes from wealth. Best to err on the side of caution, wouldn't you agree?"

Sarah obediently nodded her head, which brought a smile to William once again.

"I hope you have a grand time organizing the social though. If anything is needed for it, just let me know."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Dear, apparently I'm making quite a name for myself … So there will be men who have heard that I'm very wealthy."

Sarah eyed her father curiously. She knew he was well known in the town, but as the town was named for him then that wasn’t really anything she thought about. Surely he was not saying that anyone beyond town would be aware of her daddy’s wealth and success?

"And it's not any money they could take from you that I'm worried about. It's that they may try to abduct you and ransom you to me. My wealth, unfortunately makes you a target for bad men."

Sarah’s eyes widened at his words. … abduct … ransome … !?!
Surely no one would really resort to that … ?

"And it's partially that Toby is so attentive that this concerns me so. If some men sought to abduct you, Toby would likely have to defend you and may be hurt himself."

Sarah thought guiltily of the silent treatment she had given Toby on the way back to the ranch and eyed her father worriedly.

"But sweetheart, I'm not saying you shouldn't go to town.
Just that if a stranger approaches you that it's best to direct him to either Toby or myself.
There are all manner of sorts who would take advantage of a beautiful young lady.
Especially one who comes from wealth.
Best to err on the side of caution, wouldn't you agree?"

Mutely Sarah nodded. Part of her thought her father must be over-reacting and seeing dangers where there really were none.
Still … she couldn’t take risks … with her own safety or Toby’s.

"I hope you have a grand time organizing the social though.
If anything is needed for it, just let me know."

She smiled then pleased that he did not suspect what arrangements were being made.

”I’ll be careful daddy … but you will see Eamon … um… Mr O’Farrell won’t you … ?

Sarah saw no contradiction in her words.
She had promised to be wary of strangers, but to her Eammon did not pose any kind of threat and after having spoken to him that day, she no longer saw him as a “stranger”, after all he had told her all about himself, hadn’t he?

 

[The_Irishman]

Bump.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Bump.

This thread died ages ago ... unfortunately ...
No idea why you're *bumping* it now?

DM