regency au } { of arriving suitors and the line of succession

[hereditare]

Daniel: [it's good to have fresh air that isn't tainted with blood. Not that he minds the blood. He's a big fan of blood as long as it's not his. But riding in the carriage with his sister? Not really his favorite mode of transportation] Why can't I ride? I've spent the better part of three years on horseback.

Kate: [she glances over to him before flashing him a small smile] Is spending a little time with me really such a hardship?

Daniel: Of course not. I rather enjoy watching you sharpen your fangs before you have to deal with Lord Hale and his insufferable attitude myself.

Kate: [laughs] I really can't help that he makes it easy.

Daniel: [snorts] You should just take him into his chambers and personally remove the stick from his arse. I'm sure he would enjoy it.

Kate: [rolls her eyes] And take away my chief form of entertainment when we come here? That would be such a shame.

Daniel: It would give you other forms of entertainment that are much more enjoyable, I assure you. [smirks]

Kate: I think you might assume too much of him.

Daniel: Do I assume too much of you, dear sister?

Kate: Is that what I said?

Daniel: Kate, you have desires for Lord Hale? What a scandal. [laughing, good natured teasing]

Kate: Provided he doesn't open his mouth, I would assume that anyone would. It's once he speaks that's the problem.

Daniel: Then he needs things to occupy his mouth, it seems.

Kate: Or a good gag.

Daniel: You know, I may have one in my trunk for special occasions.

Kate: Oh, honey, I'd save that. You may need it for your future wife.

Daniel: Oh, trust me, I have a wonderful present for her that I plan to give to her. [he totally got her a jeweled collar. it's ornate and beautiful... but it's also a collar]

Kate: I'm sure you do.

Daniel: So now, what is it that I'm supposed to remember about this place? I don't like being caught off guard.

Kate: Your usual den. Nothing particularly special.

Daniel: Rumors from the knights is that Sir Derek did not show to the last few tourneys because he birthed a bastard. [laughs]

Kate: I wouldn't be surprised. He has quite he reputation.

Daniel: When I am lord of the manor, the first thing I will do is marry that mutt off so I don't have to deal with him further.

Kate: I'm sure any woman would be happy to take him.

Daniel: There is a beauty down in Portugal who has been offered to many men. I'm sure a prize such as the Hale male will delight her father. [and by beauty, he means deformed wench]

Kate: [of course he does] Good luck convincing his sister.

Daniel: She will learn her place. She may be the alpha of the wolves, but in the eyes of King and God, I will be the Lord of the Manor.

Kate: Mmmm. [she knows enough to know that the man is never the leader of any household but she'll let him think it for now]

Daniel: [nope, male ego in the fullest. Spoiled rich boy with too many trophies and not enough spankings]

Kate: [sighs softly as she turns her eyes out to the road] This will certainly be interesting if nothing else.

Daniel: That it will. [and he will just lean back and watch out the other window, fidgetting.]

Kate: [And eventually they pull up to the front of the house, where Laura is standing outside waiting for them] Well, there she is.

Daniel: [smirks a bit] She has blossomed in the last few years. I bet the other Lords hate that I have her hand.

Kate: Oh, I'm sure they do.

Daniel: I guess then I need to make sure they all know who she belongs to now.

Kate: And how do you intend to do that?

Daniel: Oh, getting back into the tournament rotation. There's a new little country knight that needs to learn he's not the king of the joust, and at the same time, I can show my woman off and cement my claim in their minds.

Kate: You mean the undefeated Sir Parrish?

Daniel: Yes, that's his name. Came out of nowhere onto the circuit this year. He's just lucky I've been at war.

Kate: Oh, this will definitely be fun. [and their footman is opening the door and offering her his hand so she could get out]

Peter: [and he is obviously hovering in the background because nope, not letting Laura out of his sight]

Daniel: [and out he comes next, giving Laura a measured bow and smile] Lady Laura, you are more beautiful that I remember.

Laura: [a thin practice smile as she curtsies in acknowledgement] Lord Argent. It is a pleasure to see you again. And you, Lady Argent.

Kate: [nods in return before glancing to Peter] Lord Hale.

Peter: [slight nod of his head to both] Lord Argent, Lady Argent. Welcome to Hale Manor. I hope the trip was not too bumpy.

Kate: Not nearly as bumpy as this is going to be. [she's just saying. and with that she will gesture to her servants] Where would you like me to put my things?

Peter: We have a tower prepared for you. [snaps his fingers and the Hale servants will come and start showing the Argent servants where to go with the trunks and the horses]

Daniel: I believe I will need to freshen up a bit before you can show me the manor, my lady. It has been a few years, after all.

Laura: Of course. I can wait for you in the common room?

Daniel: That would be wonderful. [holds out his arm for his sister] Lady Kate, shall we freshen up after our long ride?

Kate: Yes. Let's. [and with that she'll take his arm and follow the servants]

Peter: [waits until they are out of earshot, and then there is a soft growl]

Laura: [places her hand on his arm] Easy. You know she enjoys riling you.

Peter: Yes, I'm well aware. I believe that's the only reason she comes on these visits.

Laura: So breathe. She'll be gone soon enough. And be grateful that it's her and not Gerard.

Peter: [another soft growl] I still hate this truce. [but it's just a rhetorical statement and he will sigh] I will make sure the servants don't over spice their pheasant this time. [even the servants hated the Argents]

Laura: [nods] And I will wait for Daniel.

Peter: Good luck, my dear. [he will bow and head to the kitchen]

Laura: [and she will head to the common room where she will probably sit and read while she waits]

Daniel: [and he will join her after making her wait on him, dressed in a comfortable tunic of black and silver. He would be dashing if he wasn't insufferable] My lady. [yes, said like that]

Laura: [another thin smile as she stands] Is there any particular area you would like to begin?

Daniel: Surprise me. It's been three years and I know many things change.

Laura: Very well. [and she will take him of a tour of the common areas including the kitchen, the libraries, some of the studies, all of that, talking some as she goes]

Daniel: [and after some of the small talk] So I heard that your lady sister's marriage contract to Lord Whittemore's son was dissolved. Has she found a new suitor yet?

Laura: Not yet. Peter is very particular.

Daniel: So I've heard. Three wards, and only one with a solid contract. And not even himself married again even with a young child. Perhaps it will be better for us all when we take over all the running of this manor and your family.

Laura: [her back straightens at the suggestion before glancing over to him] The reason Peter is particular is because her last engagement was abusive and I elected not to put my sister in that situation. Also this marriage does not give you responsibility over my family.

Daniel: No, but to the king, I am responsible for the manor and the people within it. In his eyes, my word is law once we are wed.

Laura: I did not know that the king would be making social calls.

Daniel: No, but unless you wish to forever remain within the walls of the manor, My lady, appearances must be kept.

Laura: Appearances. Yes. Well, as far as appearances are concerned, my sister is still in my uncle's care and will remain so after our marriage, so no one will be determining who she marries but him and only him. And while you may become the lord of this land, I am still it's lady and it's alpha. I will do what's best for my pack regardless of your word. If you are so concerned with appearances of things outside of these walls, I would suggest gaining some practice in the art of negotiation, or those appearances may not be as .... neat as you may hope.

Daniel: You assume that I am afraid of your bite, my lady. [he gives her a cool look] You know as well as I that you can bark at me all you wish, but on our wedding day I will take over this land and this manor. Your pack remains here because of the contract, and you are their alpha but I am their lord and master. You can handle the werewolf affairs, and those of humans are mine. Including the running of this household that I do not give to you to handle as the Lady of the Home.

Laura: You should be afraid of my bite. [she'll take another step closer as her eyes flash red for a moment] After all, if you're to be my mate, certain things might ... slip. [meaning she will totally hold the bite over your head, Daniel, so do not test her.]

Daniel: You may want to have your uncle read the contract to you, my lady. You turn me, you start war. You or your pack harm me in any way, you start war. You defy me in any way and do not take your role as my wife, You. Start. War. [meets her in that step] Do you want to see my family slaughter yours? Right down to your brother's little bastard daughter?

Laura: I've read the contract myself, and there is nothing in it about rescinding my place as the heir of this property. So if you attempt to usurp me then bear in mind that we can start a war too. And then it will be your family brought to slaughter. That threat goes both ways.

Daniel: Sweet Laura, you see the world through wolf eyes. Women may be able to inherit property in this modern age, but this is a world where the man runs the manor. Do not delude yourself that because the home bears your name that you have control of it beyond by blood.

Laura: [her lips purse for a moment, before she turns and continues to walk] We shall see about that.

Daniel: That we will. [smirks. Yup, he's Gerard's little minion, that's for sure]

Laura: [she's not surprised. but she also knows that every servant, lady and knight on this property is hers, so good luck trying to do anything without her approval]

Daniel: [and he will keep walking with her, because nope, get used to it. he's at your side for a while now]

Laura: [that's fine, she was giving him a tour anyway]