regency au } { of past lives and small town politics

[arbalete]

Peter: What? What's wrong with the gala?

Kate: It's not the gala. It's the location.

Peter: I don't think I understand.

Kate: I'm not welcome there. That's where I lived with my first husband.

Peter: Oh, I see. [he thinks a moment, because he knows the rumors] How true to the rumors are their thoughts?

Kate: [gives a small shrug] I was acquitted, as far as the law was concerned. But that wouldn't stop his friends from ... trying to exact their own justice.

Peter: [sighs] Yes, it would be preferred to go somewhere that I would not have to worry about someone trying to kill you.

Kate: [shakes her head] Go. Let the kids have their fun. I'll ... catch up on my reading. Or spend some time with Malia. [she's .... trying]

Isaac: I could go on my own. It would just look better...

Peter: Isaac, leave us. I will let you know my decision in the morning.

Kate: Peter ... [she appreciates this, but she doesn't want to ruin this for Allison either] It's fine. Go.

Isaac: [and he's just going to leave]

Peter: You would normally do anything you can to see your niece.

Kate: Yes, well, she doesn't need to see me swinging from a tree. The lord there made it clear that if I wanted to keep the peace, I should stay out of Fairview.

Peter: What really happened there, Kate?

Kate: [presses her lips together and shakes her head] It's in the past. It's not worth dredging up.

Peter: It is if it is going to affect you this way.

Kate: Peter. You know that my first marriage was not a happy thing. Allison understands this and my brother has to keep up certain appearances. I will see them another time.

Peter: [he is just going to watch her, waiting her out]

Kate: [nope. not going to get this out of her Peter. She's quiet for a moment, before sighing] It's not just my secret to tell, Peter.

Peter: You are punishing yourself for a crime you did not commit. Because of that, it means someone else you love was involved.

Kate: [presses her lips together because oh, she committed it. she definitely committed it. They just couldn't prove it]

Peter: [he tilts his head a bit] Or did you do it?

Kate: [gives a small shrug] It's a lot more complicated than the people there like to make it.

Peter: Then please, enlighten me. You do not have to carry this burden alone.

Kate: I don't. But I do carry someone else's secrets with it.

Peter: Someone you don't have to name to me.

Kate: [she shakes her head, before taking a step closer] Just take Isaac and go to the gala, Peter. I will be fine.

Peter: [sighs] I don't like leaving you alone either. [not after Daniel]

Kate: [sighs] I'll go visit Laura and Jordan at the manor. It's on the way to Fairview, you can pick me up on the way back.

Peter: [nods] Alright. And keep Malia with you. [in case Liam is there]

Kate: [nods] Of course. I'm sure she'd love to see her cousins.

Peter: Then we will drop you off on the way.

Kate: Good. [and they will pack and off they go?]

Peter: [yup.]

Allison: [and there is a lovely dinner after that and dessert there is dancing and luckily Allison has Isaac to dance with because most of the nobles of the town seem to be giving the Argents a wide berth and noted glares]

Isaac: You guys really aren't liked here, are you?

Allison: My aunt used to be the lady of this manor.

Isaac: I heard some of the knights here talking about that. They believe she murdered the lord.

Allison: She never told us what really happened, so I can't say for sure. She wouldn't talk about it. But from what I remember of him, he was not one that was worth much alive.

Isaac: And they never had children?

Allison: [shakes her head] My aunt Kate is barren. [and she moves into the spin] But we are not here to talk about that. You are here to dance with me.

Isaac: I'm just wanting to understand the situation so that I can better protect you in case the lord of the manor tries to do harm to you. [is dancing, thank you]

Allison: I don't think he will. The lord of this manor didn't know my aunt, or we wouldn't have been invited.

Isaac: It was that bad?

Allison: Well, her first husband used to own this manor. He's now dead. I'm not sure what "that bad" qualifies as, but I'd assume that's bad enough.

Isaac: You don't think he will try something at Lord Hale, do you?

Allison: [she shakes her head] No. Now will you stop worrying? [she takes their linked hands as the dance comes to an end, pulling herself closer and letting his arms fall around her] You're supposed to be enjoying me, not looking for danger.

Isaac: Well, in my time enjoying you I already know where that danger lies. [nods where her father is watching them VERY carefully]

Allison: [she laughs before glancing back at him] My father knows I can take care of myself.

Chris: [he knows, but he is a father and he will glare at all suitors. It's his duty]

Isaac: Oh, I know that too. But still.

Allison: [sighs softly, before leaning forward to whisper in his ear, letting his face block hers from her father's view in case he decides to try and read her lips] We could use the crowd to our advantage and slip off to somewhere more ... private.

Isaac: [his eyes widen a bit, and then he smiles] I think I would enjoy that a lot, m'lady.

Allison: [and she pulls back, his hand in hers and when one of the large lords steps between them and her father she will hurriedly try to sneak them out of the ballroom, stealing goblets of wine from one of the waiters as they go]

Isaac: [and a few cookies to go with them and he's laughing as they head to the gardens] This is much better.

Allison: [she nods as she moves to sit on one of the benches] I thought so. The entire purpose of this trip was that I could spend some time with you. I can hardly do that with my father breathing down our necks.

Isaac: Is he still upset that we have been exchanging letters?

Allison: No. He's just overprotective. I am his only child, after all.

Isaac: I'm still shocked he hasn't married you to someone of a good station.

Allison: Probably because he knew that if it wasn't someone of my choosing, I would refuse. [tilts her head to look at him] And what is wrong with your station?

Isaac: Nothing. The Hales have given me a lot of opportunity I didn't have when I was younger.

Allison: And if I said I care about you more than I care about your station?

Isaac: Well, then I will consider myself very blessed. Though I will admit, I care not about your station when I think of you.

Allison: Good. My station is not important. I would prefer you think of me.

Isaac: You have come to occupy a lot of my thoughts lately.

Allison: [coy and curious] Have I?

Isaac: Yes, so much so that the other knights often take advantage of my distraction to their benefit.

Allison: Not harmfully, I hope.

Isaac: No, mostly stealing my dessert, a few coins... nothing I can't live without.

Allison: As flattered as I am, you shouldn't let yourself get so distracted. I would hate for you to make this easy on me.

Isaac: What would I be making easy on you?

Allison: This. [she reaches forward, letting her hand rest against his chest] While affection is all well and good, I do prefer if there is a bit of a challenge to it.

Isaac: [his hand went to hold hers, and he smiled] So I'm supposed to play hard to get, is that it?

Allison: Not that so much as ... I don't want to always be right or always be given everything I want. I am not looking to be spoiled. I don't want to simply take. I should have to earn it too.

Isaac: No, I understand that. Though there isn't much that I have to give you but my heart, and you've already earned that.

Allison: [that makes her smile, because she does like that he's hers] Then I suppose we will have to see.

Isaac: Though I still do want another rematch on the archery field.

Allison: Enjoy being beaten that much? [teasing]

Isaac: I have been practicing with Lord Stilinski and Gilbert, as a matter of fact. I think you will be surprised.

Allison: Then the next time we are at the manor, we will have to put it to the test.

Isaac: Oh yes. You should prepare yourself.

Allison: I will.

Isaac: Good.

Allison: Good. [her hand slides up for a moment, brushing against the side of his face gently] I just don't want you to get sick of me.

Isaac: [he's a big, curly haired puppy and just going to nuzzle her hand] I will endeavor not to let that happen.

Allison: [he's her big curly haired puppy, that's what matters] Good. [and she will lean in to kiss him softly]

Isaac: [and he will kiss her back, his hands going to her hips and gently guiding her to slide closer]

Allison: [sighs as she leans into him, and they're just ... going to do that in the garden for a while. It won't go far, mind you, but it's nice to kiss him without her father or Peter's interference]

Isaac: [it's very nice, but he is going to be the one to pull back, smiling] I think that's enough for now. Would you like some more wine?

Allison: [hums softly before nodding] I think that sounds lovely.

Isaac: [and he will hand her the wine goblet and pick up his own, tapping it gently]

Allison: [and cheers while they drink and just enjoy each other's company and we jump over to Peter?]

Peter: [and he is doing his best not to look bored. He had concluded his business, and the gala was really for Sir Isaac to be able to continue his courtship of Lady Allison. So he just stood off to the side with Lord Argent talking idly]

Lorena: [and an eldery woman will wander over eventually, greeting Chris with a knowing nod] Lord Argent.

Chris: Duchess. It is a pleasure to see you again.

Lorena: I hope you don't think it is too forward of me, but I was wondering if I might steal your companion for a walk. Everyone else here is too intolerable for my taste, and as he is unfamiliar to me, I stand a better chance of not beating him with my cane while we walk. [also she can see that he's bored and he's something new and shiny for her to poke at]

Peter: It would be my pleasure, Duchess. I am Lord Peter Hale of Norway.

Lorena: Duchess Lorena Beaumont. I have heard of the Hales, but unfortunately I can never say I've had the pleasure. [and she will just take his arm, and to Chris] We will be in the garden. I'll keep an eye out for your daughter.

Chris: I'm sure she will appreciate it. [smiles] I will talk with you more later, Lord Hale.

Peter: [takes her arm] Shall we?

Lorena: We shall. [and out into the garden they go, where she will just take a deep breath and sigh deeply] Much better. I've always hated that bloody gala.

Peter: Festivities are always more enjoyable when they are not in your home.

Lorena: [glances back over her shoulder] Oh, this isn't mine. I live up the hill a ways.

Peter: But it's still in your lands.

Lorena: No, not quite. This property used to belong to the Earl of Fairview. I'd say God rest his soul, but I am not inclined to believe it is God who has it. The man was a wretch.

Peter: I haven't heard much about the man.

Lorena: Not much worth hearing. When he was killed, the lands were left to his heir, though he was but a twinkle in the Lord's eye at the time, and the babe's mother, smart woman that she was, liquidated all of the assets and sold the property off. Not sure what became of the Earl's wife, though I'm certain that's a question your friend in there could answer, were I inclined to ask.

Peter: [thinks a moment] I would assume that it was his wretched ways that got him killed?

Lorena: I woudn't be surprised. [there's a beat] It happened many years ago, and all I really know is ... idle gossip, weathered down by an old woman's memory. [she is much sharper than she's letting on, but she's trying to see how much he wants to know]

Peter: My dear, I'm not as young as I look. Age has nothing to do with the loss of the mind if one doesn't wish to lose it, except in circumstances where disease takes its toll.

Lorena: [smirks. okay, she likes you] Why does it interest you?

Peter: I'm curious by nature.

Lorena: Mmm-hmm. [and she will find a bench that is not Allison and Isaac's bench, sitting herself down with her cane in front of her] Well. The Earl was first married to a girl. She was ... sixteen, maybe, when she first came to live here, and was married shortly after. The Earl was always awful, but most of the men of this town are awful. I am not sure how you do things in the north, but the women of Fairview are taught from a young age that if we need to look out for each other, because the men certainly won't.

Peter: [goes to sit next to her] Did he abuse her?

Lorena: Nothing so overt. She never let on anything to us, but I wouldn't have been surprised. Still ... she was the resilient type. Even if she were, I doubt she would have said as much.

Peter: I take it her inability to produce an heir was not a good thing to him.

Lorena: No. And the Earl found out that she couldn't by having an affair with one of her ladies who he had gotten pregnant. He made very public declaration that he was intending to leave his wife and was changing his will so that all of his property would be left to his heir. Three months later he was dead, struck down by bandits while he and his friends were hunting in the woods.

Peter: And the wife just left without a fight?

Lorena: [purses her lips for a moment] I don't think she wanted to be here anymore than his mistress did. She had an affluent family to return to, so she didn't need the money. And ... this is where the story strays into gossip.

Peter: Care to indulge my curiosity with it?

Lorena: Mmm. Well, the mistress in question was low born, but a lady of the Earl's wife. They were friends. Now, there were whispers that the affair with the Earl was ... less than consensual on the part of the lady. When she became pregnant and the will was changed, the Earl was killed three weeks after it was made official, and his wife knew that the change was made. Now, the Earl's friends were insistent that his wife was the culprit, but she had no motive now that the will was changed for she stood to inherit nothing, and he was killed with arrows that were known to belong to one of the local groups of bandits. There was no case.

Peter: So some would think that perhaps the wife and her lady planned it to be able to sell off the land and escape from him?

Lorena: Perhaps. I can't say for sure if the lady was in on it - I wouldn't put it past the wife to have done it to protect her lady from having to live in a hell she was already surviving.

Peter: So what would happen though if the ladies were to return?

Lorena: Well, the mistress was never under suspicion, she could come and go as she pleases. But his wife ... well, she was cleared legally. However, his friends were not so convinced.

Peter: Do you think they would go so far to hunt her down if they learned where she was?

Lorena: [she shakes her head] Pardon my language, but they couldn't find their arse if it wasn't attached to them. They talk a big talk and will seize an opportunity if it's in front of them but they're too lazy to be vindictive.

Peter: Well, that's good to know.

Lorena: I'm sure wherever she is, Kate is quite safe.

Peter: [nods, smiling] She is. And in a much better life I'm sure.

Lorena: [watches him for a moment] Mmm-hmmm.

Peter: Would you like to keep walking?

Lorena: Might as well. If I don't keep moving, they might think I'm dead. [starts to push herself up again] Are you married, Lord Hale?

Peter: Yes. Second wife. My first passed in childbirth, so for a long time it was just myself and my daughter.

Lorena: And you two are happy, I presume.

Peter: We are. It took us awhile to get there, but we are very happy. Most days. There are some where we fall into old habits of wanting to annoy each other for our own pleasure.

Lorena: [she laughs] Those are usually the best kind. Keeps you on your toes.

Peter: That she does. In spades.

Lorena: Good. That's what's important. My husband kept me on my toes, God rest his soul, but it's just me now. I have to find my own fun.

Peter: I would offer, but I am a married man. [smiles]

Lorena: [pats his hand gently] I'm too old for a husband. You're safe from my charms.