regency au } { of potential engagements and family secrets

[grumpypuppy]

Miranda: [she waits a few days for the children to settle and things to be less hectic, before she finds him in one of the studies, leaning in the doorway for a moment] Are you busy?

Andrew: [he is amazed at the amount of books in Hale Manor. He has found two libraries so far, and rumors that there is a third in the Stilinski wing of the manor. He is looking for something to read his children when he is putting them to bed when she finds him] Nothing I can't be torn away from.

Miranda: [smiles] I was wondering if you wanted a tour of the property.

Andrew: I would love one. [he has been waiting for her to invite him]

Miranda: Good. [and she reaches for his arm as she pulls him into the hallway] Have you been settling well?

Andrew: I have. I only see my children at meals and bedtime. I haven't seen them laugh so much in all their lives.

Miranda: I'm glad they're enjoying themselves.

Andrew: I think they would be very happy living here.

Miranda: I think they would too.

Andrew: Have there been any complaints from your family about their behavior? I have still yet to really talk to anyone beyond your lord father and mother.

Miranda: No, not at all. From what I can tell, most of the staff is enjoying their company.

Andrew: Good.

Miranda: They've always loved having children around. The manor feels more alive that way.

Andrew: It sounds like this has been a happy place then for the last twenty years.

Miranda: It has. I wasn't here for it but from the stories I was told, things really took a turn for the better when my aunt met her husband.

Andrew: The Lord Parrish, yes?

Miranda: [she nods] They had quite the love story.

Andrew: Oh yes, I've heard it many times at tourney when I was younger. The Lion and the Phoenix.

Miranda: The lion being Lord Argent?

Andrew: Yes. Lord Parrish is called the Phoenix because he was on top, and then taken down, and rose up again from the ashes of his defeat to claim victory.

Miranda: [if only he knew how true that was] I'm relieved really. I may not have come to exist if he hadn't.

Andrew: Then allow me to thank him for your existence one day. [smiles]

Miranda: [and she blushes a bit at that] My father had tried to put off being married as long as he could, but when he met my mother, things changed. However, Laura's intended would have likely married him to someone else entirely once he had become lord of the manner.

Andrew: I would have thought Lord Peter would still have been in charge of arranging the marriages of his sister's children.

Miranda: My father was of age. While my Aunt would have been protected, there was little he could do for Derek.

Andrew: But your father is heir to the lands, isn't he?

Miranda: No. My Aunt Laura was.

Andrew: I don't think I knew that. [his father was under the impression that Derek was the heir, and Miranda second in line after Thomas]

Miranda: Property in my family has always passed down to the oldest regardless of gender.

Andrew: That is very progressive. I think I like that.

Miranda: [nods] It has served our family well. We've been matriarchal for some time.

Andrew: [and he is going to laugh softly, reaching up to wipe at his eye] If my father knew this, he would not have allowed me to ask permission to court you.

Miranda: Oh really?

Andrew: Yes. He was under the assumption that your father was heir and would inherit when your Lord Uncle Peter gave the manor to him. And while your brother would be his heir, you would be second in line. I didn't care about any of that, but it was his thought process.

Miranda: While I'm glad that you don't care, will it impact things were he to find out?

Andrew: Not at all. I am the only one to choose who will be my wife, and you have met the man. Do you really think I would want him to choose for me? [grins]

Miranda: [she laughs] I admit, I would be genuinely fearful if I were his daughter.

Andrew: I don't blame you. I worry about his influence on Sarah constantly

Miranda: Aside from being unnecessarily callous to her?

Andrew: He was hard on my wife. He has very defined roles of women that I don't share.

Miranda: [she shakes her head] Well, hopefully some exposure to other families will do her some good.

Andrew: That is my hope. I also hope that a mother would be able to give her a role model to set her standard on how to be proper but also herself.

Miranda: That doesn't hurt either.

Andrew: [and he will turn to look at her] I would like that to be you, Miranda.

Miranda: [blinks and turns to face him] ... Oh. [give her a second for her brain to catch up to her to figure out how to articulate her feelings on that]

Andrew: [and he will be nervous, especially since she isn't instantly happy at this] Of course, if you do not wish for it, I will understand.

Miranda: No! No, that's not it at all. [she reaches for his hand as she turns to face him more] There's a part of me that would like that very much, but I ... I feel that before you make a true request for my hand, there is something about my family that you need to know.

Andrew: And what would that be?

Miranda: We ... well, not we, I'm not, but ... [she stares off over his shoulder as she wrestles with this for a moment, because in all honesty, this isn't really her secret to tell. She gives his hand a squeeze, before turning back towards the manor] We should go find my father. He can explain this better than I can.

Andrew: [and he will blink, unsure of what she is talking about, but nods and lets her lead him away]

Miranda: [and they will find Derek in his office probably? and she'll knock lightly on the door] Father, do you have a moment?

Derek: [and he will lift his head from where he is working on his correspondence] Of course I do. Come in.

Miranda: [and she will let them both in, and once the door is closed, she'll wring her hands in front of her for a moment] Andrew has made his intentions ... clearer, and I thought that before any arrangement is made, he should make an informed choice. [a pause] I ... I wasn't really sure how to explain it. [being that she is not one]

Andrew: I apologize for not asking your permission first, my Lord. I wanted to know Miranda's opinion before I came to make it official.

Derek: [puts down his pen, nodding to himself] I see. And no, that is understandable, Lord Sumpter. I have always told my children they can choose their own suitors so it is her choice over all. [looks at his daughter] Are you asking for this because you are intending to say yes?

Miranda: [she moves to sit in one of the chairs before nodding] I'd like to. If that's still what he wants.

Derek: [smiles at that because yay! Okay, time to talk] I'm sure you are curious what she is referring to. Let me assure you that it is not a deadly disease or anything horrible like that.

Andrew: [and he will release a breath he didn't know he was holding] That is good.

Derek: It is, however, a family secret that, once revealed, we will expect you to keep whether you decide to marry my daughter or not.

Miranda: We're very protective of it. Our family has been targeted because of it in the past.

Derek: I am sure you are aware of our history with the Argents, yes?

Andrew: [nods] That is very well known.

Derek: [and he will lick his lips, and then start from the beginning from long before Miranda was born and his parents were alive. About the war, the deaths, and the reality of werewolves, hunters, vampires, and witches existing in the world, and the inherit Hale werewolf line]

Andrew: [he is taking it all in, his face unreadable. Somewhere between confusion, curiosity, and disbelief]

Miranda: [just sits there quietly, waiting to be addressed, but watching Andrew to try and figure out if this is going well or not]

Derek: So, since Miranda is not a wolf, any children you have will not be one as well. However, many of the children your son and daughter are playing with have the chance to become one. It will always be a part of your life, and theirs, when you join with our house. It comes with a share of danger, but it also brings benefits.

Andrew: I can see that. [and he is thinking, because his children's safety is always first]

Miranda: [she knows that] There's no danger of them becoming one either, if that is not their wish. Even if it's as simple as an accidental scratch, the only one here capable of creating new wolves is my aunt, and I can assure you she will not be biting your children.

Derek: Nor will she require you or Miranda to be bitten, ever. My sister is adamant that this is a gift, not something to be forced.

Andrew: [more nodding] Beyond keeping the secret, will there be anything else required of me in regards to this?

Derek: Just a bit more understanding of the younger ones when they are trying to learn their control. Being careful of the Argents and their allies. Other small things that Miranda can easily teach you that will keep you from feeling embarrassed on that our enhanced senses can pick up on.

Miranda: It will take some adjustment, but it's easy after a while.

Andrew: And would it require that we live here instead of at my home?

Derek: No, it would not. That choice would be between you two. However, if you wish to spend time here, or in our lands in Mystic Falls, you would have full access to the properties. I know you probably wish for your children to have a friendlier environment to grow up in.

Andrew: I do. Our family is small, and my father has ruined his relationship with many of them. Miranda saw how few visitors we receive.

Miranda: The place is more of a tomb than a home.

Andrew: A tomb that we would inherit. Though if my brother marries and becomes a Lord, maybe I can convince him to move away and take father with him.

Miranda: All it really would take to change things is a change in leadership. It really is a lovely property otherwise. [she's trying not to get too hopeful but he seems to be taking this ... well]

Andrew: And seeing that you do have such a large family, perhaps some would enjoy visiting for a season to be with you.

Miranda: Perhaps, yes. I'm sure my sisters would be happy to take the opportunity, at least. [glancing between her dad and her potential fiancé, unsure if she is following this properly]

Derek: And cousins as well.

Andrew: That would be good then. [and he will look over at Miranda and smile]

Miranda: [smiles in return, and then because she still isn't sure ...] So ... are we ...?

Andrew: It will take me some time to understand your family a bit more, but I've felt more welcome in the last few weeks than I have in my own home for my entire life. Why would I let a little thing like this ruin that?

Miranda: [there's something like relief that rolls through her as her shoulders slump a bit] Well, I'm glad to see you took it much better than my Uncle Stiles.

Andrew: [laugh] Lord Stilinski didn't handle it well?

Derek: To be fair, Lord Stilinski wasn't a lord yet at that point, nor did he have someone explain it to him first.

Miranda: That's true. Malia has always believed that brevity is the soul of wit.

Andrew: [looks back at Derek] I guess then, all that is left is for me to ask your permission to marry your daughter.

Derek: [looks at Miranda and gives her a bright smile] Only if you promise to treat her well, always provide for her, and love her with your entire heart.

Andrew: That is my intention, my Lord.

Derek: Then you have my permission.

Miranda: [woof. she's actually engaged. she pauses for a moment to let that settle in, before looking up at her father with a small smile] Thank you. [ for helping her explain it, and for giving his permission]

Andrew: [and he will look at Miranda] So, I believe you still have to answer my question. Will you marry me, Miranda Hale? [and he will reach into his pocket, pulling out a ring and holding it out to her. It may look familiar, as he picked it up while they were in Mystic Falls from one of the merchants there that her mother tended to get her jewels from]

Miranda: [she wasn't expecting the ring, and it shows on her face, and she nods with a small smile] Yes.

Andrew: [and he will grin, gently sliding it on her finger and then leaning in to give her a quick kiss since they were with her father after all]

Derek: [yup, he's just going to enjoy this, planning to tell his wife as soon as they leave]

Miranda: [yep, which will be soon, because she wants a different kiss, where her father won't see it, so she's just going to stand and take his hand] Thank you again. [and she will pull her fiancé out the door and out of her father's wing because werewolf ears and what not]

Andrew: [and he will laugh, because she is just adorable when she does things like dragging him places enthusiastically]

Derek: [and off to go tell Elena that Miranda is engaged and to plan a celebratory dinner]

Miranda: [yes, and he'll like it even more when they're in one of the more human wings and she pulls him into one of the alcoves and kisses him properly]

Andrew: [mmm, yes he likes these kisses, pulling himself closer to her and returning that kiss eagerly]

Miranda: [she'd hope so, because she likes them too, her arms winding around his neck to keep him close. she doesn't have werewolf ears to hear if people are coming, but hopefully this area is secluded enough for right now]

Andrew: [it is. The only place better are the hidden passages. But Andrew doesn't care. All he cares about is the beautiful woman in his arms and how wonderful her lips feel against his]

Miranda: [eventually she pulls back just enough to catch her breath, her fingers curling against the back of his neck] I didn't want you to mistake my demeanor for a lack of enthusiasm.

Andrew: I'm glad to be proven wrong. And I am glad you trusted me to court you with that kind of secret.

Miranda: You have struck me as being trustworthy. [her thumb comes to brush against his cheek] I knew it was a secret you could keep. I just wasn't sure if it was a secret you would accept. Even if it doesn't impact me directly, it's still my family.

Andrew: I know, and I like your family. I'm honored that you will let me join it.

Miranda: [nods] There is a bit to learn however, about living with werewolves.

Andrew: Well, I have a lifetime to learn with you. Though we may not want to tell the children right away. They aren't as good with secrets

Miranda: [she nods] That makes sense. But the first thing you should probably know is that werewolves have both sensitive ears and noses.