* Molly tidies her room, clearing enough space for her and Evie to keep working on the dress. Outside, the rain hits the window with force, a grey, dull day. For a minute, Molly looks outside, over the well and off in to the forest, lost in her thoughts. She then lights the fire in the grate, smiling to herself.
* Eiblinn sits cross-legged on the floor, she looks at the red tartan and smiles as she remembers the trips she used to take with her dad to the local gatherings both wearing the red tartan and proud of it, she looks at the black material
< 14Eiblinn > "do you think it would ok with a tartan waistcoat and skirt? or shall i have a black waistcoat?"
< 14Eiblinn > *look ok
* Molly struggles to get the fire lit, and speaks to herself quietly
< 04Molly >  13can never light a fire when I'm soaked through... Sorry Evie, what did you say?
* Eiblinn lays out the materials next to each other
< 14Eiblinn > do you think it will look ok with both tartan waitcoat and skirt?
* Molly comes over, sizing up the material
< 04Molly >  13I would make both, and then add a black one for variety when you have the guilder to
* Eiblinn carries on lookig at the material puzzled, suddenly she sits up with a smile
< 14Eiblinn > i know! why dont i line the tartan waistcoat with the black material, so if i want, i can wear it either way?
< 04Molly >  13That is an excellent idea! And it shall save you a little money as well... I wish fabric were cheaper
* Molly smiles at Evie
< 14Eiblinn > i know, it would be ideal if fabric was really cheap, then i could have loads of outfits..instead of a few of my own and hand-me-downs...but you dont have to worry about the price of material much longer
* Eiblinn winks at molly
* Molly looks at Evie, her face neutral
< 04Molly >  13I suppose I will not... I dread to think how much that red dress of mine must have cost...
< 14Eiblinn > do you think once you are married you will thrive with the guilders, or do you think you will keep your old ways? and say carry on making dresses or buy them?
* Eiblinn smiles curious at molly's answer
* Molly smiles back, her fingers threading a needle in preparation
< 04Molly >  13I believe I shall make most of the clothes we will require, both for myself, my husband and any children we are blessed with... I can see I might well be wife, mother and seamstress...
* Eiblinn smiles
* Molly looks away at the last word, looking back at the needle
< 14Eiblinn > Best of both worlds in my opinion, how many children would you hope for?
* Eiblinn picks up a needle and thread
< 04Molly >  13Well, as you know, childbirth is a pretty dangerous thing for women, so I shall like the maximum amount I can, with the minimal loss of life for all involved
* Eiblinn goes to pick up the Black material then stops
< 04Molly >  13I doubt i shall get far past the marriage bed before the birthing bed, for none of my family ever have, so I should imagine by yule next year, I shall be sewing smaller clothes than these
< 14Eiblinn > are you scared about the whole process?
< 04Molly >  13In truth I am terrified of it all, the wedding, the consumation, birthing...
< 04Molly >  13I know so little about it all, have not ever even been kissed truly...
* Molly looks at the floor, her cheeks flushing
* Eiblinn smiles
* Molly grins at her
< 14Eiblinn > i have only ever truly kissed one person
* Molly giggles
< 14Eiblinn > and Molly, i will be there through as much of it as i can to help you, you wont be alone
< 04Molly >  13I would know all about it, if you were to share your knowledge with me... and I know you will, for you are a true friend
< 14Eiblinn > well erm...
* Molly looks intrigued
* Eiblinn looks at the floor and blushes, she then looks up at Molly and giggles
< 04Molly >  13Was it amazing? Did it take your breath away?
* Eiblinn crawls closer to Molly and whsipers in her ear,to make sure no one overhears
* Molly 's needle is now forgotten
< 04Molly >  13Oh my... I can certainly see the appeal...
* Eiblinn giggles then crawls back to her original place
< 04Molly >  13I just hope it is as good for me...
< 14Eiblinn > It WAS amazing, the best feeling ive ever experienced, yet at the same time, i felt like i wanted to vomit...but it wasnt out of unpleasantness, more being nervous
* Molly sighs whimsically
< 04Molly >  13I can not imagine it would make me nervous at all
< 14Eiblinn > What do you mean? do you not get that feeling with Jaegar?
< 14Eiblinn > not nervousness...but that...ermm...passion?
< 04Molly >  13I do not feel nervous with him, no... As for passion, when you have nothing to compare it to, how do you identify it?
* Molly looks at the fire burning in the fire place
< 04Molly >  13We are to be married, and passion is not really an essential to that anyway...
< 14Eiblinn > I suppose, how long have you and Jaegar been courting now?
< 04Molly >  13We became involved around the same time that... ummm... I think it was april or may
* Molly looks embarrassed
< 14Eiblinn > Hmm...
< 14Eiblinn > that was not after me and-
* Eiblinn picks up the needle and thread and begins sewing
< 14Eiblinn > i hope the white dress will go with all this
* Molly sighs, knowing that both of them had made reference to the same events, and prefering it to be in the open, she says
< 04Molly >  13It was after you and Morgan became involved, around about the trip we made to the village where he spoke to the dark-haired woman...
< 04Molly >  13but it was before things went wrong between you
* Eiblinn looks up half shocked half offended at the bluntness
* Molly smiles pacifingly
< 14Eiblinn > Yes it was
* Eiblinn thinks back to the dark haired woman and how weirdly she looked like her sister, she then starts to think of Brenna
< 14Eiblinn > do you have any siblings?
< 04Molly >  13Oh come Evie, you and I are friends, women with no other women to turn to... we can confide in each other in ways we can not discuss with men
* Eiblinn smiles, relaxing again
< 04Molly >  13I have two brothers, yes, Peter and James... both are married and live away from Tawstock
< 14Eiblinn > ahh
< 14Eiblinn > Does morgan ever talk about me still
* Eiblinn studies molly's reaction hard
* Molly 's face is neutral and natural
< 04Molly >  13He has done, previously, but not recently
* Molly waits, on edge slightly
< 14Eiblinn > was anything bad said?
< 04Molly >  13Not in the slightest, he was unhappy that he had pained you, and wished for a good decent man to find your heart, a man more like Jaeger
* Molly smiles at her
* Eiblinn sighs
< 14Eiblinn > i just dont get why...
< 04Molly >  13why what?
< 14Eiblinn > Why i had shared my first kiss with him...only for him not to be sure that he likes me
< 04Molly >  13why you acted that way, or why he did?
< 14Eiblinn > why he did
< 04Molly >  13I truly do not know
< 04Molly >  13I can see why, from the passion you speak of, why you would have been tempted to him.... Would you have lain with him, if he had asked?
* Molly looks at the fabric, her voice quiet
* Evie looks up shocked
* Molly meets her look
< 04Molly > I... I... I'm sorry, I should not have asked
< 14Evie > It is ok Molly, i dont mind answering....its just-a bit personal thats all, but i dont mind answering
* Molly takes her hand
< 14Evie > i would not of lain with morgan, for i want when i am eventually married for me to be pure for my husband
< 04Molly > we are friends, and I would not have bad feeling between us again
* Evie smiles
< 14Evie > me niether
< 04Molly > Perhaps you will meet a husband on our voyage to Castille?
* Evie giggles
< 14Evie > Maybe...but i have not seen a man look at me in the way Morgan did...to start with
< 04Molly > Was it the same as how Curtis looks at me?
< 14Evie > Well i tried not to concentrate on you two too much, since i was pained so much to hear the words spoken by Morgan and me, repeated in conversations between yourself and Curtis
< 04Molly > I'm sorry Evie, had I known it would pain you, I would have shown less affection to him in your presence
< 14Evie > don't be silly
< 14Evie > if you would of done that, then things may not of gone the way they did between you and Jaeger
< 04Molly > I still fail to comprehend why he wanted me for a wife, rather than just a mistress...
< 14Evie > maybe he wanted your presence for the rest of his life instead of for a few years
* Molly looks slightly suprised
< 04Molly > Do they only keep a mistress for so little time? In the books I've read, they seem to be given a reasonable allowamce for the rest of their lives...
< 14Evie > i don't have a fecking clue about books, i hanv' really read much about it. But maybe he thinks you deserve a better life then us lower class..
< 04Molly > Is it a worse life, when you have lodgings paid, and every few weeks they visit you for your company whilst they have a break in their work? If you get an income for the rest of your life for doing very little?
* Molly looks at the fire, trying to decide if it needs stoking or not
* Evie looks at molly and frowns
< 04Molly > Oh, do not look at me in such a manner Evie...
< 14Evie > But how can you think it is not such a bad life?
< 04Molly > being poor, or being a mistress?
< 14Evie > being a mistress
< 04Molly >  13I'm not sure as to why it seems so abhorrent to you... You have security, comfort, freedom, chance to travel... and providing you find a lord to be mistress to who appeals to every part of you, you have passion
< 14Evie > it doesnt seem much better then a whore in my opinion
* Evie looks down at her material and carries on sewing and frowning
* Molly laughs
* Evie looks up with a curious look on her face
< 04Molly >  13Well, I suppose so...
< 04Molly >  13But a whore wastes her opportunity, whereas a clever mistress can be set for the rest of her days on a conquest well made
< 04Molly >  13and look at the Vodacce courtesans, they are by definaition whores, and yet they are highly sought, very wealthy and certainly renowned world-wide
< 14Evie > and what happens if a mistress bears the masters child?
* Molly thinks hard
< 04Molly >  13I suppose it depends... I believe that if he is strong enough in his position of nobility, he may choose to give to that child his name, marking the infant as his heir
< 14Evie > it all seems pointless and too complex for me
< 04Molly >  13I think for maids like us, without dowry or title, we are better to take what we can, for life is hard for those without an income... If that means taking to one's bed to find a way, it would certainly be a preference
* Molly looks deep in thought
< 14Evie > It is proberbly what i wil have to do then...
< 04Molly >  13No Evie, for you will find a nice husband, someone who cares greatly for you, whose love you can easily return. You are not the sort of lass to make too many demands, and it will do you well...
* Molly smiles to herself
* Evie looks at the floor
< 14Evie > i hope its not too long until a man gazes upon me with desire, i am not getting any younger
< 04Molly >  13I know you cared greatly for Morgan, but he is hardly the only male to frequent this house... do none of the others appeal?
* Evie smiles
< 14Evie > Yes, but they do not return my feelings...i think
* Molly stands, and goes to the dresser. She tucks in a garment that is preventing the drawer from shutting. Hand resting on it, she turns back to Evie
< 04Molly >  13Ah yes, how will you know if they do not speak of it?
* Evie blushes
< 14Evie > i suppose
* Molly comes and sits back down
< 04Molly >  13Who has caught your eye?
* Evie moves closer to Molly
< 14Evie > Dont tell anyone!
* Evie whispers in her ear
* Molly smiles wryly, and quietly says
< 04Molly >  13the writer?
* Evie nods and giggles
< 04Molly >  13He is handsome, I shall give you that, though a little too well-groomed for my liking
* Molly blushes
* Evie laughs
< 14Evie > i like the poetry he can make with such ease
< 14Evie > and plus, he is always nice to me, and is one of the rare few that listen to what i say
< 04Molly >  13I can not imagine having poetry written for me, though words with subtle meanings never fail to please. Yes, he danced with me at the rehersal, though there were higher status women to dance with.
* Evie smiles
< 14Evie > do you think once you are married, your eye will ever fall upon someone else?
< 14Evie > not neccesarily to do...anything, but just looking at anyone else
* Molly smiles at Evie
< 04Molly >  13I do not think I am at risk of finding someone who appeals to me after marriage, no. I believe I shall be content with what I'll have. I am not prone to men taking my eye, and I doubt that once I am looking after babies that I shall have much room in my heart for more than I already do
< 14Evie > that is understandable
< 04Molly >  13I truly believe that some people in this life are destined to find love many times over, and others are not
< 14Evie > i like the idea of one true love
< 04Molly >  13Me too, providing you are also blessed with luck
* Molly looks at her sewing
* Evie looks up at Molly
< 14Evie > so what should i do to see if he likes me?
* Molly sighs
< 04Molly >  13I do not know that I am the one to ask, I'm really not good at these things... The first man I was liked by it had come from an arrangement that was not our doing, and Curtis is so forthright in his affections that there is no mistaking it... I would not know how to assess the difference between freindly affection and something more, were it me in your position
< 04Molly >  13If you are to set your hat at him, you must be subtle in your persuance
< 14Evie > subtle how?
* Evie sits cross-legged like a child
< 04Molly >  13Do not make your interest too obvious... Be interested, but not too keen, for you will surely scare him off that way
< 04Molly >  13Oh Evie, I do not know! You would be better to ask someone, ANYONE, other than me. I most certainly did not set my hat at Curtis, and look how that has progressed
< 14Evie > i suppose
< 14Evie > i may just carry on how i am
< 04Molly >  13I'm sorry, I would dearly love to help, but I am hopeless with relationships, and can not even begin to understand the hearts and minds of men
< 04Molly >  13I could ask Curtis, on your behalf, how a woman might tempt a man
* Molly thinks 'Curves'
< 14Evie > i dont think that would help, since he and jaeger are not the same man
< 14Evie > their desires may be different
< 14Evie > i wish he would write me a poem
< 04Molly >  13I think you're right, their desires probably would be different
< 04Molly >  13You could ask him?
< 14Evie > do you think that is not too subtle?
< 04Molly >  13I do not know, if I am honest... Part of me thinks you would be better to walk up to him and whisper in his ear that the sight of him makes your heart miss a beat...
* Evie blushes and giggles
< 14Evie > i do not think i could be that....foward
< 04Molly >  13Surely he would be flattered, even if he doesn't return the sentiment.. I can not imagine a man being perturbed by that?
< 14Evie > i suppose not, if all goes wrong, i could always help in the kitchen
< 14Evie > (brb)
< 04Molly >  13You could have my job, because i shall not be here for much longer...
* Evie looks at the floor
< 14Evie > i dont want you to go...
< 04Molly >  13Oh Evie, can you see that I have to?
* Molly bites her lip, her eyes getting teary
< 14Evie > .me carries on looking at the floor and shakes her head
< 14Evie > but i still dont want you to go...i cant talk to another woman about things..
< 04Molly >  13I'll only be in the village, and you will all be able to come to me any time you need me
* Molly forces herself to keep her eyes on the floor
< 14Evie > Will you be present when Lady catherine has her gatherings?
< 04Molly >  13I dearly hope so, though it will depend on whether I am invited... I shall have to if you do not visit me, for I shall miss you all far too much
* Molly inadvertantly wraps the fabric tight around her fingers, willing herself not to cry
* Evie looks up and smiles, then realises Molly is about to cry and moves closer to hug her
< 14Evie > Its ok
< 14Evie > i will visit!
< 14Evie > il have to tell you about my future marriage
* Evie winks and laughs
< 04Molly >  13You will find someone perfect Evie, I know it
< 04Molly >  13Perhaps in a different world, Morgan may have been that man, but in this one, I think you're destined for someone else
< 14Evie > hopefully
< 14Evie > well, as long as he is happy, im not complaining
< 04Molly >  13I wholeheartedly agree
* Molly gets up to stoke the fire, kneeling in front of it. She adds a few small pieces of kindling, her eyes closed
* Evie sighs and carries on sewing
< 14Evie > i wish i was a child again sometimes...
* Molly returns to the sewing
< 04Molly >  13Really?
< 14Evie > Yup, no pressure for adult thing...no need to worry about love
< 04Molly >  13I think I always worried about love... or at least about marriage
< 14Evie > i wasnt introduced to many men at all before coming here
< 04Molly >  13I was... my father always had designs on me making a good match
< 04Molly >  13what was your childhood like Evie? were you happy?
< 14Evie > Very happy
* Molly smiles
< 14Evie > i didnt mind being poor
< 14Evie > my family was very close
< 14Evie > what about your childhood?
< 04Molly >  13My childhood was fairly normal, there is a farm, not too many leagues from here that I grew up on, with my brothers. It was nice
< 14Evie > i grew up by a marsh, with my sister, mother and father.
< 04Molly >  13Did your parents lose many babies also?
* Evie nodded
< 14Evie > well, we never had proper medicine
< 14Evie > but my mother survived all childbirths
< 04Molly >  13My parents had 13 babies, and only three of us survived past 6 years old
< 14Evie > My mother gave birth to 8 children
< 14Evie > Consumption is rife in innismore
< 04Molly >  13I am unsure as to why so many of my siblings died... Peter was their first born, James their fifth. There was a baby every year for 13 years, until me. I was unlucky number 13, for my mother could bear no more after my birth
< 14Evie > why?
< 04Molly >  13I do not truly know, for it was never really discussed
< 14Evie > how did you end up from your home to here?
* Molly looks away, towards the jug and bowl on the dresser in the corner
< 04Molly >  13Living in the village, I always knew of the Torrington estate, and of the wealthy visitors who came here. I knew that if I was to find a husband who could support me in comfort til the end of my days, my presence in a household such as this would be a boon
< 14Evie > ahh a smart thought
< 04Molly >  13I did not however intend to find a man as prosperous as Curtis, I would have settled for far less
* @Morgan knocks quietly on the door
< 14Evie > is that the main thing you think off when it comes to marriage?
* Molly jumps up from the floor. She straightens her hair and dress as she goes to the door. A finger to her lip advises Evie to be quiet
* Molly opens the door, nervous about who will be on the other side
* @Morgan is stood to one side of the door, tray in hand with a cup on it
< 04Molly >  13Oh Morgan! I scarcely heard the door, for Evie and I are working on her new dress
* Molly smiles at him
< 08@Morgan > Eiblinn? Had I known I'd have brought another cup for her
< 14Evie > Its ok
* Evie carries on stitching the skirt
< 14Evie > not much left to do on this skirt now
< 04Molly >  13I think perhaps we might be done for now, for we get much less work done here than anywhere else in the house, do you not find?
* @Morgan sniffs disdainfully
< 08@Morgan > I find lately less work to be done in the kitchen
< 08@Morgan > I've not seen hide nor hair of that cook all day
< 04Molly >  13I'm sorry, would you like to come in, I would not want you to stand in the hall when there is a perfectly good chair in here, do come in...
* Molly opens the door wide, her face red
< 08@Morgan > no, thank you. I thought you might like a cup of tea.
* Molly takes the cup from him, with a smile
* @Morgan nods slightly before heading back towards the stairs
< 14Evie > where are you going?
< 08@Morgan > I've a few things to do. Mail to read, try to find that cook...
< 14Evie > oh ok...
* Molly stands in the door way, cup in hand
< 14Evie > thought you were going to stop longer thats all
< 08@Morgan > I dont think it would be appropriate for me to be in a lady's room.
* Molly turns to him
< 04Molly >  13Of course, i should not have asked
< 04Molly >  13If you require help in locating the cook, I will of course accompany you
< 08@Morgan > I expect I'll find him in the wine cellar... or in the village, more likely, arousing the interest of some young lady and the disdain of her father
* Evie carries on sewing not wanting to intrude
< 04Molly >  13Yes, that would definately need to be stopped
* @Morgan nods again and pushes out of the door leading to the stairs
* Molly hesitates briefly, before returning to the room
* Molly sips her tea, and goes to the window
< 14Evie > arnt you going?
< 04Molly >  13If my aid was required, I would
< 14Evie > you could just accompany him and talk
* Evie turns to molly and smiles
* Molly pulls the shutters against the darkening sky
< 04Molly >  13Yes, perhaps I will
< 04Molly >  13Once we have restored this room to it's former glory, I might well seek him out
< 14Evie > ok then
* Evie gets up
< 14Evie > what goes where?
* Molly swiftly tidies the room, gathering all of the sewing paraphenalia in to one bundle
< 04Molly >  13I think that is a job well done. We make good headway on your dress, I believe it shall be complete to wear before we travel to castille
< 14Evie > indeed
< 14Evie > well, i may retire to bed so i can do my usual my walk of the grounds
* Molly looks puzzled
< 14Evie > i thought you were accompanying morgan now?
< 04Molly >  13Sorry, I just had not realised you awoke so early
< 14Evie > yes, the grounds remind me of home, and its the only time i have to myself before my day
< 04Molly >  13I find cleaning the privvy is just as effective for that
* Molly grins
* Molly hands Evie the bundle
< 04Molly >  13If I can find the time, we might continue on the morrow? I must also run an errand in the village
< 14Evie > ok, well i can accompany you if you like to the village?
< 04Molly >  13Yes, I do not see why not. I must go to the blacksmiths and the milliners, have you anything you must do?
< 14Evie > i dont think so
< 14Evie > well, i shall retire now, goodnight molly
< 04Molly >  13That settles it then. Good night Evie, sleep well
* Evie smiles and walks out the door, returning to her room
* Molly shuts the door behind her