[9:06pm] * @Molly walks quietly, deep in thought, up the stairs towards where Lady Catherine is getting ready
[9:08pm] * Morgan strides through the corridor towards the stairs, boot heels thundering off the floor
[9:09pm] * @Molly turns quickly, hearing the noise. She straightens up, determined to put her thoughts to the back of her mind, and be a lady once more. Her face develops the smile she forces for others
[9:11pm] * Morgan rounds the bottom of the bannister, stopping suddenly as he looks up the stairs
[9:12pm] * @Molly sees him, the smiles moving to her eyes when she realises it's him. She pauses, looking down at him, feeling a little unsure of herself
[9:17pm] < 04Morgan > Forgive my ignorance, my lady, Colonel Kai's comments gave me pause for thought
[9:18pm] * @Molly grins broadly, her shoulders loosen as the tension she has felt dissapates
[9:19pm] < 08@Molly >  13Do not worry on what I asked, for I do not wish to cause you inconveinence...
[9:21pm] < 04Morgan > My lady, it would be an honour to escort you to dine, however I rather thought that Colonel Kai...
[9:21pm] * @Molly speaks quietly
[9:22pm] < 08@Molly >  13Perhaps we should talk somewhere we will not be interrupted?
[9:22pm] < 04Morgan > As you wish
[9:23pm] * @Molly leads the way up the stairs, and down to the end of the corridor by the abbots room. She pulls closed the door half way along
[9:24pm] < 08@Molly >  13I doubt any of the monks here would be interested in our conversation, even he who took my confession...
[9:24pm] < 04Morgan > I rather think that some of the monks here are less... holy than they appear
[9:25pm] * @Molly looks wary
[9:25pm] < 08@Molly >  13Perhaps I shall not make confession again, lest they do not uphold their vow of secrecy
[9:27pm] < 04Morgan > Probably wise
[9:28pm] * @Molly smiles at him, her voice soft. She looks at him, no guile in her eyes
[9:28pm] < 08@Molly >  13You thought Colonel Kai... ?
[9:28pm] < 04Morgan > His intentions were plain to see upon my return to the hall
[9:29pm] < 08@Molly >  13His attentions, although flattering, are of no consequence...
[9:29pm] < 04Morgan > your hand in his suggests otherwise
[9:30pm] * @Molly watches him carefully
[9:32pm] < 08@Molly >  13He took my hand to accept the invitation to the wedding...
[9:33pm] < 04Morgan > that may have been his reason for taking it, but what reason for keeping it? And for allowing it to be kept?
[9:34pm] < 08@Molly >  13Are you worried that he is a threat to my marriage to Jaeger?
[9:34pm] * @Molly keeps her eyes intently on him, her voice quiet
[9:35pm] < 04Morgan > I rather imagine a northerly breeze would threaten your marriage to Jaeger
[9:35pm] * @Molly looks away from him, eyes down cast
[9:36pm] < 08@Molly >  13It will not be any connection with the Colonel that I make that choice over
[9:38pm] * Morgan looks at the floor
[9:38pm] * @Molly turns back to him
[9:40pm] < 08@Molly >  13You believed I would wish for Colonel Kai to accompany me?
[9:41pm] < 04Morgan > Given the evidence...
[9:41pm] * @Molly smiles
[9:42pm] < 08@Molly >  13There is far more evidence that I would wish you to escort me instead, is there not?
[9:43pm] < 04Morgan > not publicly, no
[9:44pm] * @Molly looks thoughtful
[9:45pm] < 08@Molly >  13No, I understand... Regardless of the publicly known evidence, I have no intention to set my hat at Colonel Kai... I aim to steer his attentions to Evie
[9:45pm] * Morgan speaks quietly
[9:45pm] < 04Morgan > good... she deserves some happiness
[9:45pm] * @Molly 's eyes go wide
[9:46pm] < 08@Molly >  13I am pleased to hear you say so... Everyone deserves to be happy, though it is impossible in any situation for this to be so
[9:48pm] < 04Morgan > I dont know about everyone... but she at least
[9:48pm] * @Molly sighs
[9:49pm] < 08@Molly >  13Curtis deserves to be happy... and that influences my choice... I sought counsel during my confession, and the recommendation was that I keep my honour by completeing my promise...
[9:49pm] * @Molly looks unsure
[9:52pm] < 04Morgan > without wishing to influence your decision unduly, I suspect that that would be their recommendation regardless of the situation
[9:53pm] < 08@Molly >  13Yes, I quite thought so. It shall be a complicated decision to make. If I do not marry him, I break his heart... and if I do, I might break mine own
[9:54pm] < 04Morgan > a tough decision, and no mistake
[9:56pm] * @Molly looks away, clearing her head of thoughts of the marriage. She looks back to him with a smile
[9:56pm] < 08@Molly >  13I am pleased that Colonel Kai was so keen to start the practise of escorting the ladies to dinner, for it creates many opportunities for some
[9:57pm] * Morgan looks up
[9:57pm] < 04Morgan > oh?
[9:58pm] < 08@Molly >  13Evie has the chance to find a husband, or at least some one who will take her as a mistress....
[9:58pm] * @Molly trails off, looking at the floor
[10:01pm] < 04Morgan > She would lower herself to being, as she puts it, a whore?
[10:02pm] < 08@Molly >  13I believe the pull of going to an Eisen man's bed might appeal to her more than she realised
[10:03pm] * @Molly blushes bright red
[10:03pm] < 04Morgan > I dont see why she has an obsession with Eisen men
[10:06pm] < 08@Molly >  13I... ummmm... When the first man you fall in love with is Eisen, it might be hard to see the appeal of the men of other nations, the differences in personality that are inherent in those brought up in such a tumultous environment...
[10:11pm] < 04Morgan > I'm more Avalonian than Eisen
[10:11pm] * @Molly looks up at him
[10:13pm] < 08@Molly >  13In some ways, perhaps. You do not demonstrate the easy charm of your fellow Eiseners, but I think that is more from the facade you bear than an who you truly are...
[10:19pm] < 04Morgan > perhaps
[10:21pm] < 08@Molly >  13I hope she will find one of them who she appeals to, even if it is a mistress... Although I am told that women who can fight appeal to Eisen men, I wonder that perhaps Evie is a little too much of a fighter
[10:23pm] < 04Morgan > I think she's too much... well, just too much. She's no respect for anyone, she's too mouthy
[10:24pm] < 08@Molly >  13I hope Colonel Kai will invite her to dine with him, though I fear it might require more manipulation on my part, and I am not of a mind to trifle with his affections, for I already have enough problems
[10:25pm] < 04Morgan > indeed... truly you have the attentions of an Eisen man well and truly captured
[10:26pm] * @Molly looks saddened
[10:27pm] < 08@Molly >  13And I would not wish to reject Colonel Kai's attentions, if they extend as far as you believe, in a hurtful manner. He seems like a gentleman, and I do not wish to cause him pain
[10:27pm] < 04Morgan > I was not referring to Kai
[10:30pm] * @Molly looks confused, and then meets his eyes hesitantly
[10:30pm] * @Molly speaks softly, her voice slightly playfully.
[10:30pm] < 08@Molly >  13Then, good sir, who is it you speak of?
[10:31pm] * Morgan speaks quietly, eyes serious
[10:31pm] < 04Morgan > you know exactly who I speak of
[10:32pm] < 08@Molly >  13With luck, it would be a certain Eisen man who has captured my own attentions completely...
[10:32pm] * @Molly catches herself before completing the statement
[10:35pm] * @Molly blushes, looking at the bracelet she wears
[10:39pm] * Morgan looks back at the floor
[10:42pm] < 08@Molly >  13You expressed surprise when I mentioned I had been to confession...
[10:42pm] < 04Morgan > I did
[10:43pm] * @Molly looks up at him
[10:44pm] < 08@Molly >  13Because I have not been before, or because you were concerned about my motivations for such?
[10:44pm] < 04Morgan > I was surprised given your faith that you chose to take confession in a monestary
[10:45pm] < 08@Molly >  13I felt I needed someone to tell my fears to, someone who could not tell those that would be hurt by it
[10:45pm] * @Molly looks at his chest, her voice quiet
[10:50pm] < 08@Molly >  13Do you understand, liebes herz?
[10:51pm] * Morgan shakes his head slowly
[10:52pm] < 08@Molly >  13I can speak to no-one on my fears, lest they are hurt by my revelation. Not Evie, not Captain Tsaylur, not Curtis... none of the others I know well enough to trust
[10:54pm] < 04Morgan > whyso?
[10:54pm] * @Molly blushes
[10:55pm] < 08@Molly >  13To explain the fear I have, I needed to talk about things that would upset the others, things that would break their hearts. It would be impossible to seek their counsel
[10:56pm] < 04Morgan > What could possibly hurt so many?
[10:57pm] * @Molly looks away
[10:57pm] < 08@Molly >  13I fear I might have done something very foolish... something I promised myself I would not do
[11:00pm] < 04Morgan > that being?
[11:02pm] * @Molly takes a step away, turning to the window. She thinks hard on what to say. Her voice wavers, barely more than a whisper.
[11:04pm] < 08@Molly >  13I have not pushed what I feel for you from my thoughts, as I had intended. I had hoped that had I persevered, I would not feel for you the way I do, and yet I find myself unable to stop thinking of you
[11:05pm] < 04Morgan > yet these feelings are not enough to dissuade you from marrying Jaeger
[11:06pm] * @Molly turns back to him, her face puzzled
[11:07pm] < 08@Molly >  13The strength of my feelings for you are by far strong enough to break that promise-
[11:07pm] * @Molly stops herself, eyes wide, afraid of what she has said
[11:10pm] < 08@Molly >  13- but, to break that promise will cause extreme heartache to a good man who does not deserve it... It is wrong that I put mine own feelings before that of another
[11:10pm] < 04Morgan > The feelings of the two of you aren't the only ones at risk
[11:11pm] * @Molly looks at him, but doesnt meet his eyes
[11:11pm] < 08@Molly >  13I am not sure I understand...
[11:15pm] < 04Morgan > my... my feelings for you have grown beyond that of friendship, and truly it scares me
[11:15pm] * @Molly 's eyes open wider
[11:16pm] < 08@Molly >  13You would be hurt if I continue upon this path? If I go to the altar, to his arms, his bed?
[11:16pm] < 04Morgan > I would
[11:19pm] * @Molly looks in to his eyes
[11:21pm] < 08@Molly >  13I would have you know something... If I decide not to proceed with this marriage, I would not ask anything of you... I would break this vow for the happiness of those concerned, not because I have set my hat at winning your heart...
[11:28pm] < 04Morgan > to break the vow would most likely ruin your future
[11:28pm] < 08@Molly >  13How so?
[11:29pm] < 04Morgan > after the wedding you will be supported, stable
[11:29pm] * @Molly smiles
[11:30pm] < 08@Molly >  13With a little luck, the Purple Rose might accomplish that for me, assuming of course I do not sell her
[11:30pm] < 04Morgan > Once she is crewed she has massive potential for earning
[11:33pm] < 08@Molly >  13I am blessed that I no longer fear too greatly for my future. If I could make a living from her, I would be comfortable... If I can not, I could sell her and acquire a property from the guilders I make from her.... If I proceed with the marriage, it will be from honour and loyalty to a man who deserves not to be hurt so, not for reasons of security
[11:34pm] * Morgan narrows his eyes slightly
[11:34pm] < 04Morgan > no
[11:35pm] * @Molly looks confused
[11:35pm] < 08@Molly >  13no?
[11:42pm] < 08@Molly >  13what is it you disagree with?
[11:44pm] < 04Morgan > That loyalty was not so firm some weeks ago
[11:45pm] < 08@Molly >  13Hence why it is _if_ I proceed... I am not as good as he deserves, but I am unsure whether it is worse to hurt him by not marrying him, or to hurt him by proceeding and yet go to him with thoughts of another in my head, and heart...
[11:45pm] * @Molly looks away, eyes downcast
[11:46pm] < 04Morgan > You are far better than he deserves
[11:47pm] * @Molly laughs softly
[11:47pm] < 08@Molly >  13A better woman would never consider not marrying a Lord who had proposed to her.
[11:49pm] < 04Morgan > A lady has no need to marry if she does not wish
[11:51pm] < 08@Molly >  13Then you think I should not proceed?
[11:51pm] < 04Morgan > my thoughts on the matter are clouded by my own feelings
[11:53pm] < 08@Molly >  13It is a bind I have made for myself... I should never have accepted his proposal on the hope that I would come to love him and no other...
[11:54pm] * @Molly looks away
[11:54pm] < 04Morgan > perhaps, but you would not... *Morgan stops, looking confused*
[11:55pm] * @Molly turns back to look at him, though not meeting his eyes
[11:56pm] < 08@Molly >  13It was a choice that had to be made so, given the circumstances, but had I known then what I know now, I would never have drawn him into this... this... situation
[12:00am] < 04Morgan > yet embroiled in the situation we all are
[12:01am] * @Molly nods
[12:01am] < 08@Molly >  13I am so sorry...
[12:01am] < 04Morgan > for what?
[12:04am] < 08@Molly >  13For not seeing what harm might come to you both, for allowing you to risk hurt by my choice....
[12:05am] * @Molly hesitates
[12:05am] < 08@Molly >  13For feeling as strongly for you as I do.
[12:05am] * @Molly drops her eyes, biting her lower lip
[12:09am] < 04Morgan > Then I must also apologise
[12:10am] * @Molly speaks quietly
[12:10am] < 08@Molly >  13You have nothing to apologise for...
[12:11am] < 04Morgan > how do you figure?
[12:12am] < 08@Molly >  13I have put you both in this position, it is my feelings that are to blame... you have done nothing to seek this out
[12:13am] < 04Morgan > You have put me in no position at all
[12:17am] < 08@Molly >  13But you would not have chosen this... none of us would have. I am responsible for not putting an end to my relationship with Lord Jaeger many moons ago, when I first perceived my feelings for you to be inappropriate. It is not right to make promises to one man and *she pauses* look to another
[12:18am] < 04Morgan > such are the perils of life
[12:20am] < 08@Molly >  13If such are the perils of life, you must have nothing to apologise for
[12:20am] < 04Morgan > then neither do you
[12:21am] * @Molly smiles
[12:22am] < 08@Molly >  13I shall agree to that... The choice will have to be made, it is true, and it requires thought... more now than it did an hour ago
[12:29am] < 08@Molly >  13Is it your wish to escort me to dinner on this voyage, liebes herz?
[12:29am] * @Molly changes the subject with a smile, her voice playful
[12:29am] < 04Morgan > It is
[12:30am] < 08@Molly >  13I confess, I was worried that you did not wish to, that it was not to your liking
[12:31am] < 04Morgan > I was more convinced that you wished Kai to escort you
[12:32am] * @Molly looks at him
[12:33am] < 08@Molly >  13Asking Kai to not escort me has given me the opportunity to be able to ask you. The prospect of having you as my escort brings me great joy. He has given me an excuse to be at your side, without anyone questioning my motive.
[12:37am] * @Molly looks back to the corridor
[12:37am] < 08@Molly >  13I think I ought to go to Lady Catherine now, for we should be leaving soon
[12:38am] < 04Morgan > Yes, no doubt she'll need help packing her sizable wardrobe
[12:39am] < 08@Molly >  13It is more readying her person, for I dealt with her luggage at day break. Even here I rise early, and each day yearn for the late wakings I had in Carleon.
[12:39am] * @Molly moves towards the door half way up the corridor, left hand going to her lip as her right pushes the door open.
[12:41am] < 08@Molly >  13Until dinner then, liebes herz?
[12:42am] < 04Morgan > until then
[12:42am] * @Molly continues to walk back towards the staircase, not looking back