* Molly 's door is pulled closed, Kurt having not long left. There is no sound from within.
* @Morgan walks to the door and taps quietly on it
* Molly 's voice is muffled 'Who is it?'
< 08@Morgan > Morgan
* Molly calls back to enter, the sound of a door being closed
* @Morgan pushes the door open slowly, walks in and closes it behind him
* Molly watches him with a soft smile. Obviously having not expected company, she knots the tie around her waist that securely fastens the bed gown over her shift, her feet bare. She doesn't seem in the slightest bit troubled by her attire
< 04Molly > Fare you well?
< 08@Morgan > well enough I suppose
* Molly smiles at him softly
< 04Molly > I am glad to hear it... would you like a drink?
< 08@Morgan > what have you?
< 04Molly > Brandy, whiskey, port, wine... feel free to have a look
* Molly tips her hand towards the shelf with the bottles
* @Morgan goes in search of a particular drink
* Molly watches him a moment, before going to the sofa and collecting up 3 glasses, one bearing a lipstick mark
< 04Molly > Have you found something that interests you?
< 08@Morgan > I found some blokners comfort in the captains study... I was wondering if you have some in here
* Molly smiles slightly
< 04Molly > Try the desk drawer, on the left... I did not want the Colonel or Lieutenant to have it when I knew you would want it
* @Morgan looks in the drawer and pulls out a bottle
< 08@Morgan > ahaa
* Molly sets down the glasses, and gets him a fresh one, taking it to him
* @Morgan takes it
< 08@Morgan > thank you
* Molly turns, going to the drinks and pours herself a small glass of wine
< 04Molly > Did you have chance to speak with Lady Rebecca?
< 08@Morgan > oh yes
* @Morgan takes a large mouthful of ale
* Molly goes over to the coach by the window, and sits down. She turns slightly so she can look over at him
< 04Molly > Did it go as you had hoped?
< 08@Morgan > it was more or less an incidental really. she seems rather more inclined to stop being... uppity with me
* Molly nods
< 04Molly > That surprises me little... she is sharp minded, and has probably inferred from the conversation with the Colonel earlier that you are higher born than she imagined and...
* Molly looks away
< 08@Morgan > and...
< 04Molly > She seems far more inclined to treat those she perceives as 'equal' to her cordially... particularly men
* Molly sips her wine, tone neutral
< 08@Morgan > that much is true... she seems to have a chip on her shoulder where you're concerned
* Molly smiles sadly
< 04Molly > No-one can be liked by everyone...
< 08@Morgan > indeed. Though she seems to go out of her way to dislike people
< 04Molly > So far it seems to just be women she dislikes so greatly
* Molly watches him over the back of the couch
< 08@Morgan > envy I suspect
< 04Molly > What on earth has she to be envious of?
* Molly laughs softly
< 08@Morgan > the fact you're not completely obsessed with being more noble than she, or more courteous than she...
* Molly smiles at him
< 04Molly > Please, feel free to make yourself at home here. I do not intend to be competition to her, but perhaps she assumes that I do?
* @Morgan goes to the couch and sits down
< 08@Morgan > I think she assumes everyone is in competition with er
* Molly sips her wine
< 04Molly > I would get along with her far better if she did not insist upon pointing out my inferiority at every turn...
< 08@Morgan > perhaps that is how she was raised... or how she believes she will help you become... 'noble'
< 04Molly > Perhaps... though it does not encourage me in the slightest to wish to be more like her.
< 08@Morgan > no, I shouldn't imagine that it does
< 04Molly > I am far better encouraged by soft words and kind understanding than constant beration... still, I am not sure I am capable of being a noble woman regardless.
< 08@Morgan > no?
* Molly sighs softly
< 04Molly > So much limelight, so many ways to be found lacking, so man good opinions to court, even if it means acting against my instincts
* @Morgan smiles
< 08@Morgan > act according to your own honour, Molly... that is all you can do...
< 08@Morgan > and try to avoid doing anything stupid if you possibly can
< 04Molly > It seems like every move I make has the potential to be something stupid though... That I accepted the Rose and intended to work her, even hough the wedding has been called off... _that_ is to some, stupid
< 08@Morgan > no... that is... unfair in their eyes... that a mere maid gets a title _and_ a ship? But surely thats unfair to those of us who are born better
* @Morgan puts a hand to his brow
* Molly 's brow crinkles, and she pouts
< 04Molly > You have that to a tee, dear heart
< 08@Morgan > well... I spent many years listening to it... to the likes of charles warwick and colonel dow posturing, showing how superior they are
< 04Molly > It seems so very futile... To squander the free time and resources one was born in to upon the petty one-upmanship of such a society
< 08@Morgan > it is futile... and pathetic... and, I'm ashamed to admit, something I engaged in earlier
* Molly looks intrigued
< 04Molly > I confess a great curiosity...
< 08@Morgan > he tried to intimidate me... I told him in no uncertain terms that he does not
* Molly looks to the floor
< 04Molly > I wish I was so resilient to his manipulations as you
< 08@Morgan > the word you're looking for is 'beligerant'
* Molly smiles softly
< 04Molly > If that is your preference...
< 08@Morgan > its what I am... I'm prone to tweaking the whiskers of those too impressed with themselves
< 04Molly > I like that about you
< 08@Morgan > someone must I suppose
* @Morgan takes another draught of ale
* Molly watches him closely
< 04Molly > are you sure you fare well?
< 08@Morgan > fine, fine
* Molly sips her wine
< 08@Morgan > it is... I'm feeling a little peculiar... I'm sat here on Eisen furniture on a floating piece of home... I find the longer I am here the more... myself I become
< 04Molly > Is that a bad thing to your mind, der heart?
< 04Molly > ((dear*))
< 08@Morgan > no... no I dont think it is
< 04Molly > Then I am pleased that the Rose has helped
* Molly smiles softly, watching him closely, eyes soft
< 08@Morgan > how did your meeting with the colonel go?
< 04Molly > It was... informative
< 08@Morgan > oh?
* Molly looks down at her glass
< 04Molly > I was informed of many alterations in my behaviour that I ought to make to be respected as a Lady
< 08@Morgan > by someone barely respected as a gentleman... interesting notion
< 04Molly > As i've said, it sometimes feels as if everyone wants Molly Forrester to be molded by their own hands into someone they perceive as 'better'
* Molly smiles
< 08@Morgan > perhaps it is time to tell them that they should direct their attention to matters of their own reputation and behaviour
< 04Molly > Perhaps... I confess, I miss being left to my own devices
< 08@Morgan > they'll find other distractions before long... their kind always do
* Molly sips her wine
< 04Molly > Good, I shall be glad to be free of the scrutiny
< 04Molly > somewhere, there must be a way to live happily without either servitude or performing to the sensibilities of others
< 08@Morgan > not that I'm aware of... I think I do a combination of the two
< 04Molly > Yes, I think may be you do... though I would like to think you neither serve me nor perform to my sensibilities
* @Morgan shakes his head
< 04Molly > I... ummm... have agreed that I ought to mke a show of returning the Rose to Lord Elementay
* Molly looks away, cheeks flushed
< 08@Morgan > probably right... you realise he'll likely just give it back
< 04Molly > I have not been more certain of the responsive action of any other in all my life.
* Molly fiddles with her left earring
< 08@Morgan > as I understand it, he does not want it anyway
< 04Molly > No, and it was merely to ensure no-one assumed me his mistress that it was given as a wedding gift
* @Morgan nods
< 04Molly > Though according to the Colonel, it looks less bad upon my reputation to be thought a mistress than to not return a wedding gift
< 08@Morgan > aye well... the colonel lives in his own world
< 04Molly > I proposed the idea of an alliance to him...
< 08@Morgan > and?
< 04Molly > and he this it viable, if we can agree terms
< 08@Morgan > i assume he has proposed terms?
< 04Molly > yes... and I have asked for time to consider them, and to offer a compromise
* @Morgan 's eyes narrow
< 08@Morgan > his terms are somewhat... extortionate I take it?
< 04Molly > Forty percent ownership for three years, with an anticipated reduction in percentage after that
* Molly watches his reaction closely
< 08@Morgan > I see
* @Morgan 's jaw muscle ripples slightly
< 08@Morgan > sounds like a fair deal
* Molly looks surprised
< 04Molly > I had anticipated twenty-five, or at most a third
< 08@Morgan > I think you should take him up on his offer...
< 08@Morgan > unless of course...
< 08@Morgan > you're not completely insane
* Molly laughs softly
< 04Molly > I was not, at last check...
< 08@Morgan > no, I thought not... rather than lowering what you are willing to offer him... what does he offer in return to forty percent... and what is the anticipated reduction to?
< 04Molly > Protection, the strength of the company reputation, time and labour... and I do not know
* Molly sips her wine
* @Morgan smiles slightly
< 08@Morgan > ok... we have something to work with...
< 04Molly > I have asked that he comes to the estate the weekend the wedding was to be to discuss it further
* @Morgan nods
< 08@Morgan > the devils in the details liebes herz...
* Molly smiles at the term, though doesn't meet his eyes
< 08@Morgan > how far will this protection go? Will he put his own ship and men at risk in the defense of the rose... bearing in mind the rose could most likely outrun anything on the water... the company reputation... I shall look into that while I'm away
< 04Molly > All very good points, along with whether the percentage shall be owned by the Colonel himself, or the company...
< 08@Morgan > ahhh now... on that front... twenty for the colonel, ten for the lieutenant, ten for the company... _if_ its reputation is good enough
* Molly shakes her head
< 04Molly > That he proposes forty so early implies to me he is willing to settle on a good deal less. I have not proposed any figure in return, for I thought it wiser to protect my hand whilst sneaking a view at his
< 08@Morgan > there are two options... push for more for forty... or ask for the same for less
< 04Molly > I hink forty too great a percentage to be under the influence of one individual... it leaves me little leeway to negotiate hep fromother sources
< 08@Morgan > true... though thats why I suggested splitting it so... so that he can see it is not all his
< 04Molly > But both the Lieutenant, and the company, are directly his, and will behave as he wishes.
< 08@Morgan > you think? I think the lieutenant is stronger willed than you give him credit for
< 04Molly > That the Colonel seemed to know of your status where the Lieutenant's word was given that it would not be revealed implies otherwise
< 08@Morgan > true enough...
< 04Molly > It will not be an easy decision or negotiation
< 08@Morgan > undoubtedly
< 04Molly > I would like to know something...
* Molly smiles softly at him a moment before looking out of the window at the torches burning on the dock
< 08@Morgan > that being?
< 04Molly > were I to wish to give you a share of the Rose, would you accept it?
< 08@Morgan > a mere servant such as I could not contradict the wishes of a lady...
* Molly 's eyes darken
< 04Molly > I do not count you as a mere servant, dear heart
* @Morgan laughs
< 04Molly > I shall make you no promises, for to lie to you would be worse than to give you no stake in her... But I will give it consideration, that much I will set my word and honour to
< 08@Morgan > Molly, if I am to receive part ownership of the Rose I would wish it that you -wanted- to -give- it to me... I do not covet the ship and do not ask nor expect any part of it.
* Molly reaches over and takes his hand
< 04Molly > I know, dear heart, and it would be from my own wish that it was given to you so
* @Morgan nods
< 04Molly > Also, it would ensure you had a say in the running of her, which if I remember rightly, you said you ought to have if the Colonel did...
* Molly looks puzzled in remembering the conversation
< 08@Morgan > well... yes, frankly
< 08@Morgan > if only because I do not fear going toe to toe with the man if needs be
< 04Molly > I do not recall the reason given when the subject arose, but that is as good as any
* Molly smiles softly
< 08@Morgan > no, well... things change... he must learn he cannot run riot forever
< 04Molly > regardless of all else, I must retain ownership of fifty and one percent of the ship
< 08@Morgan > indeed
< 04Molly > I hope that if you were to hold a stake in her, you would no longer fear that I thought you were only being... kind to me to get such
* Molly blushes slightly
< 08@Morgan > I must trust that you know that not to be the case
< 04Molly > I have not a moments doubt of your sincerity
* Molly squeezes his hand gently
< 08@Morgan > of that I am glad... to have you think that my affections were aimed at gaining sway over the rose.... disquieted me
< 04Molly > I umm.... I did not believe they were aimed at anything, as unexpected as I have perceived them to be
* Molly studies her glass intently, avoiding meeting his eyes, voice quiet
* Molly finishes the wine in one go, feeling awkward and removes her hand from his as she stands
< 04Molly > I shall refill my glass, do you require anything?
< 08@Morgan > another of these wouldn't go amiss
* Molly takes his glass also, her fingers lingering over his a moment before she draws the glass away, biting her lip
< 04Molly > Of course...
* Molly goes to the desk and pours the drinks