< 04Molly > The rain beats down on the Torrington estate, pounding hard on the grass, road, roof. The night sky is overcast, though the house is backlit by the moon's dispersed light. The whole week she has been gone has been rainy. < 04Molly > The sound of wheels and hooves clatter up the road. Soon, the carriage pulls in to coachyard, and with a smile, Molly gets out in to the rain. She holds her bag close to protect it from the rain. She runs to the shelter of the kitchens back door, where she asks a maid where Morgan can be found * @Morgan can be found in the stables, slowly brushing the large grey horse * Molly walks up to the stables, tension clear in her movements. She opens the door, and slips inside, the noise of the rain is relentless on the roof. Shetakes off her cloak, and hangs it on the back of the door. She walks to Xantha's stall, and watches with a smile < 04Molly > Good evening... < 08@Morgan > I believe we've spoken before on the subject of you creeping around in the rain, blossom * Molly smiles at him < 04Molly > I was not creeping... but I did not wish to intrude upon your solitude if you did not wish for company < 08@Morgan > it is a very rare occasion that I would not wish for your company * Molly 's cheeks redden, and her voice becomes softer < 04Molly > You have perhaps missed my company during my absense, dear heart? < 08@Morgan > indeed I have < 04Molly > It was... odd, being in Carleon without you < 08@Morgan > oh? * Molly smiles < 04Molly > Until now, I had not been there without you... it has many pleasant memories < 08@Morgan > I take it you enjoyed your time there? * Molly looks slightly unsure < 04Molly > Yes, I enjoyed it, yet I longed for the journey to be over < 08@Morgan > why so? * Molly drops her eyes to the hay covered floor < 04Molly > I would not have thought you needed to ask... < 08@Morgan > I find it best to avoid possible confusion wherever possible < 04Molly > then I shall tell you, if you truly wish to know < 08@Morgan > I do Session Time: Sat Mar 21 00:00:00 2009 * Molly bites her lip, looking at him shyly < 04Molly > You, dear heart... I missed you greatly < 08@Morgan > amd I missed you < 04Molly > I believe it was actually more painful when I was away this time than when I awaited your return from Eisen < 08@Morgan > oh? why < 04Molly > Truly, I do not know... maybe in that I knew it was my choice to be away... * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I think I understand * Molly smiles, and moves over to stand near the horse < 04Molly > I did however, see some beautiful Vodacce dresses < 08@Morgan > oh? * Molly laughs softly < 04Molly > unsurprisingly, the ones I liked best were the most expensive! < 08@Morgan > that comes as no surprise to me < 04Molly > Unfortunately, I could not justify to myself spending so much... not with the Rose's fate * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > understandable * Molly smiles, eys sparkling. She speaks quiet, as if sharing a secret < 04Molly > I did buy a bolt of fabric and some lace... I thought I might work on an imitation dress for the beginning of the court circuit < 08@Morgan > oh? in the style of a vodacce dress? < 04Molly > If my skill allows for it, yes * Molly holds her hand out near xantha, allowing him to get used to her presence * @Morgan nudges the horse slightly < 08@Morgan > he's, umm... grown rather fond of Rosie I think * Molly smiles at them both < 04Molly > Oh, that is lovely! I hope she feels the same for him < 08@Morgan > I wouldn't know... < 04Molly > Perhaps if we have opportunity for another ride, we might see... < 08@Morgan > indeed... though I know Xantha would thank us for waiting for clearer weather * Molly touches the damp strands of her hair that frame her face < 04Molly > I think that might be wise... < 08@Morgan > quite so * Molly sighs a moment < 04Molly > I have something for you < 08@Morgan > oh? * Molly nods, undoing the buttons of her bag < 04Molly > Lady Catherine sent a reply for you this morning... < 08@Morgan > oh? * @Morgan pushes the horse aside < 08@Morgan > that, you stupid beast, is my foot * Molly hands it over. it is still sealed. she moves away, pacing a moment before sitting on a hay bale for all over 4 seconds before standing and pacing again. It is very clear how nervous she is about the answer and she chews the inside of her lip, not meeting his eyes * @Morgan takes the envelope, turning it over in his fingers * Molly sits down again * @Morgan breaks the seal and reads the letter * Molly watches him nervously, trying to read his expression < 08@Morgan > hmmm... well then * Molly 's shoulders drop, and she looks to the floor < 04Molly > It matters not, there could still be a future, in time < 08@Morgan > what matters not? * Molly smiles, but it is half-heartedly < 04Molly > That Lady Cathrine will not consent < 08@Morgan > that she might not upsets you so? * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > It breaks my heart, but I shall merely wait until it is time for you to return to Eisen, if you still wish me to accompany you then < 08@Morgan > then it is probably just as well she agreed * Molly 's eyes light up as she rises from the hay bale, her face a picture of joy < 04Molly > She agreed?! She truly did?! < 08@Morgan > indeed she did * Molly goes to him quickly, and flings her arms round his neck. She is half laughing, half crying as she speaks < 04Molly > Oh Morgan, this is the best news I have ever had! * @Morgan smiles brightly < 08@Morgan > good < 08@Morgan > I expect it'll take a little while to get it organised and cleaned * Molly presses her cheek softly against his chest as she keeps her arms around his neck. Her voice is serious < 04Molly > I need to say something, something important * Molly takes a deep breath < 04Molly > I wish to give you chance now to rescind your question, were you to wish to, because I fear that every day will make it harder to let you go... therefore it would break my heart less were that to happen now... < 08@Morgan > if I were not sure of my wishes, I would not have asked the question < 04Molly > I am glad to hear such * Molly moves her cheeks from his chest, and smiles at him. She looks younger, as if the cares that she has been burdened with for so many months have been soothed by her happiness < 04Molly > Are you happy, dear heart? < 08@Morgan > I am * Molly slips her arms down, putting her hands in his. She still smiles broadly < 04Molly > Goodness... what happens now? < 08@Morgan > we clean it... then we start moving belongings in * Molly nods, < 04Molly > In truth, I should imagine it will be a little while before this news settles in for me! * @Morgan laughs < 08@Morgan > most likely < 08@Morgan > I assume you've seen the cottage from the inside? < 04Molly > Oh yes, I've cleaned it a few times... have you not seen it, dear one? < 08@Morgan > only briefly... I do not tend to go in there * Molly giggles < 04Molly > I have a feeling that might be about to change < 08@Morgan > indeed... I'll still have my duties to attend to... < 04Molly > Oh, of course... I would not wish to prevent you doing your job... * Molly smiles enigmatically < 08@Morgan > once Kai and the likes are off the estate I will have more time < 04Molly > Though it is possible you might approch it with a little more reluctance... < 08@Morgan > perhaps < 04Molly > And I would not have you worry for the time you do not have to spend with me... I would be quite happy with even a few minutes of your attention and affection * Molly squeezes his hands gently < 08@Morgan > we shall just have to do the best we can < 04Molly > Oh I am certain it will be wonderful... I believe the garden might be big enough for a vegetable patch... < 08@Morgan > indeed it would be * Molly smiles < 04Molly > perhaps it might be something you would wish to start, once... certain issues are resolved < 08@Morgan > certain issues? < 04Molly > The Colonel and his men * @Morgan snorts derisively < 08@Morgan > they are of little concern... they are not the only ones who can play at overpricing service * Molly nods < 04Molly > I have also returned with a letter from my solicitor for the Colonel < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > it sets out my stance, and what I am willing to offer... if he does not agree to that, he will have to take the matter to the courts of law < 08@Morgan > I still think you offer too much < 04Molly > I know dear heart, but I would see this resolved quickly, and I would imagine the quickest way with the Colonel is large amounts of money < 08@Morgan > perhaps... * Molly 's eyes become sad a moment < 04Molly > With any luck, he'll accept before he discovers... *she squeezes his hand a moment* this... because I fear that afterwards, he will show no leniancy at all < 08@Morgan > and nor will I < 04Molly > I think he might be angry... I think perhaps they all will... * Molly bites her lip, looking back at the horse < 08@Morgan > that is their cross to bear... you've made no promises to them < 04Molly > No, but I have lied a great deal... < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > I am not sure if you recall the conversation I had with Evie regarding whether I ever believed that, had things been different, there could be anything more than friendship between us... * Molly blushes at the memory < 08@Morgan > but things _haven't_ been different * Molly seems to puzzle this over for a moment < 04Molly > So then, it was not really a lie... < 08@Morgan > no < 04Molly > I have allowed them all to believe that I had feelings for either the lieutenant or the colonel, but I did that of necessity, for I could not risk their discovery and ire when I did not forsee anything happening between us < 08@Morgan > then that is their own issue... they made an assumption * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > Even if they are all upset and angry, your happiness will easily compensate my sadness at such * @Morgan smiles < 04Molly > I am afraid, dear heart, that I ought to retire... I have my things to unpack still, and the journey was long * @Morgan nods slowly < 08@Morgan > I think I'll finish brushing Xantha down * Molly smiles softly, and raises his hands to her lips, kissing the right, then the left < 04Molly > Good night, my dearest one < 08@Morgan > good night blossom * Molly releases his hands, and moves towards the door < 04Molly > Until tomorrow, and all the days after... * Molly takes down her cloak, and wraps it round her, nose wrinkling at the wetness. She opens the door, and goes out into the night