< 04Molly > **The days in between pass quickly, and she makes progress each day, the coughing becoming less and less. The 22nd of April, a wednesday, is all grey cloud and vast downpours. Though she had mentioned taking a stroll around the grounds, she hasn't, instead watching the rain fall from the parlour window * @Morgan walks in the door, shaking himself as he gets into the dry hallway * Molly comes through, hearing the door < 04Molly > It looks awful out there, would you like to sit by the fire? * @Morgan hangs his coat on the hook < 08@Morgan > I think that would be a good idea * Molly goes upstairs, returning quickly with a pile of towels < 04Molly > I was not sure if you wanted dry clothes... < 08@Morgan > no, I'm not that wet mostly * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > Would you like tea, or coffee? < 08@Morgan > coffee please blossom * Molly makes the coffee, and takes the cups to the living room * @Morgan follows her in, towelling his hair * Molly watches him intently < 04Molly > It must take long for you to dry yours than I mine, it is so long < 08@Morgan > in cold weather it can take days * Molly sits on the rug by the fire, which burns well. she looks up at him < 04Molly > I have always thought it rather beautiful < 08@Morgan > the fire? * Molly blushes slightly < 04Molly > your hair... * @Morgan blushes < 04Molly > I am sorry, I have embarassed you... * Molly pulls her thick dressing gown closer around her, though still watches him < 08@Morgan > it was just unexpected blossom * Molly nods < 04Molly > I would offer to help you dry it, but I fear you would find it too.... intimate a gesture... < 08@Morgan > I think it would be a rather important gesture of trust on my part... * Molly watches him, trying to gauge his feelings < 04Molly > I would not push you * @Morgan goes to the side and picks up a brush before going and sitting in front of Molly * Molly very carefully runs her hand over the back of his hair, her touch soft, nervous almost < 04Molly > You must tell me if I cause discomfort * @Morgan nods and passes her the brush * Molly takes it, and puts it on her lap. she very slowly undoes the leather thong that holds his hair up, unwinding it until his hair falls loose. She takes a slightly deeper breatah than normal, only noticeable if he's paying close attention * @Morgan rolls his neck, hearing it crack < 04Molly > Have you always grown your hair long? < 08@Morgan > aye... a pastime of the high and bored I think * Molly takes up a small towel, and slips it under his hair, wrapping it over. she rubs the towel to get the water out of the ends < 04Molly > At least you do not wear it as they do this season in montaigne, all curled and powdered < 08@Morgan > how very... * Molly runs the towel down the length of his hair. She takes a dry one, and starts at his scalp, very slowly drying it from the roots, which feels almost like a massage. Her hands shake, but she hopeis he doesnt notice < 04Molly > effeminate? < 08@Morgan > that'll be it * Molly continues, though has moments of distractedness < 04Molly > why did you first decide to grow it? < 08@Morgan > I just always have... I cant say I ever really _decided_ to * Molly turns over the towel, and works the top of his scalp gently < 04Molly > that does not hurt? < 08@Morgan > no, not at all < 04Molly > good. I am glad you wish to demonstrate your trust so * @Morgan sips his coffee * Molly sets aside the towel, and picks up the brush. she holds the ends firmly, and bring the brush through, removing the tangles < 04Molly > I always liked having my hair brushed < 08@Morgan > there is something rather therapeutic about it * Molly runs the brush in long strokes from his scalp down to the very tips, taking her time. she is unusually quiet < 04Molly > How _much_ do you trust me, dear one? < 08@Morgan > completely * Molly puts the brush down on the floor, in his line of sight, and weaves her fingers in to his now nearly-dry hair. If he's paying close attention, he notices that she's barely breathing * @Morgan closes his eyes and sighs * Molly runs her hand through the full length of his hair, gentle pressure at the roots and ending in a soft pull at the tips < 04Molly > It is suprisingly soft... < 08@Morgan > considering what I put it through, yes < 04Molly > you are lucky, mine is not half as soft, and I take care of it * Molly wraps the ends around her fingers * @Morgan sips his coffee * Molly leans in, resting her cheek on his hair, and her body presses soft and warm against his back < 04Molly > But then I style mine often for Lady Catherine's gathering, and that takes its toll < 08@Morgan > true enough... I dont see why I should go to that extent for a group of undesirables * Molly kisses his hair < 04Molly > It is expected of me < 08@Morgan > I know * Molly squeezes him a moment, and there is a knock at the door * @Morgan stands up and goes to the door < 04Molly > **outisde is the mailcoach man. 'I have a letter for Miss Forrester' * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I'll take it < 04Molly > *he hands it over* < 04Molly > **it is sealed, and the mailcoachman nods, and goes back to the coach * @Morgan closes the door and takes the letter to Molly * Molly watches him a moment before breaking the seal. She opens it, and reads it carefully, not speaking * Molly looks to him, and then stands. < 04Molly > It is from Colonel Dau < 08@Morgan > I see * Molly takes it to the fire, and crouches down < 04Molly > As I stated, the last letter I sent was to be my final reply < 08@Morgan > what does he want? * Molly looks at it briefly < 04Molly > Saying how no one has come to provide his defense or provide legal council... < 08@Morgan > crying shame < 04Molly > that he is returning to eisen as soon as he is released... how very optomistic... < 08@Morgan > isnt it just < 04Molly > how underneath its beautiful exterior, Avalon is full of horrors *she starts to look irratated by this point* < 08@Morgan > tis true... generally imported from elsewhere < 08@Morgan > and mostly of vaticine faith < 04Molly > And then how he needs to know exactly where I am going for his assistance to be of any use... * Molly looks up to him < 08@Morgan > I think... he can go take a flying leap * Molly smiles, and flippantly tosses his letter in to the roaring flames of the fire. The parchment quickly takes and turns to ash grey curls, the smoke denser as it rises up the chimney. There is a slight hiss as the sealing water boils off < 04Molly > He is of no consequence, a hazard best avoided where possible < 08@Morgan > quite * Molly stands up, dusting off her hands. She goes to his side. < 04Molly > I wonder whether he will be hung though < 08@Morgan > perhaps < 04Molly > I still remain unconvinced that Rebecca did not do it * @Morgan sighs < 08@Morgan > possible I suppose... she is left in a very good financial position for it < 04Molly > It troubles me to think how different it might have been < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > Supposed he and I had wed, and then this had happened... I would have been the prime suspect < 08@Morgan > then do not think on it blossom * Molly smiles I shall be happier when it is all concluded, and the past can be laid to rest. Indeed. *she sits down by the fire* You look warmer now, dear one... Aye. I sometimes wonder if ill ever tire of standing in the rain waitin for something to happen *she looks up at him* you have not tired of it yet? No something defective in my character keeps me finding it enjoyable *she laughs* I wonder that you will find it harder to leave here than you believed... Possibly I suppose. But I think its time to move on regardless *she nods* I could never have predicted such a thing I don't think anyone could have t be honest Do you think you'll wish to seek an occupation in Sudlachenburg, or elsewhere in Eisen? I don't know. I may concentrate on keeping sudlachenburg happy That sounds very pleasant indeed. I would imagine your parents will be very glad that you have chosen to return for good after this time away... < 08@Morgan > perhaps... I wonder if they'd be happier were I to stay away if issues arise with Edward * Molly looks thoughtful < 04Molly > It will be like walking on eggshells until it is concluded with him * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > most likely * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I am making tea, will you have some? I always think tea is good when it is so awful outside < 08@Morgan > please blossom * Molly goes in to the kitchen, and returns with two cups. She looks quickly from the sofa, to his armchair, and then to the floor. She decides to take the cups to the sofa, putting them on the coffee table. she watches him < 04Molly > Hopefully this will warm you up a bit * @Morgan sits on the sofa < 08@Morgan > thank you blossom * Molly sits right up beside him, smiling broadly < 04Molly > I am hoping to make a quick trip to town once the weather is better < 08@Morgan > oh? * Molly watches him < 04Molly > It is only ten or so days until we leave, and there are things I wish to do * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I see * Molly nudges him slightly, softly < 04Molly > Do not worry, you'll like it, I promise < 08@Morgan > I shall take your word for it * Molly smiles at him < 04Molly > I hope the weather breaks soon, I am eager to go, but I would not do so in this weather < 08@Morgan > I would not let you in this weather * Molly becomes serious, and rubs his arm < 04Molly > I am sorry I put you to so much trouble, dear one < 08@Morgan > think of it no more... just dont do it again < 04Molly > Oh I shan't... it was...scary * Molly blushes < 08@Morgan > quite * Molly leans her cheek against his arm < 04Molly > That I could not remember things... that was something I have not had before < 08@Morgan > I think just about everyone found that terrifying * Molly looks up < 04Molly > Even you? < 08@Morgan > especially me * Molly looks saddened, and slips her arm around his waist < 04Molly > I can see why it would have troubled you... < 08@Morgan > I had to reveal things I would rather not have... < 04Molly > Really? How so? < 08@Morgan > your mother figured out that neither of us stay in the main house rather quickly < 04Molly > How did she react? < 08@Morgan > better than I expected < 04Molly > That is something... I would have thought that on discovering such she might have tried to force us apart * Molly squeezes him a little tighter subconciously < 08@Morgan > I wonder if perhaps my belligerant streak appeared at that moment * Molly giggles < 04Molly > It does seem to pick its moments... how did she find out? < 08@Morgan > its fairly obvious that we both stay here... though I think the asking for your eiderdown and me not running to the main house may have clinched it * Molly nods < 04Molly > But she did not order that we remedy the situation? < 08@Morgan > I think I made it fairly obvious that that would not be acceptable * Molly pulls away slightly to look at him < 04Molly > I am very glad you did < 08@Morgan > as am I < 04Molly > Do you think she will tell my father? * @Morgan smiles < 08@Morgan > no... I dont think so... she went so far as to manipulate him into saying I should remain here to make sure you do not have a relapse * Molly laughs < 04Molly > She can be a very devious woman < 08@Morgan > she's incredibly strong willed... < 04Molly > sometimes I wish I were more like her < 08@Morgan > I rather suspect if she thought I was any less sincere than I am, you or I would not be in this cottage < 04Molly > It is good that she trusts your motives and propriety so much, for if she thought for a moment you would misbehave, I would have to live with them < 08@Morgan > I dont doubt it for a second * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I think she assumes that I am far too good to be drawn in to any sort of inappropriateness < 08@Morgan > oh, thats beyond question, truly * Molly giggles < 04Molly > If only she knew quite how bad I nearly am < 08@Morgan > nearly am? * @Morgan laughs * Molly squeezes him < 04Molly > I could, and would, be far worse, were opportunity to present itself once more * Molly sits up, getting her cup * @Morgan sips his tea < 04Molly > Fortunately for both you and she, it hasnt. < 08@Morgan > I've no doubt the opportunity will arise shortly after the wedding * Molly sips her tea < 04Molly > I really do hope so, though it is still two months hence < 08@Morgan > I've no doubt things will fill the days between * Molly smiles < 04Molly > travelling, for the most part. I think it will take three full weeks < 08@Morgan > sdounds about right blossom < 04Molly > And then four weeks to prepare for the wedding, and then we shall travel once more. < 08@Morgan > and here was me thinking my travelling days were over < 04Molly > Oh put these will be far more pleasant than before, will they not? < 08@Morgan > true enough * Molly sits back against him, slipping her hand into his < 04Molly > and in the future, you will not need to travel at all, once we settle * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Mama said there is a pretty beach near here... perhaps once I've been to town we might ride there? < 08@Morgan > providing the weather lets up enough, aye < 04Molly > I hope so. Have you given any more thought to if we will stop in Avebury? < 08@Morgan > I think I owe it to them * Molly kisses his arm, and rests her cheek against it < 04Molly > I wonder that perhaps you also need the closer of such < 08@Morgan > possibly I suppose < 04Molly > and I would like to see Gawain again, he must be 7 months old now! < 08@Morgan > if he's anything like his father he'll already be pouring drinks * Molly laughs < 04Molly > and flirting outrageously < 08@Morgan > quite < 04Molly > Maelwys certainly would worry my mother! < 08@Morgan > I think your father would go into apoplexy were they to meet < 04Molly > quite possibly. You and he seemed to be much easier in each others company at dinner < 08@Morgan > for the most part < 04Molly > It will come I think < 08@Morgan > I expect so