< 04Molly > **almost an hour passes before they come down for dinner, and the meal passes quickly, a slight tension between adalbrect and alarice, which no-one but Morgan seems to notice. The ladies then retire to the drawing room, leaving the men alone. < 04Molly > Adalbrecht: *he pours the port* The tenants meeting went well * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > AD: They were quite pleased to hear you had returned < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > AD *he hands out the glasses* You were always well liked * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > AD: *he sits in his favourite chair, watching the fire. It is quiet a little while, and then David excuses himself with apromise of meeting them in the drawing room. Adalabrecht waits for him to go and looks to Morgan* I am starting to rather like this family... < 08@Morgan > good < 04Molly > AD: I was not sure I would, but they have a rural charm < 08@Morgan > they're honest people... something that is often lacking among the courtly circuits < 04Molly > AD: David has a very keen mind, and Martha reminds me a little of the nursemaid I had as a child *he chuckles* < 08@Morgan > you know they're going to miss Molly greatly? < 04Molly > A well-loved child gone for good to a foreign land? Yes, I can understand their feelings * he sips the port* < 08@Morgan > perhaps we can remedy that... < 04Molly > AD: You have an idea? < 08@Morgan > I do... the estate needs a manager < 04Molly > AD: *he strokes his chin in thought before nodding* yes, that might work... < 08@Morgan > of course the suggestion from me would not be acceptable, since it may be viewed as charity... as willl an outright offer from you < 04Molly > Some form of interviews and applications then? < 08@Morgan > I was more thinking a comment about how the estate needs a manager who knows land and farming... a half thought musing, thinking aloud, as it were < 04Molly > were you hoping it would come from me? < 08@Morgan > ideally, yes. I think it would be best < 08@Morgan > Of course, plain honesty may well work better < 04Molly > It is your choice < 08@Morgan > Plain honesty, then... he's had enough reasons to despise Eiseners, lets not give him any more < 04Molly > Yes, why is that? * @Morgan sips his drink < 08@Morgan > why is what? < 04Molly > why do they despise us? < 08@Morgan > an accident that could have been prevented < 04Molly > Not something that has occured here? < 08@Morgan > no sir < 04Molly > Good. I trust you ave enjoying your free time? * @Morgan shrugs < 04Molly > Perhaps a tour of the house might be pleasing to Lady Forrester? The music room, the library? women like such things < 08@Morgan > perhaps... I'd show her around the shoreline, but I worry what we might find < 04Molly > She will need to discover such things in preparation for her duty... < 08@Morgan > oh, I was more referring to what was found in the woods < 04Molly > You mean Alarice's exploits? * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > she was lucky < 04Molly > *he laughs* I should imagine that might also be something she needs to discover to do her duty < 08@Morgan > perhaps... again, though, I was referring to Alarice < 04Molly > Alarice would benefit from being quickly wed * @Morgan nods * @Morgan looks at his glass, his face darkening briefly < 04Molly > *he watches him* is there a problem < 08@Morgan > no sir. I put my mind to a plan and I will abide by it < 04Molly > Which is? < 08@Morgan > that Edward will marry Alarice and do as he's told < 04Molly > What other option is there, unless you were to set aside your plans and wed her yourself! < 08@Morgan > another option would be to run him through and throw his body out to sea < 04Molly > Your brother?! * @Morgan nods briefly before sipping his port < 04Molly > *he sighs* I would not allow you to cause that pain to your mother < 08@Morgan > no... I could not cause her such pain... despite his deserving such a fate < 04Molly > I wonder that perhaps Alarice deserves better * @Morgan sniffs < 08@Morgan > maybe < 04Molly > *he finishes his port* I expect she will curb her behaviour now < 08@Morgan > I hope so < 04Molly > How was your meeting with Otto and Sascha? < 08@Morgan > hard < 04Molly > Were they angry? < 08@Morgan > very < 04Molly > I had hoped they would be reasonable < 08@Morgan > as did I... though I cannot blame them < 04Molly > why? < 08@Morgan > they think I have simply brushed Dietlinde aside... < 04Molly > You have a duty and responsibility to provide an acknowledged heir. This could hardly be done alone < 08@Morgan > Thats not the reason, and you know it < 04Molly > No, but as Graf, it is my prime concern, naturally * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > They should have known you could not remain alone forever < 08@Morgan > thats as maybe, but grief does not follow the rules of responsibility, does it < 04Molly > No, but it is foolish to believe that that grief can sustain someone, encompass their life forever. Tell me, were something to happen to you, would expect Lady Forrester to mourn you so deeply and never fall in love again? *he watches him, interested* Session Time: Thu Nov 19 00:00:00 2009 * @Morgan blinks < 08@Morgan > my heart hopes she would not fall in love again... duty would compell her otherwise < 04Molly > Duty? < 08@Morgan > her duty to the Sudlach, to any heir... < 04Molly > She would not need to wed again to ensure the safety of your heirs < 08@Morgan > perhaps < 04Molly > No. I have already drawn up my will to include provisions for each child you have with Lady Forrester that will ensure they can live in the manner which befits their station upon my passing * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > that is very generous of you < 04Molly > It is prudent. Obviously it will not reduce your inheritance, but I would hope it should give you peace of mind. Of course, if something were to happen to you, I should happily care for Lady Forrester and your heirs. < 08@Morgan > thank you < 04Molly > If you have children, and something happens to Lady Forrester, I will expect you not to leave < 08@Morgan > the only reason I left was to prevent what happened tearing this family apart... < 04Molly > *he nods* We will be expected in the drawing room... * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *he stands up, setting down the empty glass, and goes to the door* * @Morgan takes his port and follows