< 04Molly > *As he opens the door, there is a fair bit of giggling from the women crowded around the piano. Molly sits at it, playing a short phrase of notes. She speaks in eisen < 04Molly > But 'mein hübscher blauer äugiger Junge' just will not fit the rhythm Alarice, I'm sorry. I can teach you it in Avalon? < 04Molly > AL: *she looks to the doorway, and her smile turns to a frown* No matter, the man I would sing it to has brown eyes anyway. *she sits in a chair slightly petulant* ((gimme an idea of who he is watching)) * @Morgan watches Alarice intently < 04Molly > AL: *she watches the flickering flames, looking both sulky and sad* < 04Molly > Martha: We can still sing the three of us Moll, go on and play. * Molly begins to play, it is a simple tune, she plays it competantly. After a few notes, they begin to sing 'my bonny blue eyed boy', and their voices tie in nicely, giving it a full sound. After the first verse, Molly sings and plays with her eyes closed,thoughts far away. They finish, smiling at each other.* < 04Molly > AD: *he goes over, standing beside Verity, and whispers something in her ear, something that makes her blush, at which he laughs* * @Morgan goes in, sipping his port * Molly looks a little embarresd, and gets up from the piano. < 04Molly > AD: *he looks at her with a smile* That was very pretty, Lady Forrester, though some of the words escaped me... something about a barn and hay in someone's hair? * Molly goes bright red, and looks at Morgan briefly before looking back to adalbrecht < 04Molly > Yes, my Lord < 04Molly > AD: As you have an interest in music, I think Morgan ought to show you the music room *he looks at Morgan a minute* It is still warm, and the light should hold another few hours... Croquet, ladies? < 04Molly > *Martha and Verity nod. Alarice stands, curtsying to them all* AL: I must be excused, I have a terrible headache and must retire. < 04Molly > *AD excuses her, and she bumps in to David on her way through the door. Being told o the croquet, he leads verity out on to the balcony and down to the lawn whilst Adalbrecht takes Marthas arm.* * Molly watches them go, and then turns to look at Morgan < 04Molly > You should show me the music room? < 08@Morgan > apparently I should < 04Molly > unless you have something else in mind? < 08@Morgan > no no... I'm just a little confused as to my fathers sudden desire that I show you around < 04Molly > we have been here for almost two weeks... < 08@Morgan > I know * Molly smiles < 04Molly > perhaps he wishes us to feel more comfortable here? < 08@Morgan > possibly < 04Molly > You'd best lead the way, dear heart * @Morgan offers his hand * Molly puts hers in his, rather than taking his arm. * @Morgan leads her through the hallways to the music room < 04Molly > I am confused as to what could be done with so many rooms < 08@Morgan > there are many many uses < 04Molly > Such as? < 08@Morgan > entertaining guests, dignatory's from abroad... < 08@Morgan > the mother of all games of hide and seek... * Molly smiles delightedly < 04Molly > That could be very entertaining... however, we would have to go in pairs so that those of us who do not know the house so well do not get lost! < 08@Morgan > true, true * Molly smiles innocently, bu there is something mischevious in her eyes < 04Molly > And of course I would wish you to be on my team, I know you are good at such things < 08@Morgan > no... I'm rather better at seeking than hiding * Molly pouts a little, but playfully < 04Molly > But if I hid well, you might get bored of looking, and give up < 08@Morgan > not likely < 04Molly > no? < 08@Morgan > no < 04Molly > more likely that I would get bored and come to find you I think < 08@Morgan > thats possible I suppose * Molly opens the door, and is immediately stunned. The room is done in cream and pale green, with fake vines and flowers hung from the ceiling around the huge french doors. In the middle is a beautiful cream grand piano, worth an unbelievable ammount of money. Against the far wall are other smaller instruments. < 04Molly > oh my! * Molly squeezes his hand before letting go. She goes over to the piano, running her hand carefully over the surface < 08@Morgan > I wish they'd redecorate < 04Molly > This is so beautiful.... why do you not like it, liebling? < 08@Morgan > its over the top * Molly laughs softly < 04Molly > It's Eisen, it has to be bold, proud < 08@Morgan > overcompensating * Molly shrugs, and comes back to him < 04Molly > You shall have to persuade me to redecorate it, when it becomes your turn to be Graf *she smiles cheekily* < 08@Morgan > maybe < 04Molly > But as I like it, that will be very, very hard... < 08@Morgan > perhaps I should abandon that particular idea now then * Molly smiles < 04Molly > maybe * Molly turns with a smile, going back to the piano < 04Molly > That depends upon how badly you want it, does it not? < 08@Morgan > I suspect we'll have other things to deal with * Molly says something quietly, before sitting at the piano < 04Molly > such as? < 08@Morgan > work, mostly < 04Molly > only mostly? * @Morgan looks at the piano < 08@Morgan > I never got to grips with that thing < 04Molly > You have played it? < 08@Morgan > once or twice < 04Molly > Would it upset anyone if I was to try? < 08@Morgan > no blossom * Molly smiles, sitting on the bench. She lifts the lid, and gently runs her fingers along the keys soundlessly. The first chord she plays is slightly minor, beautifully sad, and she follows through a set of minor chords, slowly interspersed with major chords until it rises upliftingly. With a flourish, she stops playing < 04Molly > It has been many years since I played < 08@Morgan > you are very skilled * Molly blushes < 04Molly > I will never be good enough to play in public, the time in which I could have been I suffered from having no piano of my own... and after that, at Lady Catherine's, it was not appropriate to praticse upon her piano < 08@Morgan > her piano is woefully out of tune... one of the things her mother did, I believe * Molly looks up at him < 04Molly > Will you sit with me? < 08@Morgan > if you wish * Molly nods < 04Molly > Did you take piano lessons < 08@Morgan > a few * @Morgan sits beside her < 04Molly > I would have loved to have someone to teach me... alas I was limited to an hour practise three mornings a week in return for doing the washing for the vicar's wife * @Morgan nods * Molly rests her hands on the keys < 04Molly > What was itlke, growing up here, having so much space, so much freedom? < 08@Morgan > burdensome... * Molly looks suprised < 04Molly > Why so? < 08@Morgan > so much to be done, people to entertain, to be polite to... < 04Molly > But there must have been days you could just disapear, play in the house, read by the lake... not help with the work? < 08@Morgan > some, yes * Molly moves closer so that her arm is against his < 04Molly > I think that sounds like a far more enjoyable childhood than I had < 08@Morgan > most likely < 04Molly > I... *she stops, instead playing a little tune* Can you remember anything you learnt? < 08@Morgan > not really < 04Molly > Did you have guitar lessons also? < 08@Morgan > no, I picked that up aboard ship < 04Molly > You must have had many nursemaids, tutors, nannies... did you see your parents often? *she chews her lower lip thoughtfully* < 08@Morgan > as often as was needed... though I spent a lot of time with mother * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I'm glad to hear it < 04Molly > I believe this room is far enough from the bedrooms for playing to not disturb anyone? < 08@Morgan > oh yes < 04Molly > Might I come here again then? < 08@Morgan > of course blossom * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I wonder, did your father mention how his announcement was received? < 08@Morgan > hmm? * Molly blushes a little, looking away < 04Molly > The announcement about our wedding... < 08@Morgan > he was going to hold off until I had spoken to Dietlinde's parents < 04Molly > I see. Perhaps next week < 08@Morgan > I believe that is the plan, yes * Molly nods < 04Molly > I hope it does not seem a little too quck, I would not wish to add speculation as to why you ar marrying me *she watches him closely* * @Morgan shrugs * Molly plays a little more, playing My Bonny Blue Eyed Boy again * Molly stops suddenly < 04Molly > Morgan, are you still happy that I came here? < 08@Morgan > of course, what would make you ask that? < 04Molly > I... I wondered that perhaps it might feel awkward to you, trying to reconcile your life in Tawstock with your life here < 08@Morgan > no... strange... I was worried you would not like who I really am < 04Molly > I like who you are very much, even though your duty prevents you affections < 04Molly > ((your*)) < 08@Morgan > I suspect it will relent some once my father is sure I know what I'm doing * Molly nods < 04Molly > I just hope I have done nothing to make the situation worse < 08@Morgan > no blossom * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I treasure your affections, and would be sore to ever lose them < 08@Morgan > that will never happen * Molly grins < 04Molly > nor could you ever lose mine * Molly slips an arm around his back < 04Molly > I am glad we shall live here,in the future < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > It is so beautiful, so secluded... so much less the chance of something awful happening to you * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Though I think in that eventuality, I would see if your mother might take me on as her maid < 08@Morgan > I dont see that ever being an issue... < 04Molly > It would be inappropriate to stay without wOrking < 08@Morgan > my father has told me that you will be cared for if anything were to happen * Molly looks shocked < 04Molly > That is far too generous * @Morgan shrugs * Molly looks to the keys < 04Molly > I would not let anything happen to you, even if it took my life to do so < 08@Morgan > I certainly dont plan on getting myself killed * Molly giggles < 04Molly > I'd really rather you didn't, certain duties required of you as veisgraf would be impossible! * Molly blushes * @Morgan coughs < 08@Morgan > quite * Molly speaks quietly < 04Molly > and that would be a great shame... < 08@Morgan > indeed it would < 04Molly > Perhaps you ought to stay indoors until the wedding, just to be sure! *she laughs* < 08@Morgan > I dont think my father would allow that * @Morgan laughs < 04Molly > Not even if I were to explain why? *she grins* < 08@Morgan > oh, thats a conversation that could only go well * Molly shrugs < 04Molly > I am reminded each day that it will be my duty to provide at least two healthy sons... < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > Both our mothers tell me... and Alarice tells me that if I do not, her sons will be the grafs someday < 08@Morgan > Alarice should mind her own business... as for our mothers, I'll be speaking with them * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > Do not be troubled dear one, it is only natural that such is expected of me < 08@Morgan > perhaps... but still, it is unseemly * Molly leans her cheek against his shoulder < 04Molly > I do not feel bullied, it is very much my wish also * @Morgan nods * Molly moves away fairly suddenly < 04Molly > Perhaps we should get back to the others * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > aye, probably * Molly stands, putting the down carefully, and goes to stand by the door quietly * @Morgan stands < 08@Morgan > I have caused you discomfort * Molly blushes < 04Molly > no, I have been insensitive and too forthright. I do not wish you to be displeased with me when we must by necessity be alone together so little < 08@Morgan > dont be so silly * Molly looks to the floor before looking back up at him. She nods, biting her lip < 04Molly > I am sorry < 08@Morgan > stop that * Molly looks at him, sucking her lower lip slightly < 04Molly > I shall try * @Morgan nods * Molly comes to him, taking his hands in hers, and kisses each palm, then presses his right against her cheek < 04Molly > we see too little of each other to spend the time that we do have with hurt feelings < 08@Morgan > quite * Molly rubs her cheek against his palm < 04Molly > Would you rather go back, or stay here a little longer...? < 08@Morgan > we should probably go back... I believe my father is going to put an idea to yours * Molly nods < 04Molly > As you wish liebling.... however, there is a small matter to settle first *she smiles playfully* < 08@Morgan > oh? * Molly goes up on tiptoes and kisses him softly, just long enough to make him want more, before pulling away with a smile < 08@Morgan > ah... that < 04Molly > Just something to think fondly on when you are away from me... * @Morgan nods * Molly opens the door, and heads back in to the corridors