* @Morgan nods, heading off in search of the three maids
(Molly) **He  finds the cook in the kitchen, who manages to round up the three maids in ten minutes
(Molly) **all three are blonde,  and look nervous. The eldest looks to be in her early twenties, wearing a wedding ring, the other two look to be in their late teens. They stand together in a small group in the kitchen
(@Morgan) Ladies... I must ask some delicate questions... would you like a cup of tea while we talk?
(Molly) **The older one talks* we could go in the breakfast room, my Lord? I'll make some tea.
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) good idea
(Molly) **the other two maids show him to the small room off the main dining room where he had breakfast with the Eisenfurst yesterday. The house seems quieter than it has been. Neither maid makes conversation*
(Molly) **The older maid brings in enough tea for all, and very rapidly she has poured. The three of them sit opposite him, casting occasional looks at each other *
(@Morgan) I understand the three of you attend the Grafin
(Molly) **They all nod *
(@Morgan) I need to know if she has bled since being here... if she's had any of the normal signs of being with child
(Molly) **They all look fairly uncomfortable, looking at each other. The younger two seem to expect the older one to talk, and she sighs, blushing before doing so* That is a very delicate question, my Lord
(@Morgan) I am well aware of that, believe me
(Molly) A: Its... it's not something we're supposed to talk about, my Lord
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I know
(@Morgan) but its very important
(Molly) A: *she looks to the others* I don't remember her having her monthly,  do either of you? *the other girls look as if they'd like to run away, but both shake their heads* Should have been at least once, more likely twice by now. *They both nod. The older maid looks back at him* No my Lord, she hasn't had that since coming here *She looks uncomfortable *
(@Morgan) any other signs? sickness, soreness et cetera
(Molly) **one of the younger ones looks thoughtful* she said she was tired a lot. She used to lock herself in her room for a sleep a lot of the afternoons,  my Lord
(@Morgan) I see... Do you know of anything that could cause the same effect?
(Molly) A: *she looks confused* that would stop her monthly, my Lord?
* @Morgan nods
(Molly) **all three look thoughtful, perhaps a little wishful*
(Molly) A: She isn't old enough to have lost her fertility. I can't think of anything else, my Lord
* @Morgan nods
(Molly) **the other young one frowns, looking at the first** Did you ever try to rouse her from her nap? I did one day and there was silence   and she didn't answer even after ten minutes of knocking. I was a bit worried she was dead!
* @Morgan looks from the young maid to the older one
(Molly) K: *she shrugs* I didn't want to get on the wrong side of her really. Not after the incident with that broach!
(@Morgan) broach?
(Molly) M: Oh yeah, that was proper nasty! *Her eyes go wide as she realises she's basically talking inappropriately about someone above her station*
(Molly) K: *she looks to Morgan hesitantly* when she first came she asked me to take some stuff to sell in town. There was a broach that the jeweller said was almost worthless. The Grafin said I lied and had stolen it. But I hadn't, my Lord, I swear it!
(Molly) M: I proper thought she was gonna have you thrashed from how she was screaming!
* @Morgan frowns
(@Morgan) I wonder if I can track that down
(Molly) K: I could tell you which jewellers and what it was like, my Lord? But I never heard anythin' more about having maybe stolen somethin', not from from Frau Liebstern or Colonel Fuchs! We'd normally lose our job at the very least
(@Morgan) please, I'd like a word with them... bit suspicious she made such a scene but then didn't report it to your superiors, don't you think?
(Molly) A: *she nods* remember when Anne-marie stole from Eisenfurstin Posen? *They all pale a little*
(Molly) K: Maybe she didn't want him finding out her surprise?
* @Morgan looks confused
(Molly) A: *she nods* Maybe. I didn't get sent on any more selling errands after taking the wedding dress. She can't have gotten the whole three hundred guilders by then?
(@Morgan) three hundred guilders?
(Molly) A: She was saving up to replace the engagement ring Graf Seeufer got made for her that got lost. She wanted to surprise him and make him happy, she said
(@Morgan) so she was selling her things... dresses and whatnot?
(Molly) M: Yeah almost all of it. And the stuff that she'd had when she was married before. Surprised she had a stitch left on her!
(Molly) A: *she shoots her a disapproving look*
(Molly) M: Sorry, my Lord
* @Morgan waves a hand
(@Morgan) ladies, I'm much more interested in getting to the facts of the matter than dancing around social proprieties... you understand?
(Molly) **They look wary and unsure* A: we don't want to lose our positions, my Lord
(Molly) M: *she looks at the others* I got her around 40G,  how much did you get Ana?
(@Morgan) You won't... whatever you tell me, I'll be the one passing that information along... without any of your personal opinions. You could tell me you think the Eisenfurst stinks, and that will stay right here in this room
(Molly) **They all giggle*
(Molly) A: about fifty? Got twenty for her wedding dress!
(Molly) K: *she sighs wistfully * imagine owning a dress worth twenty guilders!
(Molly) M: All my dresses put together aren't worth half that!
(@Morgan) mine either
(Molly) **They all laugh, giggling at the thought**
(Molly) A: I bet the Veisgrafin has lots of expensive dresses though, my Lord?
(@Morgan) A few, though not as many as you might imagine
(Molly) M: *she looks at K* Imagine being a veisgrafin! Wouldn't it be grand?
(Molly) K: *she rolls her eyes * Never gonna happen for you Mia! Nor me!
(@Morgan) Its not as much fun as you think... there's a lot of organising people, settling arguments... and its not necessarily safe
(Molly) M: But all the fine foods, parties, and fine dresses! *she sighs. It's somewhat similar to the things he heard Molly and Evie frequently say in the Torrington House  and the lament of serving girls everywhere*
(Molly) A: *she shakes her head in despair* Katharine, how much did you get her?
(Molly) K: Twenty, I think. So that's nowhere near how much she wanted
(@Morgan) What else would cost three hundred guilders?
(Molly) *none of them look like they have a clue about what three hundred guilders would buy* A: My house was a hundred?
(Molly) M: You are so lucky to own a house! You're like a proper noble almost!
(Molly) A: *she rolls her eyes* my grandchildren will be paying it off til they're in their dotage!
(Molly) K: Can't spend a mark of it in prison though, can she?
(Molly) M: Why would you sell all your stuff and your memories to replace a ring you never wore when your husband is as rich as the pope anyhow? *she actually braves directing this at Morgan, and he notices they've all started to relax a little *
(@Morgan) I don't think you would... 
(Molly) M: I wouldn't! I'd say "Sorry, can you get me a new one? I'm proper sad without a huge jewel stuck on my finger!"
(Molly) **the others giggle*
(Molly) K: He probably has loads more rings over in Seeufer, and they were over there every second minute! Do you remember that big ruby one he gave to Marie-Cezette?!
(Molly) **They,  connisours of gossip,  fall about in stitches at this**
* @Morgan watches them quietly, sipping his tea
(Molly) K: what did they even argue about that day? Was that when he wouldn't dance every dance with her at the Winter Ball?
(Molly) A: No, I think it was when she found out about the night of the three girls in the brothel! *They snigger*
(Molly) M: No, the three girls thing got him a slap in front of his father and brothers. She caught him a proper good'un! And she was definitely wearing it then cos when she backhanded him it split his lip. *They all nods, trying not to laugh again*
* @Morgan mutters 
(@Morgan) prolific little bugger isn't he
(Molly) *They all look a little shocked, then sly glances pass between them as they sense a potential newcomer to their circle of gossip*
(Molly) A: *she whispers conspiritorially* You should hear some of the stories the maids from over the lake tell us!
(Molly) M: Stuff you wouldn't even dare mention at confessional!
(Molly) K: Like when he made his own wine! *They all start laughing again, tears flowing down their cheeks*
(Molly) M: I remember now! It was when she found out about Sabine! They had a proper ding dong over that!
(Molly) **the others make "Ah hah!" Faces of recognition, before watching Morgan's reaction*
(Molly) M: *she gets up, and quickly pulls the door properly shut, still giggling* Do you want to know what happened?
* @Morgan pretends to think about it
(@Morgan) I think I do
(Molly) **the squeal excitedly*
(Molly) A: This was last autumn now. Marie-Cezette had been his mistress a year or two, and she discovered that he had another mistress!
(Molly) M: She was proper shocked!
(Molly) K: She said she was leaving him, and took off the ruby ring
(Molly) M: *she looks at K* Wait, you're going to spoil it!
(Molly) A: *she looks at Morgan* You have to understand, Marie-Cezette had ideas well above her station. She swanned around like a Lady, even though she was common as muck. She was beautiful though.  I always thought she looked a bit like the paintings of the Grafs mother. *They both nod*
(@Morgan) I see
(Molly) K: And Sabine... well Sabine is plain as a pancake. She's getting on a bit, really.
(Molly) M: She must be at least thirty!
(Molly) A: Marie-Cezette saw him leave her house down near the Sword Of Redemption Inn, and hightailed it back her to pack all her things. Then she waited for him in the stable *giggling breaks out again*
(Molly) M: He comes back, all apologies...
(Molly) K: *she moves around the table, taking M by the hand, and gets down on her knees. She puts on a voice that sounds like Isiah but slightly higher* Don't leave me, Marie-Cezette,  I couldn't breathe without you!
(Molly) A: *she watches Morgan's reaction whilst laughing*
* @Morgan smirks
(@Morgan) eloquent
(Molly) M: *she does a good, haughty montaigne accent * You, Mon Petit Chou, are shameful! You take to bed a woman who is far inferior to me in every possible way, and expect me to forgive you! Non! You must prove your love!
(Molly) K: I'll do _anything_, I swear it!
(Molly) M: *she looks to Morgan * Then she takes off her ring, dumps in on a steaming pile of fresh horse sh-... manure,  and stamps it in! *they're all laughing*
(@Morgan) I'll bet that went down well
(Molly) M: *with the accent* If you love me,  you'll retrieve it with your bare hands!! *she stops the accent, barely able to breathe through laughter*
(Molly) A: He did it! And then  she complained about having muck on her boot, so she lifted her foot wiped it on his shirt! *They are all bordering on hysterics now*
(Molly) M: And... and... *she draws a deep breath, accent returning* And you will see to my trunks being taken back to my room immediately! *normal* And she stormed back into the house as if she were the queen of Eisen!
(Molly) **it takes a minute for them to finish laughing and return to their seats*
(Molly) A: *she sips her tea* Sorry, my Lord. That's probably not much help, is it?
(@Morgan) it helps me understand him more
(Molly) A: He's never been inappropriate with any of the staff though, I must say.
(Molly) M: Not like some of the visitors!
(Molly) K: *she nods,  looking a bit upset* It's dangerous being a maid _or_ a veisgrafin,  my Lord
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I don't doubt it
(@Morgan) Does the EIsenfurst not ensure you're protected?
(Molly) A: *she looks thoughtful* I don't think he knows what it can be like for maids, my Lord. I don't want to give you any offence,  but noble men are commonly a danger to us. We try to work in pairs, but sometimes you get split up by duties. You don't want to be on your own and cornered if you can help it *the others both nod*
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I'm sorry about that. 
(Molly) M: Besides, they often pretend it's by accident when they touch your bum, or that they were just joking and you shouldn't take it seriously
(@Morgan) a maid in my fathers house was... assaulted by her former employer. I made sure that he made reparation. 
(Molly) **They look surprised* K: For just a maid?!
(@Morgan) no-one is _just_ a maid
(Molly) *They looks even more surprised* M: begging your pardon, my Lord, but that's not the normal noble view
(@Morgan) it should be
(Molly) K: *she looks troubled* It's when they tell you there's no point telling anyone because no-one will believe you cos they're a Lord and you're nothing that's the worst. *both the others nod solemnly* M: I've had that more times than I can count
(Molly) A: It gets a little better once you're married. Not much though. If my husband knew, he'd make me hand in my notice
(@Morgan) I might have to add that to my list of things to sort out
(Molly) M: It can't be changed. They'd still do it. There's always going to be men who see us as fair game
(Molly) A: *she nods* It happens in every house. I've been in service since I was a child, I've never met a maid who hasn't been touched, threatened or worse by a noble guest.
(@Morgan) thats what the last noble said when I told him to stop it
(Molly) K: I wish they were all like you, my Lord.
(Molly) **the others nod*
* @Morgan shrugs
(@Morgan) One change at a time, we can get there
(Molly) A: *she finishes her tea* I hope so. I hope my future children won't have to endure it
(@Morgan) I imagine my time of knocking heads hasn't ended yet
(Molly) **They all smile*
(Molly) A: is there anything else you wanted to ask, my Lord?
(@Morgan) No, thats about it really. Let me know if you think of anything?
(Molly) M: And you won't tell anyone what we told you about the Graf and the ruby ring?
(@Morgan) you have my word
(@Morgan) Mia, Katherine, Ana... its been a pleasure talking with you
(Molly) **They all look at each other, surprised and blushing that he knows their names. They curtsey to him*
(Molly) ** They head out of the breakfast room, taking the tea tray with them
* @Morgan gets up and heads out into the hallway
(Molly) **He sees the usual patrol of guards. The new patrols seem to be adhered to well
(Molly) *he passes a clock reading half after ten
* @Morgan goes up to the nursery
(Molly) **He can hear noise by the time he gets to the top of the stairs
(Molly) **as he gets into the corridor, he realises it's laughter
* @Morgan continues towards the nursery, relieved
(Molly) *Outside, the guards he knows are called Oren and Lars are listening at the door, laughing. There is also laughing from inside, as well as conversation
(@Morgan) gentlemen
(Molly) **Oren and Lars turn to face him** Good morning, my Lord *They speak in chorus *
(@Morgan) whats going on?
** You're now known as Oren
(Oren) Well, my Lord, Captain Varick the Brave and his First Mate Fuchs have boarded and pillaged another ship and taken away the captains daughter and their cook. As soon as Claudia returns with coffee, Lars and I are supposed to be scaling the ship in an attempted rescue  mission
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) and what about admiral ulysses?
(Oren) I think that's who he's taking the treasure chest to, my Lord
(Oren) **He can almost hear what Molly is saying from inside the room
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I see, I see
(Oren) L: They've got some props and everything, my Lord
(@Morgan) oh dear

(Oren) The Colonel seems to be enjoying himself, not heard him laugh like that in ages
(@Morgan) Thats good to hear... Varick has that effect on people
(Oren) **They both nod*
(Oren) Are you coming in to help the rescue, my Lord?
(Oren) L: *He opens the door a little, peeking in. He laughs quietly. Morgan can hear Varick's voice very muffled but counting*
(@Morgan) I suppose I should
(Oren) L: The captain is in his quarters, sounds like he's counting his bounty!
* @Morgan nods
(Oren) **with the door ajar, Morgan can make out what Molly  speaks in a theatric, pleading voice, amusement running through it  "Oh Captain, you cannot leave me here tied up in the hold! It is not fitting to treat a Captain's Daughter this way! My father's men will seize your ship and release me long before he agrees to pay your extortionate ransom!"
(Oren) Fuchs: I'd be keepin' yer voice down,  madame,  Cap'n Varick don't like being disturbed when he's working!
(Oren) **the guards are sniggering quietly**
(Oren) **there are footsteps on the staircase that leads to this corridor*
* @Morgan draws back slightly to see who's coming
(Oren) **Claudia comes along with a well loaded tray. She rolls her eyes at the merriment
(Oren) C: *she looks at Morgan* Finally, someone with some sense!
(@Morgan) that remains to be seen, doesn't it
(Oren) C: *she puts down the tray* You're joining in with all that then?
(@Morgan) Sometimes, Claudia, you just have to be silly
(Oren) C: *she shakes her head* I don't. Sorgi would enjoy it, I suppose.
* @Morgan nods
(Oren) C: *she looks at the three of them, rolling her eyes again* Off you go then.
* Oren looks to Morgan
(Oren) Ambush?
(@Morgan) I'd say so
(Oren) L: best take the Colonel down first
(@Morgan) good idea
(Oren) *the guards sneak into the room, Fuchs pretending not to see them
* @Morgan follows suit
(Oren) ** Fuchs has an eye patch, bandana, and wooden training sword, just like the ones in a pile by the door. Marta has a broom and a cooks hat for her appointed role as a kidnapped ships cook, though she seems to genuinely be sweeping the nursery. The dining table is completely covered by heavy navy fabric
(Oren) **the guards creep up on Fuchs. He can hear Molly quietly giggling in her under table prison
(Oren) **Varick is busy complaining to himself loudly in his bedroom about how most of the treasure was only gold and not Dracheneisen
* @Morgan moves to a corner, watching the others quietly
(Oren) **They all laugh quietly. Oren grabs Fuchs from behind, and Lars holds the training sword to Fuchs chest, a finger on his lip to encourage silence. They then look to Morgan, waiting to see what he does
* @Morgan stands still, impassive
(Oren) *Varick comes out of the room, wearing a rather nice looking adults pirate-style frock coat in royal blue with silver frogging down to his ankles, sleeves rolled up. He has a large tricorn hat at a jaunty angle, and a drawn on moustache and beard. He looks surprised by the invasion
** You're now known as Varick
(Varick) Get off my ship, you... *He looks thoughtful* You blackguards!
(Varick) **They all try hard not to laugh. He picks up a training sword, and runs at Lars, very gently tapping the back of his leg. He plays along well, rolling around on the floor. Fuchs watches Morgan's reaction,
(Varick) M: Cook, are we being rescued? It's rather dark and scary in here!
(Varick) *Marta looks at Morgan with a shrug * Tough to say, Miss.
* @Morgan scoots around the edge of the room, watching Varick
(Varick) *Varick dispatches Oren in the same way, making two sets of fake groans, and  a freed Colonel
* Varick looks disdainfully at the guards
(Varick) They weren't very smart,  were they, first mate? *Fuchs shakes his head. He looks to be genuinely enjoying himself* I wouldn't hire 'em meself,  Cap'n! *They try to look dead but their suppressed laughter gives them away*
(Varick) They can't have been real Eisen sailors! *He grins at Fuchs, who laughs loudly*
(Varick) Molly : Of course they weren't, my father is Avalon, as are his sailors. And Avalon men are far better at rescuing maidens in distress! *He can hear the amused teasing in her tone. The others start laughing, including Varick*
(Varick) *Fuchs watches Morgan a moment*
* Varick comes over to the table, and climbs up the chair to sit on top of it.
(Varick) You are our prisoner, and will have to stay in the hold until tea time! *He watches Morgan*
(@Morgan) I don't think I can allow that, you know... clearly I must steal your ship 
* Varick stands on the table
(Varick) Then we must duel! My name is Captain Varick the Brave,  prepare to die!
(Varick) *Fuchs laughs, watching Morgan. Molly  laughs from under the table
(@Morgan) If we are to duel, then I must be allowed a sword... you wouldn't harm an unarmed man, surely
(Varick) *Marta moves the couch to the wall, leaving more space. The "corpse" of Oren holds a sword up to him
* @Morgan takes it, brandishing it with a flourish before hitting his own foot
* Varick nearly falls off the table as he's laughing so hard. Fuchs is there in an instant to catch him before he does, and sets him on the floor
* Varick looks at Fuchs.
(Varick) Much obliged, old boy!
(Varick) **the room fills with laughter. Varick salutes Morgan just as he taught him on the lawn of Die Dauerhaftigkeit
* @Morgan does the same, but knocking himself on the head
* Varick creases up with laughter, as does Fuchs. Marta comes to lift the table covering so Molly can see. She is actually tied to the leg under the middle of the table, though it's a child's haphazard tying.
* Varick charges at Morgan, though his swing is gentle
(Varick) This is my ship! You will not take it!
* @Morgan knocks the sword away before tangling his own sword between his knees
* Varick giggles,  and swings for Morgan's leg
* @Morgan is stuck fairly well in place and gets hit, collapsing to the floor
* Varick rolls his eyes
(Varick) Are you Avalonian too?!
(@Morgan) at least this arm is...
* Varick crouches down to look at his arm
(Varick) How do you tell the difference?
(@Morgan) The other ones better at it
* Varick laughs
(Varick) The good arm is the Eisen arm!
* @Morgan nods
* Varick springs up quickly, and presses his sword tip to Morgan's arm
(Varick) Do you yield?
(@Morgan) oh yes indeed
* Varick looks pleased with himself,  turning his back to Morgan, dropping his sword on the floor to place his hands on his hips in an arrogant stance
(Varick) We have won, first mate Fuchs!
(Varick) F: Indeed we have, Cap'n. *He winks at Morgan*
(Varick) *Molly sighs dramatically* I knew I should have been born Eisen instead! Now I shall have to say bound up in the hold forever!
(Varick) Stay*
(Varick) **There's a brief knock at the door*
* @Morgan sits up, moving a hand inside his coat
(Varick) **Claudia opens the door, carrying a blue vase with pink roses in it. She looks at the pretend carnage, then at Morgan* Failed assault?
(@Morgan) he was just too good
(Varick) C: *she looks around a moment, sighing, then looks at Varick*
(Varick) C: I have a message from the Captain of the other ship. He says you can have a shiny guilder if you release his crew and his daughter. *she turns her hand over and back, and inexplicably manages to make a shiny coin appear*
* Varick looks genuinely astonished at this slight of hand, and nods. She makes it disappear.
(Varick) C: Crew and daughter first. *He nods to Fuchs, who goes and helps up Oren and Lars before offering a hand to Morgan
* @Morgan takes it, standing up
(Varick) *Claudia looks to the guards, nodding them back to their duty, and they leave laughing quietly. She hands Varick the coin before placing the vase on the table, bowing and leaving
* @Morgan looks at the flowers
(Varick) **The vase has a brown cardboard tag. The flowers are the same pink as Molly's pink dress
* @Morgan looks at the tag
(Varick) It says ""Molly, You will have a lifetime of wonderful. Yours, Faulk. P.s. the vase is yours to keep, it was my late wife's.  It is strong and beautiful like you both."
* Varick takes his coin to Marta, showing it off
(Varick) *Fuchs starts tidying away the training swords*
(Varick) *Molly giggles* Apparently we leave the prisoners in the hold!
(@Morgan) seems as good a place as any
(Varick) M: Even poor, innocent Captain's daughters?!
(@Morgan) apparently so
(Varick) M: Awful, ungentlemanly behaviour! *she giggles *
(Varick) **He can hear her fidgeting under the table*
(@Morgan) I wonder if captain Varick the brave would untie his captive?
(Varick) M: *she laughs* I hope so, I fear all I have done is accidentally make the not so good knots into real ones!
* Varick is busy trying to make the coin appear and disappear as Claudia did
* @Morgan crouches down and unties the knots
(Varick) **she's right, she has managed to make the knots hard to undo somehow. She sits very still, voice quiet but amused* Rescuing me yet again. This is becoming a habit of yours, liebes herz!
(@Morgan) it seemed like the thing to do
(Varick) M: It wouldn't be practical to leave me tied here til teatime
(@Morgan) No, not really
(Varick) **He manages to get the rope undone, unbinding her wrists from behind her around the table leg. She winces briefly.
(Varick) *Fuchs gathers all the swords, waiting for Morgan to reappear from under the table
* @Morgan gets back up
(Varick) F: I think we'd best try and get a meeting with his Grace this morning
* @Morgan nods
(Varick) *Molly comes out from under the table, and stretches out her shoulders subtly whilst watching them talk
(Varick) F: I'll send for you when it's time?
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) please
(Varick) **He inclines his head, heading off. Molly spots the vase*
** You're now known as Molly
(Molly) Oh,  they're so pretty!
* Molly looks at him enquiringly
(Molly) Did you...?
* @Morgan shakes his head
(@Morgan) there's a card
* Molly reads it. She begins to blush
(Molly) That's very kind of him
* @Morgan nods
* Molly watches his expression
(Molly) It will look nice in the drawing room at Innesbruck,  don't you think?
* @Morgan nods
* Molly looks at the clock. It's just after ten thirty.
(Molly) ¥Have you found what you were looking for?¥
(@Morgan) $Not really... somethings not right, but I'm not sure quite how yet$
(Molly) ¥Would it help to tell me?¥
* Molly watches him, eyes serious
(@Morgan) $Not right now$
* Molly nods slowly
(Molly) ¥Did the list of questions help the Colonel with the maids?¥
(@Morgan) $He balked at the idea of having that conversation with them, so I did it$
(Molly) ¥I cannot imagine that was easy. Can you tell me what they said?¥
(@Morgan) $Later blossom... suffice to say, she has not had a cycle since she was here, but apparently was impossible to wake when she went for her naps$
* Molly tilts her head, frowning
(Molly) ¥That doesn't sound right. I woke her a couple of times in your father's house with no issue¥
* @Morgan nods
* Molly 's frown deepens
(Molly) ¥As to the other bit... That's not good. ¥
(@Morgan) $quite$
(Molly) ¥I was rather hoping the maids could quickly resolve that problem¥
* @Morgan nods
(Molly) ¥Would you like me to ask our captive midwife some questions about other causes for missing courses?¥ *she smiles a little*
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) that'd be a good idea
(Molly) ¥I am glad to be doing something useful at last!¥
* Molly grins
(Molly) ¥Although... *she looks to the vase* that rather implies this mornings mission was a success¥
(@Morgan) $evidently so$
(Molly) ¥I may even extend my planned charming to your brother also¥
(@Morgan) $Be careful blossom
(Molly) ¥Of what, dear heart?¥
(@Morgan) $of my brother...$
* Molly frowns deeply
(Molly) ¥because of his potential bethrothal?
(@Morgan) $Because I still don't completely trust him$
* Molly nods slowly
(Molly) ¥I see. *her eyes narrow, she looks almost angry about something* Well, I am a gentleman's daughter,  and that is the end of it. *her chin rises slightly,  determinedly*
* @Morgan nods
(Molly) ¥If he would like to challenge the "respect and protection" of my Eisenfurst, I suspect Faulk would be more than happy to discuss it with him *the determined expression remains *
(@Morgan) Lets try to avoid it coming to that, shall we
(Molly) ¥Oh of course. But it is important to know that if there's going to be that particular sort of mischief over my birth, we having Faulk's backing. It is hard to claim it is damaging to Sudlachenburg when our standing with his Grace is increasing.
(Molly) Have*
(@Morgan) true I suppose
(Molly) **Varick comes over, holding out the coin**