A Rouge Afternoon; Crimson drawing room, 1st January

[Hyacinth Eliot]

CRIMSON DRAWING ROOM

This spacious room lies in the heart of the State Apartments, and serves as a much-needed refuge from the bitter winter weather. The floor is laid with sumptuous carpets of taupe, cream, and gold, while the walls are papered in deep crimson and trimmed with gilded cornice. Several large mirrors, dressed artfully with heavy velvet drapes, are hung about the room to reflect and maximize the candlelight, since there are no windows. There is also an intricate tapestry depicting the four seasons. The ceiling is painted with an assembly of gods and goddesses, intermixed with delightfully cherubic Cupids. Throughout the room there are small groupings of comfortable chairs, all luxuriously upholstered in crimson, often surrounding elegant little tables. There is also a marble fireplace, flanked by Grecian columns, in which a fire may be laid to bring light and warmth to the room.
[hr][/hr]


Mrs Eliot's chair was positioned neatly by the marbled fire place, a soft clicking sound issued from her lap; the busy needles of a knitter.

She'd always knitted, for s long as she could recall. It had been years since she had needed to watch her needles with each pass, though her fingers worked upon the yarn slower than they had used to, and her thick knuckles found they needed frequent rests. Always it was socks the woman knitted - at first they had been socks for her husband, Geoffrey. Then, upon his passing, those socks has been sent to men in his regiment. As the years had passed, she had lost track of who she actually knitted the socks for, always she sent them to the old address of the Model Army. They had never been returned, so she supposed that some needy soldier had become in receipt of them.

Click click click

And so the vintage woman settled for an afternoon. From her high collared lavender cotton dress, embroidered with purple pansies, and trimmed with purple lace (of a very old style) issued a heavy scent of camphor mingled with lavender perfume.

Click click click

She supposed that the room might liven soon, for of course Hyacinth had not arrived at court simply to knit. She was in pursuit of spectatorship of the lively belles and beaus of court and the excitement she had so often read of in the Veritas. Too aged to participate in any such herself, it was her pleasure to partake of frivolity from a removed vantage. Idly she watched those who came and went from the room, each, she supposed, in pursuit of adventures.

Click click click

As so often was the case, Hyacinth slipped into misty recollections as the business within the room quietened again. A low chuckle, almost a giggle, parted her lips and she was forced to halt her busy fingers to lift her pocketchief to dry her eyes, "Gregory, you were always up to mischief." Never had Hyacinth loved her husband more than after he had died. In the soft glow of memory, theirs had been the most wonderful of marriages. A soft blush touched her aged cheeks, perhaps it was the warmth of the fire?

Click click click

Another sock was cast off her needles, a small pile of five now rested upon the floor to her side, while a fresh ball of yarn rolled off beyond sight under a settee.

Click click click

[James Keith]

James swept into the room, his head still slightly fogged from the last evening's festivities. He had, of course, only risen from his bed with some difficulty a scant three quarters of an hour ago.

As he surveyed the room, he noted with sinking heart that there appeared to be no ladies present, save for one who looked as if she might have been a permanent fixture, sitting alone with a small pile of socks, knitting in rather sedate fashion.

A small blur of movement caught his eye, as he noted the lady's yarn tumbling across the floor, coming to rest under the settee. Well, he thought, if there is no enjoyment to be had, at least I can be a gentleman.

And so, he walked over to the settee, glancing underneath it to see if he might be able to retrieve the ancient's yarn.

[Hyacinth Eliot]

"Thank you dear gallant..." Hyacinth patted the man's hand as he returned her wool, a kindly smile upon aged face, "a platoon of England's finest find their toes indebted to you." a chuckle appended this last.

To look at the fellow was a little worse for wear, "looks like he needs to be tucked off to bed." Hyacinth mused unwittingly out loud to herself. To then suggest, "Now won't you put yourself at ease here while you await your company, no doubt your lady is preening as quickly as she might. I shall keep you company until she arrives." She spoke of a chair nearby.

Winding the end of the wool about her fingertip, she cast on the first stitch to a needle and commenced to knit. "Now, let me guess. A blonde surely, yes, yes a blonde, and perhaps one swift to blush. Curious how gentlemen enjoy that. I had a friend in my youth whom could blush upon will, try as I might I could never manage it myself. 'Dangerous', my George did say, 'it's very dangerous for a woman to manage that'. He thought it quite a power you do see, for the spell it casts upon a man. Have you noticed that in yourself good sir? Has a blushing maiden entranced you to her will? "

She chattered away in reminiscent tone, though then paused in awaiting his reply. As self-absorbed as her vocality might be, it had been directed at him... amused eyes regarded the young man.

[James Keith]

Fighting off the impulse to laugh at the lady's commentary, James rather inclined his head graciously. "I should be delighted to sit with you for a time, my lady," he said. After all, such unintended wit deserved something, and she was quite clearly in need of company. I suppose, he thought, that I have looked better, after all. The Lord Himself knew that he had felt better.

He allowed himself a small chuckle at the ancient's rapid flood of reminiscence. "I regret that I have no lady upon which to wait," he allowed. "But, should she be able to summon such power as that of which you speak, I have no doubt that I would be enraptured beyond all hope of salvation. But forgive me," he continued. "I am James, Lord Blanckwoode."

[Hyacinth Eliot]

James gauged correctly, Hyacinth was desirous of company to intrude interest upon her otherwise stagnant thoughts. "Charmed Lord Blankwoode, " in gracious ettiquitte the woman replied, "And I am Mrs Eliot." curiously it was the first introduction of herself she had made, either his courtesy or candour compelled her give him this 'gift'.

"Such a shame, a handsome lad as yourself... have you been hiding yourself away I wonder?" she scrutinised him a little more, and muttered deductions under her breath, "eyes not too close together, lips not too thin, and a decided look of needing to be taken care of, what might be holding the young ladies back?" To the man himself she uttered, "It does seem the flowers f court are shy this winter... why, I'd not have imagined that from what I saw last night." Eyes rolled, and she looked at him in hope, no, expectation that he would quiz, and she'd at last vent her high adventure amongst libertines, which fairly buzzed within her mind for confession.

[James Keith]

"Mrs. Eliot," James repeated, committing the name to memory whilst running down the list of names with which he was familiar. No, he definitely had not met or heard of her in the past. "I am of course charmed."

He sat down gingerly upon a convenient chair. His head still was slightly cobwebbed from last night, so movement too sudden in nature was apt to make things much, much worse. "My...sequestration, shall we call it? has been long enforced, due to the remote nature of my estates. The only ladies in my life have been my dear mother and even dearer sisters," he allowed.

"But tell me, Mrs. Eliot, what have you witnessed last night that would bring you to such a conclusion?" He leaned forward with interest. After all, as one newly arrived he could use all the information he might get, of whatever nature it was. Besides, James found that he was already taking a liking to this elder woman; she might be prone to rambling, but she was sweet and her acquaintance could perhaps prove beneficial.

[Hyacinth Eliot]

"Yes, Mrs. Hyacinth Eliot," she replied as he repeated her name, "My brother was Thomas Fairfax." While fewer knew her, most of England knew of her late brother.

An amused titter rung nasally from her nose at his invented word. "It sounds a bit like like castration!" she mused to herself, unaware that she did so out loud. "How dreadful for you!" she still tittered at her secret joke.

Ah, but what a satisfactory young man, he asked just as he had hoped. Her expression became that of one properly scandalised in preparation to give her report. "Well." her eyes flared, "For one thing, there was not a blush to be seen." She iterated the thin thread that had been her prompt to the topic.

"Fortune upon you that you were not present Lord Blackwoode, for you might have been shocked beyond belief at the brazen manners of young ladies, and the filthy words that issued from supposed gentleman's lips. Why, I heard one man call another a 'horses...' well, poop-er. And everyone kept talking of something that I just knew was too dreadful to dare ask, Wolves. Yes. Oh, don't ask! But I just know it is something filthy and amoral."

A pause, "And amoral they were indeed, why there was a young girl, she can't have been more than twelve, and she wore tight fitting breeches that showed off her every curve. Shocking! And the tongue on her... as they say in trance, 'oolala!." Cynthy tutted at length.

"And I dread to think what that man was planning with the young boy, but I distinctly heard him say to meet him to deliver a package at one o'clock. Good sir, I am certain he was not talking about socks." Her knitting needles paused for impact.

[Adam James MacGregor]

It would seem that the elderly lady and her new acquaintance were not to be allowed to converse in privacy as a rather tall and imposingly built gentlemen entered, a pair of men following closely at his heels. He nodded to the pair politely, but did not see fit to approach and strike up a conversation, pausing just beyond the threshold and addressing the men he came with. By their clothes one would be able to identify them as servants. “You and your companion will stay by the door and keep those not invited out. There will be a list of guests and only those upon the list or those whom I approve are to be allowed in. Is that clear?” Adam has come to survey the room before tomorrow’s card game and instruct the guards and servants as to the exact arrangements. Next he turned towards the other servant and continued his explanation. “I need everything to be perfect. These people are all friends and they deserve the best, not to mention that His Majesty might come as well. Food needs to be close by, but not at the card tables. Those who want a snack will rise and seek refreshments. Drinks are another matter. They will be served at the table. Scotch, cognac, wine, both red and white, and champagne. Appropriate glasses. And just to be on the safe side some ale.”

OOC: Hope you don't mind company.

[James Keith]

"Fairfax, you say? Truly, I am honored to sit in the presence of his sister."

James arched an eyebrow in response to her story. "Indeed, Mrs. Eliot? Was it truly as...immoral as you say? Ladies in breeches?" He stifled the chuckle he desperately wanted to loose. Wish I could have seen that...and her tongue, as well. Thank the Lord she does not know that I was there, he thought. Else she would faint dead away.

"A keen observation, my lady, as to the gentleman and his matter of the post--I am certain you are quite correct," he said, wondering whether she would appreciate the witticism therein contained.

Just then, another gentleman swept into the room, servants in tow. Did he happen to say His Majesty? "Your pardon, Mrs. Eliot," he said. "Know you this gentleman?"

[Hyacinth Eliot]

A smile somewhat gentle touched her features with his courtesy, her brother had been somewhat an idol in her life, alongside her brave and valiant husband (though few to naught had ever heard of Sergeant Eliot).

"Quite quite," she appended, "You might thank the merciful heavens that your own families womenfolk were not present..." If she understood his jibe, it did not show, but smiled in this compliment of her insight. Of the scandalous party she might have said more, but that at that moment entered a nobleman in organisational air - which drew the old ladies attention.

"Why, no, I do not." replied the woman who's glory days were long past. "Goodness gracious," she whispered of the hulking man to her present company, her whisper such a volume at to easily be heard by all. "Hitch a plow to him and he might single-handedly plow the north fields." Adam was certainly a size to impress, if not intimidate.

"Good gracious, it seems that he is planning a party, furthermore, it seems that we are to be thrown out!" Hyacinth had not divined from Adam's words that the events he arranged were not for the immediate day, "For I am quite certain that I at least am not upon his guest list."

[Adam James MacGregor]

The Scotsman showed no inclination or sign that he planned to evict the present occupants of the room, but made a note that tomorrow he would need to send the servant to turn back visitors early in the afternoon so none would feel slighted by the polite request to leave. "Have a notice posted that this room will not be available tomorrow evening so none would come and be surprised. We shall need......" Just then his ears picked a mention of a plough and how he could be hitched to pull it and turned to the lady with an arched brow, still saying nothing. She was treading on dangerous ground, though for now Adam would say nothing. He turned to the servants once more, ignoring the pair completely. "We shall need six round tables brought in, covered in green cloth. Four chairs per table for the players. Wooden tokens, I think two hundred per player and a jar for the players to toss their tokens into it. Now, music.... Set a few chair in that corner there and provide them with a table for some refreshments I will trust in you to keep their thirst quenched, but not let them drink too much and make a scene."

[Hyacinth Eliot]

"Yoo-hoo," Hyacinth beckoned the huge man's attention as he seemed ignore them, "Yoohoo!" she called again. "You are arranging a party are you? Goodness gracious, I had not realised the room was reserved for such, for as you and I both are aware, we do not know each other from bars of soap. While I could not help but over hear mention of an illustrious guest list, I need not be the one to reveal that My name, Mrs Eliot, or my companion here, Lord Blanwoode, are not upon it."

"Yet rude is one thing that I am not, allow me a few minutes and we shall vacate the room for you." she allowed with a smile, "Might I offer apologies for inconveniences caused."

"Lord Blankwoode, would you summon some servants? My own are not due back until four." the woman said. The chair she ever sat in required two servants to fetch it from here to there.

[James Keith]

James stood as the introductions were made. "Mrs. Eliot," he murmured, "I do not believe that this party is meant for today, but tomorrow's schedule....and no," he said, "we have not been invited. Your most gracious pardon, if you please."

He made the few short strides over to this new gentleman. "Excuse me, my lord," he said quietly. "Please forgive my lady, Mrs. Eliot," he said in scarce a whisper. "She is a kind soul and means no offense. I am, as she has already mentioned, Blanckwoode."

[Adam James MacGregor]

Somehow Adam was not surprised Hyacinth turned to be hard to ignore, the Scotsman managing to evade a wince at the first Yoo-hoo, and then turning to smile sweetly at the elderly lady at the second, thinking it better to just get it over with. “See to what we discussed and find me if there are any problems.” He murmured those words over his shoulder at the servants and then made his way towards the pair, only to be intercepted by the Blanckwoode, the name sounding familiar, a fraction of a flicker later the Highlander linking it to the face he saw at Thomas’ buck party yesterday. “Pleased to meet you both. I am Adam MacGregor, Earl of Alyth.” He nodded to the gentleman and bowed to the elderly lady, pausing to see if she would offer a hand. “And no need to leave, milady. The party is not due till tomorrow night. A relaxing card game for a few friends. We are to play Lora, a game I learned from a Hungarian a few years ago.” He pretended not to have heard the part about them not being invited, seeing how he hardly knew the pair.

[Hyacinth Eliot]

Greyed eyebrows rose to James explanation, "so that is what it is..." she murmured with nodding head, watching as James moved to make acquaintance with Adam. A kindly smile crinkled her eyes as she offered her hand, rubies emeralds and diamonds glittering upon fingers, "Enchanted..." her eyes passed from one gent to the other, she imagined that she was the provocateur of a striking up of friendship between the two, "Well well, Hungary, it never fails to surprise me how well travelled young men are nowadays..."

She had noticed the way that James interest had been piqued when Adam and name dropped that royalty was upon his guest list, and was all but certain he would kill to gain an invite, so to speak. "Are you familiar with the game Lord Blackwoode?"

Hyacinth begun to wind up her wool to put her knitting away, "I dare say you shall have some blushing ladies present Lord Alyth? I am carrying out a survey I suppose, Lord Alyth do you share Lord Blackwoode's admission of having fallen under the gentle enchantment of a maidens blush?"

"Ah, yet my gentleman friend also admitted a frightful lack of ladies weaving such spells this season. Why, I can but hope, that you have more success for your party Lord Alyth. I do fear the humble blush is an endangered species." As the vintage lady rounded her sentence, she bent nearly double within her chair to stab at the small pile of socks along side with her knitting needle; by spearing hoping to raise them up to her lap.

She intended to depart in any case, now that James had a fellow his own age to converse with, she doubted he would want to continue humouring her with courteous attention.

Righting herself again, she came over rather light headed. "Oh my..." she patted her hands to her cheeks, "Goodness gracious, I oughtn't do that again." to herself she muttered as she discovered an entirely tipsy sensation, as though she had drunk three glasses of sherry one after another in quick succession.

[James Keith]

James shook his head briefly. "No, Mrs. Eliot, I am not at all familiar with this game." This admission grated him; he fancied himself expert in all games of chance...at least all good English ones. He nodded to the Scottish lord. "Ah....yes, did we not meet at Master Thomas' festivities last night? Methought I had seen you before," he said pleasantly.

Just then, James would have sworn Mrs. Eliot was quite near a swoon. He was quick to rush to her side. "Mrs. Eliot, are you quite well?" he asked briefly. It would not do to have a lady, no matter how aged, swoon away in his presence, he having done nothing to alleviate the matter.

[Adam James MacGregor]

“A rather interesting game that focuses on wit and skill, rather than simple luck like so many others. I was quite pleased when I found the decks in this little shop in Nyen, at the far end of Baltic.” Then the old lady mentioned blushing girls and Adam could not help but chuckle, especially when he remembered his sister’s search of husband. “I dare say some ladies present might fall under such category. My own sisters and my sister-in-law shall be there, and they are at an age when one might expect a lady to blush a lot, even though my kin is of sturdy Highland blood so a wee bit reluctant to blush I fear.” He sought a chair and sat down, leaving the servants to take care of the party preparations.

He was about to answer the lady’s question regarding the blushes and their absence from court, when Hyacinth went and made herself light-headed, the Scotsman glancing at her and calling for a servant to fetch her a glass of water and a wet cloth. “Easy, milady. Heart becomes lazy when you sit for long periods of time and needs some time to catch up to motion.” He turned to James who was already at her side. “Raise her arms high, milord. It will help.” Then it was time for distraction, and to take her mind away from the moment of weakness. “And I do have to say there is something adorable in a blush. A war between desire to cause another and a protective feeling towards one so fragile and shy.”

[Hyacinth Eliot]

With a look of horror Hyacinth regarded Adam. "He must be joking!"she uttered under her breath, far too flustered to reply to his prior talk of sisters.

"No, no I am quite all-right," she impressed upon James, entirely embarrassed at the small scene she'd created, "though if you would, you could fetch me up those socks?" she indicated the unsuccessfully retrieved pile as she fought away giddiness.

"Dearie me, how late it has become..." a desperate need to flee before she caused further commotion welled within her breast. "Charming, charming charming..." she uttered as she signaled servants to bid her away.

[James Keith]

Stooping, James gathered up Mrs. Eliot's socks, offering them to her. "Here you are," he said easily. "Are you sure you are quite well?"

It seemed that she must be, since she was summoning servants to come and fetch her, almost...urgent in her desire to exit the situation. Well, any good gentleman would not prevent a lady from indulging her whim.

He returned his attention to Adam. "Now then, milord..you were saying of this game, I believe?" James was always on the lookout for a new experience--especially as regarded games of chance or skill.

[Adam James MacGregor]

For a moment, Hyacinth's reaction reminded Adam of another lady he knew, one whose marriage he hoped would teach her the need to think before reacting and to face the challenges before her, and not simply evade them. Yet, he knew the old lady only for a few short minutes and where he would have stopped Darlene, she was allowed to fetch servants. With a smile he offered again. "Very well, milady. Just remember to take it easy. Ladies have been fainting at the Balls this season more than I have seen before. Must be something the air. You do appear to be a bit more sturdy."

Giving Hyacinth some time to recover and decide if she truly wished to leave or would chance a bit more of conversation, he turned to James. "Oh, I fear I lost the thread of conversation. Perhaps it would be best if I sent you a deck and rules, and you saw for yourself. Come around tomorrow evening at 8 if you are still interested and try your luck."

[James Keith]

"Ah, I should be honored to," James said. "I may make no promises, as befits one new to the game, but I shall give you the best competition I may."

[Hyacinth Eliot]

"Yes yes, quite all right, quite all right indeed...Thank you." Hyacinth uttered as she took the socks from James. Depart was her wish and depart she would do, oblivious to any fact that there had once been another whom did not stay where she did not want to be either. Though whether it was evading a challenge as the Scottish gentleman supposed, or a reluctance to remain where her presence caused a scene, Hyacinth would have cited the latter.

"Best of luck for your party," she wished Adam, discombobulated just a little as he posed that she was made of stronger stuff, "Oh I dare say." she wondered what he meant by that. "Good day sirs."

And so the young men were left to talk of gambling unimpeded by the elderly woman's presence.

[Adam James MacGregor]

Had Hyacinth stayed a little longer, she too would have received the invitation and unlike some others, Adam would not have been insulted should she choose to decline, her age making it quite unlikely she would be staying up late at night. Yet, she chose to depart and the Highlander was hardly the type to keep an old lady against her will and so he sent the servant he brougth with him to fetch someone to carry her wherever it was she meant to go. As to the meaning of his sturdy comment, she would likely never learn what he meant by it, as to learn that she would need to ask him. "Good day to you, milady. It has been a pleasure." He bowed as she departed, watching after her for a while, before turning to James. "An interesting woman, to say the least. Quite driven it would seem."

[Fluff]

James watched the elder lady depart, almost sorry for it. He turned back to Adam "Indeed, quite captivating I must say." A conversation about the upcoming event ensued and it was some time later that James bowed and made his departure.

OOC: wrapping this up.