Seeking marital advice from Lady Aylth; 11/10, 4pm

[Darlene Hamilton]

ROYAL NURSERY


The Royal Nursery had stood dark and vacant for well over a year once the Duchess of Cleveland and her brood of royal bastards had quit it, and Queen Catherine had failed to produce a live child. In recent months, however, the Tudor mansion had undergone a transformation as it was prepared for new residents. The red brick façade had been cleared of creeping vines and the spacious grounds & gardens reclaimed from the weeds and brambles that had invaded from the nearby forest. The windows and chimneys were cleaned, and the furniture uncovered, repaired, and replaced as necessary. With fresh paint and new fixtures, it was ready to receive its new residents. Lady Alyth, Lady Portsmouth, and Mistress Gwynn, all mistresses of the King, would share the home with their offspring.

~//~

Pink cheeked and full glow of health, Darlene quested up the path to the Royal Nursery, requesting to be taken to Lady Aylth. She was none too sure if Cat would be in, but knowing her companion was a devoted mother, had her think that chances were high that she was not too far away from dear Nessie.

[Catriona MacGregor]

Darlene was correct in assuming Cat would be in her suite. The servant was quick to show Darlene up to the Scot's personal sitting room, where she would find her friend embroidering with black thread on something red. Looking up as Darlene was announced, Cat quickly stowed the item in a bag next to her chair.

"Well, this is a welcome surprise. Come in, come in. Some tea, please," she requested of the servant who stepped back to allow Darlene to enter. "To what do I owe the pleasure?," she asked as she crossed to Darlene and gave her the requisite air kisses to the cheek, before guiding her over to the chair Douglas had held Nessia in a few nights previous.

[Darlene Hamilton]

Darlene moved quickly through the Nursery, she might have been running the gauntlet! It was quite possible that the King was visiting this one or that one (for all that she knew) and if there was anyone in England that she avoided, it was that man. Especially after what Louis had told her at the Restoration ball.

Sweeping into Cat's room, Darlene released a breath of relief and moved to embrace Cat before fairly collapsing upon her divan. In private like this, there was scant need to uphold the formalities, in fact, Cat might have thought formalities to have been some sort of insult! "Thank heavens you are here!" Darlene declared, as she caught her breath, "Oh Darling, why dont you come stay at the Castle instead. Look, it's been days already, and this is fairly the first time I'm managed to see you properly." she was still a little strung out after her dash, and needed a moment to let her energies settle. Taking a slower breath, she released it carefully... willing her agitation to evaporate.

"I, ah, have an idea to do a very scientific survey. Although mostly, I thought to ask you for advice." she admitted, "Oh, but first. How are you doing?"

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat grabbed up a fan that had been sitting by her chair and began to fan Darlene as her friend collapsed. One brow rose, but she waited before speaking. "There are still too many memories within the castle," she said, though she would likely be fine moving back into the regular rooms. This worked for her, though. Having plenty of space and the ability to spend more time with her daughter, this was what she needed.

Tea arrived quickly and the Scot poured them both a cup, handing Darlene's hers first. "Now, what scientific survey are you taking?"

[Darlene Hamilton]

Darlene begun to giggle as Cat moved to fan her. "Darling!" she grinned, though in truth she was still a little breathless, "How I love you, now do stop that right this minute!" Cat could be so funny, it reminded her of when they had stayed in at Edinburgh, and Cat had ordered dinner. Her eyes danced with amusement, "You are such a prankster!"

"Oh I suppose you are right." she agreed grudgingly, it would have been nice to have had Cat closer. Sobering she paused to think, then asked, "This is where you were married?" Adam and Cat's marriage had happened too quickly for most, including Darlene, to be able to attend. She'd never paused to think about that before, since at the time, she and Cat had been ... not quite friends. "I am sorry Cat, I suppose it's horrible of me to want to ask for marriage advice from you. It's jsut that, you and Adam, were so happy. I'd like to have what you had... Thomas, oh, dont get me wrong, I love him for all his properness, but sometimes I just wish he'd tell me what is in his mind. It's hard to try and guess."

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat put the fan down, out of sight, as she took her seat, giving Darlene a wink. "I don't know what you mean, Darlene. I am the least funny person I know." It was a lie, of course, but when compared to the tricks her husband would get up to, she rather paled in comparison.

Pouring the tea and making it just as Darlene liked (several weeks together traveling teach you many things about your companion, including preferred tea drinking), she was glad to see her friend take a drink, which gave her a moment to get ready. She had found that Darlene had a way of advancing on a touchy subject so that Cat wouldn't get upset. "Yes, we were married here, with just the bishop and the King in attendance. It was his Christmas gift to us," she said, wincing slightly.

She waved off her friend's concern and focused on Darlene's needs. "I suppose the situations are similar. Though, I was in a relationship with the King before marrying Adam, but I continued it during my marriage," she said, then shrugged. "But it would be difficult to find two more different men than Adam and Thomas. Of course, they're the same where it really matters. They're both men."

[Darlene Hamilton]

Darlene continued to grin as Cat proclaimed herself to have no humour, she knew it was not true. There were different types of humour, that was all, and Cats was often hidden - in fact she was a little similar to Thomas in that way.

Taking a sip of the hot tea, she was impressed with it's flavour. "Is this another of your special blends?" she asked, having been treated to a number of different ones during the recess. Though the topic at hand was actually marriage, and she nodded quietly as Cat told her about the wedding for the first time. "Neither of our weddings were, conventional." she gave a sigh, "Do you sometimes wish it had been differently?"

Cat's explanation had raised more questions to Darlene's mind than answers, and she found herself compelled to then ask, "Did the King know you loved Adam... or had he just thought you might make a good match?" She understood that a woman could love more than one man, although life was that much more confusing if one did.

"Hmm... I dont know that Thomas and Adam are that different really. My Thomas loves to adventure, to find a cause and quest tirelessly towards it. Your Adam, he was an adventurer too. In ways, court does not, did not, particularly suit either... I sense that Thomas is a little lost at the moment. He has alluded to me that he has some sort of cause he wishes to pursue, but I think that it is more within his mind than tangible. Was not Adam similar, more prepared to rage literal fights than those of academic and words..."

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat gave a smile at Darlene's notice that this was a new blend. "Indeed. A mix of black tea, a hint of chamomile and a small bit of dried orange zest. What do you think?," she inquired. She rather liked the hint of citrus, herself.

With a chuckle and a shrug, she said, "It is not like either of us is conventional. Why should we have conventional weddings?" That's likely why they got along as well as they did. Darlene's ruminations on Thomas and Adam had her nodding. "They married us, so they must have a taste for adventure. I think Thomas' tastes run a bit more on the, ahem, legal side than my Adam's," she added with a twinkle in her eyes. There were times she spoke of Adam in present tense, forgetting that he was no longer with the living. Something inside simply refused to completely let go. "He was definitely a very physical person as well. If he could use physical force, he would, or if stealth was required, he'd sneak his way through the problem. Do you have any idea what it might be that Thomas is questing for?"

[Darlene Hamilton]

"Ah, the camomile, I thought there was something comfortingly familiar of it. My mother always sipped camomile tea before bed..." she smiled, "It's lovely, why, my favourite yet."

It was her turn to chuckle as Cat deduced the adventurous daring of both men due to the very fact that they had dared to marry unconventional women. Tipping her head then a fresh question grew, "Legal? So, Adam was... a vigilante?" Darlene had not really known Adam that well, to know details to his antics.

She gave a sigh then, "I wish Thomas was more physical."

"No, he's not said any details. I can guess that it must be something to do with Jamaica, or perhaps the troubles in the colonies. Or perhaps, something to do with Governor Morgan." she bit her lip upon that last thought, now there was a topic that she could understand that he might not want to talk about. Her mind whirred. Yes, in fact, it was very likely the answer. "Oh Cat, you are such a help!" she suddenly expressed, "Thomas must want to become the next Governor of Jamaica!"

[Catriona MacGregor]

"Good," Cat said, "I'll have a bag made up for you to take back to your rooms. Perhaps I shall call it the 'Darlene Darjeeling'," she teased, then a considering look crossed her face. Yes, that could work nicely. She'd have to jot that down later.

Glancing away as she realized she had given a bit away about Adam that he likely wouldn't want made public, she took a moment before returning her gaze. "Let's just say that Adam lived by his own set of laws for a bit," she finally said. Then, Darlene's next comment caused the brow to rise. "More physical? Are you speaking of in the bedroom?" Now they were getting somewhere.

The realization that her friend came to seemed a wee bit far-fetched for Cat, but then her friend had a much more vivid imagination than she did and could see different motives for people than might be on the surface. "Governor of Jamaica? I suppose if a pirate could be it, why couldn't a loyal, law-abiding lord? I don't think such a job change could happen just in the short time we're here for the wedding, though perhaps a few words in the right ears..." Now Cat tapped her finger against her lip, contemplating who would be the right ears.

[Darlene Hamilton]

Plain by her expression, Darlene did like the idea of having a tea named after her. "Oh, you are so lovely!" she gushed, "I shall surly have to name something after you too. But what?" blinking she realised her own endeavours were not so easy to name after people. But that was not to say they could not. "Perhaps I shall call a fair 'The Catriona Carnival, or some such." She'd not yet begun to plan her events for next spring, but now it seemed a carnival would be amongst them. She needed to talk to Thomas about allowing her a budget.

Darlene had some understanding of bending rules, why, even "Thomas spoke to me once about moral quandaries such as that, when something bad ought be done for good reasons. No doubt Adam also faced such a thing...." a pause, and then she asked, "Did Adam tell you specifics? Was he not concerned that you might involve yourself in it too?" She had always figured that Thomas didn't tell her things so that she could not, and thus remain safe. But perhaps he was overcautious, she'd like to hear proof that telling wife's about adventure would not bring them any harm. No doubt she'd hold up Catriona and Adam as evidence when she was brave enough to raise the topic again.

With a slightly embarrassed smile she nodded. "Yes, in the bedroom." she lowered her eyes and gave a sigh, "Oh how I would like his embrace... but it is not the 'done' thing, in my condition." She had considered trying to have an abortion even, though the stage of her pregnancy would make it unlikly that she would survive. "I only hope that when labour comes, it goes smoothly, and then, once again, we might be free to..." she halted herself, and gave a shrug. There were times that she feared she might not survive the birth, thus never know such intimacy with Thomas again. Heaven was supposed to be nice, but she never heard of Angels having relations...

Far fetched? Perhaps. But Darlene was always one to snatch at ideas when she had them, and this one seemed quite logical to her hopeful mind. "Hmm... who would the 'right ears' be?" she wondered, realising with a none so pleased feeling that it might be the King himself. Rats. Now that made it all a lot harder.

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat waved away the idea. "I need nothing named after me," she said. "Indeed, many might be a bit afraid to attend a Catriona Carnival," she teased with a wink. "They might think it a quite wicked event or some sort of fundraising things. Hmm, that does remind me that I need to see how the farm is running..." Her eyes went distant for a moment before she returned to the present problem.

She didn't want to lie to her friend, but she couldn't reveal the whole truth. "There are many things I'm certain Adam didn't reveal to me in order to protect me from possible backlash," she said, knowing of at least one night when he came home smelling of smoke...the same time London burned. "It is in men's natures to try and protect women. They see us as softer and weaker and in many cases, most women are," she said. Of course, she never considered herself weak or soft. "It is a sign of deep caring," she added.

When Darlene revealed that she wasn't having relations because of her condition, Cat stared at her as if she had lost her mind for a moment. "What utter hogwash," she uttered with a shake of her head. "If your midwife has not told you not to have relations, then you're perfectly fine until you reach your months closest to confinement!" She paused, tilting her head as a wicked smile graced her lips. "I think you'd best seduce your husband, my dear."

When asked who would be best, Cat did deliver the news her friend didn't want to hear. "The very best would be the King, of course, though perhaps York might also be an option. Or someone very well connected politically who might be able to influence the King in such a decision. A Privy Council member, at the very least."

[Darlene Hamilton]

Or perhaps there would not be a Carinval. Thomas might have been quite anxious if he had been listening in on their conversation at that moment, the Oakham purse was only so big. "Oh, but are you sure, there could be hay cart rides, and miniature ponies, and an apple dip." Darlene pressed, "Why, perhaps it might warm hearts afterwards every time they hear your name?" Yes, Catriona did have a daredevil reputation, but that hardly meant there were not many other facets to this complex women. Darlene for instance, knew her to have a most entertaining sense of humour.

"Oh. So... you must run the estate now? I'd not thought of that... is it an awful duty, or do you find it interesting?" she quizzed.

She nodded as Cat explained men's protective instinct. She did know deep down, that it was her husbands care that would keep her blinded. And yet, she still craved to know the depths of her husbands schemes. "I am not weak." she claimed, although sometimes she felt very much so.

Here she blinked with Cat's revelation. "Really?" she bit her lip, "But I thought, and Thomas surely thinks... oh but Cat! How can I convince him!" Her cheeks flushed, "but perhaps tonight, he has suggested we visit the top of the tower for a walk after the ball. Perhaps that shall be my opportunity to show him I am not near weak as he fears."

"Or Lord Mountjoy?" Darlene asked hopefully. Although her relationship with Blount was a rather, curious one, he had been quite helpful at times. "Or Heather is ah, York's, close associate these days, perhaps she can put in a word for Thomas? Or... well, I suppose I could try to talk to the King." she gave a limp smile, "But what if he wants something in return?"

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat chuckled and shook her head. "You have enough on your plate right now to think about than a Catriona Carnival," she said with a smile. "Though, perhaps later," she added, not wanting Darlene to think she was against a carnival. At the inquiry about the farm, one brow rose in confusion before clearing. "Adam never felt he needed to step in regarding any of my transactions, happy to simply sign what he had to and allow me my freedom. So I've been in charge all along, though while I was in confinement, I had to turn over more of the day to day running to the manager, a former soldier who I hired from the hospital. It is a challenge, but I like challenges. They help keep me from dark thought," she said.

"And I never said you were weak, nor would I ever. Darlene, I've seen how strong you are," she said as she reached out and grasped her friend's hand, giving it a squeeze. "Men, on the other hand, only see the sweet, caring, little thing that you are and want to protect you," she teased slightly with the little comment.

With a wry lift of her brow, Cat looked at Darlene as she asked how to seduce her husband, then chuckled at the revelation of a late night rendezvous between the pair. "Sounds like the perfect opportunity. I suggest a low neckline and 'forgetting' a cloak. That way he has to wrap his arms around you to keep you warm. After that..." Her words trailed off as a wicked smile curled her lips before she laughed. "Then he'll be eating from your palm."

She tapped her lips with her finger as considered the options put before her. "Indeed, Mountjoy might be a good suggestion, but I would wager you'd need more than just his voice. Heather's working on York could be either good or bad, depending on how their relationship is at the moment. The King definitely would want something. Since you're already pregnant, I think you'd be safe from his more carnal demands," she offered, unaware that Darlene might have already been targeted. "I wonder if he might do it since you're Nessie's godmother and thus would have a roll in his daughter's life. Hmm..." Her eyes narrowed as she considered it for a moment before adding, "Did I tell you I asked Mountjoy to be her godfather?"

[Darlene Hamilton]

"Ah yes, yes you are right." She eased back into her chair, Cat was insightful. Darlene didn't need further stresses at the moment... after the baby was born then perhaps she'd be ready to plan further activities, but for now her focus was shifted. Tending to her own household.

Interestingly she learnt that Cat had managed the estate for some time now, Adam having been more of a figurehead rather than the brains behind it. "From the hospital, oh, Chelsea, of course." she knew Cat had been the prime force behind the build, and so it made complete sense that she took charity upon one of the disabled soldiers, to come manage the day to day affairs of her estate. "That is very good of you to employ a man who gave so much already for England." she mused.

Darlene herself had never done much in the way of charity work, her focus having always been elsewhere.

With a chuckle she smiled, "Is that how others see me? Why, it's always a surprise to hear such things..." she dropped her voice to add, "I worry that people think I am bossy. I sort of am, but I do try to hide it." she gave a wink.

Drawing a deep breath, she loosed a sigh of content imaginings of seducing Thomas. "Oh I hope..." she then gave a little shrug, "though he has never been one to give in very easily. I suppose, we shall see."

On the important topic of Thomas's ambition, she nodded sagely to Cat's advice. Yet continued talk of the King chilled her feet. "Do you think it for the best? If he does become Governor, or even Assistant Governor, then he would need to return to Jamaica for an extended period. I... He, seems to like England, I think." she bit her lip.

Upon Cat's mention of Nessie her expression softened, "And how is your little button... are you due to see her soon, I should so like to kiss her again. Her skin... and that scent." Darlene had discovered herself to love the smell of baby, and especially loved kissing her forehead. "Do you think we could visit her?" she asked in a hopeful tone.

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat had been in charge of an estate, one way or another, since a young age. Her mother's illness had kept her from her wifely duties and as the oldest girl, it had fallen to Cat to take care of things. Her first husband hadn't cared about his estate, just the money from it that he could spend lavishly. It would feel odd for her not to be in charge and managing things. Adam had always felt that her money was her own and that she was smart enough to see to it. If she needed his signature on something, he had signed away, trusting her judgement. She doubted she'd ever find another man so trusting, so she added that to the reasons why she would not remarry again. Besides, Adam was out there, the small voice in the back of her mind continued to insist.

"Indeed. It seemed wrong that someone who gave so much to keep us safe should have to be made to feel that he wasn't a man any more just because he lost a leg. Its not as if he lost his mind," she said, staunchly in favor of soldiers' rights. Besides, her brother had been a soldier before becoming a Life Guard and she had other friends who also had fought, like Nigel. She doubted either one would feel right being pitied. Either one would likely punch whoever tried to pity them right in the face. The thought caused a small smile to flit over her lips.

Cat threw back her head and laughed as Darlene stated her worry. "Bossy? Darling, compared to me, you'd be a push-over!" She continued to giggle as she shook her head. "No, not bossy. Certain, that's what you are." One brow raised as Darlene wondered if she could seduce her husband. "Oh, I have no doubt that you will be able to make him crack. Besides the fact that you're beautiful, you're also his wife. He crossed an ocean for you," she reminded her.

A frown creased Cat's brow and lips as she was reminded of what would happen if Thomas did achieve the Governorship. "Hmm, I didn't think of that. You'd have to go there as well. Perhaps we might see if we can find something here in England that suits his ambition." She most certainly did not like the idea of having Darlene move away. She was one of the few female friends she had.

The wish to see Nessie brought a brilliant smile to her face. "Of course we can see her. She's likely just finished her bath," she figured, glancing at the mantle clock. "Come, I know she'd be delighted to see her godmama." Rising, she waited for Darlene to join her before opening the door to the hallway and ascending the stairs.

Opening the door to the nursery that was for Nessie's use over Cat's chambers, she found the nursemaid playing with the baby, making the baby giggle. "You can take a break," she told the maid, who curtsied after handing the baby over to Cat. Fresh from her bath, her auburn curls damp and her skin smelling of baby and a hint of lavender, Cat offered the linen wrapped bundle to Darlene.

[Darlene Hamilton]

"I have heard some men do loose their minds after battle, though still physically able." Darlene murmured on the topic of soldiers disability. "What happens of those men? " she wondered out aloud, "Does Chelsea care for them, or are they sent to Bedlam? Poor fellows..."

"He crossed an ocean for me." she sighed, it was a beautiful thought that Cat suggested. Quietly she squeezed her friends hand, hoping it was true, hoping that Thomas might actually have no political reason for returning at all. Perhaps he'd cited politics as a manly excuse, but all the while he only really wanted to find what they had lost again.

"That is an excellent idea." she swiftly agreed, "Cat, you are truly the very best friend. What sort of office might suit Thomas? He's inclined towards the military, I dont imagine held like anything that kept him stuck doing paperwork day in and out." she looked to Cat.

Pleasure lit her face as Cat agreed it was good timing to see Nessia. Arm in arm the ladies moved with light and bright voices, intent upon soon seeing the object of love, the darling little baby girl. "How long until she shall be talking, or crawling?" Darlene didn't know a great deal on such thing, but was eager, very eager to watch the infants progress through each of the stages.

Adopting a formal pose for the sake of the staff, she peered towards the infant with that compulsion that exists to have eyes meet. Yet as soon as the nanny was gone any formality slipped away, "Nessie nessie nessie," she cooed as she took the little bundle into her arms, moving a finger to tuck down a fold of fabric that had shifted. "Do you remember me darling?..." she kissed the baby's forehead, then lifted glowing eyes to Cat, "Oh Cat, she is even more beautiful than when I saw her last."

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat's brows pulled together at Darlene's questions. "Do you know, I don't know. I shall have to ask. It would be terrible if they were forced into Bedlam," she said, frowning. Yes, that was definitely something she would have to look in to.

Contemplating the idea as to what sort of office Thomas should hold, the Scot shook her head. "I have no idea. I'd have to know the man better and know what sort of offices are open. Perhaps I should find the second out first. Something that wouldn't be too time consuming, as I have no doubt you will find a way to keep him busy," she added with a wink.

As they made their way upstairs, Cat smiled, her expression soft as it always was when speaking of her daughter. "Oh, a few more months before she says anything or begins to crawl. Right now she's working on holding her head up by herself. Of course, knowing that it should take a few more months doesn't stop me from trying," she said as they entered the room.

Nessie looked up at Darlene and gave her a drool-filled grin. Smelling of fresh baby, she cooed in delight as she reached up for the pretty lady's curls, her chubby little fingers opening and closing in her task. "Aye. I have no doubt she will be a beauty when she grows up. She'll likely give me grey hairs before I'm out of my twenties," she admitted, her eyes glowing with love. "She does have a new trick. If you lay her on her stomach, she rolls to her back. She always seems startled by it, but giggles afterwards."

[Darlene Hamilton]

Darlene nodded as Cat said she'd look into that affliction, confidant that she would do just what she said, and ensure that those ex-service men were beng looked after. She Knew Catriona to be a very effective woman on such matters.

Giggling as Cat teased of seductions, "We shall ned to keep in practise..." Darlene nodded. It was a very pleasant thought to imagine waylaying Thomas in the bedroom. "Perhaps something to do with law enforcement...he does believe strongly in justice." she blinked as an idea came to her, "Oh, Charles, I mean Lord Langdon is doing something with a city guard. Perhaps a position in it's administration?"

Upstairs now, Darlene leant in to kiss Nessie's forehead again. The baby scent was something straight from heaven. "Pretty baby..." she whispered, grinning as the little girls hand clamped onto a stray clump of curls. The baby's yank caused a peep from the grown woman's lips, "She's stronger than she looks," Darlene whispered trying to untangle Nessie's hand.

Babies grew up slower than she'd imagined, it being still months away until she'd be crawling or talking. One needed to be very patient to be a mother. "Shall you have her taught math and science?" Darlene asked Cat, having recently spoken with Karoline about the education of women, "Nessie might become a lady philosopher one day, or... or some other great thing. She might become a role model for ladies of her generation..." and then with a smile, Darlene passed her back to Cat, "Though for now, lets see her newest trick then? Rolling over." she grinned.

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat nodded as Darlene mentioned they needed to keep up on their seduction practice. She had been a bit slacking lately. A sigh slipped past her lips. "I'm afraid my seduction skills haven't been put to the test in a while. Maybe I'll be naughty tonight. I thought about seducing Charles, I mean Lord Langdon, but that would be like sleeping with my brother. Not a pleasant thought," she said with a shake of her head.

The thought of Thomas and Charles W. working together seemed a rather ingenious plan. "Hmm, that's true. He is all about truth and justice and the British way. There must be some sort of role. Does he like investigating things?," she asked. Someone had to find the answer to the crimes that the Life Guards didn't always have the time for.

As Nessie played with her godmother's hair, Cat laughed. "Oh, indeed. The other night I was surprised she didn't pull off one of Douglas' buttons. I must admit, I'm glad there will be a somewhat steady male influence in her life," she said as she took the baby and laid her down on her belly on the floor. Then, she settled on one of the multitude of pillows she had laying about and gestured for Darlene to join her. Then, she picked up a rattle that Nessie liked to shake and make noise with. "Okay, my little monster, show Auntie Darlene your new trick. Come get your rattle."

Nessia pushed up on her elbows, her legs still stretched out behind her and shifted back and forth, back and forth, before pushing one arm up, tilting her over on to her back. She was still a bit of difference in space from her mother, so she flung her arm back and forth until momentum rolled her over again on to her belly. Cat gave a cheer and clapped handing the baby the rattle. "Isn't she the smartest baby?"

[Darlene Hamilton]

It was surprising to hear that her libertine friend had recently forgone seduction. "But I thought... in Edinburgh... when you went to see the King..." she'd imagined Cat had had a 'reunion' with the monarch. A grin came as she considered Whitehurst to be like a brother, thus off putting. "Charles, I mean Lord Langdon, isn't like any of my brothers." she murmured, "he'd rather naughtier than he'd have any of us think. He's often talked to me of his troubles with all manner of mistresses, he laments that they want to marry him, but secretly, I think he quite likes that. Silly boy, I don't think he knows what he actually wants." and then she sighed, "but then, do any of us?"

"Yes, he loves investigating." the more she thought upon it, the more that working with Charles seemed the perfect solution for Thomas. "I shall talk to Charles of it, perhaps he can request Thomas' assistance himself. I try not to be seen meddling." she added the latter in a quiet voice.

Cat's mention of Douglas as Nessie's hand was untangled, brought Darlene to a sigh. "I was surprised when I saw him at the wake, did you see Heathers expression? It was like the sun had arisen." with a sigh she spoke, "I think they actually love each other, although Heather is the last person to ever admit it." Meeting her friends eyes she then asked, "Do you know, if his feelings towards her are true? I fear he'll break her heart again." Darlene had been there, that night when Heather had wept uncontrollable tears, and did not want to see her cousin experience that again.

Hush fell as Cat prepared Nessie for her 'trick'. With warm smile and quiet wonder on her face, Darlene watched, and came to clap her delight as she rolled not once but twice. "Was that a first?!" she expressed excitedly, thinking she'd witnessed a landmark!

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat shook her head. "No, Edinburgh was mostly to introduce His Majesty to Nessie and..." Her voice trailed off for a moment before adding, "Adam." That's really all she wanted to say on that matter. The ice was still in her heart, but she was trying to act normal. She had allowed herself too much time for self-pity. As Darlene tripped one more time over Charles, Cat laughed. "There are too many Charles' in our lives. I think it might be best if we just used Langdon for that particular Charles. And I'm quite aware that he is a naughty young man." She snickered as she remembered his expression when he caught an eyeful of her breasts. "And no, he doesn't know what he wants but if he keeps up his wicked ways, he'll get more than he bargained for." Another laugh slipped out. "And know I shall enjoy watching it."

With a shrug, she replied, "You're not meddling. You're attempting to better your husband's life." Of course, that's how Cat saw her meddling too. "If he gets upset by it, tell him I instigated it. I refuse to let you go back to the West Indies. I need you too badly." There, everyone knew she was a consummate meddler of the highest degree.

A sigh followed Darlene's observation of Douglas and Heather. "Aye, there is something between them. Douglas was very insistent that our 'feud' end because he cared about us both. But, they're both stubborn people who are very set in their ways and likely view that there can be nothing permanent between them. He's bastard born and she's...well, she's Heather. If two people deserved each other, its them." Another sigh. "I am being good and not meddling there. The relationship I have now with my brother is very fragile." Oh, they had fought terribly as children and into adulthood. It was only since his return to England that they had found some sort of footing.

Cat's face was so full of love as she watched her daughter show just how smart she was. Looking up, she laughed and shook her head, but did admit, "That's the fastest she has done two in a row. I keep waiting for that little rocking she does to turn into a crawl. Any day now, I know it." Nessie, meanwhile, was smacking herself in the face with the rattle and attempting to grab it with her feet as well. Baby words gurgled from her as drool ran down her chin. Her brown eyes were slightly crossed as she tried to focus them both on the rattle. Auburn curls fuzzed around her head. "Abababa," she muttered as she finally got the rattle to her mouth.

[Darlene Hamilton]

"More than he bargained for?" Darlene was always tempted to meddle into Charles Whitehursts affairs, her eyes sparkled as she saw a similar meddlesome light in Cat's. "Did you have something in mind?" plainly she was keen to help. If there was anyone in England she liked to tease and toy with, it was Charles. He was just ripe for it!

And so with a nod it was agreed, Thomas was one cause of the ladies. If men knew how ladies talked about them when in private, they would be banned from gathering for certain. Perhaps that as the reason why so many husbands kept their wives confined to the country?

Hearing Cat's perspective upon Heather and Douglas, was enlightening. "You are being very mature." Darlene commented, she for one did not understand what had come between Heather and Cat. "It was nice to see Heather at Adams wake too. Perhaps the past is in the past now." she gave Cat's hand a squeeze. While not understanding either, why Cat and Doug's relationship was fragile, she coudl nod. "Brothers can be difficult." she tried not to think about her own family too much, "I dont think they ever realise how much they actually mean to us. It's easier to be apart, than to be too close, and get hurt."

Grins and giggles came from Darlene's lips as she watched Nessie. "It's much better than having a kitten." she said softly, watching the little play thing. "Would you like to come to Oakham after the court season Cat, I don't think I can bear to be parted from Nessie for too long. Oh, and I'd like your company too of course!" she laughed, but of course Cat already knew that.

[Catriona MacGregor]

Cat shook her head, but there was mischief in her blue eyes. "Nothing concrete, but I think we can come up with something. Langdon needs to have his routine shaken a bit, don't you think? Someone who protests so much again love and marriage surely is protesting too much," she said as a half smile tilted a corner of her mouth. Yes, meddling was what Cat did best and none of her friends were safe from it.

The fact that women liked to discuss how to manipulate their men was one of the reasons Cat had for opening her tea shop. Such a location would be a hotbed for gossip and a person could affect plenty of change when forewarned with information. Oh yes, it was not just a whim on her part. God love a gossip.

When Darlene called her mature, the Scot shrugged. "I suppose. I grew up very early. Besides, fighting with someone requires quite a bit of energy and I have better ways of expending it. Between motherhood and becoming a businesswoman and attempting to figure out how to get back to current mistress status, fighting with someone my brother cares about and is related to a dear friend doesn't fit into my schedule." Squeezing her friend's hand back, she nodded. "Brothers are very difficult and Douglas and I have to move past plenty of obstacles built up during our childhood. But I'm glad he's in our lives." She gave Nessie's tummy a tickle when the baby rolled on to her back again, feet kicking in the air.

Not one to swaddle her child tightly, fat baby legs pumped through the air before one foot was captured by a pudgy hand and pulled towards her face. Cat laughed as her daughter was compared to a kitten. "I suppose it is a fitting description, having been birthed by a Cat. Are you my little kitten?," she asked her daughter as she leaned down and blew a raspberry on the baby's cheek, causing the baby to giggle wildly. Ah, what a sound. Darlene's offer was met with a laugh and a nod. "I get to tag along with Nessia? How kind an invitation," she teased. "I think we'd enjoy that, though it would have to be after I made a quick trip up to Scotland to check on the girls."

[Darlene Hamilton]

"That is exactly what I have thought." Darlene agreed. Yet, how might they call Charles bluff? "We need to set him up with someone he cant refuse, only then will he be sensible about it, and finally say yes to marriage." That was her hunch.

Darlene listened as Cat explained the endeavours before her, certainly sobering if not maturing. She could not help but wonder if it was all for the best. "But aren't you quite comfortable now? Surely Adam has not left you without means?" she asked, as a number of Cat's ventures seemed financially based. Darlene didn't think anyone would want to be mistress to the king unless they were in a pickle that required great sacrifice. Yet she gave in to laughter as Cat spoke pragmatically of Doug, "You are both as stubborn as each other, I'd not want to be in the same town let alone house if you two were rowing!" Beneath it all she read the affection in Cats tone for him.

With a grin she laughed as Cat called Nessie her kitten, it seemed quite logical in fact, female logic that was. "Why certainly..." she smiled at Cat explained she'd need to go to Scotland before visiting, and she too stopped to pause to think of the practicalities. "I am not yet sure of what Thomas intends to do with me when my 'time' nears." her hand moved instinctively to her belly, eyes growing pensive. "Oh Cat, I've not told you what he said, it's perfectly reasonable really, and I'd rather go along with it than make him angry at me, again."

"He said when the times comes, oh but this is a secret of course, that when the time comes I shall be sent away somewhere to have the baby. And, if it is a boy, we shall say it has died, but if it is a girl, then I can keep her. He said he would not allow the Oakham title to go to another man's son." her voice dropped as she spoke, with the quiet of resign.