Clearing hunt

[Fluff]

"I shall be glad to join in," Maxwell laughed, but then heard Eadgar beg off "Oh, very well. Neuville, pay up." He prodded his friend, who with some chagerine tossed Louis and Parker a small pouch.

"It is time we take our leave, milords," he tipped his head. Steering a grumbling Frenchman away, they went to inspect the catches so far, discussing amongst themselves.

[Darlene Hamilton]

The best laid plans of Mice and Men...

Right before their eyes the completion between the men dissolved. "Oh what bad luck." Darlene lamented quietly to her friends with a sigh.

"It looks as though it's time to go home?" gazing about she noticed that the clearing had indeed grown very quiet.


OOC: looks like it's time to wrap up the thread, thankyou for your company ladies

[Louis Killington]

Louis caught the flung pouch in a lazy fashion, as if used to winning wagers regularly. "Good day gentlemen." The hunt was mostly forgotten as things seemed quiet in the forest as he bid farewell to the two men.

Eadger shied away from the wager. Rather than chide the man, he assumed him, instead, to be no fool and unlikely to part with his money frivolously. "Go ahead and practice then," he urged as he looked towards the coach with the ladies. He began reloading his pistol before replacing it in his belt. "I shall go and seek refreshment."

[Joanna Craven]

"I shall speak with Lady Atherstone," Joanna murmured, nodding. "Thank you for suggesting the possibility. I am certain that something will work out!"

Joanna was quite unaware of what was going on with the bet and the hunt in general, not being able to see what was happening. She fidgeted a little, feeling slightly frustrated by her lack of ability, but she kept her lips pressed together. The last thing she wanted to do was whine and complain and demand to know what was happening around them. It would only bore the ladies to have to explain things, so she would just let the subject pass.

"Oh, how unfortunate!" the blonde girl lamented quietly. She didn't mean to pout; her lips formed that expression all on their own. She had dearly wanted to meet a few others and felt quite cheated by the lack of new names and voices to store away in her memory. How was it that she had only made two new acquaintances—if the quiet Don Peter even counted? Bother indeed! Still, she had thoroughly enjoyed herself and had no reason to complain.

"Well, it has been a lovely time nonetheless!" Joanna said, putting as much feeling as she could into those words. "I have certainly enjoyed our conversation and I thank you both for your excellent company. It was such a pleasure and honour to meet you, Lady Oakham," she added warmly. "I thank you for being patient with me while we were in the carriage; your descriptions were invaluable!"

[Eadgar Setch]

Not realising that he had ruined the ladies' bet with his refusal to join the gentlemen in their competition (besides, a kiss from lady Oakham may not have gone down well), Eadgar bade Lord Basildon farewell and began to practice his shooting. The others may have been ready to leave, but he was not. If they left, he would not mind, though. He would simply walk back to the castle alone, or perhaps find out where Don Peter had got to.

[Alexandra Neuville]

Alexandra's gaze followed her husband's and his friend. It seemed that there would not be another shot for the ladies to get an opportunity to gamble on the winner. "It seems that way." She replied at Darlene's question.

Before she was packed away in her open carriage, she had taken the opportunity to pull Joanna aside and to inform her that she was appointed by Prince Rupert to be help with her correspondance. Once a date and time was met, she kissed the lovely girl on the cheek and made to catch up with her husband and Parker.

All in all even if she was not a part of the forest hunt, it was pleasant enough with the ladies present to catch up on current affairs. If opportunity permitted it, she would check to see how her husband's ego was faring with the losses before having him escort her to an open carriage. Alexandra was a very busy lady despite her condition and always made an attempt to keep each and every one of her appointments. Punctuality and reliability were traits she liked to nurture.

[Fluff]

And thus, amidst gunpowder and excitement did it end. The gentlemen kept practising, until a signal was given and they were withdrawn, knowing an after party would await them. So with good cheer they went.

OOC: Please continue to the after party.

[Joanna Craven]

Joanna was ecstatic to hear that Alexandra was to be her helper, though when the redhead left the blonde found herself feeling quite sad and abandoned. Her only hope was Lady Oakham, it seemed. She felt truly awful asking the woman for yet another favour, but without aid she would be forced to sit on the lawn indefinitely!

"I am so terribly sorry to impose, Lady Oakham, but would you be so kind as to drop me off at a carriage as you go on your way?" she requested. "I do apologise for the inconvenience."

She would not ask anything more than to be sent back to the castle. As lovely as the after party would be, she had not brought Deedee and did not feel it was right to hang on someone else's arm like a parasite.

OOC: Joanna will not attend the after party unless someone offers to escort her. Not asking you to do so! I'm fine with ending here! Thanks for the lovely thread, ladies!

[Darlene Hamilton]

Darlene was content to walk with the pair to the carriages, diligently attending her avowed role of looking after the blind woman, she waited while Alexandra had a quiet talk with Joanna before returning together to their shared carriage.

It was about this time she learnt that there was to be an after party, no doubt her husband would be in attendance - but alas she'd already made other plans. So it was that she changed carriages, to enter one that was returning to Windsor.


OOC: Fin and thankyou