Forums » General Roleplay » Across a Crowded Room [Victorian Era 1x1/Group RP]

"Where is your mother?"
"She went out with grandmamma. She didn't say where she was going or when she'd be back," Katherine responded to her father as she moved around the table on the terrace balcony, preparing tea for him. It was rare that he was home, so she cherished having him around.
"I haven't seen Mr Rutherford around. Everything okay?"
"We are...not as compatible as we thought," she said sadly, moving to sit down before she saw a carriage pulling up downstairs, her brow furrowing. She knew no one was expected at the house today, so she was a little concerned that maybe her father was being called away on business. But when she saw Emily get out, she excused herself from her father's company and hurried downstairs, opening the door and looking at the little girl.

"Emily. What are you doing here?" she asked quickly, going to the little girl and looking into the carriage. She had come alone? Something must have happened - "you shouldn't be here on your own."

“I came for tea” Emily said determinedly. Her courage came and went during the carriage ride, and again when it became clear that the driver expected pay when they reach their destination. She had to explain to him that her father will take care of when he’s back. The man did not seem pleased, which served as a reminder that she would not be getting away with this, even if by some miracle she came back to the hotel before her father did.

Now, seeing Lady Katherine, she managed to pull herself together and act as ladylike as she knew how to. She wanted to make the older woman proud of her. “It was so kind of you to invite us. I mean… it’s just me here since papa had business at the bank.” her courage faltered. “I hope it’s alright that I came…?” She searched Katherine’s face with begging eyes.

“Thomas. Pay the driver for me,” Katherine said to the butler as he came to the door, the woman sighing. So she’d come here without her father knowing? That did not bode well. Exhaling deeply, she smiled.

“Come inside. I’ll send Thomas to tell your father you’re here. So he doesn’t worry,” she explained as she led her inside - “what were you thinking heading out on your own? That’s not something you should have done.”

For one shocked moment Emily thought her adventure might scape her father’s knowledge. Then it turned out that while the coach driver was paid, Lady Katherine would be sending word to her father. When her teacher asked her what she was thinking, she meant to explain herself calmly, in a ladylike manner that would make her proud. To her shame though, she burst into tears and her words tumbled out, running over each other.

“He’s left me with Geneviève again. I don’t like her. She doesn’t teach me French and she doesn’t know much English and she never wants to do anything. He’s in a bad mood almost all the time again and I don’t understand why. I don’t know what to do. I never know what to do. It’ll be my fault he never marries again and he’ll be sad and mean forever”.

"Katherine. What's going on down there?" Katherine's father called from the balcony, leaning over and looking down at the both of them before he gave a slight smile, giving a small smile - "bring the little one in. She can have tea with us," she continued.
"Come on. We can sit with my father for a while," Katherine said to Emily, gently brushing her tears away with a handkerchief and offering a gently smile again - "nothing is your fault. And I'm not angry. And your father....I'll talk to him for you. Okay?" she reassured.

Leading the little girl upstairs, her father remained sat on his chair on the balcony, reading his book and smoking at his pipe. He gave the little girl a nod of the head as Katherine set her down into the chair, placing a small scone on her plate and cutting it in half, spreading it with jam and freshly whipped cream before pouring her a cup of tea.
"So, Miss Rutherford. What leads you to be running away from your governess. In France, no less?" Katherine's father asked kindly, not looking up from his book.
"Pappa. She didn't run away. I invited her for tea the other day. She's just decided to come alone," Katherine said quickly to her father.

Emily followed Katherine in. Her face was still slightly flushed from crying, but she felt much better. She curtsied politely at his lordship in his chair and looked around curiously. It was a lovely room, and while the décor was different it reminded her of Wytherine’s home in London.

“Thank you, Lady Katherine” she said. She meant both for the scone the answer she gave his lordship. Their eyes met briefly and she thought the other woman understood what’s on her heart.

***

“Lord Rutherford, if I may interrupt?” The timid clerck hovered on the doorstep of the manager’s office. It was not Edward he was nervous about, but Monsieur Badeaux who was notoriously bad tempered.

“You may not!” the manager barked. “Close the door”.

The clerk swallowed. “My deepest apologies,” he said. “But there’s a man here with a message for Lord Rutherford and he insists on delivering it”.

“I don’t care who…”

“It’s Lord Wytherine’s butler”

Edward jumped to his feet. It had to be Katherine. He had no business with the Wytherines other than his unfortunate and unrequited infatuation with their daughter. “I must see what this is about, Monsieur Badeaux”. He informed him. “Please excuse me”.

"How is your practice going without me?" Katherine asked Emily as she sipped at her own tea, watching her father as he puffed away on his pipe, leaving them to their conversation. he only stopped when he leaned forward to drink his tea.

Katherine set herself to enjoying a small piece of fruit cake. Her father did note that with the little girl around, she seemed more content and relaxed than she had been. His wife had been right. Their daughter's heart pinned for this little girl and for Edward Rutherford. Not that she had admitted it, but it was obvious.

--

"Forgive me sir. But Miss Wytherine sent me to inform you that your daughter is at our residence currently, having made her way unaccompanied for tea," he said to the man when he stepped out, nodding his head. He'd been in the family for years and he was trying to hold his tongue, but could not help himself.

"If I may, sir, might I recommend you reconsider your decision to avoid my mistress. She misses you," he said before bwoing at the waist and stepping aside to escort him to the Wytherine home.

To say Edward was shocked would have been an understatement. His dutiful daughter? Traversing a strange city on her own? How inconceivable.

And yet… he realized with a start this was exactly the sort of thing her mother would have done, and have, to the shock of others. She was the picture of decorum and grace almost always. But every now and then, a glimpse of rebellious core below. Hadn’t that been one of the things he loved most about Lenora?

The butler’s next words surprised him, but in quite a different way. Misses me? Surely, he’s wrong. But the man did not seem either frivolous or particularly presumptuous. For him to say what he did… he had to be certain. Edward followed him out, where a carriage waited for them. They settled in it as the nobleman tried working through the significance of what he had been told.

“You mean among her suitors, Lady Katherine spared me a thought?” he said when he finally managed to put his thoughts in order.

"The young lady of the house has entertained no one else willingly. Despite the Madam Wytherine's attempts. I would not presume to know her heart, but she cares deeply for you and for your daughter. Please be aware that if you hurt her, the master will ensure you'll never do business in high society again," he said simply. It was an open and honest threat. But is was clear this had come from a place of caring. Thomas had been serving the family almost all his life. He had watched Katherine grow. he had o children of his own, so he treated the Wytherine children as his own. He didn't want to see the last of the Wytherine daughter's heartbroken and alone.

As the carriage pulled up at the home, Thomas got out the open the door to Edward, looking up to the balcony where he could hear Katherine's voice mingled among Emily's - "this way Mr Rutherford," he commented, leading him upstairs to the balcony terrace, bowing his head before speaking - "Lord Wytherine. Miss Wytherine. Mr Rutherford is here," the man said before stepping aside.

Katherine stood slowly, curtsying a little before placing a hand on Emily's shoulder to reassure her that things were going to be okay. She knew Edward would probably be very mad with her, but still. She hoped he'd go easy on his daughter. It was her father who spoke first.
"I think some tea for Mr Rutherford is in order. Thank you Thomas. We're fine for now," he explained, shooing the butler gently. Thomas nodded and left with haste as Katherine sat slowly, pouring Edward a cup of tea and motioning to the seat beside Emily for him to take.

Edward remained quite for the rest of the drive, contemplating what he’s heard. Could it be? Dare I hope? He tried replaying that awful conversation in his head but found that he could not recall what was said enough to be sure one way or another.

That meant he had to take a risk. And Edward Rutherford hated taking risks. Especially with his heart.

They’ve reached the manor and the carriage pulled to a halt. Soon the door was opened before him, and Thomas began leading him. He heard sounds wafting in the air toward him, Katherine’s pleasant tone, then Emily’s higher one. Nothing prepared him for the sight though. Katherine with her hand on his daughter shoulder, reassuring, supporting. Hadn’t that been what he wanted for is daughter? Could what he sought for her and for himself be one and the same?

He sat dazed, thanking lord Wytherine and accepting the cup of tea. Emily perched next to his, anxious but vexingly unapologetic. He sipped carefully. Take a risk, he heard a voice. Do what I would, on those rare occasions. Just this once, Edward, take a risk.

He took a deep breath, snuck a sideways glance at his lordship on in the terrace. "Lady Katherine," he said, speaking slowly and hoping the right words would come as he did. "Thank you for taking Emily in and sending Thomas to inform me". He sipped again. "Would I be wrong in hoping our company isn't bothersome for you?"

Katherine blinked at his question, looking at her father and Emily quickly, hoping neither had overheard before she intently studied the contents of her teacup, mulling her words over before she smiled, clearing her throat slightly.
"I find your company to be most preferable, Mr Rutherford. Above all others," she commented to him softly, her voice clearly bashful as she spoke, daring her glance at him.

There it was. She saw the hesitation he had in his eyes. The same hesitation that reflected in her heart. They both felt it. It instantly made her relieved to know he was just as nervous around her as she was him.
"If we may be....frank with one another? My words a few weeks back.....they came from a place of frustration in myself. Not in you or Emily. I must apologise for them."

I find your company to be most preferable, Mr. Rutherford. Above all others.

Edward could feel his heart begin to beat faster. He went over her words again carefully in his head, to make sure he was not letting his eager heart misinterpret things. When she opened her mouth to speak he held his breath, praying it won't take away from the hope she has just given him.

Her words, when they came, did just the opposite.


A smile crept up on his face, its width he was only barely able to contain to an appropriate size. A rare sight indeed, it made him infinitely handsomer. . "And I for mine" he said with great sincerity. "I... I'm quick to close my heart to others. Especially when... when I've failed to notice just how dear to me they've become". He put his cup back in its delicate saucer and brushed his fingers to hers, "How very dear indeed".

It occurred to him then that he must do something else before he lost his courage, or before anything else got in his way. He got up abruptly, startling Emily who gave a little gasp. Then straightened his clothes and made his way to her father. "Lord Wytherine," he said, his voice seeking to be formal but too tainted with warmth and hope to really be that. "I ask your permission to formally begin courtship of your daughter, Katherine".

Katherine felt the touch and her heart leapt instantly: his hands were rougher than hers. The warmth of his fingertips comforted her without even needing to do too much. She seemed to melt a bit under his gaze a moment; like she belonged next to him. She had been aching to find words to apologise to him and the fact that he had felt the same made her feel both relieved and hopeful.

This feeling....she had never had it before. That feeling of being nervous and happy and frightened all at the same time. Katherine couldn't find the words for it. When he stood, Katherine was startled a little bit, because her mind had been elsewhere. She looked at Emily to reassure the child, settling herself down but then, Edward spoke. He wanted permission to court her.

Katherine looked to her father, who had stopped smoking on his pipe and had looked up from his book, closing it slowly. His eyes were closed slightly with thought before he looked Edward up and down. Then he looked to Katherine, the woman blushing under her father's knowing gaze.
"Katherine? Look at me please," he commented, making the young woman glance up slowly. Under her father's gaze, she always felt nervous, since he knew her far too well.
"Mr Rutherford," the man said, standing slowly and holding out his hand to him, "I trust you will treat her heart fairly."

"Not fairly, your lordship," Edward said, his voice stable though there was a little bit of tremble to his hand as he shook the other man's. "Reverently".

He turned to Katherine, eager to speak, to make plans, but the look on his daughter's face stopped him. She was distressed and he didn't understand why. "Emily..." he began, but was quickly interrupted.

"But... but... lady Katherine is mine..." she said, confused and unsure. "You love her cousin".

Edward frowned. He had no idea what she was talking about. "What cousin? Which cousin?"

"The pretty American. Isn't that why you came with me to my lessons, so you can see her? Isn't that why you came back from the ball so happy?"

Still standing, Edward looked between the two. He had no idea what Katherine thought of his odd exchange. "I came with you to the lessons so I could see Lady Katherine" he said gently. It didn't embarrass him to admit it now that he had been assured the feelings were requited. "And the ball, I spent every second of it with her. For the life of me I can't name a single other woman who was there that night. Not a single one".

He knelt in front of lady Katherine, keenly aware that her father was still in the room, ad took her hand in both of his. "It's been you since the first moment. The only one to reawake my heart from its deep winter slumber". He brought her hands to is lips for a kiss, chaste and sincere, he's been imagining for a long, long time.

"If you will excuse me then," Lord Wytherine said, standing and taking his tea with him, leaving them to their own devices. He had only needed to give permission. It was the easiest thing he had ever done, allowing Katherine to be happy.

Meanwhile, Katherine stayed sat in the chair, blushing furiously, her pale skin almost as red as her hair. She was overwhelmed a little bit, the rest of the world washing away a bit. Being this open, this emotionally vulnerable was hard enough. Knowing her feelings were reciprocated made her feel so overwhelmed she had no words. Where he kissed on her hand tingled as though electricity bubbled under her skin. She would stay loyal to this man as long as she knew he felt the way he did about her now.

She looked at Emily, knowing the little girl would be confused and she gently placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, stepping forward a little to be stood in front of the girl, crouching down as best as she could in her skirts, taking Emily's hands in hers.
"Would you mind if I was in your life and your father's? Because....both of you make me happier than I have ever known," she said to her with a warm smile, "I would not want to loose either of you from my life."

Emily looked at her teacher. She had felt fiercely possessive of their connection so far, but what was unfolding in front of her offered the possibility of so much more. Happiness for her father, and for her and for Katherine who had come to mean so much to the little girl. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and threw her arms around the woman’s neck.

Edward’s heart swelled with happiness. This was better than he could have hoped for. There was one more confession to make, though. “I should probably give this back then,” he said, taking the white ribbon from his breast pocket. “I’m sorry, Emily” he said to his surprised daughter. “I shouldn’t have taken it”.

Emily’s eyes were as big as saucers. “I looked everywhere for that!” she exclaimed, snatching the ribbon away. “I felt awful for losing it”. She looked at the ribbon, at her father’s face and at Kathrine’s and thought tat for the first time in her life she might have understood what ‘romantic’ meant. “I’ll forgive you if you don’t punish me for leaving Genevieve behind and taking a carriage here”

Edward laughed. “Though I appreciate the ingenuity in negotiation, Emily Rose Rutherford, I’m afraid these transgressions aren’t comparable” he said. “One was an impulsive act of affection, the other – of reckless disobedience. We will revisit the subject of your punishment at another time”. His eyes met Katherine’s “When I’m not quite so giddy, perhaps”.

Katherine blushed at that before looking to the ribbon. When she realised he had had it because he wanted a piece of her close to him, it made her heart soar. Gently, she took the ribbon from Emily and quietly set about pulling back and twisting her blonde locks off her face, tying the hair with her ribbon and smiling.

"There we go. All fixed. Don't worry, if your father steals it again, I'll give him his own to wear, deal?" she asked happily, looking at Edward with a grin and then she laughed a little,dipping her head down so that she could stiffle the giggle. But the sound was sweet and melodic. Happy. She hadn't been so happy in a very long time.

"I do hope that you're still practicing then," she said to Emily, "regardless of your governess or not."

[Seventeen months later, the Rutherford mansion]



"For the love of god, Edward, sit down!" his mother scolded him. Sitting in the chair he affectionately termed as 'her throne' she was the picture of calm demeanor. But Edward wasn't fooled. In her lap, she was clutching her embordered handkerchief like it had personally offended her.

"Maman, let him be" Dorothea said. "He's nervous. He has every right to be".

"Women," Lady Rutherford the elder remarked "have been giving birth since the dawn of time. There's nothing to be done about it but wait. Wearing out the rug is a waste of time. There's no use in worrying".

Easier said then done, Edward thought. He removed himself from under his mother's watchful eye though and pretended to look over the bookcase. The woman he loved was upstairs, with a doctor, a midwife, a nurse and Emily who insisted on helping and would not be moved. His ears strained to hear if cries of pain were coming out of the room, but there was nothing yet. Keep her safe, he prayed fervently. Just keep her safe.

They were married eleven months ago, after a few months of heady courtship. Katherine had been the most beautiful bride he's ever seen. A fact he confessed only to her and his sister, guiltily recalling his first wedding. He'd been as nervous as he was the first time. Lord Wytherine's eyes bore heavily on him, but he clasped him on the back and welcomed him to the family as warmly as one can expect from any British lord. There was a touch of moisture in the older man's eyes when they told him his daughter was with child. It was then Edward first thought that Katherine was his favorite.

Dorothea came to stand by him. "She'll be fine" she said. "She's young and healthy and has excellent care". Edward held his tongue. Lenora was young and healthy right up until she wasn't. But he wouldn't allow himself to think that. Surly his fate can't be so cruel as to lose to wives.

"It'll be a boy" his mother said with a brook no argument voice. "Katherine had none of her beauty sapped". It was true, she looked as lovely as she ever did these past months and her mood has been as even tempered as always. Only being unable to sit at the piano for long periods of time seem to put a damper on things.

"I don't know," Dorothea countered. "Her belly was round. I heard the nurse say that's the sigh for a girl"

Edward tuned them out. Keep her safe, he repeated his prayer JLet her and the baby be well.

Upstairs, Katherine was locked in her own personal battle not to try out from the pain as she lay there, her auburn hair dark and damp against her skin, clutching to the bed sheets as each contraction rocked through her. The pain was the worst she had ever had but she was determined not to think of it too much. She had been told that that made it worse.

Deep down, the lady wished for her mother’s reassurance at this time but she was away with her sister in Europe. And her father would not be allowed in the room. That would be considered inappropriate.

All she thought of was Edward and being able to show them their child. The courtship had been so fast and their wedding a magical day. She had worn her mother’s pearl diadem. At the reception her father had gifted her a necklace of two stranded pearls. Katherine planned to pass them on to Emily one day when she finally married.

Katherine looked at the girl as a contraction went through her. The blonde haired child was as much her daughter as this child would be. She was family, not by blood but by affection.

“I can see the head my lady. You’ll have to push,” the midwife said to Katherine calmly as the pain spasmed again.

Her labour had lasted half a day. All the days of being unable to sit at the piano or feeling heavy enough to be annoying felt worth it as the cries of her and Edward’s child entered the room, screaming with a powerful announcement of the baby’s arrival. The sound made Katherine smile and then she felt the tears falling, looking up for her baby.

“A healthy boy, my lady,” the nurse soothed, going to wipe sweat from her forehead. Katherine merely beamed with joy, sinking back into her bed.

An few minutes later, the nurse arrived downstairs, curtsying politely to the family gathered, smiling at Edward. She always appreciated how anxious some men got about childbirth.
“Congratulations, Mr Rutherford. A strong and healthy boy.”

A most un-English whoop escaped Edward at the news. Dorothea called out in surprise, his mother turned toward him with a scowl. He blushed a furious red, but the smile on his face damaged any real sense of remorse. "Can I see her?" he asked. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from fidgeting.

The nurse nodded. "This way, my lord" she said and turned. He followed her out, wishing she'd walk faster.

Emily was pulling a clean blanket over Katherine as he walked in. She smiled at him. "Hello father," she said in a calm voice. "Are you here about anything in particular?" she'd grown both more sweet and more sharp under Katherine's care. Her eyes twinkled at him now. She was there to see her baby brother born. She knew as soon as she saw him that she'll love him forever.

"Thank you," he said, with another unaccustomed wave of emotion. He kissed her forehead, then moved her aside as she was blocking his way to his son and his baby boy. Emily gave a soft laugh and moved to the end of the bed, sitting down.

Katherine seemed exhausted. Her face was pale, her hair sleeked back with sweat, tears stained her cheeks. Her radiant smile transformed everything. She lowered her eyes to the the baby that was tucked in her arms, asleep. Edward looked at him gingerly, as if staring too hard might wake him. "He's perfect" he said. "As are you".