IfWishesWereHorses
From IMiA
It's about seven years before Oberon leaves Amber. (Five years before game start.)
[Backstory, set in Begma, with Juliana, Phillip, Phoebe and family.]
Juliana and her husband, an Earl from Amber, have just come to Begma to stand in for the Ambassador while he returns to Amber to see to his dying sister's estates. They've been in a Shadow called Souzan for the last six years, and rumor has it they became 'very close' to the lady Prime Minister there. Souzan is a resort shadow, not part of the Golden Circle, and is known for it's decadence.
They've been roaming from place to place in service to Amber for most of their lives. This is well known - they've been to Begma before and the Earl's family owns some rental property here. They are staying there and using the Embassy as a meeting place.
The Earl and his lady were reportedly a love match. The last time they were in Begma, they renewed their vows in a traditional Begman ceremony. The Earl was injured some 40 years ago and has migraines in the evenings, occasionally.
Juliana is rumored to oppose prostitution. She's 5'11" tall and often wears heels on top of that. Juliana is blonde haired, blue eyed, but not pale. She rides so much that she maintains a light tan. She's also partial to corsets. The Earl is rumored to spoil her rotten, and let her get away with things most husbands wouldn't want their wives involved in. On the other hand, she is an official Emmisary of Amber, so she hardly fits a traditional mold anyway.
Lylias is commonly held to have married below herself. She is the last daughter of a proud and noble house - the Hamptons. Compared with the fame and lineage of the Hamption, the Frewin family are parvenus. But the Frewins had one thing that the Hamptons lacked - serious money. The marriage was therefore seen as conferring benefits on both sides and Marcus and Lylias were married when he was eighteen and she was sixteen a marriage without love, arranged by their families.
And now two families could be more different. The Frewins were loving, warm and affectionate, whereas the Hamptons were cold, rigidly formal and proud. Marcus Frewin was, a few years after his marriage, heard to say that one could catch frostbite in the marital bed. Nevertheless, they did their duty and produced two children - a daughter and a son. Both looked as though they took more after their mother, with her lovely fair beauty - but, in fact, both had more of the Frewin nature - something that pleased their father immensely.
By the time the children were ten and six, however, the marriage had all but broken down. Lord Frewin was notorious for his gambling and the string of beautiful (and expensive) mistresses he kept. Lady Fewin was determined to let no-one see the blow to her pride, and fought to maintain her position in society with extravagent and ruinously expensive social gatherings.
By the time Lord Frewin died two years ago, (when Pgoebe was eighteen), the vast Frewin fortune was all but gone. Vigorous re-trenchment saved most of the lands, but Lady Frewin has decided that her daughter must make a financially advantageous marriage - as she did - to restore the family fortunes.
Phoebe is thirteen, when she is just beginning to have an idea of the gulf between her parents.
Lady Stanton has bridesmaids and pages, including an enchantingly pretty little boy with huge blue eyes and the most engaging grin. If you ask someone, they will tell you that this is Colin, the son and heir of Lord Frewin (The most =divine= man, darling) and his wife (an absolute =nightmare=, dear). Lady Stanton will be willing to introduce you.
"Lovely boy," Lady Juliana says with the merest hint of sadness in her eyes. "The wife is a nightmare? We are all but varied images of who we'd have turned out to be under different circumstances, so perhaps she is having one long bad dream, love. But let me meet the divine one, and we'll see if he holds up to my standards, which you know are high." Juliana smiles and fights down an urge to go spill her wine on the high-pitched, over-laced bit of lord-bait across the room, who giggled and whispered through the entire ceremony. She smoothly drinks what is left down instead, and sets the glass aside.
Phillip merely smiles.
"Let me introduce you to his lady," says the friend, "and you will see the Lord shortly."
Annabelle Stanton leads the way across the room to where a fair and beautiful woman (casting Lindsey Duncan) is standing in conversation with another, rather more obsequious lady. The former speaks graciously, with more than a little condescenion.
"Yes, quite beautifully arranged. As the Queen was saying to me only the other week ... "
A startled squeak from her mousy companion as Juliana and Philip approach with their escort makes the lady turn - and for a moment Juliana fancies a hard look of calculation in her eyes, like a market stall holder speculating on how high a price he can sell for. But the next moment that look - if it was ever truly there - vanishes in wreathes of smiles as the lady sinks down in a polite courtsey to the foreign dignitaries, her timid companion copying, but with far less grace.
Juliana smiles at what she considers a sign of intelligence from Lady Frewin, not at all surprised the one labled 'the nightmare' actually *thinks*.
"May I present Lady Frewin?" says Annabel, Lady Stanton, "and Lady Evadne Porter?"
Juliana returns the courtesy. Ever the perfect gentleman, Phillip smiles and kisses hands.
The mousy one utters a pleased squeak. Lady Frewin arises from the courtesy with far more aplomb.
"Lady Carlisle, Lord Carlisle. How delightful. I do not believe we have met - although I think you are acquainted with my brother, Lord Hampton?"
Although perhaps they wish they weren't - Lord Hampton is an overbearing snob with limited means and even more limited conversational powers.
Juliana keeps on her diplomat's face, and smiles again. "Indeed, I believe we have." (Juliana is cast as Daniela Pestova, Phillip is Pierce Brosnan.) "I was just commenting to Lady Stanton what a doll of a little boy you have."
"Why, thank you! My Colin is a little heart-breaker is he not? Of course, he takes after my side of the family ... "
"In face at least," strikes in a new voice.
It is a man, dressed with careless ease that comes of great wealth and a certain flair, handsome, but with some signs of dissipation (casting: Hilton McRae). He has the bone structure that suggests he was extraordinarily good looking in youth, but he is now running somewhat to seed. One arm rests on the shoulder of a pretty young girl of about twelve, clearly the sister to the pageboy that Juliana has noticed. She has been speaking and Juliana and Philip hear a laughing, exposulating, "Oh ... =Papa=!" dying away. Her face was full of lively animation, but when Lord Frewin (for it is clearly he) speaks, she casts a startled look at those he addresses (for clearly her attention had been focussed on him), and then seems to freeze almost into immobility - a lively child bewitched almost into a statue.
A statue with some movement however, for she bobs a schoolgirl's curtsey and then rises, head modestly lowered. But Philip and Julianna can see that her cheeks are a little pink.
Her mother, Lady Frewin, gives a little false laugh.
"Why, my dearest, I had no idea you had left the pleasures of the refreshment area."
A rustle of skirts, and she turns back to Julianna and Philip.
"Lord and Lady Carlysle, may I present my husband, Lord Frewin, and my daughter, Phoebe?"
A flourishing bow - perhaps marked with a touch of irony from the father, and another schoolgirl bob from the daughter - although Juliana is aware of large hazelnut brown eyes watching her from under long, sooty black lashes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you my lord, and my young lady. How lovely," Juliana says warmly. Directed at young Phoebe, as improper as she knows that is, she asks, "Do you ride, Phoebe?"
The hazel eyes lift to meet hers, for Phoebe is clearly startled at being addressed.
"Why ... yes, yes I do," she says, shooting a slightly worried glance at her mother, whose smile smacks a little of vinegar. "That is ... "
Her father slips an arm around her shoulders. "Ah, Phoebe's a bruising little rider, my Lady! She'll throw her heart over any obstacle set before her in the hunting field, and the horse will follow. The last time we were out, she rode by my siide all day, and was mud to her eyebrows, and never a word of complaint did I hear."
"Not, perhaps, the best of examples to set her," said Lady Frewin acidly. "And I'm sure Lord and Lady Carlysle don't want to hear of your exploits on the hunting field."
Lord Frewin smiles at Julianna, a look that shows full appreciation of her beauty. "Indeed not, when there are other fields we could be discussing," he agrees suavely.
Phoebe, most unexpectedly, gives a little giggle at this, which earns her a dagger look from her mother.
"I'm sorry," she says. "It was just ... Miss Prunes, my governess was teaching me about mixed metaphors and that was one she used. 'Each of the farmers was an expert in his own field.' What Papa sqad ... made me think of that."
The look she directs at the adults is guileless.
Juliana smiles, but the look she gives Lord Frewin would unnerve Phoebe if she could begin to understand it. For just the briefest of instants her eyes say, "You're mine," and then in a blink it's gone. She gives the adults no other reaction for all their undercurrents.
"I grew up in the country, and I should say, I do know a great deal about a great many fields, especially now having been so well traveled." Juliana's smile quirks to a smirk momentarily, and her eyes flicker to Lady Frewin to see if she'll control herself in the presense of the child. Regardless, she goes on before anyone can react, with a soft hand laid on Phillip's arm in apology.
Lady Frewin is rigid, although her social smiles are firmly in place.
Regardless, Juliana goes on before anyone can react, with a soft hand laid on Phillip's arm in apology. "Horses, though, I love dearly and hold to be my favorite subject. I will take any opportunity to ride I can. All noblewomen should be taught to sit a mount properly and otherwise for their own health. As for bloody - excuse me Phoebe, Ladies - hunts, I mainly go for the exercise and to get in the way. I have no aim to speak of, so I must pull for the poor creature under chase. Now, my three horses are Rainbow, Love and Manly. My lord," she tilts her head at Phillip with a little secret smile, "rides a stallion called Corsair. He is strong, dark haired, and highly intelligent."
Juliana turns back to Phoebe. "What is your horse's name, darling?"
"Cesare," says Phoebe. "At least ... at least he was before he had to be sold. He was a grey, you know, and most intelligent! He used to look for me whenever I came into the stableyard." A little quaver enters her voice at the end - doubtless she is thinking of Cesare, who hears her step no more. But she makes a valiant attempt at recovery. "But I ride Dainty now - when Mama does not require her. And Papa has said he will buy me a new horse for my birthday ... "
"That is," puts in Lady Frewin, in a voice that drips honeyed poison, "if his investments in the opera do not fail so specatularly this year as well."
"Or if the cost of caviare for the reception we host for some passing Prince does not force a period of retrenchment," retorts Lord Frewin. "Then Phoebe shall have her horse."
He smiles at his daughter - a smile with love in it, which she returns. Yet something in her stance suggests to Juliana that Phoebe is making an attempt to inure herself to disappointments - that young as she is, the girl is well aware that her promised gift might disappear into a necklace to be worn by an opera dancer, or into some expensive luxury to be swallowed without thought by a pampered princeling and his entourage.
"But we should not bore Lord and Lady Carlysle with our plans for our dear Phoebe's birthday," cuts in Lady Frewin - almost as though she wishes to interrupt the moment shared between father and daughter. "Do you plan to make a long stay in Begma? It has been so very long, if I recall, since you were among us last!"
Phoebe is regarding the Carlysles with the fascinated interest of one who has heard of the denizens of Amber but never expected to find herself so close to them.
"Well, it depends on a great many factors, but in the end is up to King Oberon. I suspect as soon as Malcolm (James Malcolm, casting: Jim Malcolm) can return to duty, we'll be off wherever our King needs us to be. It is wonderful to be in town for Lady Stanton's wedding, though." Juliana turns to smile at her friend, and the real smile just lights her up. "I do hope, darling, you'll put all this newfound wealth to good use in the City." Juliana adds, not the least bit afraid to give her friend a public nudge toward philanthropy.
Phillip lets Juliana carry things (Kit is amused by casting. poor Jim up all night drinking Scotch and watching the returns...)
Annabelle Stanton smiles. "Of course. And believe me, Juliana, your favourite causes shall not go to rack and ruin in your absence while I have any say ... "
Juliana's smile spreads. Lady Frewin's dulcet tones cut in.
"Perhaps Lady Carlysle might be interested in the little soiree I am hosting next week? We are raising funds to purchase an orphanage for the orphans of our gallant soldiers, those who have been killed in border skirmishes with the tribes on our eastern borders. Their lot is so very unhappy."
Juliana is aware that Phoebe's hazel eyes are fixed on her hopefully ... and that Lord Frewin is continuing to regard her with smoky interest - a look that could burst into flames at any minute.
Juliana nods, but says, "Send me an invitation, and if I can avoid political conflicts of interest, I'll accept."
Lady Juliana accepts the invitation to Lady Frewin's gathering as Lady Juliana. She comes dressed in a sapphire blue over sky blue beaded fashion, that while it certainly can't be complained about, is without a doubt ahead of it's time. Her hair is done up in a series of twisting braids, escaping at the top of her head into a cascade of curls. She wears a simple wedding ring, but a heavier set promise ring set with a sapphire. Tiny complimentary stones sit on her earlobes and on a long silver chain about her neck. All this brings out the blue in her eyes, which are positively glowing with some secret determination today.
As she arrives at Frewin House, she is shown into the Reception Hall, a great open speace, with a long doule stair curving up to the first floor and the ballroom, where the Reception is being held. As Juliana climbs the stairs, in a group with several friends, she gets the distinct feeling that she is being watched ... from above.
The staircase sweeps around rather less grandly to a second storey. And through the bannisters on this level, there are visible two small pale shapes that could be the facers of the watchers.
Juliana looks up, searching for the little face she wants. She stops, and looks to her friends, makes some excuse about leaving something in the carriage, and turns back toward the front door. Before the door she looks up again, and tilts her head toward the door, twice.
One of the faces withdraws hastily. Then other fades, as though its owner has drawn back, startled at being spotted, and then slides back into view, and Juliana may catch what she is welcome to believe is a shy smile. Then it disappears altogether, as though its owner has understood the message.
Phoebe will find Lady Juliana leaning in the doorway of her carriage with a flask in one hand, and something in the other, which she puts in her mouth. She washes it down with the flask. Her driver is shaking his head at her, and he says something that makes her almost choke. She slaps him on the arm playfully.
A cautious voice comes from above her head.
"Hello? Lady Juliana?"
Looking up, she can see a stone balcony that juts out from the side of the house, just above a conservatory. Phoebe is leaning over, dressed in a demure white nightgown, with a shawl thrown around her shoulders.
"If you can wait a few minutes," she says breathlessly, "then I can come down and let you into the Conservatory. That is ... if you don't mind being just a =little= late at the Reception?"
"I'd love nothing more," Juliana grins up at the young woman. _"Let me in, oh light of my morning, or I shall climb up post haste,"_ she quotes, laughing.
A quick grin answers her.
"I really wouldn't, if I were you," Phoebe says. "The stonework ... well, it isn't all it should be, you know."
And then she is gone back into the house.
Ten minutes later, there is a creaking sound, and an ironwork door in the conservatory is pushed open. Phoebe's head peeps round, and she gives a sigh of relief when she sees Juliana.
"I was =so= afraid you would have given up on me. I hurried and hurried, but stocking =do= need a certain amount of time, or else one ladders them, and I have already ruined three pairs this month until Nurse says my stockings are more darn than stocking!" She adds, more formally, "Will you please to come in? The conservatory is =quite= warm actually, because of Father's pipes, and I have a candle."
"Ah, well, I don't give up that easily. Yes, let us inside before you are caught." Juliana turns to the driver, who is now very appropriately pretending he doesn't see a thing. "Jack, you remember our deal."
"Yes, my lady," the driver drawls, and then gives Phoebe a quick wink before he turns back to whatever he's working on in the seat.
Phoebe giggles. She is now wearing a blouse and skirt, clearly hastily pulled on over her nightdress, and her hair is pinned up anyhow. But she still looks enchantingly pretty.
As they make their way to the conservatory, Juliana leans down and whispers, "My husband hires the most incorrigable drivers. But they are more fun, I must say."
"I wouldn't know," says Phoebe. "We've had Tomin Coachman for absolutely =yonks=, and he always drives Colin and me because Mama says he's =safe=. But he's quite deaf, which Mama likes because she says it makes him safe if she needs to tell us things that are nifots."
She smiles and explains. "Not In Front Of The Servants. Not that she ever does, you know. But ... in case."
Juliana nods.
They have made their way between various tall palms and other items of greenery. Now they have reached a sort of circular area, with cane chairs and some cane tables.
"That one is quite safe," says Phoebe, indicating a chair. "I can take this one; it's quite safe if I perch on the edge."
She suits the action to the deed, and smiles engagingly at Juliana.
"I saw you through the bannisters with Colin," she says. "He didn't come down - he can be shy - but he's only eight. He thought you wouldn't =really= want to see us."
She looks at Juliana with curiousity. "But you did."
Well, I wanted to see you," Juliana admits. She looks at Phoebe hard a moment, and then licks her lips. "What I'm about to say and do are excessively interfering. In polite society, it's simply not done. I don't care. There are realities that have nothing to do with polite society."
Phoebe looks a little startled, but she gives a quick nod. Young as she is, she appears to have discovered some of these realities for herself.
Juliana opens her satchel and pulls out two pieces of paper. She doesn't look up while she says, "You're very pretty and you're smart, and you love your horse and your father. You could be me, when I was your age."
Juliana looks up, and her eyes are full of that burning intensity. For all her beauty, she is a thin woman with high cheekbones, and her life experience is written in her face - survival. "You are too young to understand what I'm about to say, and why I'm doing what I'm doing. Someday, you won't be, so try to remember what I'm saying, even if it makes no sense now."
Phoebe nods again. "All right," she says obligingly.
"If there ever comes a time when things get bad enough that it would be better to live a _common_ life," Juliana unfolds the first paper and points to the first name and address on the page, "this is the name of my solicitor here in Begma. He has instructions from me. If you decided to become a commoner, he would put you on a boat at my expense and you would go to Amber City."
She points to the next name. "This man would meet you at the docks. James has been my friend for 300 years, and I would trust him with my life and yours. He's big and scary looking, but he'd never hurt a woman, not ever. He'll take you to his wife, who is my best friend, Janet. She would teach you a craft, something to get you a job to make you enough money to get by."
"You may decide duty is all. There is nothing wrong with that, but don't let them ever force you to do something you know, deep down, is wrong. If the idea makes you want to vomit, or even just makes you squirm, it's probably not good for *you*. And there is no reason that they can't get what they need, and still have it be good for *you*."
Juliana hands her the paper.
Phoebe looks startled.
"Th ... thank you," she stammers, as she looks down at the paper, as though she can hardly believe what is written there. Then she looks up at Juliana - who sees that there are tears in her eyes.
"It is =really= very kind of you," she says earnestly. But, you see, I can't leave Colin. He's only little, and he needs me. "And Daddy does too. I mean ... without me ... " Her lower lip trembles. "I don't think he would ever come home!"
Juliana's mouth draws into a hard line. "Oh, I know. Believe me, I know. But perhaps Colin will be older. It's easier for men to get on in the world, Phoebe. Much easier. And your father... should always protect you enough for you to be able to stay, darling." Juliana forces a smile.
Before Phoebe can get worried about the people who need her anymore, Juliana unfolds the second sheet. "But we were talking about horses the other day - and my Earl," Juliana's smile turns on, her whole face lights up, "he has this horse in the City here, which he is rarely using. He wanted to have you go ride him, give him some exercise."
Juliana passes over the paper. "He's stabled at Sullivan's. His name is... well, I named him, you see... White Knight. He is black, of course. I'll talk to your father about it, you know, so it isn't a problem." The paper has the stablemaster's name on it, addresses, again, and the Carlisle seal is set into the lower corner of it in wax.
"Oh!" Phoebe looks up at her, those expressive brown eyes glowing. "Oh =thank you=! That will be so =utterly= wonderful! And please, please, thank the Earl too! And I =promise= I will ride carefully. It's so good of him when he doesn't know whether I have heavy hands or a terrible seat or... or... =anything=!"
The glow fades a little. "If Mama says I may, of course."
The cunning look is back on Juliana's face as quick as that. "Your daddy and I will do a rum run around your mother. By the time she finds out, it will be too late. It will look bad if she refuses. Just give me a few days, and everything should be in order."
"Thank you! says Phoebe fervently. "I don't know why you're being so kind to me, but I =do= thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
Juliana sighs, and takes the little flask out of her purse. "And now, I must get up to the party." She salutes Phoebe with the flask and slams whatever is left in there. "Unicorn help me," she mutters, standing. Phoebe is surprised into another giggle.
"I'll let you out," she tells her, and does so, making sure Juliana is safe under the eye of her coachman before she locks the conservatory door once more.
(OOC - Marcus will arrive late at the Reception, talking and walking with an extra care that suggests he might have imbibed rather heavily before returning home.)
[ooc - which is hilarious, because Juliana is on wine and valium, but her tolerance is high.]
Juliana's driver will have slipped Lord Frewin a note on his return. With a "milady said to give you this," he has in his hand a card that says, "Odham Park, 10am."
He takes it and pockets it with a slight smile.
"My thanks," he says.
Not ten minutes after the Lord of the Manor returns home, Lady Juliana gets a message she's needed for 'diplomatic matters,' and she excuses herself and leaves.
The following morning, just before 10 am, Lord Frewin rides into Odham Park, mounted on a spirited and beautiful bay stallion. He salutes those of his acquaintance who are partaking of the early air (as Begman society deems it), keeping a watch for the lovely Countess.
Lady Juliana rides in on a black charger, who actually seems quite controlable, despite his size. She does come up with a bit more speed than seems necessary, but she pulls up as she enters the park. Coming up behind her is a young man who is known to serve at the Amber Embassy, though rumor is he hails from Rebma. With his blonde hair he could be Juliana's little brother, though.
She spots Lord Frewin, and leans over to say something quietly to the young man, who begins to argue, but she says something else and he nods unhappily, shooting a look over at Marcus. He rides to the northern edge of the park, and joins a group of ladies - just the ladies most likely to come and interrupt.
With that Juliana plays the reins and makes the stallion, which very well looks like it could be a war horse, high step over to Lord Frewin. For all the world she's grinning like a show-off. Her hair is up within her hat, which must be pinned on serverly to handle the speed she was showing early. A few pieces which have fallen loose drift about her face and neck. Today she wears dark blue, and her eyes reflect the color, unfathomable as the sea.
Juliana turns her horse in a circle as she gets close to Marcus, and says, "Good morning my lord. Do you like my pretty boy?" She pats the horse's neck.
"That depends which one you're referring to," responds Marcus, smiling. "The beast between your legs fillls me with envy ... " He pauses, leaving her to ponder whether he covets the horse, or the horse's current position. Then he smiiles wickedly. "But the young sprig you have dancing in your train, no, he's not to my taste at all."
Juliana looks back at the blonde man, and then turns an amused smile on Lord Frewin.
He moves his own bay closer to hers.
"Well, my Lady, are you prepared to display his paces? Galloping in the Park is not regarded with favour, even at this early hour, but ... I'll wager you a purse to your favourite charity against ... against a kiss of your sweet lips that my Firebolt will be the victor."
Juliana laughs. "My lips are not for wagering, my lord. And this place is too small for a real race. Besides, I'm much too tall to jockey. At any rate, I'm not dull. Your stallion doubtless could outrace White Knight, but I could ride White Knight into the worst part of your fair city, and my husband's sweet stallion here would kick open the head of anyone who came near me with ill intent."
"But let us be frank, if you don't mind," Juliana says, lifting an eyebrow in query.
Marcus quirks an eyebrow at her. "A lack of frankness is a vice I've rarely been accused of, my Lady. So let us be open with each other by all means."
"I'm not going to f@#k you, or anything of that nature. Perhaps when I was younger, but now I've gotten all old and in love with my husband, and the faithful life has turned out to be a simpler one. But I do have a proposal for you," Juliana smiles, her breathing finally slowing down to normal from all the exercise.
"I am heartbroken, of course," said Marcus cheerfully, "and will doubtless go home and slit my throat to the consternation of my wife and family ... well, my wife will be more annoyed by the blood on the carpet. But of course I am interested in hearing your proposal first."
"My husband wants your daughter to exercise this horse for me. Phillip hardly rides him unless he's been in town too late - which is rare these days - and I keep trying to make time to get down to give him attention, when honestly, I don't have it. When we go, it's unlikely we can take him. It will be easier to leave him here until some of the Pinegars are in on holiday and can take him back to Amber," Juliana takes a little breath. "So, if she could, we'd be grateful, and of course, she'd love it. If she became attached we wouldn't just... remove him. He's served the family well and deserves a pleasant retirement, but the fields are not for him, unless they're hunting fields."
Whatever proposal Marcus had been expecting, it had clearly not been this. Surprise held him silent for a few minutes, and then he looked at the horse rather more carefully.
"He'll be a powerful beast for Phoebe to handle," he said at last. "I'll not let her on the hunting field with any horse she can't be sure of controlling in an emergency. He's well-mannered, I take it?"
"I have no strength to speak of, and he is very responsive. He is battle trained - he will do what he is told. He will not get rattled. If she tells him to do the wrong thing, when he does the right thing he won't throw her," Juliana explains.
These were the practical questions of one experienced in horseflesh, and Juliana could see that too in the eye that now looked at White Knight, assessing his points.
But Marcus Frewin seemed capable of more than just surface issues, for he said suddenly, "You seem very certain of my daughter's feelings, my Lady. As I recollect, you've met her briefly, once, at the Stantons' wedding. Hardly time enough to gauge her response, surely?"
Juliana just looks confident.
He returned to studying the horses' points.
"Still," he said, "there's no doubt it would annoy Lylias. She's on at me at the moment, wasnting me to mew Phoebe up in the convent school, turn her into a conventional socirty miss. A mount like this ... " He was smiling a little - not a pleasant smile. A cruel smile.
"And how much do you love your daughter?" Juliana asks, seeming not to care much what Lylias thinks or wants.
"My Lady," said Marcus, "this is a generous loan ... but that is a somewhat impertinent question. Of course I love both my children deeply."
"And your wife doesn't, and you are the head of your household. You seem to work around your wife well enough in everything else you do, one presumes you can manage it for your daughter's well-being," Juliana says sharply. "I've been in your daughter's position, my lord, and anything I can do..."
Marcus looks at her sharply. "The eldest daughter of warring parents, is that what you mean? I do my best for Phoebe, my lady, with what limited resources I have."
Juliana's face softens and she shrugs one shoulder mildly. "Anyway, I've already told Phoebe you and I would find a way to make this happen, so let's do that, shall we? Is it not of any prestige at all in Begma for Amber's Ambassadors to look on a family with favor? Does it not increase Phoebe's prospects for her to be known as a friend of the future Duke of Carlisle of Amber?"
"Not in my eyes," responds Marcus, with a faint smile. "Her wits and her face are both powerful advantages, to say nothing of the prestige of her name. But in Lylias' eyes ... yes. Yes, it will - and for that I'm grateful. Although Phoebe will need some sharp answers for the sharp questions her Mama will be asking her about how she has merited this bounty."
His eyes lit up with mischief. "On the other hand ... if my Lady were to belief it was bounty directed to =me=, then I could pass the horse to Phoebe in the interests of a quiet life, Phoebe would have her horse, my House would have its prestige, and my wife would be disagreeable with me but as the last is nothing new - it would be a small price to pay."
"She would keep it quiet? She wouldn't spread it around that you were my bought and paid for toy of the month?" Juliana smiles meanly. "There is only a certain amount of gossip I can have spread about on the subject of me before it marginalizes my ability to do my *job* and if my job gets marginalized, King Oberon will be wanting to have a little talk with me, and believe me, an angry Oberon is less than pleasant."
Marcus laughs. "What my wife suspects and what she gossips about are two entirely different things. Believe me, before the week is out, she'll be boasting to all her friends that you took such as fancy to Phoebe that you gave her this magnificent present - and preening herself accordingly."
He rose his bay closer to her. "My Phoebe does seem to have captured your attention rather ... forcefully. I cannot help but wonder why."
Juliana shrugs, but her eyes darken. "My parents... were not you. The potential is there for Phoebe, though, to end up on the road I did, and - although it might look good to you now - it has not been an easy path. I can't really prevent that, but when things got... very difficult, my horse kept me alive."
Juliana falls silent with that, observing Marcus from some cold distance, though they are so close.
"I think," said Marcus, "you are painting an all too gloomy picture of Phoebe's life. Or she has been exaggerating its horrors to you although she usually a truthful enough little baggage!
"There's no reason why she shouldn't have a very good life - I'll admit we're not the most affluent of nobles, but we do well enough, and we'll soon come about again, and then my little princes will have all the presents and trinkets her heart could desire!"
He spoke with almost boyish enthusiasm - the eternal gambler always optimistic that the next big win would be just around the corner
"My Earl is an investor, my lord, but he's very good at hedging his risks. And certainly, I hope I'm seeing the world through eyes over-experienced in it's dark workings. Regardless, it won't hurt her to have a horse to bring apples too and ride, will it. One that her mother can't sell," Juliana adds. "Phoebe told me nothing, in fact, knows little beside that I wished to speak to you and if all goes well perhaps she will get to ride more often."
Juliana lies with the ease of a professional liar. "So, are we settled?"
"Settled," he agrees, reaching out to take her hand ... which he raises to his lips. And he smiles again ... a charming rogue.
"So, if I can't persuade you to gallop with me, or make mad passionate love with me, shall we mark our agreement by a coffee and a pastry in one of the cafes?"
"I'm afraid I have a meeting, my lord," Juliana says, almost regretfully. She leans in toward him and says softly, "I leave little room in my life for temptations, and it works rather well that way."
Juliana backs up her White Knight, turns him, and heads back toward the group with the young gentleman she entered the park with.
-- Main.LizTrumitch - 09 Nov 2004
