[High Society] Choose Your Partners

[Neil Gow]

Juan smiles warmly at Hempwick. "You have a keen eye, my friend, and a sense of decorum that befits one of your rank. If it pleases you and your Captain, Jose will ensure that your men are cared for in the village and their needs seen to. I think you can relax here, at least, as the French are far away. If you and your companion would care to join us in the villa, we can discuss matters more?"

The child which rode into the meeting alongside Maria scuttles off in a playful run, skidding to a stop just before Carmichael. The boy locks eyes momentarily with the Englishman and it is as if he has seen a ghost. The boy blanches slightly and backs off, into his mothers arms as she pursues him. Maria looks up with mournful eyes at Carmichael and then down at the boy.

Jose moves his horse towards the waiting men, away from Fuller. He speaks in quite understandable but broken English. " You come with me and we eat, yes? You wash. You smell like pigs" A wide grin reveals a golden tooth.

[Halfbat]

"Price. The box, if you please. Then do join the others and ... ::sniff:: clean up." Hempwick smiles at Juan. "Thankyou, my friend. I would like nothing better than to accept your hospitality." He looks down at his own, salt-rimed jacket and stained breeches. "And I believe I am somewhat the worse for our travels."

"Carmichael? Shall we join his lordship?" He carefully and gently ignores the reaction of the boy, but wonders - is that a real resemblance to his old friend or is he just looking for such? No matter. Time will tell.

[w00hoo]

As Jose wheels his horse to lead them away Fuller looks at Private Charlesworth "C'mon Tom, best follow 'im, don't want 'em to mistake us for one of their pigs when they're groping around in the dark," and he heads off joining the other soldiers following the Spaniard.

[Neil Gow]

[OK, I'm going to call a close to this little transition scene. Tonight I will launch two new scenes.

(High Society) Family Affairs - dealing with the officers, ladies, gents and sumptuous eating
(Low Society) Down Amongst the Dead Men - dealing with the rank & file, bravado, testostrone and a murder!

Thanks for keeping this ticking along folks. The pace should start picking up now a little.]

[Zuki]

{ahh damn looks like i missed the boat on this, would have liked to contribute to this scene, but I should learn to check this thread more often!]

[Neil Gow]

[Got something to say? Say it! Just because I have signaled close doesn't mean I'm held by that - go for it]

[Zuki]

[Ahh Why not! I was a little confused who was who here, but this is going on the assumption that Jose is the military man who was making comments in spanish, and the aristocrat is someone else - maybe we need to give him a proper name]

The captain dismounts his horse and gazes after the boy, a look of wry confusion on his face, serving only to make him look more handsome of course. The child seems unknown to him, or perhaps that is the impression he wishes to give before the Patriarch of the Terisse family.

He removes his cap and offers a bow to the assembled company, though obviously he is avoiding facing the military man, Jose, and addresses himself, as a gentleman should, to the Earl Terrisse. "Sir, Viscount Windham Forbes Carmicheal, first son to The Earl of Shaftesbury and Captain of the 33rd West Yorkshire Red Riders at your service." he finishes with a salute and casts a disparaging glance at Jose "I shall thank you to watch you tongue with a lady around, Sir. I will take it that your breeding excuses you, but there will be no second act to charity by me."

He walks to the Lady Terrise and breaks a smile finally "My Lady! It is an honour and a pleasure - You are as lovely as when we last met my dear, and finally I shall get to see the estate you told me of with such passion." He keeps her gaze for perhaps a touch longer than is prudent, then tears himself away to remount his horse.

[Im afraid i am away for about a week as of tomorrow, I will do my best to post again next tuesday!]