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Post by twilightblade on Feb 23, 2007 13:16:27 GMT -5
Orion bowed as well as he could from the saddle. "Not at all, Miss Higgins. It would be my pleasure."
Julia bounced in the saddle then, pointing. "Oooh! Uncle Orion! What are they doing?" She was looking toward a small group of men gathered around two others, both tense and angry.
Orion gauged the men, then turned to Miss Higgins. "Ma'm, we might want to hurry if you can. We won't want to be aroun' when the lead starts flyin'."
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Post by blossom on Feb 24, 2007 7:40:07 GMT -5
Suzy looked in the direction Julia pointed, and eyed the men uneasily. "Well ..." she turned back to Mr Talbot, "If yer sure."
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 26, 2007 15:05:44 GMT -5
For once, Orion was serious. Miss Higgins might be very beautiful, but she must be kept safe. "Yes, ma'm. Very sure."
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Post by blossom on Feb 26, 2007 15:11:21 GMT -5
"Well alright then," Suzy nodded. "Maybe you know where the 'ouse is?" she asked, struck by an idea. After all, she had no idea and would probably be wandering for hours.
"The address is ..." she paused for a moment, frowning. She'd had to memorize the address as Jane was still teaching her to read and write, "Meadowiew 'ouse?"
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 26, 2007 15:15:56 GMT -5
Orion was struck speechless. That was on the high side of town. But...he did know where it was. "Yes, ma'm. I know where that is. But...it might be a bit far to walk." He glanced over at the men and urged the horses on faster. "We might want to take this next corner, ma'm."
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Post by blossom on Feb 26, 2007 15:17:57 GMT -5
"Err ... right," Suzy nodded, increasing her pace to keep up. She wasn't sure what to make of the expression on Mr. Talbot's face when she told him the address, but at least he knew where the house was.
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 26, 2007 15:20:11 GMT -5
Orion hurried the horses around the corner, then down the street a little way. Stopping, he dismounted and lifted Julia down. He turned to Miss Higgins. "Ma'm can you ride sidesaddle?"
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Post by blossom on Feb 26, 2007 15:23:50 GMT -5
Suzy eyed the horse apprehensively, "Uh ... I've never even ridden astride."
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 27, 2007 12:01:31 GMT -5
Orion held back a wince. That wasn't something he'd normally have to worry about. "Well, then ma'm, if we can just find a livery stable..." his voice trailed off as he saw one just down the street. He smiled. "Looks like we can get you a buckboard ma'm. That should do us nicely."
He lifted Julia back into the saddle where she clung to the saddle horn, smiling and her eyes wide. He gathered up the reins and offered Miss Higgin's his arm. "Ma'm?"
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Post by blossom on Feb 27, 2007 13:09:30 GMT -5
"You can call me Suzy," Suzy said, taking Mr Talbot's arm with a smile. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Uh, what's a buckboard?"
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 27, 2007 15:12:53 GMT -5
Orion felt himself flushing. "Ah, it's like a buggy, m'a--, ah, Suzy." Still blushing painfully, he added, "I would be pleased if you'd call me Orion,...Suzy."
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Post by blossom on Feb 27, 2007 15:17:55 GMT -5
Suzy smiled, and nodded slowly. "Sorry to make you go to so much trouble, Mister ... Orion," she apologised, looking down at the ground, "Only I'm a ladiesmaid, so I ain't been around 'orses much y'see."
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Post by twilightblade on Feb 28, 2007 14:44:46 GMT -5
'Well, Suzy," Orion said gallantly, "it is surely no trouble for me to introduce a lady like yourself to horses." He smiled at her as they came up to the livery stable. "I shall hope to make it a pleasant one."
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Post by blossom on Feb 28, 2007 15:15:28 GMT -5
"I'm sure it will be," Suzy replied, with a somewhat nervous smile. She wondered absently if Orion was gently poking fun at her by constantly referring to her as a lady, when her attire and speech made it clear she wasn't. But somehow she got the impression that that was genuinely what he thought of her.
Well his opinion was sure to change after he saw her compared to Lady Jane. Suzy had none of Jane's grace, refinement or eloquance, nor she was anywhere near as educated. Not that Suzy was envious of Jane, or minded being a maid; indeed, she rather enjoyed it. Jane was teaching her to read, and Suzy had found that she often had more freedom than her mistress.
But Jane was still better company than she - less restless, more knowledgeable, and much more pleasing to the eye.
Ah well, thought Suzy as they entered the stable, her cheerful spirit undampened by her somewhat melancholy thoughts, Might as well enjoy this while it lasts.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 11:27:42 GMT -5
Orion enjoyed walking up the road with Suzy on his arm. She caught attention from everywhere, although it seemed she didn't notice the stares. As they moved into the livery stable, he caught the eye of the hostler and nodded.
"We need a buckboard for the lady, with a good horse."
The hostler nodded. "Sure thing." The nodded to Suzy, his face going red, then ducked back into the stable. Only five minutes later he hurried out, leading a blue roan harnessed to a buckboard. Orion paid him, tied his horses to the back, and lifted Julia in before turning to Suzy to help her in.
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Post by blossom on Mar 1, 2007 11:50:41 GMT -5
The stable fascinated Suzy, and she gazed about her with intense interest. Lady Jane had often remarked that it was a shame Suzy had been born a servant rather than one of the upper class, as she had a keen interest in the world around her, much more so than her mistress.
She was brought back to reality, however, when she realised Orion intended to pay for the buckboard himself. She blushed furiously, silently scolding herself for not considering how he was to acquire a buckboard for her. Really she was being too much trouble. She would have to ask Lady Jane to reimburse him.
Suzy accepted Orion's help in getting in with a grateful smile. She absently twisted a curl of hair around her finger, wondering if Orion was now regretting his offer to escort her home.
He's a real gentleman to go to so much trouble, she thought gratefully.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 12:02:51 GMT -5
Orion hopped in after Suzy, tipping the hostler as he clucked to the horse. They trotted out of the stable and down the street. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Suzy twisting one of her curls around a finger. She was a very lovely woman.
"What do you think of San Franciso, m'---...Suzy?"
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Post by blossom on Mar 1, 2007 12:05:56 GMT -5
"Well, I ain't seen much, but what I 'ave seen seems wonderful," Suzy replied with a bright smile, "I did think I might miss London, but now I reckon I'll be too excited!"
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 12:09:44 GMT -5
Orion smiled back at her. "Would you like to take a look around while we're driving up to Meadowview House?" He glanced back at Julia, who grinned at him, staring around with wide eyes. "Frisco's one of a kind."
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Post by blossom on Mar 1, 2007 12:15:50 GMT -5
"Are yer sure you wouldn't mind?" Suzy asked, her eyes shining at the prospect. Already she was filled with excitement. "I really don't wanna be too much of a bother."
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 12:22:48 GMT -5
"You could never be a bother, Suzy." Orion replied warmly. "It would be my pleasure to show you around." He chirruped to the horse, feeling a grin widening on his face. Julia bounced on the seat behind them and squealed with excitement.
"Oh, oh! Let's! Please, Miss Suzy?" she cried.
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Post by blossom on Mar 1, 2007 12:25:58 GMT -5
Suzy blushed at Orion's words, then turned and grinned at Julia. "Well all right then!" she said,. "Sounds like fun!"
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 12:29:14 GMT -5
Orion felt like he'd been granted the world for a short time. He sent the horse down the street, pointing out the various sights that he'd found in the time he'd been in San Francisco.
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Post by blossom on Mar 1, 2007 12:31:45 GMT -5
Suzy leaned forward in the buckboard, gazing at the sights with eager curiosity and listening attentively to everything Orion was saying. It was wonderful, she thought as they rode along. She almost felt like laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this purely happy.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 1, 2007 18:24:23 GMT -5
Orion took his time, driving all over San Francisco, but finally, he noticed that it was getting on toward noontime. "Suzy, would you have time for a bite to eat, or do you need to go back to your house?"
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