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Post by blossom on Mar 2, 2007 4:29:22 GMT -5
Suzy thought about it for a moment. "I ... I don't know," she finally admitted, "I mean, I'd like to, but I don't know whether Lady Jane'll be needin' my help or anything ..."
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 2, 2007 13:15:01 GMT -5
Orion was instantly contrite. "Oh, I'm sorry, Suzy. I should have remembered that you needed to get home in the first place. Well..." He broke off as he saw a cart up ahead, selling fresh bread. "We'll eat on our way."
He drove the buckboard up beside the woman selling the bread and tipped his hat to her. "Ma'm we'd like some of that bread. How much?"
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Post by blossom on Mar 2, 2007 13:51:12 GMT -5
Suzy flushed awkwardly - he was paying for her again. She couldn't ask him to do so much for her.
"Really," she leaned over and whispered, "You shouldn't go to the trouble ...."
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 2, 2007 15:37:34 GMT -5
Orion nodded as the woman told him the price, then turned back to Suzy, his eyes crinkling up as he smiled. "It's no trouble at all."
He received the bread from the woman and paid her, then flicked the reins and drove on, handing the bread to Suzy and Julie. He added then, chuckling a little, "After all, spending money was why I came to town, what better to spend it on than a beautiful woman?"
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Post by blossom on Mar 3, 2007 14:29:02 GMT -5
Suzy blushed a deep crimson, and chewed on the bread to save herself from giving an awkward, stuttering reply. The only other time men had ever flattered her was if they were trying to persuade her into bed. But Orion didn't seem that type; he had only been a gentleman so far, so now she didn't really know how she was expected to reply.
"Th - thank you ..." she finally murmured, looking down at her lap and blushing even more.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 5, 2007 15:25:26 GMT -5
Orion looked away, pointing out a few more sights to let Suzy recover herself. He hadn't meant to embarrass her, but she was a beautiful girl. He finally turned back.
"I'm sorry Suzy. I was just tellin' the truth as I saw it. Please tell me to stop if somethin' bothers you."
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Post by blossom on Mar 5, 2007 15:52:21 GMT -5
"It's just ...." She looked up at him, wondering how to answer without making him feel bad, "I'm just ... not used to men payin' me compliment, is all. At least, not one's they mean." She finally said.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 6, 2007 11:36:14 GMT -5
Orion smiled at her. "Miss Higgins, I believe you find that to be more likely here in the States."
Julia broke in then, pointing to a large house down a side street. "Uncle Orion! Uncle Orion! Is that a castle, Uncle Orion?"
"No honey that's..."
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Post by blossom on Mar 6, 2007 12:10:59 GMT -5
"Meadowview 'ouse," Suzy finished in an awestruck whisper. She had seen Adam and Bessie unloading the carriage in the driveway, and stared at their new home with wide eyes.
She had known that Sir Thomas was wealthy, but she had never expected this. It's like one o' them palaces Ma used to tell me about ... in them old fairytales ... she thought. The Eddings' would surely be happy.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 6, 2007 14:31:42 GMT -5
"Yes...Meadowview House." Orion turned back to Suzy, eyes twinkling with laughter. "You can see now, that there are very few people in 'Frisco who don't know where to find Meadowview House."
He chirruped to the horse driving on down the side road toward the house.
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Post by blossom on Mar 7, 2007 9:58:53 GMT -5
"I .. I 'ad no idea ..." Suzy said in a faint voice. She clutched Lady Jane's hat in her lap. For some reason, the sight of the large house had caused the faint nerves she had had about coming to America to come fluttering to the fore.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 7, 2007 11:37:03 GMT -5
Orion chuckled and smiled at her. "I can see that." He turned the horse into the drive. "But I'm certain that all should be well. It's rumored that working here is one of the more desirable jobs in the city."
He lifted a hand to the two people unloading the carriage, and drew the horse to a stop.
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Post by blossom on Mar 7, 2007 11:47:23 GMT -5
Adam and Bessie had stopped lifting the Eddings' baggage and were now staring open mouth as Orion drew the horse to a halt at the drive of the house. Their eyes, though, were fixed on Suzy sat beside him.
"B-Blue?" Adam asked disbelievingly.
"'Lo Adam," Suzy grinned sheepishly, "Bess. Sorry I took so long." She turned to Orion, "Thank you very much fer this mornin'. It were lovely. And thanks again fer savin' Lady Jane's 'at."
She blushed slightly, then started to climb down from the buggy.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 7, 2007 11:52:37 GMT -5
Orion immediately wound the reins around the brake and hurried to hand her down. "Thank you for the pleasure of your company." He bowed over her hand, his eyes smiling at her.
Julie giggled. "Don't for'gt to 'scort the lady in, Uncle Orion!" She waved to Suzy. "Bye Miss Suzy! Nice meetin' you!"
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Post by blossom on Mar 7, 2007 12:11:07 GMT -5
Suzy blushed as Orion bowed over her hand, then giggled when Julia called to her. "An' you!" Suzy waved back with a grin. Adam and Bessie's mouths were practically hanging open in shock; Suzy was, after all, still a servant.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 7, 2007 15:08:41 GMT -5
Orion offered Suzy his arm and properly escorted her to the front door. There, he bowed over her hand again. "Thank you again for a wonderful morning." He smiled at her and turned to go.
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Post by blossom on Mar 8, 2007 11:32:13 GMT -5
"I should be thankin' you ..." Suzy mumbled, blushing and smiling. As Orion turned to leave a voice came from inside the house.
"Suzy!"
The next second Suzy was almost knocked over by the force of the hug Lady Jane gave her. She stepped back and Suzy saw that her mistress's chestut coloured hair hung loose in ringlets, and she had removed her shoes and gloves.
"My hat! Oh, Suzy, you found it! Thank you! You are a darling! What would I do without you?" Jane said in a rush, her voice refined and educated.
"Well ... it weren't really me, Lady Jane ...." Suzy said awkwardly, gesturing.
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 8, 2007 17:11:25 GMT -5
Orion stopped and turned back, taking off his hat. He bowed gravely. "Ma'm. I was just going." He started to turn away again.
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Post by blossom on Mar 9, 2007 8:23:29 GMT -5
Jane stood open mouthed and wide-eyed, recognising the young man Elizabeth had pointed out on the dock. Suzy stood next to her mistress, still holding the hat.
"G'bye," she called shyly after Orion. Jane turned to her maid, eyebrows raised.
"Well," she whispered, "Looks like you've had quite the morning!"
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 9, 2007 13:35:48 GMT -5
Orion reached the buckboard and waved a goodbye to Suzy, Julia smiling cheerfully and waving both her hands.
"Bye! Bye! Come see us!" she called.
Orion turned the horse and drove on down the driveway.
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Post by jessimyre on Mar 9, 2007 22:27:21 GMT -5
Elizabeth was delighted with her new home. A long, low house much further out of the city than Jane's address, with creepers growing along the south wall which were in full bloom at the moment. The long sweeping verandas looked a cool welcome and the gardens were beautifully tended with the small lagoon adding to the look of peace and tranquility.
She hurried in with her family to explore the new house. Large airy rooms with beautifully made furniture awaited them. Elizabeth gasped in delight, her own room overlooked the lagoon with the pastures beyond, a small band of horses gleaming healthy in the sunlight grazed quietly. She felt brimming with happiness.
"Elizabeth dear," a familiar voice called, and her mother knocked at the door, entering with another, slight woman behind her. Elizabeth could not help but smile widely at her mother, and the woman returned it, clearly delighted that her daughter was looking so happy in her new home. She hoped the boys would be as easy to please.
Elizabeth was almost a mirror image of her mother, a younger version with the same bright eyes and pale skin, slender build and wide smile. The new woman was dressed plainly, in a maid's dress and pinnafore. She had wide dark eyes and black hair, her skin olive and her small hands clasped respectfully in front of her.
"This is your maid, Rosanna." Mrs Walker introduced the other woman. Elizabeth opened her mouth but her mother held up a placicating hand and spoke again. "No, not a slave. We have offered Rosanna's whole family work with us at a very decent wage. I know how you feel and I agree with you. Rosanna is paid, my love."
Rosanna bobbed a curtsy but did not speak. Elizabeth relaxed again and turned to look out the window.
"Isn't it just magnificent, mother?" she asked.
"It certainly is. I must be off, I have much to do. Settle yourself in and lunch will be served on the veranda in an hour." and the older woman swept out of the room.
"Hello Rosanna." Elizabeth smiled at the other girl. Rosanna curtsied again. "Hola señora." Rosanna answered in her native tongue. Elizabeth grinned in delight. She loved the sound of spanish, it was like a beautiful rhyme in many ways.
Rosanna hurried to Elizabeth's trunk and opened it, and began to unpack her new mistress's clothing and put it away in the big rosewood wardrobe in the corner of the room. Elizabeth sat on the bed, undoing her hatpins and removing the hat, laying it on the table. It was swiftly followed by her gloves.
"Tell me Rosanna, what is it like here? Tell me the stories."
"Ah señora, there are many stories. It is mostly a happy place although not without dangers. But we have hope, there is a man..." Rosanna hesitated, the excitement clear in her voice but the tone indicating she wasn't sure if the story would be welcome or whether she ought to be telling it in any case.
"What man?" Elizabeth was intrigued.
"Some say he is a robber, señora. Some say he is a murderer but to many he is a salvador to the people." Rosanna answered after a moment of hesitation. Elizabeth turned her gaze to the maid, her eyes wide with excitement.
"He helps many. He is known as the Bandalero of the people, or some call him the Chico Oscuro, the Dark Man. His name is Viento, here one momento, and the next, gone! Nobody knows who he truly is. Many think he does not exist, that he is a, how you say, a fantasma... er... a ghost? Pretend? Many think he is just a story."
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled but before she could press Rosanna for more details, she heard her father calling her. Rosanna fell silent as the large man entered the room. Her father did not even acknowledge Rosanna's existance, but beckoned to his daughter.
"Come, we shall go for a quick ride around the lagoon so you can see a little of the place before lunch." Elizabeth rose, glancing hungrily at the maid wishing she could stay and press her for more details. America was already sounding very exciting!
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Post by blossom on Mar 10, 2007 6:54:36 GMT -5
Jane sat demurely on a chair that Suzy had moved to the balcony overlooking the garden while her maid dressed her hair. The hat Suzy had recovered had been placed carefully on a hatstand in Jane's bedroom, and the young Lady was now refusing to wear it outside unless for a very special occasion. Almost losing the one thing she had of her mother's had been very frightening.
"But you saved it for me, Blue," Jane said now, using Suzy's nickname affectionately, "And for that I shall be eternally gratefully."
"I've already told yer," Suzy replied with a smile, gently brushing Jane's curls with a silver handled horsehair brush, "It weren't me. Mister Talbot were the one wot really saved it."
"And I am entirely grateful to him too," Jane asserted, causing Suzy to giggle quietly. "Now, come Blue," her mistress chided, "You simply must tell me about your morning. It must have been quite an adventure." Her hazel eyes sparkled at the thought, and Suzy laughed even more.
"Well, it were nice," she admitted.
"What did you do?" Jane pressed. Restricted as she was to speaking with young men when appropriately chaperoned, Jane was always eager to hear of Suzy's excursions.
"Well, like I already told yer, I ran after yer 'at after it blew away. Mister Talbot 'ad caught it, so I ran after 'im and got it for yer. Very gentlemenly 'bout it he wos too," Suzy added, "So anyways, I said I 'ad to be goin' and all, and he very kindly offered to es-cort me 'ome."
"Really? What a gentlemen!" Jane exclaimed, delighted. Suzy nodded.
"Yep. Only, the fing wos that he and his niece Julia were ridin' 'orses, and as you know I ain't very experienced it that sort of fing." the maid went on, now separating Jane's hair out into strands in order to braid it.
"But when I saw him with you he had one of those carriages ... a buckboard, I believe they're called." Jane pointed out, confused.
"Yeh, that's right. See, when I told 'im I didn't know 'ow to ride 'e ... well, 'e went an' bought it," Suzy confessed in a rush, blushing.
"He did!?" Jane practically squealed, "Goodness, how wonderfully kind. But of course we can't let him spend so much. After all, it is my fault you were left behind to begin with. We simply must repay him. Yes, I shall speak to Father about it."
"Thank you, Lady Jane," Suzy whispered, glad. Jane nodded impatiently, causing part of her braid to unravel.
"No thanks necessary, of course, Blue. Now, what about the rest of the morning?" She asked.
Suzy grinned and began to rebraid Jane's hair as she related the tale, telling Jane all about Orion's wonderful kindess and all the sights he had shown her. Jane drank it all in, always eager for more. Suzy talked until luncheon, when a knock on the door interrupted her narrative.
Jane sighed, annoyed, and called, "Come in."
The door opened to reveal her brother, Lord Michael, who, seeing they were out on the balcony, joined them.
"Michael! I've just been hearing all about Suzy's exciting morning," Jane informed her brother with a smile.
"Yes," Michael said shortly, glancing at Suzy. He had heard all about her tour guide from an astounded Bessie. He turned back to Jane, "Father has arranged for a picnic for us all, in the garden. He sent me to escort you down, as Adam and Bessie are still busy unpacking."
"Oh, how delightful! But my hair ...."
"All finished yer Ladyship," Suzy assured her, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
"Well, then," Jane smiled, "A picnic sounds like fun!"
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Post by twilightblade on Mar 10, 2007 17:11:03 GMT -5
Orion took the buckboard back to the livery stable he had rented it from and then remounted with Julia up before him.
"So now, Julia, we'll go back into town and get you some things you'll need." He smiled down at the girl.
"Ok, Uncle Orion!" She grinned up at him. "Let's go!"
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Post by jessimyre on Mar 11, 2007 17:05:30 GMT -5
The tour of their new home was lost on Elizabeth. She nodded and smiled when address to remain polite and made small talk with her family over lunch. But her mind was elsewhere, her curiosity burned and at the first opportunity, she dashed away to find Rosanna to question her further on the local legend.
But she did not have the chance to speak to her new maid privately again that day, as the girl was kept very busy and there was always somebody else nearby who would overhear. Elizabeth sighed in frustration.
She'd have to visit Jane the next day to tell her all about this, it was simply too thrilling to keep all to herself!
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Post by blossom on Mar 12, 2007 11:59:01 GMT -5
While the Eddings' enjoyed their picnic in the garden, Suzy ate a quick lunch with Adam and Bessie in the kitchen before spending most of the afternoon exploring the house. It was so large, and with so many rooms the maid found it hard to imagine what the Eddings' would use them all for.
Before she knew it, it was nearing evening and the sky was painted a beautiful array of golds, reds and pinks for the sunset. Suzy leaned out of an upstairs window to watch it, her blue eyes alight and dancing with wonder. They had never been able to see such a lovely sky in the busy denseness of London.
Suzy unbraided and brushed Jane's curls again before bed, and was informed by a delighted Jane that her father intended to hire several new servants for the mansion, and hoped to host a party soon for all the distinguished guests in the town.
"It shall be simply delightful. You'll have to attend of course, Suzy. You can borrow one of my dresses and wear a mask," Jane said, "So Father and Michael don't recognise you."
"Oh no I can't," Suzy said firmly, "They'll know right away it's me, and all them dis-ting-uished guests wot you'll invite'll know right off that I'm as common as anythin'."
"Don't be silly Suzy. You're coming," Jane said in her petulant, little-girl voice. It was the voice that had persuaded Lord Thomas to let Suzy come to America. Before the maid could argue again, Jane changed the subject, "Oh, I spoke to Father about your Mr Talbot. He said he'll write tomorrow about repaying him for his kindness towards you."
"'E's not 'my' anythin'," Suzy snorted, "But thanks all the same Lady Jane. I appreciate it."
"Of course, of course. Good night now Blue."
"'Night."
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