Realistic or Modern Suitors at the Abbey

[Akeira]

Margaret glanced around the parlor at the conversation brewing, wishing that she could escape to her room. Luckily, she had finished the journal entry before arriving in the foyer, though she was at a cliffhanger of the novel she was currently reading. The suitors seemed charming enough, but of course, she was not ready for that kind of commitment. Seeing her father exhale a sigh, she smiled gently and moved toward the chair he was sitting in. "Everything will be alright, Father." She murmured to him softly, thinking that he had to be on edge considering both a suitor and one of his own daughters were absent. "Just breathe." She told him gently, knowing the words were a suggestion to herself as well.


The brunette stood to her full height once more, sharing a look with him for an instant. Then she turned away, gliding across the room toward the piano where her mother, Catherine, and Lord Ashford conversed. "I have done some dabbling in the past, but I am certainly no virtuoso." She remarked.

 

[RyanJXavier]

George nodded to Margaret. She had always been an obedient daughter and was thankful for her wonderful personality.


Ryan heard trotting behind him and saw the horse casually walking around. He grabbed the reins and brought the horse over to a corner, "Fique aqui". The suitor petted the horse a bit then looked at the location he was to enter. The place was certainly larger than his own since he had barely had the time to re-assimilate himself in the country.


George tilted his head as he heard a horse's trotting just outside the place. His ears have grown sensitive to the sound especially since horses were the animals that assisted him in obtaining their fortune. It was about time his daughter had arrived. He looked at his other two daughters then at his wife. Lord Montgomery gave a look that somehow conveyed that if he was to answer the door, then his talk with Kayla would start right at that moment rather than after dinner.

 

[MissPenny2]

Catherine took note of her husband's gaze and excused herself from the conversation for a moment to raise a hand in hopes of gaining Lowell's attention. The butler simply nodded from his place at the side of the foyer and stepped towards the door. His rich voice echoed off the white tiles as he pulled the grand piece of oak open for the third time that evening. To his slight surprise, however, the figure outside was not Lady Kayla. "Good evening, sir." He narrowly avoided saying the middle sister's title instead. "I do believe the family is expecting you in the parlor."

 

[RyanJXavier]

Ryan looked at Lowell then approached the door. He smiled, "Good evening. Thank you for letting me in Mister...?" The suitor stepped inside then turned to Lowell waiting for his response. He thought that he might as well get to know the man since he was going to stay at the place for a while.

 

[MissPenny2]

"Lowell, sir." The butler answered as he pushed the door closed. Catherine's smile faltered for a moment as she realized the person at the door was, indeed, the third suitor and not her daughter. The change in her expression was brief, however.

 

[RyanJXavier]

George raised an eyebrow then thought to himself "Sir? I certainly have a handful of questions now. Where is Kayla? Why did he arrive by horse? Had he been travelling by horse since this morning? Is my daughter going to come back? Et cetera". The man brought his hands to his temples and massaged it a bit before looking at the last suitor.


"Pleasure to meet you Mister Lowell" Ryan nodded then saw the people in the parlor. They seemed to have been expecting someone else. Was he at the right place? Was the "invite" intended for another person? He had already began to felt a strong tension being built. Rayver made his way into the parlor, "H-"


"Take a seat Sir Remington" George interrupted the man. He paused for a moment then resumed beginning to become a little mad, "Have you seen anyone on your way here? A girl to be precise? If so, what was she doing and how did she look? Where was she?" His fatherly instincts started to kick in as he kept asking questions regarding his middle daughter. 
The suitor followed the order and sat down. Ryan was overwhelmed by the number of questions being thrown at him, "I saw a woman a bit deep into the forest. I had asked her if she needed assistance. To my surprise she had the unique...in a good way, habit of reading books in the forest. She had long brown hair, a dress, an-"


"Sounds like our daughter" George interrupted once more. He shifted his gaze to his wife, "What shall we do? Have her come home alone in the dark? Have one of our people fetch her? I had specifically told her to not be late today..." Lord Montgomery took another deep breath then stayed quiet for a moment. He looked around the parlor, "I apologize".

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"I thought so, i..."Richard began to say before the arrival of Ryan seem end the conversation then and there. Seemed to be the theme of today he thought jokingly shaking his head. He stood bemused at the scene unfolding ahead of him, George's care for his daughters was evident which made him wonder why he would invite someone like Richard for them. He try to wipe the depressing thought away from his minds and maintain his friendly demeanor. "Its quite alright my lord, like we said earlier its understandable."

 

[RyanJXavier]

"Yes...it is understandable Lord Montgomery" Ryan added after Richard. George nodded at Richard, "Thank you Sir Ashford". He nodded again toward Ryan, "Remington". Lord Montgomery looked out one of the windows, "At least I am pleased by the behavior of the suitors I have chosen for my daughters". He glanced at Ryan, "Though I have not had much of a chance to converse with you yet, I have heard positive news about you and the other suitors alike". George looked at each suitor then smiled, "Do not think that it is...that easy to arrive on my "good side". I shall dig deeper into all of your true personalities later; however, as of now, once again I approve of your behavior". Some say that it is Lord Montgomery's instinct to remind himself of his authoritative abilities in order to calm himself down since he admires his own accomplishments and as a result is prideful.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"I will be sure to hide the skeleton in my closet before then my lord." Richard quipped bowing his head slightly."I hope Lady Kayla is found soon." He turned then to Remington, offering his hand."I dont thing we met. Richard...Ashford as his lordship mentioned."

 

[RyanJXavier]

George laughed a little then turned to his wife as he waited for her response as to an idea on how to go about the Lady Kayla event.


Ryan smiled at Richard then shook his hand, "Rayver Remington. Your name sounds familiar though...Do you happen to be Captain in the British Army?" Ryan was very familiar with the name. His company had to communicate with some British military officials and Richard's name was said a few times in their discussion.

 

[MissPenny2]

Lady Montgomery turned her attention to her husband, turning the idea over in her mind. "Yes, I suppose she doesn't plan on coming in without being prompted." Leaning to the side a bit so that she could peer into the foyer, Catherine called to Lowell. "Could you go on and send someone after Kayla? At this rate we will be dining without her." The older gentleman nodded and set off for the servants' stairwell. "Yes, m'Lady."

 

[Akeira]

Margaret stood at the entrance of the third and final suitor, frowning in worry in seeing that Kayla was not with him. She sighed, as her sister was up to her antics of reading in the forest once more. Though it could be considered preposterous, the young woman understood why she did it. The forest was a safe haven of sorts, a quiet place away from the crowded Abbey. It was much easier to be free and think there, engulfed in the fresh air the outdoors had to offer. Listening to her parents and the suitors dance around each other in conversation, she calculated if she would be able to slip from the room unnoticed. Unfortunately, her calculations fell sort, as her absence would be noted within minutes.


"Do you think Kayla is well, Mother?" She asked Lady Montgomery softly after Lowell dashed away for the servants' stairwell.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Last I checked a while ago."He said with a slight sigh, hopping the discussion will not go were he thought it would."I didnt realize i had a reputation. How did you...Ah, Remington as in the transport company."

 

[Dusky]

James Woodhouse

​

He smiled smally as the eldest daughter turned to him and spoke, distracting him from talk of the piano. He really had wished to hear more, but he didn't want to be rude, especially when her voice already sounded so strained. He inclined his head slightly. "My lady Diana. Lovely name. I am James Woodhouse, at your service." He overheard the other sister mention dabbling with the piano, but tried not to listen to closely. He would have said more, indeed had opened his mouth to do so, but was more visibly distracted by a new arrival. All seemed to hold their breath as they waited to see who it was. However, as the butler opened the door it became clear that it was the third suitor, and not the third daughter. Uncharacteristically, James remained silent - he could not be fashionably early and he could not be fashionably late, as the two suitors could. And it did bother him.


However, as Mr. Montgomery expressed his approval, James cheered up. "I am glad to hear that! I don't believe I've anything to hide, so, dig away!" He chuckled at Mr. Ashford's joke and listened as the two other suitors made their acquaintances. He would get to know the third chap as soon as he was no longer engaged in conversation. Out of the corner of his eye he observed the younger daughter, whose name he'd yet to catch, conversing lowly with her mother. Then he glanced back to Diana, wondering if she would continue to speak with him or would choose to do something else after the interruption.

 

[RyanJXavier]

"Yes sir it is. Do not worry, they were just conversing about your supposed thoughts on the concepts I was presenting " Ryan smiled a little then continued, "By the way feel free to call me Ryan if you like". Lord Montgomery smiled at James's response. Now that the three suitors were in front of them he quickly glanced at each one. One suitor was old money, the second was a soon to be duke, and the third was new money. Those three known ideas about each man are the ideas that persuaded George to pick them in order to save the fortune.

 

[MissPenny2]

"I believe Kayla will be just fine." Catherine answered Margaret quietly, inclining an eyebrow towards Diana. It was clear that she hadn't been entirely on board with her eldest daughter's excuse for Kayla's absence in the first place, but now her suspicions were confirmed. Kayla was simply being Kayla, and Diana was being Diana in her attempt to keep both her younger sisters out of trouble.





Diana felt her mother's gaze on her for the second time that evening, inclining her to keep engaged in James rather than face any questioning the Lady might bring about. "Well, thank you. I quite like the name myself." She said politely, recovering his response from before the newcomer. "I'm sorry if this sounds as if I'm prying-" Diana began, in reality not regretful in the slightest for sounding nosy. "-but after hearing you and my father exchange words earlier, I can't help but ask. Just what exactly is it that you do, Mr. Woodhouse?"

 

[Dusky]

James Woodhouse

​

"Not at all," said James with a smile. "Most of us humans like to talk about our lives in any case. I'm in the business of deals," he continued. "When someone does something for me, I do something for them. But then, that's any business, really. I'm guessing you were looking for something more specific?" He looked into her face, knowing he was being rather silly, but he couldn't help but feel her interest was faked. A small smile graced her lips - but not her eyes. Playing the mysterious card was childish, he knew - but it was a last-ditch effort. He didn't want to be disliked.

 

[RyanJXavier]

George looked at Catherine, "Do you think she will be able to make it in time for dinner? If not, then I suppose that we should start the meal now so that our guests can rest from their journey". He had known that his middle child went outside most of the time and wandered around. Lord Montgomery did not want to restrain his children from exploring whatever there was needed to explore so he allowed his daughters to do such things. The only reason as to why George was irritated was due to his daughter's failure to keep his once in a while request to stay close to the place and be on time for the meeting.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Well I am glad i have annoyed the generals and field marshals enough to be mentioned in the meeting. However unfavorable may have been."He said seriously. Being of landed gentry meant he connection to a few of the higher echelons in the british army, if played right he could been shot up to general, taken any assignment he wanted even have avoid being drafted. However he refused blinded by the patriotic spirit of the time at the start of the war, he stupidly opted for the true soldier experience: Frontline duty and grunt status. Onlooker called him mad and fool and by hindsight he agreed with them. A few months into the fighting, he decided to improve the logistics in the trenches to improve the lot for the soldiers using the pull his had. Despite repeated attempts and promises from field marshal Haig himself, nothing happened.

 

[MissPenny2]

In truth, Diana hadn't been listening too closely to James' reply. That was, until he began to explain his phrase 'business of deals'. A small curiosity sparked in the back of her mind, recalling her father mentioning something of old money running through Mr. Woodhouse's family. "I suppose I was digging for something more specific." She answered slowly, scanning his eyes carefully. "The whole 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' doesn't strike me as a typical business venture."





"Give her a bit more, George." Catherine answered, neatly folding her hands in her lap. "If Lowell's man hasn't retrieved her by the time he announces dinner is ready, we'll go in without her."

 

[RyanJXavier]

Ryan studied Richard for a moment noticing that he went into some deep thoughts. Maybe he should stay quiet for now. His mind leaped to the memory where he entered the area to be greeted with some frowns and straight faces. The suitor shook his head as an attempt to delete the memory. He faced Lady Montgomery, "Lady Montgomery I have a question...Should I go and bring your daughter here? It would take approximately five minutes". Ryan would have to rapidly command his horse in Portuguese again, but it was doable.

 

[Akeira]

Margaret nodded slowly in response to her mother's words, letting her word disappear a bit to focus on the task at hand. Watching her mother's gaze turn to her eldest sister, she sensed that she did not believe the story expressed earlier. We might all be hearing it later. She sighed gently, as it was not approved behavior to deceive their parents. Seeing Diana converse with Mr. Woodhouse, she reasoned that it was only fit to pass the time by speaking with the others. She smoothed out her crimson dress once more, stepping forward a bit when the question of Kayla was raised once more. "Is she only that far away?" She asked aloud, glancing at the newcomer, Mr. Remington, with curiosity.

 

[Dusky]

James Woodhouse

​

He laughed. "It isn't." He paused for a moment, picking his next words carefully. "Honestly, I just run the business my father started. I'm sure your father has mentioned it. I sell bonds." It was true - mostly. He did need to practice some discretion. But finally, there was some interest in her eyes. He suspected it would soon fade, but at least he'd made some kind of impression.

 

[RyanJXavier]

"If I hastily command the horse in Portuguese...yes" Ryan responded. Then continued, "Other than that, it is a twenty-five minute horse and/or human walk. The distance is not that far. I actually would not mind walking it; however, in order to be able to still utilize the sun as a light source, I would have to use the five minute horse option".

 

[MissPenny2]

Lady Montgomery seemed rather surprised at Ryan's offer, but pleasantly so. "If you don't mind, that might be the quickest thing. It may take the staff far longer to locate her. Thank you."


Diana picked up on James' careful choice of words, knowing the behavior well. It came with the same look that would often inhabit her own eyes when going about keeping her siblings out of their father's rath. Raising a single dark eyebrow, she fought to keep one of her telling smirks off her face. "Well, I'm sure the bond business is very..." Diana introduced an intentional pause, pretending to search for a word. "...thrilling in its good days." With that, she glanced away to keep the mischievous glimmer in her eyes hidden and took a small sip of her tea.