Forums » General Roleplay » Across a Crowded Room [Victorian Era 1x1/Group RP]

“Katherine will be fine,” she said to the little girl, adjusting herself in her chair as she sipped at her tea. She did dislike being treated so formally by a child. So for now, informality was fine with her.

Edward’s question needed consideration - how has she been? In truth, a lot more at ease knowing she’d have friendly company. Not that she would admit that out loud.
“I have been well. We’ve had the drawing room redecorates recently,” she explained, “and my grandmother is arranging for us to head to Paris for the theatre season later this year. I have had invites to play this season,” she admitted.

Of course, her grandmother had been disapproving of her accepting those invitations. A lady should stay at home until she was married. Not gallivant across Europe. But Katherine was going.
“I have only been once to Paris, with my father and mother on a business trip before the birth of my brother. Have you ever been, Mr Rutherford?”

“I have,” he nodded. “Several times”

“Me too!” Emily added enthusiastically. “Papa and maman took me when I was five. I saw a ballet!”. She fell silent suddenly, remembering she wasn’t supposed to interrupt adults while they were talking and that the question has been posed to her father, not her. “Sorry,” she said, dropping her eyes again.

Edward drew in a long breath. She was so much like her mother, enthusiastic and impulsive. It seemed to him that Lenora had known how to tame her spirit without breaking it. He did not. It was either saying nothing to rebuking her.

He couldn’t summon the energy to do the latter, so for now he opted for the former. He didn’t want the room to fall into silence either, not with their hostess being so kind. “I shall be there again myself in a few weeks’ time. I have business there, and I try to make sure I make an appearance at least once or twice a year as a result”. He wasn’t sure how well the Wytherines thought of his relatively new money. His family hadn’t been titled near as long as hers. Their peerage has been obtained by his father through a combination of successful businesses and marrying up. There were still several circles in which he wasn’t wholly welcomed as a result.

“I have very little memory of Paris,” she said quietly, “but if we’re there at the same time, you should join us for dinner Mr Rutherford. I am sure my father would not disapprove of male company, since y brother won’t be joining us,” Katherine continued, nodding her head in thanks as one of the butlers Brought out a tray of tea cakes.

The woman considered the plate before gently placing one with the tongs onto Emily’s plate, smiling.
“Cake and then piano, I think. Less your father run out of conversation,” she said to the little girl before looking back at him.

“Please. Don’t feel the need to converse. I have never been good with conversation either,” Katherine admitted to him.

Edward gave a short, involuntary bark of laughter. People usually disapproved of his quiet nature. It seemed Lady Katherine neither minded it nor did she feel the need to hide that she’d noticed it. “I haven’t found your conversational skills lacking” he said in return. “Only unusual”.

Having been given permission to be himself, he sipped his tea in greater comfort. His eyes settled first on his daughter then again on the woman who was hosting them. Emily was doing her best not to fidget, which he knew to be hard at her age. The cake pleased her inordinately, he knew. They did not have much sweets at home. He did not fancy them himself, and Emily’s governess was a bit on the strict side. He gave her a nod of permission when she lifted her eyes to see if he minded that she indulged. The bright smile she gave him in return lit up the room as far as he was concerned.

Lady Wytherine was taking her tea in silence, her eyes a mystery. He tried picturing her in Paris. Did she feel more comfortable there, away from the stifling manners of the English aristocracy? Or was its art scene that appealed to her? He always felt a burden lift off his shoulders when he was traveling outside of England. He wasn’t quite transformed to another man, but travel companions have remarked in the past that he seemed cheerier and more at ease.

"I'm done" Emily announced all of the sudden. "May I be excused to wash my hands before we go play?"

Katherine found his words to be both reassuring and slightly chiding. Did he think less of her because of it? She almost felt as though she had been scolded. So the woman merely nodded.

What was this man thinking? It was hard to tell at a glance. And Katherine was good at reading others. Emily snapped her from her thoughts.

“Of course. Show miss Rutherford to the washroom, Henry,” she commented to one of her staff who moved forward to escort the you g woman

Emily bounced off the chair he’s been dangling her feet in and headed after the stiffed backed man. She came back a few minutes later, hands and face scrubbed clean and the whole of her eager to play. The two adults rose, and Katherine moved ahead of them to show them the way.

The room she led them to was grand, and tastefully decorated. It seemed airier than the rest of the house, with the piano at its center the clear focal point of the room. He wondered if it had been her hand that put the specific touches around it. He could imagine she spent a lot of time here. In fact, it might have been his imagination, but she seemed even more at ease as she crossed the threshold.

Emily ran up to the piano, though avoid touching it. “Look, papa!” she said, her voice high with her exactment. “It’s the nicest piano I’ve ever seen”.

“I’m sure it thinks the same of you,” he said in a rare moment of levity. Embarrassed to have that witnessed, he made a show of turning around and finding a place to seat while the two ladies, both lovely in his eyes, settled for playing.

“This is no was made specifically for my family. It’s been with is for four generations now. Though, I did have a hand in having it refurbished this year,” Katherine said, going to sit at the piano bench.

She looked at Emily and patted the seat beside her, but her own hand was dabbling over the keys already, filling the room with a tinkling sound that was to the pretty room like bird song on a spring morning.

“Please, do have a seat mr Rutherford,” she said, motioning to the chairs - “let us see how you play.”

Edward settled into one of the chairs as Emily sat down next to Katherine. He had chosen poorly, he soon saw. From the seat he was in, he could only see their backs. A little embarrassed, he rose and took another one who afforded a better view.

Katherine was already playing, in a manner of speaking. Her fingers danced over the keys, filling the room with something sweet and not quite structured. Emily seemed to like it. She placed her palms over the ivory keys, fingers splayed, then looked up at the woman, waiting for silent approval. When she got it, she lowered her fingers, gingerly touching the instrument.

She was not experienced enough to improvise, so instead she picked up on one of the notes Katherine had played and used it to start a short piece she knew well. The tune formed well, and she soon noticed that Katherine’s playing had changed to accommodate hers, engulfing her notes and enriching them. The girl smiled broadly. She hesitated, missing a few notes, then chose another piece, a faster one, and began to play it.

Katherine was listening to the little girl playing. She had a natural seat and ear, which was a good thing if one was going to play piano. But her fingers were still growing, like she was, and as such, they fumbled a bit. She smiled to herself. That had been one of her issues growing up. That she could never quite reach the keys.

"Here. Try this finger spread instead," Katherine said, getting up off the stool to gently adjust Emily's position on the keys - "it'll help with your reach until you grow a little more."

She then stood back to let Emily play a little more, contemplating a little. There was a natural love and gift there. Something that could be nurtured. But did she really want to teach like her sister said? Most piano tutors were either retired men from orchestra who taught only the basics or governesses who had had a talent for music but had to give it up once they became too old or married. She was neither.

"I would be willing to tutor her, Mr Rutherford. If that would be agreeable to you. Your daughter....has a propensity for this instrument." Katherine saw Emily's little face light up and she stopped playing as Katherine addressed her father, looking at him hopefully.
"Can I? Please father. I promise I'll work hard at it." she said across to him, Katherine looking at Edward with an understanding glance. She knew already Emily had him wrapped around her finger. It wouldn't take much to convince him.

Edward was both surprised and delighted that Katherine so willingly agreed to teach his daughter. She was an accomplished pianist, far better than any tutor he would likely be able to secure. While he doubted her skills until he heard her play, he had since made a few inquiries and it had been his reclusiveness that cause the ignorance. Everyone knew how talent she was. The only negative conversation around the topic was about whether it’s appropriate for a high-born lady to play professionally. The higher class preferred its daughters to consume art, not create it.

It would mean she would come to the house. The thought delighted him for more than it should. It was for his daughter’s sake that he found it pleasing, surly. There could be no other reason.

He realized, again, that he had lapsed into too long a silence. “It will be our honor” he said hurriedly. Emily’s delight expressed itself immediately as she capped her little hands together with excitement. “I will need your family’s permission, I believe. And we’ll need to discuss how I can repay your kindness” he doubted she’ll want to be paid by the lesson, the way a regular tutor would. It would be like… like she had a job… no one would allow either her to have one or him to offer one. But he would not take advantage. It was not unheard of for a noble lady to take another, younger one under her wing. Perhaps she can be good for his daughter in more ways then one.

A small clap came from the far entrance of the room "Well somethings never change Kat in front of a piano, But the man is surprising" Beatrice watches as eyes roll in her direction. She stood in a light cream dress that had drop shoulders and cartridge pleats to add volume but still remain comfortable for activities like tea. Beatrice almost was the perfect example of victorian women until she opened her mouth and that awful American accent came out.

she slowly made her way into the small sitting room and took a seat across from the sullen-looking man Raising a hand for him to great her properly "You must be the Lord, Grandmother was rattling on about, I am Beatrice Vanderson or the Vanderson Oil family" her poise was on para with that of the queen at that moment. But growing up Beatrice had always pushed, antagonized, and just annoyed Katherine for the reason she had nothing else to do and they were close in age, whenever she visited her maternal Grandmother whom they shared. These actions were right in line with her normal tactics of bugging Kat.

"This is my cousin, Mr Rutherford. She's over visiting from America," Katherine sid politely but she knew instantly that Beatrice had come to annoy her beyond all measure of doubt and that when she was in the room, most of the time, men quickly forgot that Katherine herself was there. Why chase after a piano-playing woman when they could be lulled into a false sense of security by her cousin's feminine charms.

She looked at Emily and smile, giving her a reassuring nod and the young girl nodded back as Katherine stood to go over and be polite, though she really shouldn't have to be. It was her house after all. And Grandmother.....she's probably been meddling again. And spilling all her displeasure to Beatrice as she normally did.

"We weren't expecting you so soon, cousin. Did you catch good waters on the sail across?" she asked her as she took a seat across from them both, her eyes already guarded. She looked at Edward and it was clear how apologetic she was already. She had not been expecting this visitor during their time together. She wanted to mouth 'sorry' but Beatrice was eagle-eyed and she'd see it and start gossip, as she normally did. It was an unpleasant characteristic.

Beatrice's eyes narrowed in Kathrine's direction as she spoke. She never underestimated her cousin, for a quiet and innocent as Kathrine acted she knew the girl was quite a talented wordsmith. "Oh, Yes, well I left a bit earlier than expected as the American debutante season was quite dull this year" She flicked her wrist casually, "Plus, Grandmother has her garden party coming up next week and I just couldn't miss that" Beatrice shifted away from Kathrine and toward the man "Arent you a Lord Rutherford, forgive my silly cousin for introducing you wrong," The devilish glint was back in Beatrice's eyes as she knew what she was causing.

Katherine was immediately peeved. She was hoping not to have to deal with her cousin until the day she had been expected. it was always a handful when she was over. Not to mention, Beatrice had no respect for personal or social boundaries. Katherine found Americans to be....very distasteful. Very brash and loud and overly intrigued with everyone's lives. It was an irritable trait.

"You know, you could have rested instead of coming to making polite graces. I know the journey is long," she said to her, flicking her hand as an indication at their butler to bring some tea in for Beatrice, as was expected out of politeness.

Startled at first by the unexpected guest, Edward rose to his feet and kissed her hand. “A pleasure, Lady Vanderson” he murmured, still a little flustered. He sat back down again, then studied her face properly for the first time. She was, he was forced to admit, remarkably beautiful.

The two women exchange a few strained sentences, the real point of which he was sure he missed. He had a feeling he should help ease the tension, and wished he knew how. The making of polite conversation, he supposed, and a great deal of luck. “I’m sure your grandmother is delighted to have you visit, Lady Vanderson” he started. “How long will you be staying in London?” Would she be going to Paris as well, he wondered. If the grand dame of the family was arranging a cultural trip, she might very well be invited to join it as well.

Next to Katherine, Emily fidgeted, eager to play some more. She knew only one American folk song, but wasn’t sure if it would please either woman if she attempted it.

There she goes admonishing me. Everyone knows that here, those with older, hereditary titles are allowed to refer to newer money without their titles, she said to herself. Katherine didn't believe in that sort of stuff, of course, but she was conditioned to follow rules. besides, she had a feeling Edward would not mind too much, since he was social awkward anyway. She looked at Emily and gave her a reassuring smile before speaking.
"Miss Rutherford, over in the dresser is some sheet music. Would you mind playing it for us?" Katherine asked the little girl so she wasn't just sat around listening to the posturing of adults. Emily, of course, readily got up to collect the music before she sat down and stated playing. As the music filled the room, Katherine looked back at Edward a moment.

"If we will be in Paris around the same time, you should come to dinner. Our grandmother hosts one every year toward the middle of the season. I'm sure it will give you some relief from your work while you're there," she continued.

Beatrice nodded politely as Kathrine talked about Paris "Well why to wait until Paris, You could escort Kathrine to Grandmother's garden party this week Since Kat has yet to secure one" This was another shallow jab at Kathrine's meekness and lack of suitors. "You all work out the details and I will help this little lady find something to play for all of us" Beatrice stood her posture perfect and she moved with such ease and grace. She leaned down beside Emily Smiling softly and started to discuss the different sheets with the girl. She glanced over several times at Kathrine a wicked smile on her face. Not only was she able to make her cousin swarm but her Grandmother will be so happy about Kathrine having an escort That in turn she will drop introducing Beatrice to royals in order to secure her a title.

Katherine felt her cheeks flush out of embarrassment instantly the second that her cousin mentioned the fact she had not yet managed to secure a husband. And not only that, she'd done it in front of her guest. it was beyond rude of her. And she knew she was meddling too. Besides, if she was to be escorted to a party, people might start talking, and it was never good gossip when people spoke about a widowed man marrying a woman who was supposedly past her prime. She looked at Edward after she had composed herself, dipping her head in apologies.
"I am sorry about my cousin's forwardness. Of course, you are probably busy," she said to him politely. Her grandmother was well respected, despite her age. It was rare for less than a few hundred of society's elite from all over Europe to attend this event. For someone like Edward, who was rather reclusive, it would be far too much for him to potentially handle.

“I’d…” Edward started, his voice low, but before he could say exactly what he would, the invitation was changed from sometime in the abstract future, to a very specific near term one. And worse yet, changed by Beatrice, not Katherine. A quiet dinner in Paris was out. A bustling party – in. Damn.

He really had no idea what etiquette called for now.

Katherine came to his aid, suggesting an out. Edward, much to his own surprise, found that he wasn’t eager to take it. He told himself that claiming he was busy was somewhat implausible. For him to be busy would suggest he had other plans. that meant he’d be engaged in some form of a social life. Which he hadn’t, not for a while. It would be easy enough for either lady to find out and if it would be used to tease or pain Katherine… well then, I couldn’t possibly…

“I’m not” he said, keeping his voice low. He didn’t know if it was audible to the beautiful blond now standing next to his daughter, rifling through music sheets. “If you were planning to attend, I would be glad to accompany you”. Should I have said ‘I would be honored’? he wondered. Katherine’s standing surpassed his, he thought. It was hard to tell sometimes.

Like a lion leaping on a kill, Beatrice's head snapped up upon the Lord's acceptance of the invitation to the garden party. before Kathrine could even reply Beatrice said loudly " Well Little Lady did you hear that, Your Papa is gonna take our sweet Kathrine here to the Garden Party, Why don't you play us a tune to celebrate" She hustled Emily toward the piano with a sheet of music, thus making it impossible for Kathrine to object.

She was quite astute in the expectations and etiquette of the British, one does not wear dresses or have the grace Beatrice has if she wasn't. However, Many of the British like little Kat seems to automatically assume that she will be harsh and loud. So instead of constantly proving them wrong, Beatrice has learned to manipulate every situation to an advantage for her by acting like she doesn't know better.

After a song or two, Beatrice hadn't really been paying attention but instead daydreaming leaning in a large chair sipping some tea. She was quickly snapped back into reality when her Grandmother entered the room with a rare smile on her face.