The Ladies' Talk

[Lady Samantha Rose]

All Samantha offered Mariana was a quiet smile and a sip of her tea. She was thankful for the shift in topic and glanced toward the duchess. "Hm," she toned thoughtfully, "From what I recall from my steward, who kept an eye and ear on Triadon better than I did, the Prince Regent was rather active young man. A number of lovers, didn't take his responsibilities seriously and now he has been placed as a ruler? I realize that he's attempting to turn a new leaf, but ... how permanent is that change?"

She leaned back in thought, "Though, I hear tell that he is spending a great deal of time with Selena Lancaster. Is she favored to be his future queen? If so, I ... tentatively approve. The Lancasters have a standing reputation of being cool, but collected. If she can temper her future husband, then so much the better."

Lady Mariana Jardinier, Lady Carissa de Vere

[Lady Mariana Jardinier]

“The rumors are true,” Mariana was willing to concede that much, but if the ladies wished for more reliable information, the people in question were the better sources. “Yet you might want to speak with my brother or Lady Selena if you wish to know for certain.” She’d have to concede she had been as bad in keeping in touch with Court as Samantha, though hers had been the better updates considering her status in the royal family.

“As for the transfer itself, I believe it is timely.” She frowned slightly, worry creasing her forehead. “This way, Riordan has some time to prepare for what’s ahead, and he’d have help he would not otherwise.” Hoping that there was yet time for her brother to get used to ruling the country while their father was still well, Mariana glanced toward Carissa, wondering what the other lady was thinking. For herself, she might be a bit too close to the question being asked and thinking more like a family member than a Duchess, after all.


Lady Carissa de Vere, Lady Samantha Rose

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Carissa took plenty of time to consider the topic on the table. She herself had little interaction with the Crown Prince, now Prince Regent, debating the wisdom of that aloofness under the circumstances. She needed an opportunity to take stock of him, to test Riordan in her own manner before drawing irrevocable conclusions concerning his worthiness as the next King of Demeria. Certainly his intercession in the matter of the Sarkozsy prince was well known, and the influence he sought to wield for the benefit of all.

As for the Lady Selena... interesting choice. "I find it interesting that your brother has chosen to break with tradition and choose Lady Selena rather than Lady Julia St. Claire. The more I consider it, the more I believe that is a wise choice. While I hold Lady Julia in the highest of regards," she added lightly, "change can be an effective influence for the future. But tell me, ladies... have either of you taken stock of our dear Prince's choice of bride?" Carissa looked from one to the other with arched brow and genuine interest in her eyes. These ladies were among the foremost lionesses of the court; their opinions carried significant weight and she ached to hear them.



Lady Samantha Rose Lady Mariana Jardinier

[Lady Samantha Rose]

Mariana's suggestion was met with a bland smile, "Perhaps I shall do just that." Samantha still harbored her doubts. Even if she was not present in Court all that often, rumors of the man's exploits traveled far and wide. The number of lovers the man took varied from tale to tale, but Samantha was not concerned about the specific details. Numerous lovers indicated to her a lack of commitment and a great deal of immaturity. Certainly, a man had every right to satisfy his needs, Samantha believed greatly in the value of discretion. "Or perhaps I will merely observe for the time being." Actions, after all, spoke far louder than words.

Samantha's expression remained carefully neutral at the mention of her neighbor's daughter. While the duchess respected the St. Claires in their own right, she was still a touch leery of Daven St. Claire's domineering manner. The man was craftier than he let on, and she had to wonder if there was some unspoken ambition within him. "I'm personally surprised St. Claire took the news so quietly," she contemplated before pressing on to answer Carissa's question. "No, my lady, I can't say that I've had any time with Lady Selena. I wonder what sort of woman she'll prove herself to be, and if she'll be true to her family's reputation." Hence was why she gave her tentative approval of Riordan's selection.


Lady Carissa de Vere, Lady Mariana Jardinier

[Lady Mariana Jardinier]

“A shift in tradition may benefit all of us yet,” Mariana mused, casting a glance toward Carissa and considering both her brothers and sister. “I believe I am to blame for setting the trend among my siblings, but perhaps, Lady Selena is the better choice.” She had kept a discreet eye out on her siblings as well as she could, made easier by her recent return. “My brother had visibly changed his habits of old recently, and that, in turn, began to improve his relationship with our younger siblings, particularly Tristan,” she continued after a moment’s careful consideration. “I believe the lady has the larger half of credit in the matter.” Because it could not be said for their royal father’s influence, she mused, but kept that thought to herself.

She then quietly hummed to herself, considering St. Claire’s supposed quiet upon the matter of change. Having not been there during her father’s conversations with the Duke of Twinport, Mariana could not say whether the man was keeping quiet because he already gave her father a headache to consider or because for once he thought before upon the matter. As it was, she elected to remain quiet until she could observe the man for herself. “Perhaps not so much quiet as out of speculation’s way,” was all she offered to that. After all, they all kept out of public eye if they could, and St. Claire was among those who seemed to prefer it in such a way if it could be helped.


Lady Carissa de Vere, Lady Samantha Rose

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

"A break in tradition can be beneficial," on that point, Carissa was in agreement with Mariana, though she respected Samantha's hesitance and reservation of judgment. "If we cling too tightly to our traditions, it blinds us to possibilities that may, in the long run, prove more profitable and advancing for the future of the realm. But perhaps we ought to invite the lady to join us for one of these comfortable little discussions and better gauge the extent of her personality ourselves?" She forebore to point out that as the three Duchesses, they were the putative leaders among the ladies of the Court, along with Lady Fiona. It behooved them to be prudent in this.

As for the St. Claire duke, Carissa chuckled softly, "I believe that there is another opportunity on the horizon for Lady Julia, and that is what keeps our dear dragon from expressing too much displeasure, as well as the addition of one of his daughters to Princess Emmaline's retinue?" She looked to Mariana for confirmation of this, if the lady knew of the King's efforts on that aspect.



Lady Samantha Rose, Lady Mariana Jardinier

[Lady Samantha Rose]

Samantha smiled gently at the talk between the two ladies, "Like with all things in love, moderation is the path to trod upon." At least, that was how Samantha felt about it. There would always be those that would rather go to extremes, but they too had their place in the grand scheme of things. "But, yes, let us keep that in mind for the next time that we all meet. That will likely be in Twinport while the men are bashing into each other with steel and lance." The joust amused Samantha more than anything else, and it was hard for her to take it seriously.

The woman's eyes fixed on Carissa's face when she issued her statement, her gaze briefly flicking to Mariana as a result. "Oh? And what opportunity would that be?"


Lady Carissa de Vere, Lady Mariana Jardinier