A Request for Counsel

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Still uncertain of her place and wondering about the reaction of her sister to the presence of Lady Marisa in their midst, Rose decided that the time was high that she seek out her eldest’s counsel. True, they tended to go each their own way, but for once she thought she needed a second opinion before the other family meeting itself could take place. After all, she was highly aware that as newcomer to court she was more apt to making mistakes than her elder sister, and was wondering if she hadn’t made such. That thought firmly in mind, in her off hours Rosalie ventured into the gardens, hoping to find her elder sister there and a chance of consultation on what to do, for she felt her current position was precarious with everything going on. Perhaps, her sister could advise her on the next course of action, and perhaps she would be open to listening, for stubborn as Rose tended to be, she still paid close attention to advice – especially if she asked for it and it was freely given, which she hoped her sister would do.

As an incentive to a hopefully time pleasantly spent, Rose stopped by the kitchens for help in packing a lunch filled mostly with light foods and hoped her sister wouldn’t mind a picnic as they talked. And as to the fun she had sneaking around, the eldest sister was the one to go with reports of use, so she best inform Julia about her activities. Maybe she’ll even find something that could be used. Wandering down the path and enjoying the garden’s beauty, Rosalie hoped the servant she had entreated to look for her sister wouldn’t take too long, but it depended on the swiftness of Julia’s arrival and her free time. For now, she was prepared to wait for the chance meeting to happen.



Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

The servant located her in short order, conveying the request from her sister Rosalie to meet with her in the gardens for a long-overdue conversation. Thanking the servant, Julia set aside the ledger on which she was working, sent from Twinport by the steward for updating and review and rose, finding a hat to shade her eyes against the brilliant sunshine. Swiftly graceful steps carried her into the gardens in pursuit of that sister, armed with the direction given her by the servant, blue eyes touching on various faces passed until they rested upon the soft, sweet features of her second sister. Her lips curved gently in a smile of greeting as she drew closer, the better to speak without shouting.

"Rosalie? You wished to speak with me, dearest?" Concern mingled with genuine affection for her sister, a hand reaching to touch the slender shoulder. In some regards, Julia found it a relief that one of her sisters sought her out; she was feeling the subtle loss of Lynesse lately with that sister's absorption in a certain handsome Duke. Pushing that from her mind as an issue to be sorted later, she directed her attention and focus to Rosalie, curious as to what had Rose seeking her out.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Eyes scanning the grounds, Rose enjoyed the views the garden had to offer before they alighted on her eldest sister. Graceful as always, Julia’s approach was a sight to her eyes, for despite having seen her before, it was rare chance of a one on one conversation. “Julia! It’s so good to see you.” Giving a smile at the gentle touch to her shoulder from her sister and a light hug to the older woman, Rose’s entire demeanor visibly brightened, as tended to be her habit. “Yes, indeed, we have to talk for I have a lot to tell you… But tell me, had you a chance to eat yet?”

Holding up her basket with the food she brought along, she gave a pleased look at the successful excursion to the kitchens. “I believe there’s enough to share between us as we speak?” Posing it as a question, Rosalie wondered how the servant had found her sister, and whether she had been too absorbed in whatever she was doing. Perhaps their conversation would be a break from the duties her sister had to perform, for Rose was aware that the eldest had responsibilities unlike hers that were a lot more complicated. Perhaps she should be grateful that all her problems consisted of was her position, the Lady Marisa’s uncertain welcome, and herself playing a sneak! Though whether Julia would see it as such remained to be seen.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Her opportunities to spend time with her sisters was increasingly rare these days, thanks to busy Court life, her return to Twinport for a time and their respective pursuits. Rosalie appeared to be enjoying her tenure as one of the Princess's ladies, one less major worry for the eldest of the four golden daughters of the Dragon. Her smile was warm as she returned the hug, gentle hands brushing a wisp of her sister's hair back into place in a maternal sort of gesture. "I have not, no. You have something in mind?" Trusting her sister was prepared, as Rosalie would not have asked otherwise, Julia nodded for her to lay out the meal once she saw the basket, a laugh escaping her. "Ah, I see you do. Is there a place where you would prefer to sit while we eat and talk?"

She examined the gardens for a suitable location, her gaze falling on the patch of grass beneath the broad, shady branches of a tree. "Will that do?" The sun was all well and good, but to sit under its beams promised to be very warm. The shade was a more pleasant prospect for what might very well prove to be a lengthy conversation. Julia had some notion of what concerns lurked in her sister's heart and mind, hoping she could offer reassurance if needed, counsel if warranted, and a shoulder to lean on if desired.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Giggling at her sister’s laugh, Rose nodded her head in agreement. That patch of shade Julia indicated was perfect for what they needed, and would she really suggest a lunch if she didn’t have some food packed for it? Deciding that her sister needed the break as much as she did, Rose led the way toward the tree of preference and sat down, taking a few moments to spread the blanket she’d brought out of her basket, along with the dishes she brought along. They were none too complicated, but still good enough for satisfying hunger, which she suspected her sister had as well as herself. “Please, help yourself,” she indicated, placing the plates and eating utensils so that both of them could reach either comfortably.

Fidgeting a bit until she was comfortably seated, Rosalie cast a curious look at Julia, allowing the other a few bites before starting with her questions. “Would you like a guess to what I’d like to talk about, say anything you find important, or am I free to speak?” Laughing amusement still quite visible in her eyes, Rose cocked her head to the side, allowing her sister to start the questioning of her own if she so wished, for she had a vague idea that Julia needed to talk as well, and perhaps her problems were as deep, if not deeper, than Rosalie herself had. But she would let her sister take the lead in this conversation unless there was an indication that she could go first. It was bound to become a slightly busy lunch.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Joining her sister in that delightfully cool and shady location, Julia settled on the soft grass with a mind to preventing stains from transferring themselves to her skirts. Spreading the fabric with care, she nodded for Rosalie to take what suited her before she perused the offerings and made her selections. The simpler foods were the sort she typically enjoyed when eating al fresco, the potential for mishap exponentially lowered with a lack of elaborate sauces or garnish. She observed her sister's subtle efforts against fidgeting utterly fail, yet exercised patience against Rosalie's readiness to speak.

When she did, Julia regarded her attentively, a faint smile forming in response. "If I know you, Rose, you have a multitude of topics you'd like to discuss, but foremost among them may be our father's sudden desire to take a bride who is the same age as you. But you are free to speak your mind on any matter that you wish, you know that." When it came to her sisters, she placed no restrictions or limitations on anything they wanted to discuss. They were free to speak their minds, ask any question, pose any problem they wished to confide in her, understanding that what was said to her remained in strictest confidence. Nothing would be said, especially to their overprotective father. "What is it, Rosie?"

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Her sister seemed to note her problems as usual, and Rosalie merely giggled in answer to her question. “Let’s start with that, shall we? Yes, it does seem rather a puzzle doesn’t it? Father introduces a woman my age to the family when he could’ve done so ages back… I have to admit I’m merely confused at the sudden decision, for I do not recall meeting Lady Marisa in person, which is why I suggested we do so.” Picking a snack for herself, Rose bit into the food, blushing a bit as she realized her sister noticed her fidgeting. Well, she could not help it, really, being a fidget seemed to be her nature. For now though, she was ready to pay attention as she ate, for food usually tended to keep her busy and not fidget along. “At least, I believe I’ve noticed her at the Masque, probably along with half the rest of Demeria!” She laughed, suddenly recalling the glimpse she believed was the de Vere in question, but was quite uncertain if her claim to such was true. Well, that was in part why it was quite a puzzle she was faced with, along with everything else, and a chance for her sister to talk it out if she so wished. Like the rest of them, Rose could keep a secret, especially a family one, so Julia wouldn’t need to worry about a thing.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Julia knew there was more to her sister's concerns than Marisa, but in typical Julia fashion, opted to resolve one issue at a time. She listened quietly, more toying with the food than eating as Rosalie voiced her thoughts on the matter, an occasional nod indicative that she was hearing each word and the tone in which it was delivered as well as the meaning behind the statements. A pensive look settled on her features as she formed her reply, one that strove to be as fair to her father as to her sister. "They have not been long acquainted. From the beginning of this season's Court, I believe. You did meet her, but it was very briefly and the three of you were largely distracted with Lord de Winter, I believe." She smiled to take any sting from her words, as they were gently intended.

"As for the sudden decision..." Her words trailed off as the smile faded. "Our father is a lonely man since our mother died, Rose. And I think he feels the press of age, knowing that at least one of us is likely to end this season's Court as a bride." Julia referred mainly to Lynesse, rather than herself. "Lady Marisa is a vivacious and witty young woman. She makes him feel younger and more... alive, so he is drawn to her." Her reservations on the young woman aside, Julia finished quietly, "I agree that we need to spend some time with her. I, for one, am concerned she has set her sights on Father for his title, wealth and influence, rather than on him as a man."

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rosalie hummed a little, listening to her older sister’s explanations. Yes, Julia was right, to a point, and the impression she had so far was an extremely flitting one. Giving a bright giggle as to mention of de Winter Duke, she barely avoided fluttering her eyelashes at the other young woman. “Lyn being the most distracted out of the three of us,” she giggled, unable to help herself. “I do believe she was about to get a dance from the man before the trouble started, but that’s neither here nor there.” Sobering up as she stopped giggling just as abruptly as she started, the young woman delicately ate a few more pieces of her snack, curiosity plain on her face as she listened.

“Yes, but I thought he would not hesitate naming an heir from one of the four of us,” she asked, raising her eyes to look at her sister. “You would be the most obvious choice, with all the hard work you’re putting into it, surely he’ll consider?” She was well aware that she wasn’t yet experienced enough to handle a Duchy all by herself, but surely Julia wouldn’t be passed up for a potential in a young bride? Knowing she was being, perhaps, too harsh in her thoughts, Rose gave a sheepishly apologetic look toward her sister, curious still to her answer. “We shall find out which she is after once we’re face to face with her,” she hummed, noting Julia’s concern and filing it off to see if it couldn’t be observed. “But really, sister, which woman wouldn’t like something pretty being offered to her as a gift?” Or something that could potentially give her some power she could wield. It was there, too, though unsaid on her end, and like her sister, Rose was wondering which one Lady Marisa was really after. Perhaps time would tell.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

"Lyn being distracted is proving to be worrisome," Julia quietly confided to her sister. "When is the last time she spent any real time with you or Cece? I have not had more than ten words with her in a fortnight. I..." She hesitated, wondering if she should speak her mind, then reminded herself Rosalie was no child. She could trust Rose. "I hope she is not in danger of having her heart broken, considering some of what is being bandied about the Duke of Oakdale." It was a rare matter for Julia to confide in her youngest sisters, but if anyone was likely to get words out of Lynesse, it would be Rosalie.

Resisting the desire to sigh heavily, she smiled wearily. "He is a man, Rose. All men wish and long for a son to carry on their name. And I doubt very much Father is terribly pleased with me since I've refused to marry Prince Riordan. I have no wish to be Queen, and honestly, Riordan's no more interested in me than I am in him. Demeria deserves a Queen who wants to be there. That's not me. As far as Lady Marisa goes... it's a better match than she could normally aspire to. Part of me admires her ambition." Her words were candid to the point of blunt. "How do you propose that we go about separating Marisa from Father enough to get a true measure of her personality?"


Lady Rosalie St. Claire