Lessons Learned and Reviewed

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona was tired. She had not seen Emmaline since she had gone off some understandable solitude. Her main concern was how she would handle herself in the future. Would she allow herself to heal? To carry on? To muddle through, so to speak? Or did this entire ordeal deal a severely damaging blow to her ego? Fiona was not sure. She had had her fair share of embarrassing moments, but none rivaled what her niece was going through. Still, Fiona was not going to pity her. That is the last thing a Carlisle woman would want.

That didn't mean the Iron Princess was not without her concerns. It had been some time since she had a lengthy discussion with Spencer. She missed him, she suddenly realized with a pang to her heart. Whenever they were together, conversation went smoothly and their thoughts synced more readily than normal. He was a calming and confident presence. For every meeting with him, she found herself feeling... better.

Thus, she made her through the small town of pavilions in search of that which belonged to the Lancasters. She trusted Selena was out enjoying some of the evening festivities or some quiet time to herself, either or. Her hands smoothed over her deep red gown, making certain it looked impeccable. Good. Nodding to the guards, she asked if she may see him. She knew it was unannounced, but hopefully, he would not mind.

Lord Spencer Lancaster

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

The arrival of Fiona was an unexpected surprise when he was informed of it, bringing him to his feet in anticipation of welcoming her company. The guard who brought the news was dispatched to escort the Princess within his pavilion and stand ready to escort her back to her own pavilion when she took her leave; he would do no differently for any lady truthfully, but he took an especial care with Fiona. Not only the foremost lady of the court, but a jewel in her own right.

"Fetch a bottle of Rose wine, the white will do. And a bowl of grapes, cheese and that fine bread, please. And set that cushion on the chair, if you would be so kind, Jules," he instructed his man, aware the man would remain to play propriety; Spencer took no risks with her reputation. Were Selena present, but his daughter was elsewhere tonight, as she ought to be, out amongst the Court.

Satisfied finally that all was adequate to receive her, the Duke nodded for the Princess to be escorted cordially inside, already in a bow of greeting.


Lady Fiona Lancaster

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona waited with patience outside the pavilion, knowing exactly what Spencer was up to. He was readying the place to receive her. The thought, though an assumption, still made her smile. Spencer never did anything haphazardly or without effort. Thus, she had no problem with waiting for him to prepare. Besides, she arrived unannounced, it was only fair!

When she was allowed to come in, she was already wearing a warm smile of greeting, "Thank you for seeing me, my Lord. I know I come unannounced and I apologize for that," she said politely and drew closer to him. "I've had some ... concerns that I wanted to share with you. Obtain your thoughts, really." She frowned, suddenly weary with concern, "This whole situation, Spencer..." She trailed off.

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

A subtle gesture dismissed the guard, his man melting out of sight as a nod indicated he should make himself scarce. Turning to greet his unexpected but welcome guest, Spencer smile and held his hand out for hers. "There is no hour you are not welcome, my Lady. Please, come and join me. I've had some simple refreshments prepared, and your company is the ideal end to my day." In true gentlemanly fashion, he guided her to the cushioned chair to seat her with dignity, then stepped back.

"You know you can come to unburden your mind to me any time, Fiona," he dropped the formality now that the initial courtesies were observed. Anticipating her needs, Spencer poured a glass of wine and offered it to her. "Do you speak specifically of what is going on with our friends from Sarkozsy, or with Demeria as a whole, if I may ask? So I know where to begin, of course. There is much we could speak on."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Goodness. She had known him for several years, and she had heard him say a great many sweet statements. Yet, no matter how many times she did, they always had the same impact on her. She could feel the beginning of a blush form, damn him. "And you leave me speechless as always, but happy." She said honestly and then settled down in the chair while smoothing out skirts.

"Some refreshment would be appreciated, thank you." The glass was taken from him and a sip enjoyed. "Oh, I would say both, but we can start with Sarkozsy. It is a cursed and wretched mess. I am still in a bit of shock that it's even happened to begin with. I was aware that Emma and Nikolai were having difficulties, but nothing this bad. I was hoping they would be able to resolve their differences."

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Unable to help himself, he sighed and passed a hand over his stubbled face. It was a situation Spencer was poignantly aware could have happened to any lady of the Court, including his Selena had Riordan not recognized his jewel for her true value. "I knew of some difficulties, but there were also considerable efforts to help those differences ease. That they grew so out of hand that the Prince took such extreme action is... worrisome." As a father, he felt paternal concern for Emma, a girl who was near to his own daughter's age. "How is the Princess really?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"If I were in her position? I would frankly be devastated. Not that I lost the man, but that I have been so embarrassed. I would question myself. I wonder what I did wrong. Was it me? Did I drive him off? Was he so ashamed to marry me that he would rather run off and abandon his duty?" She frowned, "It's not rational, but nothing about this has been rational. Prince Nikolai certainly didn't behave rationally, so why should I do the same?"

She looked at him bleakly, "Does that answer your question?"

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

She'd answered it precisely as he'd feared. Spencer shook his head slowly, not so much in pity for Emma but disgust at the way she'd been treated. Emma was a sensitive young woman, he had cause to know, and this would cut her to the quick, making her question every aspect of herself as a woman. "Rationale has flown out the window long ago, Fiona. I wouldn't be surprised at nearly anything she could do or say at this point, but I will say one thing." He leaned forward, his eyes grimly boring into hers. "Make sure she is not alone. Even if she returns to Triadon or goes to Meirin, make sure someone she trusts goes with her. I can only imagine how delicate her emotional state is right now."

That poor girl. The father in him could see why Daven felt so strongly about the matter; he was not so entirely opposed to delivering a thorough thrashing to the missing Prince on principle, but violence was not the answer. "I think, since you ask, the best thing you can do is get her out of Demeria altogether. Send her on a goodwill mission to Linten or Treniata. It will spare her the Court's reactions and give her the escape she deserves."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona matched his eyes, listening what he said. A faint smile formed. As she expected, he was not only thinking as a duke but also as a father and human being. "Lady Natalie and the other ladies in waiting are not going to leave her alone. They'll allow her moments of solitude, but loneliness? No. If I know Lady Natalie especially, she will do everything in her power to make certain she has a friend with her." The second suggestion surprised her and then got her thinking.

"You know, that is a fine point." The nod of approval came naturally, "My daughter Serah will be going to Treniata with the visiting Duke," she admitted to him. "Perhaps a mission to Linten will do her some good. The passion and fire may spark life in her once again."

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

"Indeed. Lady Natalie has been very loyal to our Princess, and if my aging eyes are any judge, a good friend to her." Spencer did not precise approve of some of the Lady Natalie's behaviors, yet there was no refuting the truth of the matter - the Kendall girl was faithful, protective and in some ways, good for Emma, stirring her up to keep that very charming mine. He would be the last to attempt to part them.

His brows rose at her announcement regarding her daughter; this was interesting, considering last they spoke, she had mentioned the distance. "Is she? That is... news. What led you to agree to such a venture?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Lady Natalie was not the typical lady, no, but she had yet to betray Emma in any context. That earned a measure of respect from Fiona. A small smile formed as she studied his face. "Aging eyes? Do not humble yourself more than necessary, my Lord. Your eyes see well. She is a very unusual lady, but ... I find that I like her. She's refreshingly honest, that much is certain."

At the mention of Serah, she let out a breath and looked down. "I've been a poor mother to her. I also failed to realize that has come of age and is in a woman in her own right. She wanted to travel with him so desperately. I could see it in her eyes. I granted it with the appropriate provision, such as chaperones. I .. have to let her leave the nest at some point."

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

"That honesty is near priceless in this court," Spencer reminded her calmly. "As is loyalty tested. Despite her unorthodox ways, I must say Lady Natalie has been a good companion for our princess, and I fear less for Emmaline's healing so long as Lady Natalie is by her side. She will not long allow the Princess to chastise herself or take on more than is her responsibility."

That said, he studied Fiona when he spoke of her daughter, listening without reaction to her words. "We cannot take back the past, Fiona, however much we might wish to. All we can do is understand our mistakes, learn from them and try to make amends for the future. Parents make mistakes; I am sure Felice would take me to task over many things since her passing, but we have done the best we could. Yes?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

It was truly hard to imagine Spencer making such a mistake with his own children, but she didn't comment on it. She took him at his word. He never really said things just to make another feel better about themselves. A breath exhaled. "I won't lie. I was hoping for her to be more like me. My replacement, so to speak, and I also won't deny that Marisa de Vere is more in line with my manner of thinking on things. I allowed myself to be blinded by that." She gave a weak smile.

"Don't worry, Spencer. I won't linger on it, but I am going to kick myself at least a few times over the matter. I won't expect this one act on my part to rectify all the wrongs I've done to her, but I do hope it the step in the right direction towards amends."

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

He smiled then, a sardonic hint to his expression. "I fear she has proven far more like Martin than ever either of us anticipated, but I do not necessarily see that as a flaw. Could it be that she reminds you too much of Martin, leading to the distance?" Fiona had not loved Martin, Spencer knew that well, but there had been a trust and companionship in their relationship that was difficult to duplicate.

A quiet chuckle of commiseration sounded. "Kick yourself if you must, but it does little good to linger over what is the past, and self-flagellation has never been particularly your style, my dear. Still," he added quietly, "I have faith that you may find it easier to establish a rapport with an adult daughter than you did with her as a child."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"Perhaps, yes," she said simply at first to the comparison of her daughter and her late husband. "He was a good man, really. And he did very much love his children." She remembered the pain her children went through at his death. It pained her, too. She had never wished death on the man, after all. "It certainly makes sense."

"Oh, certainly, it has. Every now then I need to give myself a swift, firm slap to get things right. It's not often, of course, but it does happen." The reassurance of her relationship with her daughter made her smile and then chuckle dryly, "Fair enough. I will admit that I have never been very good with children. They're like another species to me."