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Post by Rose on Dec 20, 2011 15:20:07 GMT -5
((I know!  )) By no small feat, Rose had managed not to let a single tear fall. Her father, though extremely ill and on death's doorstep, seemed happy. She wouldn't ruin it by crying. So she talked to her father, her voice low and soothing. It wouldn't be much longer now. |
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 20, 2011 15:28:31 GMT -5
Jimmy stepped silently into the room, he didn't want to disturb them, but wanted to make sure that Rose was alright. He didn't know why, she had been nothing but mean to him since they met but he still felt horrible for the girl.
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Post by Rose on Dec 20, 2011 19:25:57 GMT -5
She felt his presence the moment he stepped in the room. Her spine stiffened and the line of her mouth became grim. They were both simply waiting for her father to die, but their emotions were quite different. While she was devastated to lose her father, he was waiting for the other half of her inheritance to roll in.
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 20, 2011 22:56:10 GMT -5
"Rose," he said and stepped closer. "I must speak with you a moment," he nodded to her father politely. "When I'm through you can return."
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Post by Rose on Dec 21, 2011 9:49:41 GMT -5
She hesitated. She really didn't want to leave her father now, not even for a few minutes. But she stood, walking quickly past him and out into the hallway.
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 21, 2011 14:31:59 GMT -5
Jimmy took a deep breath. "I have to get back home. Feel free to stay here as long as you like with your father. I am going to leave some of my most trusted men here with you for when it's time for you to meet me."
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Post by Rose on Dec 21, 2011 14:33:21 GMT -5
If it was possible, Rose narrowed her eyes at him even more. So this was how it was going to be?
"Fine. I suppose you're just going to dump me in your country home after my father dies, anyways. I guess I should get used to living alone."
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 21, 2011 14:34:57 GMT -5
Jimmy took a step back from her and glared. "I thought that you would be pleased to get rid of me and to be able to spend your father's last days with him alone. I see now nothing I do will please you. I had no intention of casting you off at my summer house, though maybe that might be more agreeable instead of having you berate me daily for all my supposed faults."
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Post by Rose on Dec 21, 2011 17:59:37 GMT -5
With a roll of her eyes, she turned to go back into her father's room. She didn't even allow herself to think that this was what she had to deal with for the rest of her life. As much as it pained her to do so, she silently berated her father for putting her into this situation.
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 21, 2011 18:17:57 GMT -5
Jimmy marched himself back into the dining hall where his men were finishing their meal. "All of you except Ashbury, Sutton and Bainbridge be ready to leave within the hour. You three will escort the duchess home when her father passes understood?"
His men nodded and watched him leave the room.
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Post by Rose on Dec 22, 2011 9:13:03 GMT -5
The next few hours were some of the longest of Rose's life. Her father became restless and somewhat delirious; then all of a sudden he would fall into a deep sleep. His breathing became more erratic as time went on, and Rose found herself staring at his chest, just to see if he was still taking in oxygen.
Finally, close to nightfall, her father reached out his hand for her. She took it immediately, clasping it in hers and staring at him. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find the energy. So, he just nodded before closing his eyes and taking his last breath.
Rose couldn't move. Her insides were frozen, and her mind was blank.
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 22, 2011 13:40:49 GMT -5
Ashbury had sent a messenger ahead announcing Rose's father's death. He explained they would be traveling to the castle after the funeral and after all of her late father's affairs had been settled.
Ashbury rode alongside the carriage that was taking the Lady Rose home to her husband. He couldn't help but feel terrible for her, he remember how much the loss of his own father had hurt. He leaned down and peered in through the open window. "How are you this morning, your grace?" He asked her.
Jimmy sat in quiet solitude out in the gardens, for once having a moments peace without the incessant begging of his family for money. He refused to supply his brother with more than his allowance which was usually squandered in less than a week. His cousin seemed to be the only one who had any sense when it came to finances, but definitely lacked it in the relationship department.
"Mia, what do I do about my wife?" Said cousin turned her head to glance at him, there was a cool chill breeeze and her cheeks were bright red.
"Jimmy, you behave like any other husband. If she wants nothing to do with you, just ignore her and then bed her so well that she has no choice but to stop ignoring you...or until you make an heir. Then you both can go about your lives blissfully ignorant of each other."
Jimmy gaped at her and then laughed. "Well madam, it must be quite lovely to not have to marry if you so choose."
"Ah yes, it very much is. I decided long ago no man would have claim on me." She smirked and then patted his hand. "She'll come round. You're a good man, Jimmy. She has to see it for herself."
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Post by Rose on Dec 22, 2011 13:44:03 GMT -5
Rose just nodded her head in reply to Ashbury's question. How did he think she was? Splendid? She had been silent the whole ride there, and she planned on remaining so until she felt like talking. Which, at this point, might be never.
When the castle came into view, she almost remarked on its beauty. But then she remembered its resident. And it seemed more like a prison to her.
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Post by jimmyconnelly on Dec 22, 2011 14:06:28 GMT -5
((Poor Rose))
One of the servants came to the garden to tell Jimmy that his wife was arriving.
"Good luck cousin. It is very hard to make a woman like you once she is determined to hate you!" She called after him.
Jimmy glared at her and left the confines of the garden, heading through the grand hall to the front veranda of the castle. There he stood waiting for his wife to arrive.
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Post by Rose on Dec 22, 2011 15:50:12 GMT -5
She murmured her thanks to the footman that helped her down, then lifted her eyes to her husband. She inclined her head in greeting, lips clamped tightly together.
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))