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Charity Begins at Church (Dec. 26 Morn)- Xmas 1677


Blackguard

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Beverley

 

"And a holiday blessing to you and your lady wife Lord Beverley," Arlington replied as the young man took his leave. The Earl was very much in need of Rupert's assistance in his latest palace intrigue. being extra pleasant to the prince's aide was a small price to pay.

 

 

Francis

 

"I shall leave it to you then," Dorset replied. In a whisper he added, "some of the lads are thinking of borrowing his white staff and then gifting it back to him for New Years." Arlington was a popular target of the Gang because he took himself so seriously. With that, Dorset took his leave.

 

 

OOC~ Fin for both

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Nicci and the Winchesters

 

James, like so many men, was oblivious to the little look that passed between Nicci and Noni. Whilst he liked to think of himself as open-minded and fair, he was still a man of his time and as such did not place women on the same academic or professional levels as men, though he would likely acknowledge that they had keen minds of their own.

 

Certainly he thought that her idea regarding locational ailments and their treatment was an intriguing one and worthy of investigation. Her words on the subject of the tensions between the Apothecaries and the Physicians showed that she had a keen grasp of current politics. How might the Royal Society response to a woman investigator, he wondered idly. Panic, in all probability, which in itself could be amusing.

 

“I’ve certainly never seen any particular reason for that animosity, so long as we are all respectful of our respective areas of expertise.” He allowed. Which in his mind meant the Apothecaries sticking to their herbs and preparations. “I would be delighted to be part of such a collaboration.” The pursuit of scientific enlightenment was something which could overcome even the most deeply held prejudices. “I appreciate the consideration.”

 

So she had heard of the Free Clinic. James assumed that it was rather old news by now, court tiring of things so quickly, but the question drew a smile to the little doctor’s moustache. “I will indeed, I like to drop in and check on how the lads are going and you would be most welcome to join me. I’m free most mornings; what time would suit your good self?” He asked, all interest now that they were on the subject of his own passion. Nicci likely recognised the symptoms.

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Sophia and Douglas

 

She made a good point. The Queen was German, so was Lady Mountjoy, and so was Sophia. Perhaps she did indeed have an in there that other courtiers lacked. “Haps she weel listen tae one o’ her coontrywumen.”* He allowed, thinking that it might indeed be the case. He supposed that only time would tell. It was clear that it was an angle Sophia wished to work, since she spoke of donations. Perhaps it would be welcome, assuming that the Queen did not see only the Spanish connection. Or perhaps she would welcome stronger ties with Spain; that was what an Ambassador was for, after all.

 

A doctor who specialised in mental disorders? Douglas wracked his brain but didn’t turn up any positives. “I’m nae sure.” He admitted. “Tis sayed that the doctor wha serves the Quin specialises in wimmin’s… issues.”** He said quietly, and made an effort to keep a straight face. It wasn’t a respectable area for a man to work in, that was the business of midwives, but he wouldn’t say that to Sophia. He’d not heard of a doctor whose specific interest was the insane.

 

It was decided then. She would speak with the Queen and he would see what he could find out about Bedlam’s funding and management. They could then reconvene and discuss what they’d learned. Despite the thoughtful frame of mind, he couldn’t miss the way she paused and blinked at him when he stroked her fingers. The faintest of smiles at his full lips, he ran his thumb along the side of her hand and along the soft, sensitive skin of her wrist as they walked.

 

“She didnae tell me that, nae.” He admitted in response to her question. “T’maks me wonder hou they gittit oot, an’ whither more micht do so.” He observed. Or whether a person might get in. “Did ye hear whither they foondit the patients?”*** He asked. If not, they could still be on the loose, and therefore found.

 

Walking, talking and gently flirting with Sophia would be a delightful way to spend the morning, but he did not wish to raise suspicion or disapproval amongst those gathered for Church. Not in association with Sophia anyway, for her sake. “I weel wricht ye a time an’ place tae meet so we kin discuss’t.” He promised her. “I weel luik forrard tae’t.” So saying he took her hand from his arm, bowed and kissed her fingers, lips warm against her skin. “Until thain.”+

 

Subtitles

* “Perhaps she will listen to one of her countrywoman.”

** “I’m not sure. It’s said that the doctor who serves the Queen specialises in women’s… issues.”

*** “She didn’t tell me that, no. It makes me wonder how they got out, and whether more might do so. Did you hear whether they found the patients?”

+ “I will write you a time and a place to meet so we can discuss it. I will look forward to it. Until then.”

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Douglas and Sophia

 

“I will play it by ear. If the Queen is concerned, Lady Mountjoy may ask me more about it.” She just hoped that she didn't mention Bedlam in front of Esteban. Her husband thought she had been out painting yesterday. She was certain that if he knew the truth, he would be even angrier at her than he was now. He wouldn't object to her visiting charities, but he wouldn't want her to put herself in danger.

 

A bright splash of color blossomed across Sophia's cheeks at his comment about the specialty of the doctor who served the Queen. She thought it a bit strange as well, and a very uncomfortable subject to even consider in the presence of a gentlemen. “Hopefully, one of the doctors at the Chelsea hospital will know the name of the doctor Lady Buccleuch told me about. Maybe Her Majesty's physician is acquainted with him. I could speak to him as well.” It seemed logical to her that the doctors in London would all know of each other.

 

She gasped softly as his thumb moved along her hand and across the sensitive skin of her wrist. Could he feel from her pulse how rapidly her heart was beating? Why did such a small touch affect her so profoundly? She almost wished that she was meeting him later this afternoon instead of Lord Arundel. Her attraction to him had not waned since her marriage. If anything, it had grown stronger. Even his faint smile enchanted her. Was he teasing her on purpose or was he unaware of what he was doing to her?

 

Distracted by his subtle caresses, It took her a long moment to process his words. “I wonder why they escaped. If they were happy there, they would have no reason to flee. I do not know whether they have been found or not. Since the Warden did not warn us to be careful when we left, he was probably trying to cover it up. Maybe the escapees were not mad at all. An insane person would not be clever enough to slip away undetected.”

 

He promised to write her with a time and place for their next meeting. It was time for her to be heading home but she was reluctant to part from him. “I will look forward to it as well,” she said, smiling disarmingly. Her entire body trembled when his lips brushed over her fingers, his breath warm against her hand. “Until then,” she repeated a bit breathlessly. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

 

And I hope you think of me.

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Douglas and Sophia

 

Sophia was more sensible than a lot of people gave her credit for; himself included he realised, somewhat to his chargrin. Perhaps it was that air of innocent exuberance that surrounded her, and if that misled people into underestimating Sophia, that might not be a bad thing, however much it might frustrate her. But clearly she knew more than enough to see how the Queen and Lady Mountjoy responded to the revelation.

 

As for doctors, Douglas knew precious little about them - being more acquainted with surgeons – but it made sense that they might know each other. “I dinnae ken him m’sel, but he seems harmless enou’.”* He observed with a shrug. Although, he had somehow ended up with a barony and a princess for a wife, so perhaps he too was not to be underestimated. Still, if he was the Ice Queen’s creature he was likely a proper little prig as well.

 

The tiny gasp caused Douglas’s faint smile to curve just that little bit further, and there was a light in his blue eyes. Oh, he knew exactly what he was doing, and that tiny noise told him it was hardly unwelcome. There had been an attraction between them since they first met, and it had pained him greatly to see her wed another. Yet he’d wondered whether the dour Spaniard was all she might wish; clearly that attraction had not diminished for her; nor had it for him.

 

Her words when they came were sense; people escaped because they were unhappy, and Bedlam was little more than a prison. Perhaps it was worse, since people were spectacles like animals in a menagerie. They would find out; it was simple a question of how.

 

Alas but he couldn’t keep her company, nor her hand, for too long, for however much he might want her he still respected her reputation, even if a dark little voice suggested that if he hadn’t, she might have been his. And I might have had the chance to duel with Francis to boot. Nowhere in Douglas’s psyche was there room for the possibility that he might duel and lose. No, at Sophia’s breathless little farewell, he simply smiled, bowed again, and walked away. But he would think of her; oh yes.

 

He would think of how he might arrange for them to be alone.

 

Subtitles

* “I don’t know him myself, but he seems harmless enough.”

 

OOC: Fin for me! Thank you all.

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Douglas and Sophia

 

Sophia didn't know much about doctors either. She had rarely been ill, and the only experience she had with one in England was last spring when she had feigned a stomachache while disguising herself as a commoner in order to look into a mystery, which unfortunately, had never been solved. The gentlemen who had been helping her investigate the origins of a note they had found had disappeared from court, and she had been so distracted by other things that she had never followed through with it.

 

She did hope that neither the Queen's doctor or the one who specialized in mental disorders was the man she had fooled that day. The petite Baroness didn't remember his name, but she thought she would recognize it when she heard it.

 

Sophia's heart leapt in her chest when she saw Douglas' smile broaden slightly. He was teasing her on purpose, which must mean that he still had feelings for her. How different her life would have been if Lord Kingston had allowed her to marry him! It would not have mattered to her if they were not wealthy, and she had never cared that he had been born on the wrong side of the blanket. He was precious to her, and she had always been drawn to him. Their personalities complemented each other so well. She would have been much happier with him than she was with Esteban. Douglas would have showered her with the affection that her husband withheld.

 

And perhaps there was still hope for them. She knew that she would give herself to him enthusiastically and without regret if the opportunity should arise. Her body hummed with desire as she watched him walk away. Sophia was tempted to call out to him and throw him a playful kiss when he looked back at her, but that would call attention to their fondness for each other and she knew how much Esteban despised him.

 

On the way home, an enigmatic smile turned up the corners of her lips as she imagined them joined at last, soaring together to the heights of pleasure.

 

~finis~ for Sophia. Thanks to everyone for a fun thread.

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Nicci and the Winchesters

 

There had been some risk he'd take umbrage at (although granted, she'd already take some assessment of his nature, had not just launched it recklessly) never the less her smile blossomed into fullness upon his voiced perspective. ""I am entirely aware that I am unqualified to measure the information scientifically - your collaboration of the study, shall lend it weight when published I am sure." she delighted, imagining his name upon the study, with herself in the credits. A rather thrilling prospect for a French girl from Normandie.

 

With a joint eagerness of swirling about them then, poor Noni was forgotten of as they hashed out a time to visit, Nicolette especially eager to get her foot in that door on account of it's being so convenient to the Golden Pestle. Thinking of her weeks plans she wondered what she coudl shuffle about? "Early upon Wednesday perhaps, I have an outing planned later in the morning, but perhaps at Nine?" Her outing with Nell called for muted costume, which would suit her visit to the Clinic also (saving her time from needing to get changed from one outing to the next).

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A Doctor in Continental Company

 

James smiled benevolently. It was important that they were all aware of their own shortcomings, but at the same time took advantage of their strengths. "I daresay our skills might compliment each other in the matter." He observed. "I have made my own study of herbs of course, as a part of my qualification, but I don't handle them every day as Apothecarians do." He allowed. No, the young lady's notion was really rather interesting, and definitely bore further examination.

 

"Gah, that is one the morning I am busy." He said ruefully. "I have to address the Barber-Surgeons." Which was tiresome but apparently they thought it necessary. "Why don't you meet me at midday at the Clinic, and we can perhaps find a spot of lunch to discuss the idea over, if that's to your liking?" He suggested, thinking that he would be hungry by then.

 

He glanced at Noni then. "That's alright, isn't it dear? I'll be home in the afternoon, but I'm sure you'll have the arrangements in order for the 30th." Or rather their servants would, but he would not dream of giving Noni the impression that she was not Queen of her own Castle. She was his Queen.

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