Charles Whitehurst Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Langdon could not return to his room yet. He had agreed to let Sam have privacy in the room to sleep or whatever in the afternoon and early evening. He would not reclaim his room until midnight, when she would go on duty as Captain of the Guard. So, it was left to Langdon to patrol the halls of the royal wings and the upper nobility. It was a great opportunity for him to think while doing something productive. Perhaps some one was in need of saving, which could get his mind off his lady problems. His strategy for Darlene was in tatters. Davina needed help but to be too helpful to her could risk his own position. Fiona had yet to sneak into his room or his company. Luck was with him in that regard. Having her sneak into his room and encountering Sam in a state of disrobe would be ... unfortunate. He was thinking that maybe he should swear off women for the entire season -- a promise he could not keep. He was in a runaway coach towards marriage and he had few options. He could avoid Catherine but what to do about Susan, or another? His mind stopped when he thought he heard footsteps ahead. Assuming a more soldier-like posture, he moved forward to see who it might be approaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Having left the Versailles parlour, Eleanor was headed back to her accomodations in the main tower of the south tower complex. It was a small room up on the fourth floor but it was entirely comfortable for herself and Mary, her maid and chaperone, who accompanied her, currently carrying a large wicker basket. She was wearing a modest evening gown of lavender silk, the borders of which she had embroidered with the nodding heads of spring bluebells, and the occasional tiny bee, complimented with her necklace, earrings and bracelet of alternating enamelled violets and single pearls. On the whole she felt that her first full day at Windsor had been a success. She had made new acquaintances and, whilst she hadn't yet had the opportunity to explore the gardens in the detail which she would like to, she counted that as something to look forward to. The hallways seemed fairly quiet, most people presumably either ensconced in their location of choice or already retired for the night. Since she had no intention of being about late, Eleanor was doing the latter. As she and Mary turned a corner, a figure came into view, silhouetted in the candlelight. Eleanor started, and for a moment her pulse raced, until she recognised the red uniform of a Life Guard. They were the King's Guards and at least gentlemen themselves, and the amount of lace on this fellow's collar seemed to suggest that he was more than mere gently. Surely she could trust the Life Guards? "Your pardon, my Lord." She curtseyed briefly, hoping that she and Mary might be able to slip past and continue on their way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 3, 2022 Author Share Posted December 3, 2022 It turned out to be two women, one appeared to be a lady and the other a servant with a wicker basket. They seemed to wish to continue on their way but perhaps they were lost as he did not recognize them and they were moving about important quarters. "Good evening ladies," he greeted as Eleanor curtsied. "Are you lost or in need of assistance?" It was an offer of chivalry but it was also a way to question why there were strangers in these halls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Eleanor was reasonably certain that she knew where they were going, but far be it for her to correct a gentleman. She coloured slightly at the thought that she might in fact be mistaken. "We may be a little disoriented." She allowed, glancing at Mary. "I am Eleanor Bayning, daughter of Viscount Bayning." She added by way of introduction, wanting to make it clear that she wasn't where she shouldn't be. At least, she didn't think so. "I have a room on the fourth floor of the Main Tower." She explained. No doubt the gentleman would either tell her that she was going in the right direction, or give her better directions if she wasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 3, 2022 Author Share Posted December 3, 2022 "Welcome to Windsor Miss Bayning. I do not believe we have met before. I am Charles Whitehurst, Earl of Langdon and Major in His Majesty's Life Guard. Do you know the way from here? Or would you like an escort to your room? I am at your service," he offered in a polite tone. Had he not had the encounter with Thomas Herbert a few hours earlier, he might have been more indulgent of a new arrival; but, if Herbert was to be believed, any lady in his company was likely to have her marriage prospects lessened. It still galled him, though he did his best to hide it from Eleanor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 An Earl! And they were just crossing paths in a hallway, like commoners. How wonderful. And a Major in the Life Guard. That was all really quite something, especially as he was kind enough to offer to show her the way, but when he asked if she would like an escourt to her room, a slight alarm thrilled through her. She had of course been warned against men who would try to take advantage of young woman's virtue and naiveté, and her mother had quietly pointed out that they were often the most handsome and debonair gentleman. Do not let your head be turned. She had warned. Lord Langdon was certainly handsome, and seemed quite debonair, at least on first impression. Eleanor had of course been raised to assume the best of people, but it dawned on her that this might be one of those times to be cautious. He probably was simply a very nice and helpful gentleman, but she should not take risks. A lady's reputation tarnished easily. She would swear she felt Mary's gaze on her. On the other hand she did not wish to offend. "Oh, how lovely to meet you, my Lord!" She trilled, fluttering her fan. "That is terribly good of you, but I would not wish to distract you from your duties." Still, he really was being generous, and she did not want him to think her ungrateful. "If you would be kind enough to show me the base of the relevant stairs, I do believe that I can find my way from there." After all, it would simply be a matter of the four story climb, and her door would be there. The one with the holly on it. And if he didn't accompany her up the stairs, then surely no one could think anything of it? A lady had to be able to talk to gentlemen, after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 5, 2022 Author Share Posted December 5, 2022 Most nights he would enjoy charming a lady but this night he was troubled. Of course, even being troubled was no excuse to not be gallant. "I would be happy to escort you to the base of the stairs at the Main Tower," he replied in a friendly tone. He moved up beside her. "You are going in the correct direction and it is not far," he assured. Let us walk together and perhaps you can tell me about your home as we walk? Is this your debut at court?" It was small talk to pass the time. Having been accused of being a libertine, he planned to go out of his way to act as anything but a libertine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 "Oh thank you." She gave him a warm smile, falling in beside him as he moved to join her, though she make no move to take his arm. It was reassuring to know that she hadn't been lost after all. "This is my debut at court, yes." She agreed as they began to walk. "I fear it seems that it rather shows." Her cheeks pinked slightly for she'd hoped she would not be quite so obvious, but Lord Mountjoy had picked her just as easily. Ah well. That meeting had turned out fortuitously; perhaps this one might as well. "Our family seat is Honingham hall in Norfolk, not far from Norwich." Which was the major city in Norfolk. Having said that, most of their estates were in Essex and Sussex. She glanced at her companion. "And may I ask, where is Langdon?" She enquired, curious as to where the Earl was from as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 10, 2022 Author Share Posted December 10, 2022 "It does not show at all," he replied in a friendly tone. "I asked only because we have yet to meet and I know most courtiers that come to court. As a member of the Life Guard it is a useful thing." He did not wish her to feel self conscious as they moved closer to the Main Tower. "Any relation to the Howards?" he inquired. That family was spread all over Norfolk. "Langdon is in Cornwall. It is somewhat inland but I also hold title to the ruined castle of Tintagel which is on the northern coast and is reputed to be the home of Uther Pendragon and Merlin the Magician," he boasted, suspecting that ladies would be suitably impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 Of course. As a Life Guard it was important for Lord Langdon to know those who came to court, the better to pick out any who might not legitimately be there, or who might be inclined to cause problems. His duty was to protect the King after all. It all made sense. She just wished she'd been able to blend in a little better, though she didn't really know how she would have achieved that. You met a Marquess, his wife, a princess and a Margrave, and Their Majesties yesterday, and none of them seemed displeased at your company; you are doing alright. She had to remind herself from time to time. Always it was easier to feel any failures than successes, but truly her only real failure had been with Lady Lucas, and she was already thinking of how she might possibly remedy that. "No relation to the Howards, no." She replied; that much was easy at least. "I am related to Lord Grey; he's my mother's cousin." A few times removed, but whatever. Better to speak of the Greys than to mention the only family connection through her father likely to be at court. The less said about that scandal, the better. Eleanor was impressed. "Tintagel!" She breathed, clapping her hands together. "The birth place of King Arthur. Oh how wonderful." Now that was a romantic thought. Imagine walking the ruins of the castle that had once held those very people of legend. Where they had lived, loved and lost. "Does it feel as though some trace of the legends remain within those walls?" She asked, imagining hearing echoes and ghosts of the past as one walked through the ruins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 28, 2022 Author Share Posted December 28, 2022 Charles was not sure that he had met Lord Grey before, so he merely nodded at the identity of her relative. Had she been close to the Howards, it might have raised her value in the marriage market. "I played in the castle as a boy," he admitted freely "Cromwell did nothing but graze sheep there," he added as a way to demonstrate neglect over the years. "I was able to acquire the barony and the castle from the King during my time at court and I have great plans to one day do a dig there. Do you know there is a cave underneath the castle? When you shout in the cave you can sometimes not only hear your own echo; but, at times, you can hear the echo of distant unworldly voices as if they had been captured there through the ages. I tried as a boy to makes sense of them. They seemed like sad warnings to my ear," he revealed . Even better, my steward found an odd translucent stone at the bottom of an old well. He thinks it might be Merlin's scrying stone. I doubt that but I have the stone in London. It is a wonder to withhold," he continued excitedly. They were nearing the stairs to her room. "I must apologize over my exuberance for Arthurian tales of Tintagel. It is a place like none other in England. I hope I did not prattle more than I should." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 The very thought that Lord Langdon had played in that legendary castle as a child was enchanting. To have grown up amongst the remains of those legends almost boggled the mind. And yet it was apparently not in the family, for he had acquired it from the King! She hadn't even known that it had been in Parliamentarian hands. And there was a cave? "No, I did not know." How wonderful. Surely it was a place of secrets and magic. Not that it was Godly to practice magics, but the thought was thrilling. "Do you think they are voices of the dead?" She asked of the odd echoes. Imagine if there was some link to the past through that cave. Or perhaps Arthur's sister had practiced unholy magics there and they were the voices of the damned? That thought made her shiver. "Oh, there is no need to apologise." She assured Langdon as he hoped he wasn't prattling. "It all sounds quite magical to hear. And just the thought that the place might hold traces of those legendary times..." She trailed off, hands clasped near her chin, quite enthralled. "I do enjoy a good story." She admitted. The fact that it was all related to that story, even more so. "Have you had anyone look at the stone?" Eleanor asked, intrigued. Imagine if it was Merlin's scrying stone! But even if it wasn't, it might be some jewel from that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted December 31, 2022 Author Share Posted December 31, 2022 Charles looked left and right to ensure they were alone at the foot of the stairs. The maid did not count. "I believe they are the voices of the dead," he admitted in a whisper, "or the voices of the trapped." He gave her a knowing look. This sort of story would be a great one for seduction, the sort of supernatural nonsense that could so captivate an unsuspecting lady. Yet, he spoke the truth, and the Earl of Langdon was a full believer in the supernatural, especially with the likes of the trapped spirit in the palace that he had encountered with Susan Herbert and then Sam Gillis. "I have shown it to no one. It is back in London, but I could send my man to fetch it one day. I had not thought to examine it here, but perhaps the history of Windsor Castle might help bring it alive. It is cold to the touch but its shape and material is unlike anything I have encountered in this world," he added in a low voice. "I suppose I should not detain you longer now that we are at your stairs. The hallways are quite drafting this time of year. I would not want you falling ill on my account." Having charmed a lady for a moment was reward enough for onenight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleanor Bayning Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 They had reached the stairs, and Lord Langdon glanced about before he confided that he did indeed think that the voices heard in the cave were those of the dead. Or the... trapped. What a terrifying thought. But then terrible things happened to those who meddled in things man was not meant to wot of. "The trapped!" She breathed, barely more than a whisper, blue eyes wide. What a thought. She listened, fascinated, as he described the stone he had found. "I understand why you would not wish to show the stone to just anyone." She said, certain that his reticence was wise, for there were far too many who would scoff at such as simply stories. Still... "Perhaps, if you found an expert in either Arthurian lore or such stones..." She trailed off. Wouldn't it be fascinating if it did indeed turn out to be some Arthurian artifact? Ah, but it was not for her to tell him his business. Still, if he did learn something, she might hope he would share it with her. Langdon was kind enough to bring her back to reality, pointing out that they had reached the stairs. Eleanor felt a little chargrinned that she had been so easily distracted by his stories. Perhaps I am as easily led astray as mother warned I might be. It was a sobering thought. She had promised herself that she would be more circumspect of gentlemen. Still, no harm done, this time. She would have to be more careful. Langdon was entirely charming, and there perhaps lay the danger in him, if indeed there was any. She hoped not, for he seemed like such a pleasant fellow. "Thank you for your concern Lord Langdon, and for sharing your tale. It was most entertaining." She smiled warmly at him. "I shan't get lost from here. Good night." Not that she had indeed been lost, but she had gained at least one introduction. Glancing at Mary, she set her foot on the stairs. OOC: Fin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Whitehurst Posted January 22, 2023 Author Share Posted January 22, 2023 The young lady seemed as fascinated as she should be on such a thrilling topic. Yet she sobered when they reached the bottom of the stair. "It has been my pleasure my lady. Have a good evening," he bade her as he nodded and withdrew back to his rounds. ~fin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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