A New Charge

[Owen du Blaine]

I'd long since grown accustomed to living alone; I arrived and left when I pleased, walked naked when I wanted, and had to worry about nobody... the only hiccups in that plan were when servants would appear when I didn't expect, getting a full-on view of my nakedness. They minded more than I, but I tried to keep myself properly covered around them; they tended to do worse work when flustered, and I loathed that.

I was lounging, trying to figure out a puzzle when a letter from my mother arrived, and I opened it, not expecting much more than wanting to catch up... but another letter fell into my lap that was tucked inside this, and, confused, I saw it was from the Lady de Perigeux, an old family friend. I scanned my mothers letter, and sighed; she informed me of the Lady de Perigeux's request, and encouraged me to accept it. I eyed the second letter before reading it, and sighed a second time. So much for days of being alone.

I'd known my duty, though, and I penned them both back a short statement accepting: I would take on the charge of the Ladys daughter, Eulalie, a sixteen year old girl who'd turned down two suitors thus far, and earned her parents worry.

I couldn't blame them for worrying, though on the same hand it might be a touch early for it. She was young yet, and mayhap was only picking carefully through suitors, wanting someone of proper power and influence.. or at least someone she could tolerate for the remainder of her life. I'd take her on, and lead her about, introduce her, and mayhap she'd find someone here.

Now, some few weeks after the letters had been sent out to my mother and the Lady, I was lounging again, working on the same wooden puzzle... only this time I was awaiting the arrival of Eulalie, who was slotted to arrive sometime this morning barring any mishaps. The house was quiet; only the muffled sounds coming from the kitchens disturbed the silence, and part of me wished there were more.

So much for walking around naked.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

The carriage ride had been uneventful for the most part, though it was interesting to note the drastic change in the quality of the buildings as we travelled through the city. It was certainly different from Siovale, I'd never seen estates packed so tightly together. I began to think of it less as a banishment and more as an opportunity to learn.

We finally stopped before a rich looking townhouse, located in the wealthier part of the city. As the coachman opened the door I felt an uncharacteristic stab of self consciousness. Was I presentable, as I was now? I nervously smoothed out my skirt, as though it would miraculously make me the epitome of grace and respectability. This Comte du Blaine who was mad enough to take in the daughter of an old family acquaintance that he'd never met, would hopefully care little about appearances; as little as a D'Angeline could at any rate.

[Owen du Blaine]

Footsteps stirred near the front of the house, and a pair distinctly pattered towards me, hurrying and not at the same time. "The Lady de Perigeux has arrived, my Lord," a little slip of a maid breathed, smiling prettily as she bobbed a curtsy. I nodded and rose before tossing the wooden puzzle to her suddenly, giving a quick grin as she squeaked and hurried to catch it. "Thank you, Rosalie," I responded as I made my way to the front doors, opening them myself and searching out for the one who would be sharing my home for an undetermined amount of time.

There was no mistaking her; she was a pretty thing, her hair flashing a brilliant gold in the sunlight, and I gave her a short bow before grinning outright. "Mademoiselle de Perigeux, I presume," I said, with no hint of question. "Welcome to the City. I'm Comte Owen du Blaine; its a pleasure to meet you."

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

I took in my new guardian as he approached. He was taller, definitely taller; and I silently thanked my mother for making me wear these impractical shoes so that I wasn't nearly as short as I usually was. His hair was a darker shade than mine and his eyes seemed to flicker with different colours. My sisters would have been swooning over him by now, but I was just thankful that he seemed friendly enough.

I sank into a curtsey. "You presume correctly," I replied with a shy smile. "Well met, my lord." I rose then added, "Thank you for kindly allowing me to stay."

[Owen du Blaine]

She smiled shyly, and I had to resist my natural urges to try and charm her back into a more.. comfortable smile. No, instead I merely smiled in return, confident, and held my arm out for her to take. "Of course - that's what family friends are for, is it not? Come, let me get you something to drink; you must be parched after your long ride. I know how utterly dull the roads can be between here and Siovale"

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

"I am a little thirsty," I admitted as I took the arm he offered. "Though, I've never travelled outside Siovale, so I suppose dull roads are exciting to me."

Dull roads are exciting to me? I mentally cursed myself. As if it wasn't obvious that I was a country bumpkin already. I felt a blush of awkwardness begin to flush my cheeks and looked down to hide it.

[Owen du Blaine]

"I think anything could be exciting, if it's your first time experiencing it," I responded, smiling kindly at her. Reaching across my torso, I patted the hand of hers that lay on her arm as I led her towards the townhouse, glancing back once to make sure the servants were taking care of her luggage properly.

She was a darling already, and it was hard not to take the opportunity given to look down the front of her dress. I couldn't, I chided myself; she was all of sixteen, and my charge besides. I had to not look at her like that... at least as much as I could.

"Anything in particular fancy you the most? Tea? Wine?"

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

I allowed myself to relax a little more as he gave me a comforting pat on the arm. My earlier misgivings were misplaced, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Tea, please," I grinned back up at him, a little less self consious now. "I always seem to get a bit silly after drinking wine."

[Owen du Blaine]

I chuckled at her reasoning as led her into the townhome, the doors held open by a servant. "Tea it is then," I responded, amusement thick in my voice. Stopping us in the foyer, I gestured with my free hand, smiling down at Eulalie. "Welcome home, Eulalie."

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

Home. Home had always been in the comfortable manor with my parents and my brother, after my sisters had married and moved away. Home had been our family of scholars with tell tale books absent mindedly strewn about everywere, little contraptions and puzzles left half unsolved to be analysed later. I didn't expect to miss it so soon.

The homesickness didn't last long though. Curiosity took over and I keenly looked around. "It's nice." I commented. It was smaller than back in Siovale but still rather large for someone who had supposedly been living alone, at least, I think he had been living alone. That detail seemed to escape me, I was probably too angry at my parents at the time to be paying attention to what they were saying. I decided to clarify it now. "Have you been living here alone?"

[Owen du Blaine]

"Aye," I said, smiling as I confirmed her question. I turned us and moved into the sitting room, picking up a pot that had been set out once the carriage had arrived, and poured her tea into a thin cup. "Just myself, and now you here. It shouldn't be too loud.. I'm not sure if you are still doing your studies or if you've graduated past that."

Was she? I really had no idea what girls did. "I'll secure you a tutor though, if you'd like. One of the many details, I'm sure, that I didn't think to secure with your arrival," I added, giving her a sheepish smile as I handed her the cup.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

At the mention of a tutor I inwardly winced. It was a sore point for me, my education had long been finished. In fact, I suppose it could be said I was more than educated enough for a girl. It was why I was so jealous when my brother came home from university at Tiberium with countless stories, because I knew I'd never be able to go.

"It isn't necessary," I assured him as I accepted the cup and took a sip. "My tutor found he could not teach me anything more a long time ago. Had I been a boy my parents would have sent me to Tiberium by now. But..." I shrugged, resigned. "I suppose it's more logical to develop my social skills. Studying can be done any time, society waits for no one." I couldn't help the slight mimicry in my tone of my mother. It was one of her favourite mantras as I was leaving.

[Owen du Blaine]

I nodded, regretting offering her the tutor when she declined it, and hoping too that I hadn't offended her. I was silent for a moment as she finished speaking, leaning against the bar casually, one thumb tucked into the top of my breeches. "Well, if social skills is where you're to be aimed, then I suppose we shall have to have a dinner party to honor your arrival."

My smile was kindly, and I reached out, taking her hand in mine to gently draw her out of the sitting room and into the hall beyond. "For now though, let me show you your new home, if you feel so inclined."

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

The mention of a dinner party made my blood beat irrationally fast with imagined nervousness, but when he offered to show me around the house I returned his smile warmly. It would be interesting to see how a bachelor lived, though I suppose he had enough time to tidy up anything out of the ordinary.

"All right," I said, putting down the cup of tea as he took my free hand in his and drew me out of the room.

[Owen du Blaine]

She didn't hesitate, and I drew her into the hallway, arcing us to the left immediately. Part of me had taken her hand to see her reaction at it, to test her boundaries a bit, but she hadn't shown any reluctance to it. Once she was abreast of me I brought her hand up and wrapped it over my arm, a more proper hold, but a little more familiar than if we were two strangers meeting at some chance fete.

As we walked, I pointed out the library, a downstairs office, a small room with couches intended for relaxing, a larger, more airy and bright one to entertain guests in. I showed her the way to the kitchens and the dining room, having doubled back and made our way towards the opposite end of the house again. There was a bedroom downstairs for those who couldn't traverse stairs, and a small set of servants quarters 'round the back, two privies... By the time we reached the top of the stairs, I was grinning at her, pausing at the pinnacle of the flight and watching her. "Gotten confused yet?" I asked, my eyes twinkling in amusement.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

He moved rather quickly as he showed me around the house, which made me glad for the secure hold he had on my arm. There were many rooms, but nothing too outlandish or difficult to remember. I committed everything to memory before we reached what appeared to be the very top of the stairs.

"Not at all," I answered, looking up at him sweetly, for all there was a small challenge in my voice.

[Owen du Blaine]

A wolfish grin stole over my face at the challenge in her voice, and I had to remind myself quite soundly that she was my charge, not some girl I could dandle on my knee for an hour or two and send on her way. Just barely I kept myself from leaning towards her and backing her into the post at the top of the stairs, but the vision of her standing close and staring up at me with those innocent eyes remained with me.

"Then I shall have to test you," I replied, my voice a bit gruffer than it'd been before. Before I could do anything idiotic, I turned smoothly and released her hand from my arm as I began to lead her slowly down the hall. "The bedrooms are this way," I added, gesturing offhandedly before me.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

There was a definite change in his demeanour, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it certainly seemed like something had made him... wary? I hoped my manner had not offended him. He let go of my hand, leading me instead and I followed him as surely as I took my cue from his behaviour.

"Bedrooms, got it," I nodded as he gestured down the hall. "So is that it then?" I asked demurely.

[Owen du Blaine]

For the second time I just barely kept myself from doing something brash; when she asked if this was all, I had to swallow a quip about giving her a tour of the inside of her bedroom, and more specifically, her bed.

"This is it," I repeated, the words dull in comparison. "This bedroom is yours," I said as we stopped before it, and I pointed down the hall on the opposite side. "Mine is down there; the rest are guest bedrooms. If you don't like this one, you're free to change your mind.. I just figured you'd like some privacy."

I reached and opened the door for her, then held it and allowed her to enter ahead of me. A poster bed stood waiting, a closet and small washroom adjoined, one just big enough for her own copper tub. The wood of the tables, dresser, bed and settee were all a light oak, offset by crimson and chocolate-colored cloths.

"We can change the decor as well, if it doesn't suit. Make the room your own, don't worry about the cost." I smiled as I stood just inside the door, my hands tucked behind my back.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

I stepped in ahead of him, looking around. All the amenities were easily accessible and I liked the layout and colour scheme. I could imagine hours of peaceful study in here, I loved it immediately. Turning around in full circle, I smiled warmly at Owen.

"I don't think there's anything I'd change, I love it." I said sincerely. "Thank you, so, so much. I know this was all very last minute and I'm so grateful that you're doing this at all."

[Owen du Blaine]

My smile was a little lopsided as I leaned against the doorframe, one of my long legs crossing the other, toe-down onto the floor. My thumbs hooked into the top of my breeches, I watched her as she admired it, and gave a shift of my shoulder that passed for a shrug.

"It's alright, I'll leave the bill for you on your pillow," I replied, teasing. "I'm sure you'd like some privacy to rest though. My servants will see to unpacking your things for you."

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

I laughed freely at his jest, probably for the first time since my parents told me I'd be going away.

"Ok," I nodded in amusement. "Thank you. I probably won't be resting any time soon though." I was going to supervise the unpacking, to make sure nothing was damaged on the journey here. I could already imagine where I wanted everything to go. And it would be a good opportunity to get to know the servants.

[Owen du Blaine]

My smile eased; she wasn't all seriousness and forlorn expressions, then. She was homesick, whether she'd admit it or not, and I felt.. Well, responsible for it.

"Oh?" I queried from where I lounged. "Going out already?"

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

"No, not quite yet anyway," I shook my head. "I just want to make sure that everything is unpacked and undamaged. And I probably need to write a letter to mother that I've arrived safely. Although," I gave him a tentative glance. "I was planning on exploring the city as soon as everything's settled."

[Owen du Blaine]

"Aah," I said, nodding at her explanation. "Well, you're free to come and go as you please; I'll not be your jailkeeper, or your father. There's only a few things I ask though; Use your head, don't go into the darker parts of the City, and take a guard with you until you feel comfortable traversing alone. I'll let you decide when that is." The city was full of unrest with the poisons, and I didn't want her becoming lost. "My stablehand Darmus is slotted to accompany you anywhere you go, for as long as you wish it."

I peered at her, wondering how she'd take my requests.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

His requests were sensible, entirely reasonable of course; though I didn't really understand the need. The City of Elua, from all accounts, especially the Square that I planned to visit as soon as possible, was peaceful. I nodded as he finished speaking.

"Fair enough. I shall keep that in mind." It made me wonder what business he got up to during the day but I decided to keep that question to myself.

[Owen du Blaine]

With a nod and a smile, I gave her a bending of my neck in a silent farewell as I turned and made my way back down the stairs, sidestepping twice to give struggling servants room to travel up the stairs with heavy wares. Women, I snorted to myself as I rounded the last step and headed to my office. They couldn't travel light if all they had was a handkerchief.

[Eulalie de Perigeux]

I watched as he left the room, and as soon as he was out of sight I sat on the bed and waited for the servants as they came up the stairs.

I think I would rather like it here.