Ep 3: Of Faith and Futility

[00:00:30] Speaker A: Hello, I'm bloody porcelain, and I'll be playing Lady Eloise Beaufort. [00:00:36] Speaker B: Hello, I'm bookkeeper, and I'll be playing Colonel Thomas Campbell. [00:00:42] Speaker C: Hello. I am legacy, and I'll be playing Lady Catherine Beaufort. [00:00:47] Speaker A: Hello. [00:00:48] Speaker D: I'm overthinker, and I'll be playing Mr. John Fielding. [00:00:53] Speaker E: And welcome, everybody. I'm Grizz and I'll be your facilitator for the evening. How are we doing, players? [00:01:01] Speaker A: Doing pretty. [00:01:06] Speaker E: Great. [00:01:06] Speaker C: Great. [00:01:07] Speaker E: Okay. So we left off with some drama, but a few weeks have passed since our last incident, but. Incident? Well, kind of was an incident. Party. Whatever you want to call it. It's drama. It's everywhere. And the result of that drama are letters. Our last session went a little long and we just kept on going and going. But as a result of that, part of the good society flow of play is sending out letters to player characters and npcs for them to respond to as well. So we're going to open this session with a series of letters going out that we couldn't get to last time. So forgive us for that. But the drama was just too good. There was too much tea. And that's how it goes. So we are going to start with the good Mr. John Fielding, played by overthinker. [00:02:03] Speaker D: Excellent. Thank you. I am totally prepared for this. [00:02:06] Speaker E: Oh, good. I'll let, uh. [00:02:11] Speaker D: First letter written probably a few days after the party John met with. Met with his business partner. There we go. James. James Masters. And discussed the potentials of deal with Lord Fosley. After which I wrote him a letter. Lord Fosley, I first must thank you for your interest and patronage of my esteemed colleague. Mr. Masters is elated at the potential advancement and I confess my interest is peak. I hope we can discuss such business in due time and perhaps find an arrangement of mutual benefit to professional companionship. To the matter of my relationship with Miss Eloise Beaufort. I have taken your words under advisement. But I have claimed my success by gambling little and pursuing that which seems most likely to succeed. This quality has led to what success you now see. And it inclines me to place my faith in it once again. I hope to see you soon in the company of our mutual acquaintance. And you are welcome, indeed, to visit me in London should that time allow. Cordially, Mr. John Fielding. [00:03:41] Speaker E: Okay. And your second letter? [00:03:46] Speaker D: My second letter is not quite done yet. [00:03:49] Speaker E: No worries. We'll move right along. That's all good. We will proceed to legacy playing Catherine Beaufort. [00:03:57] Speaker C: Okay. [00:03:58] Speaker E: Lady Catherine Beaufort. So sorry. [00:04:02] Speaker C: Her first letter is dedicated actually to Mr. John Fieldman. Mr. John Fieldman. I have never had the opportunity to sincerely thank you for offering your presence while my friend Jasper and I had a conversation. It is rare for the two of us now that we are adults, to be allowed time together the way that we were once as small children. I believe Baron Jasper has intentions on courting me. And believe me so when I say that there is something refreshing when you're comfortable and happy with the one who wishes to take your hand. Though that is not why I wrote to you. No. I have a gift for you as your future sister in law. I know it to be a bit of a social faux pa, but as your wedding rapidly approaches, I find it lovely to think that soon I will have a brother once more. Please keep my dear sister well. You are probably aware that her happiness is a priority that will always mean the most to me. She deserves all of the happiness and more that she yearns for. I hope the business goes well and I hope that next time we meet, it will be under better conditions. Sincerely, your future sister, Lady Catherine. And inside is a plain wrap cloth with a pair of embroidery needles. And they are wrapped around a basic fabric that mimics the cloth that John used to make Eloise's first ever dress. [00:05:42] Speaker E: With the gift. [00:05:43] Speaker D: Interesting. [00:05:44] Speaker C: And her second letter is to Jasper. To the newly appointed Baron Jasper. I hope your time in your newly acquired land has proven to be quite frivolous and that the adventures are out there keep you in high spirits. It is often that I think about the flower ball in the highest regards. I often think about these parties as boring and provide no real substance. But this ball helped put things into perspective that they usually wouldn't. Seeing you was better than any warm spring weather. And over the last days, my affection grows stronger, like a candle allowed to burn. You see the good in me when many of my own seem to see me as childish and incompetent. And I see you as the man you are always meant to be. I hope that this gift provides you with enough memory of me as though we have yet to caught one another. I want to make sure that you have the memory for when we are apart. May the days apart lessen over time. All my love, Catherine. And she sends him a beautifully embroidered handkerchief that has roses and a small butterfly with a few strands of her hair sewn in. [00:07:07] Speaker A: The letter. [00:07:08] Speaker C: Smells of her perfume. And I would actually like to spend a resolved token for a response. [00:07:17] Speaker E: Okay. All right, I'm going to make a note of that, but I will give my responses as npcs when everything is done. Bookkeeper. [00:07:41] Speaker B: So I only have one letter. It is from our dear forlorn Major Jonathan Masters to Lady Catherine. [00:07:54] Speaker E: What did you do? Okay, let's hear it. [00:07:58] Speaker B: My dearest Lady Catherine, once again I find myself in the inauspicious circumstance of dispatching to you written correspondence to inquire after your well being. I was stricken to the heart to bear witness to the discourse between your sister and yourself at the flowers ball. The sight of you in such distress cut me to the quick and I have no option but to place myself at your disposal to whatever may prove to be a balm to your wounded heart. In this trying time, I found myself the recipient of many a strange rumor in this past fortnight, most of which turned out to be not but scurrilous gossip. That said, it is incumbent upon me in the present moment to declare that my fond wishes and deep affection for you come not from any aspirations of station or place, but from the pure and unadulterated desire to see your radiant smile once more illuminate not only Redwich Abbey, but every place, field, or ballroom where you appear in passing. Please permit this poor soldier to appropriate words from one more trained in such things. It is no secret that I am a man of more than a few years, though perhaps not as many of some of higher rank. That said, it was the bard who said, if thou survive my well contented day, when that churl death my bones with dust shall cover and shalt by fortune once more resurvey these poor rude lines of thy deceased lover. Compare them with the bettering of the time. Though they be outstripped by every pen. Reserve them not for my love, not for their rhyme exceeded by the height of happy men. Please accept my continued good wishes for your good health and the return of your good cheer on swiftest chariot's wings. With your permission, I shall call upon your parents at the earliest convenience. With deepest affection, Jonathan. [00:09:58] Speaker E: Damn, that was another master class. That was Brooklyn roll Witten, dude. Damn. I got nothing close to that. All right. And you only have one letter? [00:10:14] Speaker B: That's correct. [00:10:16] Speaker E: Are you saving the other one for a response? [00:10:20] Speaker B: If a response is required, I will give one. Otherwise, I am happy with just the one. [00:10:24] Speaker E: Okay. In that case, we are going to go back to overthinker real quick. [00:10:31] Speaker D: Yeah, I'm going to do that, too. [00:10:34] Speaker E: Do what? [00:10:35] Speaker D: I'm going to save my second letter for a response, basically. [00:10:39] Speaker E: Okay. [00:10:42] Speaker A: I'm ready if you need somebody to go. [00:10:44] Speaker E: Okay. I thought you're typing in chat, so I wasn't sure what was happening, but go ahead. [00:10:48] Speaker A: I was writing out what I was going to say. And this is to the sister's aunt. Dearest aunt, it is my sincerest hope that this letter finds yourself and Bailey, Bonnie, Bess, Bryn Blair, Bella, Brutus, Baron Bernard, Bo, Bentley, Bootsy and Zarius. Well, I write you in regards to something troubling my sister Catherine brought to my attention. She conveyed to me that you were holding back an inheritance from her that would save the family's prospects. I am aware that it is not considered polite or appropriate to inquire after one's finances. But it is troubling to me to think that this windfall might indeed be denied when we are so much in need. If this news is true, I beg your mercy in bestowing such a thing on our father now to allow our family more time to secure our futures. If it is not, please disobey my sister of such false hope. For I fear she may throw herself into an unhappy match when she need not. Under the belief that she will be able to save the family from ruin. Your most loving niece, Eloise. [00:12:01] Speaker E: Okay. And do you have a second one? [00:12:08] Speaker A: Not yet. I was saving it just in case somebody wrote me a letter. [00:12:15] Speaker E: Got it. Okay. Responses. Damn it. Book. Okay. So, John, you get a response from Richard Fosley to my new friend and good comrade, Mr. Fielding. John, I find your words highly refreshing. I only spoke of your intended and just the work and effort that you're putting in because I see in you a true entrepreneur and a true mind for business. And I do respect your willingness to gamble and I will not push the matter further. I hope you know I only had your interest at heart because I do see a lot of men of your current stature and ability and just potential just wasted away on lords and ladies. Again, I truly meant no offense. I only have your best interests at heart. And as such, I'm very excited to see what me, you and Mr. Masses do in the near future. I will call upon you in London as soon as my earlier convenience. But I do have several other parties and other things to attend because I do wish to add as many people to our collective future of industry as possible. With that in mind, my sister does dearly love your addresses. So if I could ask upon you to send some our way, it would save me from much, well, tatter in my ears, as it were. I hope to see you well in the very short future. Your friend, Lord Richard Fosley. Okay. To Catherine. You do get a letter from Jasper. You open it up. And for the first time in the correspondence you had with him. Usually it's a little fraggly because his hands are clearly shaking. This is written clearly and with Intent. My dearest Catherine, I apologize for this very short letter and I am astounded and so happy and blown away by your just a generous gift. I don't know what else to say, but I will see you as soon as I can. My father was very surprised to hear about my intentions because he clearly and mother both seemed to find that I was not going to pursue anything on anyone and had a few ideas for me that they were spreading out. So I have to go put out some fires, as it were. But they know my intention and they are very happy with my choice. As am I. I'm not sure. Writing, failing off, proper courtship is never something I expected. And I want to do you every justice, because you're worth all of it. You're so incredibly dear to me and all I want is to see you happy as possible. I'm sorry. I've never been good at putting my thoughts into words, but I hope my feelings for you are conveyed in the smallest amount. This is what I'm talking about. I'll see you as soon as I can. And when I do, I hope to give you the proposal that you deserve. And speak to your father with as much. With all the courage that you've given me these past few weeks. With all the love, Jasper. Yeah. And that's the letter he sends to you. It did get a little shakier near the end because he's clearly very nervous, because he's never had to do this before. But that is the letter you receive from Jasper? Well, of course. Sorry, Eloise, let me restart the letter. No, I don't. And if I did, I would have. Louise, I am comfortable for a woman of my station, but I do not have the means to assuage the family's current troubles. If I did as you say, I would have done it as soon as I possibly could. As your aunt and the person I feel is the only one truly watching out for your safety and well being, I find it my job to also give you both a sense of hope at all times. And as such, I may have made it sound like I was just more. Better, much better off than anything else. I may have phrased it too strongly or been a little bit of rash in what I was speaking about, but I thoroughly apologize to giving her the wrong idea. I will speak to hannah about it as soon as I possibly can. And I will see you both very shortly, I'm sure. Best wishes, your dearest. [00:18:38] Speaker B: Miss, you, facilitator. I would like to spend one of colonel campbell's resolve tokens tonight to ask. [00:18:46] Speaker E: That I will say we're going to. Okay, your resolve tokens. You don't have these resolve tokens. Technically, you can spend one, but it won't go towards the stuff that's happening later. I want everybody to know that because that would be fair. Yeah. [00:19:03] Speaker B: What I would like is for caroline to include a postscript in which she drops a dime on the colonel. [00:19:15] Speaker E: But if you want to kick that. [00:19:16] Speaker B: Back to me, that's okay. [00:19:20] Speaker E: I will kick that back to you. Because he doesn't want to influence what he's going to do or their opinions on him. It's very much the balls in your court. Let's see what you do with it. Okay. Yeah, but, yeah, that would be it for those responses. We have three people with letters that they wish to send. [00:19:47] Speaker A: I have a letter. I have my second letter. [00:19:49] Speaker E: Okay. [00:19:58] Speaker A: This letter is actually not going specifically to anyone. Eloise is going to write it, and then she's going to throw it into the fireplace in her room. [00:20:11] Speaker D: All right, stealing my move, I see. [00:20:16] Speaker A: It is addressed to her late brother. Dearest william, it has been some time since we lost you and the heart grieves every time I think of it. I hope that you know I endeavor to keep the family afloat and am willing to do anything that that may require. It is my sincerest wish that if you are looking down on us from your place in heaven, that you are happy and proud of what we are becoming. Catherine is growing in leaps and bounds, becoming the woman we all know she could be, though I fear she may run herself into misery to do so. Mother and father miss you, and the abbey is so very quiet without you in it. I am to marry soon to a man I am not sure will ever love me, nor that I am sure I will ever be able to love in return. I will, however, endeavor to do all that I can to be the good and proper wife any man of honor deserves. Please look down on my match and bless it and the hopefully resultant offspring with kindness and protection. Your beloved sister always, Eloise. [00:21:58] Speaker E: Okay. And you toss it into the fire. [00:22:02] Speaker A: Yes. [00:22:05] Speaker E: The flames heated up with ease. All right. Sorry. [00:22:13] Speaker A: I know that's a little out of the norm for what you're supposed to do with these letters. [00:22:18] Speaker E: Listen, nothing we're doing here is the norm. But you know what? It's awful overthinker. Did you want to send that letter or throw it under the fire? I don't know what we're doing anymore. Into the nearest river. [00:22:38] Speaker D: I know what letter I want to send. I haven't quite written it out. So we're going to wing it. Apologies. [00:22:46] Speaker E: Yeah, don't apologize. What do you think I did for like ten minutes? [00:22:55] Speaker D: This is a weird one. And I feel legitimately weird about it, so here we go. Lady Caroline Beaufort. I have been honored time and again by your company. And the hand of your niece has brought me honor and joy beyond my greatest expectations. It is to that end that I must entreat you. I have become aware of interested parties who feel comfortable openly expressing reservations about the nature of our betrothal. I have every affection and approval of Miss Eloise. She is a woman of incredible poise and I am fortunate to have her hand. The claims that I do so purely out of a desire for personal rise are false. I also wish it to be known that in keeping company with your younger niece at the flower ball I did so it as a matter of kindness and courtesy. My intentions were purely honorable. It was in that intention that I began a deception in the claim that I escorted her in the rose garden and look forward to your companionship at future events. Yours, Mr. John Fielding. Cordially, Mr. John Fielding. [00:24:32] Speaker E: You do not get a response. [00:24:40] Speaker D: Okay. [00:24:41] Speaker E: You do not get a response. Yeah. You don't get a response. Cool. [00:24:58] Speaker D: Also, just now seeing how much of a dick move it is to out Catherine to her aunt after she sent me such a nice letter. Oops. [00:25:08] Speaker E: Yeah, that did happen. Okay. Legacy. You sent both of yours Book. Did you want to send that last letter? [00:25:28] Speaker B: No, I'm good. Thank you. [00:25:30] Speaker E: Okay, that ends the letter portion of this. We're going to go into this next scene. And this next scene we come back to the idyllic town of Redwich. We go past the Redwich Abbey to the far side of town where the Graham family manor resides. It originally belonged to the bullsman family many, many years ago. But they have long since run out of funds, money and stature. And the house stood empty for many years until the Graham family bought it. And they've been buying up small parts of town to put businesses, put money towards farmers and increase crops. They genuinely want the town of Redwich to thrive. And they've just been spending money because they've made smart investments overseas towards the colonies that have been gradually, just quickly ricking in cash. And just very well done and vigorous stealings done by the Graham's brothers. Graham and their father. And the Graham family is overseed by Reynolds Graham and his wife Augusta, and then all five of his sons, Gregory, Miles, Felix, Cecil and Neil, who he've all met. And they've been wanting to get to know the town. And as such, they've invited the local gentlemen to a luncheon. But they don't really have a background in this, so for them this is like just a big gathering with people, but through every one of yourselves, given where you're from, this is a party. It is. This isn't like invite a few friends over. This is like 30 or more people that they've invited to, quote, lunch. Nevertheless, our characters find themselves at this quiet end. Quotes small luncheon just about a month out from the expected wedding of Mr. John Fielding and Lady Eloise Beaufort. And that's where we are. The actual manor itself is very old style in itself, but spring has been considerably warmer than it usually is. The actual layout of the very front area where everything's being held there is like a stone laden path going around a fountain that leads to the front door. And as such, they've laid out tables, the chairs. There's a small band playing in one corner. There's like a dance floor or anything, but it's very much set up for everyone to sit down, talk and have a chat. And there are small gardens off to the side where you can also have conversations. And there's a lovely little gazebo, gazebo kind of off to the backside where people might want to sit down in the shade for a while. But it is around eleven. Most of everyone has shown up at this point. And the Graham family, I mean, father, mother and the five sons. And the five sons are all over the party. Gregory is the oldest, Miles and Felix are twins. Cecil is the youngest, and Neil is kind of the almost middle child because the age range is so close and they all look strikingly similar to each other. It is almost hard to tell the twins apart entirely, except Miles had his nose broken at a very young age with a little fill left. That's probably the only reason people can tell. But yes, they insisted that people can dress formally, but this is just a get to know each other. This is just a get to know each other kind of meeting. So they encouraged everyone to dress down as low as they would like. And by that they mean. I mean, of course, dress wonderfully, but they don't expect your best gown and shit. That's just not who they are. And they respect, obviously, all of you in every way that they can manage. But they don't expect you to be ridiculous when you show up. But that is where we are for this scene. And you do see the Fosley family. You see the pluckets. Both the head of the Beaufort household and Lady Carolyn is also there. There are a few other smaller families from the local area. And it turned out to be just, like, kind of more lively than everyone thought because it's very much a relaxed party. So, yeah, that's where we are. And as always, we enter a scene. The whole thing's been going on for maybe 30 minutes at this point. So how would we like to enter this scene? And also, Lady Carolyn does not have her dogs. Not all of them. She does have Zarius. And that's it. [00:30:49] Speaker C: Perfect. [00:30:50] Speaker E: The head of the dog household, he always has Zarius. And they were more than kind to welcome Zarius but they do not have the facilities for that many dogs. [00:31:03] Speaker B: What you're saying is there's anarchy at Lady Carolyn's estate right now. [00:31:07] Speaker E: Yep. Well, Brutus has his name for a reason and I'm pretty sure he's ruling the pack. [00:31:15] Speaker A: What everybody doesn't realize is that Brutus is the tiniest. He's just also the angriest. [00:31:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:31:22] Speaker E: Actually, he also shakes the least. [00:31:27] Speaker A: Still shakes just less than everybody else. [00:31:30] Speaker C: Those who shake the least rule the pack. [00:31:34] Speaker B: So I do want to spend a resolved token but not for something that's going to produce necessarily a role playing scene. Just something that is going on and people will be aware of. I'm going to spend one of Jonathan's resolve tokens. He is seen speaking with Lord and Lady Beaufort. [00:31:56] Speaker C: Oh, no. [00:31:58] Speaker A: That man wrote poetry. Stop being so mean. [00:32:04] Speaker E: And Jasper's family is also there but I'm forgetting their last name. [00:32:07] Speaker C: Goodman. [00:32:08] Speaker E: Thank you. Also, you do also see the. You know what to go with that token. You do see the Beauforts. The Goodmans and Jonathan Masters. Or majors, what's his last name? [00:32:22] Speaker D: Masters. [00:32:22] Speaker B: Masters? [00:32:23] Speaker E: Yeah. [00:32:23] Speaker B: Major Jonathan Masters. [00:32:25] Speaker E: Do we have two masters here? [00:32:27] Speaker B: We do know. Damn it. [00:32:28] Speaker E: That's cool. Two masters. No relation. [00:32:32] Speaker D: They're cousins. [00:32:33] Speaker E: No. [00:32:37] Speaker B: But you can't have both because no man can serve two masters. [00:32:44] Speaker E: Blow. Clap. We're done here. Wrap it up. [00:32:47] Speaker C: Thanks, everybody, for watching the good society next week. [00:32:50] Speaker E: But they are not related because I don't need this many connections at this party. Okay? It's not needed. [00:32:59] Speaker C: Don't give me that. [00:33:00] Speaker E: Okay. But if you want James to be here, he can be here. They're just not related. Sure. All right. But the Goodmans, the Beauforts, the major masters is here, and also the Fosleys are in the mix. In that conversation over there, that is at the top of the scene. What else is occurring as we enter. [00:33:31] Speaker A: Point? [00:33:32] Speaker D: Last time, somebody jump in? [00:33:35] Speaker E: Because if you want to have a scene to talk to somebody else that you need to talk to, now's the time. [00:33:43] Speaker A: I already queued up the person I. [00:33:46] Speaker B: Need to talk, so I would like to have a scene between Colonel Campbell and Mr. Fielding. [00:33:54] Speaker E: Cool. Uh, yeah. So, do you guys go up to, like, one of the quieter tables after the corner and sit down? [00:34:03] Speaker B: Indeed. [00:34:05] Speaker E: Yeah. Ah. [00:34:11] Speaker B: You look well. [00:34:13] Speaker D: Thank you. I have been. I have been. Businesses. I think, much as I resent it from time to time, the fresh country air is a benefit. Perhaps I shall stay here from London longer than I thought. [00:34:33] Speaker B: What is it that inclines you to resent things that are to your benefit? [00:34:41] Speaker D: Hmm. An interesting question, my friend. Perhaps I distrust things that are soft. They have not benefited me much. And I have done well for myself for a hard lifetime. [00:35:07] Speaker B: I have a question for you, and I'm afraid it's a wee bit indelicate. I pray you'll forgive me. [00:35:16] Speaker D: It seems likely. [00:35:22] Speaker E: You. [00:35:23] Speaker B: Do you love your betrothed. [00:35:29] Speaker D: Here? John, who'd been observing the party and talking to his friend sort of sideways, gives him a full look. Do I love her? [00:35:44] Speaker B: Aye. I have no doubt you'll keep her in comfort for all your days. Do you love her. [00:36:02] Speaker D: Colonel Campbell? I do not know if I can answer you. [00:36:08] Speaker B: You realize that's an answer all unto itself. [00:36:15] Speaker D: I consider love to be a convenience to those who can afford it. [00:36:25] Speaker B: You can afford it. I've seen what you charge. I've paid it a time or two. [00:36:34] Speaker D: But a time or two only. And I cannot afford it. Because what one pays for love under the right circumstances is not money. It is at his advantage. Ten years down the line, when I. If I am lucky enough to have children 20 years down the line, they will enter a place such as this. They will be asked the questions that I have been asked, and they will be seen as outsiders. Unless they have a name. A name cannot come from me. It must come from their mother. I have nothing but respect for Lady Eloise Beaufort. But to demand that my heart agree with my head or damn myself and my descendants, it seems foolish. [00:37:42] Speaker B: You make her sound like a bolt of cloth. [00:37:47] Speaker D: Not at all. Or if she were to be so, it would be the finest that there is. [00:37:52] Speaker B: Oh, aye. Finest cloth possible that you will cut fancy coats for you and your descendants from. [00:38:01] Speaker D: You object? [00:38:05] Speaker B: I was raised in a place where you didn't treat people as means. [00:38:11] Speaker D: I was raised in a place where you do. I was the means for someone else's success. Others have been the means for mine. Look at what you're wearing. To some extent, I am the means for your success. And your presence and good charm and cranionship have been a means for my success. I would not be half as accomplished in this space if not for your good counsel over the years, I didn't. [00:38:42] Speaker B: Realize that you were taking my counsel and turned it into this right cynical word view. [00:38:53] Speaker D: Perhaps it is cynical, but we are given the cards that we are given, and we must play them as best we can. I believe I have played mine well, and in that I see no shame. [00:39:17] Speaker B: I suppose I can guess what your answer will be. No, actually, I can't. You have presented me with a hard bitten view of the world, so let me see if I can phrase my request in a hard bitten fashion. What would it cost me for you to release Lady Eloise from your engagement. [00:39:59] Speaker D: Colonel? I say now there is no price. [00:40:02] Speaker B: And why is that? [00:40:06] Speaker D: I can scarcely imagine a thing that would be more valuable to me than her companionship. [00:40:12] Speaker B: Her companionship? That's what you're after, seeing as you hadn't mentioned it until eight. No. Do you treasure anything about her besides her name? [00:40:34] Speaker D: Indeed. Have I not made this clear time and again? [00:40:39] Speaker B: No, you haven't. [00:40:42] Speaker D: Five languages, a master of dance and song, a singular mind, an upright disposition, which most clearly affords her leadership of her own house. That she is a distinguished woman. I thought so obvious as not to present. [00:41:09] Speaker B: Wow. [00:41:14] Speaker D: And now I see you have already observed it. You observed? Perhaps observed it in detail. I wonder that I was so foolish. I offered her to you that she might dance with my dear and trusted friend. Now I find myself questioning such decisions. [00:41:37] Speaker B: Your cynicism goes too far, especially to question my honor, considering that I am here speaking to you and not to her parents. [00:41:50] Speaker D: John smiles. No humor at all in it. Indeed, a more efficacious route you could certainly have taken. Very well. I shall make no comments upon your honor. And I shall not inquire deeply to your intentions, as you have to mine. [00:42:25] Speaker B: I believe I've made my intentions plain. I've made a request. You've denied it. Because of the society we live in. I'll have to live with that. The shopkeeps made his purchase and he will not let it go. I fear it will be the end of our friendship. But I suppose you may have expected that. [00:42:54] Speaker D: Not until this moment. No. [00:43:05] Speaker B: There'S a great irony, John. You aspire to cloak your children in the garb of the gentry. You'll hold on to her like the most miserly peddler in creation. Good day to you, sir. [00:43:47] Speaker E: Wow. That's one way to opensea, Chris. What is know we are taking part in a romantic comedy, everybody. I hope that sees that. I'm so excited. Yes, legacy. [00:44:07] Speaker C: I would actually like to approach the good colonel myself after being able to listen in on that conversation without being seen. [00:44:18] Speaker E: Okay. As you approach, you see two things as you. Good. Okay. Just making sure you see two things you do see. Your auntie has been eyeshadow and she's giving you a look of close to motherly concern. And on the other side of the party, you do see Jasper slowly managing to extract himself from the attentions of the Graham twins, who he seems to be getting along famously with. He actually seems to be laughing, which is rare for him in a party. But you make your way over to the colonel. [00:45:01] Speaker C: Mind if we have a word, Colonel Thomas? [00:45:06] Speaker B: I beg your pardon, Lady Catherine, but I feel I'm a bit overwhelmed with the english weather at the moment. I may be having to absent myself shortly. Is this something that can be discussed? Briefly, yes. [00:45:22] Speaker C: Briefly, actually. You and Mr. Fielding are not the quietest people. [00:45:31] Speaker B: What? Are you snooping? [00:45:33] Speaker C: Me? [00:45:34] Speaker E: Catherine? [00:45:34] Speaker C: Snooping? Never. I am far too. [00:45:38] Speaker B: Because to discuss such things would be offensive. [00:45:48] Speaker C: Make her happy. I think that you are far more capable of making her happy than Mr. Fielding. [00:46:04] Speaker B: And if we were in a land where that mattered, we might have more to discuss. [00:46:15] Speaker C: It's quite a shame that we aren't. [00:46:18] Speaker B: Aye. Shame indeed. What's there? Nothing else. [00:46:28] Speaker C: If you ever threatened to, or if you ever offered to buy my sister like a piece of property. [00:46:34] Speaker E: I was trying. [00:46:35] Speaker C: We'll have problems. [00:46:37] Speaker B: I was trying to speak to him in the only language he seems to understand. [00:46:40] Speaker C: Yes. And do you see why that is? [00:46:42] Speaker B: Aye. One doesn't choose one's battlefield, Lady Catherine. [00:46:49] Speaker C: No, but when it comes in terms of the people that you care about, you throw yourself into the battle, no matter how difficult it may be. You of all people should know that. [00:46:59] Speaker B: I did. And I lost. I risked looking like a petty peddler, haggling because it was the only language he was going to listen to. What was he going to do? Appeal to his sentiment? [00:47:29] Speaker C: I take pity on you, Colonel Thomas. [00:47:33] Speaker B: Well. [00:47:36] Speaker C: And it's not out of disgust. It is out of pure, genuine concern. I love my sister. I would die for that woman. And I know Mr. Fielding is not a good man. [00:47:59] Speaker B: May I suggest then, that you put aside thoughts of dying and live for her? Because she's gonna need you. [00:48:13] Speaker C: If I could take every piece of pain that she's had to experience in these last months. [00:48:23] Speaker B: And that is not how the world works. Grownups know that's. [00:48:37] Speaker C: Maybe the grownups need to learn a different perspective. [00:48:46] Speaker E: You. [00:48:46] Speaker C: I may be young, but I'm not that young. You might just not be willing to fight. [00:49:02] Speaker B: What would you have me do then? [00:49:06] Speaker C: If she's worth it, fight for her. Fight for her. Come on. You are colonel. [00:49:14] Speaker B: Hi. [00:49:15] Speaker C: If you're willing to die for your country, you should be willing to die for somebody who makes you happy. And, yes, Colonel Thomas, that is how the way the world can work. Maybe think about that. Put that into perspective. [00:49:33] Speaker B: Now, let me ask you this. Would you have me kill for her? Because that's what you're asking. [00:49:53] Speaker C: I think you're reading about it in all the wrong ways. [00:49:56] Speaker B: Oh, am I? [00:49:57] Speaker C: Yes. [00:49:58] Speaker B: Herbert Troval is agreed to by her parents. They're not going to change their minds. And neither is Mr. Fielding. I have no standing whatsoever to challenge him to a duel. And even if I did, that's one of us walking away Dead. [00:50:26] Speaker C: Time you brush up on your manners and show them that you are the better man. Maybe one that's more equipped. [00:50:36] Speaker B: You have no concept of the society. [00:50:39] Speaker E: You live in, do you? [00:50:46] Speaker C: You don't know. [00:50:48] Speaker B: I do. [00:50:49] Speaker C: No, you don't. Stop pretending that you know. You don't know me. You don't know my sister. You don't know what we've been through. You don't know the hell that we have been through. Our own parents don't care. Not since William died. Our aunt has had to step in and be a mother to the both of us. She's the one that made sure that we had everything because our parents crumbled under the pressure of losing their only son. So, yes, maybe I'm naive for wanting the one person in my life who has shown more than enough mercy towards me to be happy. I'm at least ready and willing to fight for her. But you lack a backbone, Colonel Thomas. [00:52:20] Speaker B: I beg your pardon? [00:52:24] Speaker C: Then go. [00:52:28] Speaker B: I'll leave you to your remarkably comfortable hell. Turn on his heel and walk away. [00:52:52] Speaker C: It. [00:53:16] Speaker A: Definitely going to have to revise the studio budget with all the tea that's getting spilled. Good Lord. [00:53:23] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:53:23] Speaker E: Like I said, bam. I think it's Lipton. [00:53:31] Speaker A: Well, Eloise is wildly unaware that any of this is happening. She is probably, I don't know, standing with Daniel and chatting about whatever the latest book they've been reading is. [00:53:54] Speaker E: I'll concede it makes a better love story, but I genuinely just don't think it's good. I'm sorry. You recommended it and this is our winter reading and I didn't like it. I'm sorry. [00:54:09] Speaker A: You're entitled to be wrong. [00:54:10] Speaker E: I suppose I am. I am titled to be wrong about a thing I'm correct about. You're completely correct. And I apologize thoroughly. Yeah, he's, like, looking around. There are a lot of big names around here today. [00:54:31] Speaker A: Yes, there are. [00:54:34] Speaker E: I do actually have the grand brothers to think for this. They heard about me and they're just like, what exploits have you been through? And they want to gain all of my knowledge of my recent travels for better business dealings. And I was like, I'm a teacher, but perhaps. And then they offered me a large sum and I wanted to draw. Sit me down for an hour. [00:54:55] Speaker A: You are ever keen on reading the room. [00:55:02] Speaker E: I am. And as such, despite this lovely conversation, he, like, nods slightly and you do see book. Would the colonel's face gone slightly red at this point? [00:55:19] Speaker B: Slightly would be probably an understatement. [00:55:22] Speaker E: I was understating it to make sure you confirmed and then asking how bad it was. Okay. Red faced. And is Catherine crying? [00:55:32] Speaker C: No. [00:55:34] Speaker E: Is she right in the face? [00:55:35] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. [00:55:37] Speaker E: Cool. And he would nod to the far left side of everything. Well, everyone seems to have noticed those two going at it rather animatedly. And then he'd like gesture to the two of them as you see the colonel not stomp, but walk briskly away. [00:56:07] Speaker A: Eloise is looking between the colonels, retreating back and Catherine. And she has her fan open because we're all outside and it's warm. [00:56:18] Speaker E: It is warm. [00:56:19] Speaker A: And she just kind of brings it up to sort of shield her lips and lowers her voice as she's talking to her friend. What has she gone and done now? [00:56:31] Speaker E: Well, you know how I like to read the room. Well, I'll put it this way. He's going towards her and he's like moving his eyes to point because you don't point. Jasper's making her way towards Catherine with a clear concern on his face. Bron Fielding has gone away from that area and seems to be circling around the other side of the party. Your aunt seems to be, like, moving her head visibly between all three parties at this point, the Graham brothers are making their way towards you from a different direction. And you do see the barons Goodman and Fosley also talking animatedly with slightly waving hands as you look. See, your father looked greatly concerned between the two of them. [00:57:30] Speaker A: Eloise has this look on her face like, I'm the one who's supposed to fix things, and I don't know where to go first. [00:57:36] Speaker E: Well, one just got done. The other one seems to be. [00:57:43] Speaker C: How. [00:57:43] Speaker E: Do I put this? Coming to a head between the two barons and the good Earl Beaufort? And it seems like your father's trying to calm the both of them down. [00:57:57] Speaker A: I think I'll make my way that way. Would you excuse me, please? [00:58:03] Speaker E: Absolutely, I will. Oh, I think they actually talk to me again. I think I'll be amusing behind these two. And you see him just skillfully cut as you see the grand brothers approach, looking excited to talk to him again. And he just likes, in between two younger ladies, they'll go like, oh, the grand brothers. And like, oh, well, hello. And they look up, and you don't see him. He just, like, slips in between party members. And he's gone again. He's been doing this a long time. There's a reason why he's not married. He doesn't fucking want to be. I wish I could talk to him more. Not in this lifetime. Maybe next game. So, as you make your way over, it's the baron falls Lee. Just not loudly, but he's like, listen, Baron Goodman, with all the greatest respect, your family is in the hands of someone who, quite frankly, he can't lead. I'm sorry. I'm done talking about this. He's not ready, and he probably never will be. And you know what? Rather than anger you further and cause more stress to the little earl and the Grams who are obviously coming over. Yes. [00:59:39] Speaker A: There'S wonderful music going on. Perhaps you would honor me with a dance. [00:59:45] Speaker E: I kind of gives him a look. [00:59:49] Speaker A: Like, you could keep doing this and make it a scene. I'm giving you an out, brother. Don't waste it. [00:59:55] Speaker E: I think there may be the Baron Goodman that I need something to drink. It's getting rather hot. And he looks at the two of them, and he does storm off. It's not a brisk pace. He does leave as Baron Goodman. So while Jasper is rather thin, the Baron Goodman is just probably. He's just like the massive wall of a lord. He's big, he's broad shouldered, just, like, bigger nose than you probably want, but like a bigger grin than he usually would be wearing. But you just see this deep dowel as he follows him with arms crossed. And he's a big man, and he does stand like a head and a half taller than your dad. And you see him just like, gripping his shoulders a bit before lady, otherwise. And he turns to you. The bread in his face is still there, but he's smiling. Pleasure to see you. [01:00:55] Speaker A: It's been too long, my lord. And she will hold out a hand for him and do a deep curtsy. [01:01:04] Speaker E: At the same time. He'd take it and give it a smoke. I. Lord. Lord Buffoot. And your father's like, yes. Kind of so taken aback by everything that's been happening. Jones, like, I hope you take what I'm saying seriously. Jasper has known her for an extremely long time and I know he would make her very happy. And I do believe he plans to stace his attentions plainly and clearly just now, actually, as he gestures across the party, as you see Jasper making his way towards Catherine, Eloise looks confused. [01:01:54] Speaker A: Wait, what? [01:02:00] Speaker E: Your father seeing your face is just like, yes, he has a smile on his face. The good Jasper plans to propose today. [01:02:10] Speaker A: Well, what a lovely ton of events. I'm sure they'll make each other very happy. [01:02:23] Speaker E: And like, of course he will. It's a damn good man. I know he'll never. Everyone looks down upon him because he, like, gestures to himself. He has his mother's fetus, but he has the heart of a Goodman looks to the sky in his head, like, not trying to make a pun, but it happened, really try not to just, like, do that too much. Like he thinks to himself. [01:02:57] Speaker A: With you as his example, my lord, he could not fail to be a good man. [01:03:05] Speaker E: He gives you, like, this big beaming smile and he's like, well, I'm going to. Actually. Would you do me the honor of a dance? While your father looks rather unavailable on purpose, though Deathberg can work up the courage afterwards. [01:03:25] Speaker A: I would be on it. [01:03:28] Speaker E: He gives you a bow and reaches out to take your hand. [01:03:33] Speaker A: Curtsy and take his hand and let him lead me out to. There is no dance floor, but what could pass for one? [01:03:41] Speaker E: Yeah, it's like an area off to the side where it's like a couple, like, just like two other couples dancing. [01:03:46] Speaker A: Cleared the trays or cleared the chairs. [01:03:52] Speaker E: And the good Baron Goodman is dexterous. He is surprised for such a large man. Yeah, he is surprisingly good. And he moves around the floor with ease and he has a massive grit on his face as he's doing it. He's like, I haven't done this in many years. Thank you for this opportunity. [01:04:15] Speaker A: Of course. Anything to put a smile on your. [01:04:19] Speaker E: Face, lord, much appreciated. And as you're dancing, I would open the floor to anyone who likes to take this opportunity to do something while they're dancing. [01:04:49] Speaker D: Let's see. I have not, I believe, met the Graham brothers yet. [01:04:55] Speaker E: You haven't? There are five of them, but take your pick. [01:05:03] Speaker D: Right. Is it the eldest two that are sort of fronting the business side? [01:05:08] Speaker E: No, they all have different aspects of business that they're all running. Gregory is the eldest son who will take on the family name. And as head of the business, Neil is the one that was going to be introduced properly to Catherine at the first party of the year and is the one who got taken out by a plaque of ravenous wolves as people started to call. Yeah. The actual group of dogs gets bigger and more vicious as time goes on to make him seem like it was actually a victim. [01:05:39] Speaker D: Indeed. [01:05:42] Speaker E: But people there know the truth. [01:05:52] Speaker D: Okay, and where's Lord Fosley right now? [01:05:57] Speaker E: Which Lord Fosley Jr. Lord Fosley Jr. Is, in fact, talking to? Gregory, Cecil and Neil. They're all sitting around a table having. Okay, just drinks. Why am I thinking about that? And they are having an animated laugh as they do so. And, yeah, just seem to be enjoying each other's company. Cool. [01:06:30] Speaker D: Well, I just harshly rebuffed a romantic rival, so I think I want to go have some fun. I'm going to join them with a drink and chat them up. [01:06:44] Speaker E: Okay. You join them at the table and Lord Fosley just, like, beams at you. Is there anything you wish in particular to talk about or are you just making conversation? [01:06:58] Speaker D: No, I'm just making conversation. [01:06:59] Speaker E: Okay. [01:07:00] Speaker D: Catching up on the rumors. [01:07:03] Speaker E: Absolutely. Colonel Campbell. [01:07:10] Speaker B: Yes. [01:07:12] Speaker E: You stormed off. Where did you go? What did you do? [01:07:17] Speaker B: So the colonel got as far as the stables ready to take his horse and ride away from these Englishmen and women and all of their problems and resolved that such would create more gossip than it was worth and gossip that would not affect him in the long term because he's going home sooner rather than later. And so he turns around, straightens himself up, starts to return to the party. And I would like to spend a resolve token that as he is returning, as he is passing by the table that now has Mr. Fielding, the grams and Sir Richard, that Sir Richard makes yet another one of his casual caddy remarks about the Beauforts. [01:08:44] Speaker E: So as you're walking by and they're all just making cod for a conversation, Richard Fosley, the good Lord himself, is like, yes. Well, gentlemen, may all of you have the same fortune as this man and marry yourself off to a wonderful piece of property. Yes. And just like, tip the teacup up. And he says it low enough that no one's really going to hear it but all of them at the table and you do hear it and they're just kind of Kevlar, like eraser teacups up. Because at this point, that is kind of the goal for people of their stature. [01:09:25] Speaker B: The colonel stops suddenly, turns around and walks up to Sir Richard Fosley. Get on your feet. [01:09:38] Speaker E: I beg your pardon? [01:09:40] Speaker B: I said stand up. [01:09:42] Speaker E: I don't think we've met. Good, sir. Who are you? [01:09:47] Speaker B: I'll give you a proper introduction when I'm looking you in the eye and not looking down on you. Now stand up. [01:09:57] Speaker D: This is Colonel Campbell. [01:09:59] Speaker E: Ah, Colonel Campbell. I don't think we've had a formal introduction. He does. Stand up. I am Lord Richard Fosley. How can I help you? [01:10:11] Speaker B: And I backhand him halfway across the table. [01:10:22] Speaker E: There's a clatter of dishes, teacups falling. Gas sounds a groan of pain as the music actually does stop. The classical music stops and there's a. What the devil? From somewhere in the party as everyone turns to look at what happened as he picks him up off the table. [01:10:52] Speaker B: Laying my left hand to my cavalry saber. Should you ever speak of the lady's Beaufort, the family Beaufort. In those terms again, then I hope you have practiced more with your blade than you have with your balance. Do we understand one another, sir? [01:11:20] Speaker E: Oh, I see. He kind of finally turns to you and, like, wiping his mouth. And he is smiling. That's what this all amounted to. That's very interesting. Like thumbs his nose a bit, getting some blood out of it. [01:11:48] Speaker D: Does this amount to a challenge? [01:11:51] Speaker B: That was a no no, Mr. [01:11:56] Speaker E: Fielding. Quite all right. [01:11:58] Speaker D: I was asking out of character. [01:12:01] Speaker E: Well, he. Okay. And that was out of character. He discussed cool. Very well, Colonel. I do think he misunderstood, or maybe just misunderstood who I was talking about. [01:12:20] Speaker B: But did you refer to Lady Eloise as a piece of property or not? Did I miss here? [01:12:27] Speaker E: Were you part of this conversation, sir? [01:12:28] Speaker B: Did I miss here, sir? [01:12:30] Speaker E: Did you miss it? Were you part of this conversation? Good, sir. And he has his hands behind his back because it seems to me. Good, Colonel, is that you were Eve shopping on a conversation that you were not a part of and struck a man without warning. Is that correct? [01:12:55] Speaker B: That's the last warning and you're going to receive? [01:13:00] Speaker E: Yes. You struck a man without warning. Is my point. Is that correct? Yet he is saying, that's clearly loud enough for everyone to hear. [01:13:10] Speaker B: You care to have satisfaction, sir? [01:13:13] Speaker E: No, I just wish you to confirm what they actually occurred here. [01:13:20] Speaker B: It was without warning. Whether I struck a man is still in question. [01:13:26] Speaker E: Words. This words. It's quite all right, everyone. [01:13:32] Speaker A: I'd like to spend one of my resolve tokens that when the good colonel said that he referred to Eloise as property. Eloise makes eye contact with she's and looks hurt because he was apparently at the table when it happened. And it's somebody else who's defending her. [01:14:03] Speaker E: Absolutely. You got it. [01:14:09] Speaker D: John looks probably pretty ashamed that it's not him standing up in this situation. But also intensely curious to see how this will resolve. And he's not taking either side, which I think Eloise would probably clock as weird, since this is potentially his new business partner and one of his older friends. [01:14:37] Speaker A: Yeah, she's noticed. [01:14:47] Speaker E: But no good. Colonel, I take whatever warning you meant to give. I'm not sure about the context, but it is taken. [01:14:59] Speaker B: You lie like a rug. [01:15:03] Speaker E: He hands behind his back, he says, smiling. Whatever you say to. Sorry, I got my own words. I'm. Whatever you wish to say, colonel. Will there be anything else? [01:15:19] Speaker B: I think I've had my fill of english hospitality. [01:15:24] Speaker E: We've certainly had our fill of Scottish. And you do see the head of the Graham family. Mr. Reynold Graham is like. Mr. Kelly, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. [01:15:40] Speaker B: Of course, Mr. Graham. I apologize. However, I do note you let Lady Carolyn bring one dog. I didn't realize that you'd let the Fosleys bring a mutt. [01:15:55] Speaker E: That's enough, colonel. He's actually staring you down. Not just. [01:16:02] Speaker B: I'm leaving. [01:16:04] Speaker E: It's not just that. This party was for my family's reputation. And I invited you here. Don't forget that, because they won't. [01:16:16] Speaker B: And I do beg your pardon and shall make amends at a later time. I am leaving. [01:16:23] Speaker E: I'm not worried about amends, colonel. And what was that, John? [01:16:28] Speaker D: I was just going to mention the colonel has been having difficult news and may be too deep in his cups to note the decorum of the moment. [01:16:40] Speaker B: Do not presume to speak for me, boy. [01:16:45] Speaker D: I gesture my hand like see overthinker. [01:16:49] Speaker E: If you want that to stick, you're going to have to spend a resolved token. Especially because he's fighting you book. Do you wish to go against that resolved token? [01:16:58] Speaker B: Yes, I do. The colonel is not intoxicated? Does not appear so. [01:17:04] Speaker E: Okay, so that is spent, unfortunately. [01:17:07] Speaker D: Okay, yeah. [01:17:12] Speaker E: Nevertheless. And he will gesture towards the sables. [01:17:17] Speaker B: And the colonel will start walking. [01:17:22] Speaker E: So we're going to rewind back to, like, seven minutes before the slap of the century. Dude. Jasper approaching Catherine. Is that okay? Rewind real quick. [01:17:36] Speaker D: Meanwhile, in the happy part of the story. [01:17:42] Speaker E: Rewind. Okay, remix. All right. While the good Baron Goodman began to dance with Eloise while a good colonel was returning from the stables, Jasper, with a beaming smile on his face, springing out step, would approach Catherine. [01:18:14] Speaker C: Baron Jaspers, always a pleasure to see you at these parties. And she'll give a very polite curtsy soon after. Offer her hand. [01:18:31] Speaker E: He will bow and kiss your hand, Lady Elo. God. Yeah, right. Whoops. That last fight got me so worked, Catherine, so much to keep track of. It is again, lovely to make you quaint as always. And I'm going to start tripping over my words immediately because I'm rather giddy and excited and nervous and. And nervous again because I don't know how to do this. I just know how I feel about you and how much incredibly close friendship has meant to me all these years. And I feel extremely blessed to have known you, and I don't know where to go from here other than to do the thing I've been. I think I've been wanting to do for a very long time. [01:19:41] Speaker A: Um. [01:19:46] Speaker E: Can we step over to the garden over here real quick for just a moment? [01:19:53] Speaker C: Yes. She's going to look over to her aunt to see if her aunt still has eyes on her. [01:20:02] Speaker E: There are. There are two faces smiling at you while this is happening. One is your aunt, who looks extremely proud and happy with small tears in her eyes. And the grinning dog face of Zarius, also smiling, probably for different reasons, but it's also happening. [01:20:25] Speaker C: I like to think that Zarius is one of those dogs that has his tongue slightly sticking out at all times. [01:20:30] Speaker E: Oh, yeah, no, it's just smile. [01:20:34] Speaker C: Slight tongue. [01:20:35] Speaker E: Yeah, even when it's close, he's got that blep thing going on. [01:20:38] Speaker C: Yes. [01:20:42] Speaker E: Good boy. [01:20:44] Speaker C: Very well. And just give me one moment to see if I can gather us a chaperone. And she's going to run over to. [01:21:01] Speaker E: Her, you see, Daniel. [01:21:07] Speaker C: Very well. Mr. Daniel, do you mind escorting Baron Goodman and I to the gardens? [01:21:23] Speaker E: Oh, but looks between the two of you, no, of course, yes. Wait over here. Of course. And he will bow to the good baron. Wait. Of Hissa. And there's a little like. He actually takes you a little farther back. To where? The gazebo. I'll just be right here in plain view, watching everything. But he'll jet through the both of you to the gazebo. [01:22:03] Speaker C: Allie. [01:22:07] Speaker E: He looks, like, annoyed with himself as he leads you forward and he just brings you to the gazebo. Sorry. You just look wonderful. You look beautiful today. And I'm not good at putting my words in writing before and I'm usually apparently even less good at doing it in person. Lady Catherine Beaufort, you marry me. [01:23:00] Speaker C: I would be more than honored, Jasper. [01:23:13] Speaker E: He's just grinning with like a beat red face. He has a similar face to what Zarius is wearing. Like a big happy dog face. He's not staking though, unlike Zarius, but he does look very dog happy. What do I do now? I'm really not. [01:23:35] Speaker C: She is going to look back and see if John or Daniel. Not John. [01:23:43] Speaker B: Who are you again? [01:23:44] Speaker C: Daniel is paying super close attention. And if he's not in a very low tone, just getting ever so slightly closer. Yes, I will marry you. Um, I. In the. In the kind words that you said to me during the flower bowl. While it's just the two of us, I would like to. [01:25:00] Speaker E: It. [01:25:01] Speaker C: And she's just going to lean in and give him a kiss on the cheek. [01:25:08] Speaker E: Yeah. He doesn't land. And then the smile just gets bigger and he's like, I didn't think I could get happier. Okay. I. He actually starts shaking again. But you're pretty sure it's from happiness. There's like a little tiny shake. He's like, no. And then he stands up straight and he's like, ah. Maybe we make our way back to the gathering potty situation. [01:25:47] Speaker D: Yes. [01:25:48] Speaker C: Very well. And she'll. She's just gonna. She's just gonna chuckle. And at this point, do we hear any screaming? [01:26:06] Speaker E: No, there wasn't any screaming. [01:26:09] Speaker C: Okay, listen, I just need to know how loud that slap was. On a scale of one to Will Smith. [01:26:20] Speaker E: We won't talk about that. Completely threw me off. So as you begin walking back towards Daniel, who is just. He's grinning like a proud big brother. Okay, well, you're both adorable and kind of like dropping off the quorum. He just kind of like claps Jasper on the back and well, it's on. Goodman. Goodman. Oh God. How do you stand it? It's not easy. [01:27:06] Speaker A: Why do you think he shakes so hard? It's from the constant puns. He's just taking prolonged pun damage over time. [01:27:16] Speaker B: Pun? [01:27:16] Speaker D: PSD. [01:27:18] Speaker A: Yes. [01:27:22] Speaker E: And as you guys proceed back into the front of the house proper, is that when you notice after you're still giddy, then you actually stop and think about it. The music's not playing, the crowd isn't moving. And you see a. Well, you see three things, you see a very probably still red faced colonel with his hand on his weapon. You see Fosley with just a massive red mark on his face with his hands behind his back, but he is smiling like a good gentleman that he is, and going to my notes, Reynolds Graham, politely, but gesturing firmly at the colonel to leave. You would also note that John is sitting at the table where all this is. And as you're looking around, because everyone's just standing around, you do. It won't mean anything. You do see the other baron Goodman with your sister and your aunt just fanning yourself, ailing like her dog. Honestly, you're not sure why? [01:28:57] Speaker A: Sorry. [01:28:58] Speaker E: No, I was going to say. And all of the scenes are combined. We did it, gang. Well done. That's what it's about. All right, continue. [01:29:08] Speaker A: I would like to spend a monologue token to hear what's going on in Colonel Campbell's head as he is walking away. [01:29:20] Speaker E: Okay. [01:29:26] Speaker B: So I will cheat the system slightly. This is not his inner dialogue, but by the time he gets to the stable, no one's around. He's just looking at his horse. [01:29:38] Speaker A: That works same diff. [01:29:40] Speaker B: Yeah, that's that, then. I was pretty sure I'd cock it up. Here we are. You still like me, right? I'm never going to hear the end of this. I want to hear to the end of it here. I won't hear to the end of it at home. Sure. What to do now? Well, other than leave, I suppose we're doing. [01:30:19] Speaker E: That's. [01:30:41] Speaker B: And yes, there are lots of ways you could apply that to this. Shut up. Don't look at me like that. What's that supposed to do? That way about the woman that I'd have cut that smile clean off his face. I know. There is a reason I didn't like England. Yes, yes, I brought it on myself. I know, I know. And you can sound a little less like my father when you look at me like that. None of it matters now other than I imagine, Maya. The rest of my invitations for the spring are probably being shredded at the moment. More time to read, I suppose. Come on, then. We can at least still rely on each other, eh? No one else can, I suppose. End of monologue. [01:32:49] Speaker E: Well said. So before we do anything else, I would like to spend my own monologue token that I could just give myself to. Monologue. What was going through the horse's head that he was talking to? Kidding. [01:33:08] Speaker C: Weird noises at me. [01:33:10] Speaker A: Please give me a sugar cube. Can we go home now? [01:33:13] Speaker E: He had to listen to me. Sorry. I was thinking about it, like, the last, like, 10 seconds of the monologue. I mean, that poor horse, man. I love this dude, but he got to let this shit go. Let's just go home. Fuck the English. All right, so the colonel has left for the time being. Let's see what happens. But we have in the scene right now, and of course, book, unless someone brings you in somehow. In the meantime, just so you can keep messing with everybody, have a resolve token. That bend during something. [01:33:56] Speaker B: I got two other characters who can invade this space. [01:34:01] Speaker E: One of them is there. I don't think his sister would be here at this moment. Okay, yeah, fair enough. Yeah. Because she's not really in this scene yet, but the good major is here. So we do have Catherine on Jasper's arm. No one's noticed that yet. Eloise is right there. We have John still. I think you're still sitting at the table. [01:34:31] Speaker D: If he's just leaving now, then I'm, like, watching him go, trying to get a handle on things. [01:34:42] Speaker E: And it would be at this point that the good Mr. Graham, the head of the Graham family, turns to Lord Richard Fosley, because he slapped the shit out of someone he was desperately trying to impress. And his father. So you do actually hear the footsteps, the heavy ones, of Baron Fosley approaching. As Mr. Graham. Fosley, I am so sorry. I do not came up. I'm so sorry. Please accept my most humble apologies. And he's. No, no. And Richard just pulls out a handkerchief and just, like, dabs at his whip. And you do see it growing as he's talking, like, it's fine. It's totally fine. Some things get misunderstood and misconstrued, and these things happen. I heard so many good things about the colonel. I'm not sure what came over him, but that's what it is. And I do repeat, he has been smiling the entire time. And it does seem to actually reach his eyes as his father comes over. And he's just like, the hell came over him. It's like, no, father, it's all taken care of. He will be leaving the party and leaving the grounds, and we will be able to just continue. Everyone, Mr. Graham, if you'll permit me. He's, like, noding vigorously, as you were. Let's continue the day. It's only little after midday, and there's still plenty to do and plenty of food. Everyone, please. And he just, like, gestures and everyone's like, well, that got spicy as they just kind of, like, turned, I guess they're going. They're doing. And talking about that most recent event. And Baron Fosley is like, no, what we should. Father, if you don't mind, I'm sure you, Mr. Graham, have much to talk about. I'm just going to continue enjoying my tea, if that's possible. And the two also, the heads of their household are staring at him, baffled. Like, why isn't he just acting in rage before? They're both like, no, okay. No, I understand, of course. And they're, like, nodding and looking at him curiously. But you could see the anger in his father's eyes fully fading. Like, oh, he's handling much this much better than he should. Like, goodness, I guess he is a truth. Yeah, he did great. And they walk away talking. And, Eloise, you do see the good Baron Goodman, like, fold his arms before going, I'm sorry, Lady Beaufort, but I believe I'm going to go speak to the head of the house and make sure everything turned out okay, if that's all right with you. [01:37:39] Speaker C: Of course. [01:37:41] Speaker A: Thank you for the dance. It was lovely. [01:37:46] Speaker E: Gives you a deep bout, the usual big Goodman smile before. Big man walking his way over. Yeah, your father actually doesn't seem to be on the ground. You're not sure where he. [01:38:04] Speaker D: Okay. [01:38:07] Speaker A: Eloise, I think having kind of inadvertently been at least the part of the reason why all of that stuff happened is going to attempt to make herself scarce. She's going to duck off to the side somewhere away from people and them noticing her. She's embarrassed and unsure how to handle it. [01:38:47] Speaker E: I will say no one is looking your direction at this moment. I will say no one's looking your way at this moment. [01:38:56] Speaker A: All the better for her to get out of Dodge before anybody does. Put together that they were talking about her. [01:39:05] Speaker E: Yeah, but where will you go? What will you do? [01:39:11] Speaker A: I don't know. She's headed somewhere where there aren't a lot of people. Somewhere it's a little easier to breathe. [01:39:20] Speaker E: Oddly enough, the staples are off to the side and there's no one really around. [01:39:28] Speaker A: Sneaky. Yeah, sure. [01:39:33] Speaker D: I was about to have John go looking for her, so this could get extra. [01:39:43] Speaker E: Do as you are getting up from the table. Okay, so two things are happening currently. You step into the stables and you see the good colonel getting his horse ready. While that's happening, John, you're standing up and Foster's like, oh, John, where are you going? You're still having a cup of tea, weren't we? [01:40:05] Speaker D: I believe I must attend the needs of my betrothed. [01:40:12] Speaker E: Yeah, he just gives you a side eye suddenly. [01:40:20] Speaker D: Indeed, will you excuse me? [01:40:27] Speaker E: The grand brothers have gone off with their father at this point because they just want him to help him calm down the party. And he's like, I'm not sure. You see, John, I made it perfectly clear that doing what you're doing will only end you in some serious trouble. And a man associated with that family just struck me without warning of probable cause. Without cause? [01:41:08] Speaker D: So you act in my best interest to detain me from the needs of a woman in standing with this company? [01:41:19] Speaker E: All I'm saying is I best think it's. I think it's in your best interest to distance yourself even further from them. What good is it doing? They have allies that will openly strike a man who has done nothing to that man. Until that moment, as I clearly stated, never even met the man. [01:41:47] Speaker D: Lord Fosley. The response was in your disrespect to Miss Eloise. And had the colonel not stepped in to assure you, I would have, though perhaps not in that fashion. [01:42:01] Speaker E: Didn't take you for a liar, John. And at this point, his smile was gone. [01:42:06] Speaker D: I find your business acumen to be worthy in many respects. Your personal behavior I still question. And then I'm going to walk away. [01:42:24] Speaker E: Very well, John. Consider our business concluded. [01:42:28] Speaker D: Don't even turn around. [01:42:33] Speaker E: I'll let masses know you're done with them. [01:42:38] Speaker D: If he's talking to me, he's having to shout it across the party now. [01:42:43] Speaker E: No, he won't shout. He does say it, though. But. Yes, Eloise, you step into the stables and see the colonel. [01:43:02] Speaker A: I think Eloise was moving pretty briskly and was in that kind of on the verge of tears state, and just looking for a quiet place to have a minor mental breakdown and kind of comes up short when she gets to the entrance of the stable and sees. [01:43:30] Speaker E: The colonel standing there, he's starting to. [01:43:35] Speaker B: Lead his horse out of the stall. Turns, also stops. Beg your pardon, Lady Eloise. And also, I apologize to you for any impropriety I may have caused or any discomfort to you or your family this evening. [01:44:06] Speaker A: She kind of nods a little bit. I am sure that whatever Lord Fosley had to say merited some sort of reaction. And I appreciate your willingness to defend my honor, sir. [01:44:28] Speaker B: It's worth defending. But if you'll excuse me, I have been asked to leave. [01:44:35] Speaker A: Of course. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. [01:44:40] Speaker B: Not at all. Lead the horse out of the stable, put a foot in the stirrup, swing up onto his horse. [01:44:52] Speaker A: Colonel? [01:44:55] Speaker B: Yes, my lady? [01:44:57] Speaker A: No matter how much he might attempt to defend himself by saying that you had no just cause. Lord Fosley has been accused of many things. Being inarticulate is not one of them. I believe you. [01:45:17] Speaker B: No matter how much propriety makes me say so, I'm not really sorry. So I suppose it works out. [01:45:34] Speaker A: Sorry for any damage your reputation may take because of. [01:45:41] Speaker B: You know, it's the funniest thing. I spent all spring trying to be just a wield Thomas man with a colonel's pension to sell. No. On a consequence. But I can say with some assurance it's not for me to say something. But I can say that the good or bad opinion of Sir Richard Fossley or of the Graham family is not going to matter to me more than a fart in the wind in about another month or so. [01:46:52] Speaker A: I wish you fair travels. [01:46:58] Speaker B: And I wish you peace, Lady Eloise. There's the best I can do at this time. [01:47:12] Speaker A: She kind of gives a little nod. [01:47:22] Speaker E: You would see. Quickly approaching Lord Earl Beaufort. The Lord Earl Beaufort, whose name is. [01:47:34] Speaker A: So far away from William Beaufort. [01:47:36] Speaker E: There you go. They're not the ones that matter here. Lord Earl. Lord William Beaufort, approaching at his own brisk pace. [01:47:54] Speaker B: Lord Beaufort, I apologize that I'm already mounted and seem to be having to pause to make apologies repeatedly. [01:48:06] Speaker E: You don't have to make anything towards me. Cut off your horse real quick. I want to have a word with you. Maybe you're smiling. [01:48:15] Speaker B: Wing, back off. [01:48:17] Speaker A: Eloise looks so confused and awkward just standing there, killed. [01:48:22] Speaker B: Flipping in the breeze. [01:48:26] Speaker E: Resolved. Token. Never mind. [01:48:31] Speaker B: If he rides, he doesn't wear his kilt that way. [01:48:34] Speaker A: Don't get us demonetized, please. [01:48:40] Speaker E: So your father looks at you always. Like thoughts and smiles and tunnel. I would like to offer my most sincerest thanks for what you did. I. I was not with any of thought. And such a thing would probably form the lens of the brother had he been still around. At this moment, I have not been as strong in my efforts to stop such things or such words from reaching. And I suppose I just hope for the Weston stepped aside and he gives Eloise a look that just seems really powerful. So thank you for what you did. [01:49:41] Speaker B: It was my honor. [01:49:52] Speaker E: And I will. Don't worry about your reputation in the area. And I know you probably wouldn't, given how much we've talked in the past. Kind of like chuckles to himself. [01:50:09] Speaker B: I do believe my reputation in the area is what's going to happen to. It is no longer to the concern of any of the three people here. [01:50:20] Speaker E: Your reputation is that you're a friend of the Beauforts. And that does more than you think. You're always welcome in the abbey. [01:50:30] Speaker B: So long as I'm still thought of as a friend. I'll be grateful for that. [01:50:39] Speaker E: I. He looks actually a little confused at Eloise and then like, shakes its head like, nah. [01:50:58] Speaker B: Go ahead, I'm gonna. Before I go, given the hospitality you've shown me, I have to cast an invitation back. If you can find your way, maybe you can make the time. I will arrange Carriages. But you have to come visit me in my hometown. It's a wee bit is a wee bit of a hike. [01:51:41] Speaker E: It's only insert random number of leagues here away. I'm sure we can manage somehow near every major city on the island. [01:51:57] Speaker B: Well, Inveradi Castle has a lovely view of loch. [01:52:02] Speaker D: Fine. [01:52:05] Speaker B: It would be my honor to show it to you. [01:52:10] Speaker E: It would be an honor if you would have. [01:52:14] Speaker B: It's deadly. That is a reveal of the secret I've been trying to keep forever. Saying that he lives at Invereri. He is one of those. [01:52:28] Speaker A: Eloise is like. There's a look on her face that she's like, wait, what. [01:52:36] Speaker E: Did the Earl know? Considering how long you've known. [01:52:42] Speaker B: Him? No, because he never talked about it. Because until he came back from the war, he was despair. And so it wasn't something that came up. All he had was his commission to sell. [01:52:59] Speaker C: Okay. [01:53:03] Speaker E: The earl has a smile on his face and, like, a look that's like, aya, crafty bastard. Understood. But I will leave you to goodbyes. I am going to prevent the good baron from doing whatever his hothead would do, no matter how cool headed his son is. Apparently. But he will nod to both of you and then think about it. And then just like, thank you again, and actually offer a bow to the colonel. [01:53:41] Speaker B: Colonel will mildly awkward. And then, as he knows he's supposed to give a nod. [01:53:50] Speaker E: He will turn and walk away. [01:53:54] Speaker B: Do you want to allow John to catch up with us? He said he was coming. [01:54:00] Speaker E: He did. [01:54:03] Speaker D: I actually have a different idea. [01:54:05] Speaker E: Go rady. [01:54:08] Speaker D: I think because I know which way Colonel Campbell went. John would not go that way right now. Instead looking around for a bow for a girl and notices the younger and that she's holding hands with someone and that they are beaming. [01:54:38] Speaker E: I don't think they're holding hands just yet. [01:54:41] Speaker D: Okay. [01:54:43] Speaker E: But they are side by side and grinning like idiots. [01:54:48] Speaker D: He's going to go over them. Good afternoon. [01:55:00] Speaker C: Oh, Mr. Fielding. Pleasure. May I inquire as to what happened here? [01:55:21] Speaker D: It's a long story. Poor speaks were poor words were met with poor actions. And no one looks good on account of it. But I note you two seem to be beaming. [01:55:38] Speaker C: Yes. Mr. John Fielding, allow me to introduce to you my betrothed, Baron Jasper Goodman. [01:55:55] Speaker D: He looks at Mr. Goodman and he looks at her, then back again, and you see a weight lift off him and this big smile that is positively marvelous. Would you like me. Do we announce it now? [01:56:16] Speaker E: Shakes his hand goodness, no. Her father needs to under. Don't do it, please. [01:56:31] Speaker C: I would prefer if my sister and my father were here to bask in. [01:56:38] Speaker D: Of course. [01:56:39] Speaker E: Absolutely. [01:56:40] Speaker D: I'm actually looking for Eloise right now. She seems to be slipped away. I shall find her and bring her back. My God. Congratulations. [01:56:50] Speaker C: Thank you, Miss Fielding. [01:56:54] Speaker D: Indeed, indeed. [01:56:56] Speaker E: My lord. [01:56:56] Speaker D: I've shaken your hand for too long. [01:56:59] Speaker E: Yes. You have a very good grip. Very good. Very good indeed, sir. [01:57:03] Speaker D: He lets go and puts a hand on his shoulder, like, isn't this exciting? And then realizes that he's still doing it. [01:57:11] Speaker E: Yeah, he's not the strongest guy. [01:57:18] Speaker D: Imagine I'm, like, taller than him. [01:57:20] Speaker E: Well, not saying the same height, but he's definitely about, like, 50 or 70 pounds lighter than you are. He's not a big man. Please let go. My shoulder. My hand. My shoulder and my hand. He's like, singing it to the beat of the handshake. Please. Ow. Ow. [01:57:38] Speaker D: Yeah, I like. [01:57:38] Speaker E: Ow. I give him space. [01:57:40] Speaker C: Thank you. [01:57:44] Speaker E: Appreciated. [01:57:46] Speaker C: When you see my sister, please send. [01:57:51] Speaker D: Her post taste, post haste. [01:57:54] Speaker C: Thank you. Thank you. [01:57:57] Speaker D: Enjoy the party. Oh, and perhaps avoid young Lord Fosley. [01:58:03] Speaker C: Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't approach that man if he had a ransom on my head. He is not good news, Mr. Fielding. I really wouldn't do business with him. [01:58:18] Speaker D: Now, someone tells me. [01:58:21] Speaker C: I wasn't aware that you were inquiring information. [01:58:25] Speaker D: I inquired about him. [01:58:27] Speaker A: I inquired with your sister about him. [01:58:29] Speaker D: Before the last part. It matters not. [01:58:33] Speaker C: Ellie, I mean, Lady Louise has keep. Her job is to keep the peace. My job is to give you the proper information. [01:58:50] Speaker D: His shoulders dropped, like. Looks up at the sky, shakes his. [01:58:55] Speaker C: Head, you know, go forth. They do say that I am a spy for the frenchmen. It means that I have a very good ear. And she kind of intensely stares at him when she says that, and, like, smirks. [01:59:16] Speaker D: Indeed. Congratulations again. Please excuse me. [01:59:23] Speaker C: Thank you. [01:59:25] Speaker D: Walks 5ft away, turns with them and just, like, does a little fist pump. [01:59:32] Speaker E: Yes, as they did in the old days. [01:59:38] Speaker B: It's a very regency fist pump. [01:59:44] Speaker E: That's hell, yeah, dude. All over it. Excellent. Let's see. Yeah, I do believe, because it ties everything together very neatly. And we like that you would catch the you know what. Because I said it once, I'm going to say it again. The Lord Earl walking away from in the distance, at least, the colonel and Eloise, then Colonel and Eloise, you have a brief moment. [02:00:23] Speaker A: Eloise is actually trailing after her father. I think she came out here to be alone and her father caught her alone with a man, and blessedly, hasn't seemed to have really cared. So she's like, very quickly taking advantage of the fact that it loans some propriety if he's at least with her. [02:00:43] Speaker D: Yeah. [02:00:45] Speaker E: In his mind, it's very much like fuck everything. I'm at least going to go say thank you with kind of what he thought you were doing. So if that makes you feel better, that was the confused look in the. That's not what she's doing. She's doing the proper thing and at least saying thank. [02:01:01] Speaker C: Mean. [02:01:01] Speaker A: She wasn't trying to be improper, she was just trying to find a place to go to cry. [02:01:10] Speaker C: I would like to spend a monologue token. [02:01:12] Speaker A: Oh, no. [02:01:14] Speaker E: Hell, yeah. [02:01:15] Speaker C: How's Eloise feeling right now, after everything? Her name kind of being dragged through the mud, some evil random scottish guy standing up for her and her own fiance, not saying anything, not seeming to take a side. [02:01:42] Speaker E: Let me pour you a fresh cup of tea to spell it. [02:01:51] Speaker A: Shall do a scene, and give me a minute to put my thoughts together. [02:01:56] Speaker D: Well, the scene is John arriving and talking to Eloise and her dad, and then just. Eloise, enough. [02:02:06] Speaker A: Okay, in that case, this is before John walks up and after the colonel leaves and Eloise is following her father. [02:02:22] Speaker E: I will say, technically, he hasn't left because he hasn't said that he left. [02:02:28] Speaker A: Okay, he's getting ready to leave. Good lord. Let's just make this as complicated as possible so that BP doesn't know who's where. [02:02:37] Speaker E: Colonel's behind you, your father's in front of you, and John's in the very, very front of you there. I. [02:02:59] Speaker A: Never expected any of this. I never anticipated feeling so torn over duty. Um, I never. I never thought a man I've barely spoken to could hold my attention and make me feel so worthy of a kind word. I have never questioned my duty and the role I was to play in our family. I always knew it would be to marry for money or status. I never expected everything to be on my shoulders, but I never questioned the weights that were put there. And even if I didn't love him, I had no reason to question Mr. Fielding's intentions and opinion of me. Now it's all I can do. I have no reason to doubt the colonel in regards to what was said about me and my fiance. Was sitting right there and said nothing, took no sides, didn't even look offended on my behalf. It is one thing to know that you are a means to an end. It is a very different thing to have it thrown in your face and to not be the one, not be defended by the one person who should always defend you. Doesn't matter. None of it matters. I have a duty, the role I have to play, and I will do so. I'll save my family and I'll be the perfect wife so that they never have a reason and to see any shame come on them from today, after today's only wish. And it's about that point in the monologue that she sort of glances back over her shoulder at the colonel as she's walking away. No. Oh, go ahead. [02:07:05] Speaker B: Who is riding away into the summer distance? [02:07:13] Speaker A: No. No point in wishing accomplishes nothing. And she spots John as she turns back, straightens her shoulders and puts a serene smile on her face that doesn't quite reach her. Her eyes. [02:07:49] Speaker E: And monologue all said okay. [02:08:03] Speaker D: Down the slope towards the barn. [02:08:06] Speaker E: Can you say that again? You are robot. So I guess the first three words of that. [02:08:10] Speaker B: Mr. [02:08:10] Speaker D: Fielding is hurrying down the slope towards the barn. [02:08:15] Speaker E: Yeah, it's all just a big ice field. It's not that far away, but yeah, you managed to, I think, the load bot. Bofart. No, I don't think you cross the path. He's taking a different route to get over there. [02:08:42] Speaker D: So he went one way and she went another. [02:08:45] Speaker A: You may have wandered towards literally following him three times. [02:08:51] Speaker E: I was going to say, maybe you wandered off a little bit to the left to give you a time, but. All right, fine. Okay. You're directly following your father. Okay. [02:08:57] Speaker A: Last time she tried to be alone, she ended up alone with a man, which was not what she wanted, so she's not taking a risk again. [02:09:05] Speaker E: Okay, so never mind. You robbed to the two of them. Cool. [02:09:11] Speaker D: Lord Beaufort, Lady Eloise. I come pairing. Wonderful news. [02:09:21] Speaker E: He gives you a rather steel eyed expression, one that he's a genuinely. He's a relatively warm person. Usually, yes. What news do you bring, Mr. Fieldig? [02:09:41] Speaker D: I hardly feel it is mine to share, but I encourage us all to proceed with haste to the side of Lady Catherine. [02:09:53] Speaker E: His eyes light up with understanding and he turns and smiles at you. Melody. Some good will come of this day. You'll see? Come with me. [02:10:10] Speaker C: Course. [02:10:12] Speaker E: And he'll walk a bit quicker kind of walking past you, John. [02:10:21] Speaker D: And as we head back, I want to. Brian, fall back with Eloise for a moment of privacy. [02:10:28] Speaker E: Absolutely. [02:10:35] Speaker D: A day. Indeed. [02:10:38] Speaker A: Yes, day. [02:10:41] Speaker D: I wish you to know that I have ended any potential of business dealings with Mr. Fosley. But I believe we may be planning a second wonderful occasion quite soon. [02:11:00] Speaker E: Surely. [02:11:01] Speaker D: We are excited. Forgive me, I was hardly subtle. The news of your sisters. [02:11:11] Speaker C: Ah. Of course. [02:11:13] Speaker A: I am quite happy for her. [02:11:20] Speaker D: Indeed, you hardly seem it. [02:11:30] Speaker A: Sorry, it's heat of the days made me a bit tired is all. [02:11:39] Speaker D: Hmm. Very well. Seems we shall continue in this fashion. [02:11:55] Speaker A: In what fashion might that be, sir? [02:12:00] Speaker D: A fashion where we are not honest with one another. You sense that his temper is not regarding you, but just in general. He's less guarded than he usually is. That's the thing. He wouldn't ordinarily say. [02:12:23] Speaker A: You believe I have not been honest with you? [02:12:29] Speaker D: Um. I accuse you of no dishonor nor dishonesty, per se. Indeed, we should not think of such conversation. Not such a joyous moment. [02:12:48] Speaker A: The joyous moment did not stop you from broaching the subject, did it? [02:12:53] Speaker D: No, I'm afraid. Never mind. [02:13:19] Speaker A: Just laps into silence. She's not gonna. The second he says never mind, and makes it clear that he intends to end the conversation, she just goes quiet. [02:13:34] Speaker D: All right, I think there's now a mutual like. I'm smiling because it's proper. I'm here because I have to. He is as good a liar today as he usually is. [02:13:59] Speaker E: Okay, as you both reach the party. Catherine. It's one of those, like, where the fuck is everyone? I need to tell them. I haven't been around for maybe ten minutes before you finally see your father come around one of the sides of the house. He does have a very cold look on his face, but upon looking up and seeing you, it changes to that brilliantly warm smile that he always wears when he sees you. Even bigger, if anything, as he walks over to you, but then realizes a statement, what he's supposed to be doing. He straightens out his coat and studies himself and walks over with a more serious parental bad faith. And then you see John and Eloise shortly behind him, and he poaches the both of you. And Jasper wasn't really paying attention. He's been talking with Daniel, who's been kind of chatting him up, like. No, no, you did fine. You did everything you needed to. It's fine. You did great. Like, finally kind of getting done with him before Jasper returns and sees your father, who is a little bit taller than him, just slightly, like, looking down at him. He's like, oh, Lord Buffoon. Pleasure. He seems to shrink lately. [02:15:49] Speaker C: It's Earl Buffoot, darling. Baron. [02:15:53] Speaker E: Lord. Listen, another character. I'm going to get this mixed up all the time. I'm so sorry for everyone. [02:16:00] Speaker A: Character. Lord isn't incorrect. Lord is a common word used for most ranks. Earl is when you're being overly formal. [02:16:12] Speaker E: DJ Grandmaster Flash Beaufort. Look at Steve. Bright. [02:16:20] Speaker C: Bright DJ William on them. [02:16:29] Speaker E: You're right. Sorry. Like Godzilla. Catherine. Lord Bullfoot, I have. I would like to ask permission to marry your daughter. I have proposed, and he has said yes. The goodness. Looking down at his feet, he's, like, clearly overwhelmed in the moment. [02:17:08] Speaker C: And she's just going to lean in and whisper and whisper. Heads up, shoulders back. He'll respect you more as a man if you show your true intentions. [02:17:20] Speaker E: Sorry, sir. He will do as you say. Look him in the eyes. It's like, sorry. I am overwhelmed. I've never felt as lucky and as happy and as blessed as I do now, just standing beside your daughter as I am. And when you said yes, it felt like everything I wanted just happened all at once. And I humbly apologize for how uncoordinated, inaccurate. This is not the way I wanted to do this, but it's all that I have because I'm just absolutely smitten with her. And I will do everything in my power as the next head of the Goodman family. To see that she has the happiest life anyone has ever like, takes a step back. Jasper, when I first met you, you were thinking, well, more than her aunt's dogs, I'm going to admit she looks like what? But I see before me a man who is really in love, and I don't get to see that very often. I doubt many Kirkwood ever do. So I say, yes, of course you may. He starts to lean down, but then remembers it like, nope, just keep it straight. Thank you, Seth. [02:19:02] Speaker C: Paula? [02:19:05] Speaker E: Yes, Catherine. [02:19:09] Speaker C: She'll just give a very proper, obviously trained curtsy. Thank you. [02:19:23] Speaker E: Thank you so much. Thank you. Straight lad. I know. [02:19:31] Speaker B: If I may, in the face of all this glee, this happy couple beaming over, just overwhelmed with their joy, I would like to spend my monologue token to ask Mr. Fielding what's going on in his heart. [02:19:56] Speaker E: Surprisingly cold in its own way. Yeah. John, will you give us a monologue, please? [02:20:06] Speaker D: John has stepped back a little bit, having completed the duty promised and brought the family together to talk. And now he is deeply sad. You are a fortunate young man. I see a joy in hers that I do. You have been blessed with good fortune and you have done what you desired. And now happy for it. [02:20:56] Speaker E: Let's see. You are completely breaking up and now. [02:20:59] Speaker D: You shall be happy for it. I cannot but acknowledge some correctness in the colonel's accusations. I am doing a disservice to myself, to my betrothed, even in a service to her family and my own. Perhaps he does love her. Perhaps he loves her more than me. I cannot say. To be truth, I thought I knew the man well, and now I cannot say at all what his intention might have been. I simply wish we could be straight honest with one another. Eloise is a statue. The most beautiful I have ever beheld. But I have no idea what is within that. He wishes not lets me see it. And I, in turn, will be as kind and gracious as I can and make the upholding of our duties as painless as possible. But, oh, I envy you, young man. I envy your happiness. And I hold now only the hope that that envy does not poison our future relationship. Damn whatever thing, whatever divine put me in this world in such a way, for I will never be you. Damn him. End monologue. [02:23:19] Speaker E: Well said. I will say we have about 15 minutes and one more monologue. Joke on the needs to be spent. [02:23:41] Speaker D: Indeed, Lady Catherine, I believe. How are you feeling? [02:24:02] Speaker C: Springtime has always been dull. It's too warm to stay inside and get lost in books all day. But it's too cold to be able to fully enjoy the grounds. But today is a warm summer's day taking place in the incorrect month. I can hear birds chirping for the first time in months, I can see flowers truly blooming. And things finally make sense. Ever since William died, I've had to hide my pain and write it into journals that'll never get published, letters that might be burnt in the fireplace. [02:25:16] Speaker A: And. [02:25:17] Speaker C: Keep it in my heart. But today, despite all of the mishaps and the slip ups, today is summer. It's warm, there's a light enough breeze, and the only thing that'll make it any better is when the rain comes. I quite like the rain. It frees you for just a moment. It allows you to blur with the background and cry if you need to. It's refreshing. It's cool. Jasper, my dearest friend, my only real confidant, the man who understands me the most, more than my family, more than people who are supposed to get me climbed up the social ladder. [02:26:55] Speaker E: You. You. [02:26:59] Speaker C: Soon him and I will be wed with the blessing of God and the blessing of my father, and hopefully the blessing of my aunt and my sister, because they matter to me just as much. I see the pain in her eyes, you know, she thinks that she's good at hiding it, but it's a sister's intuition. I'm so sorry, Kath. I'm so sorry, Eloise. I'm so sorry that I couldn't do more. You're a good woman. You don't deserve to be put in the predicaments that you have been. And while I'm sure that Mr. Fielding is a successful man, and soon I will be calling him a brother in law, I quite wonder what would happen if you could be free from the shackles that is this engagement. Who would you go after? Who would you choose to love? Your happiness has always been a priority of mine. And it will until the day that I draw my last breath. I hope that William, our brother, looks down and is able to grant you the strength that you need to live the rest of your days and to be as happy as you can possibly be. I hope one day you get your summer rain, Eloise, because mine is coming and I can't help but feel selfish for basking in it. But he is my summer rain. And I am one of the lucky ones. I cannot deny that. And Mamaluk. [02:29:37] Speaker E: Well set this current moment in time, there's still all this happening in a very short amount of time, actually, um, there is still some party to go. And as it occurs, the announcement is made because it's a beautiful thing. And with the permission of Mr. Graham, it is made to lighten the dark air that fell over the party a while ago. Not that anyone forgets what occurred, despite Richard Fosley still smiling and making apologies for causing a scene that, again, he isn't fully sure what occurred there. Before we wrap up, are there any small scenes that anyone would like to have with somebody else while this party is still. [02:31:06] Speaker D: I'm good. John has fallen into a proud older brother kind of position, hanging out with Eloise and just being like, yeah, congratulations for them. To anyone who talks to him. [02:31:33] Speaker E: Eloise like to do anything. [02:31:37] Speaker A: I think Eloise is just hanging out with her sister, smiling and being clearly happy for her. [02:31:50] Speaker C: Catherine is going to wrap an arm around Eloise, both as a means to sort of like a sisterly formality, but there is a sort of like, tightness in Catherine's arm that signifies that Eloise has her. And Catherine won't leave her side until she's told not to be there anymore. And every now and again, even throughout the celebrations, unless she has to break away for formalities, she just looks at her sister, and every time they make eye contact, it's one of pure, just love. [02:33:00] Speaker E: Okay? And if you are in that position, Mr. Fielding, you will notice that Daniel, ever just the guardian angel of both of these sisters, is never far away, and continue to make conversation with you, Eloise, Catherine and Jasper. [02:33:30] Speaker D: I will treat him well. I might even apologize for being brusque at the flower ball. [02:33:41] Speaker E: And I think you will note that he's treating you the most formally out of everyone, as we are going to the few minutes. But before we finally, finally wrap up. Book. Yes? May I spend the only monologue token I'm actually going to give myself? Not on the horse, but for a brief monologue from you before we wrap up. Final thoughts from the colonel as he's riding away into the afternoon. [02:34:35] Speaker B: As the colonel gets further away from the party, he pauses on his horse, takes a deep breath to the country for fresh air. Sometimes I still swear I can smell London from here, all dricky and all that wail and cry over at the battle lost. Pick ourselves up and move on. The earl's gracious invitation notwithstanding, I expect it's probably time to gather my things and head back north, he says. They glance back towards the grand estate. Nothing left for me here, is there? And monologue. And he rides on. [02:36:28] Speaker E: Very well. And with that last monologue, and as the sun kind of goes into the halfway afternoon point, as the party quietly routes down, because it will get cold very soon, we're going to wrap up the stuff in here.