[Introduction] A horrid turn of events

[regency_twihard]

The coach ride to Bath proves utterly imperilous, with no great calamity than a stop at an inn -- its taproom sadly lacking in sinisterly scarred ruffians or raddled wenches with sharp tongues, much less a kitchen with a fat, surly chef cuffing the kitchen boys. Once they resume their journey, they nearly turn back to the inn, when Mrs. Allen

Comments

[knightscholar]

Here's a Lia, standing in the middle of the hallway, holding a teapot and completely lost in thought. Her other hand is pressed to her collarbone, and she seems downright worried, but mostly far away. It would perhaps be prudent to leave her be, but her skirts are blocking the entire hallway. Despite the teapot, there's no way anyone would mistake her for a servant.

[OOC: Is a cross-dressing possessed French spy good enough? Tell me who else you want, pretty please.]

[regency_twihard]

It's likely getting colder out as the day draws to a close, and Catherine has headed inside, looking for some tea herself. She's fussing with removing her wraps and looking for a place to hang them up. Thus she's not looking where she's going when she catches her foot on the hem of Lia's gown and down she goes in a graceless heap. Whoops!

Hee, Lia is perfect! Can has an Albert, as well?

[knightscholar]

That gets Lia's attention and almost pulls her off balance. The result is that she's suddenly focused on where she is again, and crouches to help the poor unfortunate girl up with her free hand. "I'm so sorry," she says in her low alto. "I took up the entire hall, didn't I? Do you mind if I help you up?"

[regency_twihard]

"It's quite all right," Catherine says, her cloak puddled under her and her bonnet askew. "I was not looking where I was going: your ladyship was hardly to blame."

[knightscholar]

Yes, Lia is a lady but she doesn't put much credit to it, especially here. She smiles apologetically and shakes her head. "Oh nonsense, mademoiselle. I was... gathering wool." If anything, she may be more fluent in English than her brother, but some idioms do give her pause. She hopes she gets that one right.

"I should find you a chair." She's still holding out her hand to Catherine, with its blunt nails and sword calluses.

[regency_twihard]

Catherine takes it and allows Lia to help her to a chair. "I hope that my tumble did not startle your ladyship too much: I was woolgathering a bit myself," she says. She's puzzled at the condition of her ladyship's hands, wondering if she might be in the presence of an adventuress, exiled from her native land by the Revolutionaries, but thinks better than to ask. "I am Catherine Morland, of Fullerton."

[knightscholar]

After being certain Catherine is settled, Lia looks for a chair for herself. She's tugging it closer, turns to give a curtsy at the introduction, then drops neatly into the other chair. One hand goes to her mouth. "And I am Lia de Beaumont."

"I was a little startled," she has to admit. "My thoughts were far away." Maybe that is a better explanation than woolgathering.

[regency_twihard]

"There's no harm done, I assure you, Madame de Beaumont: I'm known to get lost in my thoughts, too," she says, smiling reassuringly. "Mother's always scolding me for daydreaming when I should be working."

[knightscholar]

"Not madame," Lia corrects gently. "Mademoiselle. And we're both unharmed, aren't we?" She can't help smiling at the way the young lady talks. It doesn't remind her of D'Eon's Anna in most ways, but it all sounds so innocent and cheerful.

"Where were you going?"

[regency_twihard]

"I was just coming in after a long walk in the gardens, and I was going to the kitchen to make some tea and to warm up," she says. "It is quite chilly out: it wasn't this cold when I was on the road to Bath, but it is quite bracing."

[knightscholar]

Lia smiles and nods. "I could come help. Do you know where the kitchen is?"

[regency_twihard]

"Oh, indeed: I've been shown much of the house and what I had not seen I have been exploring," she says. "I'm not yet much of a cook, but I find the kitchen quite cozy."

[knightscholar]

"That would be the best place to make tea." Though certainly not the only place. "It's a confusing kitchen, but it works."

[regency_twihard]

"It is: I am woefully unfamiliar with half of the utensils there," she says. "But I think that I can learn to use them soon."

[knightscholar]

Lia has to laugh. "I agree with you, but in time, it makes sense." She looks down at the teapot still in her hand. Luckily, it was empty. "At least tea is brewed in largely the same manner."

[regency_twihard]

"I suppose there are some things that cannot easily be improved upon," she says. "Tea is certainly one of them."

"Are you a scholar? You seem quite wise and full of thought."