The Evening After the Night Before

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina internally rolls her eyes, though she keeps her face steady as a blandly polite mask. If Jackdaw was really that dire then Katherine was either a fool to her supposed duty or impossibly dull not to have thought of a way out of her entrapment. After all, there are ways to deal with inconvenient people... Look at poor dear departed Andrew for a prime example...

"Alas darling, no-one has ever offered me the chance to try my hand at it and I should not like anyone to think I was forward enough to propose such a venture myself." Valentina keeps her voice light. Let Katherine think what she would of that statement.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Oh Miss Audley, I would hope that no woman would be forward enough to try and propose to a gentleman!"
Her voice dropping to a sympathetic and seemly sincere tone, "I am very surprised that you were not inundated with offers when you were a mortal, how disappointing for you. I had two and I had yet to even debut."

She becomes slightly unfocused again, as if thinking of something from long ago..,

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina immediately mentally makes a note to propose to Reggie next time she sees him. Largely for her own personal amusement but also out of a mischievous desire to do something that would be considered dreadful by the prudish Katherine.

"I rather suspect my Sire headed them off. He always was the protective sort, even before I was aware of his influence." She smiles in fond remembrance. "I must admit I was so busy as a mortal I had not the time to mourn my lack of proposals." That last was sincerely said, Valentina's skills had been much in demand in her father's tailoring shop, provided of course that she kept chastely hidden out the back.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine continues to stare at nothing. Yes, she had had two engagements. Not that her father knew of either. The first a secret and the second after.... well after he could possibly be concerned. Yes fate has ensured that she never disgraced the family name with her choices of lovers. Suddenly a flash of a face twisted in pain and hate flashes into her memory, startling her. Taking her out of her trance. She steadies herself against the counter. She realises that Valentina has continued to chatter. She picks up on the fact that Valentina says her Sire was protective.

"Well I am glad that your Sire saw fit to look out for you and was protective. I have heard terrible things that some Sire's do to their Childer. I seems that you and I have been very fortunate."

Hopefully that had covered enough of the points of conversation that Miss Audley had discussed during her mental absence.

"Would you have any gloves to match? Or could some be made?"

[Valentina Audley]

I have not been fortunate, I have been clever darling. What a pity you weren't. The thought flashes through her head as she watches Katherine's momentary lapse ending with a slight stumble. Perhaps not everyone would have spotted it, but Valentina takes care to watch people she doesn't trust and so she notices it.

Habit makes her pretend she didn't though and so she tilts her head thoughtfully for a moment and replies "I have black gloves that would suit ready made up or I could have a pair of purple done up to match the gown if you'd rather."

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine is not entirely sure that she got away with the slight lapse but at least Miss Audley was not in the mood to point it out. Will that dratted image never leave her?

"If you have the time to arrange for the purple gloves to be made up I would be most grateful."

One day she will discover what Miss Audley's weaknesses truly are, but it was not today. It is a shame that the Toreador is an Ancillae and has the social advantage, it makes any gains that Katherine could possibly make almost impossible to instigate. It will just take longer? she will have to be patient.

Katherine glances up at the clock.

"Oh I am sorry Miss Audley, but I must go. I would not want to keep the Prince waiting."

[Valentina Audley]

"No indeed darling." Valentina agrees with a smile. "Do give Dear Francis my regards, won't you?"

She's still not entirely sure what Katherine is attempting with the sudden overtures (beyond a new gown at least), but she's not certain she has the time to deal with one bothersome neonate right now. Not when she is on the brink of a plan that surely spells success or ruin.

"The purple gloves can be ready for delivery at the same time the gown is." She smiles again.

"I look forward to seeing you in Bristol Mrs Jackdaw."

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Thank you so much, I look forward to seeing the beautiful dress. Good night Miss Audley and see you in Bristol."

She quickly checks that she has all her belongings and hurries out the door.

One meeting down and another to go thinks Katherine. This next one will be more pleasant but it had complications and she is not entirely sure how it will go. Well whatever happens, she can be entertained by the decor. Katherine takes a breath and climbs back into the carriage.