Patchwork Universe

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 9:32 am Post subject:

The butler stared down his nose, not, as one might expect, at the elderly peddlar herself, but at a space about three feet to her right that appeared to have been precision crafted to be the optimum location to stare for expressing his utter and complete indifference to Yarrow's existence. However, when he spoke again it was with considerably more respect.

"Gentlemen, if you would care to accompany me to the Waterhouse Room, I shall endeavour to assure your comfont until the Earl is available. He is presently dressing for dinner, but will no doubt wish to greet you personally once he is finished. If your ... servant would care to go to the rear door, her needs will also be attended to."

He stepped out of the way and held the door open for the party, but when Yarrow tried to enter, his outheld arm gently restrained her. "The back door, if you please, madame."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 1:11 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel assumed that the gentlemen in question were Dr Odom and Father Michael. She wondered which category the butler was going to put her in. Then she wondered what she was going to do if she was also sent to the backdoor.

Marching straight through the front door, closed or open was an option. Marching straight through the butler was also an option. However, on balance she decide to wait and see what Yarrow would do first. After all, Yarrow did not strike her as a particularly likely to put up with the sort of insult that the butler was offering.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

"What is your name, man?" Dr. Odom took a step forward, and settled into his Curator General persona. "We would be pleased to accompany you to the Waterhouse Room, but if an unfortunate and unlikely situation should arise, such as the inconvenient separation of our party, I should like to be able to give praise or blame where it is due." He concluded his speech with a bland look as if the man was not worth a cold glare. He knew this sort. Modern and Post-Modern Art were full of them and his own old department, Print, had more than a few. Dr. Kitteridge came to mind.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:48 pm Post subject:

The butler seemed completely unfazed by Dr. Odom's tone. "Huxley, sir. I'm the second underbutler. I apologise - I appear to have made a mistake." Looking at Yarrow directly for the first time. "My apologies to you madame, welcome to Aldersley." There was no hint of his former contempt in his voice. "If you would all like to follow me."

The butler lead the party through the halls of Aldersley, up the east staircase, turning left at least five times without apparently ending up in the same place, as one might have expected. Instead the party was ushered into a modest drawing room, amply equiped with comfortable seats, and most remarkable for the fine collection of Waterhouse pictures that adorned the wall. The Earl appeared to be somewhat fond of Waterhouse's work as in addition what appeared to be the original "My Sweet Rose", there were portraits of Lady Beatrice and Lady Violetta and a couple of original landscapes.

"I shall inform his Lordship of your arrival. Is there anything I can provide for you while you are waiting?" Huxley asked as he turned to face the party before exiting the room.

Yarrow · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

"Tea's be nice," Yarrow commented. She'd tolerated the butler's attempt to redirect her with surprising equanimity. Although she'd tipped Dr Odom a wink when he'd intervened.

Setting back into a chair and placing her basket at her feet she looked up at the butler with a grin.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:08 am Post subject:

Jewel moved over to look at the portraits. The house was unlikely to stock anything she could drink (although it was not impossible, judging from the craft outside) and she was not keen to alert any of the inhabitants to her ghost status.

She looked from Lady Violetta to Lady Beatrice.

"How long ago were these painted?" She asked.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 7:41 am Post subject:

The butler nodded to Yarrow. "I'll bring some up immediately, ma'am." In response to Dr. Jewel's question, he replied "I couldn't say precisely, sir. I believe that they were both done sometime in the last five years, although not at the same time obviously. Lady Violetta's portrait," the butler pointed, "was commisioned first." Before Dr. Jewel could comment upon the butler's apparent confusion, he was gone.

It was a surprisingly short time before a maid entered with a tea service, and poured cups for everyone present. She smiled particularly warmly at Yarrow, and as instructed by Dr. Jewel placed the remaining cup upon an occasional table. "His Lordship'll be along shortly," she noted before leaving the room.