audrey (larcener) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-03-03 14:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, audrey leradine, genevieve albrecht |
Who: Genevieve Albrecht & Audrey Leradine
What: About Basil Norwood
Where: Albrecht Estate
When: This Evening.
Rating: G
Status: complete
Audrey sat across from the Countess, saucer and cup in her hand as she took a sip of the tea before placing it back down on the coffee table between them. With a deep breath, she knew by the inquiring eyes that the Countess was already onto her. “I’ve picked a suitor,” she was quick to shove a cookie in her mouth to keep the nerves down. The woman was most likely going to judge her. “I’m going to marry Basil Norwood. I’ve decided. I wish to marry him as soon as possible, perhaps mid Aeries in order to obtain my inheritance and to stop being a nuisance.” Genevieve schooled her features so that her eye did not twitch at the mention of Lord Basil Norwood. While she understood that Audrey did not wish to rely upon her indefinitely, at the very least she could have chosen some rather lesser known noble that could tragically die months into their marriage. Genevieve would have gladly helped; she even had the perfect person in mind. She supposed it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle to kill off Basil; unless Audrey was going to next impress upon Genevieve her undying love for the man, she was quite certain that was where it was headed. “Impossible,” she declared, settling her teacup on its saucer and placing it on the table. “It takes far longer to plan a wedding than mere weeks, Alys.” There would be planners to engage, an engagement party to plan. They would have to check with the cathedral to see what dates were available, and a caterer would need to be hired. “I believe the end of Taurus would be more feasible if you wish to pull this farce -- I mean, marriage -- off quickly.” Audrey’s jaw clenched as she tried to keep the sudden rupture of shame from showing through her expression. She felt certain Vivi would hate the idea, though the reprimanding words she expected weren’t the words to fly from her mouth. Aud watched in minor surprise as she continued on about the hard work that a wedding entails. The blonde had been certain of throwing the job to planners and hoping they could figure it out. Clearly, she was wrong. Audrey flinched at the word farce, reaching for her tea again to soothe herself down . Exhaling light, she raised a brow at the woman. “What must I do?” “First, an engagement party must be hosted. It is tradition for the nobility to gather and wish upon you many children. That should be simple enough; I will contact Basil about the specifics. It is often hosted by the intended groom’s family, and as he has none, I will be willing to take the burden from him.” Not that she expected him to argue the point, and it would give her an excuse to see what it was he was plotting. She knew that this idea could not have been Audrey’s to begin with, and the idea of a payoff was something that would appeal greatly to Miles. “There are planners to engage for the wedding itself; I assume you are amenable to the ceremony at the Cathedral with the reception to follow here?” Audrey was quick to nod. “Yes, of course.” It wasn’t like the blonde cared much for the wedding to begin with. If anything it was for the signatures on those papers that would hand her father’s inheritance to her. “How can I help? Please delegate things to me. I don’t wish for the stress to be on you alone. It’s my wedding.” Genevieve thought about it. “I shall leave the choosing of the attendants and their dresses to you, as well as the hiring of a caterer and the choosing of a cake. I shall speak with the priest regarding the ceremony, as well as hire the planner. I am well acquainted with one, and she will prioritize your wedding. The guest list shall fall to you and Basil - I will need it by week’s end. The engagement party must happen at least a month prior to the wedding, so we are short on time.” A sip of tea was taken as she thought. “Regarding the marriage license and your inheritance, I expect you have spoken with one of the magisters? What do you know of financial keeping? And what arrangement have you and Basil come to?” It was unlikely that Basil would die, and so they had to come up with something so as to continue to live their lives as they saw fit. “I like cake,” was the only mumble that came out through Genevieve’s explanation. Nodding along, she made mental notes of things she needed to attain. “I’ve spoken to Judge Finch briefly. I suppose I will pay him a visit.” Audrey paused. “I made it clear to Basil if he is to marry me, he will not be inheriting what belongs to me. My inheritance is mine and my sister’s alone.” “Well, at least you have made that clear prior,” Genevieve replied, taking another sip of tea. “Have you begun to decide with whom you will invest your inheritance? And have you ever balanced a household account?” There were literally hundreds of questions that needed answering, very little with which had to do with the wedding itself. She was more concerned that the girls did not become penniless paupers in the streets within three years. She paused, thinking of how she must come off. “I do believe I have forgotten to extend my congratulations,” she added belatedly. “I am glad that you have found someone with which you can come to an arrangement so that you might inherit what rightfully belongs to you.” A moment. “Though I do wish you’d have come to me prior to agreeing to marry Norwood.” Prior to the fiasco in Scorpio, she had had little opinion on Basil, and had been quite amused by Miles; however, his sense of humor left little to be desired. If she did not think it would sadden the female population and make Reinholdt cross with her, she would have hired Lemach to get rid of him shortly after his congratulations. Audrey stared back, blinking slowly. In truth, she hadn’t. Not money this amount of money. “I had been thinking of asking a,” she hesitated, “friend for help. Cian Wilde. He’s incredibly good with numbers. I figured he could guide me. Though your guidance is even more greatly appreciated,” she was quick to add. Vivi had collected a lot of wealthy, she surely knew how to invest. A frown pulled at her lips, gaze drifting to the plush carpet. “I apologize. I just didn’t wish to bother you. I was already overwhelmed with becoming your benefactor, I didn’t—I’m sorry.” “Cian is a wise choice,” Genevieve assured her. She had invested some of her wealth with him, and he was quite worth the investment. “Do be careful to track it, however. He is a rather busy man, and while he is not careless, he is also not infallible.” Not that he had ever managed to lose any of her gil, but still. There were first times for everything, and she would hate for that first time to be with Audrey’s carefully received inheritance. At Audrey’s apology, Genevieve waved her hand. “It is your life, Alys,” she replied. While it was true that she had been looking into possible ways to skirt the marriage requirement, whatever option had to be something that Audrey was comfortable with. She doubted the girl would have had the stomach to do what Genevieve herself would have - and had - done. “At the very least, Basil is manageable. So long as you and he are clear on expectations, it is a good match.” “Of course,” Audrey nodded in regards to Cian. “Once I have acquired my inheritance, I’ll contact him regarding it.” With her tea done, Audrey’s eyes wandered to the grandfather clock across the room. This was the closest she was going to get to Vivi’s blessings considering her obvious distaste for Basil. Audrey had partially wondered why—had she caught the stench of Miles’ involvement? Did she even know about Miles and Basil? Surely she had to. After all, she had access to the Duke. Nodding to the Countess, she stood up from her seat on the couch. “I mustn’t be late for dinner with Juliette. I will begin doing research at once.” As she reached the door frame, Audrey looked back momentarily at Vivi. “Vivi,” she spoke to her as she used to when nobility wasn’t a thing. “Thanks.” “There is nothing to thank me for,” Genevieve said, standing as Audrey made her way across the room. “I shall let you know when the arrangements have been made. Now, hurry so that you are not late.” Audrey nodded and was out the door. Genevieve sat back down. There were arrangements to attend to. |