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Lord Tobias Hurst, Duke of Devon ([info]lord_hurst) wrote in [info]toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-06-07 14:54:00

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Entry tags:charles_hurst, plot, tobias_hurst

Breakfast at Bailston
Subject: A discussion at Breakfast, some days after the Hunt
Where: Bailston Abbey
Who: Lord Tobias Hurst
Warnings: none
Open to: Charles Hurst


"The play was very good." Lord Hurst said at breakfast, as one of the servants poured the tea, and Lord Hurst picked up the cup and added sugar and milk. "Very good. I was very proud of you." He added. In truth, it had taken him this last few days to appreciate the play as a piece of Theatre, rather than be too uncomfortable, too aware that some of those actors he knew on a more than intimate basis. He had worried that Charles has deliberately picked Mr Fisher's troupe, trying to embarrass and shame his father in front of his society friends. At first Lord Hurst was sure, sure that Charles' avoidance of him, sure that his son's silence proved he knew about his father's secret acquiescences, but know he knew that wasn't the case. There were not all that many theatre troupes in London that would come all the way to Devon for a single evening, and Mr. Fisher's troupe must have been the only one that agreed. It was as simple as all that.

Now, therefore, he had the courage to discuss the play with Charles, and perhaps another important matter as well. "I didn't believe that you would complete your duties as well as you did. And Miss Abigail was pleased with her poem, I am told. Perhaps it is about time I gave you more responsibilities, Charles."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-07 03:46 pm UTC (link)
Charles tried to mask the mixed nature of his emotions at his father's words by taking a sip of his drink. He was happy that his father thought he had done well and enjoyed the play, uncertain about the comment regarding Abigail, and nervously pleased with the mention of more responsibilities. His risk with the play had actually paid off, though he was less surprised by it now than he had been immediately following the performance. Above all else his father had been proud of him.

"Truly?" he said and smiled, the positive emotions outweighing his misgivings. If his father thought he was ready for more responsibilities then he would not be so foolish as to disagree. "Thank you, Father. ...What sort of responsibilities, if I may ask?"

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-07 08:52 pm UTC (link)
"Responsibilities such as those you will one day have to perform at Bailston. But I won't force you to try your hand at such a task as yet." After all, Charles had done well, but he was not to be given too much responsibility yet, likely as not he would not be able to deal with all the duties the held of the household was to see to. Not yet, at least. Charles would not have to take over as Duke for many years- his father, however, had been forced to take over the estates when only a few years older than his boy was now.

"I was thinking that, now you're old enough to spend summer away from the family, you should take over the management of the town house for the summer months. And the rest of the family would visit you, and your friends, no doubt, for a little while, as guests."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-07 09:39 pm UTC (link)
This was precisely the sort of opportunity Charles had been looking for. London! Which of course meant he could see Piper again before months had elapsed and the young man had forgotten about him entirely. It would also be a great opportunity for him to show his father, and himself, that he was capable of living up to his station.

"That would be wonderful! And I shouldn't like it if I would be separated from all of you for the entire summer," Charles said, genuinely happy with the suggestion. He tried not to let his mind race ahead of itself to worrying about failing and disappointing his father. He also tried not to let his excitement run away with him, but that was more difficult. "How soon would I be leaving?"

Instead of worrying or choking on his breakfast in excitement, now he was put in mind of what to pack. His book of sonnets of course. And something with a happy ending that he could share with Piper. He would worry about how their meeting would actually go once he was settled at the townhouse again.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-08 10:06 am UTC (link)
Tobias smiled slightly, picking up his own cup and taking a swallow of tea. "Then it's decided. Of course, it won't all be fun and games, Charles. Managing a house is difficult work. You have to see to the servants, ensure any repairs are done, keep the accounts organised..." He paused, looking over to his eldest again.

He was rather pleased that Charles was so happy to be given the oppertunity. It reaffirmed to his father that he had made the right choice in allowing his son a little more responsibility. "But of course, as head of the household, you'll have time to enjoy yourself. Your mother and I expect to hear that you've thrown at least one party for the young ladies of court."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-08 01:34 pm UTC (link)
"I think I should be able to manage at least one party while in London. Though I doubt it will be as exciting an affair as the ones you and Mother put together, but it should be an excellent learning experience," Charles said with a nod, smiling still. He sipped at his tea again, swallowing back the dread of throwing a party.

It wouldn't be so bad, he thought. He could take some time to plan it, perhaps a few weeks, with Abigail's help if she were willing. Choosing who to invite would not be difficult either. And above all else Charles was organised, so he felt he really could do this. He knew there was more to a party than an appropriate guest list and he decided he would not be daunted by that fact. Nor would he worry about having to chat with every guest to ensure that they were having a lovely time. He could throw a small party for his first.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-10 09:31 am UTC (link)
"At least one. When your grandfather allowed me use of the town-house one summer, there was a party every week." He smiled in remembrance of those times, but quickly turned his attention back to his son. "But all in all, I think one party would be suitable." He finishes his cup and sets it down again. "Perhaps you and I should go and work out the particulars in the study after breakfast?" He asked, shaking his head when the butler silently offered him more tea.

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-10 11:35 am UTC (link)
A party every week? Charles's smiled faltered for a second, but returned quickly. He knew he wasn't his father, and his father knew that as well. Maybe if the first one went nicely he could host a second party at the end of the summer, a sort of last hoorah of the summer months. That didn't sound as intimidating as a party every week.

"Yes, of course," Charles said, containing his excitement again. If he could have said a quick goodbye to his family, tossed a few things in a carriage and left for London right then he would have. But obviously there were instructions and advice to be had. He didn't mind being held back by either one.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-10 08:08 pm UTC (link)
"Good boy." Hurst replied, wiping his hands on a napkin, and getting to his feet. "As soon as your done with breakfast Charles." He said, and nodded to the rest of the family, before heading towards his study.

He settled down in the book-lined room, and pulled a slim accounts book from one of the draws. It was new, after all, he'd had it made especially, and the first page was already filled in with his own careful hand, detailing what necessities kept the house going week by week; the servant's pay, the cost of heating, candles, food, fuel, and the rest. Of course, it was only something to get the boy started, but it was something, at least. It was, after all, time for Charles to learn how to budget.

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 03:18 am UTC (link)
Charles was oblivious to anything else said at the breakfast table while he finished eating. He wasn't even hungry anymore, in truth, being too excited to want to eat much. He let his mind wander to his hypothetical visit with Piper. He'd share some poems with him, his own and those of Shakespeare, they would talk about anything and everything that sprang to mind. Neither one of them would worry about being foolish in front of the other. Charles wondered then if Piper could read. He very much wanted to send him a letter to let him know how soon he would be able to visit. It would be all for naught if the young man was illiterate. He wouldn't want Mr. Fisher to have to read it to him, because then he couldn't add anything terribly personal or sentimental that was meant for Piper's eyes only.

A few minutes later he excused himself from the table and met his father in the study.

"Were you ready to discuss the particulars, Father?" he asked, taking a seat.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-11 09:25 am UTC (link)
Tobias nods, looking up as his son and offering him the seat opposite the fine mahogany desk. "Now, Charles, you realise being the head of the household is not all parties." He explained, passing over the accounts book. "It also involves careful bugdeting. You will have £70 a week, to spend on everything. Your mother and I have been quite generous with the sum, but if you feel you require more, do not hesitate to contact us." He explains.

"I have provided you with the costs of weekly expenses." Tobias says, gesturing for his son to open up the book. "You will notice that it comes only to £46, 5 shillings, and 3 pence. The remaining money is for repairs that might be needed, for items you have not anticipated. I would suggest you save the excess, but if you wish to spend it on your own leisure, that is your choice. But it all needs to be written down in that accounts ledger."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 11:42 am UTC (link)
Charles nodded, as he accepted the book from his father. As much as he disliked numbers, accounting was only a matter of recording your expenses and simple addition and subtraction for the most part. It was nothing Charles felt like he couldn't handle.

He opened the book when prompted and scanned the pages. How on earth was he going to account for any money spent on Piper? Immediately he thought of writing it down as taking in a theatre performance. There had to be several other innocuous leisure expenses he could write the money off as. How did other gentlemen do this? It wasn't as though he were going to actually utilise Piper's "services" anyway. He just wanted to spend time with him.

For a moment Charles looked up at his father and wondered if he could outright ask him. But he couldn't come up with a way to word things that wouldn't sound slightly accusatory. And since he would already be lying about some of the expenses, there was no need to further the lie by pretending he was going to visit a lady of ill repute. No. It was a terrible idea. There was no good way to go about this. He'd just have to figure it out on his own.

Whatever he wrote down in the ledger, he would set aside half of the extra money for potential repairs and save the other half for whatever he liked.

"That is most generous, Father, thank you. I will be diligent," Charles said, smiling once more.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-11 12:07 pm UTC (link)
Tobias watches the muscles in the boy's face shift slightly, and Charles' eyes grow slightly distant as he thought. "I suppose if you must, you can use some of the money for your poet supplies. Paper, pens, whatever else you might need. Just title the amounts your 'allowance'. But be careful to budget yourself as carefully as you budget the house. All your clothes, opera tickets, poetry supplies, presents to lady friends, they all must come out of that allowance." He explains. "When I was your age, I tried not to spend more than £10 a week on myself. Of course, prizes are higher now, but I still want you to be careful with your spending. You mother will ask what exactly it is you have bought, if you need more money. I would suggest, however, you come to me if the problem arises. Your mother will ask questions a man would not ask another." He says, with a faint smile. "Of course, when you plan to hold your party, we shall give you an extra amount to pay for decorations and entertainments."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 12:43 pm UTC (link)
"That's more than reasonable, Father. Ten pounds a week for my personal allowance should be more than enough. I am not planning to attend the opera every night, after all," Charles said. He grinned, thinking of taking Piper to the opera a few times. "I won't give Mother a reason to worry about what I've been purchasing with my allowance. But I will speak to you first if something out of the ordinary happens and I am in need of more funds."

Charles wondered just how many times he would be writing allowance in the accounts book. He would have to be careful not to go overboard. So long as he was to pay for his friend's time, he knew their visits would be much more limited than he would like.

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-11 02:46 pm UTC (link)
Tobias smiled slightly, nodding. "I trust you will be careful." He agreed, tone rather proud for his eldest. "As long as you have no further questions?" He asked, wondering if there was something Charles wanted to say, but had not yet. "While you are at the town house, you will be in charge. You, for all intents and purposes, will be the Duke of Devon. Your word will be law. When your mother and I attend, the servants have been instructed to treat us only as guests." Tobias said, "Will you be able to manage, Charles?"

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 02:55 pm UTC (link)
Charles closed the ledger and ran his hand over the cover. He felt his nerves return a more frantic state as his father said that he would essentially be the Duke of Devon. It was strange, but after this chat with his father he felt much more confident. Not necessarily empowered, but confident. He was sure that Joseph would be much more suited to this sort of thing. However, he was going to try his damnedest not to screw this up for himself.

"No questions for now, Father, but I will be sure to ask if I think of anything," he said and nodded. "I will do all that you have asked of me."

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-11 03:04 pm UTC (link)
"I know that you will. You have never disappointed me, Charles. Although I do sometimes wish you would leave poetry to men without your responsibilities." He said with a sigh and a smile, leaning back in his chair. "But we all must have our distractions, and you seem to be quite the playwright."

He allowed the praise to sink in, and then added, "If you like, you can travel down on Sunday, and begin your reign over the household proper on Monday morning."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 03:13 pm UTC (link)
Praise from his father seemed to have a wonderful way of bolstering Charles's confidence. And he would need every ounce of it if he were really going to do this successfully.

"I promise not to fill the accounting book with rhyming couplets," he said with a grin. "And that sounds perfect. I will have to write to Abigail and let her know where I will be for the summer."

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-11 03:20 pm UTC (link)
"Miss Mountford-Miles? I think that would be most agreeable. Perhaps you could invite her to stay with you? After all, I would not want you to become lonely. Or too serious. And you had better not fill that book with poems as I..." He paused again, pulling another book from the draw which had contained the accounts ledger, "have had this bound for you to do your writing in. As a present, you might say."

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[info]waxingpoetic
2008-06-11 03:38 pm UTC (link)
Charles's eyes widened. His father must truly have been impressed with the play, more so than he had been able to hope or imagine.

"For me?" he said, somewhat in disbelief. It was perfect timing as well, considering he had nearly run out of pages in his current notebook. "Mother must have told you I've nearly finished with my other one. Thank you, Father, for everything."

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[info]lord_hurst
2008-06-19 08:23 am UTC (link)
Tobias smiled. Rebecca had mentioned, he remembered, but he had not bought his son the notebook on that information. Not knowingly. Still, if Charles was pleased with the gift, that was all that was important. "I thought that you would like a new one. After all, there will be much inspiration in London this summer for you."

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