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His Honour Lord Augustus Julius Burnbridge ([info]finaljudgement) wrote in [info]toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-08-31 20:17:00

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Entry tags:augustus_burnbridge, georgina_rochester, plot

At The Old Bailey
Subject: A Luncheon Recess
Who: His Honour Judge Augustus Burnbridge, KC
Where: The Old Bailey
Warnings: None as yet
Open to: Georgina Rochester, and any others who may like to jump in.

THE TRIALS AT LARGE OF THE CAPITAL and other CONVICTS, ON THE KING'S Commission of the Peace, Oyer and Burnbridge, and Gaol Delivery for the CITY of LONDON; AND ALSO The Gaol Delivery for the County of Middlesex, HELD AT JUSTICE HALL in the OLD BAILEY, On Monday, the 2nd of SEPTEMBER, 1792, and the following Days...

Burnbridge read silently, before letting the sheets of paper fall back to his desk, bringing his hands to his face to rub his tired eyes. He had been at the Bailey since nine 'o'clock that morning hearing trials, delivering sentences, and probably not leave until past eight 'o'clock that night. He hardly had time for Fabian, never mind Georgina or any of his other acquaintances, but at least today he could make time.

The notes could wait. He would hear them all read this afternoon anyway, and so there was no need for him to read them ahead of time. They would not tell him anything he did not know already about the case, what he had heard and what he had already heard from the papers. The trial was set to last several days, if not a week or more, with a representative of the King's Court set to oversee proceedings at every turn. Theft of the Mail was a serious, treasonable crime, especially with the threat from across the channel predicted to spread. Any crime against the King was serious, and would be dealt like as such. Carefully, of course. Appearing to simply sentence those accused would be like putting a match to kindling; it had to be seen that the due processes of the law were observed. Justice always prevailed, although he hoped it would not be mob justice.

He looked to the clock on the mantle piece, at the hands almost signalling one 'o'clock, and Georgina would soon be arriving. He had promised her luncheon, not at one of the fashionable cafés or coffee houses which had sprung up all over the city, but at the Bailey itself, in a dining room there he had secured for them. A conversation away from wagging tongues and peering eyes and gossip-mongers would be best; neither he nor Georgina had any desire to feature in the ever popular Littlebird column, not with Fabian's health and Katherine's marriage prospects to think about.

With that thought fresh in his mind, he tidied his appearance, neatened his cravat and his jacket, and left his offices to head to the foyer, nodding his head to one of the well-dressed attendants, who assured him the dining room was ready for his guest. Hopefully his day-dreaming would not have made him late, and Georgina would not already be waiting on the steps outside...


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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-11 05:04 pm UTC (link)
"Perhaps you are right, Georgina. You know far more about the health of children than I." He said, taking the silver lids from their platters and allowing the scent of carefully roasted meats and vegetables fill the air. "A little wading could not harm him, if he took the proper precautions. I shall instruct Father St. John fully, of course." He paused, "Forgive me, Georgina, I have been rude. How is Katherine faring? And Miles?"

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-11 05:07 pm UTC (link)
"Miles is...better than the last time we spoke." Georgina said, waiting for him serve. "Katherine, well, I she has been awfully melancholy of late but her mood seems to have lifted. She went to a party of her own accord the other evening, I was most impressed with her."

She took a little sip of her sherry, regarding Augustus for a moment.
"Speaking of Katherine, I know you are worried about Fabian and his health, and his prospects as your heir." She said slowly. "And now Katherine is on the market again...you find her amicable, don't you?"

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-11 05:18 pm UTC (link)
Augustus faltered slightly while cutting the game, to Georgina's credit. He paused a moment, to set her potion of the meal carefully on her plate and then pass it to her. "I find your daughter most amicable, and intelligent, much like you." He said, carefully choosing his words, "But I know your reasons for choosing that other fellow for her, and I must tell you, Georgina, I do not plan to die at any point soon."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-11 05:24 pm UTC (link)
Georgina smiled, although it was a little tense, and began to cut into the meat on her plate. "Well, since he died so quickly my criteria has changed. You said you were worried about Fabain, that the requirements of marriage would put a strain on his heart and with his condition as it is healthy child would be almost impossible to imagine."

She took a bite of her meal, excellent as it was, still on her thoughts. "You could have your own child and spare Fabian any of the duties and responsibilities that would no doubt weaken him further."

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 03:59 am UTC (link)
Augustus stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth, setting the implement down again and looking at the woman opposite. "I am hardly the sort of man to make a capable father, Georgina." He told her, although the thought now began to amuse him.

It was only unfortunate he could see sense in her words. The boy might be improving, but he could die before he married or fathered a child, and even then if the child was a daughter... and by that time, should Fabian be taken from them, he himself might be too old to rescue their family. "I do so dislike it when you are right."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 04:17 am UTC (link)
Georgina smiled at him. “I would have thought you were used to it by now.” She said lightly, looking back to her plate.

“My daughter has changed. She has...mellowed since last time you met and is becoming quite the dutiful young lady. I have no doubt if you acted now, proposed to her, she would say yes. I am sure she could give you a healthy heir, she is still young and I know she would take well to caring for your nephew. Her dearest friend is engaged to a doctor and Katherine has been immersed in his medical texts and most enrapt with his daily life so I feel she would fit well into the household.” Georgina said, realising she sounded more like she was extolling the virtues of a servant Augustus was interested in buying rather than attempting to set up a marriage between the two of them but she was not trying to set up a love match here. Augustus wouldn’t accept a young lady who did not meet the high standards he had and Georgina was not going to let a chance as good as this one slip through her fingers.

“Katherine’s dowry would be 19,000 pounds and a house within our estates. I’m afraid I cannot offer more without consulting my son. He is in charge of our finances now after all.”

“And...I suppose if you married my daughter I would come to live with you in your home .”

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 05:01 am UTC (link)
He didn't reply for a moment, taking another mouthful of his luncheon as he thought. Katherine had mellowed? Well, that was an interesting, and he no doubt that Georgina was telling him the truth, she was too intelligent to do anything but that considering the importance of the matter. He set his knife and fork down again and looked at her across the table. "Have you spoken to her regarding a proposal from myself?" He asked, wondering if this had all been previously discussed between the two women, and he was simply the last one to be told of their decision.

"Such an amount would be quite agreeable, but a house on your son's estate would only be used if you wished, or if Katherine wished, to visit Miles." He paused a moment, standing and pouring them a little more to drink. "I am sure Katherine would be very grateful to have you stay with her, and I would be delighted to have you at the house, of course."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 10:15 am UTC (link)
“No, I haven’t spoken to Katherine about this. I didn’t think she would react to well to my matchmaking.” Georgina said softly. She wished her attempts at such feats were met as well as Rebecca Hurst’s seemed to be, or that she was lucky enough to have children as young as Rebecca and a husband still to support them – although Georgina was thankful Tobias was not her husband. Matchmaking was always so much easier when people wanted your advise.

“I am delighted to hear that.” She said, smiling at him, delighted Augustus seemed so open to her idea.

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 10:29 am UTC (link)
Augustus smiled slightly. "No. She has not mellowed completely, then?" He asked, passing Georgina her re-filled glass. "Miles is not the best of influences on her. She is still a very young woman." He paused as he settled back down in his chair, beginning to pick at his dinner again. "We should arrange a dinner. Between Katherine and I. Or perhaps a less formal meeting?" He suggested, after glancing up again to her.

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 10:37 am UTC (link)
“Oh, no...simply I do not think she would really want to know I’d had a hand in this. I feel she would be much more willing to marry you if she thought the idea came from you alone.” Georgina said. Katherine had shown her displeasure many a time now over her mother meddling.

“Something less informal. Visit her during the day, when her brother and I aren’t around to influence her and her decision.”

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 10:48 am UTC (link)
"Fabian is just the same. He does not like to think that someone other than himself has a say in events around him." He says, smiling slightly. "Although I haven't as yet arranged for him a bride."

"I shall visit her. Perhaps a day or so from now. How would that suit?"

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 10:55 am UTC (link)
"Well I'm sure we can find someone acceptable for him. He is still so young though." Georgina said. Privately she didn't think there would be too many girls who would be thrilled to have a husband as sickly as Fabian.

"I think that would suit very well."

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 01:09 pm UTC (link)
"It never hurts to plan ahead. Besides, if he knows that plans are already in place, it will save him from the temptation of others." He said, although he could not help the corners of his lips turn up a little. Fabian would never have tastes like that. He was a bookish boy, not interested in girls or marriage.

"I am glad. Then we must have dinner together afterwards. The day after, perhaps. I would like to know what young Katherine has said to you about the matter."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 01:24 pm UTC (link)
"Are you sure Fabian knows about temptations?" Georgina asked, rasing an eyebrow at him.

"Dinner? Augustus, I'm sure we will not need to wait till dinner to discuss, nor I'm sure will you need me to know what Katherine says on the matter."

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 01:52 pm UTC (link)
"I am sure he been taught how to resist them. Father St. John has been very careful in his teachings. They are most appropriate for a young man Fabian's age." He said, although her next words surprised him somewhat. "Don't you expect that Katherine will mention it to you? Her thoughts, feelings? I though that was what daughters did."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-16 02:01 pm UTC (link)
"I suppose she will." Georgina said, not wanting to reveal to him exactly what the relationship between her and her daughter was exactly. "And when she does I will tell you everything that she says."

"I am glad to hear that Fabian's religious tutoring is so diligently upheld."

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-16 05:24 pm UTC (link)
"Thank you, Georgina." He said, taking her hand across the table. "You are a very good woman. Even though I think you have been plotting for me to ask for Katherine's hand for some time."

"It must be. For a boy so likely to have died as a child, religious piety is the only way to ensure his soul. Now of course, it is simply... simply what must be taught. Don't you agree?"

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-17 04:21 am UTC (link)
"Plotting? Augustus, you make me sound so underhand." Georgina said, smiling widely, unable to hide her amusement. "I might have realised I had made a mistake in my first choice...yes, but not plotting."

She raised an eyebrow, wondering what Augustus was trying to hint at. "Is there something you're not telling me about Fabian?"

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-17 05:17 am UTC (link)
"You are never underhand, my dear." He told her, finishing his luncheon, "And I am... glad that you realised our late friend was not the right match for Katherine. Clearly some higher power believed the same thing." He said, taking another swallow of his drink, "However, I do hope you aren't counting for me to die soon after the wedding so that you may have the estate?"

Augustus paused slightly. Admitting that Fabian was a bastard, a child conceived accidentally and, for all purposes, originally unwanted, was difficult for him. He loved Fabian as a son, loved him because Fabian offered a link to his beloved sister. "You know the circumstances surrounding his birth. I did not wish him to suffer for the sins committed by his father."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-17 05:25 am UTC (link)
"Augustus!" She said, shocked he could say that even in jest. "No. I want you to continue for as long as you can."

Georgina nodded. That had been a terrible time, Lucy's pregnancy and her death after the birth of her illegitimate child. No wonder Augustus might believe God was punishing them. "Fabian is an innocent. God would not make him suffer in place of another who deserved his retribution."

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[info]finaljudgement
2008-09-17 05:34 am UTC (link)
He smiled slightly, tipping his head in a little bow to her, "I have to check, Georgina. I knew you would really do nothing of the sort but I needed to be certain."

Augustus nodded, sighing softly. "I make no attempt to guess the thoughts or purposes of the Lord. Lucy was such an innocent, a child. She did not deserve her fate." He murmured, and then forced himself out of that sudden melancholy cloud. "How was the fowl, in your opinion? I thought the flavouring was delightfully subtle."

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[info]elegant_lady
2008-09-17 05:44 am UTC (link)
"Good, I'm glad you knew." Georgina said softly. "The bird was fine - very tender." She could not take Augustus's words in simple good humour. They had known each other for years now, he had drawn up her late husband's will and it upset her to think he thought such things humours.

"Poor Lucy. Fabian does look very like her, doesn't he? At least you shall never have to worry that an unscrupulous young man will take advantage of him."

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