Post by Carlotta on Jul 9, 2006 19:27:21 GMT -5
Meeting of the Barrister and British Naval Captain
The door was in constant motion, with those who entered and others to exit. Notation of the one who spoke with her briefly quite sometime ago as he exited to find solace upon the porch. A lot of motion, for what was an empty establishment not too long ago. She'd continue to push that swing in a slow lazy fashion, while sipping her coffee.
The clipped sound of footsteps approached the front of the tavern. The man paused a moment before he climbed the steps and made his way to the door. Warm brown eyes, rich and thoughtful stole a glance around him before he passed inside and made his way through the crowd. He walked with a slight limp in his step due to an old injury that never quite healed right. He stood at the bar for several minutes before he was able to order a drink and move himself away from the busy crowd at the counter.
It would seem the area of the porch was gaining as much popularity as the room within. It offered her more to watch and listen to while she enjoyed that mug of coffee. Of course the nod had returned, she was a cordial individual after all, but her gaze would not linger there. Flitting all over the place as she watched all moving about. One would gain a glance until disappearing behind the door to enter the tavern.
Being the afternoon was pleasant he excused himself from the interior room and made for the porch with his drink in hand. The door swung open as the British officer stepped outside and tarried not in the way of those entering or leaving. A glance to and fro across the porch would have him turn in his step and cross near the railing where the swung was in motion. When he came to stand by the rail the man lifted the cup in his hands for the first time and took a sip.
Casual she remained in her relaxed state, even as her vision fixed upon the officer of the Ton. So the missive had been correct in what it warned as a suspicion. Mug on the rise as a slow sip of the coffee was taken, peering over it's brim at the man who stood not far away. Trying to see if she could note any insignia's upon his fancy dress, to indicate his position.
Once the cup lowered the soldier lowered his gaze from straying out over the porch rail at the pedestrians making their way along the street. When he turn to shift his way about he caught the fleeting glance of the woman settled on the swing just a few feet from where he stood. With a courteous demeanor he gave her a nod, politely smiling to the female. "Good afternoon." Came a voice deep and strong.
Mug slowly lowered and that polite smile would appear. "Good afternoon to you as well Govn'r." Sugary sweet in her greeting, though not so that it would give anyone a toothache. A slow head to toe assessment before her gaze would rise to meet his. "You're dressed aweful pretty to be in a place like this." Of course it was meant to be playful in that teasing way. There was a method to her madness, a purpose behind the act she offered forth.
The soldier cracked a smile at the woman's comment about his attire. "Yes, force of habit. Sadly, it doesn't get much better than this." He motioned to the swing she was sitting on, took a single step as the slight limp hampered him a little. "Mind if I share that seat with you, Miss?"
Hand to motion towards the other half of the swing that was vacant. "Of course." Noting the limp. "Old war injury?" Inquiring in polite conversation. Never judge a book by it's cover, for it can hide the truth of it's contents. Just like actions hold a purpose. Cup would rest upon her lap as she haulted the slow glide of the swing for him to sit.
At her invitation he moved himself closer to the swing and turned, glancing down at his left leg. "Yes. Shattered the bones in my leg from an explosion." With a care of motion he settled himself in the seat of the swing beside the woman but at the other side so as not to encroach upon her space. "Pleasant afternoon. I can see why you chose to sit out here."
A glance outward before focus would turn back upon him and a slow nod. "Yes, it's one of the less humid days. Enjoy it while you can, it only gets worse as the season passes." Another of those polite smiles to surface. "An explosion you say. I'm sorry to hear that, though it looks as if you've managed to heal well enough to not become cripled." Again his attire was looked over. "Are you a member of the ...." Catching herself just as she nearly spewed out the term Ton, an easy smile to then appear. "...Navy?" There, good save. Just a casual conversation it would seem.
He would stretch out his sore leg, the weather changes still brought him pain from time to time before turning his gaze upon the woman beside him. "No, not crippled, but afraid it changed my status some." He gave a nod, smiling. "Yes. I'm an officer in the British Navy. I was recently reassigned to a ship several months back." He paused to lift the cup to his lips, sipping first. "What of yourself, Miss?" Showing interest in the conversation with her.
"I'm a local Barrister." Offered in response. Her cup would exchange hands to free the right as it was offered towards him. "Carlotta Basinstoke." Might as well be openly sociable, it would help in gaining what information she could, especially if she made him feel more at ease in her company.
He also repositioned the cup he held and slipped her hand into the gentle grasp of his own. "Miss Carlotta Basinstoke. A pleasure to meet you this day. I'm Captain Brenton Montgomery." Exchanging a smile and glances with her. "A barrister you say? Can't say I've met many female barristers. "Business is good for you?" Curious to how she was faring in a field occupied by mostly men.
There was a bit of pride that ebbed into that natural smile. "I know of no other female Barristers to be honest. It's been a long haul, but it's beginning to come together. Buisness has been good, once my abilities had been recognized. The hardest part was getting many to look past the skirts to realize there is actually a brain." Light soft chuckle to follow. "So what brings a British officer to these parts? You're quite aways from home Sir."
"One should never under estimate a woman's intelligence. If you're gotten this far then I'm sure you're a very qualified barrister, Miss Basinstoke." He took a moment to sip his drink, then looked up and smiled after her. "Yes, I am. And I'll be a bit further in a few weeks. War, sadly. What of you? I detect an English accent in your words. You're far away as well."
"War you say. How dreadful." Brows to knit slightly. "Who are you going to war against? Spain?" Just idle curiosity it seemed. A slight nod. "I lived in Westminister for some time, although I'm originally from Cork, Ireland." She'd not divulge much other, for safety sake, unsure of her father's postion still on having her drug back kicking and screaming.
The soldier quietly lowered the cup to his lap and studied the woman a moment. What an odd remark, he thought. Though he didn't reply in that manner. Brenton gave the woman a polite smile. "Yes, Miss Basinstoke. The war between England and Spain. I figured most of Europe has read about it now since its been going on for a few years." He wished not to insult the woman's intelligence since it was possible she had been out of touch or contact with any printed publications about the on going war.
Slowly shaking her head. "Will such things ever end?" Almost a forelorned sound to edge it's way into her voice. "All this fighting, or what? A parcel of land, to be considered the best?" Looking over at him. "What exactly is to be achieved by this?" It was then her hand lifted and she waved it off. "My pardons, I'm no novice to political sanctions and how they work. I just don't understand the idealology behind it all." Glance down to her hands and a small grin would slowly form. "It's a man thing I guess, I'll just never understand." Side long glance over at him, it wasn't meant as an insult in any way.
The soldier lowered his head a little, keeping his eyes on her. "It's alright Miss Basinstoke. Most women are not interested in the details of war and battles. They only want it to end and their men folk to come home."
"Actually..." Her head rose and turned to enable her to gaze upon him fully. "..I am interested in the details Captain Montgomery, I just don't have the resources available to me in order to learn them openly." That smile would offer the viewing of those slight dimples. "I'm not permitted to follow after the men when they retire for their cognac and cigars." Amused gleem within chestnut colored eyes.
That smile dispatched itself to his features again. "Well your one of few Miss Basinstoke. You mentioned you're from Cork, Ireland and have spent time in England. The British have settlements now in the southern region. Tiny islands between Africa and the Americas, or just southeast of them. Have you heard of such?"
"A settlement upon some islands?" Brow rose in what seemed to be a piqued interest. "I fear I've been out of touch with the Mother lands for quite some time now." Head tilted slightly. "Being buried in my work and all. Please, if you'd mind not, to tell me of these islands. Are they visitable? A vacation spot now claimed by the British Crown?" Turning slightly to more face him as they spoke. Absently the cup was set aside to settle upon the railing of the porch before hands returned to rest upon her lap, one laying atop the other.
His head dipped down to his chest a moment, chuckling at the picture of vacation spots. "I don't mind." Or at least what he was able to share. "No, these are not access for pleasure visits. Mostly the military has erected communities and forts. Though there are a few British civilians that occupy land there. The territory is quite dangerous. Sometimes where confronted with a Spanish Galleon or even a fleet of them. There's also the constant threat of pirateers on the waters and smugglers."
"Oh." Perhaps sounding a little disappointed outwardly. A glance down before her gaze rose to meet his own. "So for the sake of conversation, and because it's not often I get to speak with someone about the goings on upon the British Isles, could you tell me more about this place? Being it is new and all." Brows rose slightly. "Pirateers and smugglers? I thought they kept mainly to the Pacific." Curious would be the expression worn upon delicate features as she urged him to speak more upon the matter.
