so Rosamund married Leo brought him back to her house put all of his stuff in her
room and plans to consummate the marriage and you are upset
[whines] was Rosamund right is this about the hot editor
that's a separate issue look Leo thinks that Rosamund married him out of guilt Rosamund
thinks that Leo married her out of Duty or possibly pity and Leo isn't an Aristocrat
he's not going to know that they have to consummate the marriage to make it valid
well that's going to be an interesting conversation
That she likely won't bother having she's just going to assume that he knows!
oh awkward and even though he's besotted
with her and she clearly cares about him the more I write them the more I realize that she's just
clearly not over Hugo and they realize it too and I can't make them talk about their feelings
I see Iwant her to be happy I
don't want 'seduce husband for legal reasons' to be an item to check off her to-do list!
Caroline it's not like that's an uncommon trope I don't care every character in this story runs
around setting boundaries like I gave them free will or something well this is mine I'm
not writing that no Then let's fix it
but how do we fix it what do you need them to do?
I need them to talk to each other before things get spicy also someone who isn't
Rosamund to explain The Facts of Life political marriage edition to Leo wouldn't go amiss either
yeah but given how much Rosamund needs to do in the house before guests start arriving
the odds of them sitting down to have a deep and meaningful conversation before
tonight are low, I know so we stall them
how
where's Robin right now well he's...oh you're a genius
Thanks Because he's absolutely
tactless enough to bring it up but also sympathetic enough to explain what's going
on when he realizes that Leo is clueless. He can even do a little hurt and I'll kill you speech
great he also a wanted man he can sleep in the Rose Room
with Leo it's the most isolated bedroom in the house which is why Rosamund has been staying
there because it means that her screaming in her sleep doesn't wake up everyone else
tragic but helpful I'll go talk to him right now
you know I was going to ask about the editor but one crisis at a time
sorry for running out like that I had urgent business
Caroline are you all right perfectly fine thank you did
you have a nice day with your children yes I did though the who's that man you
brought home with your mum conversation was understandably awkward and then we all ran
ourselves ragged trying to fix up the house your hot husband pulls you aside after
dinner to speak privately what can I do for you Captain
Robin has just arrived and we probably need to keep him out of sight
yes you're right, umm... if you're happy to stay
with the children until the feast is over he can stay in the Rose Room
with me it's the most out of the way spot so we're unlikely to be noticed
that does make a lot of sense the two of you are still very wanted is that all right?
of course my lady besides if he snores too loudly I'll just smother him with a pillow again
I'm going to need the story of why that's it again at some point sir
whenever you like my lady Caroline you're sure you're all right
yes absolutely now go say hello to Robin you're going to be extremely busy for
the next few days and barely get to see him I can't help but feel like I've missed something
the next few days have given over to preparations the upcoming Feast of remembrance and peace talks
yes so I don't really have time to play dress up right now
I just thought it might cheer you up
Caroline please Focus we don't know if the arson attempt was the only thing Baron Mabry
had planned to disrupt the peace talks we're all still a little on edge here
hmm Rosamund have you thought about what you're going to do about Baron
Mabry probably being behind your husband's murder and also probably being behind the
assassination attempt on your sister one crisis at a time Caroline I can't
prove that he had anything to do with Hugo's death and Cat is better guarded than we are
as much as I hate it we need to get this done first everything else will just have to wait
makes sense Queen Eudosia and King Roland and their respective retinues arrive two days after
you do and immediately shut themselves away I'll go and speak to them at dinner
other guests start arriving to stay the night before but with Edmund and
Charlotte Running interference you're able to successfully keep them away from the Rose Room
good work the day of your late husband's Feast of remembrance dawns clear and dry and more guests
start arriving After Dawn here goes everything
Hugo's Feast of remembrance begins with the recitation of the appropriate religious offices
though we perish to darkness and Decay we will rise to light that makes the sun itself seem a
mere candle let us remember sir Hugo Hawkhurst, who a year ago today walked into that light
as the feast progresses both King Roland and queen Eudosia make a point of thanking you
for your hospitality you're most welcome
and inform you that Messengers have already been sent out to spread news of the peace agreement
fast work your majesties it is remarkable what can be accomplished
when third parties are not interfering isn't it
when the final course has been cleared away the queen requests the honor of
reading The Inheritance lines and naturally you would not refuse her
naturally not she's just getting to the main event
as it were when Baron Mabry who has been looking on with barely concealed disdain interrupts with
a point of law your majesty here we go
Baron Mabry stands Since lady hawkhurst is a foreigner who is married to Sir Hugo and to
the terms of a previous peace agreement she is not eligible to administrate until her son's majority
excuse me
Queen Eudosia looks thoughtful and inquires as to The Baron's proposed solution
marrying me himself obviously the queen with the air of someone who has
seen a very obvious loophole asks why the baron in particular why not any other eligible citizen
my Lord I should Baron Mabry declares himself
very taken with you and your fiery nature your knife-edged incisiveness your dislike of smoke
and mirrors and your care for your children he is threatening me in my own house
Rosamund as generous as your offer is I
fear my new husband would be disinclined to share there's General consternation who is this new
husband Lady Rosamund and where is he? well
the doors of the Great Hall open with impeccable timing and queen Eudosia Smiles as Leo strides in
good evening my Lord Baron Mabry demands
to know why you just called Captain Collins formerly a mere soldier in his militia my Lord
has the baron met Vicount Collins before? the baron splutters and queen Eudosia explains
that since leaving The Baron's employee formerly Captain Collins and his new wife lady Rosamund
have proved such indispensable Servants of the crown that she has seen fit to elevate
them to Viscount and Viscountess Collins so you see my Lord I am well taken care
of but I do so appreciate your efforts to keep us all on the right side of the law
there being no more objections Queen Eudosia finishes reading The Inheritance lines and the
Feast of remembrance draws to a close finally
King Roland thanks you again and takes his leave Queen Eudosia thanks you again and
congratulates you on your wedding thank you your majesty
she risked your life to deliver the Declaration bumping you and
your new husband up to Viscount and viscountess was the least she could do
The Baron's not going to be happy that we outrank him now there will be consequences
and you will deal with them let's hope
it's the day after the Feast of remembrance just after Nightfall
and Robin the last of your non-royal guests has departed you are alone in the gardens
I can't quite believe it all worked out I was so
afraid there would be assassins or poison or- you did well Rosamund I thought that after
surviving Bandits a river an assassination attempt on your sister a house fire and a masquerade
perhaps a diplomatic solution was the order of the day besides it gives
me something to do in the sequel What? nothing you see two figures ahead of you
Leo? one of them carefully sneaking up behind the other
LEO LOOK OUT! you start to run towards your
husband and his would-be assassin your shout means that Leo has not been caught completely off guard
but he has been knocked to the ground get away from him
you sprint up behind them you draw yet another knife how many of those do you
routinely keep on your person clearly not enough
and stab the would-be Assassin he screams in agony and slashes wildly at you as he crumples
to the ground and you see who it is that's the second Bandit
your screaming has roused the Queen's guard who immediately take the would-be Assassin formerly
known as Bandit number two into custody ow...
Leo struggles to his feet and rushes over are you all right my lady
I'm fine but he might not have been alone please go check on the children
he frowns but immediately runs off in the direction of the house one of the
guards helps you to walk the same way you're bleeding but it seemed like you'll survive
formal clothing can be surprisingly slash resistant [ow] but not completely...
when you get back to the house Leo is keeping watch outside Edmund and
Charlotte's locked room they are fine Rosamund I'm so sorry Cap...my Lord are you all right?
yes my lady thanks to you he looks you up and down would you like some help
I yes please
you and your hot husband now armed with water cloths and bandages have made your
way to your room intent on dealing with your mercifully superficial knife wounds
I don't feel great
I think you might be a little shocky oh you know I really like this surcoat
and now it's all torn and bloodstaind we'll get you a new one my lady
now please try and stay still OW right on the hip bone, am I going to
need stitches? If you can rest for
the next few days my lady I hope not no more foiling assassins for me
best avoided my my Lady my name is Rosamund you
know you can call me Rosamund I mean I think we're friends and you did marry me
you can probably call me Rosy, I won't mind. I fear I am not in the habit my lady
well Leopold you ah you never will be if you don't start
an excellent point Rosamund. better. OW!
you spend most of the next few days in bed recovering from your injuries and
your extensive sleep debt I do feel a lot better
should I padlock my horse or will you promise to behave yourself
I promise to refrain from horse theft if the rest of you promise to stop coddling me and
tell me what we're doing to secure the house against further attacks
after which we'll get to all of our other problems
you and Leo spend considerable time going over his ideas about the estate and the
best ways to keep everyone safe I'm afraid you haven't married
into the safest of families it has its compensations my
lady. the food is excellent. OW don't make me laugh
let me bring your dinner upstairs my lady. We should...talk.
Yes, about a great many things. Caroline you're not going to freak out again are you?
no but now that you mention it there is something that
I need to do so I'm going to pick this up later
you're sure you're all right? yes absolutely I'll see you soon.
your various aches and pains have improved to the point that you can get out of bed
without gasping with pain congratulations to me
your children are delighted to see you at The Breakfast Table though apparently they have
been taking advantage of your convalescence to pester your hot husband for combat lessons
and how are they shaping up? Leo says they'll be the terror of the
playground by the time they return to school I'd expect nothing less you look nice
thank you of course it would be more of a compliment if we didn't have exactly the same
the same face. Caroline Lindley are
you going on a date? maybe
well I Want You Back by 10 30 miss you have work in the morning
yes mother actually I should probably get going now I don't want to be late
no I hear he's a real stickler turnabout may be fair play Rosamond
Hawkhurst Collins but nobody likes smug if you say so so. Now shoo!
So how was your date? well we're going out again once I hand
over this draft so I think it went quite well great I'm happy for you I mean I am you so
obviously but how are you going to finish the book?
with the feeling of cautious optimism that things are going to be calmer for a while but
also with some obvious sequel bait I mean we've still got Baron Mabry and the conspiracy and
no I mean what are you gonna do about Rosamund and Leo? well like my editor said it's not
like we have to spell everything out they are married and sleeping in the same room after all
true I'll just write them a cute scene or two maybe
when Rosamund discovers that Leo doesn't actually know most of the formal dancers they'll need to
perform at the ball they're throwing to celebrate their marriage and so she has to teach him.
and after that I think I'll leave the nitty-gritty for the fanfic writers
drop in a few more references to the religion-based magic system in this
generally low magic setting so it's not such a bombshell in the sequel I'm sorry what was that?
nothing I'm definitely not going to Google that...
Rosamund I need a word! Caroline it's the
middle of the night what do you want? I may have done something slightly silly
you told Henry the hot editor that he and Leo have the same face?
Worse. You over promised on your manuscript delivery
date and now you're pulling an all-nighter Worse
you insulted your cover artist? no
then what? I read the fan fiction pardon?
I read the fan fiction all right! I should not have Googled that but I did in fact Google that.
you didn't hate most of it did you? some of it was amazing actually
but the thing is you've got my face yes I know oh Carrie, did you read the stuff
that was clearly tagged as explicit? [whimpers]
zero sympathy Caroline you knew what you were getting into now could you please either go back
to sleep or get to work on your revisions fine
[sleepy noise] no no it's fine sweetheart go back to sleep