The Duke's Bride

[Gamlen Amell]

Gamlen smirks broadly and ambles over to the offered seat. He slumps down into it with much confidence but little grace, propping one foot on the chair so he can rest his chin on his knee. "Beth? Mmh, her mother was a lay leader at a local nunnery; widows can't take Sisterhood vows, of course, but she was doing all the job without the title, you ken." He waves that off. "Short of it is that her mother passed earlier this season-- fever, real shame-- so she came to the castle looking for work. Tch." He clicks his tongue, a indulgently fond smile on his lips. "Lass had no idea about her heritage but I knew her for who and what she was the second I layed eyes on'er! She dithered for a bit, but it wasn't long before my wooing won her over." 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I know that name.....where.... it clicks Garrett's sister, his own nice. Inbreeding isn't uncommon umong nobility but normally not as close as this. Still......

"A tue lady will always shine through no matter the circumstance." I say solmumly. "I'm sure she's quite busy in preparation, but I wish you had brought her with you today I would have loved to meet her before the exit ment makes the day a blur." I smile warmly

[Gamlen Amell]

"Oh, you're very kind, truly, but no. I'm afraid she's a bit of a delicate girl, just like her mother." Gamlen holds up a hand as if to reassure her. "She's not too poorly, but she's keeping to her bed until after the wedding... just to be sure, you ken."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I nod solemnly. "It's a pity." I say "it would have been nice to have a friend near by.... Still I understand your worry. My Lance is far more comfortable in his home than at a party. It's taken ages to get him to agree to this." I say sadly

[Marian Hawke]

That wouldn't be... that wouldn't be Bethany Hawke, would it? Nobles are always marrying their cousins and so on, but this is a little... Garrett keeps a straight face as best he can, eavesdropping.

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I nod gently "I understand how difficult it can be, for one such as yourself, so out going, to have a love who can't always attend. Still I look forward to meeting her and seeing you more frequently since we are now nabhoors

[Gamlen Amell]

Gamlen huffs a little, looking put out at not being in charge of the conversation's flow, but he brushes past it in a second. ""Lance you say? That wouldn't be Lance Randall of Ross, would it? I thought the boy died with his folks," he asks, frowning a little. He rubs a thumb over his chin. "Though I suppose that'd've made it revert to Crown land and I'd've been told about that so... heh."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"He lives still.... though he has been in deep morning...." I say glancing at the door to our bedroom. I shake my head slightly. Smiling back to him. "Still I am glad to be here"

[Gamlen Amell]

"Course, course. Who wouldn't be glad to be in Albany? Especially Amell Castle!" He gestures at the luxurious room. "Spent the last few years restoring and updating the residence wing in fact. Got these three fancy brain types from a university in, oh, I can't recall. Somewhere on the Continent, somewhere hot. Anyway, they helped put in this metal tubes, almost like a flute but without holes, in the floor and walls. Run water thru'em." He nods, well pleased with himself. "Got some brining in good water ta drink and whatnot. Sure you've had that before," he allows, then continues to brag without pause. "But the real neat of it are the other pipes in alla the bedchamber floors. Run hot water through'em during the winter and cold during the summer. Keeps the place real nice and comfy, ya ken."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I've heard of that. It's truly fascinating what they can do now days." I nod impressed. Truly Albany is doing better than they report in their taxes... still best not bring that up the goal it to win a financial backer for my run at the throne and Amell is truly wealthy and powerful. A good friend to make, my mother had been trying to arrange a marriage there before my father had chosen lance to spite her. Still a friendship is all I need.

[Gamlen Amell]

"Oh the pipes are just the start," he assures her with a broad wink. "Can't've missed the real glass in the windows, I'm sure, but you might notta realized it was real glass. No crystal, no oiled parchment, not even leaded glass. It's all completely pure sand and, uh," he falters a second, brow furrowing.

"Aluminin sir," one of the guards murmurs in a lilting accent that combines with the low volume and helmet to rather throroghly disguise any details of the speaker beyond their having an Italian vocal education. 

"Right so, yes. Can't explain a whit of how metal can be clear but my alchemists are wonder-workers true and true, ya ken. They're also who I got to treat the water cisterns and the pantries, purging out bugs and rot. More than halved our food costs in the winter, nearly already done paid for itself in just two years. Right fine thinking, am I right?"

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Truly a man with a mind for the future!" I say beaming. "We could use a mind like yours in the capital." I say easiest slipping into pitch mod for my run at the throne "I'm sure an enlightened man like yourself has some marvelous ideas on how to help his country?"

[Gamlen Amell]

"Suppose," Gamlen says carelessly, jerking a shoulder in a shrug. "Can't imagine have'n'ta start over; and in dozens of places alla to boot! Still, suppose I could pen up a little 'how-to' of sorts for the prince. 'e's said to be a scholarly type, ain't he? Spends far too much time in the castle doing his studies and not enough time touring the kingdom, in my opinion, but better than a thug on the throne, ya ken? Still, he needs to be showing his face more, let us get his measure man-to-man. Anywho. How was your trip in? Merchants been grumbling about the roads again this season, though I can't help but note that none 'o my boys have done the same."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Your roads were fin, some of the kingdoms roads were in need of repair but there's nothing you can do about that. As for a how to that would be appreciated greatly. My cussian is so lost in his studies you d never know how I'll he is." I say slipping it seamlessly into the conversation "he'll love a new pamphlet to study." I say smiling

[Gamlen Amell]

"Ill?" Gamlen asks, startled. "Hadn't heard 'bout that. Hope it ain't anything more than a summer cold or something?" he probes inexpertly. "Wot with his father already poorly himself and all, God keep him well."