The carriage waits outside the supper house as Arrus and the broad-shouldered court woman step into the crisp evening air. She keeps the annotated proposals folded beside her, untouched for the moment.
The broad-shouldered court woman enters first and settles across from him, drawing the curtains against London’s curious streets. The coachman turns toward Arrus’s lodging house, and the carriage begins its steady roll.
Beatrice Halewick
I will not let Admiralty figures consume the whole evening. You have ambitions in London, independence entrusted to you in Cornwall, and a promised courtship waiting there.
She places the folded proposals on the seat between them, separating the evening’s political work from the question now resting more personally between them.
Beatrice Halewick
How do you mean to keep all three without allowing London to claim you, Cornwall to depend upon you, or your future bride to become merely another duty?
Beatrice Halewick
I ask without accusation, captivating envoy. Your independence matters to me, and so does the woman you intend to marry. Tell me how you believe they can coexist.
The carriage rolls toward the lodging house, its wheels smoothing the silence after her question. The broad-shouldered court woman watches him steadily, warm and serious, leaving the answer entirely in his hands.
I will nod in agreement about the appropriate timing of her inquisition. “I appreciate the candor of your questions, my lady Beatrice, and the directness of their purpose... They are all reasonable questions to expect equally direct answers to. I hope you will agree that I am keeping no secrets from you, and have indeed said much that not all would deem wise to volunteer where some would advise discretion, but it is the honesty of my actions that is why I carry no shame for them. I am fully aware that virtually none in polite society would condone all of my actions, but I am sustained by the knowledge that not all in high society as as judgemental of souls...” and I will pause to reach out and hold her gloved hands in a genuine gesture of said appreciation, “Because I believe one who is determined to bring good, virtuous acts into this world, and righteously remove evil actors out of it, is safe from almighty judgement, following his own self-made map to a virtuously lived life.
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Arrus Gandon
I appreciate the candor of your questions, my lady Beatrice, and the directness of their purpose. They deserve equally direct answers. I hope you agree that I keep no secrets from you. I have volunteered much that discretion might have concealed, yet I bear no shame for honest action. I seek recognition, independence, and a virtuous courtship without allowing any one to consume the others. I follow my own map toward good, and trust that those determined to remove evil need not fear judgment from the merely judgmental.
Arrus nods in agreement, then reaches across the carriage and takes Beatrice’s gloved hands. The gesture is gentle and plainly appreciative, his candor offered without theatrical defense.
Arrus Gandon
My ambitions serve Cornwall best when they remain mine to direct, London remains useful without becoming my master, and the woman I intend to marry remains my beloved equal rather than another duty. I can pursue all three because I refuse to confuse service with surrender.
Beatrice listens without interrupting. Her fingers close around his gloves, and the carriage’s private silence becomes receptive rather than questioning.
Beatrice Halewick
I agree, Master Gandon. You have answered plainly, and I believe you. Your independence is not an escape from responsibility, nor is your courtship a chain. If you keep choosing honestly, I can respect the man who chooses beside me.
Her answer settles the matter between them. Beatrice keeps hold of his hands, accepting his ambitions, his independence, and the woman awaiting his honorable return as parts of one deliberate life.
“The mortal man in me wishes to discreetly invite you into my accomodations now, toying with chance, fire and scandal for what may be the most pleasurable night of our lives, but the budding aristocrat inside me is determined to show respect for the dignity of your station and valuable, long-cultivated reputation among these esteemed institutions... I do have stated commitments to make evermore formal commitments until I have achieved high enough status to respectfully propose marriage to the young lady Elizabeth Billings of St. Michael's Mont in Cornwall, as soon as I have done so. Still, I must admit, even with an entire life of extraordinary opportunities for a capable man of humble birth awaiting me in Cornwall. However, nothing could ever have prepared me for meeting the lady Beatrice Halewick...” I will smile again with sincere admiration. Your wit and your passion are extraordinary, and yet can barely keep pace with your womanly beauty, Beatrice. I will not mislead you.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Arrus Gandon
The mortal man in me would invite you into my lodgings and gamble everything on chance, fire, and scandal. But the budding aristocrat insists I honor your station and reputation. I remain committed to earning the status to propose marriage to Elizabeth Billings of St. Michael’s Mount. I will not mislead you, Beatrice. Yet nothing prepared me for meeting you. Your wit and passion scarcely keep pace with your beauty.
Arrus smiles with sincere admiration, leaving neither desire nor duty disguised. The carriage continues toward his lodgings, while Beatrice receives the confession in the close, curtained quiet.
Beatrice Halewick
You have managed the rare feat of making restraint sound more dangerous than indulgence. I believe your honesty, Master Gandon, and I accept the admiration freely offered.
Her hand remains in his, but her expression turns deliberately thoughtful. The compliment has succeeded, while its candor places their attraction in a position London’s observers could easily misread.
Beatrice Halewick
I will not become a secret competing with the woman you mean to marry. Nor will I let our association damage the reputation I spent years earning. If we continue, it must be openly honorable.
The cost settles plainly: Beatrice will accept no private intimacy or ambiguous arrangement, and their future conversations must withstand public scrutiny. Yet she does not withdraw her hand or her regard.
Beatrice Halewick
You have my respect, my counsel, and my continued company, provided you keep faith with your declared commitments. That is not a small permission, captivating envoy.
“I whole heartedly agree, Beatrice. It is no trifling matter to my mind either.” I pause and lower my head in thought for a moment before looking back into her magnificent face. “There is also the serious matter of my sworn service to my lord, Viscount Falmouth... I have given him no reason to release me in shame, and he has honored my service fairly. I must not do anything but by his consent, in order to retain my honor... Allow me your company tomorrow, and then I will be away to Cornwall, and to resolve the question of my own destiny. There are now required conversations to be had, and paths to choose, but I intend to return with clarity soon, either on official business or my own, to see you again. That I swear, and I do not swear oaths lightly...” I will stare into Beatrice's eyes after falling silent, searching for her honest feelings as much as her thoughts, permissive though they be. I want to exert myself in successfully conveying to her my sincerity.
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
I wholeheartedly agree, Beatrice. It is no trifling matter to my mind either. I must honor my sworn service to Viscount Falmouth, who has treated me fairly and given me no cause to depart in shame.
Arrus lowers his head in thought, then raises his eyes to Beatrice’s magnificent face. His silence asks her to judge the sincerity beneath his carefully chosen honor.
Arrus Gandon
Allow me your company tomorrow. Then I will return to Cornwall to resolve the question of my destiny. Required conversations await, but I intend to come back with clarity, officially or by my own choice, to see you again. I swear it, and I do not swear lightly.
Beatrice holds his gaze until the carriage reaches his lodging house. His promise wins her consent, but its public force also binds her reputation to the appearance of favoring a Cornish envoy.
Beatrice Halewick
I believe you, Master Gandon. I will give you tomorrow, openly and without evasion. After that, you will go to Cornwall and speak with those whose consent your honor requires.
Beatrice Halewick
But understand the cost of your oath: London will notice my company, and some will call it influence rather than friendship. If you return, return with clarity, not another beautiful uncertainty.
She squeezes his hands once, accepting tomorrow and the promised return while refusing to become a hidden indulgence. The carriage stops, and Beatrice waits for him to escort her out beneath the watching streetlamps.
“I can ask for no greater form of patience and wise treatment than what you have gifted me with today, my lady... I cannot find fault in the strangely unexpected path that has led us here to this moment, and I truly hope you carry no regrets either. I must thank you, for being every bit of the remarkable, inexplicable, unforgettable noblewoman that you are. I do not know what the future holds any more than the next man, but have patience with me, and I will either return frequently, as your genuine admirer, or once and never leave you again...” I will share one more gaze into her eyes, searching for the return look of approval if not joy, and kiss her hand in a deep, respectful suitor's bow when I see it, if I see it. “Tell me who I must approach to request your hand, once I am a barely acceptable match for you to consider.” I say with one more playful smile for the night.
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Arrus Gandon
I can ask for no greater patience or wise treatment than you have gifted me today, my lady. I hope you carry no regrets. You are remarkable, inexplicable, unforgettable, and I will return either often as your genuine admirer, or once and never leave you again.
Arrus searches Beatrice’s eyes for approval, finding warmth there rather than hesitation. When her expression brightens, he kisses her gloved hand and bows deeply, the gesture respectful despite his playful smile.
Arrus Gandon
Tell me whom I must approach to request your hand, once I am a barely acceptable match for you to consider.
Beatrice Halewick
You have chosen a bold question for the carriage door, Master Gandon. First, you approach me. If I freely consent, then you approach my family’s senior representative with your proposal and your intentions plainly stated.
Beatrice keeps hold of his hand after he rises. Her smile carries no regret, only delighted seriousness, and the answer gives his future courtship a clear and honorable course.
Beatrice Halewick
And if you return with the same clarity you promise tonight, I will hear your request as a suitor, not merely as a charming envoy seeking another conversation.
The coachman opens the carriage door beneath the lodging-house lamps. Beatrice steps down with her dignity intact, then turns back to offer Arrus one last approving look before their parting.
“I wish you a most restful, reassuringly restrained night, my lady, and can barely stand the wait until the morning returns the glorious sight of you, radiant in the sunlight again. We have valuable work to do...” And then I will depart the carriage and try and find peace in a restless, lustful mind, charmed, and inhibited from action, and retire for as much rest as a restless night can provide.
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Arrus Gandon
I wish you a most restful, reassuringly restrained night, my lady. I can barely stand the wait until morning returns the glorious sight of you, radiant in the sunlight again. We have valuable work to do.
Beatrice Halewick
Rest well, captivating envoy. Tomorrow we will make the Admiralty listen, and afterward you will return to Cornwall with your promises still intact.
Beatrice gives his hand one final, lingering squeeze before stepping away beneath the lodging-house lamps. Her smile remains warm as the carriage door closes between them.
Arrus watches the carriage depart, then enters his lodging and sets aside his coat and papers. The rooms are quiet, but his mind remains bright with Beatrice’s voice and tomorrow’s work.
Arrus Gandon
The morning’s duties are clear, and rest is possible if I give the night no further command.
He settles into bed, disciplined attention gradually prevailing over restless desire. Sleep comes in fits, but it comes, carrying him safely toward morning and the promised Admiralty review.
✓ Quest Accepted
Acquire the silver forget-me-not brooch for Beatrice
“Before sleeping in, I will bath, dress and prepare myself for the presentation to the Admiralty staff before pouring over Beatrice's proposal drafts with the notes we created thoroughly. To be well prepared, I will memorize as much of them as I can before going to the presentation's building early. However, the one question I must have been chewing on since the night before is whether or not I can find a suitable gift shop nearby?”
YES, BUT (Likely, rolled 53)
Before dawn, Arrus bathes, dresses, and reviews Beatrice’s annotated proposals until patrol intervals, yard figures, and provisioning arguments sit firmly in memory. He leaves early for the Admiralty offices.
Arrus Gandon
A suitable gift for Beatrice would make the return to Cornwall warmer, provided London does not charge a fortune for sentiment.
A nearby goldsmith’s shop is already open beneath a painted blue sign. Its elderly woman proprietor, a light-skinned human woman with a lined face and iron-gray hair coiled in a bun, small and sharp-eyed in a russet gown, displays modest brooches, seals, and jeweled hairpins behind glass.
The Elderly Goldsmith
A thoughtful gentleman seeks something personal, I think. The silver forget-me-not brooch would suit a lady of distinction, though its price may test a newly honored envoy.
The brooch is plainly suitable, engraved with tiny leaves and set in a velvet box. Its cost is severe enough to consume much of Arrus’s ready purse, while waiting for a cheaper alternative would risk his early Admiralty arrival.
The Elderly Goldsmith
Agnes Bell, at your service. I can wrap it now, but I cannot reduce the price without insulting the craftsman who made it. The Admiralty bell will not wait for bargaining.
The opportunity is real, but the gift carries a concrete cost: purchasing it will sharply diminish the funds Arrus brought to London. The Admiralty building waits ahead, and Beatrice’s proposal drafts remain ready in his hand.
“Madame, you may reassure the craftsman that his fine skill will absolutely not go to waste, it is enchanting and my darling will love it... Please gift wrap it for me with some urgency, I am presenting before the Admiralty staff across the way shortly.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
Madame, reassure the craftsman that his fine skill will not go to waste. It is enchanting, and my darling will love it. Please gift-wrap it urgently; I present before the Admiralty staff across the way shortly.
The Elderly Goldsmith
A charming assurance, sir, and one delivered with admirable confidence. Your lady shall receive it properly wrapped, and the craftsman’s work will indeed find a grateful home.
Agnes Bell lifts the silver forget-me-not brooch from its velvet lining and folds it into soft blue paper. Her quick hands secure the parcel with silver thread and a neat sealing knot.
The Elderly Goldsmith
There, Master Gandon. It is ready, and with time enough for your Admiralty appointment. The price remains severe, but the gift is worthy of the sentiment behind it.
The wrapped brooch rests securely in Arrus’s hand, its tiny forget-me-not concealed beneath the paper. Agnes accepts the payment, counts the coins once, and offers him a knowing nod.
Arrus Gandon
The Admiralty will have my proposals, and Beatrice will have something chosen for her alone.
Quest Complete
Acquire the silver forget-me-not brooch for Beatrice
+ New Item Acquired
Wrapped silver brooch