There's Something About Emmeline
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the exhausted one
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Oct 16, 2022 3:05:08 GMT
He told her to close her eyes and she reminded him, "I am not looking!" Much. So she moved cover her eyes with one hand in a dramatic display of following orders! He told her that he was waiting on someone to bring him clothes. Which made since, yet still, they did not give him a blanket of some sort? How odd.
Turning to face him when he all but claimed she lack common courtesy, she kept her eyes covered by still glared his way. She hoped he understood the gesture. "I did not break the lock!" She would have heard a crack or break! "I am not that strong, and I only bumped it when you surprised me with your . . . " She gestured toward him with her free hand that was not covering her face.
"I'v never see a man without a shirt . . . . and trousers--I was surprised!" One of her hands moved to rest on the wall to help keep her balance while the other remained over her eyes, while she was facing in his direction. Very surprised, and her eyes had taken him in for a good few seconds before her wits returned and she turned away from him. Standing here now, she was still tempted to try and look. Did all men look like that? How did that work? ". . . It made you look taller . . ." Even she wished she could shut up in this moment rather than commenting on how his lack of clothes made him look taller.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Oct 16, 2022 2:56:01 GMT
He was--He said--he was--fickle sticks!
Emmeline could only stare at him with both her eyes and her mouth wide open, as red heat (from embarrassment or anger) pooled in her cheeks. OH! THIS WAS GRAND! This brute could have easily just introduced himself, but instead bullied her into his position! Stepping around the easy introduction of himself that could have cleared up all this! Part of her--the larger part of her--wanted to slap him. Wanted to reach out and do violence to this bear of a human. No wonder these runners were so untrustworthy. No wonder people like her brother ended up jailed for so little of a crime. If the runners were these types of men--then she could see why she needed to stop them. Discredit them. Play nice. Win them over. Get the proof. Bring them down.
Yet her brother's face stayed in her mind. It was what pulled her lips closed and made her take a deep breath. This man would need to be her first target. If he was going to take over the runners, then she needed to make sure she knew enough about him to assure she could prove how he was. Which was why she did not slap him. Instead she took a deep breath and spoke, "Was it embarrassment from your manners that kept you from easily clearing up this, or your arrogance?" She questioned, in what might have been the most articulate sentence she ever spoke. Play nice. Win them over. Get the proof. Bring them down.
"Perhaps you need more training," She quibbed out. Play nice. Win them over. Get the proof. Bring them down. Play nice. Win them over. Get the proof. Bring them down. PLAY NICE. "Would you like your copy of the hue and cry?" She said with fake sweetness, as if this last bit had not happened.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 3:51:20 GMT
"I do not think the world is ready for you being capable of planting facers." She smiled at his words, the anger from moments before lost under the idea of him teaching her anything. "Should you wish to learn, I will teach you." Reaching out she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. It was done without thought, and without intention. She just wanted to hug him as she was excited to learn. What had begun as a simple hug, however, lingered as the warmth of his body seeped into her's. The feel of his strength, and the scent of him.
Pulling back, Emmeline looked up at him with, expressionless for a moment before she smiled. "Shall we do it now? Or do you need to keep looking?" In which would lead to her also asking, "If I am such an horrid look out, perhaps you should teach me that too!" She had thought she was doing just fine, but if he was going to nit pick then she was going to demand he show her how to do it better! See how he liked being left in a hall.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 3:41:45 GMT
He told her to summon the runners, and she striaghtened her spike. "I will do just that!" Turning she reached for a rope pull (one that would ring a bell in another room) to summon Vickery. Turning back to the arrogant beast of a man, Emmeline folded her arms over her chest and waited for the other to come. For once she said nothing, decide that she would not waste her time on him! He clearly thought that because she was a woman, he could walk all over her! Well! Ready or not he was going to learn that she would not be put off.
He had told her she had empty threats, but he would see! She was not going to let him bully her into not doing her job exactly as it was given to her. Shortly the young man came in. "Mr. Vickery, will you please escort this man out of the offices?" She demand, waiting for him to do so.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 2:55:32 GMT
He seemed to find it difficult to understand. "Yes." She admitted, "I have come to learn you care nothing for how others see you. You do not value their opinions of yourself, but I do. I was raised to do." She did not like telling him of herself, but if it kept his mind off not trusting her, then she would do it.
"My father was a son of a fourth son of a baron." Which gave her some very minor status--or had when her father was alive. "It is close enough to nobility that I was raised to believe the opinions of others mattered, that by being valued and helpful I could make my way easier in this world. I cannot fathom how you could not, just as you cannot fathom how I can."
"My parents died of an illness. I no longer have the connections, but I have their teachings. Yes, it matters if you think I am useless. Perhaps more so since I do not wish to be seen as such by you." It was a little more honest than she wanted to be with him, but if it turned this topic away from him trying to understand her, then it would be worth it.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 2:38:46 GMT
He walked with her. Which made her feel better, just by his presence. She knew that if danger popped it's head up that he would of course protect her. Yet it was different between knowing that someone would protect your person, and being protected by someone. Men did not need to understand the difference as women did. Emmeline was lucky to not have to know so well, but she was still aware.
Hunt told her that she had him, and Emmeline's brows narrowed. Has she? It had not felt so at the time but she had been doing what Hunt once said she did: Speaking without thinking. She was just talking. Trying to make sure he waddled off without knowing Hunt was in the room behind her or without her!
"Do you think so?" she asked, knowing that he would not have said it if he had not meant it. Her question wasn't even meant to be answered. "I wish I knew how to plant a facer. That was a situation that called for a facer, do you think?" Stepping quickly before him she stopped him walking. "Could you teach me?" Then she could better protect herself.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 2:10:46 GMT
Well, that was speaking. She knew that she often pushed her way into his life, but his words this time hurt. Stepping back from him, Emmeline's brows bent in upset. "For one of the smartest men I have met, you can be really daft at times." She told him, her hands still on her hips. "Yes, I should threaten a stranger with the queen. He would believe that. I look like a friend of the queen, do I not?" She gestured to her appearance, which was nice but clearly working class and not nobility.
"Using my job is the only power I have against men like him who see me and think they own me. I am not imitating, and have no--" father or brother or husband's name to protect her. Because the ones she did once have were both taken from her. One by sickness and one by the system she now worked for. She was a woman alone, and if her job held protection she would use it.
"You need not escort me anywhere." She told him before stomping off in one direction, only to stop and turn to head toward the other. "I am not going that way. The toad went that way." She informed him as she continued on the other way.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 1:46:43 GMT
How was he so calm?! She was bursting inside and he was unaffected! "Mr. Hunt, the queen has summoned you. She will know your name. She will listen to you for a few moments! How are you just sitting there?!" How was he still grumpy?!
"It is said that one day you will take the role of magistrate. Do you not see that by serving the queen well, she can mark that with her approval?" And yet he wished to be quick? They were about to walk into the palace and meet the most powerful woman in England--and debatable the world. How did that not affect him.
Emmeline pressed her hands into her chest as if to hold down her heart that was fluttering madly. "If you can not summon the excitement, then I will do it for us both!" Sitting back in her seat she looked out the window, but did not linger for a second before looking back at him. "Did you suggest I speak with out thinking?" She had heard it, but not realized it until now.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 1:33:28 GMT
Offended. Yes, that is what she should be, rather than feeling like a little child who had been caught in mischief. She should be offended he did not trust her, or thought she was . . . . well, doing what she was doing. Emmeline licked her dry lips before facing him once more. Offended. Yes, she could be offended.
"The first moment you saw me, you disliked me. I had yet to even give you a reason to be grumpy and boorish toward me." That sounded offended? She hoped so. Her tone wasn't snapping at him, but confused more then offended. Everyone liked her! Not at first, but everyone liked her. Why not him? Not that she wanted him to like her!! She just wanted him to like her enough to feel the need to brag about his faults so she could use them against him!
"I am not offended, Mr. Hunt. I am confused as to why you never have given me a chance." And part of her wanted him to give her a chance. Beyond the double motives, she knew that if he said she did a good job then she had done a great job! Getting his approval meant something. And it made her want it all the more.
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There's Something About Emmeline
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 1:06:46 GMT
There was a thump behind her and then the door swung open! Was he done?! Did he find the jewel? Turning back to glare at the nobleman she all but gestured to Hunt as if to say 'see!'! Emmeline lifted her chin and waited for the little worm to waddle off before turning to look at Hunt. As she turned she noticed how close he was. It caused her to nearly touch him as she stood there. She glanced down at the small space between them--and then he spoke!
Jerking her face up to meet his, her eyes wide and mouth apart! "I did not tell him you were there! I made sure you knew he was there! What more was I supposed to do?!" She asked, her hands spraying out to gesture around her before landing on her hips. "I cannot help it if he sought--did you hear him ask me to tour his room! Do you KNOW what he meant?!" She whispered so loudly she might not have whispered at all! Surely he understood what almost happened! That man was trying to trick her into his bed!
"He is lucky that it might look unfavorable on me as well or I would be telling the queen of his loathsome invitations!" She paused for a moment then whispered once again. "Did you find it?" He better have for all this! "Next time you be the look out, and I will look around the room. I doubt he would have tried to tour your room."
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 25, 2021 0:03:25 GMT
This was the rudest man she had ever met! How dare he ignore her hand and just read the text! She had been give the important job and she was NOT going to let so over tall brute bumble it up! Reaching forward with her hands she snatched what she could back from him! NOW he had her acting like a child too!
"I will have you know that I will let Sir Throne know about your rude, and mean behavior toward a member of his employ! I do not report to you sir! What I am assigned to do it between the magistrate and myself!" One would think he would understand how things work. "Now, if you do not have business here--begone! Or I will summon a runner to send you on your way!"
With that she reached forward to try to grab the rest of the papers, and then turned to put them in a drawer so he could not get any more of them.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 24, 2021 23:55:13 GMT
Do. Not. Panic. He thought her up to something. She was indeed up to something. He did not trust her and she knew he was right too as she was trying to prove him the villain. It was eye opening to know that he had seen though her so clearly when she had assumed she was doing so well. No wonder the man hated her.
Determined to not let him see that he was right, she sat back in her seat and said nothing. Emmeline could not even think of something to say. For once she was silent. It was a few long moments before she could summon something to say. "Do you think so poorly of everyone, or am I special?" She asked, not expecting an answer.
Sliding toward the window, Emmeline looked out of it. She knew she should tell him that she held no ill will toward him, but for some reason she could not summon the lie. It did not happen easy for her this time. She had assumed he was just grumpy, but looking at him now Emmeline realized her mistake. He was not just an angry brute. He was clever. And clever was dangerous.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 24, 2021 23:46:14 GMT
Too high. They were on their own then. With any luck, it would be a blind and mute servant who found them. Then she felt horrid for thinking about it. Hunt told her to keep her eyes closed and walk to the left. Which made her open her eyes and look to the left. "Right!" She clipped out, jerking her head back to look at the door. He was really naked! She had seen her first naked man. Just not well enough to understand. Now she was tempted to look! AND afraid of looking, AND afraid of getting caught, AND blushing from the idea of looking!
"Fifteen steps." She repeated and looked at her feet. She took one step sideways to the left, her fingers trailing over the wall. "One." Followed by one more. "Two." Followed by another. "Three." This continued until she reached the magic number of fifteen. "Now what?!"
The wall paper was very boring, and she had to fight to keep her eyes on it. "By the by, if you were in here in your all together--" she started to turn to look at him but then jerked back to the wall "--why was the door not knocked so no one count enter?!" Clearly his was not JUST her mistake!
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There's Something About Emmeline
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 24, 2021 23:34:35 GMT
Tour of what now!? Emmeline forgot for a moment she was supposed to be the look out and straighten her shoulders and spine. She had, after all been raised close enough to nobility to have that outraged air, rather than the meeker servant tone. "Sir! How very ungentlemanly like of you to attempt to compromise a guest of Lady Bridgerton!" a bit of an exaggeration, as she wasn't invited--she had just shown up with Mr. Hunt.
She knew what people thought of a woman working on Bow Street. She wasn't daft! She'd heard the whispers upon occasion. Yet she knew her honor was intact and she was going to maintain that until she died---or married! The nobleman seemed to get annoyed with that, reminding her that she was the one lingering outside of rooms that were not hers. That he could ruin her if she did not give him a reason to stay silent. Apparently the pleasantries were over. Very well.
"I will not be blackmailed into your bed!" She stomped her foot. Emmeline did not even think about how it might be best to not tell the man who she was. "I will have you know I am employees by Sir Throne of the Bow Street runners! I will not stand here and be bullied by some fourth son. Be on your way!" She demanded, and really hoped that he did indeed leave.
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There's Something About Emmeline
Middle Class
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House Keeper
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Duchess
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the exhausted one
Tag me @emmeline
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Post by Emmeline Denford on Dec 24, 2021 23:05:36 GMT
Shockingly he did not pull away right away. Instead he began listing off demands that Emmeline had no desire or ability to follow. She would not speak? Did he really know so little of her? Emmeline spoke and spoke often! She did not handle silence well. She did not enjoy glowering in silence. AND she had no intention of not speaking to the Queen herself! Hunt even came to a stop and faced her, to drive his demand home. "I have no intention of doing any of that." She informed him, before walking around him and to the carriage.
The drive helped her in, and Emmeline took the seat facing forward, as she did not enjoy traveling backwards. Once Hunt was in, Emmeline folded her hands in her lap and smiled over at him. "Do you think she will invited us to tea?" How divine that would be!! "Do you think we will see the king?" Who some claimed was mad. "I cannot believe we shall meet the queen! Never in my life would I have thought to meet her!"
Looking at Hunt with a smile, "Have you met her before?" She did not think so. Men like him--and women like her--did not often meet with the Queen. This was something unheard of and spectacular! If only her mother were alive to know of this! She might write to her aunt, but they were not close. In was in this moment her smile stiffened as she realized there was no one she could tell about this. She had put everything into this plan.
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