Bow Street Rides

[Emmeline Denford]

She was getting close to finding out about his tactics. Something she could take to the press and use to expose the ruthlessness of the runner's less then pristine manner of solving 'crime'. Which was why when a request for a runner to come and solve a attempted murder of a young lord--a request that came from a very wealthy widow known for her lavish life style and frequent men--Emmeline knew she needed to see first hand how he did it.

It did not help that she felt very aware of why the widow was asking for this runner. Over the few months of trying to get close to him, she was having trouble keeping her mission in the foremost of her mind.

However, she knew that if she could catch him doing something that it would help her remember it. When the request came, she offered to come with him. She had no official reason too, but everyone knew he lacked proper mannerisms that she sore she could help with! Plus she knew how noble households worked and help offer insights! None of those were agreeable reasons for him to take her. So when she requested the carriage for him, she made it stop by her apartments first so she could pack a bag and be in it when it arrived to his flat.

It was the wee hours of the morning, and she sat waiting in the darken carriage for him to enter. As he finally did, she smiled over at him as if she was supposed to be here.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

While it was Ezra's preference to remain in the city, there were on occasion, cases that brought him out of it. Particularly ones where he was requested. In this case, he was the only one asked to come, as the widow wished to keep things quiet. It did not bother Ezra to not take a partner with him. In fact, he saw it as a good thing as he would not have to endure pointless chatter for the woman's residence was over a day's carriage ride away.

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At least this way, he could sit in desired silence. Having packed his necessary belongings, his carriage was right now time. He thought nothing of it as he gave the driver his bag to load and made his way inside. As he stepped to enter he froze when he saw who was there. Bloody hell. She had expressed desire in coming, to which he immediately rejected the 'request' despite her reasoning. The last thing he wanted, or needed was to be in the company of this woman. Though it was not a horrible sight to look at during the ride -- quite the opposite in fact -- it was her chatter that he was already dreading.

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He could have asked what she was doing here but knew that question was useless. That look on her face made him even more irritated. Nor, could he make a scene by literally throwing her out. So instead, he begrudgingly properly entered, and took his place in the seat across from her. His look, expressing how he felt: utterly annoyed. "Drive," he told the driver, not hiding his annoyance from his voice either. He took off his hat and placed it next to him, eyes piecing hers with an brooding glare.

[Emmeline Denford]

He froze when he saw her, and for a moment Emmeline almost feared he would shut the door and send the carriage to her home. However he did not, and instead climbed in and stared her down while tossing his hat to the side. She should NOT enjoy the sight of him doing it, but it left her feeling a little smug.

She enjoyed this, and that was dangerous. Still, as long as she kept her wits above her, she could still keep on her mission.

Emmeline crossed her legs to get comfortable as he ordered the driver to drive. It would be a long ride, and she knew it was pointless to be formal all the way. "Mr. Hunt, have you broke your fast yet? I have packed some bread, meat, and cheese for the journey." One thing Emmeline had learned (slowly) was that the nicer she was to him, he still was that same grumpy, but it became almost fun. As if he was begrudgingly trying not to throttle her.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

She was offering him bread. And cheese. One could not forget the cheese. Her sickingly sweet manner doing nothing to ease his annoyance. Though perhaps, she very well knew that. She knew exactly what she had done and it would not be a far stretch to say that she was rather proud of herself for it. She even grew more comfortable in her position, being far too at ease. He loathed it.

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"I desire nothing from you," he said bluntly. Food was foremost on his mind. He did not excessively eat, or eat a great deal to begin with. Though he suddenly longed for a drink. "Least of all your company." As if it was not known by his expression, he decided to make it known through his words. She not only appeared here at his door, but . . . had prepared for the trip as well. She actually thought well enough ahead to pack food for the trip, anticipating its lengthy duration.

[Emmeline Denford]

He wanted nothing from her? Emmeline was sheltered, but she knew that was not true. Or at least, she assumed that wasn't true. "Nonsense, I packed plenty." She told him, turning toward the basket, and pulling out a bread and meat sandwich that she'd wrapped in cloth to help keep it together. She turned and held it out to him with one hand.

With her other she pulled a flask out of the basket. "I also packed you a drink." She had a pleased smile on her lips because she knew the flask meant brandy or something to men, but she had none of that at her home. Instead she had water and lemonade. Deciding water was too plain, warm lemonade it was! Though her container was full of water. Warm lemonade was not pleasing. Though she was smart enough to have a extra container of water in the basket.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

Hunt watched as she began to unpack the snacks and then offer him a drink. To be entirely honest it was quite tempting . . . who wouldn't be tempted by such a thing. But it seemed that there was some sort of, game they often found themselves entangled in. A battle of pride perhaps. Though, Hunt wasn't entirely certain if she even knew she was playing of it was merely one sided. His instinct told him that she knew . . . and that this, was perhaps all of it.

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"I am fine," he told her, looking away so that not to be tempted. After a few moments he looked back at her not to take what she offered but to question it. "What merits such acts of . . . kindness." -- The last word perhaps spoken with sarcasm -- "You either desire something in exchange, or you are far too comfortable and familiar with circumstances similar to this." Where it came to . . . what, taking care of a man? A family member? A lover? He knew it was not personal to him for his behavior towards her certainly would not give cause for her to be so, gracious to him. For he had not exactly been gracious to her. It only further aroused his suspicion in her eagerness to offer him prepared food and drink.

[Emmeline Denford]

What made her kind? Emmeline smiled at his question, even though she wanted to snap at him. Kindness made men's lips loose. After the injustice of what was done to her brother, she wanted to prove the runners had abused their power. Spending this time with him would give her an up close and direct look at his tactics. Such as yet he had not shown such abuse but she knew--knew--if he was so good there had to be something there. Something besides his dark 'charm'. It was almost amusing to be the eager kindness, to his grumpy.

She knew she should not be this amused, or enjoy spending time with any of the runners the way she enjoyed spending these moments with him--however, there was something about the way he did not react to her pushy kindness the way the others were eating out of her hand. They saw her feeding them and flirted back--he saw it and just stared at her. That look he gave was powerful, and she almost pulled back sometimes from it. Not in fear, but if felt as if he knew she was up to something.

"Desire something? Is is required to want something in order to share food on a long journey?" She asked, avoiding the other words he spoke. She had some familiarity. A brother she loved and cared for. However he was also correct in assuming that she wanted something. It felt uneasy that he was so close to the truth. "Shall we trade? I shall share my food and in return you shall give me company?" On the trip she wasn't even supposed to be on.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

"Yes." His answer to her first question came rather swiftly -- perhaps a little too swiftly. But never the less, he believed that there was always an ulterior motive. Especially when it came to her. People only offered kindness with the expectation of reciprocity. And he did not tend to accept such kindness, until he knew what the terms were. A cynical mindset perhaps, but Hunt was rather calculated in all he did . . . to -- what some might consider -- a fault. He waited expectantly for her to continue, and fortunately he need not ask again for she asked if they should trade. She would share food and in return he would give her company.

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If Ezra was one to wear his emotions upon his facial features . . . they would hold ones of confusion and disbelief. But while he remained stoic for the most part, there was indeed a flicker of that disbelief that came out in a rather flat expression. "That hardly sounds like a decent trade." He was not self deprecating but he doubted his company was worth the exchange of food. "What does giving you my company entail?" He questioned, not that he was agreeing to anything but he was a tad bit curious.

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He did not like to be left in the unknown and not knowing what she had in mind -- if anything -- was rather unsettling to him. "I have no intention of compromising you." Bluntly spoke and there was a hint of accusation and . . . mocking in his voice. Had he been a man with a more easy going nature, it would have come off more playful and teasing. But instead, was a way of accusing her of wanting that kind of company from a man.

[Emmeline Denford]

"That hardly sounds like a decent trade." Cheeky. "Yes, the food does out weight your conversing abilities, yet I shall not hold it against you." She clipped back with a smile at her own joke. Just as she was lifting her water to her lip, he spoke--and she nearly dropped the water all over her dress! Jostling to keep from wearing the liquid she coughed slightly from what water did make it past her lips. Waving her small hand around her face she glared at him, until she caught her breath.

"MIS.TER. HUNT!" Sometimes he was this . . . and then he was . . . and she wanted too . . . GRAH!

Taking a deep breath she closed the water and looked up at him. She had to be nice. She had to win him over. She knew this would be hard! She knew this would be! Forcing a smile to her lips she looked tightly over at him. "How telling that you equate kindness from a person and . . . that . . . to mean the same. I shall now question all your friendships with the other runners."

"You can erase that from your mind this instant! I have no intention of letting you near my person. I was seeking to make the journey pleasant for the both of us." Perhaps she was not been as nice in her reply as she wanted to fake. The reply came out a bit more honestly then she had intended. Yet there was a heat on her skin from the blush, making the carriage seem very warm at the moment.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

Anything she had said to clip back with wit, to one of his own remarks fell on deaf ears when she reacted to his statement. Hunt's lips ever so flickered into a hint of a smile, though he fought it back. Yet, he felt the victory within it. To have gotten to her. To have said something to draw such a reaction, midst her drink of water, the glare he caused, the colour to her cheeks. Any true gentleman would have perhaps inquired as to whether she was ok, not intending for a comment to cause harm. But not Hunt. This tit for tat game they played a constant and right now, he felt that he had gotten to her. Thus, relished in the victorious feeling. The way she said his name, only caused this feeling within him to intensify, as she then spoke of equating kindness to mean something else entirely . . . and that she would not question his friendships with the other runners.

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"Need I remind you, that I was not in requirement of company from the others, nor you, on this journey." She had, as always, invited and injected herself right in the middle of it. "Perhaps it is you who should be questioned in the nature of her, rapports with the runners." Once again, his words lacked that playful tone as he continued to allude to the idea of 'compromising'. Seeing it get to her was rather encouraging for him to continue onto that path. For a woman's virtue of course, was of great importance.

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At the mention of her assurance that she had no intention of letting him close to her person, he could not resist the remark. Though, he did believe her. And yet, the opportunity to insinuate otherwise far too tempting to forgo. "I would be more inclined to hold your words true had I not found you in my carriage." Making the journey pleasant almost sounded like a joke at this point . . . surely she did not even believe that. But then, Hunt had yet to discover her true intentions. For . . . there was just something about Emmeline.

[Emmeline Denford]

She did not notice the almost smile, as she was too busy trying to stop coughing and then HE furthered questioned HER honor by asking about her relations with the runners! Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks at what he was all but saying. "Mr. Hunt, I will not continue this conversation. My virtue is not in question. It is in fact still with me!" Meaning of course, she had not . . . done whatever it was that girls did to loose it.

"I came along to help you, and learn more about what happens in an investigation, so I can be more of service to you and the runners. I have been invited many times by other runners, however decided that since you are the one I know how to help the least I should try with you." SOME of that was lies. She did need him opening up to her more. His disposition had her believing that he was the proving the runners abused their power. She just needed to see it to prove it. He was the ley to her plan--she knew it!

"Ever since I was hired you seem to try on purpose to make me feel unwelcome and unhelpful! I have tried at every turn to prove you wrong!" Finishing her little irate, she watched him. Emmeline knew better then to expect an apology, and she knew better then to think her words would mean anything to him. Her words were more calm, but no less determined. "It matters now, how you see me--" yet it did. "--I am not going anywhere."

If he treated her this way, how did he treat the villains?

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

Hunt knew that he had crossed a line in his questioning of her virtue. Yet at the same time, was a rather blunt individual and . . . unconventional in his methods. Interactions with this woman no exception. Where other Bow Street Runners vied for her attention -- and offered her to accompany them on investigations -- he did not. It seemed to draw the opposite reaction from her where the more he attempted to deter her, the more she seemed compelled to join him. But despite his awareness that a woman's virtue should not be questioned as such, he was not going to offer apology. He seldom ever did. For he was not one who spoke without thought, or spoke words that he would come to regret.

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"Then I should count myself among the most fortunate, that you have selected me to continuously shadow and accompany?" His words though a question, made it clear that it was rhetorical -- though that had not stopped her from answering them in the past. There was also a hint of sarcasm to them, not finding himself fortunate at all. Certainly, any other man would be flattered and eager to be in the company of a beautiful woman who appeared to be helpful. But not him. For as he so often thought, there was something about her that he just could not put his finger on. It was as if there was an itch in his brain that he could not scratch. So until he was able to discover what it was that was causing it, he remained sure in his judgement of her. He remained silent for only a few moments, before looking at her, to speak his next words.

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"I do not trust you, Miss Denford." This statement, was not an accusation, nor meant as insult. Though, one could most certainly take it as such. But they were not said with the same offense as his earlier words of her virtue. He said these words, because he meant them. "I have been in this occupation for many years, and my strong instincts have resulted in repeated success." His words, not spoken with hubris nor arrogance; it was here fact. He had ascended through the ranks -- as limited as they were within the Bow Street Runners -- and rose in popularity and skill, due to his capabilities.

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"And there is something about you, which my instincts tell me does not quite seem right." He refused admit it was his paranoid mind. Perhaps part of it was just to annoy the hell out of the future Magistrate. Whatever it was . . . Ezra stood by his words. He turned to look back out the window. "I am in no need of your services," he further explained. Though knew that in this particular instance, he was left with no choice. As was most of the case. "Once we return, it would serve you well and in your best interests, to accompany other Bow Street Runners who welcome your assistance and hold no objection to it." Unlike him. Why the Magistrate was so insistent on her joining him, was beyond Ezra.

[Emmeline Denford]

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.

Ezra Huntington

[Ezra Huntington]

Tag: Emmeline Denford

you can run

BUT YOU'LL DIE TIRED

In all the time he had known her, in all the conversations they had shared . . . this was perhaps the least she had ever said. Hunt knew that he should have found solace in her finally complying to his desires of being quiet . . . but instead, he found it a bit, unsettling. And loathed that he did. Now of course, he could not admit that to her and perhaps he had spoken his mind too much. But the words were said, and he would not take them back for they rung true.

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"If you wish to use such a word," he answered in a low voice, but still audible. Especially considering they were in such close proximity to one another in a carriage. "Why does that offend you?" He inquired, assuming he had caused some form of offense based on her laconic response. Something which he learned was quite, uncharacteristic of her. And in doing so, perhaps he could further learn more of her. Of what it was about her that left him so untrusting. While he was untrusting in nature, this was about her specifically. He was unsure whether she would give a proper answer, but the question was posed, not meant to be rhetorical.

[Emmeline Denford]

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.

Ezra Huntington