Meet the Blackthornes(open: anyone at Hartshorn 124/12)

[Benedict Marsten]

The servants have been alive with activity making preparations for Captain Blackthorne and his wife Lady Sara. Corrine herself has been around behind them to inspect, that everything was perfect. Food and drink have been brought in and prepared according to Ben's instructions per his Lady wife's wishes.

Word reached Ben of his parents approach and he quickly rode out to greet them on the road in to Hartshorn. Shortly after raucous laughter and conversing echoes through the courtyard as the Blackthorne party clamber about. Ben introduces the group to Gareth Stone, the house steward so that the group may begin to settle in. Then he practically drags his parents up the stairs to the main hall.

A herald begins to announce their arrival, but Ben waves him off. Ben smiles lovingly across the large hall. Behind him stands a broad, weathered and bronzed skin man. A begrudging smile framed by a groomed auburn beard specked with white. His clothing a simplistic noble garb. On his arm a gracefully slender woman her gown much more elegant in comparison. Her long dark hair is pulled into a high bun. Her refined facial features are alight with a joyful smile directed at her new daughter.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine has been in a panic all morning, scurrying after servants, checking all is in place, and inspecting her reflection for the umpteenth time. She is determined to make the best impression possible on Ben's parents.

Upon hearing the commotion from the courtyard, she hurries to the great hall, straightening the layout of the wine cups yet again, then standing anxiously on the threshold, eyeing the doors. Her slender hands fidget with her russet velvet dress, tugging a little at the cuffs. No sooner has she stopped herself fidgeting with the dress, than she begins to wind a lock of her hair around her index finger.

Gods above, Corrine! Calm down!

She forces her hands to her sides and takes several deep breaths.

When the doors swing open, and Ben led his parents in, Corrine steps towards them and musters up her best charming smile;


"
Captain! Lady Blackthorne! Welcome to Hartshorn!"

[Benedict Marsten]

Captain Karris' smile becomes more genuine, upon laying eyes on the chipper young bride, of his son. He bows formally and gives her a playful wink. Lady Sara taps him lightly on the shoulder at his impropriety. Then she gives a deep curtsey before moving in for an intimate hug.

"
It is so great to finally meet you dear. Ellien has wrote me so much about you."
She steps back from the embrace. "
And she was right about how beautiful you are. Wasn't she Karris?"


Nodding in full agreement he steps forward admiring his newest daughter. "
Aye, maybe she is far-sighted and hasn't had a good look at the boy."
A familiar crooked grin on his face as he jams his thumb towards Ben.

Lady Sara shakes her head at her coarse husband. "
Please forgive my husband he spends more time at sea then at court."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine blushes and laughs lightly at the exchange.

Oh thank goodness! They're friendly!

"
There is nothing to forgive, my lady. Ben has me rather used to such jesting,"
she replies, glancing playfully over at Ben and the Captain for a moment. "
It is lovely to find you both in good cheer. I am glad Ellie has been speaking highly of me. I'm ever so fond of her too. Please, sit. Will you have wine?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Lady Sara's smile wavers a bit as she looks to Ben. "
I hope has Ben a gentlemen. It is his sister I fear takes more after her father."


Returning her matronly gaze to Corrine she nods. "
Yes some wine would be refreshing. The ride in was lovely. The Marsten lands are beautiful are as beautiful as their Lady."


The Captain waves off the wine with a polite smile and draws a small flask from his sashed belt. After taking a draught he passes the container to Ben. "
Is it the wine that tricked you into marrying, the boy?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

The servant pours wine for Corrine and Lady Blackthorne as they all sit. Corrine eyes the flask with curiosity.

"
I was not tricked at all, Captain,"
Corrine replies, with tactful amusement. "
It was Ben's lack of trickery that charmed me, in fact. Being treated as a person, rather than a title, set him apart from everyone else in my eyes. That, and meeting him again at Lord Tully's tourney after so long, seeing the knight he is now, showed just how much finer a man he had become since he squired here. He swept me off my feet."


Her glance at Ben as she says the words is full of adoration.

"
Of course, meeting yourself and your good lady wife, I now see where all the looks and charm come from,"
she adds, with a winning smile over the lip of her wine cup before taking a sip.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Rum! A seafaring man's best and worst friend."
Karris replies in response to Corrine's curiosity.

Ben smiles warmly at Corrine's rebuff to his fathers prodding. He excepts a glass of wine and softly strokes Corrine's forearm in the chair beside him.

"
With that pretty face and those charming words I'm sure-"
The captain is abruptly cut off by a raised hand from Lady Sara. The captain only smiles harder at his wife's policing.

"
Thank you dear..."
She cuts her eyes at Karris. "
I did my best to teach him courtesies. The rest of the man he became is in thanks to House Marsten for squiring him."


Upon watching Corrine sit she looks to her belly with ample curiosity and a womanly intuition. Her eyes meet Corrine's questioningly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ser Markus did a good job, I'll agree,"
Corrine replies to Lady Sara. "
But I can see that Ben and Ellie have been well-loved by you both. They are each a joy to share a home with. Ellie is spending time at the seat of House Kriegar at the moment, but she is due to return in a few weeks. She has become good friends with Lord Kriegar's daughter, Gillian."


Corrine meets Lady Sara's enquiring look with a reserved but knowingly warm smile. she then glances at Ben, looking for an indication of whether or not to break their news.

[Reader]

[Placeholder]

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben nods excitedly. Hardly containing his enormous grin. "
Mother. Father. We have something we would like to share with you."


Karris' scarred eyebrow raises in curiosity. Lady Sara's delicate hands spring to cover her mouth, instinctively.

Ben gives Corrine the go-ahead gesture.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine cannot contain her joyous grin as she speaks to her good-parents;


"
Ben &
I are expecting a child, in about half a year."

[Benedict Marsten]

Karris' sports that crooked grin with a boastful look on his face. He slaps Ben on the back. "
Wasted no time did ya boy. Just like the ol'man."


Lady Sara's eyes well with tears. She pushes her chair back, her hands still covering her mouth. Moving to Corrine's chair she embraces her and kisses her cheek. "
Congratulations, Love."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you, my lady,"
Corrine replies, hugging Lady Sara back. "
We're overjoyed. Even more so to be able to tell you in person. And, when Ellie returns, we look forward to telling her the good news too."


The pair of crooked, mischievous grins from Ben and Karris amuse Corrine with their resemblance, and she meets them with her own radiant smile;


"
See what proud peacocks our husbands are, my lady,"
she giggles to Lady Sara.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
There is a descriptor in that word for them, but not one a Lady should use."
She giggles as she places a hand upon Corrine's shoulder. With a firm squeeze she moves off to embrace Ben. Her damp eyes releasing a torrent.

Ben wraps his arms around his mother. His whispers in her ear as they embrace and she does the like in reply.

"
Leave him be Sara. He's a man now. He don't need his mother doting on him."
Karris passes the flask back to Ben with a wink and a firm clasp of his shoulder.

"
My Lady I hope the babe is blessed with your beauty."
He laughs deeply.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gives a shy, soft chuckle at Lady Sara's slightly risque comment, and refills her cup, smiling to see her embrace Ben so lovingly.

"
Thank you, Captain,"
she replies to Karris, tactfully. "
You are very kind to say that. Though, from my admittedly limited observation of mothers, I do not think that the doting ever really stops. But that is well, truly. It is a goodness to see that Ben is so loved. I am, personally, an advocate of showing affection. Life is too short to do otherwise."


Though she maintains a charming smile and light tone, Corrine's mind goes to her late father and brothers at her last statement.

[Benedict Marsten]

Sara gives Corrine an appreciative smile. "
Yes, that is so. I believe Lady Ahnna still sees her baby boy off on every voyage."


She stands her hands on her hips giving Karris a victorious smirk. She knows bringing his mother into it would silence him. He simply nods, defeated.

Ben scoots his chair back and rises to take his mothers arm. "
Enough you two. You are having too much fun."
He escorts Sara back to her chair. On his return to his seat he stops to kiss his lady wife on the cheek and whisper. "
I love you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I love you too,"
Corrine wuickly whispers back, beaming.

"
Lady Isobel said she would join us soon,"
she addresses Karris &
Sara. "
In the meantime, I'm curious to learn more of House Blackthorne. I understand that Ben has several siblings, along with Ellie."

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