A Lady and a Lass

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Still fuming at her mother and Markton, Corrine went to her study and had Marei summoned.

[Reader]

House Tullison's smith's niece, young Marei, attended Lady Corrine promptly, curtsying and smiling shyly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"Hello, Marei. Please sit. I had hoped we could have a talk."

She gestured for Marei to sit in the chair accross from hers.

"It has come to my attention that some of the other staff are not treating you well. Would you agree? And don't worry, you are not in any trouble. I want to help."

[Reader]

The girl bites her lip and takes the offered seat.

"No milady, everyone has been most kind," she offers without lifting her head to meet Corrine's eyes, nails digging in to palms.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"Come now, Marei. I know that's not true," Corrine said gently. "They've been avoiding you, saying cruel things, and spreading rumours about you and my husband. I want you to know that it's not acceptable. I will not stand for anyone in my service being treated that way. I know that the rumours are untrue. You have nothing to fear from me. But, I also know that such fears are difficult to get rid of. Fear is powerful."

She gently uncurled Marei's hands.

"Do not hurt yourself over this, my dear. Do you know why I had you brought to Hartshorn?"

[Reader]

"Come now, Lily. I know that's not true," Corrine said gently. "They've been avoiding you, saying cruel things, and spreading rumours about you and my husband. I want you to know that it's not acceptable. I will not stand for anyone in my service being treated that way. I know that the rumours are untrue. You have nothing to fear from me. But, I also know that such fears are difficult to get rid of. Fear is powerful."

"But they'll know I told milday, you mustn't."

She looks horrified at her interjection, briefly slack-jawed in consternation and shame at issuing an order to her lady. She digs her nails more deeply in to her hands.

She gently uncurled Lily's hands.

"Do not hurt yourself over this, my dear. Do you know why I had you brought to Hartshorn?"

She shakes her head, ideas racing through her head but too ashamed to give them voice.

"I was brought here because my Lord Tullison recommended me to a noble lady he thought highly of?" she manages, conviction ebbing from her voice as she speaks.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine looked at Marei sympathetically.

"It was because Dunstan was marrying my friend, Aofie. She has been through a lot for one her age. I was worried that, if Dunstan still had you close by, he would hurt my friend by seeing you and doing with you what he should do with her. I wanted to protect someone dear to me, but I also did not want you or Little Ben to suffer. I realise though, that in doing so, I hurt you and Dunstan. I regret that it caused you pain, but I hope that you will come to understand my reasons."

[Reader]

Corrine recalled Aofie's words - "I can bear the boy, he has no sin in the eyes of the seven. But I beg you Corrine, please do not inflict the mother on me. No woman should have to put up with such beneath her roof." Disturbingly, Aofie scratched at the forearms of her long-sleeved gown briefly as she implored her friend to find a compromise. Still, it was a magnanimous offer - Aofie had always been tenderhearted. Many women would have banished an elder male bastard, or done worse...

Marei manages a half smile, her reserve breached by Corrine's empathy, but she defensively cleaves tight to social boundaries.

"Ben and I are of no account next to the happiness of you or your friend," she protests, as properly as a septa. She sighs and manages a little less formality.

"I cannot hope to know the depth of feeling of a proper lady, milday, but know something of how the Lady Aofie feels, too, I do. I suffer when I'm near my Dunstan, and suffer when we're apart. But at least I always have Ben to recall him by."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"I understand. I truly do. I did not take the decision lightly. I know you and Dunstan loved eachother. But sadly, duty often means such things must be compromised. If I could, I'd send you back to Mountain's Reach, but I can't. Lady Aofie has nothing against your son, but she would be unable to bear losing her husband to another woman. And Dunstan, though a good man in many ways, is not good at restraint."

Corrine sighed sadly, giving Marei's hands a gentle squeeze.

"I emphatically believe you are a good person, Marei. So, I cannot in good conscience let others intimidate you under my roof. If you do not wish me to confront those who are mistreating you, then I can offer you a fresh start at my cousin's home, Caladan Hall. Gwyn is a kind and fair mistress who would see that you & Little Ben are cared for. Or, if there is some other way I can help, I would hear it."

She offered a kind smile, though the sadness of the situation pained her.

[Reader]

"If it pleases my lady..."

She swallows nervously, fighting back tears at the bullying she has endured, and the kindness a noble now offers. She seems to relax a little as Corrine squeezes her hand, human contact reassuring her.

"I always wanted to live near the sea, begging my lady's indulgence."

"Could you, could you tell the others I have family there?"

She stares down.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"Of course. And you shall have a view of the sea that even King's Landing cannot rival. I'll write to Lady Drakeson straight away, and arrange travel for you to Caladan Hall. I'll send some money with you too, to help you get settled."

[Reader]

"Please, no money. I am in m'lady's debt enough already."

She pauses, and an attack of good sense overwhelms her fear of obligation and pride.

"Or just enough for little Ben, to know some part of what he might have had without drawing unwelcome eyes and attention."

She bits her lip, but finally lifts her eyes and manages to direct a weak, quivering smile towards Corrine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine meets her uncertain smile with one full of warmth and empathy.

"As you say, my dear. Just a little, to put away for Ben's future. I'll have Lady Gwyneth look after that, so it won't be noticed by the other staff. I'm sure you'll find happiness, and have a good life. Lord Drakeson will see that Ben has a trade when he's old enough. I am sorry that my staff have treated you badly. I expected better of them. But I shall not do or say anything to endanger you. As far as they'll know, you have returned to your family in the North. I'll give you two days to ready yourself and Ben to travel. Would you like my Ben to come say farewell before you go?"

[Reader]

She sniffs, a bubble of snot popping on her nose.

Marei quite forgets her manners in front of her Lady and wipes it away with a sleeve, before blushing furiously.

"Apologies m'Lady, I didn't know I felt their words so cruelly 'til I stopped to think on it."

"Please m'lady, let me wash my face before I say my farewell to your Lord husband."

She stands and curtsies deeply in gratitude, unsure of how to express herself here.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine offers her a handkerchief.

"Of course, Marei. Use the washbasin next door, and take all the time you need. I'll send someone to fetch Lord Ben, and some tea. You look like you could use something calming."

[Reader]

Marei nods, too dazed to remember that she's normally supposed to fetch tea, not have it brought to her.

She scurries to the adjacent room and returns, cleaner and marginally more composed, but her eyes still puffy from tears despite the cool waters of Hartshorn.

She cradles her tea, alternating between sipping at it and staring in to it for answers as she waits on her Lord's attendance, straining to hear so she may stand and curtsy upon his arrival.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

While awaiting Lord Marsten's arrival, Corrine sits with Marei and has chamomile tea, talking to her on lighter matters in an attempt to soothe her, asking her about Little Ben, discussing Bethany and the young twins.

[going to link Ben in]

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben enters his wife's office knowing full well she had been set to speak with Marei earlier. He was unsure of what he might find and was certainly not prepared to find the two taking tea and having smalltalk. He bows formally. "Good day, ladys. All is well? I hope." He gives both women his charming crooked smile, saving a quick wink for his Lady wife.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine sets aside her cup and stands, going to Ben to greet him.

"Thank you for coming. Marei & I have been talking about how best to proceed, what with recent events. The treatment she has had is unacceptable, and bringing it up with the other staff will only make things worse. Marei likes my suggestion of letting her start anew at Caladan Hall. Gwyn will make sure she's treated well, and make sure Little Ben learns a trade when he's older. Marei wanted to see you before I set all this in motion."

She smiled at them both.

"I can give you some time alone, if that would be preferred."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben looks to Marei to see if she felt the need.

[Reader]

Marei manages to return Ben's smile, slowly regaining her confidence.

"I'd not add to the gossip m'lady, beggin' your pardon. Best we're all here."

"M'lord Marsten, I'm sorry for all the troubles I've called you and yours. I'll make sure your room is perfect when you and your lady wife call at her cousin in Caladan Hall, I swear it by the Seven."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben smiles softly at Marei's wise decision to remain public with their conversation, despite the grief it brings him to remember what had come of their last meeting. "Marei, you have no need to apologize to me. I am master of my own decisions. I may not have made the best at the time, but they were my own. As for the room in Caladan Hall," he cuts his eyes at his wife. "soft bedding is all we would require."

[Reader]

Marei turns red once, more, but it is the happier red of embarrassment rather than tears and torment.

"M'lord has always been wise, they say you have the father's judgement."

"Beggin' your pardons, but I have errand to complete."

She miles.

"And preparations to make."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"Of course, Marei," Corrine smiles warmly. "Get yourself and Little Ben ready, and we'll take care of the rest."

[Reader]

A final, deep curtsey and Marei departed. No wonder the older smallfolk were all so, well, small...

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