eight months prior to move to Chicago. Location: England, House Lancashire
"Beatrice!" she stood at the 2nd floor foyer, looking down at the group that scurried here and there, noticing the woman that stood next to the desk near the front door. It was there two of the guards sat and welcomed visitors to the House.
"Yes, Master?" she called up to Collette walking quickly towards the stairs that curved upward to where Collette awaited. Like the others of the house, Beatrice was dressed in utility trousers, boots and t-shirts emblazoned with the seal of Lancashire House on the right chest and a larger symbol across the back with LANCASHIRE just below it.
"Have you heard from Navarre?"
"Yes," Beatrice was quick to open up the notebook she always carried. "Master Michael and the Liaison Helen should be arriving tomorrow"
"And the others?"
"Still on schedule, they will be here before day sleep."
"How soon?"
"Ahh... expected..3 and...looks like a delay on the flight, close to 5."
As it was now nearing midnight, she wasn't thrilled with the delay on some of the preparations. "This should have been done before now." with a gesture down to the tables that were set up, partially decorated, to the left of the winding staircase."
"It was unavoidable," Beatrice began before adding, "we have addressed the supply chain. It should be much better tomorrow."
"Alright, and the bedrooms?"
"All the masters are in the north wing; the assistants have their own rooms on the east wing. Unless, of course, they prefer otherwise..."
"Very well, when you see Lee, tell him I need to see him. I'll be in my office."
"Yes, Liege," Beatrice, still looking at the notebook and writing notes, hurried down the stairs before turning to go underneath it and to the section of offices .
The car pulled up in front of the house, driver and guard were quick to open the doors for both him and Helen.
"Welcome to House Lancashire," the guard said as he walked them to the house as the guard took their luggage. He cast a look at the guard, a sardonic smile crossing his face.
"Looks the same,"
"I suppose it does," the guard matched his grin before growing solemn and opening the front door.
Two guards were stationed at the desks to give them their access badges. Beatrice stood to the left of the desks, her hands clasped tightly together, a beaming smile on her face.
"Here you are Mr. Webster." handing him the badge with computerized access codes on the back, his photo on the front. Helen was given a similar badge which she slipped into a lanyard to place around her neck. "Thank you" she told them.
Michael simply nodded, directing his attention to Beatrice. "Bea.." as he captured her up in a hug, pressing a kiss to her temple before setting her to her feet before holding his hand out to Helen. "Helen..." as Helen approached, he released Beatrice to let the two women greet each other.
They'd been good, best friends before Beatrice left Navarre for Lancashire.
"We're ready for you Michael," Beatrice said as she kept a hold of Helen's hand, leading the two to the stairs. "We've put you in the north wing."
Last Edit: Apr 12, 2024 21:37:42 GMT -6 by MICHAEL
He could see the changes made to the house since he'd last been, notes mentally taken and stored into his mind. As the two women preceded him up the stairs. "How is Lancashire treating you, Beatrice?"
She glanced back over her shoulder, pausing with Helen until Michael took the three steps to catch up with them. "It's different, of course. Things are so much more formal in Navarre. It's almost like I have the day off here" Beatrice laughed lightly, for they all knew it was a large exaggeration. She'd been so busy the past week that she barely had time to eat.
"I find that hard to believe," he chuckled as he stepped next to them and rested his arm across her shoulders as they continued their progress up the stairs. As they did, Beatrice began to go over the itinerary Collete had settled up.
"She'll be meeting with you and the other house leaders in..." with a quick glance to the grandfather clock they passed. "An hour and twelve minutes."
"Lovely, time enough for a quick drink."
Beatrice laughed as she paused before a double doored suite. "This is where you are situated" as she opened the door.
He stared at the room as the doors were opened but made no step to enter. "Colette." he growled the name, "such a bitch." before looking at Helen.
"Helen, I'll switch rooms with you."
Beatrice looked startled, "What? Why?" as she looked into the room and the stoic Michael as he stared into the room, then shook his head. "Helen?"
"Of course," Helen was just as startled as Beatrice.
"Colette won't like it." Beatrice murmured.
"I don't care. She knew how I'd feel ..I won't stay in there."
"Of course," Beatrice was slower to respond but the words were identical to Helen's.
"Beatrice, shall we?" the mirth and levity that had taken them up the stairs was now gone.
Last Edit: Apr 12, 2024 21:36:49 GMT -6 by MICHAEL
He tamped down his anger as he and Beatrice walked back down the hall towards the east wing of rooms. Damn, Colette. A refrain that kept throbbing in his mind as they reached the door to his room.
"We'll have your trunk brought up," Beatrice opened the door for him, seeing Helen's trunk placed just inside the door. "No, I'll carry Helen's up to her; grab mine."
"Michael," Beatrice's tone was hesitating as much as her steps away from the door. "If there's anything I can do." she's known him long before he'd become a master of his own house; friends with him as much as she'd been with Helen.
"I know Bea...just... keep her out of my way for a while."
"I hardly think that's possible; this is her house." Beatrice had to smile at the request, even knowing him as she did. She could see the veins pulsing at his temples. He was pissed. "Well, I'll try. She'll want to know why you changed the room, what shall i tell her?"
"Tell her I said, ...'fuck her'."
"ok..." Beatrice pressed her lips together to keep the smile from growing on her lips. "I'm sure she will love that."
"Well.....fuck her."
Beatrice chuckled, shook her head. "Alright then. I'll see you and Helen downstairs."
Last Edit: Apr 12, 2024 21:36:05 GMT -6 by MICHAEL
