The de Autry Home

[cassidinegypsy]

Edmond is speechless that she went through the trouble of having the cook prepare a true English dinner. He hasn’t had food like this since leaving home and he too is pinning for England. Although since meeting Katie, he hasn’t felt quite so homesick. Paris is a fine city in her own right, but Edmond prefers the quiet of the English countryside instead of the hustle and bustle of France’s capital. Even though he is a nobleman and used to rich food served in several courses, Edmond secretly prefers a simple dinner served in fewer courses. Strangely enough, he isn’t a man given to extravagant tastes when it comes to food or clothes. The Englishman does however pay good money for other things that he deems far worthier. Horse, ridding boots, books, sheet music, and fresh fruit are at the top of his list.

A huge smile breaks over the Englishman’s face as his gaze moves from some of his favorite dishes to Katie’s face. There is a warm light in his green eyes as Edmond puts his napkin across his lap. "Thank you, Miss Reed, for providing me with a taste of home. London doesn’t seem so far away tonight. I too am often homesick for England." The confession slips out and he flushes a bit embarrassed at having given her such an intimate glimpse of his soul on only their second meeting.

[hedanicree]

“Then I’m glad I could be of service,” Katie replies whole-heartedly, knowing how it feels to be away from one’s home. Paris is now her home in many ways, but on some level, she will always ache for the streetscapes of London, the cliffs of Dover and the way the wind smells coming off the ocean in Plymouth. England, in all intents and purposes, is a refined civilization, but somewhere deep inside she can still feel the primal nature of the island’s ancestors and it calls to her in the same way the old myths do. England will always be home.

She watches him for a few moments as the servants set to work to serve them. Their glasses are brought in from the parlor and quickly filled, but this time with a white wine to compliment the hen. Although the dry red is by far her favorite, the sweeter whites will make this meal truly what it should be. She picks up her glass, sipping it like a lady should. If she is not careful, she will over indulge before the evening really starts.

“So please do tell, Mister Mallory,” she starts, pausing only to put her wine glass down, “What sort of business do you conduct? I dare say not many men conduct business so far from home.” She watches him demurely with her dark-chocolate eyes.

[cassidinegypsy]

It doesn't surprise Edmond at all that she wants to know about the business side of his life. Katie seems genuinely curious about it too. Most of the other women who have posed similar questions have an entirely different motivation. They are trying to gauge his wealth and social status to see if he is a worthy match of them, or worse, their daughters or nieces. What he finds refreshing about the woman across from him is that she is nothing like those social sharks. "I keep track of the Mallory investments on both sides of the channel. I'm also the investment representative for several creditors and other groups. My personal business mostly involves raising horses and owning shares in a shipping company. I have my hand in a few other companies as well," Edmond says as he takes a bite of hen and then a sip of wine.

[hedanicree]

With a knife in her right hand and a fork in her left, Katie delicately slices her food into manageable and appropriate sized pieces. They are table manners she holds only in company or at the table with Armand and the children — after all, she cannot have Emilie emulating her improprieties. Whenever she is out visiting the cafés of Paris, she doesn’t worry about things this much. But tonight feels… ‘Special.’

“My father owned a shipping company out of Plymouth and several ships when I was a girl,” she volunteers. “It is a ‘stable’ business these days, especially for those with ships capable of sailing to the Americas.” Katie forks a piece of hen and pulls it gently off with her teeth. She chews slowly, precisely, swallows, and then goes for the wine. She takes a quick sip before continuing. “My father’s company is actually how he met Armand — before I was born of course. It is a profession I know a great deal about—” she laughs “—much to my mother’s dismay.” Another bite follows her words.

[cassidinegypsy]

Edmondraises an eyebrow while listening to Katie talk of her father's company. It is a business he is very familiar with, because thanks to his father giving it to him as a birthday present, he is the current owner of Reed Shipping. Over the past several years, it has grown into a very lucrative business, due in large part to the very simple fact that they can import and export to the Americas and anywhere else. Blaine Reed was a shrewd businessman and it seems a loving father. Edmond didn't have to do much restructuring when he took over the company. The place practically runs itself due in large part to its former owner; a man Edmond had the pleasure of meeting a few times when he accompanied his own father to Plymouth on business and a man, who Edmond has a sneaking suspicion, christened a ship in his daughter's honor.

For years something always puzzled the Englishman about the company he took over and that is the name of one of the ships, The Urania. Thanks to a bit of research from a friend, he found out that Urania was the Greek goddess of astronomy. It always seemed to him an odd name for a ship until now. Katie loves, or so he can gather, the stars and what better way to commemorate it than to name a ship after something his daughter is passionate about.

"Oh, I assure you, Miss Reed, the company is doing quite well and has a long glorious future ahead of it." He gives her a thoughtful look while taking another bite of his dinner. He wonders how the young woman would feel if she knew he owned her father's company, a business he nearly sold earlier as part of a larger deal. It is a company that now having met Katie the devil himself couldn't make Edmond sell it. "So, what else do you know about your father's company, Miss Reed? Do you keep up with how well it is doing even though it is no longer in your family?" he quires in a kind voice.

[hedanicree]

Katie swallows the bite she just took before answering. "I dare say I do not. I wasn't pleased with my mother and her choice, although I do understand the decision, and I left for Paris less than a year later." Picking up her wine glass, she takes a larger drink than she customarily does at the table, holding the crystal while she continues. "That company was my father's time away from us and something he worked hard to build." A sad expression takes over her usually joyful face. "I can't bear to know if it's failed over the course of the past five years. It would feel like I lost him all over again if it has."

The Englishwoman sets her drink down and continues to pick at her food, this time in a less ladylike fashion. Her eyes stare at the half-eaten food on her plate. Her appetite isn't as hardy anymore. The topic of her father always did bother her. He was too young to leave them and she was too still too young to face the world — a realization that has only come to her in past months. "I think," she finally adds, playing with a carrot, "that one of the men my father did business with bought the company though — I believe from London, but I don't remember." She rolls her eyes before adding sarcastically, "A lady isn't supposed to know about such topics." And with that, she finally forks the carrot, throws a wide smile across her face and continues to enjoy her meal. She may ache on the inside, but Katie will never let it show more than a moment. Tonight she may cry whilst asleep though, with her head against her pillow and her dreams carrying her back home.

[cassidinegypsy]

Edmond can hear it in her voice that she still grieves for her father. It is a loss he too will be experiencing soon and one more thing they will have in common. While it seems awkward to offer condolences to her over the man's death, he can at least ease her mind about Blaine's legacy. A legacy that would be in Katie's hands, instead of his, had she been born a male. Fate is seems has a strange sense of humor.

Most of high society would frown on what he is about to do, but they are not in public and he can get away a few breaches of etiquette tonight. As a general rule, a gentleman does not discuss business or politics in the company of a lady. Such topics are thought to be boring and above women's understanding. Katie however is not a typical lady on either side of the channel. Besides, Edmond doesn't want to see her sad anymore for the rest of their evening together. She is so much prettier when smiling. "Miss Reed, I am the current owner of your father's company. Please feel free to ask me anything you wish about it. I am truly honored to be following in his footsteps." His voice holds nothing but the highest respect for a man he barely knew.

The Englishman gives her a brilliant smile that matches hers as an idea comes into his head. Sitting in dry dock, waiting to be launched is Reed's shipping's latest ship. It currently lacks a name and a figurehead because Edmond has yet to provide either one. Nothing he comes up with seems to fit the vessel but perhaps Katie might have a few suggestions. It feels right to him that the former owner's daughter should have the honor of naming their ship. "Miss Reed, I am about to beg a favor from you, that is if you will be kind enough to grant it."

[hedanicree]

"You?" she exclaims, nearly chocking on her wine and dropping her fork with a clang against the plate. Her brown eyes widen then narrow, gauging the measure of the man. 'He bought papa's company?' her mind questions. Although she wasn't apart of the dealings, Katie is fairly certain that the man who purchased her family assets was an older gentleman, a long time business acquaintance. "How could you possibly…?" she starts and then decides that such questions are inappropriate. She has no reason to suspect him of lying to her; it doesn't seem to be in Edmond's character.

She sets the wine down, knowing better to take another sip whilst trying to gather her senses. The blonde takes a deep breath, finding her center before continuing in a more appropriate tone then her surprised exclamations. "I don't understand how that is possible, Mister Mallory, but if you say you are the owner, I have no reason to doubt your word." She pauses briefly, debating whether to broach the topic of his 'favor.' Given his demeanor, the young woman decides that it must be something as kind-hearted as the man before her — at least she's picked up that much about him. "Now, what is this favor you would ask of me? I cannot fathom what you might ask of me, but I shall try my best to grant your request." Her eyes bat once and it's all she can do keep her hands, now folded in her lap, from tremble over this revelation.

[cassidinegypsy]

Edmond tries not to be too alarmed over Katie's reaction to the news. It speaks volumes about her character, and just how much her father and the company really meant to the young woman. He is a bit amused that she didn't finish one of her sentences and knows exactly what she was going to ask. It will be another breach of etiquette, but at this point who cares. "It is possible for me to own the company when my father originally bought it and then gave it to me a few years later as a gift," He takes a long drink of wine and without realizing it, drains the almost full glass. Edmond only meant to take a sip before he answered her question. The Englishman can't help himself as the wine seems to go straight to his head, and he's gone too far to turn back now.

His eyes find hers again as Edmond gives Katie a rather sheepish smile. If any of his business associates knew he was deferring to a woman over something as simple as the naming of a ship, he would be the laughing stock of two countries. It may not seem like much to most people, but he has a feeling what is about offer will mean a great deal to Katie. He licks the wine off his lips and says, "The favor is a rather simple one. I was wondering if you would do me the honor of suggesting a name and something for the figurehead of the company's latest ship. I find myself at a loss to come up with one and am running out of time."

[hedanicree]

The Brit’s chin drops. He gave yet one more shock of the night. To name one of her father’s great ships… nay they are no longer her father’s but the gentleman before her. A long time ago, her father gave her the privilege of picking a name for one of the Reed vessels, but it is privilege she will have to forgo this time around. As much as she would like to somehow reconnect with a piece of her past, she knows that she cannot accept this ‘gift,’ ‘favor’ or however Edmond justifies the question.

Her chin rises until she can look him in the eyes once more. From across the table, the Englishman seems so far, yet the expression of his face says he understands a great many things that lay beneath. Kate could be wrong, but she has always had a knack of seeing straight to the heart of a person. Unfortunately, proper social graces dictate what she must say next. “I do not thing it to be entirely appropriate, Mister Mallory, so I will not offer any names. However, when my father looked for a name, he often looked to the stars — I’m sure if The Urania is still in your fleet, you’ve noticed his trend.” With that, she picks up her wine, polishing off the rest of it…some where in the midst of this conversation she’s managed to finish her meal as well.

[cassidinegypsy]

A flicker of disappointment comes into the Englishman's green eyes when the lady politely declines to grant his favor. Edmond knew his request wasn't exactly proper when he made it, but something inside made him offer it anyway. He also understands some of the reasons for Katie's refusal and will not ask her to explain them. He will be a gentleman and respect the lady's decision as he also knows it must have been very difficult for her to say no to his offer. Besides, those who know Edmond are very much aware he doesn't give up easily. He might manage to get Katie's help in naming the ship after all. Either way, she was right about one thing, the trend of naming the Reed vessels after the stars will continue though the original owner is long gone from the company.

His gaze never waivers from her brown eyes as he polishes off the last of his own dinner. "I did not mean to be inappropriate, Miss Reed. I hope my offer didn't offend you as I was trying to be kind." He gives her an encouraging smile as he cocks his head to the side. "I happen to like your father's trend of looking to the stars. I seem to lack his scope and vivid imagination for not using the obvious choices though. The Urania is currently out to sea and still the pride of the fleet. I think the men would mutiny if I even dared to suggest replacing her as our flagship. I will give them credit for their loyalty to their ship and their devotion to the memory of its former owner."

[hedanicree]

“Devotion to the past is fool-hearty, Mister Mallory,” Katie replies nonchalantly as she signals a member of the staff to refill their wine glasses. “It’s better to live in the present and work toward the future,” she adds, revealing the jaded woman she truly is. Miss Reed may live with her head in the clouds on a warm summer night while laying a meadow staring at the stars. But under the lamps and candles within the walls of Paris, she reverts back to the woman who believes that fairy tales are nonsense, that love is for fools and that romance is something only silly twits go on about. “I’m sure you agree.”

Katie raises her glass, gesturing toward your host. “To you, Mister Mallory,” Just because she lives life realistically, looking for the truth behind the myth, living life as if ever day is her last, and accepting what comes. ‘There is no better way to live.’ “May your newest ship, whatever be her name, rival the myths you already own.” Her head tilts to the side as she lifts it higher, saluting him, and then takes a drink. After she gets the liquid down, she adds, “I’m sure she shall be a ‘divine queen’ no matter what you name her.” She giggles softly, wondering if he’ll pick up on her reference.

[cassidinegypsy]

Edmond's green eyes widen in surprise at the young woman's rather unorthodox toast. The British Governess is unlike any lady he has ever met in both London and Paris. He can't quite figure her out and rather than being annoyed by that, Edmond finds himself growing more intrigued by her with every passing second. She is certainly a mystery and one he is looking forward to solving. Several of his friends are about to very disappointed when he breaks his engagements with them to free up more time to spend with Katie Reed.
He takes a drink of wine savoring the taste of it on his tongue while his mind starts to pick apart her words. Unlike most women, she doesn't waste words chattering incessantly about ridiculous things like fashion and the weather. When Katie speaks one has to pay attention or risk missing something vital. In this case, it is the name of his new ship although the British Governess never actually said it. Instead, like any good instructor, she gave him the means to figure it out for himself. Edmond closes his eyes and slowly begins to put together the clues she gave him. ‘Myths, Greek Gods, Zeus, titans, divine goddess. No not a goddess, but a queen, a titan whose name means divine queen.’ Edmond's eyes snap back open as he raises his glass to salute her. “You are very clever, Miss Reed,” he says with a smile, “I think the name of Dione will do quite nicely for my new ship. You have thanks and my gratitude as well.”

[hedanicree]

“You’re very welcome, Mister Mallory,” she concedes, beyond please that he understands the stars, mythology and the tales of the old gods as much as she does. There are times when she dreams and she can hear her father’s voice telling her the stories. It is only at night when the world seems calm that such memories come back to her, and in some ways, calm her. Blaine Reed was her center and she wonders briefly what fate has in store for her by placing this man in her path. Edmond values the things her father did, even her opinion. He is definitely a man worth getting to know further.

Katie rises from her seat and slowly rounds the table with her glass of wine in hand. Her heart begins to palpate, mostly from the wine. Her body tingles from the alcohol. ‘At least I hope it’s the wine.’ With her free hand, she offers it to him. “I have a surprise for you,” she says vaguely, “if you care to trust me further, I wish to show you something.” This one little action puts a lot of faith in this stranger.

[cassidinegypsy]

Apparently his hostess has something last minute in mind for the rest of their evening. Something other than retiring to the parlor for the fresh fruit they left there, and more conversation. Edmond gives her a curious glance as he rises from his seat to take her hand. A warm glow begins to spread throughout his body when their palms meet. His mind tries to dismiss it as just body heat, but the man's soul knows better than that. He won't admit it now to himself, or anyone else, but Edmond is growing fond of Miss Katie Reed and her strange behavior. Like him, she is a rare soul adrift in Paris and in need of a friend. Some part of him secretly begins to hope that the road to friendship might eventually lead to other places. "Somehow I don't think trusting you is going to be much of a problem, Miss Reed," he teases softly while grabbing his wine glass off the table.