[irresistible]*

[--Soulio.]

The chilly wind that announced winter howled over the land, infecting everything in its path and seeping into the flesh of all the living things. The birds that summered here had long since flown away to a warmer place. The only living creatures that still remained in this cold landscape were the ones unlucky enough to lack wings for escape. The air was freezing cold as it blew harshly through the shadowed estate. Each tree made its own individual creaking noise as the harsh wind swept across their mighty branches. It was dark, but it was no surprise. After all, when the sun begins to set it does tend to get darker.

Guarded sapphire eyes swept over the landscape, taking everything in. The stage is set as the first snowflakes he had seen this winter season flutter down to rest in his tousled black hair and hang off his eyelashes, melting when the touched his warm skin. While this part of the country was no stranger to him, business of his fathers often required him to travel many different places, this particular scene was one he was sure he had never witnessed before.

But he wouldn't let the fact that he had never been here before, to the best of his knowledge, intimidate him. Nothing ever intimidated him. He would not allow it. he came here for a reason, and he was determined to fulfill that purpose. Forcing a cheery tune past his lips in a whistle, hands shoved deep into the recesses of his trouser pockets, he strolled up the drive, the rocks crunching under his shoes barely audible. While late coming guests weren't a common sight, it wasn't totally unexpected usually.

With quick, sure steps, he cleared a small trail through the thickening slurry on the ground to the door and promptly rapped on the big wooden door. While the cold wasn't uncomfortable yet, he preferred not to be cold and wet. He was early in a sense. Though late in the day, he wasn't expected to arrive for at least another week for Lady Elizabeth's birthday. A charming smile crept over his features. He needed to be at his most pleasant if he was to sooth any ruffled feathers over his early arrival. but he was confident in his charm. he was irresistible.

words. 387
other. xD sorry it took me a bit to write... and that it is poorly done. starting posts isn't my best talent.

[Morrigan]

LORD CARMARTHEN [NPC]

An unusual scene of familial harmony was playing out inside the warm drawing room of the estate. Lord Carmarthen sat in a navy chaise with a relatively mellow expression on his usually taut, tense face, and even Lady Carmarthen seemed reasonably cheerful as she toyed with Edward's hair, her son sitting somewhat indecorously on the floor by her chair. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she soaked up the heat from the merrily burning fireplace, and sat chatting and giggling with her two sisters contentedly.

It was thus how the family was arranged even as a knock sounded, unbeknownst to them, on their front door. Unless it was a late-night express delivery, then whoever it was knocking at the door at this hour was much too late to be an unannounced arrival and have any hope of appearing anything other than rude. The butler thought as much as he went to answer the door, pursing his lips as he opened the grand wooden door.

"Good evening," he said in a measured voice, well-practised with answering all manner of calls. "Might I ask your identity, and if his Lordship is expecting your arrival at this hour?"

But at that instant, Lord Carmarthen had chosen his moment to go in search of his favourite whiskey from his desk in the library, and loped past the entrance hall en route. He was surprised to see the butler at the open front door, and frowned at the figure on the other side before his eyebrows raised in recognition.

"Lord Whiteford," he suddenly said, his gravelly voice tinged with audible surprise. He marched over, striding towards the door with his typical self-assurance but tempered by a certain sense of confusion. "Good lord, what in heaven's name are you doing here at this hour? Surely you haven't come here alone? We weren't expecting you for a whole week, has something happened?" The Earl stared at the baffling visitor with some bemusement, trying to see past him as if expecting an entourage of servants and the Marquis' luggage to materialise from the cold night air. "Well don't just stand there, Hopkins, let the man in, and fetch some whiskey" Lord Carmarthen said, and the butler hastily complied, bowing as he disappeared to prepare for an unexpected visitor, leaving the Earl to stare questioningly at the other man.