Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2014 16:54:37 GMT -5
Gathering his family in the morning after the dance for a little meeting probably wasn't going to be a cheerful affair but it had to be done. Decisions had been made, thanks in no small part to pressure he'd received before departing Lockewood with the ladies, but Reed believed in communicating with his family. Already, he'd sent a missive back home to alert Rowan and Lily of what his plans were and what actions needed to be taken. All that was left was informing those who were in Vanderhall with him and then putting the rest of the plans into motion.
Aware that his sister and cousins had done the pretty the evening before, Reed had a hearty breakfast laid on in true Gardiner style. Plenty of sweet and savory items lined the table for their eating pleasures as well as his own, with pitchers of juice, cold tea and hot cider. No Gardiner took wine before the noon-bell, and he trusted that Annemarie hadn't changed that habit. If she had, then she could deal with it for one morning. Once the ladies were lulled into better moods by breakfast, then the sly and cunning Duke would lay the facts out for them and hope their reactions didn't result in too much screaming.
Sitting at the head of the table, which was just his due, Reed waited for each of them to arrive. There would be some pleasantries and some small talk exchanged, that was just politeness, plus he wanted to learn what they'd seen and heard during the ball that could be useful. Until they arrived, his plate stayed empty, preferring to be polite and wait for his family before beginning on the food. Resisting was a challenge, though. The scents coming up were tempting, and hopefully they would serve to hurry the girls along.
Sage Gardiner, @rosemarygardiner, Annemarie Gardiner