A Majesty's Fancy

[Rogue of Night]

"Ah," was all Catherine could say in response.
"So...what do we have to do then, to prepare for this debut?" Jane inquired curiously. Her voice was slightly higher pitched than her elder sister's, and almost mimicked a songbird.

[C H E Y E N N E]

"That is something I believe I can help you with," came a voice from the doorway, and a young woman stepped into the room, her hair darker than the others in the room, leaning more towards black, like her father's.

[Rogue of Night]

Jane inclined her head a little, while Catherine curtsied in greeting. The elder then nudged her sister, who did very much the same.

[C H E Y E N N E]

"Mary Bullen," the young said, dark eyes surveying them silently, judgmentally, before a smile broke out across her face. "I will be accompanying you to Court, per my instructions from your father."

[Rogue of Night]

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Catherine smiled as well, noting that this woman before them was rather beautiful as well. She was probably rather well known at Court.
Jane, on the other hand, still was a tad nervous with the idea, but smiled tentatively nonetheless.

[C H E Y E N N E]

If Mary noticed Jane's nervousness, she didn't let on. Instead, the young woman inclined her head graciously, surveying Jane silently. Then she smiled, as if having thought of something remarkable, and nodded her head briefly. "My mother informs me that we will be departing for Court in two days time - and that the ride there will take another two days. All four of us will be travelling in one carriage, unless, of course you have other preferences?"

[Rogue of Night]

Catherine quickly shook her head. "No that's fine. It'll be better than fine, actually. Conversation always rids frazzled nerves."

[C H E Y E N N E]

Mary nodded. "Then I am glad to hear that."
Richard coughed discreetly then. He had been silently surveying Mary for the duration of her stay in the room, and he tried to hide his disapproval with successful results. She reminded him far too much of his brother, Thomas, a widower with no legitimate children - but she also seemed to be an embodiment of her own father, Edward Bullen, with her darker looks, including her eyes, and her manner of conduct - the way she moved seemed to give the impression of great mystery, like her simple heritage was only a coverup for something far more life-altering. It wasn't, he knew, but...
He had seen her at Court multiple times; knew that she had become a fixation for some and a repulse for others, simply because of the way she acted, the deeds of her mother before her, and Eleanor's subsequent banishment from Court at the insistence of the Queen.
"And where is Robert?" Richard inquired carefully.

[Rogue of Night]

"Two people to help us, right?" Catherine mused.
"I don't think I understand..." Jane broke in with a furrowed brow. "If Mary is here to teach us what we need to know, what would Robert have to do with anything? What could he possibly do?"
Catherine glanced at her sister, pursing her lips with anticipation for the answer. It was going to be either something to do with the act of laughing, or sharp words. From her experience, anyway.

[C H E Y E N N E]

Mary just smiled, but the expression looked sharp. "Robert is my twin brother," she said simply. "I do nothing without him; he provides a... calming presence, if you would. I'm rather malicious at times, and he's really quite docile."
Lady Eleanor giggled.

[Rogue of Night]

Jane paled, taking an unconscious step backward, while Catherine grabbed her arm gently.
"Right. So when he arrives, what happens then?"

[C H E Y E N N E]

"Oh, he's already here," Mary replied amiably, as if nothing had happened. "But, of course, I don't expect you all to just pack up and leave - that is why we, as I said, will be leaving two days after your father. Until then, Robert and I will stay here, and my mother will return to her estate." Mary's smile grew sharp again as she glanced at Lady Eleanor, who was tittering happily, almost like a child.

[Rogue of Night]

"I meant in the room," Catherine muttered. "We understand we don't leave for a couple days. What we do in the meantime, was my question. As in, as soon as he shows in here, what is it we are going to start with?"
She was known to want to get down to business, whether it was with some form of etiquette lesson, or her embroidery. Any form of having to wait tried her patience; she hated waiting.
Jane, on the other hand, was glad for the slight reprieve. She didn't know any of what they would be doing in the upcoming hours in preparation, and so, she began to fiddle with her hair once again.

[C H E Y E N N E]

Mary just smiled again, but it was almost sinister, and close to condescending while still retaining a slightly innocent air. "Robert has no impact on your instructions. I doubt you will be needing much; the time will be best spent deciding what you would like to bring. You may be at Court for years, if the King or anyone commands it. I will, of course, run over the rules with you, first thing being to control your impatience, and never speak out of turn."
Richard watched his niece shrewdly, his eyes glittering. "I will leave you to it then, Mary," he said, taking his leave. "I will see all of you at Court."

[Rogue of Night]

"We already know the rule about speaking," Catherine assured. "A lady is to never speak unless spoken to. Her opinion, unless pleasant, therefore does not matter, and her top priority is to put on a smile and look lovely for the men. Despicable really."