| Proper Apologies |
| Summary: | Riordan seeks out Rosanna to make an apology. |
| Date: | May 26, 2012 |
| Related Logs: | Mighty Equestrian Frogs, The Proper Time and Place |
| Players: |
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| Groves Camp Area — The Twins |
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| Tents and stuff. |
| May 26, 289 |
As the great tent city set up for the Tournament for the Twins is taken down and it's residents set to depart, Riordan has taken a moment to head away from the proceedings of his own House, to seek out the area where House Groves set up stakes. More specifically, he is on the hunt for a specific young lady, who hopefully will not be too hard to find. The Regent, for his part, seems very little injured by last night's supposed carousings, aside from the split lip he received courtesy of his brother. He is dressed in comfortably, yet extremely fine riding clothes, with a sword at his waist, and as ever when out and about, is followed by a guard in Stonebridge colors.
Rosanna is obviously not responsible for any of her own travel preparations, so she is free to wander as she might before the family sets off to travel. She's currently entertaining herself petting affectionately at the nose of one of the family's horses, cooing pleasantly to it as it accepts her attentions with a sort of passive contentedness. Her handmaiden Laurel is nearby, busy with a bit of packing, but still within easy line of sight distance with her lady.
Spotting his target, Riordan waves off his guard to wait at an acceptable distance, before approaching Rosanna. "Lady Rosanna, good morrow," he offers her, with his usual smile of warmth and good cheer. "I trust you were able to still find enjoyment last night, despite my family's attempts to ruin the dancing?"
There's something of dry, banked amusement at the back of Rosanna's gaze when she looks over and recognizes her approacher. "Lord Riordan," she greets him in turn. "Well, you didn't punch any of the musicians, so the dancing was able to survive. Your brother — Lord Rutger, that is — did eventually arrive late."
"I didn't punch anyone, that I recall. Not last night, anyhow," Riordan corrects, with open amusement of his own. "I am glad. I would have hated for him to have been thrown out unjustly, and I am sure Ser Hosteen would not have hesitated to do so had he been present at the time." It's not like it's a great secret, the poor relations that Rutger has with the Freys. "And I know he would have been put out, with your favor seeing him to victory in the melee, and not being able to show his regard with a dance." He pauses, before saying more seriously, "I wished to apologize to you."
"Well, I am glad he didn't throw out poor Lady Roslyn, at least," Rosanna says in an airy tone, stroking her hand down the stallion's nose. "She was able to dance and enjoy herself, that I saw. I see that Lord Justin Terrick has taken a bit of interest in her." She smiles in contrast as he grows serious. "Oh?"
Riordan merely nods at the gossip about Roslyn and Justin, showing no surprise. His focus, however, is on the matter he brings forth now. "Yes," he says, simply, his expression as open and genuine as ever, showing true contrition as he said, "I wished to apologize for the last time we spoke. More then that, for any attempts I have made to rush your courtship with my brother. I have my reasons, and they were not done for any base motive, but rather for the love and pride I hold in my brother and my family. Still, there is no excuse for it, and I humbly hope that you may forgive me. Aside from those offenses, I have greatly enjoyed our conversations, and hope you will not let my transgressions prevent future talks between us."
"Mm." Rosanna says nothing at first, letting her gaze fall upon the horse as she strokes her hand down his neck. "I am not blind to the reality of marital alliances, my lord," she finally says. "I have never been a romantic girl. I only misliked the implication that I should behave in any manner more forward than is appropriate for a lady. Or that my family had done something to cause offense by taking a reasonable, proper amount of time to form relations with another house before committing to a betrothal — which is, after all, not the start of a journey, but rather a goal of it."
"You have done nothing, Lady Rosanna. My frustration stemmed from your brother's reaction when Rutger first brought up the courtship of you at the Mire - he made it rather clear he thought you could do better then Rutger, and that offended me," Riordan says, by way of explanation. He does not seem apologetic for this part, but seems genuine in his attempt to explain. "Nor was I ever attempting to force you into anything untoward or inappropriate - I have only ever wanted to see a betrothal come of this. After all, courtships are not necessary for such, and have often been used as a stalling tactic. It was this belief that spurred me to action, and this alone." He pauses, before holding out his hands to his side in a gesture of apology. "That said, when my sister came to me after talking to you, she made me see the error of my ways in this. So again, I apologize, for any misunderstanding, or offense caused from such. I hope we may put it behind us."
Rosanna arches one slim brow at Riordan, though her tone is still mild. "My lord, obviously you care for your brother very much. You have known him all your life. My brother, of course, has not. Would not you be hesitant to move too quickly to attach your sister to a man who is the center of such rumors that Lord Rutger is? Whose family position has recently come into a particularly precarious state?" Her voice remains light, almost casual, and she punctuates it with a smile. "I don't think there is any man in the world that Kittridge would think deserved me, Lord Riordan; I'm sure, as a brother, you can understand that. But yes, I can accept your apology and put this behind us."
"As I have recently been in a similar position, Lady Rosanna, I can tell you truthfully that I do understand. It is also why I found it so frustrating. For, if your brother holds even a tenth of the affection for you as I have for Roslyn, he would not even have consented to the possibility of a courtship, much less a betrothal, if he believed the rumors even to hold a grain of truth. Hence my suspicions." Riordan holds up a hand, to show that his words come with an addendum. "But I truly do wish to put that in the past. I would not enjoy you thinking me crude or unmannerly - loud and boisterous, that I can deal with," Riordan says, adding the last with his trademark, lopsided, boyish grin.
"Have you?" Rosanna wonders with innocent curiosity. "That's joyous news indeed, Lord Riordan, if there is a betrothal on the horizon for Lady Roslyn. She's a most deserving lady."
"She is," Riordan says, in utter agreement. Even though he agrees, however, he doesn't speak more on the subject, saying instead, "Well, I should likely take up no more of your time. I hope that we shall see you when we return from the Mire." He smiles, adding, "If I make it back alive, of course. I've yet to find out what my sister has planned for my nameday celebration, and after I made her take all those horrible medicines for her cold… I shudder to think."
Rosanna smiles in an indulgently knowing sort of fashion. "I see," she says of his secrets. "I hope that as well, my lord. Do travel safely — oh, is your nameday soon?"
"Today, actually," Riordan says, simply, quirking a grin. "Twenty seven years to the day." Laughter in his eyes, as he adds, "I know. I'm ancient."
"Nonesense," Rosanna says with a laugh. "A man still in his prime. A recent jousting champion, in fact!" She offers him a warm smile. "A happy nameday to you, ser."
"Well, I have hopes to be a jousting champion until my dying day," Riordan notes, with a broad grin, warm and genuine at Rosanna's words. Bowing his head to her, he says, "Thank you, my lady. In truth, I will spend much of it riding… and I do not think I would have it any other way." Even if travel can be monotonous and tiring, travel on horseback still holds its pleasures for Riordan. "And I hope you have safe travels this day," he offers, giving his own well wishes.
Rosanna dips in a polite curtsy. "Thank you ser," she says, her eyes glinting with some humor. "I hope your celebrations are as amenable as the day allows."
Riordan will offer a small, equally polite bow, and offers Rosanna a large smile besides. "Thank you, Lady Rosanna. And a good day to you." And, with that, he shall take his leave, heading back to where the Naylands are preparing to leave.
