Just dropping by...

[Wesley deGrey]

Some short time after the funeral, he was still hearing about Olivia's outing in the marketplace from a couple days after...but two different versions. Wesley was told about William's blow up at Margery, in which he silently cheered, and then Olivia's very excited explanation of all the ribbons daddy bought her because of a particular noblewoman and her sister who had found her, wandering because of Margery's neglect.

Helene Hewitt, his niece had said, and Wesley immediately remembered the loud one from the party. Of course he remembered her. To be quite honest, he was a bit surprised that he did, and why he found it absolutely necessary to find her right now. Maybe this was what happened when he had too much shore leave- he began to do foolish things. Sailing the seas kept him out of trouble, for the most part at least.

He had to bug William for more information. Having a brother in politics certainly helped, and he even offered to take Olivia for an entire day if Will could help him with an address. The man pulled through, and now the sailor was making his way to the front door of the manor like a fool. Going there for absolutely no reason whatsoever. What was he even going to say? Shouldn't he have thought of that before he just...shows up unexpected? Wasn't that rude?

Still, fingers wrapped lightly on the door before he was adjusting the bright ribbon that was tied around his wrist. Livie made him promise he wouldn't remove it, even if it was a bright pink beacon right now. It made him grin slightly every time he looked at it regardless.

[ Helene Hewitt ]

[Helene Hewitt]

If it was one holiday that Helene took seriously it was Yule, and despite the rather calm looking appearance of Hewitt House from outside, the inside was complete chaos to get ready for the Yuletide festivities. Mari was busy at the market with some of the girls to get new materials for decorations, while Helene and the boys (Namely Darragh and Angus) were stuck at home to decorate. Helene had been helping Gretchen in the kitchen making bread. She had flour everywhere, in her hair, on her nose, and on her blouse and skirt. She probably looked like a ghost, but that's what happened when you got into a flower fight.

Despite the fact they were technically her servants, Helene had come to love and cherish each and every one of the help. Gretchen specifically. The cook just had a way about her that put her at ease, and sweet Elise was a great help with Mari. Helene was laughing as she exited the kitchen, dusting the flower off of her. The boys were currently up on chairs stringing up garland in the sitting room. Darragh spotted her and laughed. "I think the house is now haunted!" He chuckled. "Boo!" Helene laughed. She headed upstairs to change out of her flour-covered clothes and to clean up most of the flower.

She changed into something warmer as she intended to go pick out their tree on the back part of her land. Dressing in a dark red wool skirt and warm boots, Helene patted most of the flower out of her hair and quickly did a braided bun. She wore a brown flowing blouse that she tucked into her skirt. she rolled her sleeves up as she wandered down the stairs. Going to the kitchen to pick up the wood ax, she told Gretchen she'd be back with a tree that was bigger then their last one. She rested the ax against  her shoulder as she walked, heading toward the front door. "We'll be out and find you shortly Lady Helene." Angus called. It had taken her months to get them all to call her Helene instead of Lady Hewitt, and even then, they slipped up occasionally. There was a knock at the door just as Helene reached it. Curious, and not wanting Darragh and Angus to have to do it, as she was standing right there, she pulled the door open. 

She blinked for a second. Wondering if she was seeing things correctly, and she arched an eyebrow at the man on her doorstep. What? Was her sudden thought. Why is Wesley DeGrey here? She wondered. Her only guess was maybe his brothers had told him about the ribbon adventure. Speaking of ribbons, her eyes drifted down to see the bright pink ribbon tied around his wrist that stood out like a sore thumb. Ooooh Little Dove, I love you so. She thought immediately of Olivia. Her brief look of surprise turned to pure amusement and she tried very hard not to laugh. An idea occurred to her then. She wasn't sure why he was here, but if he was here, he could help with getting ready for Yule. "Don't worry boys, I got an extra set of hands right here." She called into the house. Adjusting her hold on the ax she moved past Lord DeGrey and closed the front door behind her. "Come along Lord DeGrey we have a tree with our name on it." She called over her shoulder as she walked down the front steps. She didn't wait for him. Figuring he could catch up with her, and then tell her why he was here. 

[Wesley deGrey]

As he had waited for someone to answer the door (he assumed someone was home), he was still looking at that silly ribbon. He loved that girl fiercely, just as all the brothers did. In a way, she was like their ringleader, gathering them all under her tiny, little thumb. So, for her to speak so highly of someone else outside their circle, well, they were bound to notice. Even Wesley, because he had indeed noticed Lady Hewitt from the moment she broke out into song at the party. Not that he hadn't noticed a fire in a few other women, but hers had been different. It was unexplainable, and it pulled at his curiosity.

That, and the little "boss lady" made Helene out to be quite the interesting thing. As he was standing there now, he couldn't ignore the inkling that maybe Olivia intended for this to happen. For him to be an idiot and just randomly show up to a lady's house. Was she that smart?

He had no doubt.

Still not knowing what to say if and whenever that door opened, he certainly wouldn't have to when he saw the woman standing there with an axe slung over her shoulder. Wesley had to do a double take, wondering if by chance he had the wrong house. Then he nearly paled, asking himself whether he should maybe...run? When she spoke, though, it wasn't to him at first and it left him completely confused. His mouth opened, not knowing what to say before she was brushing passed him and blatantly telling him to follow.

A tree? Oh, right! Yule was just around the corner. Normally he avoided coming home for this time of year, but it would seem he had no choice. The men wanted to be with their families and he would not deny them that. They wouldn't be setting sail for another week or so, except for a quick delivery on the other side of the island which didn't need the entire crew.

Bright eyes were blinking and he was nearly tripping over himself before catching up to her. "I, um-" Wesley paused, wondering if he should ask to carry the axe for her, but almost afraid to ask. "Hi," he said. No, he hadn't the slightest idea as to what he was doing here. "I was just...walking and thought I would drop by." Oh, c'mon, man! He was usually a bit more suave than that! This was pathetic. But he grinned lightly regardless, deciding to throw in the cute factor. "Olivia told me what happened in the market the other day." Wes suspected that he was probably getting more ribbons for Yule now. Just a hunch.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene focused on her destination which was the a good ways away from the main house at the edge of her land where there was a good deal of pine tree’s growing. She’d first noticed her first Yule at Hewitt House and had practically begged Stephen to allow her to plant more trees so they could use them for the festivities each year. At that point he’d yet to show his true self and had agreed. She had a specific tree in mind that she was adamant about chopping down even if it killed her.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eye, seeing that he’d finally caught up with her. “Hi.” She said right back, an amused smiled crossing her face as she glanced at him. She arched an eyebrow at him at hearing why he’d stopped by. Oh really? What did this mean? What was...He playing at? Was he playing at anything? Helene couldn’t help but feel a bit suspicious to him suddenly dropping by. No one really dropped by to see her or Mari, save for their father or the Hewitts. Surely this meant that Wesley wanted something, and not just to be in her company right? Maybe he was here on business?

Ah Olivia. Helene guessed she could accept that answer. She had enjoyed Wesley DeGrey’s company at the party as well, for what it was worth. And if he had wanted to come on his own accord then she was more than happy to make him useful and put him to work. She would stop for no one in her Yule prep.

She couldn’t help the way her face lit up at the mention of his niece, and it warmed Helene’s heart to know the little girl had enjoyed the encounter so much. “A lady has to have her ribbons.” She said simply. “I see her seafaring uncle needs ribbons as well. Especially pink.” She said with as much of a straight face as possible, but she couldn’t help help the small laugh. She rested her fingers against her lips and chuckled.

Her brown eyes looked over to him with amusement, and she couldn’t help but grin at him. “You had either good timing, or bad timing Lord DeGrey. I hope you don’t mind me putting you to work since you decided to drop on by.” She emphasized the last few words. Indicating she believed there was another reason, he just hadn’t told her yet.

[Wesley deGrey]

When he arrived here, he didn't think he'd be trudging across her estate to go chop down a tree. Then again, he really hadn't had anything in mind, so this was perfectly fine, he supposed. Still, she just assumed he would go along with it, and he couldn't help that need, deep down, to just defy her. If only to get a rile out of her.

It was in is nature, and something his brothers told him numerous times would be the death of him. Maybe those memories kept him from questioning her as he walked beside this woman who seemed to be on a mission.

'A lady has to have her ribbons.' "So Olivia has told me...numerous times. She also shared a suggestion of yours..." Wesley trailed off as blues shifted sidelong at her. Yes, his niece liked to talk a lot, and one would be quick to learn that you shouldn't tell the child anything you didn't want to be repeated to others. "Ribbons will not work well for rope, I assure you." He finished his words with a bit of a laugh, already picturing the barrels and crates on the ship decorated in colorful ribbons. And, sadly, if Livie asked it of him, he'd allow her to do it. The crew probably wouldn't even argue, either. The wee girl was a bit of a legend even with his men. Anyone who met her adored her, evident by Lady Hewitt and her sister's affections.

His gaze dropped to that pink ribbon again. "The more I look at it, though...I think pink might suit me, yeah?" he asked, but...wasn't really. He wore it on the same wrist he had that leather cuff around. It had been his father's, whose initials had been scratched into it. He rarely took it off, and it also hid the compass tattoo on the inner part of that very wrist.

Her gentle laughter made him grin again as he was looking back over to her. Rushing forward a few steps, he turned so that he could walk backwards in front of her; every so often looking behind him to make sure he wasn't going to trip on something or tumble down an incline. "I'd like to think it was very good timing, my lady. It's as if the universe knew you needed strong, capable hands to cut down your tree." Blues eyed the axe she carried, figuring this wasn't the first time she'd cut something down, strangely enough.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene arched an eyebrow at Wesley as he glanced sidelong at her and informed her ribbons would not work as rope. She shrugged, even as the coy smile appeared on her face. “Of course they can Lord DeGrey, just use your imagination on what ribbon ropes can be used for.” She said casually. Not looking at him as she said it.

“Pink is definitely your color. I’ve turned her into an expert in finding everyone's color.” Helene said, this time laughing. She adjusted her hold on the axe, her skirt wooshed around her ankles and she hummed softly. Her eyebrows arched up when he dashed in front of her and began to walk backwards. Amusement filled her brown eyes. “Did it now? We’ll have to see about that.” She said giving him a once over. The more she looked at Wesley DeGrey she realized he definitely had a body fit for a sailor. He didn’t appear to be as fit as is brother Triston, but she also knew not to judge a book by its cover. She knew that all to well.

“Normally I do this myself and make the boys drag the tree back.” she explained. She altered their course only slightly and soon she could see the pine tree’s in the distance. She grinned upon seeing them. “Gives me a good reason to take out my frustrations on the universe with swinging ole woody.” She said reaching over to pat the axe as if he was an old friend. She grinned at him and stopped when they came to the pine trees. She tapped her chin in thought as she looked them over. Some were too tall, that wouldn’t fit in the House, but could be used for firewood at another point. She began to hum as she wandered around, eyeing the shorter 6fters. “I am a little beggarman, a-begging I have been For three score or more in this little isle of green I'm known from the Liffey down to Segue ….And I'm known by the name of old Johnny Dhu…” She sang quietly to herself. She stopped then, and a bright grin appeared on her face as she spotted the noble fir.  It was absolutely perfect. A nice fat shape, not too tall, not too short, and had a healthy color about it. She lowered the axe off her shoulder pointed with it at the tree. “That’s our target Lord DeGrey.” She said in the same tone a pirate might have used at seeing the treasure he wanted.

She rested her hands on her hips then as she looked at Lord DeGrey. “Let’s see how capable those hands are.” She said with a smirk as she held the axe out to him.

[Wesley deGrey]

Use his imagination? Did she realize he had a very good imagination? His tongue pressed to the back of his teeth as he mulled her words over, refraining from saying anything that could be deemed inappropriate...considering he wasn't on the ship right now and was in the presence of a lady. A lady that seemed to like doing things on her own, it would seem. So, at her comment, he simply grinned again as he watched her; his thoughts his own.

"Aye, it did. You will see," he reaffirmed with a nod. Maybe she seemed to question the fate of the universe, but he never did, even if he might have mildly been joking right now. Wesley deGrey also liked to test fate as well, apparently. Just one day at a time. But living too carefully sometimes made for a boring life, and he simply couldn't do that.

Turning once more, he paused in his steps only so that he could fall back in line with her, following her to the particular trees she was in search of. "Frustrations?" he asked, feigning surprise. "And what kind of frustrations might you have, my lady?" Wesley was not mocking her, despite his lighthearted tone- he was actually curious. What could drive her to such anger to want to wield an axe against a poor tree? Though, perhaps it was none of his business. Still, the fact that she had a name for the tool had him chuckling. Perhaps he should be steering clear of her.

While she examined the trees, trying to choose one that she liked, he stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. Even when she wandered a little further away, he did catch her voice on the wind and the tune she was singing. Another shanty? Brows rose in soft surprise again, lips parting to ask her, once more, how she knew such a song before she was pointing towards one of the trees. He drew those bright eyes from her towards the poor, unfortunate pine.

'Let's see how capable those hands are.' Now, blues were drifting slyly back to her where they remained steadfast, even as he turned his body to face her. Wesley's pace was slow in his advance; shrugging out of that jacket so nonchalantly while he closed the gap between them, handing over that article of clothing for her to hold. He still said nothing as he casually rolled up those sleeves despite the chilled air (something he was very accustomed to out on the seas) where she might spot the three, black bands tattooed on his right forearm. A band for each of his brothers. It was always a nice memory to have when he had to be parted from them.

"As you wish, my lady," he said lowly, taking the axe from her. Drifting back over to that particular pine, Wes walked around it slowly, examining it from all angles. "This one, yeah?" He supposed it was a good enough tree. To be perfectly honest, he couldn't remember the last time he'd done anything related to this holiday. "Just so you know-" he said, stopping to look at her again. "I don't usually do manual labor on shore leave. So...you might owe me one." That grin was almost too cheeky before he was drawing the axe back to bring the blade against the trunk in a hefty thud.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene was pondering over how to answer Lord deGrey’s question. In truth there was too many frustrations to list off. Life? Life was certainly frustrating. At least hers. She felt like she was walking a tightrope constantly. One wrong step and she’d plummet further into the darkness that was already nearly all consuming. Helene could feel herself nearing her wits end. The Hewitts visit had rocked her, and she refused to let it get to her, but time was running out. She knew this. The question was, how much more could she take?

Helene’s dark eyes watched Wesley walk towards her as he shrugged out of his jacket. Mirth in her eyes as she arched her eyebrows expectantly at him before he taking his jacket. She folded it over her right arm, and used her left hand to smooth it over. She watched him roll his sleeves up then, and she couldn’t help but chuckle at seeing Olivia’s ribbon on his wrist. Her eyes went to the rings on his forearm. A tattoo? He really is a sailor. She thought. She wanted to ask about it suddenly, but figured it could be a conversation for later.

“Thank you.” She told him cheerfully as he took the axe and walked to the tree that would be his target. “That would be it! May your swings strike true Lord deGrey.” She called. She walked a bit closer to observe him. She glanced at him when he called to her, and she couldn’t help the hearty laugh. “Oh really?” She asked. There was that grin of his again. She could see why some ladies might find him charming. That grin was his own personal weapon on the female hearts. Luckily for her, her heart was made of iron. There would be no heart flutters here! No sir. Helene had a strong resolve. “I owe you now? I can do it myself you know if you don’t want the work out.” She told him.

She watched as he worked, slowly walking around the tree to check it out from all sides. She told herself it was to ensure he didn’t hurt himself and that he did it right. Her eyes glanced over his form, seeing how his muscles moved with each swing of his axe, and they may or may not have wandered down to his rear, before quickly going to a more appropriate place. Like the tree. Still, her eyes did glance back down for a quick second. He has a nice toosh. She thought. It was stating a fact, nothing more. Helene had noted at the party all the deGrey brothers were handsome in their own way, as well as they were charming. She’d yet to meet the last brother, but she could only assume he was as pleasant as his other brothers.

Curiosity to why he was here poked at her again. Why had he come? It wasn’t to help her cut down her tree surely. So why? “Do you have any Yule traditions with your family Lord deGrey?” She asked instead. Feeling like it was a safe question to ask him.

[Wesley deGrey]

Not to say there weren't frustrations out at sea, but this was precisely why Wesley avoided coming home some of the time. With two brothers in politics and his younger one in the military, there was always something to worry about. It was why he avoided going that route, and instead, clung to his father when the man began setting up the trading company. It allowed him to travel, to explore, to learn about what else was out there besides the stuffiness of Tresteria...as much as he loved him home and often missed it. He could be adventurous but still do well by his family's name. That was apparently important in this kingdom even if he didn't seem to care half the time.

"It's too late!" he announced mid-swing, pausing in speech when the axe struck the bark. Even though she was roaming around him, his eyes remained on the task. "Can't take it back. Plus-" Another pause, he was smirking when we caught her in his peripheral. "It's already done." Now, would he actually hold her to this unreasonable debt? Probably not. It all depended upon what the future held in store. Maybe, as unfortunate as it would be, this could be the last time he saw Lady Hewitt. One never knew, but the fact that he was still lingering around, doing this menial task, was rather interesting.

At her question, he shrugged; pressing the bottom of his foot against the trunk of the pine to test if it was ready to fall over yet. Just a few more swings would do it. Wesley stood up straight for a moment though to look over at her. "Being in the castle, we'll often decorate the tree there. I couldn't tell you the last time I've done it, though. I'm not often home for it." Whether that was actual choice or not, he didn't share. "There's also the chase on Yule's Eve." He'd missed that the last couple years as well. A few more whacks of the axe, the tree shifted as though ready to collapse at any moment.

Making sure she wasn't going to be in the way of it, Wes swung two more times before they'd hear the inevitable crack of the wood and the pine fell over to the ground. He gestured towards it as though it was a great accomplishment. "Well, there you go, my lady. Drag it on inside now." Of course he was kidding- he would gladly drag it, but he couldn't help the tease.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene finally stopped her wandering, standing off the side behind him, but far enough she was out of his swinging range. She wrapped her other arm around his jacket, holding it close as she listened to him talk about his family traditions. She found it sad he wasn’t home often enough to enjoy the festivities, but also because he missed spending the time with his family. As much as Helene wished to spread her wings and fly, she wanted Marinette taken care first. She’d probably miss her sister terribly as well.

“Aaah the famed chase, I’ve heard of it.” She said. She hadn’t had a chance to partake in it, mostly because her father was a right ole scrooge. He hated the season, but particularly Yule. After their mother died, Helene and Mari had missed out on a lot of activities. It wasn’t until Helene actually married Stephen that they celebrated it again, and Helene held nothing back. She had a lot Yuletide cheer to makeup for.

She watched as the crack filled the air and the tree fell. Excitement lit up her eyes. This was going to be a good year for Yule. She could feel it. She grinned and gave him a round of applause. “Seems you are quite capable Lord deGrey.” She said. She began to walk towards him, and arched an eyebrow in challenge. “Don’t mind if I do.” She said. She tossed his jacket at him, so she could have her hands free, and she made sure to push her shirt sleeves up before she stepped forward, and bent down. Grabbing the under branches near the end of the tree, she lifted up, using her legs as leverage. The tree wasn’t that heavy, and she looked behind her as she began to drag it toward the house. A strand of hair had come loose from her bun and she blew air up to get it out of her face.

“Alright Lord deGrey, what favor do I owe you now? Are you hungry? I planned on making cookies later, I can send you home with some if you wish. Hmmm let see….” She said thoughtfully, wondering what she could give him in return for chopping her tree down.

[Wesley deGrey]

The last couple of years, he had felt somewhat guilty for being away during the holidays, if only because Olivia had been old enough to really understand and appreciate what was going on. Maybe that was a reason why he wasn't so eager to get back out to sea this time. Traveling could wait another few weeks.

"Have you ever been a hound, Lady Hewitt?" Yes, he chuckled lightly at how silly that sounded, but he was curious if she had ever played. It was a strange custom, truth be told, but it could be fun. Or, so he heard. Strangely enough, he didn't seem to care much for it...until now. Now, the sailor was strangely curious and he really didn't know why, either. There was something about this woman that kept him wondering. Maybe it was the damn shanties, or those roguish black eyes she seemed to possess.

Wesley bowed lightly at the applause, biting his tongue at her comment. You have no idea, he nearly said. The deGrey seemed to be picking his teases today, and that was unlike him. Perhaps he didn't want to...chase her away just yet. Even still, when she was tossing his jacket back to him and distracting him for a second, he didn't have the chance to say anything. Of course, as she bent to retrieve the tree, instead of telling her to stop and let him do it, he was...admiring the shape of her bottom even underneath the skirt instead.

She was saying something and was already feet ahead by the time he was blinking out of his daze. Slinging his jacket over his shoulder, he rushed after her; holding the axe in one hand while reaching down to grab the tree with the other mid-stride. Even if she didn't let him solely drag it, he'd at least help tag team it. "Food is always good, my lady, but-" The sailor was grinning at her again, sending his gaze back to her while they walked. "That's not how it works." How what worked? He didn't even know and was clearly making this up as he went. "I get to call upon the favor...whenever...and whatever it is of my choosing." Oh, yes, that was good. His curiosity had gotten the best of him now, seeing how far she'd be willing to take a challenge.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene wrinkled her nose at being called Lady Hewitt. Lady Hewitt was Bernice Hewitt, and Helene did not want to be associated with the woman. “Helene, please. Lady Hewitt is my husband's Aunt.” She corrected him. Fancy titles and what not going at the door. At least at her home. “I actually haven’t played the game Lord deGrey, so I’ve never been this hound you speak of.” She said with amusement. Her lips turned up into a small smile.

She glanced over at him as he came to help, allowing her to not have to walk backwards now, and she let moved off to the side while still holding onto the tree with one hand. At the word but, she couldn’t help but laugh and looked over to see that grin again. She caught his gaze. “Oh really? So you don’t want to be sent home with cookies?” She asked. She was clearly amused. “Hmmm...I dunno if I like how this works.” She mused allowed. Looking ahead as they walked. The smile still staid on her face, and she couldn’t help but laugh again, giving a small shake of her head. This man. He showed up unannounced, complained she was making him do manual labor when she said she could do it herself, said she owed him, and when she tried to pay in food he insisted that was not how things went. She had half a mind to tell him that he could take whatever she was willing to give him and like it, since he had showed up unannounced at her house. He was going to drive her crazy.

“And what, Lord deGrey, happens if I don’t like what you choose as your favor?” She asked curiously. Looking over at him. There was a challenge in her eyes, the small smile on her face almost daring him to tell her what would happen. What was getting into her? Maybe it was the fact he was a sailor as well as a Lord that made her feel right at home with him. Maybe that was what brought out the sassafras in her, and wanting to challenge what he said. It was as if she was among Elliot and his boys, who needed reminding that despite being a woman, she could hold her own.

She noted her worries about her future also seemed to drift away, as if there was something magnetic about him that just grounded her, and make it seem like everything was going to be okay. Or maybe it was his own chaos that canceled out her own, making it impossible to focus on anything but him instead. Whatever it was, Helene was at ease. Which was saying something with the looming stress of the coming days on the horizon.

[Wesley deGrey]

'Lady Hewitt is my husband's Aunt.' Husband. That actually made the usually sure-footed sailor stumble a step before righting himself, immediately attempting to brush it off as it didn't happen. As if that could be possible when he almost face planted. But he hadn't expected to hear that, nor did he realize she was married. Maybe he should've known better and not assume that every lovely face was single. Now he felt embarrassed, hoping he didn't appear too forward with arriving to a married woman's house unannounced. It was deemed a little strange even if she were unwed, but the intention may have been there. Now? Oh boy, he prayed he didn't get in trouble for this.

His smile had faltered a bit even if he enjoyed the one that curled her lips. This was exactly why he avoided court whenever he could. But now his demeanor was changing a little and thought it would probably be appropriate to dismiss himself once they reached the house. Only, he didn't know how to do it without making matters worse.

Did William know? Did he let him come here knowing she was a married woman? No...no, he wasn't that conniving. Still, Wesley was struggling to convince himself otherwise.

He was suddenly a lot more quiet, only vaguely hearing the things she was saying. Not that he was purposely tuning her out, but it was hard to listen while his own thoughts were screaming at him for being an idiot. Finally, though, Wes laughed. Although it would appear as though he was laughing at her question of possibly not liking the favor, he was actually laughing at himself. "Nothing," he finally said. "I will accept the payment in baked goods...Helene." Wesley had to pause for a moment, remembering she rather he use her first name. "If you have some to spare. I'm sure Olivia would love them."

"So, if I may ask...what is it that your husband does that keeps him from ensuring you do not cut someone in half with this thing?" He lifted the axe up in gesture. His comment was all in good fun, evident by the grin he offered (even if it lacked the usual glint in his eyes). Perhaps it was a bit forward of him to ask, but...well, he usually always was so there was no stopping now.

[Helene Hewitt]

Was she disappointed? She was disappointed! She had expected him to say...well something, other than nothing, and for a moment the disappointment showed on her face as she looked at him. “Nothing? Where’s the fun in that Lord deGrey?” She asked. A small pout appeared on her face, but it quickly disappeared. “Oh I will definitely send you home with some for Little Dove as well.” She said in agreement. She might even send him home with more ribbons for the child. Helene was going to spoil the little girl rotten if she wasn’t already.

At the mention of Stephen, a dark look crossed Helene’s features for a moment, and she glanced at Wesley as he held the axe up. She laughed at his comment about her cutting someone in half, and looked down at the ground. “Stephen does absolutely nothing other than haunt my dreams from six ft. below.” She told him. A small smile on her face, that might have been mistaken for sadness. She looked over at Wesley. “I don’t think you heard if you’ve been away at sea.” She mused allowed. She sighed, looking ahead and at the house. “Stephen died six months ago.” She informed him. Helene’s face was blank, not showing any emotion. Normally when people asked about her husband or gave their grievances for his loss, she would play the grieving widow, but not today. She didn’t want that man to tarnish her already pleasant afternoon with Lord deGrey.

She glanced at him Wesley from the corner of her eyes. “He collapsed in the market one day when we were out, and fell ill. He was sick for months before he passed.” She said softly. Allowing one sad look to cross her face, but only for the fact her poison hadn’t killed the bastard sooner. Still, she counted her blessings that it had made things more believable with how he died. “To answer your question he used to make one of the servants chop the tree down. I was only allowed to be bossy.” She said with a laugh that held no humor. He’d allowed her to do her womanly duties, which was run the house. That was it, aside from visits with Marinette when she was able, and to sneak down to the docks when she could. The night he found out about that they’d been married for nearly three months. Her hand tightened on the tree branch and she couldn’t help but reached over with her other hand to scratch the outer side of her left forearm. Her fingers brushing over the four inch scar she had that had paled over the years from a bad fall thanks to her father. Every now and then she would get phantom pain from her fathers abuse, but as well as Stephens.

She pulled herself out of her dark thoughts for a moment, not realizing she’d clocked out, and cleared her throat. “It’s just my sister and I here now.” She said with a sigh. “And the occasional in-law visit.” She rolled her eyes and kept herself from groaning allowed, knowing they’d probably visit during the Yuletide festivities as well with Clarence. "And the occasional, unannounced Lord dropping in." She looked over at him with a teasing smile.

[Wesley deGrey]

He was disappointed in himself. There was a good thing going here, he thought, until she dropped that truth bomb. Now, it was strange and awkward and she probably thought he was a creep. Sure, he could come across as being forward sometimes...but damn, Wesley.

It was hard not to notice that pout, as brief as it was, and it left him torn. Left him confused and needing to figure out how to get himself out of this mess, even while a part of him still didn't want to.

This was how he got himself into trouble.

Then something else happened. When he was able to look back over to her, he noticed the change of expression again...and it was drastically different. Even though she laughed, Wesley found himself unable to, especially because of what she said next. The man had died recently, and now he felt like an even bigger ass...even if for just a moment and the smallest of him had wanted to be happy about it. What was that?

"Oh, I'm...sorry, Helene. It's true, I didn't know." Why did he seem to sound more upset and apologetic than she did? Had she not cared for her husband? It certainly wouldn't have been anything out of the norm in Tresteria. Even their lost king made his wife's life a living hell. His cousin hadn't deserved that woman, and now she was still struggling to stay afloat. Now, he didn't mean to stare at Helene, but she was proving difficult to read.

And then those keen eyes noticed the scar. Immediately he wanted to ask, his mind trying to put things together but he was clearly missing a bunch of pieces to this puzzle...and he was already intruding. "Marinette," he said with a nod at the mention of her sister, as though trying to remember the other name Olivia kept saying. She had said it a million times, so it would look bad if he had gotten it wrong.

Wesley suddenly stopped walking then, which would probably force her to a halt since he was also holding onto that tree. Her last comment made him grin, but it didn't reach his eyes this time; his expression had sobered considerably. "Forgive me for this." Briefly, he was at a loss for words because it was all awkward now. "I don't usually just...drop by, and I didn't know that-" You even had a husband before. Was that where he was going with this? Realizing he had been holding his breath, he let it out in a slow sigh; letting go of the tree to rub the back of his neck. Despite it being cold out, he was feeling extremely warm. Then he was shaking his head with soft laughter at himself.