The First Date

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky could not help laughing.  Here was Stuart, a grown man, flustered and upset about being put into a kilt.  Yes, it was difficult for him to understand, but here in Ireland, real men were the ones that wore the kilts.  Sure in other countries and other places perhaps to them it was a dress or a skirt and that only women wore those things but men in Ireland knew what they were doing.  That was what made them so manly and rugged, it took a highly sexual man that did not fear what others thought to wear a kilt and be proud.  It also took proud men to wear nothing beneath them.  Ireland was filled with these strong men.  It was why women also tended to be strong around here.  To deal with such wily men.

But she did not argue.  Instead she took the change of topic to her family and went right into explaining all about her family.  Her parents, her brother, and her to be sister in law.  It was all a wacky part of her life, whether she wanted it to be or not.  And it was so true.  She was just not part of that life.  So many times she thought to herself, while growing up, that perhaps she had been switched at birth, but to see her grandmother now, in a different light, made it all that more obvious where she got her ways from.  "Yes, I think you are right, it must skip generations.  Well no..."  She stopped suddenly and thought about that.  "Auntie Mag, she is a riot.  Da says I'm just like her.  I look like her, I act like her.  She lives over in Glenroan, on the other coast.  Right opposite of Meadowsweet.  Da was not going to send me to her, that was for sure."  Nicky laughed softly.  "So I guess it is the females in the family that take on these ways."  She laughed again.  "Nothing but trouble if you ask my Da." 

Nicky shrugged at his compliment and smiled.  She was sure those up tight conservatives would love her brother far more then her, but she was fun to those that were more laid back, those that thought there was a need and a want for change.  And Stuart was surely the more laid back type of person and not so conservative.

Turning this over to Stuart and his family she was surprised to hear the news.  She had not known that his brother had stolen money and had run away.  It was shocking and made Nicky angered.  How could family do that?  No matter how much she complained about Logan, she would always be there for him if he needed her.  It was family, you protected family.  Whether to keep them out of jail or out of the fire, you were there for family.  And though Logan thought Nicky a pest, he had saved her arse plenty of times back in Whispers, keeping her out of trouble. 

As Stuart explained it was only the three of them she became confused.  He spoke of his parents, his mother and father.  That his dad was from Quebec.  She had heard of Canada and that it was North of the Untied States but did not exactly know where Quebec was.  Nor did she know where Tennessee was compared to Quebec but thought this wasn't the time to ask, she had far too many other questions.

"Now wait a minute.  How can your family just be the three of you when you also have parents?  I know you haven't talked to them but you don't even want to talk to your brother.  And why don't you owl them?  Surely they would be delighted to know that you are safe and doing well.  And is Tennessee and North Carolina close or something?"  She did like the sound of the mountains and waterfalls, it sounded a lot like Ireland, at least back home in Meadowsweet and even the hoboken mountains in Cat's Claw.  Nicky had taken a sip of her Bailey's giving Stuart a chance to answer her first set of questions though more were still buzzing around like angry little flies wanting to escape.

[Stuart LaRoche]

The crowd at Rory Fallon's had grown since Stuart and Nicky had arrived. They were lucky to have gotten here when they did -- there was not a table to be had now, except maybe Ryan Avery's special table. Stuart couldn't see it from where he sat. He did, however, notice how much louder the place had gotten. He felt like he had to speak up a little bit to be heard, and he leaned forward to listen more closely to Nicky as she spoke about her family. He didn't know her aunt but he knew her grandmother, and Nicky was the spitting image of her. Maybe all of the women in their family did turn out the same -- trouble, according to her father. Her father was wrong. He couldn't imagine anything worse than a prim, proper and uptight woman.

"No, I meant that there are only three of us kids. Five in the family including my parents," Stuart said after finishing off his beer. He was wondering if he should order another one. Too much more to drink and he would be too loose. He decided he could handle another stout and waved the waitress over and asked for another. "Nicky? Another Bailey's? Or something stronger?" he asked teasingly. He smiled his thanks at the waitress as she left and waited a moment before continuing, his smile fading. "We haven't owled our parents but Zippy did write them a letter. We've yet to hear anything. We weren't supposed to be here very long so I don't know if they know how we're doing. I'm going to talk to Zippy about writing them again. And North Carolina and Tennessee share mountains and a border. We're about a four hour drive from my grandmére's..." He paused and smiled sheepishly. "By car, that is. Only by horse it would take days, I guess."

Stuart was surprised that Nicky didn't ask him about his immigration status. He had just told her that he was born and raised in the United States. He wondered if she would have asked him how he was living here in Magical Ireland as an immigrant, despite the fact that the word on the street about him was that he and Zippy were born in Ireland but raised in the United States. He didn't mind Nicky knowing the truth. She and her grandmother would fight for him and Zippy to be able to live wherever they wanted. He let it slide, not wanting to pursue his immigrant status. Nicky would learn about it soon enough, he was sure.

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky too had moved in closer, she was trying to listen in to what Stuart had to say and was also trying not to talk any louder then they already were.  There were ears in the walls and anything could be misheard and then there would be trouble.  Neither of them needed that, especially not Stuart.  Nicky had moved her chair so that she was no longer sitting across from Stuart but now, next to him.  Neither were eating and both were enjoying their drinks, this made the conversation easier to hear.  Sipping on the bailey's she was silent as Stuart explained that what he meant was that he had three siblings.  "Oh"  Came the soft reply now that everything was clicking together.  So the parents were still alive and in North Carolina, and his grandmother was in Tennessee. 

When the waitress came over, Nicky had just finished off the last of the drink and only smiled at Stuart's teasing.  "I'll take another Bailey's thank you.  Unless you'd prefer I stay the rest of the night on the floor in the bathroom."  Nicky laughed, but was somewhat telling the truth.  Nicky was not about to start mixing alcohol and wind up spending the night hugging the toilet, that was never a fun place to be.  She liked to pick one drink and stick with it for the night.  And tonight was going to be no different.  The waitress had cleared the tables leaving two waters behind.  It wasn't that Nicky hadn't asked him about immigration, it was more like she hadn't asked him yet.  It was still one of the many questions burning on her mind.

"Alright, so if your parents started in Canada, and then traveled to Tennessee and North Carolina, how did your family wind up here? And how did you and your siblings wind up here?  Sounds a bit silly for you to come all the way to Ireland when your entire family is back there.  Of course, you can't leave now."  She said dramatically rolling her eyes.  Of course Nicky wanted him to stick around, but it was disheartening to know that it wasn't even an option for him.  That the Brennan's had secured all migration into and out of Ireland.

[Stuart LaRoche]

"No, I guess it wouldn't be a good idea for me to bring you home drunk," Stuart laughed. "I don't know how much Holly would like that. I could see her hunting me down, couldn't you?" He could imagine Holly finding Nicky passed out on the bathroom floor and flying down to his place in her yellow robe with curlers in her hair to give him a piece of her mind for not taking proper care of her granddaughter. He knew he would have to watch his step with Nicky. She was from a cultured and well-heeled family. Heaven forbid he put a toe out of line with her, the lot of them would descend on him like birds on a worm.

Thank God Nicky had moved her chair closer to him, now Stuart didn't feel like he had to shout to be heard. The pub wasn't so loud you couldn't have a normal conversation, but their subject matter was not something he wanted anyone overhearing. They should be talking about this another time, when it was just the two of them in private, but they were on the subject now and they were speaking low enough so that no one could overhear them. He moved his chair a little closer to hers and put his arm along the back of her chair.

"Okay," he began, leaning in close and speaking quietly right into her ear, "I married into the family here. I wasn't born in Ireland. The only reason I'm here is because of Ainne, and it apparently was a mistake that Zippy and I even set foot on the shores of Cat's Claw. Once we realized the mistake we tried to leave but found that the laws are so restrictive that we would have been thrown in jail just for being non-residents." He pulled back and looked in her dark eyes, eyes that were dark like Hannah's but different. Nicky was so different from Hannah, but one thing they had in common was their opposition to the current regime. He hoped that what he was sharing with her would fall on receptive ears, and still speaking low he leaned forward and continued. "We can't leave right now, Nick. If we tried we'd go to jail, especially for being here so long illegally, but I'm at the point where I don't want to leave. As backwards as this place is I can see myself living here for the rest of my life. I love Cat's Claw."

Stuart leaned back a bit and sighed before taking a sip of his stout. "It's a moot point anyway. It's not like we can go anywhere, even if we wanted."

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky laughed nodding when he suddenly gave a very good reason, or at least another one besides her puking in the toilet.  "Oh yeah, Bama would be nuts I think."  She laughed again.  "She would be all over you, but you know that just means she cares."  Shaking her head she had rested her hand once again upon Stuart's.  She certainly was enjoying her time with him.  All in all she was finding their first date fun.  It was the Stuart and Nicky show like usual, with light conversation, but it just came so easily that it was obvious to her now that the two would do well as a couple. 

Drinking more of her drink she was glad she had put it down as Stuart leaned in to talk.  So out came some sort of truth she had not known.  She listened as he explained that the only connection he had to Ireland was Ainne.  That was bad, in fact that was very bad.  Not for them, she could care less that he was full blooded American.  But what the problem was, was that he was right, he probably should have been thrown into jail.  With the new rules and restrictions the Royalists were truly getting more and more ideas of kicking people out and that made Nicky look up to Stuart.  "Oh Stuart."  She whispered looking at him, about to try and give some sort of advice, but then he leaned in again.  No matter how backwards he thought that sounded, she could see it.  Cat's Claw was just one of those magical places that sucked you in so fully that you didn't want to leave.  Nicky was the same way, she didn't want to go back to Meadowsweet, her feet didn't want to pick up and move like she had when she had lived back there.  She wanted to settle here, even if she was going to raise a little bit of hell in the Coffee shop, she loved it.

"Well I am glad you want to stay."  She said, truly glad to hear that.  Leaning in she pressed her hand comfortingly on his again.  "Don't you think that the papers will keep you safe.  Bama said that your papers said you were originally from here.  So doesn't that mean you'll be safe?"  She asked looking into his eyes, hoping that more trouble wouldn't befall Stuart and Zippy, neither of them needed it.

[Stuart LaRoche]

He was taking such a chance telling Nicky about his and Zippy's immigrant status, but Stuart was sure Nicky wouldn't rat them out. He knew her political leanings, he knew her desire to help other people, and he knew how strongly she felt about not turning against family. He also knew that she and Holly considered himself and Zippy family. If he and Nicky were going to go any further in their relationship, she at least needed to know this truth about him.

Stuart had been leaning towards her with his arm along the back of her chair and with his free hand resting on the table. As he spoke she reached out to hold his hand again, and he took her fingers in his own and held them. He wasn't sure what her reaction to his news would be, but she seemed to be taking it well enough. At least for now.

He leaned in close again. "I think our papers will keep us safe for a while yet. We could probably stay here indefinitely as long as no one looks at them too closely. Our papers say that we're part of the Rolland-Devlin clan, and that part is true. It's a slight fudging of the truth but it would be a huge fudging to the people in power now. Doesn't matter that I was married to a girl whose family had been here for generations. I'm still a redcap. You know how it goes." Stuart didn't want to tell her that a Carrick Guardsman had already gone over his papers and approved them, so he left that part out. He was enjoying being so close to Nicky again; he hadn't been this close to her since they were in the kitchen. He didn't want to push it, though, so he leaned back even though he didn't let go of her hand or move his arm.

"Anyway, that's something I've been wanting to tell you. I thought you should know. I hope that doesn't change your opinion of me."

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky was not going to rat out Stuart or Zippy.  Even if things did not work out between them, they were still friends.  She had a strong desire to protect and stand up for the underdog and in this case Stuart was the underdog, she would never throw them into the wolves by divulging the information, even if he pissed her off completely. 

His thicker fingers slid between her own and she clasped her fingers down, tightening and strengthening the hold.  Her shoulder had slumped into his side as his other hand had clasped the back of her chair and she was not only in a better position to feel the body heat but also to hear his voice beneath the white noise of chatter and clatter of chairs and mugs around them.  Eyes disregarded the cozy couple that was in the corner and only gave passing glances, which was just fine with Nicky, not wanting anyone to stare too long, as they were talking about things that should not leak out or escape. 

"Well, I hope those papers work out well."  She replied.  "But yes, redcap, you will always be one just for leaving and coming back."  She winked, knowing that was no longer the truth but at least it was easier to continue that lie and not mess up and speak the truth that could be just horrible. 

Her jaw dropped and she gasped.  "Me?  Are you kidding, of course not."  She said with such shock that she couldn't believe she'd ever change her opinion of him, at least not for that reason.  "I base people on their actions, not on where they are from and if they have to stay alive.  You are alive, and with what I've seen you are a good man.  You'd have to do something pretty awful for me to change that idea of you."  She said in all honesty. 

"Are there any other skeletons in that closet of yours, you need to get off your chest?"  She looked to him again, partly teasing him and partly curious.  The story truly had sparked her curiosity of what else he could be hiding or had given her only half truths.  She even wondered if perhaps that Hannah business had been true, though she would not bring that up, the date was going so well and she knew that was a sure fire way to get him in a rotten mood.  She wanted to keep him in the good mood he was in, it made things easier, plus she liked the laid back side of him.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart liked the way Nicky was leaning up against him and how she had woven her fingers in with his. Her fingers were long and smooth and wound their way around his callused hands, and he rubbed his thumb along hers as they spoke. He laughed when she winked and called him a redcap. "Fine, you can just keep calling me a redcap, it's what everyone else is thinking anyway." He stopped as he grew serious again. "Do you think Zippy and I would ever fit in here? Would we always be interlopers and people who don't really belong? I don't want to leave any time soon."

He had let go of her hand to pick up his beer and took another pull as she told him she wouldn't change her opinion of him, that he'd have to do something pretty awful to change her mind. Would to God that Nicky would never know all of his secrets or she might just change her opinion. This one secret would have to do for now.

Stuart wondered if she knew what he was thinking, because she asked him if he had any other secrets. He eyed her as he put his beer down and picked up her hand again, firmly grasping her fingers and moving the arm that was along the back of her chair so that his hand was touching her back. She had to have been just teasing, and he decided to throw it back to her in a teasing way as well. "Oh sure, I've got plenty of secrets. I'll unleash another one on our next date, like Scheherazade. That way the only way you'll learn all of my secrets is if you keep going out with me." He had moved away enough to look into her face, and he grinned as he teased her. "Is that incentive enough to go out with me again tomorrow night?"

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky laughed as he picked at her.  She did not mean to say red cap in a bad way, she sometimes was not as sensitive as other women could be but she had said it in a nonoffensive sort of way.  "Well you know what I mean."  She said in response shaking her head.  But as his voice became serious she listened.  Sighing she looked up to him and shrugged.  "I think so.  I really do.  I mean there are plenty of people here put their head down, take the teases and eventually are old news.  You just have to get to that point.  And I know it is horrible and not far to have to endure it, but I think you and Zippy are strong enough that you will be around for a long time."  Nicky spoke confidently about the two of them.  She just had high hopes for the both of them to do well in this crazy, backwards town. 

Nicky had also taken another sip of her drink, as he took his own, freeing her hand in the process.  But as she set hers down he again took up her hand and slipped his hand so that it touched her back.  She felt relaxed, and calm form the drink.  Laughing as he teased her she looked up, and then the question hit her.  "You know, I would have said yes without the incentive.  But now its settled.  I will need to go for the soul purpose of pulling those secrets out."  Laughing again she lifted her free hand to finish off her drink.  Putting the drink down she placed her hand onto his leg and rested her head against him.  "Where are we going tomorrow night?"  Her head tilted up, though all she could see was the side of his face as she did.

The waitress had made her way back to the couple and looked at them expectantly.  In case the two were ready for something more, or perhaps their check.  The pub was still hopping, people leaving and coming in packing into the busy pub. 

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart had known what Nicky meant when she was teasing him about being a redcap. He certainly hadn't taken any offense by it and he told her that he did know what she meant. He didn't want her to think she had upset him at all by the comment. He nodded as she explained that he had to ignore the name-calling and prejudices if he was going to make it here in Cat's Claw. He agreed with her, and Zippy had been telling him as much. His sister said, and he felt she was right, that the best thing for him to do would be to settle down, work at his job, and sing small and keep out of the way. Zippy felt he had been tangled up with the wrong sorts of people, and he agreed with that as well, although he didn't appreciate her lumping Hannah in with that group. He sighed. "I hope you're right, Nick. I guess we just have to take it as it comes."

His heart thumped as Nicky said she would go out with him again tomorrow night. Stuart had been nervous as hell at the beginning of their date but now everything was going perfectly. Here were the signals he had been looking for earlier. Nicky was leaning into him, and when she placed her hand on his thigh and rested her head on his shoulder he felt his breath catch in his chest. He didn't know if he had lost his anxiety because of the alcohol or because this was Nicky he was with and she always knew how to make every awkward situation better, but right now he didn't care. All he wanted right now was to be alone with her somewhere, anywhere.

Stuart looked up at the waitress when she approached to see if there was anything else they wanted and he moved his eyes to look down at Nicky's head as he asked, "How about you, anything else you want?" He was willing to get dessert for her if she wanted, even though he was sure there was some sort of pastry back at the house. "We'll just take the check," he told the waitress.

As the waitress went to get the bill, he considered Nicky's question about where they were going tomorrow night. She stumped him. "Huh. I don't know, Nick, I haven't thought that far. I'll think of something. I'll be by earlier anyway to do some work in the garden. I saw the squash is in, and the tomatoes and beans are probably ready now, too."

[Nicolette St. James]

"Well, we can't know what tomorrow holds.  I mean, I guess some people do, but I am not one of those people"  She said honestly and raised her brows, she thought those people were nutters, the future changed with every step you took, you just had to hold tight and take it at will.  "Just do what you can.  The rest will see its way through."  Her mother hated when she went with things like that.  But it was the truth.  Why worry about tomorrow when it was going to get here anyways?  Sure you could be excited and plan it out, but it was going to get here whether you are ready or not. 

Nicky was not at all tightened up, no in fact the Bailey's had loosened her up rather nicely.  She felt mellow, even more mellow then usual, if Stuart could even notice, and she was also feeling the need to get up.  They had been sitting for far too long.  So when offered something more, Nicky shook her head immediately.  "Nope, I'm good here."  It was true, they had pastries, plenty of pastries, that even Anne had taken to giving them to some neighbors as they just weren't eating them like when Nicky had first started. 

As they waited for the check the two conversed about where they could go.  "Well, it will just be another thing to do tomorrow."  She said thoughtfully and with a nod.  "Don't worry about it.  Oh will you?  Good, because those bean things we planted.  The are getting big."  She nodded.  "Don't know how to pull the suckers out either." 

Like clock work the waitress had slid the check over to Stuart and Nicky got up to stretch herself, freeing Stuart from the position he had been in as well as having the freedom to look at the check without her wandering eye.  Rummaging a hand through her hair she waited for Stuart to pay the check and then led the two out of the pub.  As soon as the two had left the table a waiting couple grabbed the chairs and took a seat, muttering a pleasant 'thank you' to Nicky and Stuart as they exited.

As soon as they were outside Nicky reached out to take hold of Stuart's hand, ready to be on their way.  The sun had melted away and now the inky sky was filled with pinholes of stars and a thin sliver of the moon overhead.  Warmth clung to the evening but a soft breeze kept Nicky cool, the shops had all closed up and now the only steps being heard were the hooves walking through the city pulling taxi's or carrying riders.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart understood why Nicky was saying not to worry about tomorrow, and while he thought it sounded like good advice, it would in practice be difficult for him to do. He always worried and tried to plan everything in advance. He liked to control his world and had a difficult time of it when things went awry or not entirely to his liking. For him to just throw caution to the wind and let tomorrow bring what it may was not something he felt comfortable in doing, but he held his tongue. Nicky was saying what she truly believed. For him to shoot her down would just offend her.

They spoke about the garden for a bit, Nicky asking Stuart about the beans and he responding about what they needed to do tomorrow. This had always been such familiar territory for them and they conversed easily. She slid away from him and stood as the check arrived, and he pulled out his wallet  as he figured up the tip in his head. He paid the waitress plus her tip and, tossing back the rest of his beer, stood with Nicky. He hadn't even noticed the other couple who were standing a little ways off until they actually moved in and took the table they had been using. Stuart's and Nicky's drink glasses were still there but they apparently didn't seem to mind. Stuart placed his hand on Nicky's back as she lead the way through the pub and outside.

The sun had gone down completely while they were inside and the night was lovely, warm and clear and breezy. It was a perfect evening, and as Nicky put her hand in his he lead the way to the street and smiled over at her, their fingers intertwining as they walked. Stuart held Nicky's hand tightly in his own and lifted his free hand as a cab came rumbling down the street, and he opened the door for her to get in when it stopped. "1919 McGuire Street in LeFey Circle," he told the driver, and climbed in behind Nicky as he pulled the door to behind him and took a seat next to her, sliding in close. He picked up her hand again and swayed in the seat next to her as the cab made its way through the streets to the St. James home.

[Nicolette St. James]

Nicky had felt the strong hand pushed into her back, not to force her out but more to guide her out of the pub, letting her know that he was still behind her.  as Nicky got outside she immediately took his hand and breathed in the fresh night air.  Heavy flowers from the distance perfumed the breezy air.  Soon the clopping of horses hooves was heard and stopped directly in front of Nicky and Stuart.  Nicky had climbed into the benched carriage first. She had given Stuart plenty of room to sit down next to her.  As he did he took up her hand and Nicky rested against him as the cart swayed in the direction of her grandmother's home.

"Did you tell Zippy you were going out with me?"  She suddenly asked.  Nicky had not told her grandmother, wanting to keep her grandmother out of it for the time being but now she wondered if Stuart had told Zippy.  She too had teased and taunted Nicky and Stuart about going out and that the two should go out.  This made her wonder if perhaps Zippy knew where they were.  Maybe she gave him advice on getting a hair cut, or trimming the beard.  She knew he was an intelligent man, but just like her grandmother would have turned her into a princess, maybe Zippy pestered Stuart to do other things.

She personally liked the idea of keeping this form people.  Not that she was embarrassed to be with Stuart, but she didn't want the pressure on either of them.  People always added pressure to relationships, and if she were to be able to just see Stuart without the families trying to push them onward it would make the transition so much easier.  Nicky was liking the transition from friendship to romance, it felt comfortable and was not really that different.  The two still talked about the garden, and would still talk about work but this just gave them a reason to hold hands, and to be close to one another like they were now.  It was a nice transition in Nicky's mind, and very comforting.

[Stuart LaRoche]

Stuart held Nicky's hand in his and felt her press up against his side. He loved this. This was one of the things he had missed so much when Ainne died. He loved the soft feeling of a woman against him, and as Nicky gently bumped against him with every sway of the carriage he felt his chest tighten. He'd wanted to put his arm around her but the seat of the carriage wouldn't allow for that, so he simply sat with her and leaned into her as well.

"I actually didn't see Zippy much this week. She's been sick with a cold," he said. She had spent the past two nights in her room, leaving him to his own devices in the apartment. She had told him to make sure he cleaned up but didn't offer any hygenic advice beyond that; Stuart already knew that he needed a haircut and a trim. He had been all wild and wooly from his ordeal last week and, needing a fresh start, waited until Friday after work to clean up. "I did tell her on Tuesday night that we were going out, though. She laughed and said she knew there was something there, but that was all she said. She didn't make a big deal out of it." He turned, smiling at Nicky, his face close to hers. "Between my sister and your grandmother they both knew something was there. I think we're the only ones who didn't."

The carriage hit a bump and he felt her press against him again, and he had to hold himself up so he didn't fall across the seat away from her. "Jeez," he said, righting himself. "Are you okay?"

[Nicolette St. James]

The sway of the carriage had left them to bump and move along with the carriage and so far things weren't so bad as they left the city and started to head towards the circle, first moving through the coven.  Her eyes lifted to him.  "Oh poor thing.  I will bring her some soup."  She said thoughtfully, thinking that Zippy shouldn't be all holed up by herself with that cold.  She needed fluids and such to make her feel better.  Nicky was always ready to jump in and help in any means necessary. 

Nicky didn't mind so much that Zippy knew that they were on a date.  Sure the idea of doing this and when ready telling people was an ideal situation, but with the way gossip moved about here she was certain her bama would know by tomorrow evening.  People loved to chat and talk especially about new couples and things of that nature.  Laughing she nodded.  "Yeah, I guess you are right.  Everyone knew but us."  She turned to look at him eyes moved down to his lips, remembering the last time they had been this close.  Last time they had been interrupted by Anne, and this time they were interrupted by a sudden bump in the road. 

Nicky lifted up, grabbed hold of Stuart in the tizzy of the bump and she hit her head on the seat behind them.  Rubbing her head she nodded.  "Yeah I'm fine."  Her eyes closed as she continued to rub her head.  "Dang.  Watch the road up there." 

The man turned to apologize but then went back to driving.  The side of her head hurt, but not that bad.  Sighing there was their opportunity wasted.  Leaning back into the carriage she looked at the driver's back not wanting to hit her head again, that had just been plum uncomfortable.  "Well, good.  I'm glad she didn't say anything too much about it.  Though with the way gossip goes about here Bama will know by tomorrow."  She laughed.  "I just won't tell her about tomorrow night, that way I don't get dressed up like the sugar plum princess."  Laughing she returned her hand to his.