April 9th, 1888 - Delaney Townhouse, London

Honestly Caroline’s bath did little to quell her annoyance with Shawn. She was still fuming even when she dried herself off and wrapped herself in her robe until Hope came back to dress her for dinner. Shawn wasn’t typically like this and Caroline certainly wasn’t going to take no for an answer, but she was going to have to try another tactic.

Lost in her own thoughts Caroline was quiet as Hope dressed her in a simple gown and used a charm to gently dry her hair before braiding it back. A look at the mirror told Caroline that she looked rather like a respectable and modest young lady - a sight that might make Shawn more inclined to forgive her in its simplicity. At least she wouldn’t look the part of his imagined reckless younger sister. Confident in her plan Caroline dismissed Hope to go to the kitchens for her own supper and made her way back downstairs.

The water and mud that Caroline and Hope had tracked in had already been cleaned up by the time she reached the foyer, she passed it with sure steps and knocked on the study door, “Shawn?” She allowed concern and contriteness to layer her tone as she leaned into the door. Better to ask than just demand entry. Not like she was going to take no for an answer.

Shawn Delaney

  

Shawn was still in an awful mood and he didn't see that ending any time in the near future. If anything, it may not ever end. Not with the news he'd received. After struggling to find anything out about Imogen on his own, he'd resorted to hiring someone. It hadn't taken them long to come back with a report, a day really, and it hadn't been good. Not only had Imogen probably forgotten about him, but she'd completely moved on and gotten married. He knew he'd been gone a long time but, well, his fears had come true in that she much not have really loved him the way he had. At least, not the way he thought he'd had.

He'd been reading over the report once again when there came a knock on the study doors and then his sister's voice was heard saying his name. He sighed and leaned back in his seat. There'd be no avoiding her, not with the way he'd treated her not long before. She didn't deserve any of it really, it was just his own anger taking over. He also knew she wouldn't go away without a fight so it was easier to just get it done and over with. Maybe once she knew what he knew, she'd understand his desire to go back to Boston.

"Come in," he called out though he certainly sounded defeated. He looked the part even once she did come in as he sat at his desk rubbing at his temples with a rather haunted look about his face.

---

  

The sight that greeted Caroline as she opened the door was not what she expected from her brother. Gone was the angry brother of before, even the brooding brother was preferable to this - this being the brother who once again looked as lost and broken as he had when he had stumbled home that fateful day. “Shawn?” She repeated softly, unforged concern ringing clearly in her tone. She shut the door behind her and came around to her brother side of the desk coming to a stop just to the side of him, her hand laying softly on his shoulder. “What is it?”

  

Shawn didn't like hearing that tone in her voice, or the obvious concern written on her face. He hated that he was putting her through that but there was little that could be done for it. His life felt as if it were in shambles all over again and left him wondering if going to London had actually been a good idea in the end.

"I hired an investigator," he said simply as he motioned to the packet of papers on the desk, "She's married." It was all he could manage to say without feeling as if he'd be sick all over his desk, not that much else actually needed to be said.

---

  

It came as little surprise that Shawn had hired someone to find Imogen, although Caroline wished he had told her. She might not have pressed so hard about him not working to find her. There was a logic in his actions, one that spoke of his own delicacy with Imogen. Afterall Imogen had run away from the sight of Shawn, which baffled Caroline however much she had tried to justify it for her brother, there was no telling if she would have run away again. It made sense that he had hired someone who she might not run away from. But the news that came from it….

Anger burned in Caroline’s stomach. She had Imogen had been friends once, she had trusted her like a sister to hold to the truth that Shawn would one day come back - and she hadn’t. That thought alone was devastating to Caroline, but instead of breaking her as it appeared to have done to Shawn it only made her want to fight it. “Then you must show her you’ve moved on to.” Caroline responded fiercely. Not just for the sake of getting back at Imogen, but also to put him back on his feet. Afterall, he had to be able to love another woman - he’d forgotten about Imogen for years! Clearly it would be possible for him to move on. Not that she’d say that aloud.

  

Shawn saw, before he heard, the anger burning within Caro. It was enough to cause him to smile slightly. She was very much his feisty little sister, the one that wouldn't back down from a fight should it present itself. He was grateful for that but he couldn't help the slight shake of his head and the sigh the escaped him as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hands.

"It isn't that simple, Caro," he said calmly, "We know no one here other than her. We have little reason to be here other than to further the family business. Which, won't be looked upon too kindly. The Delaneys are well on their way to matching most of the upper class in wealth. We're new money here. And American." He'd heard enough on his times out and around the area that his "type" wasn't exactly the most welcomed. It would be hard to integrate into society.

---

  

There was one phrase that Caroline hated above all else: it isn’t that simple. It didn’t matter who uttered it to her or what the context the mere start of it directed at her made Caroline’s lip purse and her arms fold belligerently. Everyone liked the idea that things were complicated that they were never as simple as they seemed, when in reality, if boiled down, they more than often were that simple.

A deep sigh escaped Caroline’s lips as she angled her body to face his, preparing for the fight they had been about to have. Deep down she knew this argument wasn’t only about his finding another woman, it was about even staying here in London. She certainly wasn’t ready to go home yet. “We’ve been against greater odds, Shawn.” Caroline started, keeping her tone in check, but there wasn’t nothing to disguise the fire behind it. “So what if they aren’t exactly what they want. How are we supposed to achieve anything if we limit ourselves? Why stop where we are when we can go so much higher?” Caroline’s voice grew with intensity at each question. “Let them talk. People always will, but don’t let it limit us. Besides, Imogen isn’t the only person we will know once the Season starts. There will be plenty of young women to meet, and showing her that you’ve moved on is the perfect way to start moving forward. With her, with London, with this whole country.”

  

Shawn took in a deep breath. Things with Caro always resulted in a battle of wills. Most times, the arguments simply fizzled out with neither conceding simply because they were both too damned stubborn. It was probably why they got along the best of all the Delaney siblings. Except when they disagreed.

"Caro, I don't have time to schmooze and kiss the ground some of these uppity Brits walk on," he said with a slight sigh, "And, quite frankly, I don't want to." He knew that wouldn't be good enough for her. Surely she'd continue to argue so he simply continued on, hoping if he didn't give her a spot to talk, she'd give it up. "Just do whatever you need to do while you can. I'll work on going the shipyard squared away. If I can get the deal made, we'll be able to stay here for at least a little while," he finished, hoping that would be enough to appease her.

---

  

There was something that happened when you spent your whole life arguing with the same person, you knew how it was going to go before it even really started. It was this way with Caroline and Shawn. As Shawn was demonstrating at the moment. She didn't care if he didn't want to kiss their boots, but he didn't give her time to object. Caroline narrowed her eyes waiting for him to stop talking. When he did she felt lighter. They weren't leaving at least. A weight lifted from her chest and excitement rose through her but she couldn't let him see his success she still had a point to prove.

"I'll ignore your desire to hate them for the moment," She conceded, "Even if it would be beneficial." Caroline shrugged as intentional added her point to her retreat. "But, don't worry about them. I'll take care of that uppity ground they walk on." She assured him, a cunning smile crossing her lips. Not that she was one to kiss the ground anyone walked on, but she was certainly good at making it look like she was - and she was well aware of the value of it. Sometimes one simply needed to do things they didn't want to do to get what they wanted from the world.

"You know what we need to do?" She waited a breathe to allow him a chance to guess then laid her plan in front of him in excitement, it was the perfect idea. "We need to host a ball. Prove to all those uppity Britians that we're just as cultured as them." It'd introduce the Delaney name to everyone, give Shawn a chance to meet people, and give Caroline a moment to make an impact on British society.

  

Shawn was grateful she didn't interrupt him, though he was fairly certain she knew better than to do so. He wouldn't have stopped even if she'd tried. He would have simply continued on, probably while glaring at her for the interruption. He'd never point out how unladylike it was though, she'd surely know that already and that was something for their mother to do and had probably done. Growing up as the only daughter in a house full of men who worked with ships for a living didn't exactly result in a really ladylike sort of environment.

He couldn't help but to chuckle at her own opinions of the uppity sorts they were surrounded by. If anyone could deal with them, it was certainly be her. Wild and unruly she may be deep down, she certainly knew how to put on an act. He'd never been able to do it himself, being much to blunt and brash more often than not. A lifetime spent on a ship would do that to a person. He was often too vulgar in private and quite enjoyed his life that way.

"Caro," he said softly with a sigh knowing exactly where she was going to go with what she thought they needed to do. Another chuckle and a slight shake of his head were added once she did say exactly what he was expecting. He looked at her seriously though. "I'll make you a deal," he said before quickly starting on before she could continue you, "You can have your ball. You have to plan the whole thing though. I'll have nothing to do with it other than you using my name and then showing up in attendance. You'll need to find somewhere to rent though. This townhouse isn't large enough."

---

  

At his agreement Caroline’s face lit up with excitement that didn’t bother to conceal. Of course she’d plan the whole thing and she’d see that the proper introductions were made to make sure this would be able to happen. Already her mind was spinning with possibilities. But first there was another matter to focus on. “Absolutely, however, I need you to do one other thing. Promise me you’ll give us the season to show these Britons what we’re worth - and that you’ll stop moping around!” Her voice held an element of steel as she reigned her excitement in for a moment. She needed guarantees not just half promises and vague assurances.

  

Shawn couldn't help but to smirk slightly. Caro was lucky it would probably take that long just to get negotiations finished up and the company to get officially set up in general. He certainly could leave before then but he wasn't going to let her know that otherwise she'd probably insist on staying even longer.

"The season then," he said in response with a nod, "I think I can survive that long. And there won't be time to mope but I have plenty of work to do so don't expect me to be going to every event we aren't actually invited to." He was still smirking knowing that she'd find some way or another to get them invited to events.

---

  

At Shawn's words, Caroline grinned and leaned down to hug her brother. "It's a deal. Although don't expect that work is going to get you out of every social event!" Caroline chastised as she pulled away and looked down at her brother. He was right she'd find a way to get them invited. She just needed to make an introduction or two and she was certain that being at a few of the right events would do just that. Caught up in plans she headed for the door of the study, pausing half way, "You aren't too busy for supper, I hope." Perhaps this last olive branch would put the ugliness of earlier behind. "I'll have them set a place for you." She added not giving him time to reply and instead exiting the study in a swirl of skirts and spunk.