March 23, 1889 - Gladstone Residence; Ireland

The damn man had been drunk. She should have known that it would happen at some point. What could she possibly expect from the man who had drunkenly purposed to her on New Years? But now she felt a more urgent need to escape. She couldn't end up ruined. She realized... she couldn't end up like Bella.

Fear and a deep sense of urgency lead her to the doorstep of one Mr. Gladstone. She had made friends with one of his sister's friends, who had also been a neighbor of the family. Not intentional, but it did suit her purpose now. She was panicked, with no where else better to go. She could have gone to Bella... but that didn't seem like much help. Avril was going through enough on her own. But would Richard even consider listening to what Regina had to say?

They had been spending time together at several events, but was it enough for him to bother helping her? She didn't want to be ruined. That was obvious. She had seen what that could do to someone. In such a frantic mess, she didn't even notice the black eye that she had gotten from her encounter with her drunk guardian. But she didn't have much time to think too much on if coming to Mr. Gladstone's home was such a good idea, having knocked before really thinking about it.

Quickly enough, the door opened and she was let in by a semi-startled butler. After waiting for a little while in the parlor, she stood up upon him entering the room. If only her words hadn't escaped her.

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Richard Gladstone

  

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MJ made Magic!

Richard was trying to relax after another long day at work. He'd had an indulgent class of brandy and had been enjoying a book by the fireplace in his den when his butler came to inform him that he had a lady caller that seemed to be in a bad way. Hopefully the poor woman wouldn't be accosted by one of his parents before he could see what it was all about. The last thing he needed was his mother making assumptions. Thankfully, he could see his parents quite engaged in a game of chess in one of the family rooms.

His mothers laughter towards one of his fathers bantering words followed him down the steps as he made his way towards the parlor. "Miss Lacey?" He asked in confusion, personally not thinking themselves as quite acquainted enough to warrant an unannounced drop in. Not that he wasn't pleased to see her but it wasn't quite proper for her to have done so.

Upon closer look, however, he could see why she might have done so. "My dear Miss Lacey, who has done this to you?" He asked in concern as he noted the blackening eye that clearly indicated that someone had struck her in the face.

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It felt strange, coming to his house unannounced. Perhaps it had been a bad idea. But she could really tell at the moment. Her mind was rushing to fast with each passing moment. This had thankfully never happened before. She simply did not know what had gotten into Killian.

Biting her lip when she was first addressed, she could practically feel her tongue tie even more. But when Richard's tone had changed, she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "M-my guardian." She managed to say in a cracked voice.

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Richard was decidedly out of his element. Sure, he was used to seeing such things in the workplace. And when dealing with Bella. But come on. Were women with shitty, abusive home lives his lot in life? "You sit right there and we'll get some hot cocoa for you," he said, not at all planning to just send her packing despite not knowing what to do with her. "Do you have anywhere safe that you can stay - someone we can contact?"

  

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In a sad way, this was sort of how hers and Bella's friendship had formed. Constantly complaining about their terrible guardians. And now look at the two girls now.

The only difference was that Regina was determined to not let this ruin her. She had been raised in this society. It was all she knew.

She mumbled a 'thank you' at the offer of hot chocolate. Sort of like that party with the ice skating that they had been at together. She hung onto that memory for comfort. "You were the only person I thought of going to." Electing not to mention the friend with the family drama, nor the sort-of friend who would likely find a reason to yell at her.

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Richard didn't know what Miss Lacey expected him to do. It wasn't at all proper for her to stay here. Maybe one of his sisters would shelter her but that would still cause a lot of questions that would do neither of their reputations any good. "You can't stay here - it wouldn't be proper - but you also cannot go back home to that situation. Do you wish to have him arrested?"

  

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Of course she couldn't. What was she thinking? But could she really face Bella? Or put Avril through even more? "I... I'm not sure. I don't want his actions to ruin me." She remembered what had happened to Bella.

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"I believe you're acquainted with one of my sisters?" Richard suggested reluctantly. If he was quite honest, he didn't want to be dealing with something like this in his personal life. Not after the entire Bella situation. But his morals were stronger than his reservations. "For now, we can ask if you can stay with her and her family. Say that you're visiting her. Then we can figure out what to do next."

  

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His sisters? Perhaps Mrs. Lenora ____. They had talked during a couple of parties. "Mrs. ____ and I have chatted every now and then." Would it even be appropriate for her to call Richard's sister by her first name? "Alright." What else could she really say? This was all so complicated. And it couldn't last forever. It wasn't as if men seemed to be lining up to marry her. Was begging an option? Didn't seem appropriate.

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Richard took her hands in his and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hands. He couldn't really say way - call it an impulse. "Don't worry, Miss Lacey. I'll protect you. Everything will work itself out." He didn't know how but he would figure out a way.

  

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Her heart fluttered like a humming bird. This was not the time for such a thing, heart. But even the softest of blush could not be stopped. "Thank you" Was all she could manage to say. Why was it so improper to want to kiss a gentleman such as this?

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MJ made Magic!