Elizabeth took the offered hand, stepping out of the carriage and then letting go, offering up a soft smile on thanks. Jack got down without needing any assistance at all, though he shot the footman a rakish grin all the same, stepping aside to allow Francis room to get out.
The footman returned a polite smile to Elizabeth, then another towards Jack and Francis. “Messieurs.” His eyes lingered on Jack’s expression for just slightly too long. A bit perplexed by the man, maybe.
Francis followed Jack out of the carriage, needlessly securing his coat against himself. He murmured a brief word of gratitude towards the footman, who after closing the door behind the lot, went to help the other valet with the bags.
Jack led the way to the house. He knew that their chaperone was supposed to meet them here, and he suppressed a sigh at the thought. He really was not looking forward to a chaperone. Someone who would be responsible for them. The idea didn't sound appealing to him. Elizabeth was quiet as she followed her brother, gathering her skirts to make sure they didn't brush against the path and get muddied.
(I was reading up on the duties of a footman, and they serve as a valet too wherever the family or guests want to go. So like what if he and Jack get to talking when they travel around the city, and Francis ignores their agreement and gets between them somehow? It might even create some more tension between them. If that conflicts with the chaperone supervising them I’m cool with saving that idea for later or whatever)
Francis trailed behind Elizabeth towards the mansion, which was notably bigger and more impressive than his own—a simple country cottage in comparison to these French masterpieces. By the time they reached the steps, another servant had one of the doors open. He cast a glance over his shoulder in search of another arrival, the chaperone who was to meet them here. The idea of another person to keep an eye on Jack relieved him. It wouldn’t be his sole responsibility, for a time at least.
(nah it works fine! Keene (the chaperone) would only really interfere if he noticed. Which he won't, he's not very observant lmao)
Keene had, in fact, already arrived and was inside, having arrived the day before. He came to the door after a moment, greeting the three with a smile. He was in his late thirties or early forties, with a wedding ring on his finger. "There you are. I'm glad you three made it here without difficulty." He offered his arm to Elizabeth, escorting her inside.
Jack gave an insincere smile. "Yes. Glad to see you made it safely." He replied, voice smooth and unbothered.
(alright! That’s perfect then lmao)
Francis straightened his coat, ran a swift hand over his hair to smooth any stray strands and reassured himself he looked presentable. Smiled politely. More than any other person they met on their trip thus far, he wanted to make a good impression on this man. “And you as well, sir. Thank you.” He stood flanking Jack, then took another step to be slightly ahead of him.
The first footman stood in the entryway awaiting the signal to take the guests up to their rooms, while the other hired hands carried their luggage upstairs.
Keene led the three inside. "I have an itinerary all planned out, as per Lord Montague's wishes." He said as they walked.
Jack rolled his eyes, hanging to the back of the group and crossing his arms loosely.
(Hey! Just wanted to let you know I’d still like to keep going with this rp (and the one in our PMs), but I’m gonna take another few days or so off for a small break)
(alright! I'll be here when you come back :)
Francis trailed behind Keene at an appropriate distance. Close enough to hear, but hesitant to leave Jack too far behind. "Have you heard from my father at all?" He'd been eager to receive a letter from home once they were settled in a city, but word of mouth seemed to move quicker and more conveniently than tangible messages anyway.
Keene shook his head. "I have not, no, but I expect any mail should be arriving within a few days. Shall I let you know when I receive word from him?" He asked, pausing to glance back at Francis.
Jack was silent, eyes flickering around as they walked. He didn't feel like talking, not wanting to engage with any of the other three around him.
Francis briefly lost himself in excitement, grinning like a fool until he noticed Keene glanced back at him. The smile dissipated into a faint curve of his lips, and he cleared his throat before speaking. “Ah—yes, please, Monsieur. I would appreciate that very much.” Any news from home would be appreciated. They hadn’t been gone for a terribly long time, but he missed familiar faces nonetheless.
Keene dipped his head in a quick nod. "Of course." He replied, looking back ahead so that he wouldn't trip. "I shall let you know as soon as I receive any word. Jack, Elizabeth, same for you two. If I receive word from your father, I shall let you know."
Jack nodded a little, and then said, after a pause, "Thank you, Keene."
Francis softened his smile to a more content, appropriate level for polite conversation. “Yes. Thank you, monsieur.” Thinking ahead to word from his father, he would likely want to know how things have been going on with the Montague siblings. Francis glanced over to Elizabeth with his content smile, then back to Jack where his grin faltered, and a abruptly averted his gaze before making eye contact. “Is there a room for each of us here?” He spoke to Keene. “Or will we have to share?”
(which would be more entertaining?? Alone, or Jack and Francis sharing a room?)
(Hm, I think Francis and Jack sharing a room could be more entertaining. I might be mistaken but I also vaguely remember that sharing a bed wasn’t uncommon around this century either so that could be fun)
(sharing a bed was more common between close friends, not strangers haha, but if you want to make them share a bed, that could definitely be entertaining lmao)
(yeah that makes more sense for close friends lmaoo, I don’t have a huge preference for them either way. Or maybe they could have separate beds this time and then share later on once the tension between them grows?)
(yeah! Maybe they eventually move locations and Keene's like "sorry but you two have to share a bed" and at first they both are as far away from each other as possible, and then some night they eventually wake up snuggled close?? And they're super embarrassed and awkward about it and yes, I love it. Sound good?)
(Sounds great! I’m all for that)
(alright!)
"You and Jack are in the same room, though not the same bed." Keene replied. "The lady has her own room, and I have my own as well. Will that be satisfactory?" It wouldn't be proper for Elizabeth to share a room with any of them. Perhaps with Jack, though even then it wasn't proper, even though they were siblings.
Jack scoffed under his breath, shaking his head a little, but didn't speak.
Francis did his best to try and conceal the dread seeping into his expression. No doubt sharing a room with Jack, of all people, would be awkward at best, perhaps ending in an argument at worst. Although he couldn’t ignore the sound reasoning behind the decision. “Yes, monsieur,” he replied dryly.
Keene nodded a little. "Good." he replied, stopping in front of a door. "This is for the gentlemen." he said, opening it up and letting the door swing open. "The lady's is the next door, and my own is at the end." he looked over at Francis and Jack. "Is there anything you two need before dinner?"
Francis craned his neck to look inside the room. It looked comfortable enough despite having to share it with Jack. His gaze flicked back to Keene at the question. “Ah, no, thank you. I should be fine until dinner.” It’d be nice to have some privacy. Well, as much as he could get while sharing a room.
Jack shook his head, moving into the room and flopping down on the far bed, looking up at the ceiling. "I'm good. Thanks, Mr Keene." He replied. Mr Keene nodded, and led Elizabeth to her room. She went inside and closed the door.