[RP] The Stewart's House

On a small street near the Royal Palace, calm and surrounded by trees - which were becoming rare in London - stood an imponent, white house built in the barocco style, which differed much from many other houses around.

Three columns in the roman style supported the entrance and once someone could enter the guarded house, could see the Hall where walls were covered by paintings and portraits. Piero recognized his brother's portrait, as well as his own, as he entered in the house. A familiar place, which for many years he didn't see. The servants looked at him, some curious about the young brother of their master they had so much heard about, but never seen. And now there was he, ascending the stairs towards the room of his brother.

He entered them, without knocking on the door and found the dark room, all curtains closed and his brother James on his bed.

How... was with the Cecils?, asked James, coughing. Please, open the curtains, I want to see your face, my brother.

It was good, Lady Eleanor accepted my proposal., said Piero, who did as he brother requested. Light entered the room and he could see Jame's pale face, as such as a skull and a shadow of what he was before. He turned his face, not trying to look on his face.

Good, good... Piero, I believe I won't pass this day., said him, looking towards a painting of himself with his old Greyhound.

Nonsense, James! Why do you think so?!

Because I've been to many battles, Piero... and I never feared death. But now, I can't even leave this bed, I don't have the necessary strong... what can I do? My body is rotting inside. Come closer.

Piero obeyed him and went towards his brother, quietly. He holded his hand and looked at him. James blessed his brother. Now... let me rest.

Worried, Piero left the room and went to his own, where he had work to do, especially regarding the structuring of the Army. Little did he know that death finally reached James while sleeping and he would finally leave the agony he had been supporting for days. James was now in peace.

Hours later, as Piero heard the screams of the maid in his brother's room, he knew what happened.

What a day..., said Piero, arriving in the Stewart's House. A young servant came to take his coat, which Piero dropped. He recognized some of Velázquez's paintings his brother had bought before and looked carefully at them. Indeed, beautiful. He laughed as he thought about what his mentor, Olivares, had told him about that painter: he knew only how to paint heads. But he was wrong, and Piero admired his work. In fact, he wanted to a Patron of Arts and mark History in that way, financing the greatest painters of his era.

Admirable..., said him, but a sound interrupted him and he turned his head to see the butler who arrived. He was a tall man, from Scotland, Piero heard, and who served his family since his grandfather.

Lord Piero, I believe Your Grace may not remember me, but I'm Harold and have been in service of your family since many years ago. I understand you're my new lord, is there something I could do for you?

Piero nodded and smiled. Although many nobles decided to make the power turn over their heads, Piero should control it. For he wanted to be respected, not feared and as a way to control himself.

Yes, please, I want every letter from me to be first checked. Also, I know I have much papers to sign... sign, sign, since the Queen concede me the grace to hold my brother's possessions. I'd like them to be in my office tomorrow. And for now, Harold, please you must rest. And eat something, if you haven't... ah, and I already ate, there's no need to worry.

The butler made a reverence and left his master, who went to his room to rest.

A stagecoach came from the centre of London towards the small street were Piero lived.
"Another day in paradise...", thought him, as he thought of all the work he had to do, papers to sign on that day. But perhaps, she would be already there, his younger sister who had been in the Continent with him.
The vehicle stopped with the horses in front of the house and Piero descended from it. Then, he saw the house. Certainly it wasn't big as Cobham Hall, the main residence of the family, located in Kent, but after all that was in the countryside, not in London.
The stagecoach also entered in the house and the horses were taken to the stable to rest.
The Duke of Richmond stepped inside the house and there, he saw his sister, not surprised as he knew she was coming.
A bright smile appeared in the man's cold face, very rare for the young Duke who had always been quiet and didn't show much affection to others aside from his family.

Piero went slowly towards her, with open arms.
Ah, my dear Catherine! I'm very glad you have arrived! How are you? How was your trip?

Piero smiled and tried to rise his sister as he did when she was younger, but now that was difficult, she almost an adult! But no matter what, she would always be his younger sister. The Duke took her arm and led her towards his office, offering her a chair.

I believe you heard of James's death, in Normandy, after all I became Duke after it. I really miss him... he was poisoned, what a dreadful way to die., said him. But then he realized those things weren't to speak at that moment... Ah, let's not talk about it now. I have some good news... I was appointed Lord High Constable of England by the Queen, which is a great honor for me and for our family! Also, I'm engaged again, this time with Lady Eleanor Rose Cecil, daughter of the Earl of Salisbury. I stood at her house in France and decided to propose marriage to her when I arrived in England... I asked their family and they gave me their blessing. After all, I'm already 25, I need a wife... don't you agree, my dear sister?

Love, love, love... it's easy for you to talk, my sister., said him laughing.
Piero had know Lady Eleanor when he stood ad Normandy, as the Cecils offered shelter to him in there mansion in Rouen.
His first love had been Lady Gabrielle, years ago, but she had been murdered. Since then, Piero had been disillusioned until he met Lady Eleanor in Rouen. Piero was struck by Eleanor's youth and vivacity and started to change his mind.

Arriving in London, he decided it was time to marry and took the decision.
I feel the same I felt when I was with Gabrielle, when I see Lady Eleanor... and I esteem her very much, sister., said him, who in those matters were very formal even choosing the word.

Well, I think you should rest and we will go to the Palace. I want to present you formally to Her Royal Majesty.

Raymond organized the servants in the house, even the butler, when Piero was away. That was his function, to keep the order in the enormous house while the master and his sister were away. And he, Raymond, had knew them for a long time. Born as a bastard to a maid, years ago, who worked in Cobham Hall and not much later died, he was raised by Esmé Stewart and later, James Stewart, as a son. And many speculations surrounded Buckle, as why he received so many favours, as if he was a bastard son of Esmé or his son, the 1st Duke of Richmond. After all, When Raymond was born, James was already at his eighteen years, in 1630. The truth was that Raymond-Roger Buckle was educated with his friend and master, Piero Stewart, although he stood in England to fight with James of Richmond against the the roundheads.

He was disturbed by someone who knocked the door hard, many times. Who was this? A servant stepped towards the great door and Raymond took his arm, not allowing to go any further. Perhaps the Duke had returned, as he hadn't seen him before. Buckler had just arrived from the lands of Richmond, which he was administrating at the request of the former Duke. He went to the door and opened it, looking at the man who was there.

Who are you, mister? And why are you here?

His words were calm and in a strong tone. His eyes observed carefully and with attention the stranger who was there, in front of the house of the Stewarts.

Alex looked up and saw a man standing in the open door. He greeted him with a bow. Good day Sir, I'm Alexander Castlemount, just recently appointed as Judge of Middlesex, and I am here to visit an old friend of mine, sir Piero Stewart. I do hope I'm at the right adress.
Alex looked with expectation to the man in the door. Hoping he would say that he was right, and after that, it would just be another thing to hope for, the fact that Piero had to remember him. But that were worries for later.

ooc: I'm not promoted to Lord High Admiral yet, in this RP ^^

Raymond looked at him, bowed and thought about the man's name. Alexander, Alexander Castlemount... from where did he heard this? The answer came as the images of the carnage which took place in the battle of Naseby... with the Royalist Army, under the banner of Charles I, on his own regiment of foot between the Clipston-Naseby track on the left and the Sulby Hedges on the right. A letter had arrived to him and carefully he read the news from his friend, Piero, on the continent and he mentioned that new acquaintance and friend who studied with him, Alexander Castlemount.

Ah, I believe I heard of you. The Duke is away, he went to the Palace, but he is supposed to arrive soon, you may wait in the Hall for him., said him, as he opened the door for the man. Please, enter.

Alex stepped inside. Thank you. I will wait then untill he returns. I have all the time in the world, so there is no hurry. He stepped in further and looked at the house. Houses, tsss, boats were still a lot better.

The stagecoach arrived once again in front of the gates of the Stewart's House. Piero left it calmly, and offered his hand to his sister, so she could leave it. "Well well, I was amazed by you in the Court, my sister. I must send a letter to Lady Eleanor and her father today, inviting then to have dinner with us, tomorrow. Now, shall we go inside?", said him, as he looked to the house, smiling.

Alexander saw his friend Piero enter and he straightened himself to be as presentable as possible. When Piero was in the house, Alexander made a polite bow to his friend. Greetings Duke Piero Stewart. I do not know if you recognize me still, but I'm Alexander Castlemount. We met in Venice. Alex rose and then he saw someone following.

Again, he made a bow to the Lady entering after Piero. And greetings to you, milady. Who do I have the honour of meeting? He rose again, waiting for a response, while he heared someone knocking on the door already.

The Stewart laughed as he heard his sister about the marriage and immediatelly recognized Alexander and Raymond as he entered in the hall of his house and a bright smile came on his face. Ah, Alexander, Raymond! Of course I remember you, why shouldn't I? Welcome to London, welcome to England!, said the Duke as he greeted the man. And you, Raymond, I wasn't expecting you so soon, but I'm happy to see you again!

He turned once again to Alexander. And you, my friend, what brings you to England? You're welcome to stay here in my house if you haven't t found any place yet in London.

Then, he heard the door being knocked and saw a maid going towards it, allowing the man to enter. Ah, Marshall Oduan, welcome to my house. It seems today that my house will be crowded again!, said him. Indeed, Piero liked to have a crowded house as he grew in one, when his brother was the Duke of Richmond and Lennox. It was very common to see nobles and important men entering in the house, going to James's office where he would consult and discuss with all of them. So, I believe we must not wait here, but have a sit?, as Piero said so he made a gesture for them to follow him towards another room, where there were chairs and a fireplace.