BASICS

[Mary Ashwell]

(OOC: Do you want to wrap this up? It seems it is heading that way anyway... )

Mary wasn't too surprised at the other''s practical choice in ribbon; the girl worked as a maid, after all. But she thought Miss Tanner had an almost rustic sort of beauty, and wouldn't it be fascinating to see her gowned in a fine robe? Maybe a light silk? Mary didn't think purple was necessarily Miss Tanner's color -- blue or green, she thought, suited her much better.

How silly it was, too, for her to be relieved that Miss Tanner didn't choose the purple ribbon! The embroidery and the color were unmatched as far as she was concerned, but there was little chance of her having a gown done up in a matching color simply for a party. Mary knew exactly which one she would wear, the same pale pink one she wore to the previous ball she attended. Purple would be too alarming against such a color. Still, she gave the ribbon one last longing look before taking her place behind Miss Tanner, waiting for her bill as well.

"Thank you for your advice; it is much appreciated. I shall pass it along to Cook. But, please forgive me for detaining you from your business for so long," Mary said, dipping her head in an apology. "I've enjoyed meeting you, however, and I hope you find success with your new employers."

She smiled, her words sincere. What was typically a routine - or not so routine, as the case was today - outing to the mercantile had become an opportunity for Mary to meet and talk with another young lady of her age. Sometimes she ached for some female friendship beyond the occasional visit from a pitying aunt.

[Betsy Tanner]

[OOC: I think it would make sense, as Betsy is supposed to just be running a quick errand.]

I hope you find success with your new employers. Miss Ashwell's hope was rather ironic, Betsy thought. Of course, she knew that the other woman was completely unaware what kind of success Betsy was hoping for, especially given her Loyalist beliefs, but the utterance made Betsy smile after all. It was people like Miss Ashwell that sometimes made Betsy feel guilty for intentionally trying to gain the Buckinghams' trust only to divulge any secrets she learned to their enemies. However, whenever her conscience tried to creep up on her, she simply summoned the fury and the pain she felt at the British troops for what they had done to Samuel.

And now Miss Ashwell had given her the perfect time frame to visit the Buckingham house. It was unlikely that the family's cook would be awake. She was an older woman who often retired to her quarters while Betsy cleaned the kitchen and plates after serving the evening meal. Perhaps with the family off for the party, she would retire even earlier, allowing Betsy to explore the house unhampered. Still, the thought gave her pause, as she had never actually broken into any house before. Perhaps she ought to speak to Mr. Ashwell before acting. But how? Would there be time?

Suddenly, Betsy realized she had been silent for a rather long time and offered another smile to Miss Ashwell. "Yes, well, thank you. I am happy to help, of course." At this point, the Maxwell returned with her bill and she paid for the eggs with the money she'd been given by the cook and the ribbon with her own money. "I, too, was glad to meet you, Miss Ashwell, and wish you well with your party." She curtsied again as the Maxwell boy handed her her basket.