Leo furrowed his brow. Dr. Huston should have been either writing something or researching the next something. "It still feels like there is something odd about Doctor Huston's involvement with the expedition. What do you think about his leaving while expressing the purpose of tending to a patient?"

"Well, I'm not sure what to think. It's an oddity, to be sure," he said.

---

OOC:

Give me a Persuasion roll, Leo.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Tue 03 Mar 2015.

OOC:
09:58, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 13 using 1d100 with rolls of 13. Persuade (65).

He seemed to pause for a moment, as if contemplating whether to say more. "There was quite a scandal before ol' Huston left, you see. He broke off a relationship with Miss Imelda Bosch, who then committed suicide. It was quite the scandal. It is possible that he went on the expedition to escape the scandal," he said in a hushed tone, obviously not keen to discuss it.

Leo nodded at the information that Taft provided in confidence. He responded in a similarly hushed tone. "I hadn't realized her suicide had anything to do with him. I won't spread that around, Doctor, but it does put things in a different light. Thank you for your candor. Are you planning to be in New York for a bit still, or is the siren call of Florida's sun-kissed coast going to pull you away soon?"

Rosalie found the refreshments first and graciously accepted a glass of punch from the server, sipping carefully to not spill any on her gloves of gown.  She also took a plate of tidbits, finding Annabel nearby after nibbling at a few of the delightful offerings.  "Did you enjoy your dance?" she asked the other girl, smiling.  "Mister Grey certainly is a dapper fellow."

  Annabel smiled back at the other woman nodding. "Yes, he was very skilled and has done quite well for himself. He will make a good husband to someone one day. And you yourself looked to be having a good time with Mr. Bishop."

"As I said, it's getting a bit cold for these old bones. I think I'll be going sooner than later," he replied.

While Rosalie gathered up Annabel, Bishop made his way over to Leonardo and waited politely as the doctor finished up his conversation. When he saw the chat had finished Bishop suggested that they might want to speak with Miss Carlyle sooner than later.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Thu 05 Mar 2015.

"Yes, I can be a bit of a bully at times," she said to Annabel with an impish smile.  "He obliged me, anyhow.  I cannot say I am having a marvelous time, considering the circumstances, but it has been quite a while since any man has swept me onto the dance floor." Turning, she searched for Stanley and her uncle in the crowd and then let her attention wander.  "It certainly is a fine affair."

   Annabel gave a small laugh at Rosalie's comment. "Yes, it is a nice party isn't it, Miss Carlyle certainly does not disappoint. It's a nice change from all that has happened the last couple of days." She looked at her watch, "I'm afraid though, that it's back to business. It should be almost time for the meeting. Do you see the good Doctor anywhere?" 

Leo offered his hand to Dr. Taft. "Well, I hope you enjoy your trip if I don't see you before you leave. It's been great talking to you, even though your discussion of retirement has caused me a bit of envy. Give my best regards to your wife."

After Dr. Taft had provided any return well-wishes, Leo turned to Stanley and nodded at his suggestion they make their way to the library. "Let's find the ladies."

"Yes, I believe uncle was speaking with a gentlemen over in that direction.  I suspect that Stanley went to collect him."  Tilting her chin and standing on her toes to extend her field of vision, she caught sight of the pair.  "Ah, I see them.  I believe they are heading our way."

Bishop nodded and led Dr. Elias to the ladies. As he did he looked about for either Miss Carlyle or Bradley Grey.

Bradley Grey nodded at Bishop, acknowledging him and the previously indicated plan that they would meet in the study. He made no move to interrupt Miss Carlyle, who was still locked in conversation with a group of her guests.

Going to the room indicated previously by Grey, they find that it is empty, though the door was plainly open for anyone to enter and peruse. Clearly the other guests at the moment seem taken with the cocktails and food than a thirst for knowledge or enlightenment. The library is opulent, dark wooden shelves lining the walls filled with old books. There are a few chairs for sitting and reading and some side tables along the walls.

OOC:
Everyone make a Luck roll please.

Rosalie entered the library, drink in hand, and began to browse the shelves, studying the organization more than the books themselves.   However, she was always interested in new reading material in subjects pertaining to her field.


09:28, Today: Rosalie Elias rolled 23 using 1d100 with rolls of 23. Luck (80).

  Seeing that the others were ready, Annabel followed them to the meeting room. From the looks of it, it did not look like Miss Carlyle would be free for a bit so it left the little group time to look about the room. Annabel glanced here and there but nothing really caught her eye, she really was not in the mood for reading. taking a seat in one of the chairs, she decided to sit and wait for Bradley and Miss Carlyle.

13:41, Today: Annabel Ashcroft rolled 81 using 1d100 with rolls of 81. luck. 70%, I guess it's good to toll bad now. LOL

Leo smiled as he saw Annabel and Rosalie again, though walked quietly toward the library. Once there he looked around at the others. "I hope you've been able to find some enjoyment in the festivities." He gave a cursory look at the spines of some of the books contained in the library. Mostly browsing to understand what sorts of books the Carlyle family felt were important to purchase and maintain.

OOC: Leo's amazing streak of good fortune has run its course.

12:35, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 85 using 1d100 with rolls of 85. Luck (80).

Some twenty minutes later, Erica Carlyle entered the room. A model of strength and self possession, her bearing was not that of confidence that the unproven often times attempted to exude, but a poise that came with a true and natural ownership of her situation. Her carriage was regal, and though she did not flaunt it, she was keenly aware that many of the men and women at this gathering courted her attention for various endeavors.

Still, her face was not the steely mask of a captain of industry. Instead, a reserved and polite smile graced her pleasant countenance as she looked to everyone in silent greeting. Genuine warmth and sympathy showed on her face and laced itself into her tone when first she addressed Dr. Elias. "Dr. Elias, thank you for coming. I heard of what happened recently, and you and Mrs. Elias have my sincerest condolences. As do all of you." At the last, she looked around at the others, acknowledging that her condolences were to them as well.

"I never knew your son Jackson, but I have borne more than my share of loss and grief in this lifetime," she said, referring to her brother and her parents, both of whom passed before their time.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:03, Mon 09 Mar 2015.

21:14, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 85 using 1d100 with rolls of 85. luck 80.

Like the others Bishop looked over the library to see if there was anything of interest. When Miss Carlyle entered Bishop remained quiet nodding in acknowledgement when she expressed her sympathies.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Tue 10 Mar 2015.

Rosalie pulled a curious little book from one of the shelves she was browsing and was thumbing through it just as Erica Carlyle entered.  She turned and offered the woman a nod of thanks at her condolences.  "Thank you for meeting with us, Ms. Carlyle.  We know you have guests to attend, so we will not take up too much of your time."  She looked to Leo to broach the subject, knowing he'd be the most diplomatic about it.

Glancing back to the book in her hand, she turned a few pages, looking through the margins.  She'd read some of Poe's work, but wasn't intimately familiar with everything he'd written.  She was mostly curious as to why it was nestled between Carlyle's expensive volumes.

  Annabel stood up quickly when Miss Carlyle entered the room and smoothed her dress to make herself more presentable. Finally the Queen bee herself. in person she was something else, someone Annabel herself wished to be like one day. She wondered if Erica remembered her at all from her college days.

  Curtseying with grace, Annabel smiled politely saying nothing as she waited for Dr. Elias to make the first move.

Leo gave Erica a wan smile at the mention of Jackson and nodded at her condolences. "Thank you for your condolences, Miss Carlyle. It's all been a bit of a shock. And thank you for your invitation as well, we have all been enjoying your hospitality. Your estate is a magnificent place for such a gathering."

Leo paused and then looked at the others briefly before returning his gaze to Erica. "I believe the loss and grief that you previously experienced may have some relevance to our own. I trust Mister Gray indicated the reason why we had tried to contact you. The short of it is that Jackson indicated that he had discovered something about the ill-fated expedition led by your brother all those years ago."

Leo paused and waited to see if there was any reaction from their hostess.

While they were talking, Bradley Grey entered the room, closing the door behind them so they all had privacy.

"Yes, Dr. Elias, Mr. Grey did mention to me the cause of your inquiry," she said, "and I would very much like to know more. It has been some years since my brother's passing, but I cannot help but be curious. I hope you do not think me over dramatic for this secretive setting for our talk but the matter is one of a sensitive nature. Please, do continue. I would know anything you have to share."