Once all appears ready, Sir John has his groom Jem bring his own horse around from the stables and waits eagerly in his front drive for the arrival of his guests.

As time wears on, and his guests do not appear, Sir John becomes disturbed and wonders aloud, "Could there have been some misunderstanding of the time for our little excursion? Should I send Jem around to the other houses to be sure my guests are coming??"
Jem replies "I'd not trouble yourself too soon, gov'nor. Fine folks may take time to be ready for a nice outing. Besides, by the time I'd get around to all their houses, the day would be too late for a picnic today. Either they'll be along shortly or not at all."

As if on cue, the Vicar turned up on a rawboned grey horse.

"Good morning. I was worried I was late and you'd all have gone without me."

"Delighted to see you, doctor." Sir John greets him, beaming. "I was beginning to fear everyone had forgotten our little excursion. I hope the others will join us soon. Meanwhile, can you tell me how your studies are progressing, and how your flock is prospering? As a warden I should always share the concerns of the parish."

Rather late, William finally turned up on Sirocco, who as usual was chomping at the bit to let fly.

"Good morning", William replied with a sheepish grin, "my apologies for such tardiness, but Sirocco threw a shoe and had to be re-shod.  I hope we are not too late..."

Sir John says "Your delay is quite pardonable, major. We could hardly ask you to join us on a pleasant country ride without a horse. Now if only the ladies appear, our party will be complete. The fair sex is notoriously given to spending time enhancing their already impressive natural beauty, and one can hardly complain of the results, but still..."

The Vicar looked slightly embarassed.

"I was calling on some of the villagers and lost track of time, I'm afraid. But you are my parishoners too, after all, so I am still about my business."

Angeline arrived soon enough."I am sorry if I have kept the gentlemen waiting." She gave a small smile.

Sir John bowed to her and declared, "I assure you that we were more that happy to wait for the honor and pleasure of your company on this agreeable expedition."

After waiting a little more, Sir John says, "It seems that all the guests have arrived, for the moment. Jem, if you will collect our refreshments from Mrs. Partridge in the kitchen we will be off." The groom knuckles his forehead and vanishes for a short while, returning with two large, well-filled baskets, from one of which the necks of several bottles protrude. He sets them carefully into saddlebags on a sturdy though far from spirited horse, mounts it, and then reports "All ready, Sir John."

Sir John surveys the party cheerfully and says "Forward, my friends!" He leads off at the gentle pace. He turns left coming out of the Markham Hall grounds, and rides on until he reaches the first crossroads to the north, where he pauses and says "What is your pleasure? The London Road eastward, the West Road, or the main road north through the village and beyond?"

OOC: See the Game Map. If you choose east or west, I may need to improvise more, but I am willing to do so if the party pleases.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Tue 23 May 2023.

Hearing no responses from his guests, Sir John says, "Well, for the present I think we might ride on over the bridge and through the village. We shall see more of our neighbors that way, which may be of interest to those of you who are new to Allton."
Assuming that no-one suggests a different choice, he leads the party on over the bridge into the village of Allton itself.

The Vicar smiled at the choice and began to point out some of the features of the village and the places where one could get the best cakes and other supplies.

Sir John says, "We do indeed have some fine pastries here, for a village our size. I should say that we also have quite a handsome church. Those of you who are new here might like to see it under the vicar's guidance. We could dismount for a bit to walk around it if you like."

In reply to Sir John Marke (msg # 99):

Angeline smiled again, and waited to see if anyone else would be arriving. When that did not seem to be the case, she thought that they were missing out on this lovely day.

After they had crossed the bridge, she said that she would be perfectly happy to walk around, and immediately took an interest in the pastry shop after having dismounted.

Sir John also dismounts and joins Angeline in looking over the pastries displayed in the village shop. He remarks confidentially to her "Although as a churchwarden here I really should recommend the church, I must confess my sweet tooth draws me to the excellent cakes here."

The Vicar smiled.

"You will be welcome to visit the church after you've sampled the pastries."

Sir John responds apologetically, "I appreciate your patience with our human failings, Dr. Arabin. I assure you we will be glad to view your church once we have satisfied our weakness."

Turning to Angeline, he says "Since you are my guest for this expedition, Miss Walsh, I would be most happy to purchase any pastries for you which strike your fancy."

After a moment he adds, "Of course I will also be happy to buy pastries for my other guests."

A little old woman in a plain grey dress under a large white apron appears at the door of the shop, bobs a simple curtsy to Sir John, beams at the party and says, "What may I offer you today, dearie?"

William dismounted and joined the others after tethering Sirocco.

"I love pastries", he confessed, "best thing the French ever created, in my opinion; but I must have a care not to indulge too much; any weight gain on my part would put extra stress on my leg, and as I age that could present some intolerable challenges.  But perhaps a cup of tea would be nice..."

The pastryshop matron turns to William and says, "Aye, there's nothing so good as a nice cup o' tea, and surely you can let yourself have just one wee little cake along with it?"
Sir John says, "I should be glad of a cup myself. Would the rest of you care to join us?"

In reply to Sir John Marke (msg # 107):

Angeline laughed. "I can imagine, if the pastries are good." After he had made his offer, she thanked him politely, and went with him into the shop.

"I should like a cup of tea very much, thank you." She said.

The pastry cook shows the party to a table for four covered with a crisp red and white checked tablecloth, goes into the recesses of the shop and returns with a plump blonde young woman with a noticeable family resemblance to the proprietor, who is carrying a tray laden with a large blue-and-white Wedgewood teapot accompanied by matching sugar and cream vessels, and four cups with saucers, while her mother the proprietor follows with another tray laden with several piles of pastries. Both of them set their burdens on the table, and then the elder says cheerfully, "Here you are, good people. If you require anything more, please tell my daughter Rose."

Sir John turn to Angeline and asks, "Would you care to pour for us, Miss Walsh?"

In reply to Sir John Marke (msg # 112):

"Of course." Angeline agreed, and took up the teapot by its handle, and began to carefully pour tea into each cup. When she had finished, she set the teapot down, and sat down again.

Sir John says, "Thank you very much, Miss Walsh. I shall take cream and sugar, myself. Would you care for any, Major?"