AN: I've liked Maude since the first time I "met" her and it seems that she gets a really bad rap in a lot of stories. So, I decided to write something that gives some reason to how and why she is the way she is.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Magnificent Seven or any of the characters (except the OCs) but if Chris or Ezra ever wanted to come over they'd be more than welcome.
The warm, late spring air drifted through the open windows of the antebellum home. It was a humid evening but no one at the plantation seemed to mind tonight. The winter had been a cold one and it was still fresh enough in everyone's minds that the warm air was appreciated. And Charles Carstairs was the first in Northern Georgia to have a spring ball.
Up in her room Maude James, Carstairs niece, stifled a very unlady like yawn as Elsie, her personal maid, brushed through her long blonde hair. "Elsie, I don't think I can bear another one of Uncle Charles's parties, and all those borin' young men tryin' to win my affections." The eighteen-year-old moaned, putting a well rehearsed pout her lovely face. Ever since her cotillion two years before, Uncle Charles had insisted she attend every function he hosted. She wouldn't have minded so much but she knew he only did it in hopes that she would soon find a husband. Maude had no real objection to marrying, but her uncle's associates had the dullest sons Maude had ever had the misfortune to make acquaintance with. And the duller they were, the harder it seemed they tried to win her hand.
The maid tutted as she began to arrange the girl's hair on top of her head. "Now, now Miz Maudie. Your Uncle Charles only wants to see you find yoself a fine young man and settle down so's you can have some youngens of your own."
Maude made a face, she wasn't sure she wanted to "settle down", and she was certain she didn't want to marry just so she could "have youngens". Like most girls she had dreamed and fantasized about the man she would one day marry, what he would do, where they would live. She had even, on occasion, thought about the children they would have and what names would best suit them. However, domesticity was not Maude's strong suit and she had found when she had started to receive callers that most of the young men around Atlanta were not looking for a girl quite like her. This had discouraged her initially, but she had since decided she'd would rather be alone then be married just so she could be someone's cook, maid, or child bearer. The problem was she wasn't sure how long her uncle could be put off in his search for her a husband.
Maude had lost her mother to the fever when she was eleven and her father not long after that. Since then she had lived with her mother's brother and his wife. She had been born into a well bred family and as such had been trained her entire life to be a proper lady, and the principle that 'appearances are everything' had been instilled in her from the beginning. But since coming to live with her aunt and uncle both of those things had taken on new meaning.
Being a female, and as such incapable of understanding or caring about the business world, no one had ever told Maude directly but she know Uncle Charles' businesses hadn't been doing well the last few years. And for that reason she had no doubt that his desire to see her wed had more to do with how advantageous it would be for him than any concern for her or her desires. However, while Maude was nothing if not a lady, she was also extremely resourceful and cunning and she didn't care what her Uncle Charles wanted she had no intentions of marrying just to seal one of his business deals. Anymore than she did so she could sew and have babies. "Elsie, I don't wish to marry just to have children and run a house." Although she had been raised a gentlewoman Maude had interest in many things that fell outside the realms of respectability, at least for a lady. She would happily discuss business with anyone who would take her seriously, and if they didn't take her seriously then she enjoyed showing them up with her knowledge, she know more about horses than most men, and she was also a fair hand at poker. However, since none of these were considered activities that should be of interest to a lady she was forced to spend these parties either letting the boys clamor around her, and hope that one of them turned out to be interesting, or stay with the ladies and discuss all things suitable for a gentlewoman.
The black woman shook her head. "Land sake's child, you and your ideas. Them ideas is likely a reason yo uncle is so set to get you married. If'n you had your way, you'd be racing horses and playing poker and smoking cigars." The maid gasped suddenly as if the thought had just occurred to her. "Oh, Miz Maudie you ain't never smoked a cigar have you."
Maude bit back a smile a joke coming to her, she never had smoked a cigar but Elsie didn't need to know that. "Why, Elsie" she exclaimed looking at her maid through the mirror. "Whatever is wrong with a lady having a smoke every now and then? It's only one or two a week. It's always nice to enjoy one over a friendly poker game or a glass of whiskey."
"Miz Maudie!" The woman's eyes grew large then she saw her young mistresses' smirk. "You best stop that lyin' Miz Maudie. Lordy, girl I got half a mind to put you over my knee fo even talkin' bout such things."
Maude was taken aback by Elsie threat. "Elsie, you wouldn't dare!" The maid would never do any such thing but Maude still didn't like that kind of talk, especially from a slave. "Besides Uncle Charles would never let you get away with striking me like that." Maude replied with some arrogance.
"He wouldn't if he knew but I so nuff wouldn't tell him. And if'n you told him I tells him 'bount them cigars and he'd do the same thing I did." Elsie told the girl in a voice that left no room for argument. She may have been a slave but Charles Carstairs was a good master and she'd known the girl to long to let herself be bullied by the young blonde.
"Oh for heaven's sake Elsie, I was only teasing." Maude huffed. "No, I've never had a cigar." Although, now that the maid had made the suggestion, Maude would certainly have to look into getting one, maybe she could sneak one from Uncle Charles's office later. She didn't often get the chance to play poker but she'd be willing to bet that the taste of a cigar would make the game more fun.
"Good" The maid said with a nod. "You is a lady Miz Maudie and a lady ain't got no need for them smelly things. Now let get you in your dress, all them young men is waitin' for you and you don't want to disappoint them."
Maude heaved a sigh as she got up. She wasn't holding out much hope that this party would be any different than the rest of them but maybe, just maybe, she was wrong.
Maude barely kept her eyes from rolling when Rupert Jones asked for a dance. Honestly, she didn't really mind her uncle's attempts at matchmaking but if he was going to keep doing this it would be nice if he could find some new guests. However, Maude proper upbringing kept her from saying what she really wanted to say, something along the lines of No, Rupert please go away and come back when you have a personality. Instead she forced a smile and said quite politely. "Thank you, Rupert that would be lovely."
So, she withstood a dance with Rupert, then with William Paine, and Paul Stephenson, and George Grant. As her dance with George ended she saw Rupert getting ready to come over again she hastily turned toward George. "Do excuse me George." She said opening her fan. "It's getting rather warm in here. I believe I need some fresh air."
"Of course, Miss James. Can I fetch you a drink?"
"Oh, no thank you." She answered with a slight smile as she began to fan herself. "I'll be fine in just a moment I'm sure." She turned and, as quickly as she possibly could and still be lady like, fled to the first open door.
Stepping outside she took a deep breath of the humid Georgia air. How much longer would she have to put up with this? She had tried to give them all a fair chance but there wasn't any way she would be able to marry any of the young men her uncle had picked for her.
Maude had never considered herself t be a romantic or thought that she in any way had unrealistic expectations but she did want to love the man she married and it would be nice if he thought her capable of something besides cooking and washing. That wasn't asking for too much, was it? She started to fan more quickly, wondering if she could get by with pleading a headache and escaping to her room. It was unlikly, she was almost certain she had used that excuse at the last ball. She sighed once more knowing she wouldn't be able to remain out here undisturbed much longer, but she dreaded having to go back inside. Maybe she could pretend to twist an ankle while dancing; she'd never tried that before. Snapping her fan shut, she took a breath and steeled herself to go back for more socializing. After all, as long as Rupert didn't start talking about banking, he wasn't that bad. Well, really he was that bad but she could make it through the night…maybe.
"You don't seem to really want to be here."
Startled Maude spun around at the unfamiliar voice. She hadn't realized there was anyone else out here. The young man in front of her grimaced at her reaction, he hadn't meant to scare her. He offered her a smile. "My apologies, Miss. I didn't mean to frighten you."
Maude took a moment to compose herself before answering. "No apology is necessary. I afraid I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings. I wasn't aware there was anyone else out here."
The young man gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, to be honest I saw you inside and… followed you out here." Maude was surprised by the man's straightforward manner but at least he did have the decency to look a little ashamed at his admission.
Maude didn't have an answer to his bold statement so she chose to ignore it. "If you'll excuse me, my uncle will be wondering where I am." She moved to go around him but he stopped her with a question.
"May I escort you back inside?"
Maude turned, now that there was more light from inside she could see that he was a very attractive young man. If she were honest with herself, he was probably the best looking man at the party and she was tempted to accept his offer but her upbringing won out in the end. "Thank you, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be proper. We haven't been properly introduced." She expected him to be disappointed but of he was he didn't show it. Instead he gave her a grin.
"If that's the only problem I'll just have to see what I can do about rectifying that." Giving her a nod he turned and disappeared into the ball room. Maude watched him go and felt a smile come to her face. Maybe this party held some promise after all.
When Maude rejoined the party she went to find her aunt and the other ladies, hoping to avoid having to dance anymore right away. Her aunt looked at her when she walked up. "Maude dear, your uncle was looking for you. Where have you been?"
"It was feeling a little stuffy in here. I went to get some air."
"I know dear. It's nice to see warmer weather after that winter but it is a bit stuffy tonight." Her aunt said pulling out her own fan.
"And the heat seems to have come early this year." One of her aunt friends chimed in.
As the others joined in the discussion about the weather, Maude quietly slipped off looking around to see if there was any sign of the mysterious young man she met on the veranda. She was so engrossed in her new activity she didn't see Paul come up next to her. "Miss James?" She turned, startled again. What was wrong with her tonight? She was almost never caught off guard. "They're lining up for the Virginia Reel. Would you care to be my partner?" Having no good reason to refuse Maude allowed him to lead her to the middle of the floor, thinking that maybe, being out on the floor would afford her a better view of the room and increase her chance of finding the stranger.
Her gamble paid off for no sooner had she lined up with Paul, she saw him. He was two couple down from them and he smiled when he caught her looking at him. Now that she could get a good look at him she saw that he was, without question, the most attractive man in the room. He had dark hair and the greenest eyes she had ever seen, and his smile was absolutely devastating. Throughout the dance she couldn't help sneaking glances over at him, and any time she looked over, he was looking at her.
After the dance Paul offered the get drinks for them. When he left Maude looked for the young man once more but he had, once again, seemingly vanished. Maude couldn't help but feel disappointed that he was gone but she told herself that was silly. There was no reason for her to care whether he was here or not, after all she didn't even know her name. All too soon, Paul returned with the drinks and Maude settled in to hear another long, drawn out, one sided conversations about Paul's father's shop. Thankfully, Paul must have been thirsty and he quickly finished his drink. After Seeing Paul drain his own cup Maude drank hers as fast as possible, giving him a smile when she was done.
"Shall I take your cup?" He asked holding out his hand.
"Thank you." She said giving him her empty cup. As Paul walked off Maude sighed, that hadn't been too bad. She was about to join her aunt again when she saw Rupert Jones approaching her. She feverishly started trying to think of an excuse not to have to dance again when she noticed who was beside him. It was her mysterious stranger. Maude smiled when they both came up. The stranger returned her smile and Maude felt her heart skip a beat. If Rupert noticed anything peculiar about the exchange he didn't act like it.
"Maude" He said "This is Mr. Standish." He turned to the man. "Mr. Standish, may I present Miss Maude James."
"Mr. Standish" She offered him her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Officially anyway. She
thought.
He planted a gentle kiss on her hand. "Miss James, the pleasure is entirely mine. Would you care to dance?" He asked suddenly sensing the man standing next to him was about to ask the same thing.
"I'd love to." Maude replied, allowing him to lead her back to the middle of the floor, not giving Rupert another thought.
"Does this mean we've been properly introduced? He asked as they lined up to dance.
She laughed a little. "Yes it does. But I was wondering, how is it that you know Rupert?"
"Rupert? Oh, I don't." He saw her look of confusion and laughed. "I just asked if he knew you. He did so I asked him to introduce me."
"That was very underhanded of you Mr. Standish."
"Thank you. Underhanded is something I have a great talent for."
Maude fought the grin she felt trying to escape; the best way to catch a man was to be coy. She certainly didn't want him thinking she was too eager. "Mr. Standish, Rupert told you my Christian name but I believe he failed to mention yours."
He flashed her another one of those smiles. "So he did. It's Patrick, Miss James. Patrick Standish."
