This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to SHIELD, any of its characters or any characters within the MCU… Much to my disappointment. This is a Regency Era based AU and I will be pulling characters from all over the MCU. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it.
Chapter 6: Realities
Daisy spent a lot of the next few weeks going on nearly daily walks starting from one of the three different homes she and her friends resided in. In the intermediate time, she was shuffled about by her Aunt Vicky, Jemma, and Lady Justine in preparation for her presentation. They wanted the presentation to happen before the start of the main season when audiences with the Queen were less easy to come by. As a result, Daisy was being presented at the beginning of October and the little Season as it is referred to.
After her presentation, it was decided, they would spend the Christmas holiday at St. Agnes Park so that Daisy's staff and estate could receive the long missing attentions of its mistress. Daisy had already invited her friends' families for Christmas and since her estate in Kent was only a half day's ride from London, the invitation was readily accepted by all. As a result, Daisy had written to her estate's steward and sent ahead instructions for hiring under staff for the house as the upper staff positions were already filled. Min Li, convinced now that his mistress was safe with the cook in the London House, removed to Daisy's personal home to get the kitchen and staff in proper order a full two weeks before Daisy's presentation.
When her presentation occurred, Daisy found it surprisingly underwhelming after the fact. Her Aunt, Lady Justine, and Jemma presented her, and she was in the royal presence for only a few minutes before leaving it. Her aunt told her she spent more time than usual with the Queen and the Regent, Prince George of Wales, was also in attendance because he was curious about her connection to the Imperial Throne. A few weeks later saw them all departing for St. Agnes Park as Daisy's first formal ball was to be in January.
Her first two weeks in residence of her own home had Daisy almost dizzy with confusion. Here she was the hostess, even though her brother was, technically speaking, her guardian until she wed. Aunt Vicky and Jemma walked Daisy through all the expected responsibilities of a lady of the house carefully. They also impressed upon her the utmost import of choosing a husband who would actually care for the estate rather than see only the wealth it would provide him.
The one thing that surprised all was that in addition to the friends that Daisy had made at that first dinner, she had also made friends with Miss Laura Triplett, whom was a close friend of Jemma and although the lady wasn't as 'active' as Daisy and her other friends, her intellect won her their favor. As such the Triplett family, including the Major, had also been invited for Christmas. Jemma was pleased with this development while Lady Victoria viewed it with cautious optimism.
Thus, it was in the first week of November that Daisy hosted her first guests. Lord Carter and his children and niece were the first to arrive. Leo supposed it was because he had two eager ladies to attend to the wishes of rather than one. The Romanoff family arrived a few days later, Mr. and Mrs. Romanoff falling into their usual attentions to Lord Carter and Lady Victoria and leaving their daughter to her friends' attentions. The Triplett family was the last to arrive, at the end of the week but the contrast between Major Triplett and his siblings, one older brother and his younger sister was remarkable when in relief.
All of the Triplett siblings had different mothers as the first two wives of Mr. Triplett had died in childbirth. Unlike his siblings, whose mothers were fair skinned and English, Antione Triplett's mother had been dark of coloring and a daughter of a displaced French noble. Natasha had a point in saying that for all the difference in skin tone, he was the handsomer of the brothers which not even Laura could deny.
Just before her departure for St. Agnes, Lady Peggy had received a request for courtship from her brother's friend Col. Samuel Wilson, the only male relative of Duke Nickolas Fury as his nephew by way of his sister and thus his only heir. Their first morning all in residence, Daisy and her friends all went to a grassy area in the gardens and they all began comparing their different styles of 'exercise' that they engaged in. Natasha and Lady Peggy were intrigued by the completely different style utilized in China than England. Stephanie, however, was the only one willing to be instructed through the movements by one of Daisy's guards, much to the amusement and blushing of all. In contrast, Daisy found the English Style of 'exercise' to be simplistic in comparison.
A week of this activity passed along with general riding and other activities of entertainment for all before the Triplett men encounter the ladies engaging in such unladylike behavior and the elder two were properly scandalized. It took a full two days before both Mr. Tripletts calmed enough to listen to the reasoning of Lady Victoria and Lord Carter. Mr. Romanoff seemed to not care in the slightest about what his daughter was caught doing, nor did he feel the need to explain his choice education for her.
In contrast to his father, brother and step-mother's reactions, Major Triplett scandalized the uninformed even further by joining the ladies the next morning and helped correcting the various forms of all involved. Being a military man had broadened Major Triplett's view of the world and he knew more of the darker underbelly of society than he ever would have liked. However, this also gave him a better understanding why some parents would have their daughters taught how to defend themselves.
His view of things had both Lady Victoria and Leo to relax around him a bit. Before, their caution had been due to a suspicion that he may have spoken ill of Col. Ward to get in their good graces, despite Jemma's reassurances, but no fortune hunter would want a woman who could fight back, especially if he thought to bring about a compromise. He also made no rude commentary about Daisy's interests in less 'ladylike' reading choices to expand her knowledge on the care of an estate. If anything, it seemed to garner his approval.
A week before Christmas, Natasha and Daisy were taking a walk to the local town to purchase more cloth so for Christmas baskets for Daisy's tenets, "Just a forewarning, my parents are likely to attempt to persuade your brother and sister take me on for the rest of the season. Neither of them enjoy the Ton but feel it is needed for me to find an appropriate husband. Honestly, I have spent the past two seasons with Lady Peggy and Steph." Natasha smiled at the last.
"No objections here. Jemma and Leo will probably be happy to oblige. Honestly, I will feel a little easier knowing that I am not the only one with the pressure not to marry the wrong person. Lady Peggy is already all but engaged and Steph isn't faced with the responsibilities of an estate herself. Though, with her personality she will probably have men falling over her when we return to London," Daisy's response was exactly what Natasha had hoped for and the red head laughed at the last bit.
"Oh, you would be surprised. Miss Rogers is quite capable of making any gentleman back down if she has no interest in him. Not that she has interest in any man from what I have seen. Actually, Lady Peggy only gained Capt. Wilson's attentions after he found Miss Rogers completely indifferent. I suspect she has a specific interest in someone I have yet to meet since Lady Peggy is completely unconcerned by it. Care to assist me in teasing her on the matter?" Natasha asked as they walked into the local drapers.
"Well, that certainly sounds entertaining. I believe I just might," Daisy responded with amusement before turning her attention to the task at hand. A half hour later had seen them finished with the task and heading back to St. Agnes as the temperature dropped and they barely arrived back before snow began to fall. The footman who had accompanied them carrying a large bundle of fabrics that had been purchased.
"Daisy, Miss Romanoff, good thing you have returned. We were worried you wouldn't make it back before the snow began to fall. It might be best to take the carriage for any further endeavors while this weather persists. We wouldn't want either of you to fall ill," Aunt Vicky commented as they entered the drawing room after having shed their pelisse and spencer coats.
"We did have a near miss there, Aunt. However, we were successful in our endeavors. Once the weather clears, we should be able to deliver much needed goods to my tenets. Min Li has already seen to some preserves to go in the baskets as well," Daisy seemed immensely pleased with herself before joining her brother where he sat reading over the records that the steward had provided. Peggy and Natasha were immediately drawn into the conversation that began over where and how improvements could be best invested in. Lord Charles happily aided in the education of his younger cousin on her responsibilities. Major Triplett even contributed a few of his own thoughts, having gone on the rides about the estate to see different sections with Leo, Daisy and her friends.
"Personally, I think you should go for the purchase of this land that the steward mentioned last week. He took us about it and it seems to be a solid investment. It will hardly take any work for an increase in yield, especially if you place the fields in the care of Mr. Browning. His fields are near enough to it already and he seems to have a good handle on what he has charge of already. If anything, he probably isn't getting as much work as he deserves," The Major pointed out at one point while they were considering different ways to increase profits from the estate. "The land is fairly inexpensive as well, it should hardly put a dent into the savings you have, Miss Coulson.
Daisy had found that in the few weeks he had been in residence, Major Triplett treated Daisy as the true mistress of the house and estate rather than Leo. It surprised her that he was treating her as an equal and the rightful owner of her property as few men seemed capable of.
Leo seemed to be a little uncomfortable with being dismissed as he was still technically Daisy's guardian until she reached majority or married. Jemma and Lady Victoria on the other hand seemed to approve as, they told Daisy, her grandfather had specified distinctly in his will that Daisy would been given complete control upon her majority or marriage. There was even a sample of how her late grandfather specified that the marriage articles be written so that she wouldn't lose control over the estate and fortune left to her.
Leo made a big show of talking about it loudly when he had felt that the Major had spent an obvious amount of attentions on Daisy, though on Daisy's part it felt more like he simply wished to be friends since she was his intellectual equal. Unlike many militarily minded gentlemen, Major Triplett, or Trip as he had requested they all call him, seemed to value all the ladies' abilities to carry a conversation rather than sitting silently to be talked at.
The rest of the week was spent by the ladies preparing the baskets going to the tenets of the estate with Leo staying in the same room to discuss with her the particulars of running an estate. Lord Charles seemed to enjoy this past time as well since he found the intricacies of where to place investments for sound returns to be a favorite pastime of his. Daisy wondered how much he had managed to increase his estates income in the two years since he had inherited after his father's untimely death.
When, just before Christmas, the ladies brought baskets to all the tenants, Trip joined them happily, aiding in carrying the heavily laden baskets despite them each being strong enough to carry them on their own. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, even if it wasn't necessary, he had argued, much to the amusement of the younger women.
Christmas was also a happy event itself. A package arrived at the manor from London, just before Christmas with presents from Sir and Lady Coulson in China. Thus, Christmas morning, when Daisy opened it, she found her friends mildly envious of the beautiful Chinese styled accessories.
"Daisy, dearest, do you realize this hair stick has a rather thick stick?" Lady Peggy commented on the peculiarity as she examined it.
Daisy smirked and took the hair piece before pulling at the ornament only for it to detach, a small, extremely thin blade coming out of the larger than normal stick showing it to Peggy while angling it so Mr. and Mrs. Triplett didn't see what she was holding, "Yes, it is so that it stays more firmly in your hair. I actually have several variations of this already from among the Emperor's gifts if you would like a few. I find they can be just the thing to use rather than pompous feathers."
Lady Peggy smirked, "Well, if you insist, I certainly won't say no. Such nice hair accessories will put us ahead of the fashion of the Ton I would think."
"Do you suppose that such would manage to stay in my hair as well? I do have a trifle difficult time keeping decorative pins in my hair do to the natural curls," Natasha looked at the subtle weapon with completely covetous eyes. Stephanie also had an intrigued look. Laura was the only one who seemed less interested and picked up what looked to be a decorative fan that startled her with its weight.
Daisy reacted immediately to prevent suspicions from the young lady's mother who viewed the unladylike pursuits with discomfort, "Oh, I see you found the silver gilded fan, Laura. Quite lovely isn't it. Papa does like his ostentatious gifts, I admit as it is rather impractical for everyday use. Actually, if you are all interested in those hair sticks, I have plenty in my rooms."
Laura nodded reluctantly, going along with the charade to prevent any more fuss from her parents. The package was quickly gathered up and the five young women left the drawing room to their elders for a more private setting. Once they were in the sitting room of Daisy's suite, Daisy instructed Xui to get the hair accessories that were gifts from the Emperor while going to her wardrobe and pulling out a rather small but heavy looking box.
"Natasha, I noticed your expression when you saw that fan. I believe that green or deep blue would be most suitable for your complexion," Daisy smirked as she handed over two fans similar to the one included in the package. "Be careful, the ribbing is bamboo but the tips are steel. The silk is removable so that you can oil the blade without staining it. Stephanie, I believe you also prefer blue and Peggy, I know you favor reds and oranges."
Each of the ladies was handed a less than common fan as Daisy's maid brought back a chest of accessories that Daisy had intended to leave in the home as they weren't likely to all be needed. Opening it, she found a much more common pink silk fan with actual silver gilding for Laura as she had no interest in the more lethal accessories. She then smirked and stated that their presents in the parlor held the promised hair sticks making Natasha and Peggy smirk while Steph gave her a grateful smile.
After the other ladies had all opened their presents, of which Daisy had gifted all her guests either weaponized accessories or more common types for the ladies who didn't engage in their 'morning exercises'. For the gentlemen, she gifted them with books that fitted with their particular interests. When all the gifts that she had personally selected were handed out, everyone else exchanged their gifts as well. At the last, when the rest of the presents had been exchanged, Aunt Vicky and Charles stood and ordered Daisy to don her pelisse so that she could receive her present from them.
Daisy did as ordered quickly. Her friends following suit to see what it was as well. Lord Charles was smiling happily at Daisy's eagerness. She and her friends followed him out into the frozen weather. It had been snowing on and off for the past week and the paths to stable were the mostly the only things clear of snow. Daisy was completely confused about what was in the stables but her cousin and aunt lead them directly there.
When they entered the stables, a new horse was in the primary stall of the riding section. It was a pure black, Lipizzan mare. Daisy looked absolutely enthralled with the mare who tossed her head at the sudden presence of humans. Charles stood beside Daisy pleased with the evident joy on her expression. Daisy had been riding a horse from Leo's stables in London but had often found the more docile horse a bit slow.
"She was bred in our stables in my father's time and is admittedly the best to come from them from her year. A bit spirited but you have ample experience as a horsewoman and she has been fully trained for both astride and side-saddle riding. What are you going to call her?" Charles was more than happy to provide his cousin with a proper mount that she could ride to full advantage.
After a thoughtful pause Daisy smiled, "Mulan, from the Ballad of Mulan, Mulan also means Magnolia so I think that will fit nicely." Lord Charles and Lady Victoria nodded approvingly at the name.
Lady Peggy, Natasha and Stephanie all asked about the Ballad of Mulan which Daisy happily obliged when they returned to the house.
Author's Note: These are the basic stats on the horse mentioned: The Lipizzan is considered the ambassador of classical dressage because it was specifically bred for this ancient art that began as training for cavalry mounts. They are masters of the high movements of dressagepiaffe and passage. Their strong haunches and hocks make the horses naturals at collection. Today's Lipizzans are mostly white because the Austrian nobility preferred and selectively bred white horses. Bay and black horses do occur but are rare. Lipizzans are born dark, brown or gray, but they turn white between the ages of 5 and 10. The Lipizzan stands between 14.3 and 15.3 hands. I went with a black because, while rare, it is more fitting for Daisy's personality and would be considered Exotic just as Daisy would have been viewed.