Alain's Bedchambers, The Duchene Estate, Leighton, England, (1762)....
Finely even brush strokes commanded the attention of Alain Remington as he found himself once more before what had once been a blank canvas prior to his arrival after parting from Noreen at the old grove. No one had noticed his arrival as he'd gotten particularly good at slipping into and out of the manor unnoticed. One would possibly surmise that he'd been as good as Casimir at getting in and out without drawing unwanted attention. He had no doubt that his parents would be worried if they knew about his unseemly acts beneath the old grove but he was a man in his own right and didn't need their constant hovering. As protective as they were, he didn't feel it was particularly fair that Casimir had been bedding women of all ages at just fourteen and he was left to his own devices the moment it came to light. Meanwhile his parents continued to monitor him and every interaction with the opposite sex since the discovery of Casimir's numerous sexual conquests.
Unlike Casimir however, Alain was quite private about his affairs even when it came to his painting. He locked himself in his bedchambers most of the afternoon in a bid to work in peace and it was no different this time around. His tendency to lose himself in his work was well noted by everyone whom had been around him. Alana herself had something of the same problem whenever she set her mind to working on a painting.
Alain's portrait work had come a long way since those early attempts at The Old Grove and he was capable of capturing astonishing details whether the subject was before him or if it had been pure memory. The portrait of Herbert Calhoun was coming along nicely and seemed to take on heroic attributes as a result of admiration, when Alain took into account that his man had served many a battle at the side of his father during their war days.
Once more the lad was covered in paint and his fingers stained via the various colors as he completed his work. It was an interesting work with dark and precise means of expression, one of valor and wealth. Just as he dipped his brush in the water bucket he kept them in when finished there was a knock at his door.
Alain made his way over and opened it in time to see Geoffrey standing on the other end he seemed a bit out of sorts,but was pleased to see Alain had been in his bedroom the whole time and hard at work as always.
"Master Alain." said Geoffrey relieved that his search had come to an end. "Your father wishes to see you about the upcoming expedition he has planned...he sent me to tell you to meet him in his study."
"Alright." replied Alain closing the bedroom door behind him and accompanying Geoffery to the upstairs study where his father did most of his work when he'd been home.
On the way, Geoffrey had a strange look on his face when passing by Casimir's bedroom door and Alain couldn't help but feel for the poor lad. He knew all too well what his brother got up to in the early hours of the morning and just how many servants they would be short come breakfast.
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The Upstairs Study, The Duchene Estate, Leighton, England, (1762)....
Alain reached his father's study without further incident and Geoffrey was free to go about his day and finish his rounds about the manor. Alfred Remington stood near the window that overlooked the front of the estate and sighed. It was clear the man had a lot on his mind but he made time for his family and friends whenever possible. Alain had never known a more noble man in all his life, the day he met Alfred Remington he was just a small boy of five years of age and never knew the love of a father until that day. Casimir and Alana often told stories about Lord Sebastien Duchene and his many contributions to the civilized society that everyone in their apparent circle of influence had been accustomed to.
Sebastien was a governor and an avid sailor before his demise at the hands of crude pirates during his final seafaring expeditions. The more young Alain grew the more it became apparent that he had inherited his father's fascination with the sea and the renown war hero, Sir Alfred Remington, nurtured that love and budding talent for the seafaring life with his own experience and tutelage.
Alfred turned to his son greeting him warmly with a firm handshake and a hand on his shoulder. Alain reciprocated respect in kind although he had been curious as to why he was summoned in the first place. The older man walked back toward the window and peered out at the many people moving about keeping the manor in order with their various individually assigned tasks. He seemed deep in thought for a few moments before once more turning to face his son.
"Alain, do you remember the first time I showed you the ship that bears the family name Remington?" he asked with a serious expression filed across his face.
"I do indeed father." replied Alain wondering where this was going.
He had not forgotten the ship, it was the very reason he requested that he be allowed to bare the name Remington.
At the time he was five years old and Alfred had just come back from a long expedition at sea. He was weary and full of stories but madly in love with Alana Duchene and her two sons. He was particularly fond of her youngest boy a rather quiet and soft spoken lad fascinated by the sea and the remarkable aspects of colors.
Alain was a mere boy when he made the request and wished to be every bit the noble gentleman that Alfred was. Casimir was already following in the footsteps of their father Sebastien, but Alain wanted to be like Alfred whom had very recently married their mother and became the only father he had ever known.
Alana had not liked the idea at first, having Alain's surname changed to match that of her newest husband as she wanted to preserve the legacy of her late husband as much as possible but Alain convinced her that Alfred's legacy was worth preserving as well. A noble war hero whom had no sons and was essentially the last of his line and married to a woman whom could not bare him children due to being well past childbearing years.
Alfred was far too noble a man to venture outside his marriage and sire bastards and madly in love with Alana from the very first moment of their meeting. Seeing this Alana agreed to allow Alain to take on the name Remington in honor of Alfred and the boy had done his best to live up to his father's name ever since.
"I was never more proud of anything than I was the day you requested my name." said Alfred staring out the window once more. "Of all the accomplishments and honorifics I've acquired over the course of my lifetime, having you for a son has always been the best part of my life."
Alain had not known what to say. His father meant a great deal to him and to hear that he was proud of him was something special indeed.
"Father..." he began unsure of what to say next in the wake of such praise.
"For the first time in my seafaring career, I am going to set sail with my son." said Alfred with a smile. "There are few joys in life as special as when a man becomes a father and some joys become realized dreams when the father can share his profession with his son and the son embraces it."
Alfred left the window in that moment and pulled his son into a father-like embrace.
"We set sail in a few weeks, if you have anything that needs completion I suggest you get to it." he instructed. "We will be at sea for close to two months and have one month to see to the expedition getting underway."
Alain nodded as he listened. He'd been quite excited about this new turn of events and even more pleased that his father was accompanying him.
"I've got matters to settled and business to attend to before we set sail." said Alfred not wishing to get too sentimental. "Off with you now lad...see to your own affairs."
"As you sat father." replied Alain before taking his leave of the older man still lost in thought.
As he took his leave of his father, one person came to mind when the word affairs came ringing in his ears. He had to see to Noreen and explain that he was due to set sail soon. Seafaring expeditions were always a dangerous thing with the unknown elements of navigation, fickle weather, and chances of coming into contact with pirates, but he'd been looking forward to this day ever since he'd been a boy.
He made up his mind to spend as much time with her as possible now that his artworks had been finished and explain the upcoming trip before the day came when had to set sail.