[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=39b54a]William Fraser[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://bookesther.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/john-thornton-smile-gif.gif?w=500[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][color=39b54a][b]Location:[/b][/color] [b]Kirkpatrick House[/b]
[color=39b54a][b]Skills:[/b][/color] N/A [/center][hr]

	William was glad to see that the driver had followed his example. He had to admit that he was reluctant to turn his back on the warmth and hospitality of the kitchen so quickly, but the news that their arrival had brought, and the mood that had subsequently settled, had certainly imbued a chill in the room, and William was loathe to remain any longer than he had to. Regardless, he still had some food, and as he walked, he ate, humming some half-forgotten tune between bites. He glanced across at the driver and saw that the other man was eating on the move as well. William allowed himself a slight smile. The man was rough-edged, but he was a good man, one of the hard-working and honest types. If the bad feeling that William got around Rutherford wasn't just a hunch, then the driver could prove to be a useful ally. 

	Almost as if just thinking his name could summon him, William caught sight of Rutherford, standing by the carriage, as they came around the side of the house. He didn't look to be in the best of moods. The driver spotted Rutherford at the same time, jumping slightly in surprise and quickening his pace. William saw that Millicent was also standing by the carriage, although whether that was at all by her choice, he couldn't tell. After a quick exchange of words, it appeared that they had been wrong when they thought that Egerton's departure meant that their own would be delayed, it looked like they would be heading on without the other man. This at least brought a smile to William's face. From a practical standpoint, it meant that if this whole thing did come to violence, Rutherford would not have a man at his back. But more importantly, it meant William wouldn't have to endure that toad any longer. 

	Rutherford and Millicent had already climbed inside the carriage by the time William reached it, but something stopped him from climbing in behind them. For a start, Rutherford had hardly looked like he was in a conversational mood, and there was also the matter of his last interaction with Millicent hardly going as smoothly as he liked. Making his decision, William closed the carriage door, and clambered up to sit beside the driver, taking another bite from the chunk of bread as he settled into his seat and prepared for the journey ahead.