InsaneJournal

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Léon Belmont (the_ambassador) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-08-22 19:55:00

Entry tags:

augustin_laurent, léon_belmont, plot

Léon Belmont: A New Face
Subject: A New Arrival at the Embassy
Who: Léon Belmont
Where: The French Embassy
Warnings: None
Open to: Augustine Laurent and Jacques Belmont

It was growing late in the summer, and the English aristocracy was returning to London after a pleasant few months in their country estates. Léon almost envied them; London stank to high-heaven and it was hard to imagine that Paris could smell worse, although he had heard reports that it did. Even so, a week or two in the countryside, in the sunshine away from the open sewer the English called the Thames would be most welcome. Paperwork could of course be done anywhere, and he felt almost sure that it would be done to a better quality outside of the city, but the Commitee for Public Safety would never accept that.

So he sat at his desk. He debated having the windows open for the small breeze that it might offer, but the smell of the city beyond convinced him a healthy sweat was better. He shifted again, down to waistcoat and shirt-sleeves, and glared at the open door at the other end of his office. It was too hot to close it and make the room even stuffier, but he hated the fact anyone to spy on him, and, damn it all, he had only just gotten rid of the woman as it was. The Commitee hardly needed to send anyone especially qualified when even the kitchen boys could peer around the door and watch him.

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theotherlaurent
2008-08-22 05:35 pm UTC (link)

Augustin arrived at the Embassy with very little fanfare. It was better to keep as little a profile at times as he could.

"I'm told to see the Ambassador," he told the somewhat stately person behind the desk, handing him the letter of introduction, etc., etc. as he absently tugged on the white cuff at his wrist. He'd nary been back and already having to go to meeting and whatever. Augustin didn't like it at all.

Nor did he like the heat of London. It was much cooler in the country and perhaps he would make it back there sooner than later.

"Right this way Citoyen." Augustin was charming as ever and smiled as they walked back a bit and stopped at the door way. "Pardonez moi, Ambassador, Citoyen Laurent to see you?"

Augustin smiled and nodded as he followed him bac

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the_ambassador
2008-08-23 03:27 am UTC (link)

The good thing, he considered, about having ones door permanently open was that one could hear all the talk from the corridor, every opening and closing of every door. And so by the time young Augustine Laurent arrived at the door of the Ambassador's office, Léon had slipped back into the long back jacket, the red, blue and white cockade pinned on his chest, pride of place. It would not have been appropriate to meet the young man so casually dressed.

He had also picked up a report, turned to one of the central pages, and appeared to be reading it as the footman knocked on the door. He set it down and offered a nod, getting to his feet, "I've been expecting you, Monsieur Laurent. I was glad to hear that one true citizen of France was produced by your family." He said, offering his hand, "I am afraid the Commitee of Public Safety did not tell me of your official capacity here, if you have one?" He said, then gesturing the man into a comfortable looking chair.

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theotherlaurent
2008-08-24 01:24 am UTC (link)

"It is indeed my honour," Augustin said as he moved closer to the desk, he inwardly cringed at the comments about his family, even if it was true. It was one thing for him to think it but it was something else to hear it from someone else, especially someone in the kind of power as Leon Belmont.

"I do hope I will not be entirely judged upon the rash actions of my brothers," he said, shaking the others' hand. "The Committee only said I was to make myself available to you once I arrived. I was not told specifically of any official capacity." Augustin took a few steps back and sad down in one of the chairs in the Ambassador's office.

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the_ambassador
2008-08-24 10:26 am UTC (link)

Léon smiled, moving back to his own chair, smoothing out the tails of his jacket as he sat. "Entirely judged? Perish the idea, Citoyen." He said, "If were were all judged only on our kin, I would be horrified to know what those who only knew my son would think of me." He explained, leaning back in his chair. "I would not judge you against the rest of your family. However, I would perhaps beg your help in a matter regarding them. Not yet, of course, but once you have settled into England. An uneasy task at the best of times." He added with another smile- England could be cruel to the French, especially a loyal Frenchman. It could be more cruel, however, to those who attempted to affect English ways.

"I see. The Commitee, like God, work in mysterious ways, or so I have been told." Careful, careful. They may have sent another spy to replace the Fournier woman. "I am sure we shall find use for a well-mannered young man such as yourself, Citoyen. You should settle in, perhaps visit your father. I am told his health is failing him." He paused, unlocking a draw and reaching into it, pulling out a book. "I have their address, should you want it. Oxsridge House, in Barkley Square. A fashionable neighbourhood."

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theotherlaurent
2008-08-24 10:48 am UTC (link)

Augustin relaxed a bit in the chair as he watched the Ambassador. "That is certainly a relief. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your son but having met you first, I do hope those who would judge would do so on our own merits." He looked a bit surprised but nodded nonetheless. "I do hope the matter with my family is not cause for too much alarm. I do not wish to see them harmed but in this day and time and their stand on many things, it gets harder and harder. But I will do what is asked of me." And it was the truth too, he just didn't always follow that line of thinking precisely as he should. Wanting a changed France was one thing, protecting his family no matter what, that was something different.

He smiled a little. "Getting settled is my current task. But then I await to hear what you and the Committee deem necessary for me to do. But finding a suitable place in this.... city is harder than anticipated." Augustin wasn't surprised to see the other man knew all about his family, had them neatly catalogued for whatever used he needed. "No that's true. I should see them though given the current situation, I'm sure if right at the moment it is a proper idea. But I thank you for the information."

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the_ambassador
2008-08-24 12:34 pm UTC (link)

"You have not met Jacques?" Léon asked, "Well, Monsieur, I shall save that treat for you. Perhaps you will join us for supper?" He asked, reaching for his cigar case, opening it and offering one to the young gent across from himself, lighting his own from the candle. "If finding accommodation is problematic, perhaps you could stay here for a day or so. Jacques has apparently found very suitable lodgings not far away, he could advise you on where else you might look..." He paused, taking a long draw on the black cigar, glancing back to his paperwork, "Of course, Jacques' upbringing was far from genteel, you might prefer other accommodation." He said, casually, testing the waters.

"I would suggest you see your family. If only as it may aid you in the future. They are making quite the name for themselves within high society. You elder brother, I have heard, rescued the daughter of the Duke of Devonshire from a ruffian." He tapped the ash from the cigar into an ash-tray. "They would be pleased to know you are safe."

It seems IJ ate my previous reply to this comment. My apologies!

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jacques_belmont
2008-08-24 07:46 pm UTC (link)

Jacques was late coming back from a performance at the Drury Lane Theatre, where he had the simultaneously invigorating and bewildering experience of having the king and queen walk in halfway through a performance, to a deafening rendition of Hail Britania and Hearts of Oak. Jacques had stood at their entrance, as was proper, and had bowed at an angle that conveyed respect- but not an obsequious amount- but did not condone a system of government currently finding such great disfavor in France.

He was thus rather pleased when he went back to the Embassy, and knocked on the door while smiling. For once, Jacques had no fault to find with himself and he was even happy enough to be polite to his father. “Father?” he called, in French, “I beg your pardon, but the servant said you were in. Did you get the expense reports I left on your desk?”

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theotherlaurent
2008-08-25 12:34 am UTC (link)

"I don't believe so, no, though I could be mistaken. But I would be honoured to join you for supper, Citoyen." Augustin leaned forward and happily took his own cigar and smiled as he lit it as well before settling back into his chair. "If it would not be an imposition, staying here would make me feel rather safe, what being in a brand new place and all. And I do not crave great luxury. As long as I have a comfortable bed and a bit of space, I am happy."

He couldn't help a bit of a smile at the mention of Antoine and Aime's successes. "Antoine always did have a way with being in the right place at the right time, or so *I* always thought. And I have to say I'm not surprised they've gravitated to where they have, despite my words to the contrary when we were still in France. But I will let them know I am in town, and go and see them as soon as I can."

He looked up and stood as they were joined by someone else. At the address, he assumed this must be Jacques Belmont. As he was not addressed, he stood quietly beside the Ambassador's desk.

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the_ambassador
2008-08-26 06:20 am UTC (link)

"Then it is settled, Citoyen!" Léon smiled, "You shall stay here, and you shall dine with us. I dare say the Embassy is the safest place to be for a Frenchmen in England at the moment. After all, who can one trust? Your bags are here, I hope? I shall have them sent to a room." He said, standing up and going to his secretary's door, opening it and giving the man directions. "You will have to forgive the state of the household. We recently lost our dear Citizeness Fournier to English cooking and we have not managed to get ourselves in proper order as yet." He explained, moving back to his chair, " hopefully we shall find a fitting replacement soon."

Léon was about to make a reply to the young man's comments on his family, although that was interrupted by the arrival of his own kin. Late, as usual, but Léon hardly felt the need to chastise the man now, especially in front of Monsieur Laurent, "Jacques! Yes, yes, and they have been tallied and filed while you have been out. Come in, sit down. This is Citoyen Augustine Laurent. I told you that he would be coming to stay?" Or perhaps he hadn't, he did not remember. "Join us in a cigar, Jacques. And tell us about the play." He said, and then smirked, glancing to Augustine. "My son has been gathering information on the English. Going to plays, walking out with young ladies, drinking coffee in coffee-houses." He said, teasing his son lightly.

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