Eva has no idea her husband is a creepy ass fuck. (nearlynice) wrote in an_ill_wind, @ 2009-06-25 19:03:00 |
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Evangeline had been looking forward to this tea very much. So caught up in the news of her pregnancy and work with St. Mungo's, she had begun to neglect her friendship with Madeline, and in times like these when weddings were being held at wandpoint, and engagements were announced without even a month of courtship, one had to remain close with the only other girl who seemed to uphold the rules and values of pureblood society. Despite their slight age difference, Evangeline had always been quite fond of Madeline Mulciber (soon to be Avery). She found they shared much in common, only beginning with their values and charity work, and seemed to relate to her better than she did with all the other ladies--although truly could you call them ladies if they were pregnant before marriage?--that ran in their circle. The house elf's announcement of Madeline's arrival brought Evangeline out of her thoughts as she stood to receive her guest in the grand parlour room. "Madeline," She smiled, a genuine smile, upon seeing her friend before briefly embracing her, "it is so good to see you." Madeline had happily accepted the invitation to see Evangeline for nearly identical reasons as her friend had extended the suggestion for tea herself. It was rather disconcerting to see what was happening in the world around them, what with the presence of weddings being held because men and women were unable to wait until their wedding night and courtships that lasted no longer than a blink of an eye. Disappointing, to say the least, and just a bit unnerving, but Madeline could only hope that this wasn't something that would become a habit. But, really, what better way to feel better about the state of the world other than spending time with one of your closest friends? Madeline happily smiled back at Evangeline, looking just as sincere as her friend did to see her. "It's been too long, I think," she decided with the slightest of nods. "We really shouldn't allow ourselves so much time before seeing one another. I get so bored without intelligent contact!" Not that Christian wasn't quite intelligent, but sometimes it was easy to forget that there were others like minded as herself when perusing the journals and reading the newspaper. "No we certainly must not! I do not know how we were able to be swept up for so long!" Well, quite truthfully, Eva knew why she had been so swept up, but she could not tell Madeline just yet. Ben had requested they not tell anyone save Walden and her mother for a few more weeks, and while she respected her husband's wishes, and agreed with his reasoning, she felt guilty for not being able to divulge this happy news with her friend. Still, she would be certain to tell Madeline before they publicly announced it; this much Ben had kindly promised her. "Please, have a seat." Her hand waved gracefully to the couch where tea had been arranged on the table in front of them. Once seated, Evangeline poured the tea artfully and spoke quite excitedly, having forgotten momentarily how lovely it was to speak with one's girlfriend's. "I must confess I have been especially eager to speak with you since Monday's unexpected announcement. I would think that even in their brief time of courting they would see that a 27 year age difference causes issues that would not truly befit a marriage." After adding a dash of milk and sugar to the cup, she handed the china to Madeline with a perked eyebrow and took up her own. "Thank you," Madeline replied politely, taking the cup before realizing what it was Evangeline had just said. "Oh, Merlin, I hadn't even thought of their age difference. I was, most unfortunately, stuck on the suspicion of what sort of ulterior motives they could be working for what with having such a short engagement." But, really, the 27 years was quite shocking to think about. There were many couples in their society that had a notable number of years between one another, but 27 years was rather notable. "That certainly puts an interesting twist on things, I must say," Madeline continued to muse, pausing only to take a sip of her tea. "Why, he's old enough to be her father. Of course that ought not matter if they do care for one another...but it is quite something to think about." "I confess I too was quite concentrated on the reasons for their quick engagement for some time, but Ben pointed out the age difference and now I can not seem to get my mind off of it." She too took a sip of her tea, before giving Madeline a brief roll of the eyes, "Can you honestly believe that they truly care for one another? Certainly they work together at the Ministry, but that hardly breeds the compatibility necessary for a happy marriage." Did happiness truly matter in their society, though? Luckily Eva had it with Ben, and Madeline with Christian (or at least so it seemed) but she had known plenty of girls who had simply married to produce heirs and carry on the bloodline with little thought to their happiness. "I have to wonder what people with nearly three decades between them could have in common." She took another sip of tea as she pondered this further, "I suppose it was simply arranged by her parents, after all, Rosalind will be 26 in July; that is a bit past the normal age for marriage. If they had waited any longer, she might have been destined to be an old maid." Madeline nodded, considering this as she took a sip from her cup of tea. It really was rather sad to see Rosalind at such an age and not paired off with someone. That was something else that would lead her to wonder things. Perhaps they were just a bit desperate? But, that's couldn't be it either. There were plenty of wonderful matches out there for them. "Regardless, they're at least giving off the air that they're content and happy," Madeline decided with a slight sigh. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens. It will be quite interesting from the outside, at the very least." "Oh certainly." Evangeline nodded her head in agreement, "I am perhaps more interested to learn whether the short time between engagement and marriage is due to an avid interest in being married, or if they are following in Narcissa and Lucius's imprudent footsteps." There was truly only ever one reason for a quick wedding, and that was pregnancy. And although Evangeline had never pegged Rosalind for that type of girl, she could not think of another reason Rosalind would not relish her wedding plans and take her time. "Speaking of the happy newlyweds," She continued, a hint of amusement in her voice, "did you read they are expecting a boy?" "I did," Madeline replied, unable to keep the smallest of smiles from gracing her face. It wasn't that she wanted such a thing placed upon someone she respected, but really - there really was a certain sort of amusing poetry behind the newlyweds of two of the oldest and purest families expecting a child out of wedlock. "I have to say that I was almost expecting them to wait and claim that the child didn't come about after the wedding. As if we couldn't do simple math." "I am quite certain that was the original plan, after all, what else would force Narcissa Black to plan a wedding a matter of weeks? But how could they keep the charade alive after that wretched article was published? And on the day of her wedding at that!" Personally, Evangeline found the entire incident incredibly amusing and justified. If you were going to break the rules of pureblood society, it was only fair that you be punished for your actions. Not even the Blacks and the Malfoys could be spared humiliation and castigation for their offense. "But they were foolish, and I suppose this is the price they must pay. I'm sure you noticed her avoidance of all questions concerning timing; does she honestly believe that people will simply forget when the child was conceived?" "Maybe so," Madeline raised an eyebrow as she replied, pausing to take another sip of her tea. She couldn't help but think that that was exactly what Narcissa had been hoping for. While she had a great deal of respect for the two families, she couldn't help but feel that they had far too much of a superiority complex and they were under the impression everyone else was beneath them intellectually on top of socially. Not that she didn't think they were fine people, of course. "I only wish that it wouldn't have had to have happened to her on her wedding day of all days," Madeline admitted, a touch of regret in her voice. "We would have all known eventually and she did handle it wonderfully, but my goodness." She shook her head. "I don't envy her." "No, I do not think anyone does." Evangeline agreed, but she could not help but feel justified. If Narcissa had simply made smart choices like she had been raised to do, this would never have happened. Of course, she never would have wanted the wedding to be ruined, but a part of her smirked in self-satisfaction; that was what you got when you simply could not wait, and it was about time people like the Blacks and Malfoys were punished for their wrong-doings. Plenty of comments and snide remarks had been made over Evangeline's choice in husband and that was hardly as scandalous as a child out of wedlock. Taking another sip of her tea, Evangeline smiled, "But how are your wedding plans coming? August is almost here, you must be so excited!" "Just lovely!" Madeline visibly perked up at the change in topic. She smiled happily, looking a bit thoughtful as she continued. "I have to meet with the caterer tomorrow after I finish at the orphanage, only because I don't trust my planner to do it properly. She has already told them the wrong menu once and if it wasn't for the fact that she's proven to be more than competent with more important tasks she would be out a job." Evangeline was pleased to hear Madeline's plans were going smoothly. It was comforting to know that good people, people who respected values and traditions passed on from their ancestors were rewarded; even in the form of a perfect and peaceful wedding. "My mother always told me never to leave things in the hands of my planner. They are there to merely assist you with minor details, and the work you do not wish to do, but it is imperative that you watch their every movement. They may have the connections you so desire, but they rarely are as bright as you, and they never seem to want to truly accept your vision for your wedding." She sipped her tea once more before continuing with an amused smile, "And Christian? Has he become overwhelmed with decisions and swatches?" "Christian..." Madeline started, looking a bit thoughtful at first before letting out a small laugh. "Christian lets me make most of the decisions myself, which is actually a bit of a relief to me. He's rather busy with his work and it makes things easier on the both of us if I tend to the wedding planning." She paused to take a quick sip of tea, but when she continued she was smiling brightly. "That's not to say I keep him completely in the dark, of course. I most certainly let him know exactly what is going on whenever we see one another." "That is certainly the best way to do it." Evangeline gave a tiny giggle as well. "I tried desperately to do the same thing with Ben when we were planning our wedding, but my mother ruined all of my efforts. They had a weekly brunch where, despite my constant pleas, she showered him with linen swatches and table arrangements. I do not think he realised how many shades of green there actually were." She smiled as she sipped her tea, recalling planning her wedding quite fondly despite the occasional argument with her mother. "And your dress? Have you had your final fitting yet? I'm certain I do not need to ask, but you are not following the new Mrs. Malfoy's trend of not wearing white, I hope." A blue dress. Narcissa's wedding dress had been blue. Of course, she truly couldn't wear white, but really, blue?. "Oh, absolutely not," Madeline replied, not bothering to hide her distaste for Narcissa's dress choice. It had been fitting, of course, especially once the word got around as to what had been printed in the Prophet that very day, but that didn't leave her wondering what she had been thinking. "Sometimes I wonder whatever happened to tradition," she shook her head quietly, the words echoing their previous conversation topic. It didn't take long for her to shrug that thought off, however, and she smiled happily. "No, it's a beautiful, beautiful white dress. My final fitting isn't until the middle of July, but I cannot wait just so I can wear it again." This was one of the many reasons Evangeline treasured Madeline's company; not only did they share the same opinions, but when together, neither tried to hide their distaste and smooth over the situations. They were Slytherins through and through, and breaking rules of propriety merited serious discussion and disapproval. Whatever had happened to tradition, indeed! She smiled at her friend's happiness over her dress, remembering the exact feeling, and thanking Merlin she was not alone in upholding values. Madeline would be properly wearing white, just as Evangeline had; she was quite sure of it. "I recall that feeling fondly. I am so glad everything is working out perfectly, Madeline. Of all the weddings this season, you are the bride most deserving of a perfect day." "I like to think so," Madeline replied with a smile, with just a hint of modesty so it didn't seem as though she was bragging. "Now all I have to hope for is that everything will go perfectly, because Merlin only knows at least I have done a great deal of planning. It would be nice to have it show." Well, that might have been a bit more bitter than Madeline had intended...but that was all right. At least she knew she could be candid with Evangeline. "I am certain it will." Evangeline sipped her tea with a smile. "I believe it will outshine the others of the summer, and prove to society, once again, what beauty patience and good planning can bring." Leoben apparated to the front of his manor and stepped through the door, pulling his coat off after a rather long and tiring day of work. Honestly, the way society was going these days, various business meetings were almost an escape. Something was obviously very wrong. Still, it was good to be home and he very badly wanted a glass of scotch and perhaps a cigarette. It wasn't an indulgence he allowed himself often, but today seemed like a good time to dig into that particular drawer of his desk. In any case, he most definitely could hear voices coming from the grand parlour room and as he tossed his coat at Gobbo (who had appeared with a crack the moment he'd stepped through the door) he went to investigate. He stood in the doorway for a moment, eyeing his wife and Miss Mulciber with vague interest. "Good evening, ladies," he said from the door, lifting a brow slightly. "Are you both quite well taken care of?" Evangeline should have heard the door open and Ben come home, or at the very least, be aware of the time so that she could greet her husband upon his arrival as she had been taught, but she had been far too busy enjoying her chat with Madeline to make notice for either. When she heard Leoben's voice, however, Eva shot her head to the sound to confirm his presence, before she placed her tea cup on the table and rose to greet her husband. "Good evening, Leoben." She gave her husband a small smile before she made her way to the decanter in the corner of the parlour. "Madeline and I were just finishing our tea," She returned to him with a glass of scotch, handing it over delicately. "dinner should be served within the hour." As if on cue, Madeline actually did finish her tea and she set her cup down delicately to demonstrate it. Giving a pleasant smile to Leoben, she pulled herself to her feet and straightened her skirt all at once. "While I hate to leave just as you arrived, Leoben, I'm afraid that I really should take my leave." She turned to Evangeline, her smile widening. "Thank you for a lovely visit. We really ought not to wait so long until next time." Ben gave his wife the slightest of smiles as she handed him a glass of scotch, reminded of why he'd married her. Not simply for the manners and propriety - though quite honestly, that did have something to do with it - but because there was a sort of tacit connection. It had not been something he had expected to come with marriage, nor even something he was likely to admit to, but here it was, nonetheless. "I am sorry to have missed your visit," he replied, turning his attention to Madeline. "Do have a pleasant evening though, and I suspect I shall see you again soon. Evangeline will see you out." Leoben took a swallow of his scotch and then glanced back at his wife. "And I will see you at dinner." "Of course." Evangeline gave a brief nod to her husband, before turning to her closest friend. "Next time we will not allow time to pass so quickly. Come, I will see you to the door." |