Lechance

Santiago sighed as he pulled his coat straight. He really needed to visit the tailor soon; his best clothes were beginning to look even more worn than when he'd arrived. The chaperone gave him a reassuring smile and he bowed his head as a silent thank you. He'd sent a card up to let Mr. Belgrave know that he'd arrived and was waiting for the other man to make his appearance. He turned away from the window and his reflection at the sound of footsteps.

Paul called at the sheriff's house on the way to the Beloveds' hotel. His suit was still a little creased from being folded in his traveling trunk, which annoyed him, but he hadn't had time to let it hang any longer to allow the creases to drop out. It was, at least, smart and clean.

It was his first courting call in nearly eighteen years.

Arriving at the hotel, he took a deep breath, summoned a smile for Jonas, and went to the desk, requesting that his card should be delivered to Ms. Mias to announce his arrival, then turned back to Jonas. "It's really terribly kind of you to do this," he said, quite sincerely. "For a newcomer, as well."

Obediah had given Mrs. Jenkins the afternoon off from the pub and then promptly corraled her into chaperoning his call on Charles. He showed up at the hotel promptly asked one of the maids to announce him and then went through to the sitting room.

He cleared off a little side table and sat the covered basket he'd been carrying on it. The aroma of freshly-baked bread began to fill the room.

Delivered to the hotel for the careful attention of Ms. Amy Mias, along with Dr. Roberts' card:

Dear Ms. Mias,

Mayor Lechance tells me that you have been informed to expect my note, but please rest assured that the decision to entertain my company or not lies entirely at your discretion. Should you be gracious enough to receive me, I would beg your indulgence for a visit on Monday afternoon at 4, at the hotel, for afternoon tea.

Please inform me of your decision and availability.

Hoping that this note finds you in health,

Sincerely, at your service,

Dr. Paul Roberts

( Letters to Ascendants )

( Beloved )

A boquet of Johnny Jump-ups along with a copy of Jon's favorite flower dictionary. The dictionary has a book mark on the page explaining the meaning of the flowers in the boquet. The bookmark itself is heavy ivory card stock with the following poem in careful calligraphy.
( Bookmark )

Delphina showed up at the hotel, bright-eyed and smiling and holding a small bouquet of poppies. She had a maid send word up to Sadie that she and her chaperone had arrived, then tried not to bounce on her toes while she waited. She enjoyed the courting process quite a lot.

Daisuke arrived a few minutes before the appointed time with a chaperone in tow, of course. He waited in the lobby of the hotel, arms folded behind him, and when Edward came down, took a study of him as politely as he could. When the other man reached the bottom stair, he bowed a bit before stepping forward to offer his hand as well. "Daisuke Shimada," he introduced, and then the chaperone. "Good afternoon."

Thomas arrived at the hotel promptly at 3:25, in the company of a young married lady by the name of Ms. Peters who had become a regular customer in his shop and been delighted to agree to his rather hesitant request for her chaperoning services.

He sent his card up to Ms. Mias to announce his arrival, and waited in the salon, conversing amiably with Ms. Peters about the remarkable happenings in Mr. Collins' latest novel.

Julian arrived at the hotel at 10 of 7 with a small potted coreopsis and a tiny basket of four apples. He had another chaperon with him, a lady in her thirties who was laughing at him. Julian made a face at her, sent his card up with a maid to Effie and waited in a parlor.

Mr. Parsons,

I would like to know if you would allow me a meeting with you. Thursday, perhaps, at three o'clock?

Thank you very much.

(There are characters first, and then the name, in script, Mr. Daisuke Shimada).

Not the prettiest penmanship ever seen, but Delphina managed to write a tidy note to Ms. Blackwood. It read:

Ms. Blackwood,

I hope you'll do me the honor of letting me call on you this week. Would Friday afternoon at four o'clock suit you?

I do look forward to your response.

Ms. Delphina Salas

Jon found himself once again in the salon of the Beloved hotel, his card on it's way up to Theodore. He wasn't sure what to expect now that Ben had totally upended his thoughts on courting with his unpredictable and rebellious nature. Surprisingly, Jon had found it delightful.

He'd dressed just as carefully, a dark gray suit, vest, tie, hat and gloves Jon had taken his hand and gloves off as he waited for Theo to appear.

After confirming that Ben was agreeable, Obediah had made all the necessary arrangements. He showed up promptly at three on Tuesday, chaperon in tow and wildflowers in hand. That had been impulse - he'd seen them growing at the side of the road as they walked to the hotel.

He sent up his card to announce himself and gave the chaperon another charming smile while they waited. "Too much?" he asked and gestured to the flowers.

Santiago had had his suit pressed, arranged for the services of Mr. Montrose again and consulted him on the suitability of his plan. He found he was slightly more relaxed this time around and thought it was perhaps because he'd already made the acquaintance of Miss Palmer. She'd been charming at the dance and he hoped she wouldn't mind walking out with him.

He waited in the lobby with Mr. Montrose after he sent his card up to her, hat in hand, and tried not to appear nervous.

Ms. Palmer,
I would be honored to call on you at 3 pm on Friday afternoon, if you would be able to receive me.
Thank you,
Jonathan Ibis

Delivered to Ms. Sheedy's hotel, for the attention of Ms. Amy Mias:

Mr. Thos. Murray requests the pleasure of Ms. Mias' company to take tea on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30pm, and begs the indulgence of her response.

A suitable chaperone will be arranged.

William's new house was rather bare, but he still took pride in having its address printed on his new calling cards - which arrived almost at the same moment as the new letter from the Yenta. He was somewhat surprised to find he had been matched to a man - William was looking more for a wife than a partner - but it took all sorts to make a strong household (as his mother had been keen on repeating, generally while sighing at his father's absent-mindedness admittedly) and, in any case, he did not wish to be seen as rude, especially by strangers.

He carefully wrote out his response -

Mr J. William Freeman
requests the pleasure of calling upon
Mr Simon Belgrave
on Wednesday from four o'clock
at his convenience

- and, enclosing his card, had it delivered to the man in question. Father Marks had previously agreed to chaperone the earlier match; he would do so this time as well.

Once Santiago received the newest letter from Mr. LeChance, he sent out one of his own.

Ms. Palmer --

It would be my honor to call upon you this Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 if such a time proves to be convenient for you.

I look forward to talking with you again,
Mr. Santiago de le Vega

Ms. Gallehawk,

If you'd be amendable, I'd be honored to call upon you on Wednesday evening at 7.

Thank you,
Julian MacKallister