Lechance

Ben had originally planned on giving Jon a set of glasses he'd had ready made. Tall drinking glasses of bubbled glass.

It wasn't right.

He was working on the second one this afternoon, a thin, glass with a wide bowl, blown through with strands of red

He heard the bell on the door ring as he was finishing attaching the stem. He called out, "Just a minute!" and finished, exhaling. He smiled at the finished product then took off his gloves, dusting his hands off on his trousers as he walked into the front of the shop, smiling.

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.

Mr. Nordstrom,

I would be honored if you would care to receive me at Four o'clock in the afternoon this Tuesday. I will make arrangements for an appropriate chaperon.

With Kind Regards,
Mr. Jonathan Stanton IV

Jon showed up at the hotel a few minutes early, mostly due to his own interest in seeing Ben again. He had a new chaperon in tow, one Mr. Buford, who'd informed him rather brusquely that he'd rather not be acknowledged or included and would simply shadow him and Mr. Simoneaux and that he'd wait outside until they appeared since the plan was to go straight to the restaurant. It wasn't what Jon had expected, but he didn't exactly have a great deal of experience in these matters.

He gave the maid waiting his card and waited in the salon. He'd dressed up a bit more than he had their first call, due mostly to the fact that they were going out to eat instead of staying in. Jon hoped Ben wouldn't find the result too off-putting.

Mr. Simoneaux,

Many thanks for a wonderful visit. I found your company to be refreshingly candid and delightful. Might I possibly entice you for luncheon on Friday? There is a quiet restaurant in town that is reputed to have exceptional biscuits.

Respectfully,
Mr. Jonathon Stanton IV

Jon arrived at the Beloved hotel a few minutes early with Mr. Fielding at his side. He was slightly nervous, but it was well hidden. As they entered the hotel he removed his hand and gloves and gave his card to the maid to take to Mr. Simoneaux.

While they waited he stood quietly and resisted the urge to walk around and look at things. He stood simply at ease and waited for his match to appear.

Jon returned from the flower shop and set the small boquet, wrapped in a lace doily and tied with ribbon on his desk. Satin flowers for sincerity, forsynthia for anticipation and white Heather, which was lightly whimsical, but stood for wishes coming true. He closed the flower dictionary he had and set it aside now that he had what he wanted to say spelled out in the blooms on his desk.

Pulling out a drawer, he took out one of the buff calling cards his mother had had printed for him before he left. Turning the card over, he wrote in neat script.

Mr. Simoneaux,

I would be honored if you would care to receive me at Four o'clock in the afternoon this Saturday. I will make arrangements for a Chaperone.

With Kind Regards,
Mr. Jonathan Stanton IV

( Letters to Ascendants )

( Beloved )

Jon's office was set up to his standards now, not that they were high, just exacting. Now it was time for him to choose a house. He walked slowly through the streets, looking avidly at the houses available. As the sun climbed higher, he found a bench under a bit of shade and watched the people walking by. Business was set up, house next and then perhaps a visit to the Yenta.

He'd never admit it, but he was anxious about being matched. Nervous and excited and worried. At his age, he'd never even had one due to the circumstances of his family. What if it wasn't his family though, what if it was him. Something about him that made him innately difficult to match?

He worried quietly until someone joined him on the bench. "Lovely afternoon isn't it?"

The market square was covered in a large tent, glittering candles lighting up the green and the cobblestoned area. There was a feast, laid out for all new arrivals from the week before. Not all of the city were there by any means, though all had been invited. Still. The party was some 500 strong, food was readily available wine flowed, and there was dancing, a live band playing lively music.