black_wolf (black_wolf) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2017-07-09 11:25:00 |
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Entry tags: | lucien swinton, maggie stanbury |
Who: Lucien Swinton, Maggie Stanbury
What: A proposal, and a discussion of werewolf nature
Where: Black Park grounds
When: 2nd July, 1888 [Backdated]
Rating: PG
The weather was warm, but not too hot, and the late afternoon sun cast a pleasant shade as Lucien, Maggie, Rebecca, and an assortment of Fosters went on a walk.
The younger Fosters were a cheerful bunch, and clearly on their best behavior, and eager to please. It’d been eight years since Peter had left under a cloud, a parting that still stung a little, and led to occasional awkwardness -- but Luce had put in a significant effort to make sure the remaining Fosters knew his quarrel with Peter did not extend to them, that he understood their continued affections for the prodigal son, and that they were valued members of his pack; he’d even lobbied heavily for amnesty for those involved in the war with Peter in mind -- but he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him since he’d defected with a few fellow packmates to fight in Corwall.
Peter’s departure had raised some cracks in the foundation to the surface that had been growing unchecked for decades, previously covered by propriety and distance and the fact that Lucien had been juggling far too much when he’d first taken over as Alpha to notice that the Fosters had felt slighted in the transition -- he’d taken Peter’s loyalty and support for granted, and his friend’s departure had been entirely unexpected, and a blow, but something he should’ve seen coming.
Since then, he’d done his best to keep up a good relationship with Mr. Foster, and Peter’s twin, Katherine; he corresponded with them both regularly, and went out of his way to include them in meetings about Pack business. He also knew the Fosters were eager to re-circulate in London after a few seasons away, and was looking forward to helping them navigate through society as best as he could.
The visit with Maggie had gone splendidly thus far -- she’d hit it off wonderfully with Matthew, had gone on the rounds with him to visit Mrs. Edwards and the vicar and his wife, and dandle the youngest pack member, Simon, on their respective knees, and, despite a touch of initial awkwardness with the Fosters (he worried his attentions to Maggie instead of Katherine was seen as yet another slight, something he’d have to address with care), she had managed to charm them too.
Ian and Anna were currently chattering away barely in view, far ahead along the path with Rebecca, merrily keeping her occupied while Lucien and Maggie hung back, her arm through his, radiant in a blue dress and sunhat.
He looked down at her fondly, enjoying the freedom of her arm resting on his and the way the color of her dress played against the golden hues of her skin entirely too much. “I can’t get over how lovely you look,” he said, quietly. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you in any color but black, and it does my heart good to see you in something as bright and beautiful as you are.”
He wasn’t the type to be overly flowery with his words, but Maggie made his heart light, and now that he knew she was receptive to him, it was hard to not be a touch poetical.
Maggie was in heaven. Well, not literal heaven, but right now she was about as close as she could get. Luce was on her arm, his people were being nothing but welcoming, and Black Park was looking to be everything she’d ever dreamed it could be. It wasn’t hard to imagine building a life here with Lucien. All they needed was to collect her things and have a ceremony and it could happen, in-laws be damned.
She smiled up at him, happy and carefree. “It feels good to wear something other than black again, I was stuck in that color far too long.” Mourning etiquette for the British high society was ridiculous and she was glad to see the back of it, if she had her way she’d never wear a speck of black again.
“Even better to be here, walking with you.”
A flash of a grin played across his face at her joyful expression, and he rested his free hand on her arm.
“And what are your impressions of the place, so far?” Lucien asked. “I know it’s a different sort of pace -- I have a quieter life, perhaps, than someone with fewer responsibilities, someone who can go off on a whim to Europe or the States for a few months at a time, and while I travel regularly between here and London, of course, I’m very much…” he exhaled. “This is where I consider my home and heart to be. This is where I’m happiest. And I know it’s a simpler, isolated place, without the society and the parties, but…” he looked over at her. “This would be what I would be able to offer,” he said, quietly, “for what it is. And I want…” he paused, uncertain. “I want you to be a part of it, Maggie. Very much. But if it’s not the sort of life you’d find enjoyable...”
There was a very small part of him who worried she was just so happy to have a chance to be out from under the thumb of her in-laws that he was taking advantage of her, somehow. That she’d ultimately chafe under the distance from her parents, the fact that he was so tied to this land, that as Alpha of a pack of some size, there were responsibilities that he couldn’t shirk.
He knew they were talking as if they were already attached -- that they had been, really, since that conversation they’d had in the park -- but he didn’t want to plow on ahead blindly. If she was to be his partner, possibly for centuries (God willing), she deserved to go in with her eyes wide open.
“It’s beautiful.” Maggie responded, her smile growing even broader. “I’ve had a lovely time getting to know everyone.” She squeezed his hand. “I love England, but I must say Society life here is even more exhausting than New York’s and I didn’t think that was possible. I’d much rather have Tea with Mrs. Edwards than dine with the Great and Good.”
She understood what he was asking and shook her head. “New York is only a few days away by Airship, I can always go for a visit during the summer in between the Moons, but eventually I’ll have to stay away. How would I explain why I’m still so young thirty years from now? It’ll be easier to maintain the illusion by letter.” It was something she’d been giving a great deal of thought ever since that first full moon, when she’d accepted the truth of what she’d become. She still struggled with the idea that she could live to see the 21st century one day, let alone the 24th or 25th.
“As for travel, I want to see all the great cities of Europe one day, and show you America. England is beautiful, but it’s a different kind of beautiful compared to my country, more cultivated perhaps instead of wild and untamed. But we’ll have time for that. I understand you’ve responsibilities to your people and can’t go off on a whim.”
Their pace had slowed and she brought the two of them fully to a halt as she turned to face him directly. “I’m young Luce, so much younger than you, but I’m not a child. I understand what I’m getting into, I want to do this, very much. I want to share it with you, and god willing our children one day.”
The thought of children caused another leap in his chest, and he brought her hand up to kiss her knuckles. “I know,” he said, quietly, “I’m just… well. I’m still flabbergasted you want to do this with me. Flabbergasted, and beyond grateful. And you’re right about your parents, of course you are. I hadn’t even…” he shook his head. “You’re brilliant, you know,” he said. “And I’d like to see your America too someday.”
“Not so brilliant that I could see you felt the same way about me that I did about you until it was staring me in the face.” She laughed quietly, then shook her head. “I’ve had quite a lot of time to stop and think about things the past two years, sometimes there were days I did nothing but think about the future and how I was going to adapt to my new reality.”
There was one more topic to broach before he felt it proper to make a formal proposal, and one he was vaguely embarrassed to have to do so, but seeing as she was bitten, not born, he figured it was his responsibility to cover that particular ground. “Ah,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze as they started walking again, “I… I don’t suppose you’ve ever had a chance to talk with the women you run with about Mating, have you?”
He made a slightly pained expression -- but it honestly couldn’t be avoided, and he wasn’t sure just how much she was aware of.
Maggie couldn’t hide the blush at his question, and shook her head. “Not exactly, perhaps in a very general sense. None of them were Mated so it wasn’t something they talked about.”
He nodded, wincing a little. “It’s… well. It’s not a guarantee, per se. Even when the people in question are quite well-suited. One wouldn’t know for certain until things had… shall we say… progressed significantly.” His ears and neck grew hot, and he kept his gaze resolutely on the path before them.
It wasn’t unheard of in his circles for young werewolves debating a match to determine whether they were Mated before an engagement was to take place, to know where both of them stood -- a practice done with a great deal of discretion, of course, but widely recognized as practical and responsible. His own parents had taken that particular step, as a matter of fact. But he’d rather die than imply the same was expected of her.
He cleared his throat again. “If it does happen, the Mating bond, it can be quite a powerful drive. A connectedness that can transcend human conceptions of love and commitment. My parents were so bonded, and they loved one another deeply -- were attuned to one another in a way that made me hope one day I might find my own other half, as they did.” He frowned a little. “The bond can be a double-edged sword, however. When my father died so unexpectedly, my mother followed after him in her grief and sorrow.”
Pausing, he sighed. “It can also present a challenge, when a couple weds for love or convenience, but the bond is not present -- and when the intended match comes along for one of the pair a while later. It can be a complicated mess sometimes, but in those circumstances, the standard thing to do would be to offer a generous divorce, with full understanding -- it’s not considered a fault of any of the parties involved.”
“Which is all to say,” he said, looking over at her, “I love you, Maggie, and want to partner with you, and share our lives together. Raise a family together. All of it. And heaven knows, if there is a soulmate out there for me, I believe in my heart of hearts that it must be you, and I would love you and care for you deeply even if it turned out otherwise. But I understand that there are… well. Rather unique challenges we might face, as one of those burdens and blessings of our kind. And I want to make sure you know what they are before diving in headlong.”
Maggie nodded, taking in his words and what they meant. The idea that a life they built together could be upended if they weren’t Mated to each other, it wasn’t something she wanted to think about, but that was all the more reason to pay attention to it. “I love you too, Luce, and I believe my soulmate must be you as well. I’m willing to take the risk if you are.” If not, then it would be time to return to the States. As much as she loved England, Maggie was done living under her in-laws’ roof and rules and if she couldn’t build a life with Luce then she would do it back home, somewhere out west with plenty of room to roam during the full moon.
“I am,” he replied with a serious look, halting once again on the path and taking both of her hands in his. “We've all but said it already, but you deserve a proper proposal,” he said, quietly, and despite the fact that he was well aware of what her answer would be, he had to swallow a brief tremble of nervousness as he looked into her dear brown eyes so sweetly turned up to his.
“Maggie, dearest, I find you extraordinarily brave, vivacious, and with great strength of will and character. I've liked you as a friend from the moment I met you, and throughout the tragedy that has brought us closer, I've been struck time and again by your grace and capacity to adjust to your change in circumstance, and that admiration has grown into love. It has been my deepest honor to know you, and knowing that you love me as well has made me happier than I could have thought possible.” He kissed her knuckles. “Would you make me happier still? Marry me, my darling Maggie?” He didn't make speeches as a general rule but he managed to get through it without bungling it too badly, even though his voice was heavy with emotion.
“Yes!” Maggie’s vision blurred with happy tears at his words and the sentiment behind them. She’d married Charles out of duty and lack of better options, and while there’d been affection between them neither of them had fooled themselves into believing there was love. With Luce it was different, what she felt for him was far, far stronger than anything she’d ever experienced with Charles or the beaus she’d had back home.
She let go of his hands to throw her arms around his neck, decorum be damned. “Yes, I’ll marry you my dearest. As soon as you can get a minister to say the words I’ll happily become your wife.”
He nuzzled his nose against hers, burying his face briefly against her sweet neck and breathing deeply before kissing her, laughing with joy at her eagerness and his own leaping heart.
He wanted to walk to the vicar straightaway and have him say the words with Martha as witness, but he was mindful of the Baron and Baroness, and whether it would be better to tell them first -- as it was, he didn't doubt they'd have a short engagement -- slightly less scandalous for being her second marriage.
“Oh, my darling,” he said, and he couldn't help leaning over to kiss her once more, deeply. “The sooner the better. As soon as earthly possible. Whatever you think best, Maggie, I'll follow your lead. Heaven knows, a justice of the peace or a simple ceremony here would suit me marvelous well, but if you'd like something more elaborate, all you have to do is say, and I'll do whatever you want.”
Maggie laughed, feeling like her heart would burst from happiness. “I’ve had the elaborate ceremony already and it was a terrible amount of work. I’d rather have it here, at Black Park. A simple ceremony surrounded by all your family and friends to share our joy, that would be a treasure greater than the grandest wedding at St. Paul’s with all that goes with it.”
She was ready to march to the local parish church and say the vows now, but her damned sense of honor kept her from carrying out the impulse. “We’ll tell the Baron and Baroness when we return, and then maybe after the next full moon?” Maggie didn’t bother hiding her uncertainty. “I want to be married and start our new lives together as soon as possible, not a second longer than necessary. I ought to tell my family as well, invite them over if they can get from New York in time.”
There was no doubt that her in-laws would be upset with her and Luce both, but there was little they could do to stop them even if they wanted to. She was their son’s widow, not their daughter for all it felt that way sometimes. They wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if they tried legal means to interfere. As for her own family, they’d be happy for her that she’d found love the second time around. She knew her father wouldn’t put up with any attempts at forcing his daughter into a marriage to Cousin Robert, so there was no fear on that end.
“I just want us to be wed as soon as we practically can.”
“Perfect,” Lucien replied, kissing her on her cheek. “I'd love to see your parents again, and having the wedding here would be wonderful.”
He could stand to wait another week or so more. Barely, but he'd be able to manage. That, and his household could take the time to prepare -- it'd been a few decades since Black Park had a lady in residence. That, and he'd want to make sure he had some space to smooth things over with the Fosters -- Katherine in particular -- and make sure Maggie’s presence would be welcomed by the rest of his pack.
“I love you,” he exhaled, looking down at her, the freedom to be able to say so openly freeing and glorious. “I love you beyond measure, and regardless of how awkward the Baron and Baroness might make things, in a few short days, we'll be together. I'll be counting down the seconds until then.”
It wasn't entirely proper to be quite as free with his affection in public as he had been just now, but the only witnesses were the Fosters and Rebecca, and they were around the corner on the path besides, so he felt free to steal another kiss, long and lingering and full of promise, knowing they'd only have so many chances to be alone before their wedding day.