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Lady Gwendolyn Linley (lady_gwendolyn) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-05-10 17:25:00

Entry tags:

gwendolyn_linley

Lady Gwendolyn's Political Salon
Subject: A Whig Salon
Where: Lady Gwendolyn's salon in Mayfair
Who: Lady Gwendolyn Linley, Fox and Burke as NPCs to set the scene
Warnings: None
Open to: All

As always, the doors to her salon were open to anyone who could convince the footman to let them in. Lady Gwendolyn glided from group to group, serving up smiles and coffee, but always returning to the main group in the center of the salon. That group, comprised of the more influential Whig politicians, had been debating England's response to the French Revolution for the past ten minutes and had not agreed on anything but the excellence of Lady Gwendolyn's tea cakes.

"It is the greatest thing to happen this century," Fox argued. Charles Fox, the leader of the Whig opposition, was a great, shaggy bear of a man, who had stopped paying attention to his personal hygiene years ago. "It is the greatest thing to happen to Europe! How can we, the people's party, fail to support it and recognize it?"

"Because it has gone too far," exclaimed Burke in evident exasperation. Though also a Whig, he was a more outspoken critic of the French Revolution than any of the Tory majority in the House of Commons. "It may once have been about liverty, but look at France now! They have dismantled their entire society and anarchy springs up in its place!"

Lady Gwendolyn drifted away from the main group as the footman opened the door. Charming Smile Number One, Curtsy Number Three- "Welcome to my salon."

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	miss_emilie_ash 2008-05-11 03:13 pm UTC (link)
	"Perhaps we should take a breath of air on the balcony? The vantage point over the greens is exceptional from it and" she lowered her voice "it may afford a bit of solitude for our conversation." She sipped her champagne daintily while she waited to see if Mr. Fisher was open to the idea. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-05-11 03:17 pm UTC (link)
	"A very wise suggestion, Miss Ashford." He agrees, getting back to his feet. "I think some fresh air away from political discussion would do me some good." He offers her his hand, and smiles, "You will have to lead the way, Miss Ashford, I am unfamiliar with Lady Gwendolyn's salon..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-11 03:25 pm UTC (link)

Emilie placed her tiny hand in his and got to her feet.
"With pleasure." She moved her hand to his arm and picked up a fresh glass of champagne with the other. She led Mr. Fisher through the party, smiling and nodding to several people, all the while her knees shaking. Was this wise? She had heard from her brother that Mr. Fisher was a ruthless man in business, but had some sort of obligation to young people of hard circumstances. What if her brother had been wrong?
She stepped onto the balcony and turned, no coyness in her face, only an expression of earnest need and trust. She could tell he was one to get straight to the heart of a thing.
"I suppose I shall just get straight to my object of seeking you out. I have heard you offer protection to certain members of our society who have fallen on hard times."

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	social_climber 2008-05-11 03:29 pm UTC (link)
	That was what this was all about then. No brother or father entrapped by sinful vices, no little sister with a child she couldn't care for, or acknowledge. "That all depends on the situation, Miss." He said, leaning back against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm not a charity." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-11 03:38 pm UTC (link)

"No," Emilie said guardedly "The young lady in question is an excellent seamstress and housekeeper, if your theater requires one. She was lately in the employee of a Lord who saw fit to teach her other... skills... as well. She has since been unable to find suitable employment other than what those skills will bring. Her current protector is no protection at all..." She paused. She was not going to let this get above her head. She continued in a matter of fact manner tone."He beats her and starves her. I am not asking you to change her profession, Mr.Fisher. Just take care of her, for the fee you ask of her earnings. I can offer 10 shillings a week for her room and board until you decide if the situation is to your benefit, and until I decide if it is to hers."
Emilie did not tell him the Lord in question was her betrothed, nor about the guilt she felt for all the suffering that was put upon the girl due to her refusal to bed her fiance before marriage.

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social_climber
2008-05-11 04:00 pm UTC (link)

Harry listened, keeping his face guarded. He did not usually involve himself with things like this, no matter what Miss Ashford had heard. He was not a charity, and unless it was one of him employees, or one of his clients, like the elderly ladies who paid him t'penny a week to keep them and their families safe from muggers and burglars. Rescuing abuse victims was not his usual fare.

But 10 shillings? It was a small fortune. "A woman as talented as you say would no doubt be able to find employment. There are a good number of people in the city who can not sow for themselves. Nor have the time to clear house for themselves. I'm sure she would not have to resort to any other sort of employment. But if you feel it best, I would be more than happy to provide her with shelter and protection, Miss Ashford."

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-11 04:31 pm UTC (link)

"Unfortunately, the Lord in question has seen fit to make sure no reputable house employs her. She also seems to think a sort of independence comes from this line of work." Emilie was not judging the girl, she felt herself about to be put into a form of that profession when she was married off to Lord ____.

She looked him in the eye and continued "I shall give you five shillings now" she discreetly pulled the coins out of her pocket and hid them behind a calling card she handed him "and five more when I bring the girl round to the theater."

"Now," Her face changed completely, it brightened and took on the proper politeness of a genteel young lady as she looped her arm through his "I hear you are investing in stocks...."

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social_climber
2008-05-12 03:16 am UTC (link)

Harry can't help but smile, "There are certain households, Miss Ashford, where my influence will be much stronger than his. But if your young lady would like a different role, that is her choice." A grown woman, after all, would understand the dangers of such a career choice.

He took the card, and the coins, examining the card for a moment before slipping both it and his payment into his pocket. "Will you tell me when the young lady is to be brought? If not a specific time, then at least a day?" He asks, after all, the only time he spent there himself was the evenings, and only those which there was no dog-fight scheduled, or those he did not have other matters to attend to.

He tried not to look surprised as she took his arm, the young lady shifting from business to seemingly casual conversation in a blink of an eye. Impressive, especially for an upper-class lady. "Investing might be the wrong word, Miss Ashford, but I am certainly involved with the market."

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-12 02:19 pm UTC (link)

Emilie looked at Mr. Fisher and said softly "That you had more influence in my father's house than he did." There was something quite handsome and enticing about this man. She had the feeling his regard was not easily won, but once a person had done so, he would protect them till death. There she went, being overly romantic again.
She laughed "Would you really wait all day for me, Mr. Fisher? I think you flatter me. If Tuesday next is agreeable to you, I shall bring her round for the 7:30 play."

"I have just started in stocks, Copper, Iron and Coal, mostly. I was thinking of purchasing in on some of the new roadworks they have been doing around Brighton..." She glossed over his reference to illicit money activities. She thought she might be better off not knowing everything he was involved in. She also did not mind his knowing she was in the unladylike position of business person. She had a feeling that, now they were in a sort of business together, he would make sure to find out much more about her than he otherwise would have.

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social_climber
2008-05-13 10:00 pm UTC (link)

"I would wait all day," for ten shillings, "for a contact such as yourself." He said, with another bow of his head. "I don't often have charming young women promise to visit me." He explains, guiding her back inside.

"Stocks, my dear?" He said, raising his eyebrow, a smile pulling at his lips. "That's something of an usual past-time for a young lady?" He said, "Tell me, do you go to Coffee-Houses as well?" He teases gently, "I wouldn't invest too much in the railway, if I could say so miss. But Strongham and Co. The musket makers. Invest in the army, Miss Ashford, and you'll always get a good return. A sad, but true fact."

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-15 03:42 am UTC (link)

Emilie let him lead the way, listening intently to his advice.
"Not very usual, I will admit, but I cannot always depend on the men in my life having my real best interest at heart, whether they know it or not. Best to have a bit of my own pin money, just in case I take leave of my senses." She gave him a truly mischievous grin "I would love to go to Johnathon's, or Button's, one day but I fear my betrothed" she paused, nearly choking the word out "would attempt to duel the whole place for soiling my good name. It would never occur to him that I would have brains enough to find the places on my own."
She grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing tray.

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	social_climber 2008-05-15 08:13 am UTC (link)
	"Buttons!" Harry grins, "You have fine taste, Miss Ashford. Perhaps I would risk your fiancée's anger in order to buy you a cup of something?" Harry said, eyes bright. "I promise you, he wouldn't cause a problem." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-15 04:24 pm UTC (link)

"If I were to meet you there, could I try tobacco?" she said slyly, but sweetly. She had tried the stuff when young, and disliked it, but she thought the smell was heavenly. "Then I would take you to a tea garden and show you my embroidery work. I am sure you would like it." She laughed prettily and continued, with a snippet of Pope "Here thou, great Anna, whom three realms obey, Dost sometimes counsel take and sometimes tea." She paused "I would not have you think I am completely without ladylike sensibilities."

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social_climber
2008-05-15 07:07 pm UTC (link)

"I'm sure you could try anything you liked, Miss Ashford." Harry says, beginning to wonder if the young lady is trying to wind him up, or is even a young lady at all. "But I have to tell you, I'm not sure you'll like it. It's an acquired taste. I don't like it myself." He explains.

"Embroidery, miss?" He repeats after here, eyebrow raising again. "You could, if you liked." He supposed, decided it wouldn't do him any harm. "I never turn down a cup of tea."

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-15 07:17 pm UTC (link)

Emilie realised her mouth had run away with her again. After all, first the maid in trouble, then stocks, now suggesting she go into a coffee house...

"Do tell me, Mr. Fisher, do you have any sisters? I sometimes forget that not all men are used to my playful manners." She liked him already and hoped her eccentric behaviour would not put him off.

"I will be having a small dinner party at my townhouse, tomorrow evening. I would be most happy if you could attend. I will be sure to invite Lady Linley, of course, as she is my dearest friend. And please, feel free to bring a friend along. My father made sure we had ample table room for a great number of guests!"

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social_climber
2008-05-15 08:29 pm UTC (link)

"Sisters?" He asked, surprised by the sudden enquiry, but then again, this young lady seemed to have a rather erratic line of questioning. Perhaps there was some sort of method in her madness. "Two, one older, one younger. But I don't see them, they have their own families to look after." He explains, "I assure you that your playfulness has nothing on them."

"A dinner party?" He smiles, "It sounds delightful. I shall try my very hardest to attend. But sometimes my business associates do not appreciate regular working hours. What time would you have me arrive, my dear?"

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