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Lord Eward Mountford-Miles ([info]lord_eward) wrote in [info]toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-05-14 11:23:00

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Entry tags:eward_mountford-miles

Subject: An Engagement Party
Who: Eward Mountford-Miles
Where: The Chauceford-Miles home, cousins of the M&M's.
Warnings: None atm.
Open to: Katherine and anyone else who might want to attend it!
Feel free to talk to people other than Eward, btw!


Lisa Chauceford-Miles was getting engaged and she had decided to hold a grand party for anyone she had ever met, including their friends, to help celebrate. So far there were over seventy in attendance at the grand estate, sipping on wine, dancing to music and gossipping amongst themselves. Eward knew his cousin was simply craving the attention but he had stood there for fifteen minutes nevertheless, listening to her babbling about dresses and which church suited her plans. When he was finally able to excuse himself and break away from the mindless conversation he grabbed the nearest glass of alcohol and downed it in one.

These events were never pleasant and he'd be hard pressed to find some enjoyment out of it.


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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:38 am UTC (link)
Katherine stepped out of her carriage in front of the Chauceford-Miles' home, and her knees were shaking. She had no inclination to want to be there at all, least of all without Miles there to help her if need be, but just as she had known the bride-to-be's cousins since they were children, so had she known Lisa. And Lisa was getting engaged, forcing Katherine's attendance out of kindness.

She entered the home, greeted at the door by attendants clamoring to take her coat, to show her to the dancing, the wine, the guests of honour. Katherine rejected their help and went to find Lisa so she might make her congratulations known early and be able to relax, then slip out unnoticed whenever it suited her. But as she walked in Lisa's direction, Katherine passed close by the display of drink, and its current patron was none other than Eward.

Quickly turning, Katherine figured she might go a roundabout way towards Lisa, but there was a throng of people just there, blocking her escape.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 10:45 am UTC (link)
Eward heard a scuffle and out of meagre interest he turned his head to look for the source. There was Katherine, obviously having seen him and trying now to disappear from his view but it did not work. If he were in a brighter mood he would have found it funny. As it was he found it all the more depressing.

"I am not going to bite you, you know," he said in a bored tone, picking up another drink and sipping it lightly this time. Now Katherine was here he would have to maintain a level head.

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:50 am UTC (link)
Katherine, in her attempt to avoid any possible confrontations, was rather hopeless at trying to get away. When she heard Eward's voice, she knew that it was directed at her. She stopped, rather abruptly, and turned to face him, not at all surprised that he had taken what she was sure was a second drink and was acting just as nonchalant as she wished she could be.

Shifting just away from the crowd she'd tried to break through, Katherine did not approach Eward, but did respond. "That is not what I was afraid of," Katherine said, both as calmly and as dully as she could. She avoided Eward's eyes, for they were both attractive and blinding, sparkling bright blue in the lights of the party

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 11:01 am UTC (link)
Eward could have retorted that he bet she was afraid of succumbing and falling into his manly arms - but he did not. He could have also smirked, jaunted over to her and engaged her in yet another battle of wills while he attempted to fluster her, but instead he simply stayed where he was, pondering quietly. He noted how she avoided his gaze and he was sad of it; he could not see her eyes when she averted them so quickly.

"You were afraid of my arguing with you again in public?" he asked, drawing his own eyes towards her hoping that she would have the courtesy to actually look at him. He wondered whether she had recognised the emotion on his face at the theatre, and if she thought of it now, for he doubted his expression was much different save for a gentle smile. "Then let me assure you I will not."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:21 pm UTC (link)
"No," Katherine snapped back, perhaps a bit too coldly. She looked away, but saw nobody with whom she'd voluntarily have a conversation, and many of them would have questioned her motives if she had, seeing as it was not like her. Taking a daring step forward, she took a glass of wine from the table, and it nearly slipped in her gloved hands at her inattention.

Having caught the glass, Katherine took a long sip from it while pondering a response. It did seem that Eward had noticed how she avoided his eyes, and so reluctantly she acquiesced, looking up at him directly for the first time that evening. Katherine swallowed, almost disturbed by their intensity, before carefully responding, "I am sure that you and I will both be glad for that, seeing as we would not want to ruin your dear cousin's engagement party with a ruckus."

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 10:28 pm UTC (link)
Eward was frustrated. How on earth was he meant to manage her in this state? He had wanted to spend time with her, be with her ever since that night and now he was in her company he was beginning to want to throttle her. It must have been a talent of hers, as she seemed to entice it more often than not.

"No, I certainly would not wish to ruin her party," he agreed, sipping the wine and holding her gaze; his blues pierced into the browns of her eyes and for a moment he found himself sinking. Taking a sudden breath to stop himself he looked away. "You are well?"

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:36 pm UTC (link)
Katherine shivered involuntarily when Eward held her gaze; it was neither like him to do nor expected by her. When he looked away, Katherine lowered her eyes, almost visibly shaken by his stare. Swallowing, she fingered the stem of the wine glass nervously. It was utterly unlike Eward to be as civil as he was being without too being sarcastic or deprecating. And that scared Katherine, as much as it had the night at the theatre.

Nodding, Katherine took another sip of wine, but she was not really so thirsty or desirous of drink. The liquid barely touched her lips when she pulled it away; it seemed unappetizing. In response Katherine offered, "I suppose." She couldn't form more complex answers, and so continued, "And you?"

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 10:41 pm UTC (link)
"I am miserable." The answer was simple, to the point and completely honest, something which Katherine was not likely to expect. Eward didn't care. Instead he sighed, drinking the last of the wine and replaced the glass on the table, moving to face her once more. "And it is all because of you."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:46 pm UTC (link)
Katherine raised an elegant eyebrow at Eward's words, both perplexed and not at all surprised. The self-righteous part of her - which was, indeed, a large part - knew that nobody, not even Eward, could be truly happy living a life of debauchery and corruption, but the sincere part of her knew when something was not right. And Eward being miserable just did not seem right. At his second assertion, however, Katherine nearly dropped the glass she carried. Stuttering, she replied, "I...I beg your pardon?" It was intended to come out inquisitive, even quiet, but perhaps it sounded a bit harsh.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 10:50 pm UTC (link)
Eward knew she was going to react in a similar way but he had thought she would say "how dare you blame this on me!" rather than appear concerned and surprised. This helped him a little and he looked around the room, noting ways to escape. "May I talk to you in private? It will be easier to explain," he asked, meeting her eyes at the last word to show her he was serious. And Eward was hardly ever serious.

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 10:54 pm UTC (link)
Katherine's heart raced, partly terrified that he would break his even demeanor at yell, and even more that he would not. Eward's calmness was getting to her. She bit her lip, maybe a bit harshly, which was terribly unladylike, but Katherine did not for the moment care. When Eward requsested privacy, and seriously, Katherine carefully placed her half-finished glass of wine on the table, her hands shaking. "You...you may," she affirmed as evenly as she could.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 10:58 pm UTC (link)
As soon as she agreed Eward began to move, leading her to a secluded hallway which was lit only by feeble candlelight. Drapes hung around them to assure them privacy and for a moment he felt like they were back in the theatre. Once Katherine was settled, Eward steeled himself despite his nerves and butterflies.

"We need to talk about the other night. The first night. It will not be easy for either of us but talk we must if we are to survive around each other."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 11:02 pm UTC (link)
Katherine followed Eward as closely as she dared, careful of who she walked past in case they were seen. It would get back to her mother in an instant that they were sneaking into dark hallways together and that would not end well. Heart pounding in her chest, Katherine came to a halt beside Eward in the draped hallway, daringly looking up at him in the darkness.

She took a stabilizing breath. He was right. He was more than right. And yet Katherine found it hard to even think about, let alone talk about, despite the necessity of it. "There is nothing to discuss," Katherine deflected his suggestion, crossing her arms and turning away. "It's rather simple, isn't it?"

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 11:04 pm UTC (link)
Oh for God's sake what was the matter with her? Was she so prepared to bury it without a moment's thought? Was she prepared to swan off and simply act like nothing happened when in fact the tension between them was plain to see? Even if she was, Eward certainly was not and he was determined to have it out with her.

"Then please," he said, measuring volume and tone, "if it is so simple then explain it to me."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 11:10 pm UTC (link)
Katherine managed to refine the heavy red blush threatening to color her cheeks, instead keeping it a rather flattering pink. Eward's question was both provocative and telling; Katherine, despite herself, was forced to think on that night more than she had since then. She was determined to not lie, but it was seeming a tempting proposition at the moment.

"I made a mistake I should not have made," Katherine finally responded, holding her crossed arms closer to her chest. That was a rather...succinct way of putting it. She had indeed done just that, for it was certainly a mistake for a betrothed virgin to off and bed anyone, let alone a childhood companion, but Katherine knew that there was more than that. She just could not say it.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 11:20 pm UTC (link)
"Well I for one am glad you made it," Eward countered, his head hung low before he raised it to look directly into her eyes. For the remaining talk he did not move them for more than a second, his breaths becoming more frequent as he tried to prepare himself. If she was not going to confess her true feelings then it was left to him/

"Katherine it does not pain me to say what I am about to confess to you but it is difficult all the same... I am sorry. For how I behaved around you all these years, and I regret it wholly and completely. You have every reason to doubt me and worry that my word is not true or said in genuine affection but I beg you to keep an open mind as I tell you I can't stop thinking about you..." His voice faltered but he continued. "You are in my thoughts daily since that night and suffice to say it is driving me mad. My sisters have noticed, I have lied to them and also to myself; the truth is I long to be around you as you simply fascinate me. Before, I thought my anger was just because we were opposites but I realise now that all these years I have held a deep, unyielding attraction to you which I have hidden under so many masks, simply because I could not stand the truth of you hating me.."

Eward took a much needed breath, a small smile on his face; this was liberating, albeit scary. "I confuse even myself in explaining, but in short - I wish to put the past behind us. I do not want to fight any more. I hope for you, possibly in the future, to think of me if not not as a friend then simply as a good man who took one woman's mistake as a chance to rectify a lifetime of ill treatment. I may not deserve your kindness, but I feel I must beg of it this moment."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 11:30 pm UTC (link)
Katherine raised an eyebrow in shock at his first words, still offended by blatant talk of sexual satisfaction. But she managed to hide her disapproval, at least keep it from her eyes as Eward locked his gaze with hers. As he spoke, both honestly and seriously, Katherine might have fallen over in shock even had she herself not been what he was talking about. It was so incredibly unlike Eward to be so forthcoming and reasonable, and that terrified Katherine. It was just not natural, but from how he spoke and what it was he said, Katherine wondered if he was a different person, as he asserted, and if she was truly the reason.

She could no longer hide the redness in her cheeks, or the rapid rising and falling of her chest with heavy breathing, but Katherine did not truly comprehend that or care. Swallowing, she took a tentative step towards Eward as he concluded speaking. Gently, carefully, Katherine reached out a gloved hand and barely touched his arm. His words had hit her full force, and she was still reeling, mostly because she was scared and unsure of what it all meant. She knew on the face of things, but it had caught her significantly off-guard.

She might have said, I don't hate you, or even, more simply, You don't have to beg it. But any words she tried to get out just died on her tongue. Katherine just kept his gaze quite fixed with her own, her eyes soft, hoping that a look would be enough to convince Eward that she had heard him, loudly and clearly, and was not afraid to stay where she was.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 11:35 pm UTC (link)
Eward had hoped she would react kindly, at least understand what he was saying but he feared for a moment that she was beyond that; that he had pushed her too far. Yet, when the sensitive hand touched his arm Eward's hopes were answered even though she remained silent. Katherine's eyes said all that needed to be said and he felt relief flood through him, along with something else.

Though he wanted to kiss her, dear God how much he did, he refrained from doing so. Thinking that she had simply accepted his apology he would not press anything on her, lest he just ruined what had happened. Clearing his throat, Eward tried to rid the telling emotion from his voice. "So we..." he started, but could not finish. He had no words to say.

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 11:40 pm UTC (link)
Katherine's heart was beating out of her chest, her face was flushed, and her stomach was in knots. When had it come to this? Days ago, even after their night together, she hadn't felt this way. She had blocked it from her mind, really, managed to go about her daily life and not worry too much on that she had slept with Eward. But it had, too, pained her to think of it. She was angry at herself more than at him; forgiving him for past indiscretions was not the problem.

She lowered her eyes at last, unable to look at him any longer for fear she'd say something she ought not to, or do something silly or cruel. Instead, Katherine replied, "I...I haven't the slightest idea," her voice quiet, barely more than a whisper.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-14 11:44 pm UTC (link)
Eward's body was reacting very much the same as Katherine's, the only difference being his blush was not all that visible. As they continued to avoid each other's eyes Eward still felt good for having confessed to clear the air. She was not shouting at him any more or shooting him cold glares, so that marked progress at least.

With a short exhale, Eward decided to move. "I will say goodbye to Lisa... I have already offered congratulations so she will allow me to leave. You should not have the party ruined on account of me, so please go and enjoy, she would like to see you," he said, the emotion still there in a hint of his words. "I will... well... good evening, Katherine..."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-14 11:54 pm UTC (link)
Katherine watched rather shocked as Eward explained away that he would be leaving. A part of her, one that she could not quite place, wanted him to stay, but she knew not for what reason. Katherine could, too, hear it in his voice that he did not want to leave. And yet he was doing so to spare her grief.

As Eward turned, Katherine, in the moment, reached out and grabbed his arm, holding it just more firmly than she had before, enough to convey her purpose. Closing the widened gap between them, she said softly, "You do not have to leave. I would feel awful if you left to try and spare me having the party ruined when you do not even know if your presence would indeed do just that." It was the boldest, most lengthy thing Katherine had yet said.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 09:38 am UTC (link)
Eward's insides flipped at her statement and though he was glad that she wanted him to stay he was quite torn of what to do. It would not be fun for him to walk around and simply catch her gaze from opposite sides of the room, he wanted it to be more complete than that.

"The party ended for me the moment I brought you in this hallway," he confessed, a small but rueful smile on his lips. "I could not bear to walk out of here and simply put on my usual facade... it is too difficult for me. Unless you express your wish for me to stay I will leave this moment."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-15 10:34 am UTC (link)
Katherine's eyes dimmed, their usual brightness gone. Perhaps she had not realized it before - or maybe she had - but it did indeed seem that he was incredibly torn and hurt by what had gone on between them. More than she'd anticipated from what he'd told her, and that was quite telling as it was.

"Don't say that," Katherine said, surprising herself at how it did not sound admonishing. "Even if I were to wish you to stay, I worry you've set your mind to leaving. And I cannot stop you from doing that," she explained evenly, her voice very low and quiet, even lackluster. "But for what it is worth, I do not want you to go."

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 10:44 am UTC (link)
That was something he never thought he would ever hear Katherine say. He swallowed down the lump in his throat, eyes sparkling for the first time since he had arrived and his smile became happier.

"I will stay," Eward agreed, nodding his head once and slowly. The knot in his stomach was easing but it did not release the butterflies. "I will do my duty to my cousin, talk for half an hour, and I shall bother you no longer if... that is suitable."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-15 08:15 pm UTC (link)
Katherine looked away, wondering for the first time if her own attitude was turning Eward away. She had not intended for that, at least not to the caliber it seemed it had gone to. Genuinely, she felt guilty for pushing him away, or making him think that that was what she wanted. If anyone ought to leave, it should be her; she had, after all and according to Eward, been the cause of the problems.

She offered a strained but lovely smile, her mouth dry. "No. No, you mustn't cut your evening with your cousin short on my account. If it will make things more pleasant, I shall give her my well-wishes and return home." Perhaps it was a bit too spiteful.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 10:28 pm UTC (link)
"I do not care about my evening with my cousin, because she is the most insufferable person I have ever met!" Eward snapped suddenly, only out of anger that he could be losing Katherine so soon after reconciling. He calmed himself quickly. "Sorry - but... I would rather spend the evening with you than either of us leaving early. Not that that is going to happen, so we may as well... part ways."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-15 10:32 pm UTC (link)
Katherine grimaced just slightly at Eward's outburst over his cousin, but allowed her face to soften soon after. There was a lump in her throat and her chest felt tight, all resultant of his rather unexpected statement. I would rather spend the evening with you. She wanted to stay. And despite telling herself it was silly, she wanted to stay with him. Swallowing, Katherine said earnestly, "You can never be sure what is or is not going to happen, you know. People may surprise you."

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 10:36 pm UTC (link)
Eward glanced to her without moving his head. What was she up to? She was so hard to fathom out, to read and to judge. That was what fascinated him; unlike other women she had managed to hold his interest for years. "And are you a surprising woman?"

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[info]krochester
2008-05-15 10:39 pm UTC (link)
Katherine raised her eyes, looking directly into Eward's own. Her heart was racing at her own daring, her unknown motives. She was not entirely sure if it was attraction or fascination with Eward's seeming change of heart. Testing the waters could not hurt. Daringly, and perhaps even challengingly, Katherine replied smoothly, "I should think that you would know the answer to that."

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 10:45 pm UTC (link)
Eward was, strangely, satisfied with her answer. He broke into a knowing smile, thinking back to how shocked he was when she had thrown herself on him and then, in a slightly coy and shy manner, he looked down. "Oh - yes I remember..." he said with a slight chuckle to his voice. His eyes met with hers. "You are the most surprising woman I know."

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[info]krochester
2008-05-15 10:51 pm UTC (link)
Katherine blushed, her face darknening with a becoming red flush, for she knew all too well to what he referred. But she played it off rather coyly, offering a flattered smile and cocking her head to the side to look up into Eward's face, his eyes catching hers. "Then it should not surprise you," Katherine started, placing a gloved hand on his upper arm, not daring to touch his chest in the same manner, else it be thought of as too sensual, "that I am staying."

Her hand lingered on his arm, her eyes in their lock with his, for a long moment, before Katherine broke herself away, walking proudly past Eward out to the party. It would certainly look suspect if they came from a dark hallway together, and Katherine wanted nothing more than to not cause a scene. She was at the engagement party; she might as well find the bride-to-be and then enjoy herself.

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[info]lord_eward
2008-05-15 10:57 pm UTC (link)
Eward's smile seemed like it would never fade, even as she walked out of the hallway. They were all right. They were not fighting. For once, Eward felt happy; he knew it could all collapse and fall in on itself as soon as it had been righted. After all, she was a bride to be herself.

After a moment Eward followed Katherine's path, a grin on his face. He spotted her across the room and instead of feeling dread he hopped over to antagonise some of his most annoying cousins and flummoxed them with his cheery nature.

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[info]perfect_edith
2008-05-15 06:38 am UTC (link)
There had been some curiosity floating around the room as to where the groom-to-be had disappeared to. However the answer to the speculation of the nosy could be answered by anyone who happened to be watching Edith Mountford-Miles, who had just slipped back into the room from a door that led to the servant's quarters. Several moments later the young man appeared through the door as well, giving a knowing smirk to the dark-haired woman before working his way back into the crowd. One would think that Edith had no other reason to linger by the door, but only a second later another man appeared, this one still struggling to straighten the waistband of his trousers. Edith winked before going to get herself a drink.

The fact that she had not spoken to Eward since their conversation in their study was causing problems for Edith. The only other person she considered to be a friend was Abigail, but her sister was often busy. Therefore it was understandable that Edith was now being forced to seek entertainment elsewhere.

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