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Tweak says, "I'm Henry VIII, I am"

Léon Belmont (ex_the_ambas216) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-03-28 07:54:00

Entry tags:

ambassadors_ball, leon_belmont

An Invitation to the French Ambassador's Ball
Subject: The Ambassadors Ball
Where: The French Embassy
Who: Léon Belmont, the French Ambassador to the English court
Warnings: none as yet
Open to: All (all players may attend either as invited guests of the ambassador, as servants or guests of those invited, as staff, or as gate-crashers.)

The ballroom of the Embassy was already growing busy, and when Citizen Belmont paused for a moment besides one of the large windows, he could see yet more carriages pulling up outside, wreathed in the mist blowing in from the river.

The quartet had been playing now for a good half an hour, new French tunes as well as those the English favoured. His staff was busy handing out good French wine, and then refilling those glasses when they were drained.

It was going to be a good evening, and not only in the eyes of the party-goers. With some of England’s most prominent aristos on the guest list, and some than some newly arrived French nationals, tonight would be a night of information gathering, of sizing up the opposition, and perhaps even ensuring some of those French escapees were returned to face justice.

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madame_margot
2008-04-21 05:34 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite timed her reaction. A few seconds to look appropriately put out and then she could smile freely.

"Either you have not heard the rumors surrounding our illustrious host or you know less of politics than I do." She leaned. "And between us, if the latter, you have my sincerest sympathies." The girl was a servant, but she was of different stock, obviously. She spoke her mind courageously. Marguerite couldn't help but be entertained. "I hope you will not consider me too forward, but pray, what is your current pay?"

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bourgeois_girl
2008-04-21 05:57 pm UTC (link)

"Non I have not heard any rumours of this man. I doubt I would have even known of him in the first place if her ladyship had not wanted me to assist her tonight."

She knew politics alright but she tried her best to ignore them. So far she had done a good job of that in England. To know was to be scared, and she would not let panic overtake her. "My current pay is sixpence a week. I suppose that is better than what some households allow."

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	madame_margot 2008-04-21 06:23 pm UTC (link)
	Marguerite folded her fan pensively, tapping it twice against her wrist. "I will pay you double that if you come work for me instead." A sly smile, her offer daring but more than just a matter of whim. "I'm sure her ladyship can spare you and I'm in need of staff for my husband's residence in town." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

bourgeois_girl
2008-04-21 06:34 pm UTC (link)

A shilling a week? Truly was this woman in so much need? Amandine was quite sure even her husband had never paid their servants that much, once it was put against the deniers...

Amandine looked at the woman for a moment before she spoke. "Forgive me, Madame, for my suspicious nature but why would you ask a random maid to leave her household and work for you? If you believe this to be a lion's den how can you be sure you can trust me?"

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madame_margot
2008-04-21 06:46 pm UTC (link)

"Oh but I am as fearless as you, my dear," Marguerite replied playfully. "And while I wouldn't dream of buying your loyalty, common wisdom dictates that to do good onto others is to see the same returned... or is that the Bible? In any event you are far from a random maid. You are French." Another smile, this time with purpose. "And I am married to an English lord. I have less to fear than you... Madame."

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	bourgeois_girl 2008-04-21 08:05 pm UTC (link)
	Amandine's eyes glinted at the mention of Madame and she briefly averted her gaze to the rest of the room. Either this woman had an inkling or she knew of Amandine. Of course she could have said it by mistake but that was highly unlikely. "I have a husband. He is a stablehand in the same household, a good one too. I should not leave without him." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-21 08:45 pm UTC (link)
	"I wouldn't dream of separating husband and wife," Marguerite answered, brushing aside the concern with a wave of her fan. It was so much more interesting to know she'd been right. To what extent, well that was another game entirely. "Qui êtes vous, Madame?" Who are you exactly, she wondered, eyes narrowed in question. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

bourgeois_girl
2008-04-21 10:05 pm UTC (link)

Amandine merely nodded, her brow furrowed as she considered the woman at her side. Was she truly to be trusted? Well, who was nowadays? Still the thought of more pay and somewhat more freedom was certainly alluring.

"Un domestique sans l'expérience." A servant with no experience - indeed. That was answer enough where Amandine was concerned. If the woman required more she would have to ask for it.

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madame_margot
2008-04-22 12:26 pm UTC (link)

"Very well," Marguerite replied, nodding her approval though it was not required. The sound of footsteps led her to return to her husband's language and relinquish her own, at least for now.

"If you accept, come by the house in Grosvenor Square tomorrow," she added with a smile, slipping a calling card with her name and address into the woman's hand. "And we will talk some more."

Turning sharply on her heel, she left the room and its gloomy silence to return to the party. The girl could accept or she could refuse. Marguerite wasn't about to force anything on anyone.

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