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Tweak says, "pick up your shoes"

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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lyttelton
2008-04-21 08:55 pm UTC (link)

Georgiana had always enjoyed these gatherings, with a touch of formality often lacking amidst her late husband's soirees. She enjoyed meeting people and striking up conversation, even if it was petty and meaningless talk. That kind of social interaction excited her in a placid sort of way. No one would be injured at this kind of party. No one would contract syphilis. A safe, pleasant setting for making friends and alliances, and perhaps meeting a new husband.

She had come alone, preferring to wander unaccompanied, as a widow she needed no chaperone, and as a wealthy woman, she could do as she pleased in that respect. Many of the men here could obviously be pinned as married, politician, prostitute, libertine, Georgiana was well-versed in spotting the unsavory and unattainable types. She took a glass of champagne from a passing servant and sipped delicately while continuing to survey for the foray.

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-21 09:53 pm UTC (link)
	"Madam Lyttelton?" The ambassador smiled, greeting her with a low bow, "I am very glad you accepted my invitation. You are well, I trust?" He asks, gesturing for one of the staff, carrying a tray of champagne-filled glasses. Then, turning slightly, he glances out over the crowd, following her gaze. "Are you looking for good company, to pass the evening with?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	lyttelton 2008-04-21 10:37 pm UTC (link)
	"Monsieur Ambassador, I am blessed to have such friends as yourself," Georgiana smiled and returned the bow with a curtsey, keeping her champagne glass steady. "I am indeed well," she moved her gaze from her host's face back to the crowd. "Do not concern yourself with my company, Monsieur, you have many guests to please and I am but one capable girl," (Replies frozen) (Parent)

social_climber
2008-04-21 10:34 pm UTC (link)

There was, unless he was very much mistaken, a very elegant young lady left wandering alone on the far side of the room, without even a boring French aristocrat to engage her in conversation. And although Harry would normally leave the poor woman alone, things were going so well tonight he could not resist the temptation of making her acquaintance.

He uncrossed his arms, got up from his position leant across one of the fine marble pillars, and set his half-finished glass down on one of the servant's trays. Tonight was already going so well, he was sure this would too.

"My dear lady, I hope you would forgive my rudeness, but I don't believe we've met?" He said, approaching her and bowing enough to charm. "My name is Harry Fisher, dear lady, and I admit I was admiring you, and I thought to myself what a lucky husband that young lady has, and I noticed you were alone, at least for the moment. Perhaps I could entertain you for a little while, before your friends return?"

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	lyttelton 2008-04-21 10:43 pm UTC (link)
	Georgiana smiled and curtseyed in response. He was indeed charming. "You waste no time, Mister Fisher, for if you'd been admiring me long, you would have seen that I arrived without an escort," she set her own unfinished glass on a passing tray to devote attention to Fisher. "I have no 'lucky husband', as you so eloquently put it." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-21 10:53 pm UTC (link)

He smiles, inclining his head again, "True, I waste no time. But when one sees a beautiful woman without a companion, one should not hesitate, because she will not be without one for long." He glances back to the crowd, "There are probably a great deal of men who are cursing me for being a little quicker than they are tonight."

He turned he attention back to her. "No husband, my dear lady? How has that unfortunate state of affairs come to be?"

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lyttelton
2008-04-21 10:59 pm UTC (link)

This was the reason she loved these parties. Men in her own close social circle held her late husband in too great esteem or perhaps were frightened of his spirit to approach her. Friends, she had. Suitors, she was lacking. And this Harry Fisher seemed quite the gentleman, though she knew she had to be wary regardless of his charm and the fact that he was at the Ambassador's ball.

"My husband is dead," she replied, pleasantly. "An illness took him from this Earth," she looked out to the crowd. "We must all face such events and move ever onwards, as I have,"

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	social_climber 2008-04-21 11:09 pm UTC (link)
	"Dead, dear lady?" He said, surprised, "I am sorry, I had not realised." Harry apologised, hoping his words had not cut his chances so soon. "You have courage, dear lady, to continue on as you have." He pauses then, cautious. "May I ask of your hate husband's name?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

lyttelton
2008-04-21 11:14 pm UTC (link)

"Willoughby Lyttelton, Mister Fisher," she responded, smiling at his sudden concern. People often responded that way, not realising that she had not married for love, and she was quite well rid of him. A notorious libertine, the late Lyttelton was, and his passing had come as a relief to his wife, who had not tried to dissuade him from his life of debauchery. "I am Georgiana Lyttelton,"

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social_climber
2008-04-22 07:21 am UTC (link)

"My dear Mrs. Lyttelton, it is a pleasure to meet you." He said with another bow, and a bright smile. Lyttelton. Lyttelton... The name ran around and around inside of his head, trying to place the name in the intricate social map within his mind. He could not place the man, and so clearly he had never had any dealings with him. That would probably make the evening run much smoother.

"With no husband to offer you a dance, my dear lady, may I offer myself in his place?" He asks, gesturing to the centre of the room, where other couples had already begun to gather as the quartet began the waltz.

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lyttelton
2008-04-22 07:07 pm UTC (link)

"If it would please you, Mister Fisher," she said cordially, extending a graceful arm so he could take her gloved hand if he wished. She preferred the minuet over the waltz, but was happy to be asked. Truth be told, if Willoughby still drew breath Georgiana would still probably be dancing with another. No doubt he'd have sniffed out the rare ruffian who managed to be invited to these kinds of parties, and joined some back room card game with high stakes and low light.
"If you do not mind my inquiery," she began, watching the other dancers, "what sort of business are you in that you have not heard of my late husband? I cannot think of a station that Mister Lyttelton did not vex in some way or another,"

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social_climber
2008-04-22 07:45 pm UTC (link)

"It would, very much." He said, with another small bow of his head, taking her hand, and leading her to a free space in the centre of the room. And then setting his free hand on her waist, and waiting for the right beat in the rhythm, they set off amongst the other dancers.

"What sort of business, Mrs Lyttelton? I invest, I organise social events, I... introduce people to other people in order for business to flourish." He smiles slightly, "It sounds tedious, I know." He adds, "But it is rather exciting sometimes." It was close enough to the truth, just dressed up a little like most of the guests at this soiree.

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lyttelton
2008-04-22 07:53 pm UTC (link)

Fisher's hand was comfortable on her waist, her gloved palm settled on his shoulder lightly, as not to put pressure on him. She kept her eyes on his face, knowing the steps, realizing after a few turns that Fisher also knew the dance well.

"Do you also attend your organized social events, Mister Fisher?" she asked, smiling a little. "For you dance quite well for a self-proclaimed tedious business man"

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social_climber
2008-04-22 08:10 pm UTC (link)

Harry smiled, rather enjoying the evening, or rather, this particular moment of it. Through the fabric of her gloves, and that of his jacket, shirt and cravat, could feel the warmth of her hand. It was almost comforting, if not slightly strange, to have a hand that close to one's neck and not feel it tighten.

"I attempt to, Mrs Lyttelton. Otherwise, how would I be able to gauge the quality of the event, and the satisfaction of the guests? I would not know what went well and what should be improved. But I try not to get in the way." He smiled, as the swirled once more around the room.

"In truth? I believe that if a gentleman can not dance well with a beautiful woman when he has the opportunity, he should not dance at all." He tells her, smiling slightly.

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lyttelton, 2008-04-22 08:19 pm UTC

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madame_margot
2008-04-22 07:41 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite beat her fan slowly, eyes scanning the new arrivals for familiar faces. No one she knew from France seemed to have made it across the channel. Good.

Instead, her eyes alighted on a lone figure, a woman this time - and there weren't many of her stature at the ball who'd managed to come unaccompanied. Striving to observe her from afar without showing too much interest, Marguerite hid a smile. Men swarmed the young beauty, but she looked far from cornered.

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lyttelton
2008-04-22 07:58 pm UTC (link)

Georgiana thanked the nearest gentleman, letting another fetch her a fresh champagne, touching the arm of a third before bidding them all a gentle farewell. Her days as an impoverished actress had proved quite useful in such an aristocratic setting. She skirted the swarm of dancers, crossing the floor daintily before arriving next to the flame-haired girl who'd been watching her.

"Who knew the French would be this popular?" she commented, smiling at the girl. The fact that the French even still had an Embassy in Britain was hard for her to imagine, after living in the slums where the French were still affectionately referred to as 'filthy frogs'.

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madame_margot
2008-04-22 08:06 pm UTC (link)

"And in their own Embassy, no less," Marguerite agreed, letting her accent slide thickly into each syllable. It came and went, but hardly at will, no matter what her Baron chose to believe.

"Marguerite York," she introduced herself, gesturing for the other woman to take a seat on the chaise beside her. "And to whom may I attribute the sudden hush that seems to have fallen over the room?"

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lyttelton
2008-04-22 08:13 pm UTC (link)

Georgiana accepted the offer to sit and crossed her ankles, noting the distinct French lilt to the girl's reply. She suddenly hoped the young woman had accepted her comment as a friendly taunt, seeing as Georgiana herself had accepted the invitation.

"Georgiana Lyttelton," she replied, laughing softly at the comment. "The hush comes from the surprise that I am not followed by my scandalous husband, I am afraid, not my own charm,"

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	madame_margot 2008-04-22 08:17 pm UTC (link)
	"You have a scandalous husband?" Marguerite queried, arching an eyebrow. "How very disappointing that must be for all these gentlemen. And how very entertaining for you." She smiled pleasantly, considering the other woman. Definitely English, born and bred. And yet far from tedious, judging by the quirk of her smile. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	lyttelton 2008-04-22 08:20 pm UTC (link)
	"The most entertaining part is that his scandalous nature and the gossip that surrounds him continues to plague me, though he has been dead for near on twelve months!" Georgiana tittered, hoping Marguerite did not think her in complete bad taste for laughing. It was funny, she thought. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-22 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	Smiling into her glass, Marguerite reaffirmed her opinion of the girl. Definitely not tedious. "A widow out in society and not even in mourning," she commented, making no move to hide her amusement. "Yes, I can see how that might shock. Pardon my impertinence, but was your husband well-known among such circles? I don't believe I knew him." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

lyttelton
2008-04-22 08:34 pm UTC (link)

Georgiana surveyed the crowd, though paying close attention to Marguerite. "He was a party staple for a time. Perhaps not embassy parties, but he had his quirks. As for mourning, he died from an illness, not quite so suddenly, and I believe he would have wanted me to make my way in the world without him rather than cry all day," she glanced at Margot, a smile on her face. "Besides, I look horrid in black,"

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madame_margot
2008-04-22 08:38 pm UTC (link)

"I'll drink to that," Marguerite acquiesced, raising her glass in sign of toast. "Dark shrouds are for old women. What man deserves our eternal sorrow I do not know." She smiled. "Perhaps a particularly selfless one." As she was sure no man could be, but that was her own bitterness showing.

Glancing around the room, she nodded towards the Ambassador. "Are you at all close with our dear host?"

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lyttelton
2008-04-23 01:13 am UTC (link)

Georgiana might've disagreed if she'd ever been in love, but marriages weren't for love, at least not the first time around. She knew that Marguerite must speak from experience, as most young, married women could.

"We have met several times, that is all," she watched the older man interact expertly with his guests. "He's a lovely man, but I am afraid politics are lost on me. We have little to discuss aside from wine and daily amusements, and light conversation can only get two people so far. I fear as though we have reached the peak of whatever companionship we might've sought from each other."

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	madame_margot 2008-04-23 09:17 am UTC (link)
	"Indeed," she nodded, "politics seems to be à l'ordre du jour whenever I see the Ambassador, but he is far from without charm outside of such topics." She didn't quite let the subject drop with that. "He has a wife in Paris, and such attachment no doubt deprives him of female friends here. One wonders how he spends his time..." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

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