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Tweak says, "I met a possum"

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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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 (link)

"Your flattery comes undeserved, Mister Fisher," Georgiana scolded lightly, her cheeks petal pink with both his compliment and his presence. "I am but a rich widow, no different than Mrs Chalke or Madame Carroll," she said softly, eyeing the room for the aforementioned ancient women, wrinkled into crepe paper and still stuffed into old fashioned stays and petticoats.

"Indeed, that is a wise decision. Striving for improvement is the mark of an excellent businessman, I applaud you," the similarities between actresses and businessmen were neverending, while Fisher most probably searched for bigger and better clients and ways to impress them, Georgiana had been guilty of precisely the same behavior before she had married Willoughby.

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social_climber
2008-04-22 08:36 pm UTC (link)

"A charming, beautiful and intelligent woman is never flattered undeservingly." He points out, watching her blush. As the steps dictated, they turned, and he too, caught a glimpse of the wrinkled old women. "I would say you are a very different breed of woman. For a start, you, Mrs Lyttelon, have been asked to dance." He says, rather cheekily, he knows, but perhaps it would be a safe tactic. It seemed as though he could not fail tonight.

"Thank you. You must have a fine business mind yourself. Have you perhaps ever attempted...?" He begins, but before he can finish, the waltz ends, and the couples begin to break apart and move back to the sides of the room. "Forgive me. I was going to ask if you had thought about making any business investments yourself."

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lyttelton
2008-04-23 01:21 am UTC (link)

She blushed again, feeling the eyes of her fellow partygoers hot on her neck. "Indeed I have not, Mister Fisher. Before I was married, I invested in myself. I was an actress before Willoughby." She wandered slowly through the crowd, knowing he was behind her. The quiet, empty corner near the musician's gallery suited her fine for pleasant conversation.

"You shall probably think me most uncouth and forward to qualify my lack of interest in business by saying this, but I have more than enough money to see me into death, as well as support a husband, should I be blessed enough to find another,"

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social_climber
2008-04-23 07:57 am UTC (link)

Harry smiles, following her from the dance floor and waiting for her to sit on one of the unoccupied chairs, sitting besides her after a moment, "Investing in yourself has clearly earnt you very high returns, Mrs Lyttelton." He compliments.

"I could never think such things about you, my dear lady." He reassures, "Forgive me for not explaining clearly what I meant. With an ample enough allowance to ensure you live comfortably, and that your children can also, surely the rest of the money you possess, is, to some degree, unnecessary? You could hone that business intelligence of yours, with small investments? If anything, Mrs. Lyttelton, it would be a distraction."

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lyttelton
2008-04-24 09:29 pm UTC (link)

Georgiana considered his words. Was it a friendly suggestion, stemmed from the genuine concern for her welfare and funds, or did it have a deeper, perhaps darker meaning? "I suppose," she mused, watching him. "that if I were to be married again, I would rather leave such things to my husband, and merely enjoy the fruits of our combined labors rather than burden myself with more worry. Investments always have the possibility of turning sour, Mister Fisher. Where would I be today if I had injured myself to the point of being unable to perform? Dead, perhaps." She turned back to the crowd. "I was lucky, for I put all my eggs in one basket and managed not to break them. I do not think I would have the same financial luck next time."

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social_climber
2008-04-24 09:38 pm UTC (link)

He inclines his head, submitting to her decision. "Of course, Mrs Lyttelton. After all, when someone has worked as hard as you have, they deserve a rest to enjoy what they have earnt. You are a very wise woman. Forgive me." He says, and then thinks for a moment over what she has said, "Are you looking for another husband? If it is not too rude of me to ask, of course."

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lyttelton
2008-04-24 09:54 pm UTC (link)

"It pains me that I must spend what could be my finest years alone," Georgiana responded, smiling slightly. "I am but twenty-two, and women of my age are not meant for lonely meals or cold beds," she hoped he did not think her too forward for mentioning her bed of all things, but she meant it sincerely. Young women were meant to be loved, she thought, and in her theatre days she felt much affection from many men, but since Willoughby's death, she felt spoilt, somehow, and parties like these were an opportunity to show the world she was still desirable, even if it was simply for the large pile of cash she was sitting on.

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social_climber
2008-04-24 10:04 pm UTC (link)

He nods, sympathetically. "A beautiful woman like you, Mrs Lyttelton, will have the pick of the crop when it comes to husbands. All you have to do is pick the one you like the most." Harry smiles, "You can at least choose your next husband, rather than have someone pick for you this time."

It would have been foolish to have mentioned that he was looking for a wife. Telling her so would have made them both uncomfortable, and would possibly have suggested he had designs on her. Which wasn't completely the case- she was an extremely attractive woman, and wealthy, and many years younger than himself. All things he was looking for, but she would have higher aspirations than to settle for the likes of him. Besides which, she was far too smart to be the submissive wife had always envisioned for himself.

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lyttelton
2008-04-24 10:09 pm UTC (link)

"There you are wrong, Mister Fisher," Georgiana smiled mischievously. "Not only do I not have the pick of the crop, I accepted the late Mister Lyttelton's proposal of marriage of my own free will, with no pressuring family." She turned back to the dancers, eyes flitting to each man. "I fear few men will settle for a widow. What is wanted is young and ripe and unspoilt by the previous touch of man. I cannot offer innocence, which is a valuable trait these days,"

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	social_climber 2008-04-24 10:20 pm UTC (link)
	"Perhaps those men who do not deserve a wife look for that sort of woman, Mrs Lyttelton. But I am sure you will find a man who truly appreciates you. And will dance better with you than I am able to." He adds with a smile. "You can not think of yourself as old, surely?" Harry asks, appalled. "Or undesirable? Who has ever given you that impression?" (Replies frozen) (Parent)

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