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Tweak says, "I give you dancing flower."

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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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-19 06:22 pm UTC (link)

"A curse Madam Kinsley?" Léon replied, raising an eyebrow and feigning surprise and distaste. "No, no, they would not say such things, Madam. You have been the victim of bad luck, not of a curse. For such a beautiful young woman to be married to elder men... it is not unheard of. But I am sorry such ill luck has followed you."

"Suggestions, Madam? I have many for you. There is to be a picnic, two days from here, in Regent's Park, and a boat trip up the Thames to Hampton. Would you enjoy such an adventure?"

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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 07:01 pm UTC (link)

Adelaide shook her head a little, a small, almost whithered smile on her red lips. "Ah, but is bad luck on so many occasions much different than a curse?" she asked gently before taking a sip from her champagne.

"That sounds as if it will be lovely, Ambassador. I would be happy to attend, so long as my nurse agrees." She glanced over in the direction of where the servant stood watching. "It seems my freedom these days is limited."

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-19 07:40 pm UTC (link)

"Madam, a curse is always different. Bad luck changes, and I have no doubts yours will soon. Nature can not be forever cruel to a young, beautiful woman." He smiles gently to her. "I am certain your luck will change."

"The fresh air will do you good, I am sure your nurse will agree. If not, perhaps my own physician would give you a better diagnosis?" He asked, offering her his hand. "A gentle tour of the river would do your health a world of good, my dear lady."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 08:53 pm UTC (link)

"I do hope you are right," Adelaide said hopefully. She then nodded a little and placed her hand delicately in the one he offered out to her.

"It does sound like a wonderful excursion," she admitted, sounding a slight bit happy for once. "Thank you for the invitation, I will most certainly be there. Even if I am forced to sneak out." She gave a small smile, as sneaking out of her apartment without the approval of her nurses was something she had mastered.

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-19 09:24 pm UTC (link)
	"My dear Madam, I assume you I am almost always right." He says, patting her hand. "Perhaps, in a moment, you would indulge me in a dance?" Léon smiles. "You presence would make the outing worthwhile, Madame Kinsley. I would be honoured by your presence, otherwise I feel I may become dreadfully bored. I am sure together we could entertain ourselves?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-19 10:52 pm UTC (link)

"Almost always right, sir?" she repeated gently. "Now I can't even begin to imagine the pressure that accompanies that responsibility." She smiled again, this time a bit brighter than before. "I would be honored to accompany you in a dance." Perhaps her fear of leaving her apartment after all these months was pointless, as she was enjoying herself.

"I am sure we will manage to keep each other entertained, as it is rare I go out anymore and I imagine I will certainly want to make they day enjoyable."

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-20 08:12 am UTC (link)

"On the contrary Madam, it makes my purpose here much easier." He says, leading her towards the centre of the room, amongst the other dancers. "Although I won't say that I'm never wrong, that would be an untruth. But I will say there is only one thing I do not quite understand fully yet."

"Then I assure you that our adventure on the river will be not only entertaining, but it will be exhilarating." He promises. "An adventure to new places. I have never been to Hampton myself. I hear the Palace there is quite beautiful."

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	widow_newbury 2008-04-20 08:21 am UTC (link)
	Adelaide allowed him to lead her farther into the room. "And what could a man of your status and intelligence not understand?" she asked him curiously. "I have never been to Hampton myself, either. However my second husband spent some time there at the Palace and I have been informed that the architecture is most stunning." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-20 09:52 am UTC (link)

"I do not believe status or intelligence have much to do with it, Madam Kinsley. I believe nature has made us this was for a purpose. Perhaps you would be able to explain to workings of an English woman's mind, Madam? I would be most grateful for your help."

"Then we shall see it together." Léon smiles, "And I am sure it will be a most entertaining day. A picnic by the river, charming company, and beautiful surroundings. What could be better, Madam?"

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	widow_newbury 2008-04-20 05:39 pm UTC (link)
	Adelaide looked at him a moment, a curious look on her face before she spoke. "I am afraid I do not understand, Mister Belmont. What is it about us that troubles you?" she asked gently. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-20 05:42 pm UTC (link)
	Léon smiles. "Simply, madam?" He says, "I do not understand you. Your feelings and motives and emotions, they are all an elaborate puzzle I can not hope to crack. Men are the same the world over, but you English women? I just do not understand." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-20 06:01 pm UTC (link)

Adelaide looked down a moment, blushing slightly. However when she looked back up to him she was smiling. "I hope I can assure you that we are not as complicated as you might think, Mister Belmont," she told him softly. "I feel the difference between us and most other women is that we are more easily persuaded by the idea of romance and not the material items that are bestowed upon us." Blushing again she laughed softly, "Or perhaps that is just my own personal taste."

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-21 07:01 am UTC (link)
	Léon had noticed her blush, and was trying to hide a pleased little smile of his own. "Madam Kinsley, I think you may that the nail on its head." He says, "Yes.... more persuaded by the idea of romance." He nods, "Yes, that may indeed be it. Although some of you English women... they pretend not to be so delighted by the idea. Why is that, do you think?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-21 07:51 am UTC (link)

The young woman blushed even more at the praise he gave to her idea. Although the second question caused Adelaide to pause a moment in thought. "My second husband, Sir Henry Albers, always said it is in our nature to want what we cannot have. Perhaps those women feel that if they act as if they have no desire for affection it will make men more easily drawn to them, as there are few men in the world who would back down to a challenge such as that."

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-21 08:00 am UTC (link)
	"The challenge and the chase? That is common in men the world over it seems. But yes, this trick of you English women, to want what you do not have, and to acquire it using cunning." He nods again, and smiles, "I must keep this in mind. Tell me, Madam Kinsley, as I trust you, are you attempting to use your cunning on me now?" He asks, smiling broadly. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-21 08:26 am UTC (link)

Adelaide felt herself turn an even brighter shade of red and was forced to look down quickly to help hide the fact that she was blushing again. She kept her gaze down for a moment, as if she found the floor fascinating. Finally she looked back up, an amused look in her usually lifeless eyes. "Perhaps, Mister Belmont," she admitted, still blushing. "However, I can assure you that if I was as cunning as most English women I would have thought up a much more clever way of changing the subject," she said, smiling gently again.

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-22 08:00 am UTC (link)
	"If I have made you uncomfortable, Madam Kinsley, please, you must only say the word. I did not want to put you ill-at-ease." Léon says, his voice and face concerned. He had not intended to embarrass or make the woman uncomfortable, merely tempt her only his side. After all, as an Ambassador, he lived on his reputation. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-22 08:14 am UTC (link)

"Oh, no, Mister Belmont," Adelaide said quickly at the sound of concern in his voice. "It is just a puzzling question for one who has spent so long shut away from the world," she told him softly. "I just feel unsure of my actions here tonight, as it has been a few months since I have socialized with somebody other than my servants." It was hard for her to explain the way she feeling and the nervousness she had felt prior to leaving her apartment in Paris.

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-24 08:39 am UTC (link)
	"And society has missed you for it, Madam. You should not lock yourself away from the world, and only speak with serving staff. It is a horrible thought." He says, patting her hand. "You must go outside. Visit your friends in England, enjoy yourself. I will not hear of anything to the contrary." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	widow_newbury 2008-04-24 08:52 am UTC (link)
	Adelaide settled her lifeless gaze upon him for a moment before she looked down once more. "I fear my friends in England are scarce, Monsieur Belmont," she admitted gently. "However, I must admit that it has been lovely to be out amongst society again," she added. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-24 08:58 am UTC (link)
	"Have you not made new friends yet tonight, Madam Kinsley?" He asked, still concerned. "I am sure a lady with as many qualities as you will have no difficulty making fast friendships. No difficulty at all." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	widow_newbury 2008-04-24 03:58 pm UTC (link)
	"I suppose you are right, Mister Belmont," Adelaide said gently before remembering what he had said before and smiling. "Of course, that is not an uncommon thing for you," she added. "I worried that rumors of my curse would perhaps prevent me from making friends here, but it seems, thankfully, that I am wrong." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-28 04:40 pm UTC (link)
	"The English are much more forgiving of their own kin than you remember, Madam Kinsley?" He smiles gently. "Much more forgiving of their own then they are of us French, I have found." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	widow_newbury 2008-04-28 06:44 pm UTC (link)
	Adelaide nodded in agreement. "Yes, but I suppose that is because we like to stay close with one another," she admitted. "Us English prefer to do things as a whole than as an individual," she said softly. "I personally find the French much more pleasant, however." (Replies frozen) (Parent)

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