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Tweak says, "He fell off the roof."

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
2008-04-24 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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