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Tweak says, "Eat glass!"

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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tigersatthegate
2008-04-20 08:38 am UTC (link)

Aimé had been on edge since he had set foot in the ballroom, despite what he had told Mercedes he could not quite bring himself to believe they were safe.
He jumped a little when the young woman spoke to him, having not realised she had crossed the room to address him until that moment.

He met her gaze with one of his own, worried although he smiled.

"I do agree, Madam. I must admit I am one of them." He bowed low and took her hand to kiss. "Forgive me for not introducing myself, I am Aimé Laurent."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-20 08:50 am UTC (link)

Adelaide jumped slightly out of habit when he jumped. It was usually the other way around with her, somebody approaching and startling her. Nervously she smiled, allowing him to take her hand. It was a rare occurrence for her to have people make any contact with her, as she was rumored to be a curse to any male who she approached.

"A pleasure Mister Laurent," she said gently. "I am Adelaide Kinsley." She decided to give the name of her last husband, as she didn't feel the need to perhaps stir up any curiosity if perhaps he had heard stories that accompanied her maiden name.

"I must admit, sir, your nervousness is a reassurance to me. As I would hate to be alone in suspecting danger around every turn tonight."

[Ignore my first comment and my inability to type like I have any understanding of the English language.]

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tigersatthegate
2008-04-20 08:58 am UTC (link)

"Kinsley?" He said, the name reminding him of something and, when he remembered, an expression of regret passed across his face. "Madam, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing, especially give the circumstances of his death. If there is anything I or my family can do for you while you are in England don't hesitate to ask."

Aimé glanced past her, to the Ambassador - watching him move from guest to guest.
"I am glad then I am not alone. What danger do you expect, Madam? I cannot help feeling this to be a trap of some sort and yet to refuse...it would have appeared I had something to hide."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-20 09:12 am UTC (link)

Adelaide had been about to inquire as to which husband's death he was referring to, but thought that to be a morbid question, even in her taste. "Thank you for your compassion, Mister Laurent," she said politely.

She followed his gaze to the Ambassador. "I suppose it is just the lack of security that one feels when they are thrust into a crowd such as this one after having spent so many months alone." Curiously she looked over to him, as she was partially naive to the troubles in the world, a result of the fairytale fantasy she had created in her head. "Ah, I cannot say I feel the same way, Mister Laurent. However, perhaps that is because I have nothing to hide." She said this as innocently as possible, trying to sound more observation rather than as if she was accusing him of something.

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tigersatthegate
2008-04-20 09:29 am UTC (link)

"It is nothing, Madam. We must stick together during these most difficult times, no?" He said, smiling, trying to move the conversation away from the obviously painful topic.

Aimé laughed, more for the benefit of those overhearing than amusement. "Neither do I, Madam, but I feel the pressures of courtly life even here, the need to keep ones reputation and perception spotless. Avoiding a ball such as this, even with the difficulties in France, would no doubt cause gossip." He smiles at her kindly. "I am sorry you find the crowds a strain, Madam. I hope you are making friends, though. Things never look so fearful when you are surrounded by friends."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-20 05:48 pm UTC (link)

Adelaide nodded in agreement. "I suppose it is more difficult for a gentleman to keep his status this day than it has been in the past. One must be careful who he is seen talking and what he is heard saying, yes?" The young woman gave him a look of understanding. "Perhaps that is why so few are comfortable tonight." At his last words she looked over towards the Ambassador again, as if silently indicating him. "I do believe I have mad a friend or too," she admitted before glancing around the large room. "And I am certain my nurse is somewhere not far from me, in case I manage to get myself into any trouble."

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	tigersatthegate 2008-04-20 06:06 pm UTC (link)
	"Quite, Madam." Aimé agrees, looking around the people in the room. How many would be willing to turn spy for the ambassador's money? How many already had? "I am sure no trouble would come to you, and if it is any consolation, Madam, you have made a friend in me at least." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-20 06:14 pm UTC (link)

"You will be surprised to hear that I am actually known for the troubles that come to me," Adelaide said gently, an amused smile on her pale face. "And also the troubles that come to those who befriend me," she added softly, almost as if warning. She did not believe in curses herself, but there was a large number of attendees of the ball who were afraid to risk approaching her, especially during such dangerous times.

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	tigersatthegate 2008-04-20 06:27 pm UTC (link)
	Aimé smiled rather carelessly. "I am no stranger to trouble, Madam and I would not hesitate to be your friend due to...gossip that might accompany you." He reassured her. He was treading a knife edge already here in England, but after having escaped from France and coming here and facing the Ambassdor he felt almost invincible. "Would you care to dance?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	widow_newbury 2008-04-20 06:40 pm UTC (link)
	"No stranger to trouble?" Adelaide repeated carefully. "I must say, that is rather intriguing, Mister Laurent." But she did not press him on the subject, as she didn't feel it appropriate. At his question she nodded. "Yes, that would be lovely." She smiled. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	tigersatthegate 2008-04-20 06:48 pm UTC (link)
	Aimé laughed. "My escape from France is quite a story, although not one for this type of company. The Ambassador has spies everywhere or so I am told." He took her hand, leading her out to the dance floor and waited for the quartet to strike up a lively waltz. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-20 06:58 pm UTC (link)

Adelaide nodded. "It's a shame my dear Francis could not be so lucky," she said simply enough that nobody overhearing would think anything of the comment. At his words she looked over towards the Ambassador again. She had not found him to be the sort of man everyone said he was, but perhaps she was a poor judge of character?

She followed him out to the dance floor, smiling slightly. "Perhaps one day soon it will be easier to speak freely amongst strangers, without the worry of being misunderstood," she said hopefully.

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	tigersatthegate 2008-04-20 07:19 pm UTC (link)
	Aimé nodded, looking down shamefully. "I am sorry, Madam, I did not mean to bring up painful memories." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-20 07:26 pm UTC (link)

Adelaide shook her head quickly, looking at him. "There is no reason for apology, Mister Laurent," she said gently. "It is a memory I deal with daily and I no longer feel the pain I did immediately following the incident." It was perhaps a lie, but she wasn't one who could bear the feeling that she was being pitied. And so she was forced to smile, as if she wasn't in constant pain over the lovers she had lost.

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	tigersatthegate 2008-04-21 07:46 am UTC (link)
	Aimé nodded, although he did not quite believe her. "It was still wrong for me to be so thoughtless, Madam." He settled his hand at her waist, the musicians striking up in something formal from the court in France, a tune he had not heard in such a long time and he led them round the room, concentrating now on keeping time rather than making conversation. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	widow_newbury 2008-04-21 07:56 am UTC (link)
	Adelaide had attend countless formal events with her husbands and so it was no struggle for her to follow his lead, while talking at the same time. "I assure you, Mister Laurent, that it really is no worry," she told him gently. "There are few things in life that do not remind me of my husbands," she admitted softly. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

tigersatthegate
2008-04-21 08:06 am UTC (link)

Aimé glanced up away from watching their feet for a moment. He knew how to dance but his teacher had been his older brother Augustin whose lessons had, for the most part, involved him leading and Aimé being pulled along in tow. He frowned at the happy memories that thought brought back. Had Augustin meant to betray them even then? Had he plotted his younger brother's death even as they laughed together over Aimé's clumsy footwork?
"Do not worry, Madam. I think I understand completely." He said.

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	widow_newbury 2008-04-21 08:28 am UTC (link)
	Adelaide titled her head to one side when he looked up and she noticed that he was frowning. "You look troubled, Mister Laurent," she told him gently. "Have I said something to upset you?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

tigersatthegate
2008-04-21 08:33 am UTC (link)

He glanced up at her again, smiling this time.
"No, no, Madam. I was just remembering something unpleasant, that is all. It's strange how these things catch you when you least expect them, no?" The music faded and he led her to the side of the room. "I am sorry, I know I am not the best dancing partner you will probably find here tonight but thank you for the pleasure of allowing me a dance."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-21 09:01 am UTC (link)

Adelaide nodded in agreement. "Yes, I know the feeling," she admitted. As he apologized she just smiled and shook her head. "You do not give yourself enough credit, Mister Laurent, as you are one of the better partners I have met in my life." Over his shoulder she noticed her nurse searching for her, most likely to give her a speech about how she was only trying to help her. Adelaide would hear none of it though, as she looked back to him and smiled again. "My apologies, Mister Laurent, but it seems I must move along before running the risk of receiving a lecture about my health. Thank you for the dance and the conversation."

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	tigersatthegate 2008-04-21 09:10 am UTC (link)
	"It was my pleasure, Madam. Think nothing off it." He assured her, bending once more to kiss her hand before letting her go. "I hope we shall meet again." (Replies frozen) (Parent)

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