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Tweak says, "Belgium, man, Belgium!"

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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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 07:24 am UTC (link)

Adelaide was thankful to out of her apartment. The subject of whether or not she would attend the ball that evening was a touchy one, as she had not been to any social events since her last husband was sent to the guillotine. However, there she was; looking as innocent and beautiful as ever. Her gown of purple silk accentuated her youthful look.

Stepping down from her carriage she paid little attention to the world around her. No less than three behind the Widow was one of her nurses, whose only purpose was to make sure Lady Newbury stayed out of trouble; as she didn't do well in crowds.

Upon entering the foyer of the Embassy she allowed her nurse to unfasten the brooch holding on her white fur cape before she moved into the ballroom, her nurse politely letting her move off on her own.

But all the while the Widow's bright blue eyes kept glancing around the room, searching for some sign of a familiar face.

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-19 08:04 am UTC (link)

He had never met the young woman before, or seen her, but had her pointed out by one of his aides, a young man who had worked for the Council at the time of Monsieur Kinsley's trial and execution.

The woman was as pale and doll-like as he had been told, and for a moment he was unsure as to whether he should approach her or not. But still, he had duties, and the strange porcelain woman would not prevent him from doing them. Even if the rumours said any man who approached her was cursed.

"Madame Kinsley?" He bows, offering her a smile. "I am glad you could attend. I was unsure how long you intended to remain in Paris. I trust you had a safe trip back to your home?"

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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 08:17 am UTC (link)

Adelaide looked frightened for a moment upon being approached. Her lifeless eyes made a quick glance to her nurse, who was doing her best to keep her distance from the young woman while keeping a watch on her at the same time.

Politely she smiled, even though it was the first time she had been addressed by her late husbands name since his death. Most times her sanity played tricks on her and she could carry on pretending Francis was still with her, unfortunately now was not one of those times.

"Thank you, Ambassador," she responded faintly. Her voice was as distant as the look in her eyes. "The trip home was indeed safe, however lonely it may have been."

It took her a while to think out what she intended to say, as it was rare she spoke to anybody outside of her staff.

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-19 08:30 am UTC (link)

"You must take comfort in the fact justice has bee served, Madame." Léon comforted, glancing over the young woman's shoulder to her servant behind. "Although I appreciate for the moment it is not at the fore-front of your thoughts. In time it will be."

He gestures her deeper into the room. "Perhaps I can get you something, Madam? A glass of wine, perhaps?" He asks, "Or some champagne? So we may toast your safe arrive back to the place you belong."

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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 08:42 am UTC (link)

She carefully watched every movement he made. As she had little trust in others and every gesture caused a split second of fear as to whether or not the young lady was going to be struck. Adelaide made no response to his comment about justice being served, as she knew little of politics. All the red-headed beauty knew is that every man she ever loved was taken away from her.

But at the offer of a drink the Widow nodded her head. "Yes, Ambassador. Some champagne would be lovely, thank you." Her feeling of security was back, for the moment at least.

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	ex_the_ambas216 2008-04-19 08:46 am UTC (link)
	He bowed again, not quite as deeply as before, and begged her to forgive his absence for a moment. A minute later he returned, two glasses in hand, and offered her one of them. "Now you are back, Madame Kinsley, what shall you be doing to entertain yourself? Are you staying with your family?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

widow_newbury
2008-04-19 10:03 am UTC (link)

While he was gone she took a moment to study the rest of the guests near her in the large room. For a moment she felt lost and her eyes wandered over to her nurse just as he returned. Thanking him she took the offered glass before pausing a moment in thought, as Adelaide was finding it difficult to think in such a large crowd.

"I actually intend to return back to Paris before too long, Ambassador," she admitted softly. "I hope to be able to stay with my family for a few weeks, however my father feels that it is better for my health to be away from the family house. My brother's constant debates about laws and politics are dull for my taste. I hope to visit my first husband's grave before going back to France if time allows, though." The thought of Edgar caused the young girl to grow uneasy again and so the smile on her face faded rather quickly.

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-04-19 10:19 am UTC (link)

"Back to Paris indeed, Madame?" Léon raised an eyebrow. "You are a very brave lady. Most would not return to a place full of such recent and painful memories." It was not entirely what he meant, but it would do. It would be pointless to accuse an English-woman of similar crimes to her husband in a room full of her countrymen.

"I am sorry you are not being more suitably entertained, Madame. Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

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widow_newbury
2008-04-19 10:28 am UTC (link)

Adelaide allowed her lifeless eyes to meet his for a moment. "I feel it would be unwise of me to remain in my home country when I am rumored to be a curse to all whom I meet, Ambassador," she admitted gently. In her broken mind there was no danger in returning to Paris, as that was where she had lost only one lover; as opposed to the two she had lost in London.

"I would be pleased to hear any suggestions you might have as I am somewhat of a stranger now to the customs of my own country, Ambassador. I regret having spent so many years away, however I fear it might have been for the best."

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gabrielle_bonne
2008-04-19 03:44 pm UTC (link)

Gabrielle was late. She picked up the elegant skirts in her hands and ran to the Embassy. She had yet to find her sister, but had left before it was time to leave to ask around. She had gotten a description, but no sister as of yet. She finally reached the Embassy. She smoothed the skirts of the elegant gown Adelaide had acquired for her. Her small hands ensured her hair was fine, and except for red cheeks from the run, she looked like a lady. She stepped into the Embassy. Her blue-eyed gaze searched for Adelaide, landing on her at last. She went over to her and gave a low curtsy.

"I apologize for the delay in my arrival."

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

Adelaide stared at the young girl for a moment, clearly surprised by such a sudden arrival. But finally she smiled her usual lost smile and nodded.

"That's alright, dear," she said softly. Over Gabrielle's shoulder she could see the nurse shaking her head at the girls tardiness, but Adelaide didn't care. "You look lovely tonight. Perhaps some young suitor will sweep you off your feet?" She smiled a little more at the thought, giving a dreamy sigh at the thought of somebody finding love.

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	gabrielle_bonne 2008-04-19 04:42 pm UTC (link)
	Gabrielle giggled, and said, "Perhaps. I've only just had my twelfth birthday, though." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)