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Tweak says, "That wasn't love."

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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mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 01:58 pm UTC (link)

Mercedes laughed, bowing his head slightly again, "Madam, I would remind you that you did not object overly loudly to being stolen." He says, "And you did not demand I rush you home too quickly. Anyone would think you had enjoyed your kidnapping."

"Perhaps tonight, the best place for your husband is wrapped up warm in bed with his medicine, and the best place for you is here, with yours?" He asks, touching his champagne glass to hers. "For it cures all ills and absolves all sins, or so I am told."

At the mention of the Apollian, Mercedes face falls slightly. "I am afraid my dear ship will not be sailing again very soon, Marguerite. Repairs will take some days, they say. She sprang a leak, during a squall, and the hull must be re-tarred. I am marooned for a week or more."

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madame_margot
2008-04-20 02:02 pm UTC (link)

And though she made a point not to care about anyone but herself - since no one else did, it seemed like the sensible thing to do - Marguerite's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh no, how dreadful." Perhaps if she hadn't set foot on the ship herself, if she hadn't allowed it to take the root in her dreams as the source of all freedom, she would've still be indifferent today. Perhaps it had something to do with its captain.

Companionably, she laid a hand over his arm. "I'm so very sorry to hear that. You must be feeling like a caged animal. I certainly would. How are you coping?"

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mercedes_dupont
2008-04-20 02:12 pm UTC (link)

"Marguerite, I would not have you worry yourself over me. Perhaps it is fate's will. My ship will be repaired, and given all the attention she deserves. She misses the sea, of course, but she needs the loving hand of the shipwright before she can return." He smiles gently. "As for me... I am afraid while marooned I can not fill my days with pleasure-seeking. I have offices in port, and work to do there. It had been a long time since I turned my attentions to those stacks of papers."

He pauses, glancing from her hand to her face, "However... I do have a day, perhaps two before I must put my nose to the grinding stone. I am to be staying in London but... I fear I shall get myself lost for the duration of my stay and do nothing of what I intended... if it is not too forward, Madam, may I beg your assistance?"

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madame_margot
2008-04-20 08:19 pm UTC (link)

"A man such as yourself resigning himself to fate's will? I cannot believe it," she teases. "Marooned in London for two days, I pity you, truly." Eyelashes lowered, she met his gaze with the pretense of timidity.

"I jest. Of course it would be my pleasure to keep you company. Steer you clear of shallow waters, so to speak." It is only fair, after all, to return the favor. Not to mention that Marguerite's firm belief was that paperwork was the absolute worst evil in one's life. Both her husbands seemed to abandon her in its favor.

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mercedes_dupont
2008-04-21 06:55 am UTC (link)

Mercedes smiles. "I would not resign myself, Madam, if I had another ship at my disposal. But at it is no more than a unproofed hull..." He shrugs, "And I could not... stow away on another man's vessel." He says, glancing over her before his attention goes back to his champagne, which he finishes in one quick swallow.

"No man could have a more beautiful guide, Marguerite. I am indebted to you." He bows low again. "I was hoping you would be able to advise me on where to stay, also. The Inns I have seen have not particularly been those which I wish to stay in..."

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	madame_margot 2008-04-21 08:54 am UTC (link)
	"Indeed, you cannot afford clandestine travels when your livelihood depends on your good name." And she, for one, would have been loathe to travel under anyone else's watch. Hearing him continue, she smiles with the impulse of a woman-child. "Nonsense, our residence in the city is too often empty. It would be my pleasure if you would agree to be my guest." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-21 09:25 am UTC (link)
	"A ship with two captains, as they saw, will only sail in circles." He agrees, smiling slightly, although the expression is still laced with sadness. At the offer, he can not help but be surprised, "Marguerite, I could not possibly impose on you and your husband. It would be too rude of me." He shakes his head, "What would he think?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

madame_margot
2008-04-21 09:34 am UTC (link)

"The same as I'm sure he thought when I left for France on your ship," she replies coyly. "'That's nice, dear.'" Another sip of her glass, her hand returning to his arm is an almost sisterly gesture. "I won't have it. You have been kind to me in the past and I wish to return the favor. You will have the house to yourself and my servants will not forget their duties for my absence. I ride into town almost every day but I seldom spend the night. It would be much more agreeable than an Inn, I'm sure."

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	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-21 10:05 pm UTC (link)
	"If you are certain it will not cause you or your husband any problems, or scandal... than I would gladly accept, Madam. Your kindness is far far too great. I am quite certain I do not deserve it. But I look forwards to the next few days nonetheless." Mercedes says, smiling widely, his eyes meeting hers for a moment longer than necessary. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

madame_margot
2008-04-22 12:09 pm UTC (link)

"I am," she replies confidently, wondering if a little scandal would be such a bad thing. Who was that gentleman who'd hinted that English parties and society were dull, dull, dull? Her eyes scan the crowd for him. No, she cannot remember his face. Pity.

"Of course, I am counting on you to take me on your ship again someday. You see, I'm not wholly without interest." Her wink is conspiratorial, friendly, but not overly so. There's scandal and then there's exposing herself to ridicule.

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	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-23 10:30 am UTC (link)
	Mercedes smiles, "I promise you take you aboard. Perhaps you would like to accompany me on my new ship? On her first voyage? I promise not to kidnap you or take you to the Orient. At least not without your husband's knowledge." He smiles, "But I would be delighted if you would be my guest." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-23 12:45 pm UTC (link)
	"Would not your crew resent the presence of a woman aboard your ship for long? I do not particularly fancy the thought of being thrown overboard should we encounter any storms," she teases, trying not to take the invitation for more than an idle thought. Still, she'd never been further than Europe... (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-23 12:57 pm UTC (link)
	"My crew enjoyed your company on our last voyage, Madam, I have no doubt they would welcome you again." He smiles, knowing that whatever grumble his crew may have is easily, and quickly, solved. "Contrary to what many think, Lady Ocean treats ships carrying fellow women with more respect than a humble merchant's wreck." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-23 01:05 pm UTC (link)
	"Then I shall consider your invitation," Marguerite laughs. "How partisan of your Lady Ocean then! Does she also prefer French souls to the English?" she adds in a mock whisper. "Or is too presumptuous of me to ask?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-04-23 01:13 pm UTC (link)

"The English say she would rather save English sailors, because they say more Englishmen escape alive from storms and squalls." He explains, "But you see, they conveniently forget to mention that more English ships are wrecked in storms. The French are less often wrecked and therefore less often washed up alive on shores." He grins, and shrugs, "But do not mention it to them. They seem to be upset by the idea."

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	madame_margot 2008-04-23 03:53 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, my very English husband will be the first to hear of it," she assures him with a laugh. "So he is not worried for me when I am on your ship, of course. And too, so that he does not get any ideas in his head about following me and spoiling our fun." That would be a bad idea, for so many reasons, on so many levels. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-23 09:32 pm UTC (link)
	"And your very English husband shall be the first to offer my pistols at dawn, no doubt, if I insult his country any more." Mercedes replied, "But I am glad of his trust. I would be disheartened if he thought I would not treat you as a gentleman should." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-23 09:37 pm UTC (link)
	"As would I. He is a placid man, thank Heavens, though I do hope that for my honor he would indeed challenge even a sea-hardened captain to a duel." Her head tilted to one shoulder in thought, she smiles. "Still, it is best we do not put that theory to a test. He might not let me come to such parties unaccompanied anymore and I should be sorry then." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-23 09:49 pm UTC (link)
	"I don't believe that any man could stand and watch idly as your honour was insulted, Madam. It would simply be impossible to bear." He nodded at her suggestion, however, and added, "And if you had a chaperon, madam, I doubt I would be so welcome to stay at your home?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-23 09:54 pm UTC (link)
	"That would depend on the chaperon," she replied. "My husband is not a jealous man, though he is afraid of the law and its long arm. It's strange that we should make such a happy couple when we are such complete opposites. For my part, I have faith in my guardian angels." And in her friends, to an extent. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-23 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	"The law is a fine thing to be afraid of, but only if you have broken it. A law-abiding man should not concern himself with it. Unless your husband has something to hid?" He asks, raising an eyebrow and smiling widely. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

madame_margot
2008-04-23 10:04 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite laughs heartily at his expression as much as the inference. "I sincerely hope not or I have judged him wrongly indeed! No doubt his ills extend to some gambling debts eons ago when he was but a boy. Perhaps he did not pay his servants their rightly due. Nothing of consequence, I'm sure. No disposing of his first wife. That would be too much on his fragile health."

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	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-28 04:26 pm UTC (link)
	"Then your husband should have nothing to fear, Madam! Unless he is a man far too cautious in his nature? How did a man like that woo and marry an adventurous spirit like you?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-28 04:45 pm UTC (link)
	"Out of kindness," she replied, shrugging. "I came to England newly widowed and he could not abandon his cousin's wife. You see, he was the only family I had here and, well, he cared for me. Marriage was the next, logical step." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-04-28 04:47 pm UTC (link)
	"But you do not love him, I suppose? But he still only cares for you?" Mercedes asks, softly, gently. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

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madame_margot, 2008-04-28 05:00 pm UTC

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mercedes_dupont, 2008-04-28 05:11 pm UTC

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madame_margot, 2008-04-28 05:57 pm UTC

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mercedes_dupont, 2008-04-28 06:19 pm UTC

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madame_margot, 2008-04-28 06:34 pm UTC

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