InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I have misplaced my mind"

madame_margot (madame_margot) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-04-22 23:03:00

Entry tags:

marguerite_york

Marguerite York - Pas d'employés sans employeurs
Subject: A business deal, a job offer
Where: The Baron's residence in Grosvenor Square, London
Who: Marguerite York
Open to: Amandine, Olivier (if he's interested in following his wife), Mercedes (if he's around), Harry Fisher

Marguerite retreated to the gardens every morning after breakfast, whether it was pouring rain or blistering heat. As far as her husband was concerned, she went out there to read. As far as she was concerned, it was to write her letters in peace and quiet, away from prying eyes. How else could she find the best gossip?

While in London, her habits did not alter by far. Rather than spend her time indoors, she ordered the terrace windows opened wide and the room aired. When that did not help, she moved to the small terrace and tried to put her thoughts in order.

A servant, as usual, interrupted.

"A young woman is asking for you, Madam," he stammered. "She claims you gave her your card at the Ambassador's ball..."

Annoyance gave way to satisfaction. "Show her in."

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madame_margot
2008-04-23 11:00 pm UTC (link)

"Forgive me for expecting any less of you," she murmured, heart still lodged firmly in her throat. It wasn't so much the thought of a man in her house as the thought of him, in particular. Marguerite liked things in their place and this should should have been prepared for, at least mentally.

"I had quite... put you out of my mind in the hours since we spoke." A smile made it to her lips, heart rate slowly recovering its dull rhythm in her chest. What arrogance he possessed! It was plain by his posture that he thought nothing of invading her home like this. She supposed she should find that rude. "When you said surprise, I expected something less frightening and somewhat more...enchanting. This is very clandestine of you. Is it how you usually do business?"

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social_climber
2008-04-23 11:16 pm UTC (link)

"And that is the polite, upper-class way to say 'I had quite forgotten all about you, Mr. Fisher'?" He asks, glancing over her. "I had thought to simply send a message, or a gift of some sort, but it would have hardly have been shocking, never mind surprising."

Harry frowns, "Sneaking into ladies boudoirs? In my youth, perhaps." He grins, "But not any more. I didn't think a coffee-house or dog-pit was the place to arrange to see you. I thought you would be much more at ease in the comfort of your home." He pauses, "Perhaps the park would have been much more suitable."

"I was going to ask if you had given any thought to the matter we discussed. But if you have not, I shall cut my visit short. No doubt you had plans for this morning."

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madame_margot
2008-04-23 11:29 pm UTC (link)

"No, generally at this hour I am quite free to entertain strange men who slip in through the window," she retorted gently, her smile perfectly polite. Surprise waned, impressions did not and Mr Fisher had just won himself another point.

Setting her candle on the dresser beside his, she moved to sit by the window.

"I have thought of your offer, I'm simply not certain I understood correctly. Or if I did, that you were serious about it."

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social_climber
2008-04-24 07:47 am UTC (link)

"I came through the front door, Marguerite, not the window. Much more civilised." Harry corrects, as if it was an unimportant point but one that should at least be noted. "Do you entertain all men in your bed-robe? Or only certain men? And is your husband jealous?" He teases, settling back down on the window edge.

"May I ask what you didn't understand? Can we speak frankly here? After all, I don't think we are going to find a place any more private than this." He says, readjusting his jacket, re-fastening the buttons. "I had thought I'd made myself quite plain. As had you. Showing off your ankles on the steps." He adds, with a smirk. "Hardly proper."

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madame_margot
2008-04-24 11:54 am UTC (link)

"Only those who amuse me, Monsieur. Or would you prefer me to change into something suitable?"

Leaning her head on her hand, she smiles, amused and fascinated all at once. The possibilities he presents, the doors he can open for her - she has to contain her imagination before it runs away with her again. Not every plan is a good plan or else she wouldn't be indebted to a captain of dubious character who may or may not be lying at the bottom of the sea.

"My husband's jealousy is quite troublesome, of course, but he is not here. Frankly, I'd rather he were never here again for as long as I live. That's quite an improper thought, is it not?"

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social_climber
2008-04-24 12:22 pm UTC (link)

"I think you are more than suitably dressed, Marguerite. At least for a woman receiving gentleman callers in her dressing room."

Harry shrugs in answer to her other question, considering it. "I couldn't right say. Is it better for the woman who knows him best to wish her husband dead, or a vagabond that cares nothing for the man's soul, only his purse?" Harry asks, glancing over his shoulder at the lighter sky, the moon almost disappeared in the pale blue sky. "You want him murdered, don't you? A rich widow is the most liberated woman in the world, you know."

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madame_margot
2008-04-24 12:30 pm UTC (link)

"I feel a little sad, now, to hear it thus expressed," she admits. "But I suppose you are correct. With his health being as fragile as it is, I'd hoped he would pass away of his own accord much sooner, but he is determined to cling to life. When he feels amorous, he thanks me for brightening his days."

Rolling her eyes at the memory, she follows Harry's gaze to the clear sky outside her window, pale morning making its presence known. "My reasons are simple enough, but what of yours? There are simpler ways to earn a living than murder."

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social_climber
2008-04-24 12:45 pm UTC (link)

"Sad or not, it's what you want. It's more of a kindness to help him on his way, if he is as ill as you say. And if he is making your life difficult, then think of it as an act of charity."

He turns at her words, eyes narrowed and harsh. "Simpler ways, Marguerite?" Harry replies, getting to his feet. "For you, perhaps. For a woman of your standing, for a man of your standing, I don't imagine it would be hard to secure a fortune. As for me, I am doing what I have always done." He stops there, and the momentary flash of anger is reigned in, controlled.

"I am offering you an opportunity, merely that, Madam-baron. My reasons are my own."

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madame_margot
2008-04-24 01:04 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite arches an eyebrow in surprise, taken aback by the sudden shift. Not all fun and games then. Interesting to note, for the future.

"You know too little of me to assume I am ignorant of the privileges of my current situation. I understand them quite keenly. Without them, I would be of no interest to you." Fingers tracing patterns on her knee, she recovers her smile. "If your motives are none of my concern, then perhaps you will tell me what you hope to get out of this. I have no illusions that you are prepared to shatter the Commandments out of love for me."

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social_climber
2008-04-24 01:24 pm UTC (link)

"Perhaps I simply wish to see him removed, Marguerite? Or to get my hands on your... money. You would be the most interesting of clients." He says, shrugging yet again. "Or maybe business is a little slow, and this would be a... entertaining diversion." Harry adds, looking back to her.

"In all truthfulness, I am not sure what you can offer me in return. I was hoping you would negotiate what you felt was a fitting price for your husbands life, and my silence on the matter if it ever became of interest to anyone else."

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madame_margot
2008-04-24 03:17 pm UTC (link)

"Entertaining and dangerous, non? The best sort of fun," she sighs with levity, conscience pressing her to withdraw from this venture before her luck runs out.

"If I agree to this, and you to the price, you should know I won't protect you. If you fail, I will deny all and let you hang." Smiling brightly, she twists a lock of hair between her fingers. "Which I'm sure you would gladly do in my stead." It isn't blackmail, she judges, if they're both getting what they want out of this deal.

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social_climber
2008-04-24 03:28 pm UTC (link)

"The only sort of fun, Madam." He said, with a small smile. "Or rather, the only sort worth having in this life."

"If I fail, madam, then it is my own responsibility. But I doubt I will. I have had much more practise in these things that you have, I'm sure. But I doubt I would hang, even if you testified against me." He smiled, "Even so, I can agree to those terms."

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madame_margot
2008-04-24 06:31 pm UTC (link)

"Much more practise?" she repeated pensively. "Perhaps, perhaps not. You have proven you're a man of many surprises. I'm certain you will exceed my expectations. Although... might I suggest the pretense of an accident? It would be less difficult to explain and we are not at sea," Marguerite added, completing the sentiment under her breath, "where bodies may simply be lost to the waves without need to blame anyone at all."

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	social_climber 2008-04-27 04:30 pm UTC (link)
	Harry smiles, "I promised you a surprise, Marguerite. And surprises are not a difficult thing to create when you have the right sort of mind." He explains, before finishing, "A accident, Mrs York? Not a problem at all. Have you a particular favourite, or may I have free reign?" He asks, another evil little smirk playing at his lips. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-04-27 06:36 pm UTC (link)
	"Do as you please," she shrugs noncommittally. "Have it be a surprise too. Far be it from me to tell you." Leaning her head against the window sill, she smiles. "Strange, I've fantasized about his death since the moment the priest pronounced us husband and wife. And to think it might actually happen... It seems too good to be true." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-28 05:07 pm UTC (link)
	Harry inclines his head. "It's often the best way, Marguerite. And then, should something go wrong, how can you have anything to do with it, if you do not know what has happened?" He offers. "But I shall be most happy to help. A woman should never feel trapped in any situation." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	madame_margot 2008-05-01 09:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Blissful ignorance," she mused. "It is after all what is expected of a woman in my position." Young wives were at their best when dumb, pretty and silent. "I'm thankful for your help. And you will be paid in consequence, after the deed is done. Until then, I still run my expense by my husband and it would be dangerous to risk it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-05-02 09:41 pm UTC (link)

"Although should a widow be too blissful, there is going to be a certain amount of suspicion." Harry points out. "But we shall have to discuss the matter of... expenses at a later date. Although I am in no doubt as to your honesty, Marguerite, I am not the sort of man who takes actions on the promise of payment. Perhaps you should inform your husband of your need for a new dress. No doubt he will not notice if your wardrobe never contains it."

He gets to his feet, moving around her to the door opening back onto the landing. "But we can discuss the matter later. If you need me, Marguerite, you will find me at the Bridge Theatre." He says, with a bow. "And I hope you enjoy the rest of your morning."

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