InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "PRINCESSSSSSS!"

only_daughter (only_daughter) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-06-11 18:14:00

Entry tags:

character_development, ella_wexley, patience_hurst, tobias_hurst

Patience Hurst: Tea Party
Subject: Tea party
Who: Patience Hurst
Where: The Hurst’s townhouse, London
Warnings: N/A
Open to: The Hurst’s, Patience’s friends, young ladies.

Patience had been looking forward to this little tea party for quite some time. It would give her a chance to show off just how well she would host when she herself was lady of a house. She had planned a light lunch of sandwiches, tea and some little cakes to be followed by a musical recital in which she would provide the accompaniment on piano.

She hoped then that her brother Charles would favour them with some of his romantic poetry but if not then she had one of the new novels from which they could take it in turns to read allowed until it was time for the guests to leave for home.

Patience would have preferred to host an afternoon tea outside in the gardens of Bailston Abby but the town house was very fine still, and it did make it easier for everyone to meet.

She settled herself on one of the chairs, brushing down the skirts of her new dress brought especially for the occasion and waited for the expected knock on the door.

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missella
2008-06-18 02:47 pm UTC (link)

Ella was still uncertain about whether or not she wanted to be stuck with a truly "respectable" man for the rest of her life. They all tended to be so... plain. But she did not want to lose her friends over a man either.

"She is! Or I think she is," Ella said quickly, her eyebrows raising. "Honestly, I do not know how serious she and Doctor Perkins are, but they are certainly fond of one another. I would like to see her settled, but I think Daphne could do much better than the dear doctor."

Of course her interest was immediately piqued at the mention of Olivia's eldest brother and a widow. She turned to Olivia, eyes truly wide with excitement at the new information and eager for it to be confirmed. "Oh Olivia, do tell!"

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ex_joiedeviv804
2008-06-18 02:57 pm UTC (link)

She said nothing about the ball idea as she fixed herself a cup of tea. She did not speak up because she was never one for a ball, but then she had never actually been to one. And the tea... Well, they both had one.

"Courting?" she turned her head to look at Ella. Daphne was closer to her age than her sister or Patience, but Olivia always had such a hard time keeping up with her so the extent of their friendship was just a little smile or nod when they saw each other. "That is sweet, they look adorable together. I don't see anything wrong with the good doctor, he can provide for her and as long as he makes her happy, what can be said about it?" or at least that's what she thought when she saw them together.

She tried not to sigh when they asked about Christopher and his 'guest'. "I have yet to see her, but I know there is a woman of high standing in the house. But he has many guests, none of which has he shared any information at all with me. I do hope there is something there though, he has been lonely for such a long time, poor fellow. Honestly, I do not know what to make of it all."

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only_daughter
2008-06-18 03:05 pm UTC (link)

"I'm sure she could do better, but with that scandal with her running off the way she did before..." Patience said, giving Ella a rather pointed look. "Marriage will be good for her. Do you know if they are formally engaged yet? Has she planned her bridesmaids?"

"Not met her? Oh, that is hardly fair of him but at least he seems happier." Patience said, smiling. "It is time he had a little happiness after that trouble."

She sighed, setting down her tea cup dramatically. "Of course, Charles has not made up his mind with anyone but I fear I shall end up with Abigail Mountford-Miles as my sister in law and lady of our estates. The stories one hears about her, but I never see Charles with any other young woman."

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missella
2008-06-19 12:07 pm UTC (link)

"There hasn't been an announcement, so they can hardly be engaged," Ella said with a flippant roll of her eyes. Sometimes Patience focused too much on the rules of propriety for Ella's tastes, but her friend had good sense. She pressed her lips together, nearly bursting with the idea that she'd hatched with Mr. Brinsley. She wanted to tell them both and hear them oo and ah over their cleverness. Something held her back though, and she sipped her tea instead. Perhaps talking about Daphne wasn't the best course of action just now. She wanted this to be a true surprise for Daphne, and of course she had the nagging doubt that Robert could not be found. There was always a chance the man really was dead.

"You should ask to meet her, Olivia, find out everything about her. If she is wonderful or bitter. If she's worthy of your brother," Ella said in encouraging tones. Clearly it was better to talk about her friends' siblings instead.

"Patience, I doubt those rumours would follow her into marriage. And there are many more rumours about her delightful sister, Edith, and by comparison I don't think your family would worry too much. I cannot imagine how such rumours get started, but I assure you that Edith, at least, is an agreeable woman. And I cannot doubt that Abigail is not at least as agreeable, though she does seem shy when I have seen her at gatherings.

"Of course if you find Miss Mountford-Miles to be less than perfect for your brother, then why not play matchmaker? Certainly a sister knows who would be best for her brother, even better than the brother himself."

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