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miss_emilie_ash (miss_emilie_ash) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-04-30 16:04:00

Entry tags:

emilie_ashford, mercedes_dupont

A Bit of a Bother
Subject: A Bit of a Bother
Where: Vauxhall Gardens, London
Who: Miss Emilie Ashford
Warnings: None
Open to: whomever Emilie may run into in her attempts to get away from her father's annoying chaperon

Emilie had enjoyed herself immensely at Vauxhall, the Spring Gardens had been divine and several young gentlemen had given her ices and champagne, mostly champagne. She would have had more but Mrs O'Riley, the woman her father had sent as a chaperon, had poured out several glasses that had been given to Emilie. Emilie now found herself hiding behind the Chinese Pavilion, hoping Mrs. O'Riley would give up on finding her as the darkness gathered and go home, so she could enjoy the orchestra that was setting up to play and, hopefully, more champagne.

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-01 11:35 pm UTC (link)

Mrs. O'Riley bid him a deep curtsy and moved so he could sit beside Emilie.
Emilie said, in a whisper as though they were conspirators, "Do not worry, sir, the only people who truly think this place disreputable is the Tonde, and that is because the masses can afford to come here and are allowed to do so!"
She covered her full lips with a tiny hand in mock horror.
She then remembered he was working for the French Embassy and may not be as open to to the general citizens as some.
"où essayiez-vous d'aller, monsieur ? Perhaps I can help you with directions?"

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jacques_belmont
2008-05-02 12:21 am UTC (link)

Jacques laughed, relaxing at last. "That is why it is disreputable? That is hardly grounds for such a slander. In my experience- though it is, euh, rather limited- excessive riches encourage disreputable behavior. The common man is often more virtuous than his lord."

Rather ruefully, he pulled his guidebook out of his waistcoat pocket. "You must forgive me; I meant to see some of London before dinner. I had meant only to walk a few blocks, but this book-" he waved it "-assured me I should find my inn again if I walked on for five blocks further than I had planned."

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-02 12:33 am UTC (link)

Emilie smiled again. So he was a Citizen, and working at the Embassy. What an interesting man. She took the book from his hand, the tips of her long elegant fingers brushing his as she did so.

"Let us see if I can help you then. I know there is an Inn about 3 city blocks on the other side of the garden..."
She wrinkled her brow as she studied the out-dated pamphlet.

(ooc; shall we wait for mercedes dupont to come back before going further?)

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mercedes_dupont
2008-05-02 07:44 pm UTC (link)

Forgive me! Although I see you have been very busy since I've been gone!
"Mercedes Dupont, citizen." Mercedes greeted, with a small smile. Belmont? A relation of the Ambassadors, then. Interesting. His son, perhaps? Mercedes knew he had one, of course. Any Frenchmen in England knew that. But he had not been expecting him to arrive here. Another snake to watch out for. But there was no harm making polite, and careful, conversation. "You are the Ambassadors son, are you not? Forgive me. I was at the Ball, but I did not have the opportunity to make acquaintances with all the other guests."

"I believe there is an inn, albeit tumbledown, not far from here. But I too have heard... stories about the Pleasure Gardens after dark. They are no place for a young lady. Perhaps your chaperon would be less displeased if were were, perhaps, to move our conversation to a Coffee House? And then Monsieur Belmont could partake in his dinner?"

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-02 08:05 pm UTC (link)

Mrs. O'Riley spoke up decidedly.
"Miss cannot go into a coffee house! And myself, being Irish! With Frenchmen? No disrespect sirs, but they would cart me away for treason as sure as the sun will rise in the morning!"
Mrs. O'Riley was shaking, and very out of breath.
"I am afraid my chaperon is correct. It would be a bad idea, indeed, for us to accompany even gentlemen as genteel as you two are into a coffee house." Emilie said, disappointment and a little bit of envy showing on her face. Then her eyes took on a dreamy look.
"But to go into Will's and perhaps see where Dryden sat, or Button's!" She shook her head and smiled "or would either of you prefer Johnathon's?" She arched an eyebrow and looked at Msr Belmont.
"In any case, ladies are not allowed in but, if you wish, there is a tea garden with sandwiches just outside the garden." She smiled again, and patted Mrs. O'Riley's hand gently.

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mercedes_dupont
2008-05-02 09:50 pm UTC (link)

"Will's? Buttons?" Mercedes replies, a grin on his face but his tone shows that he is lost in the conversation, confused. "I have no been to London before, mademoiselle. Who is... Buttons?" He asks, embarrassedly.

And then he looks at the chaperon, flashing another apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Madam. I did not know it was... inappropriate for English women to enjoy an evening café. I hope I did not cause undue offence?"

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-02 10:12 pm UTC (link)

"None a'tall sir." Mrs O'Riley replied, stammering a bit.
Emilie looked at Msr Dupont sweetly and replied "Will's and Button's are some of London's most famous coffee houses. Supposedly many English révolutionnaires spend time at Jonathon's. Vous voyez, en Angleterre, on n'autorise pas aux Dames à entrer dans les Cafés. Les hommes ici pensent cela ... malséant."
She sighed. "But tea gardens, those are nécessaire for a ladies delicate sensibilities." She rolled her eyes and put her hand to her forehead, in a mock faint.
"Miss Emilie... PLEASE!!" Mrs. O'Riley hissed. She didn't know what her charge was saying, but it didn't sound fitting. "Perhaps we could give these gentlemen a ride in the carriage to a spot they like and you and me could get home before supper and before my head rolls!" She was abusing the handkerchief in her hands by brutally twisting it round and round.

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ex_the_ambas216
2008-05-02 10:26 pm UTC (link)

"Ampèreheure, je vois Madame. Mais si votre surveillant n'était pas présent, peut-être voudriez-vous joindre moi et Monsieur Belmont pour un café?" He asks, grinning brightly at her, slowing down the babble of French when he realises she may not be following completely.

"If a coffee house is not the best place, perhaps some English tea would be better. When in Rome, as they say. And there Monsieur Belmont and myself may find some supper?" He asks, and then glanced to Miss O'Riley. "I would be delighted if you were to join us, Madam, for a tea? You must have had a tiring day looking after your young ward."

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	jacques_belmont 2008-05-02 11:52 pm UTC (link)
	Jacques grimaced. "Yes. The Ambassador is my father." He was very glad to see the conversation switch course, however. "Oui, je trouve cette solution très agreeable. Miss O'Riley, I hope you have no objections?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mercedes_dupont 2008-05-03 07:46 am UTC (link)
	My co-mod is discussing banning me from making comments after lectures. It seems my brain dies. Forgive me again! dies in a hole (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ooc miss_emilie_ash 2008-05-03 04:29 pm UTC (link)
	it's ok! i sorted it out that it was you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-03 04:29 pm UTC (link)

Mrs. O'Riley bowed again slightly. She puffed up a bit, realising she was being given the choice.
"I suppose one cuppa will not hurt anything. I will send the foot boy back to the house to tell the Mistress where we are." She looked at Emilie, who was being very quiet and staring at the younger of the two gentlemen.
"ONE cup!" She repeated emphatically.

Emilie's eyes returned to those of her chaperon as she clapped her hands together.
"That is perfect Mrs. O'Riley! Thank you for the suggestion!"
She then stood, replacing the snuff box to it's place in her very full pockets, smoothed her skirt and tucked one of her auburn curls back in place. Despite the small tear in her hem and a small bit of dirt on her right cheek, she was a breath taking sight, slightly rumpled like a luxurious, warm bed on a cold morning, cheeks aglow, like an inviting fire.

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	jacques_belmont 2008-05-03 10:14 pm UTC (link)
	Jacques hid a grin. "Of course, madam. We shall obey your rules." He couldn't help noticing that Miss Ash seemed particularly lovely when she was pleased circumstances worked in her favor, but put the thought aside. He stood and offered Miss Ash his arm. "I must beg you to lead the way, madam; I have no idea where we may find any of the places you mentioned." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-03 10:25 pm UTC (link)

Emilie put her small hand on Msr Belmont's arm, just where his cuffs met his wrist, fingers pressing gently on flesh, then looked over at Msr DuPont and said "There is a lovely spot just outside the Gates that serves the most wonderful poulet on their sandwiches, if your tastes run that way."
She beamed up at Msr Belmont, with genuine interest. "Do tell us of your new position, Msr Belmont. I feel Embassy work to be such an important thing, now more than ever...."
Mrs. O'Riley studied the young man. 'Oh, la,' she thought, 'This handsome Frenchman could be a huge basket of trouble' and Miss Emilie loved trouble of the less harmful sort.

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	jacques_belmont 2008-05-03 11:00 pm UTC (link)
	His new position? Jacques winced, scarce noticing her touch now that he was plunged back into unpleasant thoughts of his father. "It is... euh, I am... I am an aide and a secretary to my father." He shook his head. "It lasts only until I have enough to start my own law firm, back in Paris. And you, Citizen Dupont? How do you occupy yourself, here in England?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	miss_emilie_ash 2008-05-03 11:08 pm UTC (link)
	Emilie noticed the change in Msr Belmont's face and moved her hand back onto his sleeve. "I am sure you will be a fine lawyer and London will be lesser for your having left it, when you do go." she said gently, with sympathy at what appeared to be his discomfort at speaking of his father. She then became quiet, waiting on Msr DuPont's reply. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mercedes_dupont
2008-05-05 02:51 pm UTC (link)

Mercedes managed a small smile, although he hardly felt like smiling at the Ambassador's son. He couldn't help but wonder if the son would be as eager to see Mercedes guillotined as his father was.

"I am afraid I am rarely in England. I am here only while my ship undergoes a much needed refit, and then I sail back to France and then to India." He smiles apologetically at the pair, "I am only here, I am afraid, to see the sights for the next week."

"Perhaps, Monsieur Belmont, we should move our conversation to the warmth? Dusk is falling and there is no need to allow the ladies to grow cold. Will you lead the way, Mademoiselles?"

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-06 12:55 am UTC (link)

Emilie was still troubled at having cause Msr Belmont unease and was grateful for the change of conversation.
"Oh yes! This way. I would love to hear your tales of India. My father goes often, as well as other exotic locales, but he says the things he sees aren't fitting for my ears. I told him he would probably hear far worse if he went calling with me, but he wouldn't budge!" She laughed softly, a warm sound like a fine silver spoon hitting a port filled crystal glass.
"Miss Emilie!" Mrs. O'Riley had her oft worn scandalised expression on her face again.

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jacques_belmont
2008-05-06 05:12 am UTC (link)

"That is very kind of you to say, madam," Jacques replied, smiling, "but I fear Europe in general shall always be plagued with an over-abundance of lawyers. It seems to be a universal constant."

He listened with interest to Mercedes's description of his business. "You must have had fascinating travels, Citizen Dupont." He did not know exactly how to act in response to Emilie's next comment (he blamed the fact that the only women he saw with any regularity were his mother and a friend who shared his Jacobin tendencies) and smiled again instead.

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miss_emilie_ash
2008-05-06 12:16 pm UTC (link)

"But each person who chooses such a profession must do it for their own reasons, thus their ability varies from man to man. And while we may be plagued with an ample supply of the profession, it does not automatically follow that there is an adequate supply of capable and honourable practitioners" She replied to Msr Belmont's very modest answer.
Then she, too, turned to Msr Dupont to await his descriptions of his travels. She had been caught several times, when she was much younger, trying to stow away on her favourite of her father's flute ships he had brought over from Holland for his import business.

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	OOC miss_emilie_ash 2008-05-10 04:06 pm UTC (link)
	Did you want Emilie and Msr Belmont to continue on before your answer? :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	OOC miss_emilie_ash 2008-05-02 08:15 pm UTC (link)
	yes we have :) and no worries on not being here. I tend to be at my comp a lot as I am writing a novel (Reply to this) (Parent)

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