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ange de la cour (angedelacour) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-06-29 16:21:00

Entry tags:

aime_laurent, angelique_worthington, character_development, thérèse_du_labarre, tristan_vaillant

the boredom that is england
Subject: An Afternoon at home.
Who: Angélique Worthington
Where: The London town home of the duke of Huntingdon
Warnings: none yet
Open to: Anyone wishing to visit Angel at home.

Lady Marie Angélique Thérèse Zéphyrine Worthington, daughter of the duke of Huntingdon, granddaughter of the duc d'Aumont, 2nd cousin to the king of England, 2nd cousin to the king of france, grand-neice of the Duke of Savoy, neice of the Duchess of Parma, neice of the Elector of Bavaria, grand-niece of Queen Sophia of Prussia, cousin to the prince of Salm-Kyrburg and great-great-great granddaughter of the Sun King (to name just a few members of the family tree) was bored.

She had been bored since the first moment she stepped foot on this sunless little island, and it seemed as though she was going to be bored until she died of a sheer lack of interest in living. Life was hollow, empty and meaningless. The world was gray and dark in her eyes, and no sun shone in the sky.

She raised a delicate ivory fan to hide her face and flicked it opened in closed in practiced, graceful motions. Come here, stay there, tell no one, the fan said in rapid succession. She drew it across her eyes- I am sorry. Angélique sighed and turned from the window, disgusted by the the lack of any semblance of a view and walked to the couch with the gliding steps of the ladies of Versailles, never raising a slippered foot so she would not step on her train, and never disturbing the front of her gown so that she appeared to float across the marble floor rather than move. It was an art she had mastered by watching the Queen and not one she would forget. English girls moved like drunken elephants, skirts swaying like lumpy flags with each step, and Angel so desperately wished her friends could see it. How they would have laughed! Oh, the jokes that would have been told...

Another sigh came she she sank onto a chair and cast a mildly disgusted glance down at her new day dress. Maman had insisted on it, had seemed to think new clothes would help her like this dreary prison more. What nonsensical folly. She snapped open the fan with a derisive flick when a servant entered. A guest?

"I don't care who it is. Show them in. Anyone would improve my company today." She waited expectantly as the man bowed, disappeared, and footsteps approached the door. Oh, please let it be someone entertaining...

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tigersatthegate
2008-06-29 09:43 pm UTC (link)

Aimé was not entirely sure why he and his brother had made the journey across town this afternoon. He knew they were visiting, yes and he remembered the family but he could not recall them ever having been close friends in France. No doubt it was simply best to have as many new friends on side in England.

Now he had been sent of to find the young lady of the house and engage her in conversation while his brother and her father discussed the end of the France they had known.

Aimé was not especially looking forward to it. From what he could remember of Angélique she was a dedicated court socialite. She was probably one of the ones who had laughed at his family when they had moved from the country to social centre of France.

Still he put on a smile and opened the door, hoping he would appear more charming than he felt.
"Miss Angélique! How very fetching you look, the climate obviously agrees with you."

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angedelacour
2008-06-29 09:50 pm UTC (link)

Angélique's brows furrowed in confusion. She only had the vaguest sense of familiarity with the young man before her, and... the climate agreed with her?

"Thank you," she said with a faint smile. "I do apologize, monsieur, but you have me at a disadvantage. I haven't a name to match with you... though I know we have met." Father had been expecting someone, but she hadn't paid the least attention to the name. She fixed the young man with a distressed look in her blue eyes. "I fear the English climate may agree with my appearance, but the move from France seems to have thrown my mind into confusion."

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	tigersatthegate 2008-06-29 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Aimé's smile faltered. It was such a simple mistake but such a silly one. He should have introduced himself first. "I'm sorry. I seem to have forgotten myself. Aimé Laurent, of the Laurent's of Nantes." He said, not having mentioned his family's home for quite some time but he wanted to see if it stirred any memories or if she was at least impressed. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

angedelacour
2008-06-29 10:20 pm UTC (link)

Ah, the Laurent family. Angel remembered them, and moreover she remembered various ladies casting envious eyes at a younger Aimé. They had been a bit provincial and his father and brother... and whispers about this young man had forever been circulating. Angélique smiled warmly- right now anyone from Versailles was welcome, and she could always find out about those whispers some other time. It might make for some fun in the future.

"Aimé!" she gasped. "I am so sorry, do forgive me. I am not together these days... I feel as if so much of myself is still in France. Please, sit beside me. Tell me, have you heard any word from Paris? Papa refuses to tell me anything. He says it will only distress me further, but I only want to go home and hearing of it at least I would know... But wait. How have you been? How long have you been in England?"

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tigersatthegate
2008-06-29 10:38 pm UTC (link)

Aimé settled on the seat besides her, looking her over. What a stupid thing it had been to say about her complexion. She did look very fine, but overdressed for the English Court.

"Word from Paris? Not anything good I am afraid, Miss Angélique. More executions, more trouble. I try not to listen to it too much, it upsets me." He said faintly, the conversation with the antique-dealer still in his mind. That had been troubling. He shook his head, smiling at her. "I've been very well, in England for near five months now. How do you find it? I miss the colourfulness of the French Court."

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angedelacour
2008-06-30 03:06 am UTC (link)

"Truly?" Angélique questioned sadly. "More executions. I suppose it shall never end." She looked down at the fan still held in her lap and traced the carving with a finger.

"England is..." Dreadful. Disgusting. Wretched. Horrible. Barbaric. "different. I miss home more than I can say. The Trianon, the gardens at Versailles, the masques and balls and the parties... I do not know how you have survived five months here. I feel as if--" As if she would rather be waiting to lose her head, but papa would throttle her for saying it "-I shall never be so happy again." She looked up at Aimé with a smile. "But never mind. You must have a secret to life in England. What do people do here?"

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tigersatthegate
2008-06-30 08:05 am UTC (link)

"Oh, but there a parties here and masked balls, you just have to wait a little longer to find yourselves invited to one." He said, smoothing down the creases that had begun to appear in the fine cloth of his trousers. "A Secret life? Whatever do you mean, Angélique?"

What do people do? Plot and backstab and have affairs much like at home in France although they are much better at hiding it Aimé thought but she would probably not like to hear that so he simply shrugged.
"Lots of things - the theatre is very popular, and hunts. I've been told so are duels but I've yet to see one."

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angedelacour
2008-06-30 05:32 pm UTC (link)

Wait? But what did you do whilst you waited? Should she start sewing tapestries? "I mean, your secret to not dying of boredom with all this waiting. That is what Papa says: wait. But why, Aimé? These English value their... solemnity." She didn't sound quite as petulant as she felt, but it was still the sulking of someone who had almost never known a moment without either great amusement or lately, sheer terror. Angel was aware of only two states in life and neither was much help now.

"Duels?" she couldn't help a flicker of interest. She flicked the fan open again and twisted it in her hand. "Someone should introduce that custom to the Revolutionaries." Theater in England did not interest her. Perhaps later, after she knew people... "But I suppose we must wait."

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tigersatthegate
2008-07-03 12:51 pm UTC (link)

Aimé shrugged. He knew he must appear very dull but he could hardly tell her exactly what England was really like, formal to the eye but behind closed doors a strange world of unbridled passions and closet romances and everyone with secrets.

"I'm sure there will be a duel soon. There is talk of a war with France, an invasion to liberate the country. Everyone has an opinion on the matter and most are willing to come to blows about it." He said, hoping that at least would appeal to her.

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angedelacour
2008-07-03 04:37 pm UTC (link)

Angel's laugh was bitter. "Yes, yes. Talk and talk and talk. That is what they do very well here." She rolled her eyes and fluttered the fan, but when she put it away from her face she was smiling. Her eyes were dancing with the promise of a new idea.

"Aimé, I am sorry. I do not mean to be so mournful; let us not speak of such things just now, for you, dearest friend, have inspired me with your genius idea!" she said with feeling. "Enough waiting, as you say. I am going to throw a ball. Well, maman will throw it but I will see to it. Oh, would you come, Aimé? It should be a masquerade. That way, no one shall know any one at all until the end of the evening. Wouldn't it be delightful?"

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tigersatthegate
2008-07-04 09:15 am UTC (link)

"A masquerade?" Aimé said, not quite sure what he thought of that or being called dearest friend but a masquerade would be a distraction from the troubles at home with his brother. He had become far too serious since moving to England. "I think that would be more than delightful. I'm sure all sorts of wicked deeds could be committed if no-one knew the identity of anyone else."

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laduchesse
2008-06-29 10:49 pm UTC (link)

Thérèse liked England, really she did. It was quaint, the lifestyle was more relaxed, and Surrey was beautiful. Christopher was a darling, Augusta was a great friend, she spent her days appreciating the library and the grounds (hopefully without getting wet in the process). It was nice, really it was.

But nothing could compare to Versailles, and oh, how she missed it at times. There was nothing like a good party, and the English did not know how to party. All her beautiful gowns had been lost to the mercy of the sans culottes, her jewels, her shoes, her fans, all of it, all gone, save what she'd been wearing the night she fled. She'd replenished her wardrobe with mourning gowns, and that was really all she had besides the occasional pretty and simple dress, so it was what she was wearing now.

Angel wouldn't approve, but Thérèse didn't care. She was just happy that Angel was here. The girl was much younger than herself, but that didn't matter; they'd been great friends and party buddies at Versailles, and the thought of one of her friends, here in England, was enough to satisfy Thérèse. So the moment she'd heard news of her arrival, she'd climbed into a coach and was off to London. Oh, sanity. A bright light in the midst of all this dreary rain.

Thérèse waited in the foyer, inspecting her surroundings, before the servant informed her that the lady would see her. With a smile, she made her way to the door and opened it, letting out a squeak of delight when she saw Angel.

"Ange, ma chère!"

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angedelacour
2008-06-30 03:26 am UTC (link)

Angélique was standing to greet her dearest Thérèse. It seemed as if lifetimes had passed since she had seen her friend. There had been only news of her being in danger, and Thérèse had suddenly been gone, disappearing in the night.

"Thérèse! Oh, dearest Thérèse, you escaped them!" She placed her hands over her heart, then threw her arms open and hugged the older lady. Their ages had never meant anything save that Angélique sometimes listened to her friend's advice a bit more than she might have otherwise. Still, Angel drew back to look down at her friend's dress.

"They took your clothes didn't they? Oh, but I'm here now. We shall discover the secrets of couture in this dreadful city." She took Thérèse's hand in her own to lead her back to the chaise. "Oh tell me what happened? How have you been? I was so worried, ma chère."

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valliant_effort
2008-06-30 04:09 am UTC (link)

Tristan was using his cane and his arm was still bond tightly. He brought his dog Pepe, to turn about the grounds of Huntingdon, speaking with her papa about the events of Paris. The dog wagged his tail and chased a rabbit until he found Angelique was bored. The little dog almost could read her mind.

He did a back flip and cooed for food.
"Pepe! You naughty thing! Leave her be. No more of your tricks."

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angedelacour
2008-06-30 04:26 am UTC (link)

Angélique had almost given up on the grounds when a darling little dog appeared. Her face lit up with fond memories of all the armies of little pets which had roamed Versailles. She put her hand down to stroke the creature's fur, whispering sweet endearments at it.

"Oh, don't scold him so. He's so darling, he can't help it. Can you sweets? No." She looked up to see Tristan walking toward her, arm in a sling and he was using a cane. Angel's jaw opened in shock. "Tristan? Is that truly you? Ma chere, what happened?" Pepe was nearly forgotten as Angel walked to Tristan, her steps still those of Versailles as her dress was a formal one.

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	valliant_effort 2008-06-30 04:57 am UTC (link)
	"Little Angelique? My word, you are such a pretty thing. Is this my little friend? You are a young lady" He bowed leaning on his old ugly cane. "Might I kiss your hand?" reached out his hand. Pepe looked excitedly up that talking humans and added an excited bark himself. Out of his mind with doggy glee. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	angedelacour 2008-06-30 05:20 am UTC (link)
	She laughed and extended her hand. "Of course, Tristan. Ever the gallant, even in this dreadful place." She tried to ignore the fact she was blushing. "It has been too long. And you look just the same, except for the bandages. Was I really so little last time you saw me?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2008-06-30 05:45 am UTC (link)

"Well not in such fine wrappings. I still remember a little girl that couldn't keep a curl in her hair ribbon. or her nose clean. And how she said that she would marry me even if I was a GERMAN. How it would be like the Modern ROmeo and Juliet."
He laughed "Not a fair blossom as this." He said. "Might I escourt you around the garden madamoiselle? I don't have such grounds in London." He said.
The clatter of his cane was more then usual. "You must tell me of brighter things, Angelique." He said "I swear to you that there were times I thought I would not live before I saw a friend again. Such violence and crudity."

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	valliant_effort 2008-06-30 05:46 am UTC (link)
	That was mee! (Reply to this) (Parent)

angedelacour
2008-06-30 06:08 am UTC (link)

Angel's blush deepened. He would bring that up. "Well, I would still marry you, if you hadn't gone and married someone else. I might even have overcome your German blood." She grinned and put a tragic hand to her forehead. "But alas! You did not wait for me and now, my heart may be broken forever. Still, I will walk with you, my dear gallant German."

Her smile faded as she thought of what he had seen. Some of it she had heard, rumors mostly, but she had been glad to know he at least had escaped. "You were there then? When Lamballe was..." Angel's voice caught and she could not continue that thought.

"Oh, Tristan. I would tell you of brighter things if I knew any. The world seems so dark and cold now. So dull. Sometimes I think the mob did catch us and this is purgatory." She shuddered. "And shall all the world be lost to such barbarians? But what can stop them?"

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valliant_effort
2008-06-30 09:54 pm UTC (link)

He shook "Well we are not dead yet. Oh ma cherrie." He said "The trouble will come to some conclusion. You must not fear. For I was in communication with none other then the Count of Provence. And he has a plan that will remedy all our ills. I can say no more, but be careful what you share."

Pepe jumped up in the air, Tristan caught him in one arm. "Do you mind if the baby joins us on their stroll? He does not like when we don't pay attention to him."

The little dog nodded.

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angedelacour
2008-07-01 01:26 am UTC (link)

"Oh the petit bebe is most welcome. We will need his advice in the placement of the gardens. Maman wishes to have them redone." Angel smiled but looked away. The Count of Provence? At least someone was doing something then. She sighed dramatically. "But who would I tell? We have so few friends here. I have nothing in common with these English girls. Have you seen how they walk in the court? The queen? Quelle horreur! It is as if she has selected the most boring women she can find and surrounded herself with them. All they talk of is children and flowers. Sometimes I cannot even tell which they are speaking of for they are apparently of equal importance."

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