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Tweak says, "Banana phone!"

мошенник, Sergius Petrov (moshenik) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-07-25 23:15:00

Entry tags:

beth_downing, sebastian_pleasance, sergius_petrov

Cognac & Cards
Subject: Cognac & Cards: Considering A Move Back Into Society
Who: Sergius Petrov
Warnings: TBA
Where: Sergius Petrov's townhouse
Open to: Beth and Seb

Sergius shuffled the cards in his hands once more, glancing up at the young lady across from him, before beginning to lay out the cards on the table, seven cards face down, laying several down on the furthest card to the right, and less and less cards piled on the cards towards the left. "Will you not join me, my dear?" He called her as he finished laying them out, setting the remainder at the top left. "At least in another drink if you won't play Solitaire with me? I know your second sight must make card games dull." He teased her, smirking, before he bent his head back down to the cards, beginning to turn over the top most. "Perhaps you'll read my fortune for me? You and the spirits of the underworld or otherworld or some world should advise me. Should I re-marry, my dear? Or perhaps I should move back to the continent? Change my will to make you and Master Sebastian my beneficiaries?"

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dela_mort
2008-07-25 05:41 pm UTC (link)

Beth lounged in the chair across from him, her glass of Cognac almost empty now and she smiled at him. "Another glass would be lovely, but if you damage those cards I will hold you responsible. They don't come cheep, you know." She set her glass down on the table, considering Sergius. "I would make a very fine beneficiary but I don't know about Sebastian - it's rather strange to leave your fortune to your banker, and he is stealing it all from you anyway."

Beth picked up her glass again, rolling her eyes.

"As for re-marriage did you go through the poor things money so fast? I suppose re-marriage might be good for you, third time lucky as they say." She swallowed the last dregs of her Cognac and offered the glass to him to refill.

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moshenik
2008-07-25 06:06 pm UTC (link)

Sergius raised an eyebrow, but didn't look up at her, moving a card from pile to pile, and then turning over the one underneath. "Sebastian is hardly stealing much anymore. Only when he doubts I will notice. Perhaps one day I shall tell him what he owes me. But I doubt I would live long after that." He smiles, reaching over for the bottle and pouring the young lady another. "And no, my fortune is not all spent yet. I wouldn't wish to be disrespectful and spend it all too soon. I was thinking of re-marrying for the companionship. Perhaps an heir. But no doubt you and Sebastian would not appreciate that." He said, turning over another card.

He paused, looking up at her again, smiling slightly. "What do you think, Beth? Maybe I should put myself back on the social scene."

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dela_mort
2008-07-25 06:15 pm UTC (link)

"An heir? If you wanted to marry for companionship why not marry me? We get on well don't we, Sergius." She said, taking hold of the glass and holding it tightly to her. The thought of Sergius marrying again didn't upset her, but the thought of him marry for something other than money or position did annoy her a little. She enjoyed being a mistress and a medium, enjoyed the freedoms they gave her but settling into a nice marriage with someone who had money was not below her. "We could always invent a past for me, a title or a rich family now in their graves. You did it."

"But I do think getting back into society would do you good. You can hardly be expected to hide away forever. People won't be kind if they think you've overstayed your grieving."

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moshenik
2008-07-25 06:32 pm UTC (link)

"Marry you, Beth? How could I refuse such an offer." He said to her, pouring himself another drink, taking a swallow. "But won't that spoil your fun, my dear? I can not imagine you happily settling down with any one man. Especially not one so much older than yourself." He pointed out, still smirking. "But I doubt you'd want to continue our family line, would you?" He added, leaning back in his chair, sweeping all the card back into his hand and shuffling them before sliding them back over to her. "Read our fortune then, Beth."

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dela_mort
2008-07-25 06:45 pm UTC (link)

Beth pouted softly, taking another sip of her glass.
"Who said I would be settling down, Sergius? A young woman with a much older husband, freshly married - a lot of men are drawn to a woman like that, men who'd willingly swap quite any number of things to climb into that marriage bed with that woman."

She placed a hand on her flat stomach. Pregnancy had never been something Beth had considered. She'd had a few close calls and she always used old preventative measures, herbs and such to keep herself from falling pregnant. It was hard to social climb with a child in tow. "I could be persuaded." She said.

She took the cards, laying them out on the table, grinning up at him.
"We're going to have a visitor. A tall, dark and handsome visitor who will be bringing us a small fortune." She said, turning the cards over one by one to show off the beautiful designs printed on them, simple colourful tricks to fool the eye and cloud the mind.

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moshenik
2008-07-25 07:10 pm UTC (link)

"True, my dear, very true." He said, swirling the liquid in his glass and watching the ripples. "And that could be very very useful for us. For any possibly children that will need to be sent to the best schools England has to offer." He paused, taking a sip, and looking back at her, "But we shall see. After all, old men can grow easily jealous and mistake their wife's hard work for a true affair."

"I should hope one day you would be. Otherwise who would we leave our money to, my dear?" He asked, "Assuming that we did marry."

"Tall, dark, handsome?" He laughed, smiling. "Ah, Sebastian will be joining us soon then, no doubt with some money from that bank manager of his." He said, sitting up and leaning his arms on the table top. "What else do they say, Beth?"

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dela_mort
2008-07-25 07:18 pm UTC (link)

"Well, one day but I'm still young and I doubt much would stop you." Beth teased gently, although she found the idea of marriage an acceptable one the idea of having a child now made her feel rather bleak. She could accept the idea of a baby, but pregnancy - her body changing in such a dramatic fashion and the loss of her youth in such an obvious manor frightened her, as did the prospect of birth. She'd known far to many women die through that and didn't want to add her own name to the list.

"Sergius, how wedded are you to the idea of the child being your own blood?" She asked softly, considering the options. "After all, children are abandoned everyday, and if it was important to you I wouldn't mind if you used someone else."

She shuffled the cards again, picking one out at random.
"I see...a dazzling party and any number of young women around you, and more than a few older men for Sebastian and myself."

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moshenik
2008-07-25 07:45 pm UTC (link)

"Not much would stop very many men from attempting to woo a beautiful young lady such as yourself." He explained, "Men tend to loose some control of themselves, as you no doubt know." He said, picking up the cards and sorting them again, dealing them out in a Solitaire layout.

"My dear, I've never been wedded to any idea." He told her, "And I realise that the idea of carrying child must be frightening. And you are right. There are very many children in London who would be suitable... perhaps I might be so lucky as to adopt the illegitimate child of the prince regent or Lord Stanley or some other noble aristocrat."

"More than a few, my darling?" He said to her, "You will be very busy, as will Sebastian. I do hope you won't be too tired by it all. I do enjoy your company in the evenings."

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dela_mort
2008-07-25 07:51 pm UTC (link)

Beth nodded, taking another deep swallow of the Cognac. "I think you most certainly could find that illegitimate child with your contacts, Sergius."

"Of course not. I'm never to busy to spend time with you. You are my favourite after all." She said, staring down at the cards he laid out. She felt rather melancholy to have been brushed off in such a way. Any number of men would have jumped at the chance to marry her, she felt sure.

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moshenik
2008-07-25 08:53 pm UTC (link)

"And with your help, my good lady." He replies, raising his glass to her. "After all, I would need your help to find an heir that matched both our specifications."

"Your favourite?" Sergius repeated, genuinely surprised. He doubted it was true, after all, Beth was popular, beautiful, and processed a cutting wit that was more alluring then meek piety. "I think you must tell all the old, soft-heart men that." He smiled slightly, "But perhaps I can steal you for a few dances, if there are to be dances. I would like all the men invited to be jealous of me, if only for a few moments."

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	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 06:49 am UTC (link)
	There was a knock on the door, a sharp and buisness like tap intended to draw the attention of those inside the house. Sebastian blew on his hands, rubbing them together quickly and then knocked again He was hardly in the mood to be left standing on the doorstep any longer. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

moshenik
2008-07-26 06:59 am UTC (link)

Sergius sighed, getting to his feet and smiling slightly. "Get another glass for Sebastian, my dear." He asked her, moving to open the door himself. It was best, he found, not to let the staff open the door after a certain time of night. Especially if it was Sebastian he was expecting to come calling.

He took the bolt off the door to let the young man in, looking him up and down. "Cold?" He asked, "Would a Congac warm you up?"

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	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 07:23 am UTC (link)
	Sebastian spared him a glance, stepping inside and removing his coat, hanging it by the door. "A little. I walked all the way from the bank and there's a chill in the air." Smoothing down the front of his suit he considered the offer. "A Cognac would be very nice. Is Miss Downing joning us tonight?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

moshenik
2008-07-26 12:10 pm UTC (link)

"You walked?" Sergius said with some surprise, "My my, Sebastian, are you trying to save money?" He asked, guiding the young man into the room, and gesturing Sebastian into a chair. "Beth has graced us with her presence tonight. And together we have discussed a very important issue which I want to discuss with you also."

Sergius sat himself down back at his place at the card table, bringing the cognac glass closer. "Beth and I are going to marry. A marriage of convince and benefits for all of us. It will allow her great flexibility within court society, and it will ensure that another woman will not be tempted to insert herself into our little organisation." He paused, taking a sip from the glass. "What do you think?"

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	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 12:18 pm UTC (link)
	"Always." Sebastian said, following him in to the living room and settling in one of the chairs, nodding to Beth. "Money doesn't grow on trees." Sebastian took a slow swallow of his Cognac. "And when did you decide this?" He asked, looking between the two of them. "And where does this little plan leave me?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

moshenik
2008-07-26 12:44 pm UTC (link)

Sergius smiled, "Don't you have enough money yet, Sebastian?" He said, leaning back and looking over the young man again, a glint in his eyes. "We should increase your income. Give you a raise of some sort. After all, you are Beth and I's personal financier."

Sergius too looked back to the young lady. "It does not leave you anywhere, Sebastian. I do not want anyone else becoming involved. The three of us manage without the interference of others. A marriage of convince needs not change anything, Sebastian, I do not want it to be something which drives us apart. We are a very good team, all together."

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	dela_mort 2008-07-26 12:54 pm UTC (link)
	"We are, are we?" Beth asked, quite surprised since Sergius had been so cold on the idea before hand. She glanced across at Sebastian smiling at him. "I hope this wouldn't change anything, Sebastian. I don't think any of us planned to give up our over-all objective. I know I haven't, a revolution in England would be rather disastrous for us." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

moshenik
2008-07-26 01:13 pm UTC (link)

Sergius nodded, finishing the rest of his drink and looking between the two. "Nothing changes. Apart from our income, which will increase, of course. After all, with Beth gaining a title, and no doubt a lot more attention for certain men... well, I am sure there will be many more accounts that will need your attention, Sebastian. And many more parties that we will all be required to attend." He explains, moving slightly closer to the pair of them. "I hardly think it is a bad idea if it will increase our net income while reducing the risks we all face."

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	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 01:27 pm UTC (link)
	Sebastian studied them both for a moment, nodding in agreement."No, I think thank sounds very senisable when you put it that way." He said softly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 01:59 pm UTC (link)
	"Everything we do is sensible." Sergius said, smirking slightly, "For the most part." He added, the glint in his eyes bright again. "You'll have to be present at the wedding, Sebastian, of course. Under the guise of keeping an eye on the speeding. And you will have to stay for the wedding night." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 02:08 pm UTC (link)
	Sebastian laughed softly, taking another sip of the drink. "I'm not sure if your new bride would want me there." He said teasingly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 02:12 pm UTC (link)
	"I am sure she would, would you not, my dear?" He asked, glancing back to her, hand moving to rest on her knee. "You would not want to leave out dear our sweet Sebastian?" He said, fingers stroking upwards. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dela_mort 2008-07-26 02:17 pm UTC (link)
	Beth smiled at them. "Of course. Having you there Sebastian always helps Sergius be so much more invigorated" She said, spreading her legs a little wider to let his hand slip down onto her inner-thigh. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 02:29 pm UTC (link)
	Sergius smiled, hand indeed slipping lower down her leg and up her thigh, fingers moving higher and higher. "Thank you my dear. Where would I be without you and Sebastian?" He said, looking back to the boy, "I no doubt wouldn't have taken so well to mourning." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dela_mort 2008-07-26 02:34 pm UTC (link)
	Beth squirmed in her seat, setting the glass down. "Yes, mourning always is so much easier when you have warm bodies to keep you company." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 02:48 pm UTC (link)
	"Two is always better than one, and three, I must say, is even better." He said, hand moving slightly higher up her leg, his attention moving back to Sebastian. Do you agree, Sebastian?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 03:41 pm UTC (link)
	Sebastian pulled at his collar. It suddenly felt far to warm in the room. It must have been the fire burning so brightly. He coughed and took another sip of his Cognac. "I would always agree with that." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 05:13 pm UTC (link)
	"Good. I would hate for us to fall out over such a fundamental grounding of our relationship." Sergius said, topping up everyone's drink. "You are quite red, Sebastian. Is everything alright?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 05:15 pm UTC (link)
	"Yes, everything is fine." He said, taking another deep swallow from the glass. "Just wondering what else you had planned for this evening?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 05:46 pm UTC (link)
	"I had no set plans, Sebastian. But I think you and Beth should stay the night, if it is as cold as you say." He said, "I wouldn't like either of you to catch a chill when you can stay warm here..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	goldandglitters 2008-07-26 05:57 pm UTC (link)
	"Well I doubt my landlady would let me in. It's getting towards the time she locks the doors at the house and I wouldn't like to spend the night on the doorstep, or have to go to the bank manager's home and wake his family." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	moshenik 2008-07-26 06:58 pm UTC (link)
	"Then that's settled then." Sergius said, stroking higher up Beth's leg, fingers prying up the hem of her dress. "I have so missed you both..." (Reply to this) (Parent)