Nalan Das

Tales of Charlotte Debelle’s talents had reached all over England and there was some curiosity to be had, but the opera was never a place Nalan found himself. Such things were for pleasure or business, and those in his trade did not find themselves at the Theatre Royal too often, but Nalan had an excuse of a fabric order for costumes. He had stumbled across a rehearsal and such a person like Miss Debelle could not be ignored when she sang. Dancing with an opera singer was not the desired partner, but Nalan could not resist asking as he was a man who valued talent and hard work, to have both was a rarity indeed and yet here stood Miss Debelle. “I have seen many men and women walk out on the verge of tears following an appraisal but I myself would rather leave it to Lady Whistledown. At least that way, anonymous words hurt far less but should you require assistance, I can accompany you.”

Everything still seemed to be falling in the Lytton’s way, first Aera was the diamond the previous year yet they failed to secure  a match, now Timothy De Vere was named the bachelor of the season and the only respite Nalan had for this was no one had seemed to catch his eye. If the man married someone of consequence, Nalan simply would not know what to do or how to ruin such a thing. “I would gladly, I am not sure what else can be thrown my way, but you sir, have more to loose than I. The bachelor of the season, but tell me Mr De Vere, do you think you will end the season a bachelor just as Aera had ended hers without a match?” Nalan did not have any authority on the matter, his sisters were still unmarried as was he, but he was determined to remedy that before the season was out. The only redeeming factor was that Kavika had her title, and he managed the estate through her, which was not ideal but it was better than nothing. There was no hesitation in Nalan’s steps, he walked up to the masked agents of appraisal there he was dealt what others would consider a blow but Nalan knew such words, or those to that effect, would come soon enough. They spoke of his secrets, those exposed in Whistledown, of his treachery and still Nalan did not flinch, all he did was smile and thank them, unbothered and unfettered. “Your turn, Mr De Vere, but if they do bring up your mother and her abandonment of you, I would advise against punching them as you are so quick to do.” 

The fabrics used were of the best quality and no one else could appraise such a thing as thoroughly as Nalan Das, and while the fabrics were clearly fantastic, Nalan did not know if it was quality or the matter of a blossoming friendship with the new Earl that was shaping his opinion. It did not matter, titles carried more weight than that of a fabric merchant’s son, no matter how educated or connected as Nalan may be. Nalan was well aware of his own limitations in society and such a thing would not hinder him, of that he was sure. “I would not be so sure, Mr O’Connor, I think your back opal is doing you justice with its mystery and I have heard many ladies speak of the bewildering heir of Downshire. Many think your brother will not find a wife, and I have heard whisperings that you are the future of your family, not him.” If that were the case, then such friendships would need to be cultivated with the heir instead of the head of the house but such a thing was not set in stone. If this O’Connor was to marry before his brother, then surely that would disrupt things and of that Nalan was most curious especially when it was an old family like theirs, the whole of England and Ireland would be watching them all closely. “I do not think there are any more secrets I can give, Lady Whistledown has ensured that all of England knows of my misdeeds and for that I am almost an outsider but it does not bother me much. There is a freedom in having almost all of your secrets out for all to judge, I no longer feel the same shame that others may.” An appraisal was not something anyone should fear, there was an honesty with it that all should desire but some were not happy with the person they were, but for Nalan, he did not care. His appraisals came in Lady Whistledown, in the reactions of his parents, the disappointments of his sisters, there was simply nothing more that could be done to him, or so he had hoped. “Do you not see your worth, you are heir to a vast fortune and title and if your brother fails to have a son, the future he wants for his children is yours and there is power in that Mr O’Connor.”

Lady Whistledown had done a lot to ruin Nalan and his family but there was nothing to be done about an anonymous writer who thrived on the misfortune of others while profiting of such a thing and remaining hidden. Whoever would reveal her would forever be a legend amongst society, but no one dared to risk the wrath of Lady Whistledown’s quill. Nalan was many things but foolish, he hoped, was not amongst his vices and for that he had many. “I thank you for your compliments but if people are looking for the embodiment of perfection, I think they need not look any further than you, your highness.” If the Princess of France was untenable to Nalan, then she would have to be someone he could arrange for his sisters but them outranking Nalan was not ideal, then he would finally be in better standing with his father for arranging such a thing.  There was nothing to be done of it if Nalan was unsuccessful himself, but Nalan was never one to give up easily, or else he would have retreated to Europe following his latest exposé. “Have you taken to the floor yet, I would be honored if you would consider a dance with me?”

 There was a lot of nervousness on display this evening, from young debutants and gentleman trying to court on another to those attempting to be brave and give up their secrets willingly, and if Nalan had any more left, he may have considered such a thing but Lady Whistledown had almost unearthed everything Nalan tried to hide. “Thank you, miss, I feared that those who read Lady Whistledown wished to avoid me but I am glad for your presence. I take it you have not yet endured Lady Whistledown’s quill?” There were few in London who could escape such a thing but hers was a new face that Nalan had not yet seen, he only hoped her beauty was matched by a title of substance and not something inconsequential. If it was, then Nalan would consider her for a match with one of his sisters if the young lady was amenable of course. “I have not seen your face around London as of late, may I ask if you are new to the season or are you returning?” Someone who did not know of Nalan’s reputation was a rare find indeed but the young lady seemed to be appropriate company, even if she was full of nerves. That was not something  anyone should hold against her, but Nalan did wonder if it was a long-term issue.

Her eyes turned away as she instead look about the room, the forced smile on her lips becoming something real as she took in the beauty of the moonstone, making a small mental note that she ought to buy something for the staff, they had outdone themselves. With a final glance at who was before the masked figures, Mary looked back to Nalan. " Have you? Are you enjoying your evening? "

There were those in attendance that had given themselves the rarest of jewels when they were in fact anything but a rarity among the people of London. Some had decided their worth far exceeded what others saw and so presented it in such a way, but Nalan listened to the young woman and it was clear she was not amongst those. “I think others who do not see the value of a garnet are foolish, they are one of the few gemstones with true variety. Yes, they may not be the rarest or most expensive, but their value far exceeds those things.” It was just like the very hosts of this event, they may not have had much in terms of fortune but the Barnett family endured the public scrutiny, the failed relationships and standing all to return to an event such as this. They may have lied in the past, but even Nalan could not argue with this splendour. “Your sister and brother-in-law have hosted a great event, but I do not wish to hear other’s views. I have read enough of Lady Whistledown for such a thing, but I have not yet offered my congratulations to you. You are named the diamond and yet you defied the writer herself and came as yourself. I think those in London have underestimated your bravery, Miss Barnett.”

It appeared that charm and class could not be bought or inherited and such a thing was evident with the youngest O’Connor’s attitude. Nalan was well aware of the scandal and history that embroiled the young man in front of him, but he did not care as it was of no consequence to himself or his sisters. All that privilege and shelter did not do this young man any good, and Nalan had seen his fair share of such men at university. “Do you often allow your brothers to overshadow and consume you, Mr O’Connor, I am quite surprised. From what I had heard, I thought you O’Connor’s were made of sterner stuff.” Edgar O’Connor certainly was made for the spotlight, there was no doubt about such a thing, but Nalan had found that men like that would fizzle out sooner or later, men like Frederic were the ones to endure life long enough. “Did my sister or myself offend you, Mr O’Connor, because I can not think of a reason as to why you would refuse me so abruptly. I was under the impression that those in society knew how to behave, or the very least, be polite about such things.”

Despite the common misconception of Nalan Das, he was not a complete monster and he did feel quite protective of his sisters, even if they were at risk of overshadowing him once more. Kavika had done so already and now Riya was here, and it was only a matter of time before she captivated the entirety of London. “I am already in a lot of trouble, dear sister, what else can London throw at me that I have not already overcome? A few harsh words is nothing in comparison, even father managed to look at me this morning without scowling which, I think, means he no longer hates me.” Once, their family had been personally invited to attend events like these by the former queen and now they were nothing more than their American interloping-counterparts only more good looking and with more money, but such a thing was not appropriate to speak of so openly, so instead Nalan smiled and walked through the trial, with his sister on his arm. “I’ve heard they did not have much in terms of money, but their titles are already secured so they are of little interest to us. There is a marquess, a future earl and a French duke attending, one of them would be suitable for you. I, myself, have an eye on a French princess or a future countess, both are extremely beautiful.” 

“the  velvet  is  rather  tone  deaf.  and  doesn't  match  the  rest  of  the  decor.”  offers  both  as  an  actual  critique  and  as  addition  to  mr.  das's  observations.  surrendering  secrets  due  to  the  idea  that  they  could  be  kept  as  such  is  a  fascinating  phenomenon.  “the  lady  whistledown,  she  could  be  amongst  them.  i  think  it  rather  risqué,  in  more  ways  than  one.”  although  he  also  doesn't  wish  to  be  overheard,  quite  yet,  critiquing  such  a  thing,  and  so  he  pauses  there  in  making  it  about  himself,  witnessing  the  same  exchange  of  the  ring  as  nalan,  lord  arnold  doing  so,  and  a  huff  of  disapproval  from  the  modiste.  “it  looks  a  token.  affection,  or  a  promise.  i've  seen  some  exchanged  in  the  parlour  of  my  shop.” if  it  was  another's  affections,  that  would  be  unfortunate.  the  game  of  love  was  one  too  often  played  too  close  to  the  heart  and  whatever  allowed  it  to  be  misguided.  “but  perhaps  it's  a  red  herring,”  comes  his  suggestion.  “aimed  to  make  someone  else  seem  the  wanderer  upon  their  spouse.”  in  hindsight,  las  was  far  too  grateful  that  it  was  mr.  das  who  invited  him  to  the  gemstone  ball.  their  opinions  of  this  were  well  in  the  vein  of  shared  and  similar,  and  las  would  have  been  more  nervous  about  the  reception  if  not  for  someone  so  outspoken  by  his  side.

Someone who could appreciate the finer things, the materials needed for such endeavors was one that Nalan appreciated even if he did not see them in the same standing as himself. Lasaru was not those amongst Nalan considered inferior, the man was an expert at his trade and without such skills, London would surely fall apart and therefore, Lasaru was amongst those in London whose value was beyond compare especially with such expert craftsmanship.  “Does it not scream new money, as if they have gone into a fabric store and asked for the most expensive without considering taste or decorum?” Nalan Das was almost an expert in scandals, or so it had felt recently, but watching others flit about as they willingly, unreservedly gave up those more precious than jewels was either astounding or plain stupid, Nalan had just yet to decide which one it was.  “That is quite an assumption to make, but one I have no quarrels in believing given how the season operates but I hope to find a friend in you, Mr Bessette. I have my family’s fabric business and with your shop, I believe we could both be unstoppable. Perhaps I could even introduce your son to my sister, Lady Kavika, baroness of Bedford?” It would be mutually beneficial, a sister engaged or matched with the son of a modiste, elevated in every sense of the world while ensuring that she would not outrank her own brother more than she already did.

No one had anticipated not one but two princess to be out in the season and either one would be make a fine match, but for Nalan Das, he was growing tired of London the whispers that has recently surrounded him, perhaps a French princess was just the key to silence those who still sought to ridicule and destroy him. “I thank you for such compliments, your majesty, I am honoring a red jasper this evening. Apparently it is supposed to invoke protective qualities and I am sure we could all do with more of that.” The Das heir gave a polite bow to the princess of France, happy and eager to continue the conversation. There were more eligible ladies and gentlemen in attendance tonight, but Nalan trusted in his own merits to set him apart, at least he had hoped for such a thing. “You are quite the jewel yourself, there are very few who can compare to you, and those who have attempted such a thing will not live up to such perfection.” 

Nalan Das appreciated nothing more in life than the finer things and being in the business of fabrics, Nalan was on the look out for those who spared no expense. Such a thing was found on the backs of all the O’Connor boys, but naturally Nalan’s eyes went to the one dressed in such a vivid red, everyone’s focus was on him. It could also have something to do with their fortunes, but Nalan did not need such a thing for himself. “Good evening, Mr O’Connor, perhaps I should not say this but I think you have overshadowed both your brothers, such a difficult thing to do when you are the youngest is it not?” Nalan could remember reading about Frederic and Mary Barnett’s engagement ending, so sudden and public it was not a kind thing, but Nalan appreciated the candor and the standard of a family such as the O’Connor’s. He had similar worries for his sisters and their potential fortune-hunting matches. “Have you taken to the floor yet, if not I should introduce to my sister, the Baroness of Bedford, or tonight I suppose she is the embodiment of an Alexandrite. Whatever the case may be, I think you both would be quite well matched.” 

The ball room was not as inventive as the one Nalan had hosted for his sister, but there was something to be said about getting those in London to flaunt their jewels, and a part of themselves in the process, and had he been more interested, Nalan Das would have been impressed at such a thing. One thing he could not deny was that the new earl was intending to make a splash, transforming himself from a man of business to one now influential within the lords of the realm, something Nalan had long inspired to be and yet fumbled at every turn. It was in the middle of this though that he heard a whisper, something about safety, and he was surprised to find a woman on her own, quietly asking. “Have no fear miss, I doubt there is any true danger here unless you dare to seek your appraisal or maybe share a secret or two in the confessional. I can assist you if you require company?” It was not in Nalan’s nature to be so forthcoming, but Nalan had spent so much time on the outskirts of society, mostly because of his own doings, he had missed these sorts of things. The events, the conversations, all of it was necessary for business and he did not plan on embarrassing his family even further.