𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐂𝐍𝐂𝐘𝐒

"ME?" an eyebrow raises in pure amusement, leaning forward slightly to rest his elbow on the flat surface, still holding his cards up. "if i recall correctly miss almeida, you have badly beaten me these two games past." aravin couldn't help but laugh softly. it was nice knowing he'd found a worthy opponent. "i believe it is your turn. are we still playing for a drink?"

…………𝙼𝙸𝙼𝙸𝙲𝚁𝚈    𝚁𝚄𝙽𝚂    𝚁𝙰𝙼𝙿𝙰𝙽𝚃    𝙸𝙽    𝙷𝙴𝚁    𝙵𝙴𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴𝚂    ,    body    slouching    to    rest    her    cheek    in    the    curve    of    her    palm    ,    lips    curved    with    glee    as    dark    eyes    glance    at    her    cards    once    more    .    “    i    wonder    if    you    are    falsifying    your    loss’    to    soothe    my    fragile    ego    ?    ”    she    teases    with    such    a    coy    smile    .    

gemma was pleased the dressmaker could fit her in for an appointment today. a gown she recently purchased had torn at the seams- and though she was skilled at sewing- she wasn't that skilled. as she waited for the dressmaker, she couldn't help but overhear a group of young debutants speaking in hushed tones about another woman trying on a dress. gemma connected the dots and approached marcella. "pardon me, my lady- i think that color suits you quite well. however, you should know, that if you do not purchase that fabric, there is another young woman here who said she will buy all of it." @regcncys

…………𝙲𝙻𝙰𝚁𝙴𝚃    𝙵𝙰𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙲𝚂    𝚂𝚆𝙸𝚁𝙻    𝙰𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳    𝙰𝙽𝙺𝙻𝙴𝚂    𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷    the    final    spin    in    front    of    the    dressmakers    mirror    .    elongated    sleeves    ,    tapered    at    the    wrists    that    she    adjusted    quietly    ,    ignoring    the    hushed    tones    behind    her    as    she    met    eyes    in    the    reflection    .    “    perhaps    jealousy    runs    rife    .    the    colour    would    never    suit    her    .    ”    the    foreign    noble    murmurs    ,    a    tad    vicious    as    she    glances    away    .    “    she’d    be    lucky    if    i    were    to    leave    it    behind    .    ”

"not a whole lot, i should imagine. given i have very little to offer," he makes a show of empty hands, puzzled expression tugging at dark brows as he sits with a thought amoment. "though i will admit i am not certain what it is you could gain from telling my father, either..." shoulders rise and fall in a nonchalant shrug, the playful smile returning with abandon. "perhaps i did. but could you really blame me? i am so bored of this evening i have resorted to the artefact museum, of all places. and you have resorted to books -- or perhaps that was your intention all along. we must hope our kindly hosts will not be offended."

…………𝙵𝙴𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴𝚂    𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙽    𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝙵𝚄𝙻    𝙰𝚂    𝚂𝙷𝙴    𝙴𝚈𝙴𝚂    him    ,    eye    squinted    low    with    lips    quirked    to    the    left    .    almost    as    if    she    were    assessing    him    for    something    .    “    shame    .    i    quite    like    having    things    to    hold    over    ones    head    .    ”    she    muses    in    jest    .    “    granted    i    know    not    your    father    ,    i    doubt    i    could    fetch    him    in    a    crowd    .    ”    she    too    shrugs    in    a    nonchalant    motion    .    “    oh    how    you    have    narrowed    down    my    intentions    ,    good    sir    .    you    know    me    so    well    ,    and    yet    you    do    not    ask    my    name    .    ”    there    is    mirth    laced    in    her    tone    ,    dark    eyes    dropping    to    the    book    in    her    lap    before    turning    back    on    with    a    mischievous    fire    .    “    i    am    certain    you    could    keep    a    secret    from    these    hosts    .    ”

he does not miss it, the subtle evaluation. finds himself standing a little taller, as if his posture might affect her judgment. the inquiry has bright orbs flickering around the room, forming an assessment of his own. though he does not need to look, not really. hears enough from the women’s husband. rarely do they spew affectionate words of their life partners. gaze finds hers again something in the back of his head telling him he could find hers in any crowded room. “it is rare,” concurs with a bow of his head. “i believe it would have to depend on who is searching for it. whether they are shrewd in their hunt. it's plausible one with such desires could fall into the wrong clutches with ease.” clutches such as his own . . . but he leaves that to himself.

…………𝚃𝙾𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙴    𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚂    𝙰𝙲𝙸𝙳𝙸𝙲    𝙰𝚂    𝙸𝚃    𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚂𝙴𝚂    into    the    soft    flesh    of    her    cheek    .    there    is    a    warmth    beneath    the    surface    of    her    skin    ,    though    she    can    convince    herself    it    is    nothing    more    than    the    proximity    in    the    room    itself    ,    bodies    moving    and    creating    heat    with    very    little    chance    to    escape    ,    but    she    doesn’t    move    from    her    spot    ,    a    grin    etched    into    her    face    as    if    it    were    carved    into    stone    .    “    and    what    of    you    sir    ,    are    you    shrewd    in    your    hunt    ?    ”    she    taunts    softly    ,    curious    of    his    words    .   

the taunt lands as it's meant to, inciting her eyes to playfully roll in response. when she doesn't answer if she's allowed to join, she does so anyway. arranging the skirts of her dress as she takes a seat beside her. "is being one of the queen's gems truly a compliment?" she mused aloud, digits brushing out a few wrinkles in her dress. "it seems she has cursed me rather than offered a blessing." words she says quietly, aware they might come off in a bad light.

…………𝚄𝙿𝙾𝙽    𝙰𝙽𝙽𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙲𝙴𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃    ,    𝚂𝙰𝙾𝙸𝚁𝚂𝙴    𝚆𝙰𝚂    𝙵𝙰𝚁    𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼    surprised    when    mercy    was    named    ruby    .    the    queen    would    be    blind    to    not    notice    her    sister    .    “    ‘tis    but    a    burden    .    ”    she    muses    .    “    for    you    are    as    pretty    as    a    peach    and    as    perfect    as    they    come    ,    oh    sister    of    mine    .    ”        she    tilts    head    ,    a    cascade    of    dark    locks    fall    ,    her    book    closing    on    it’s    own    as    she    turns    towards    the    elder    of    the    two    .    “    everyone    seeks    the    rarest    of    all    ,    even    without    such    a    title    ,    these    men    would    be    floundering    for    your    hand    ,    and    if    one    is    so    lucky    ,    i    look    forward    to    terrorising    him    .    ”    she    attempts    to    lighten    her    sisters    sour    mood    .    “    are    they    bothering    you    ?    ”

alice was dreading this mini dinner party. still, it made her happy that it wasn't just the carlisles. this way, she could easily turn the conversation if questions about edwin arose. she scanned the sitting room before spotting a familiar face near the edge of the room. "miss byrne- you must join me." please, she mentally thought. @regcncys

…………𝚂𝙾𝙲𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈    𝙳𝙴𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙳𝚂    𝙵𝙾𝚁    𝙷𝙴𝚁    𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙸𝙲𝙸𝙿𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽    𝙸𝙽    such    draining    ventures    and    a    dinner    party    was    certainly    not    her    ideal    location    ,    but    alas    ,    even    to    appease    her    family    she    would    .    perhaps    her    reluctance    and    the    lack    of    decent    conversation    ,    she    finds    herself    pressed    to    the    outskirts    ,    happily    avoiding    the    inane    conversations    about    the    ton    and    it’s    men    ,    missus    weatherby    certain    was    a    voracious    spirit    ,    that    was    for    sure    .    “    miss    carlisle    .    ”    she    greets    ,    if    only    to    match    the    other    and    because    of    such    formal    settings    .    “    everything    alright    ?    ”   

…………𝙴𝚈𝙴𝚂    𝚆𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁    𝚃𝙷𝙴    𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁    𝙵𝙾𝚁    𝙰    𝙼𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃    before    turning    back    upward    to    the    overcast    sky    .    not    unusual    for    england    ,    and    she    was    unsurprised    ,    but    even    as    mud    clings    to    shoes    ,    saoirse    cannot    help    but    not    care    .    “    so    are    you    to    brave    the    rain    ?    or    hide    out    here    beneath    the    awning    ?    ”    she    herself    would    grow    bored    waiting    for    time    to    pass    and    a    little    rain    surely    never    hurt    anyone    ,    her    family    would    likely    scold    her    upon    return    ,    but    nothing    she    could not    handle    .

fingers twirl a button on his waistcoat ( the poor button already just about clinging on for dear life ) uncertainly as he tries to discern whether she is laughing at him, simply nervously -- or for some other entirely innocent reason. eventually, laurent supposes he'd rather she laugh than scold him. "oh, i don't doubt that," he acknowledges, braving a warm and appreciative smile as she asks after him. "yes, thank you. just not half as careful as i should be, clearly."

…………𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙼𝚃𝙷    𝙼𝙴𝙴𝚃𝚂    𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙼𝚃𝙷    𝙸𝙽    𝙷𝙴𝚁    𝚂𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙴    as    hands    brush    almost    non    existent    wrinkles    from    her    dress    .    “    i    do    not    mean    to    laugh    .    ”    she    admits    to    him    ,    once    the    laughter    dissipates    easily    .    “    and    especially    not    at    you    ,    i    just    could    not    help    but    imagine    the    image    from    afar    .    ”    she    tells    him    .    

"have you lost your chaperone?" finn murmured, stepping out from the shadows to meet his youngest sister. "or was that intentional?" he raised a brow as he met her pace, walking besides her. "this is not our home, deirfiúr, you cannot be roaming about." once he was satisfied with his scolding, he continued. "so, where are we going?" @regcncys

…………𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙴𝙺𝚈    𝚂𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙴𝚂    𝙰𝙽𝙳    𝚆𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙻𝙴𝙳    𝙱𝚄𝚃𝚃𝙾𝙽    𝙽𝙾𝚂𝙴    greet    elder    brother    as    hair    whips    at    cheekbones    .    of    course    the    loss    of    chaperone    was    intentional    ,    however    she    had    been    meaning    to    avoid    family    too    ,    less    she    be    lectured    .    but    alas    ,    finn    had    found    her    and    done    exactly    that    .    “    i    would    much    rather    be    at    home    ,    there    are    far    too    many    rules    here    .    ”    she    pouts    ,    but    entangles    elbows    with    him    ,    their    steps    falling    together    .    “    truthfully    ,    everywhere    and    yet    ,    no    where    in    particular    !    ”    

"Help me choose? I've no knowledge of fashion and no patience to learn. If I'm made to sit here any longer than necessary I'll surely go mad."

…………𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙴𝙺𝚂    𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙼    𝙸𝙽    𝙰    𝙶𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙻𝙴    𝙲𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚁𝚈    hue    at    the    pet    name    ,    had    it    been    anyone    other    than    family    ,    the    moniker    ,    any    moniker    really    would    have    nose    upturned    with    an    unimpressed    glare    ,    but    for    the    byrne    family    ,    none    such    thing    occurred    .    there’s    always    an    unexplained    softness    between    eldest    and    youngest    and    she    cannot    help    but    grin    ,    a    mimicry    of    their    mothers    ,    up    at    him    as    he    passes    a    now    shared    tumbler    back    at    her    ,    her    own    mouth    meeting    rim    as    tailor    returns    .    she    watches    the    flurry    with    amusement    ,    knowing    her    brother    had    very    little    patience    ,    she    deliberates    ,    pondering    on    whether    to    leave    him    to    his    own    devices    ,    to    ruin    his    attire    with    glee    ,    or    actually    help    the    poor    sod    out    .    she    settles    on    the    latter    a    moment    later    .    “    the    green    .    ”    as    if    she    ,    saoirse    byrne    would    ever    choose    anything    else    .    perhaps    if    was    laden    in    her    own    fabrics    ,    dressed    colour    pale    to    emerald    ,    sage    to    pine    .    her    choice    would    always    be    green    .    “    the    purple    is    too    ,    too    …    ”    she    stumbles    over    adjectives    as    hands    flurry    around    her    ,    glass    now    discarded    on    table    top    as    fabrics    swirl    at    ankles    ,    head    tilted    at    him    .        “    purple    .    ”

"i thought i'd find you in here," he murmurs, pushing off the doorframe and into the kitchen. "what are you making?" he asked, glancing at the dough on the table. "looks like some sort of bread? perhaps cinnamon buns..." nadir missed baking everyday. it was funny, he never appreciated it until he was gone. "do you need any help?" @regcncys

. . . . . . . . . . 𝙻𝙴𝙵𝚃   𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙴𝙺   𝙳𝚄𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙳   𝙸𝙽   𝙵𝙻𝙾𝚄𝚁   ,   𝚂𝚆𝙸𝙿𝙴𝙳   away   in   a   moment   at   the   intrusion   ,   but   only   to   smear   across   features   as   a   smile   curls   at   lips   .   it   was   reminiscent   of   home   ,   of   before   and   donned   in   a   simply   apron   in   the   hearth   of   their   home   ,   katherine   was   at   peace   .   “   you   always   had   a   keen   eye   for   it   .   ”   she   murmurs   ,   watching   her   brother   by   law   for   a   moment   ,   warmth   swirling   in   features   as   softened   fingertips   pressed   into   the   dough   .   “   i   would   never   deny   your   offer   of   help   ,   you   know   that   !   ”

such as now. promenading beside a mr. talbot. an older man who evidently was in search of his fourth wife mercy did not dare inquire as to what happened to the other three. all he prattled on about was his achievements ( if one could call them that ) and how cold and empty his house was without a woman's touch. with perfect timing, mercy slipped from the conversation. gravel crunched between her heels as she made her swift escape. but the moment she believed herself to be safe, she caught sight of mr. talbot conveniently popping back up, marching his way over to her. her solution? she approached the first person she saw, slightly breathless as she conjured a faux smile onto her lips as if they had been engaged for more than a mere millisecond. "oh, stop ! you are too much, truly." then she forged a laugh, not sparing a glance back in fear the older man would not take the bait. | @londonhigh-societystart

. . . . . . . . . . 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙻𝙴𝙳   𝙵𝙾𝚁   𝙼𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂   ,   𝙼𝙴𝚁𝙴   𝚂𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙳𝚂   𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴   sweetness   sweeps   into   curls   smiles   ,   the   link   of   elbows   together   and   fingers   curling   over   chiffon   dressed   arms   ,   katherine   was   quick   to   pull   the   girl   closer   as   if   they   were   sharing   secrets   ,   as   if   she   were   more   then   a   stranger   .   eyes   darted   around   ,   catching   sight   of   the   formidable   ,   and   frankly   too   old   ,   mister   talbot   before   brain   caught   up   in   the   situation   .   “   but   it   is   true   ,   wouldn’t   you   agree   ?   ”   she   veered   them   back   to   the   path   and   out   of   the   way   of   the   incoming   man   .   she   recognised   the   woman   moments   later   and   with   a   soft   sigh   ,   she   understood   the   situation   .   she   was   thankful   ,   very   much   so   that   the   season   was   never   apart   of   her   .   she   was   married   when   society   came   knocking   ,   and   she   worries   for   her   sisters   now   ,   but   she   was   lucky   .   “   are   you   okay   ?   ”   she   questions   gently   ,   never   releasing   her   hold   as   they   still   walked   .   the   ruby   of   the   season   was   a   burden   to   bare   ,   she   was   sure   .   talbot   having   now   changed   course   .   

england always had fickle weather, but for the past few days there had been nothing but sunshine. gemma enjoyed the sun as she walked through the marketplace, eyeing sweet treats and beautiful ribbons. it seemed that everyone was enjoying the nice weather before the long winter hit. however, seemingly out of nowhere it began to rain. this was not a light showering but near a torrential down pour. gemma darted under an awning of a nearby shop, watching as the rain flooded the street. it looked like it was not going to let up for a long while. sheepishly, she turned towards the person besides her. "i don't suppose you brought an umbrella?"

. . . . . . . . . . 𝙰   𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚅𝙸𝙻𝚈   𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙶𝚄𝙸𝚂𝙴𝙳   𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙺   𝙾𝙵   𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙶𝚄𝚂𝚃   is   turned   towards   the   darkened   sky   ,   eyes   upward   at   the   clouds   from   beneath   the   marketplace   awning   .   even   if   it’s   just   for   a   few   passing   moment   until   she   realises   .   her   brother   and   conveniently   her   ladies   maid   are   nowhere   to   be   seen   .   that   look   of   disgust   dissipates   and   lips   curl   into   a   smile   .   a   taste   of   freedom   .   no   matter   how   fleeting   it   would   be   ,   surely   henry   would   sought   after   her   soon   .   rampant   thoughts   disrupted   ,   eyes   turning   on   the   voice   with   a   raised   brow   .   “   no   .   ”   she   answers   ,   fingers   curled   in   her   skirts   to   brave   the   rain   in   order   to   avoid   her   chaperones   .   “   perhaps   we   should   of   expected   the   downpour   ?   ”

. . . . . . . . . . 𝙰   𝙻𝙸𝙵𝙴𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴   ,   𝙸𝚃   𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙼𝚂   ,   𝙾𝙵   𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚈   events   had   marcella   trained   in   the   way   of   vices   .   you   name   it   ,   her   hands   could   get   ahold   of   it   and   in   these   moments   ,   it   was   no   different   .   stolen   long   before   her   considered   exile   to   mayfair   ,   her   fathers   flasked   no longer tucked   into   the   bodice   of   her   dress   ,   easily   concealed   and   of   course   filled   with   the   strongest   thing   she   could   raid   of   her   uncles   stash   .   “   you   sound   like   you   need   this   more   that   i   do   .   ”   she   greets   ,   nothing   formal   and   more   intrusive   as   she   offers   the   flask   with   ease   .