#charnaby

Larry had realised his current state of dress the very second she opened her mouth. His cheeks went slightly pink as he smoothed out Alex’s dress, but he quickly recovered and gave Lady Martha one of the most charming smiles he could muster.

“I only dress up for special occasions,” he told her. “Plus, I hear dresses like these are the height of fashion.”

Ben gave a snort of laughter behind him, and the man whom Larry assume was Sir Simon seemed to be fighting to keep a straight face. Not a single person didn’t look at least slightly amused, much to Larry’s satisfaction. In his opinion, it was fine to be an idiot so long as you got at least one laugh out of it. 

It took Ben only a few seconds to recover, once again switching into the persona of the calm, responsible one.

“Lady Martha, Lady Hannah, Sir Simon, Lady Ilana, I shall show you to your room. I’m sure you’d appreciate the opportunity to freshen up before tonight’s festivities.”

“Thank you,” Lady Martha said. “Perhaps we are not the only ones who need to freshening up.”

The look she gave was directed at Larry, who laughed. “No way. I’m wearing this tonight. Seriously, I don’t get why you ladies complain so much about this.”

***

Martha wasn’t sure what to think. On the one hand, she was still stuck with a bunch of strangers who all knew each other well and was going to have to attend their stupid ball. On the other hand, they all seemed nice and welcoming, even if they were a bit odd. And Sir Laurence wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes...

She shook her head. There was no way she was ever, ever getting with Sir Laurence. He was the man her father wants to set her up with. Plus, he seemed awfully close to that Lady Alex girl. Hell, he was wearing her dress. Perhaps her father was an idiot, and Sir Laurence wasn’t even interested in her, Lady Alex, or any other lady.

“I suggest you stop chasing ideas around in your head. Don’t want a headache for tonight’s festivities, do we?”

Martha had given up trying to figure out how Simon always seemed to know what was going on in her mind. She just accepted it, questioning how Ilana put up with him for extended periods of time.

“Perhaps having a headache would get me out of attending,” she replied.

“I doubt your father would be too pleased.”

“He wouldn’t have to know.”

Simon laughed. “That man can read you easier than I can. And I am not lying for you again.”

Martha groaned. “I hate you.”

“Oh, I feel offended. After all I’ve done for you over the years.”

“Sorry, Farno. I’m just a bit grumpy.”

“I’ve noticed. But it won’t be as bad as you think, I’m sure. They seem like a good bunch. Tell you what, you give them a week, and if you’re still utterly repulsed by them, I’ll tell your father that they were all as ugly as crayfish and their personalities weren’t too much better.”

“Bit harsh, isn’t it Simon? I mean, that young brunette boy,” Ilana chimed in, “now he was something.”

“Oi!” Simon complained, and Martha let out a laugh.

“Feeling threatened, Simon?”

“No way. He’s obviously shagging Sir Ben. Plus, I never feel threatened.”

Ilana snorted. “Is that forgetting the time with Greg? Anyway, how can you tell after seeing them together once?”

“Greg was a slimy git who was hitting on you to the point where it was just shameful. I was simply defending your honour. And I could tell because they kept on making soppy eyes at each other. If they’re not actually shagging, they’re sure as hell wanting to.”

“I always question you relationship deduction skills,” Martha told him.

“Oh, come on, when have I ever been wrong?”

***

Evening came, along with food and the need to dine with the guests. Larry was still wearing Alex’s dress with pride, mainly to wind his father up. Truth be told, if there was any chance of his father knowing that he had swapped outfits he wouldn’t have done it. But as there was next to no chance of that happening, he was happy being wearing it.

Of course, as everyone else came down they looked splendid. Pretty soon all of his and Lady Alice’s court were seated, just waiting for Lady Martha and her friends.

When they did, Larry found his breath catching in his throat. Lady Hannah looked fantastic, Lady Ilana beautiful, and Sir Simon dashing. But his eyes were instantly drawn to Martha.

Her dress wasn’t anything too flashy, and just a simple blue, but she looked stunning in it. Larry smoothed down his own skirts, feeling a little bit embarrassed now as Martha walked over with grace and sat herself down next to him.

“So, what’s for dinner?”

***

Official introductions were made, now that Jim was there as well as the whole of Lady Martha’s court that was in attendance. Copious amounts of food and wine were consumed, everyone getting more and more relaxed. The only one who was still almost entirely sober was Mat, who was just gazing into his wine. Every now and then Ben would make a joke, and Mat would simply smile weakly. Not his usual flamboyant self. Larry put an alcohol meddled mental note aside to ask him what was wrong.

He was staring at Mat and Ben for quite some time, before Alex interrupted his thoughts.

“Would you be so kind as to dance with me?” she asked, smiling. Larry returned the smile, standing up gracefully and letting her lead him into the dancing space.

Pretty soon most of the group had paired off with each other. Alice and Jim were dancing together, always extremely lively no matter how legato the music was. Lady Ilana and Sir Simon were also dancing in much the opposite way, her head resting slightly on his shoulder as they gently swayed. Mat and Ben were off in one corner, but Mat didn’t seem to be into it. Once again, Larry made a mental note.

Then, of course, the rest of the girls were dancing together, not really seeming to mind the fact that they outnumbered the boys. 

Alex danced with Larry for one or two songs, before leaning in and whispering to Larry, “Perhaps you should ask Lady Martha for the next dance.”

Once again his cheeks went slightly red as Alex grinned cheekily and walked away, instead dancing with Alyss. With a great deal more confidence than he felt he had, Larry approached Martha.

“Would you like to have this dance with me?”

The lady gave him a sort of smirk, and for a second he thought she was going to say no. But she didn’t.

“I guess I may as well. Do you want to lead, or shall I?”

Larry shook his head and took the lead as the ensemble struck up a new piece, aware of exactly how close Martha was to him.

“You’re extremely graceful for a man in a dress,” she commented as they danced.

“Why thank you. You’re extremely graceful, too.”

They danced, falling into an easy banter. Larry found himself enjoying it a lot more than he had expected to that morning. She was sharp, this woman. And funny, and pretty.

“I must say, you’re a splendid dancer,” he told her, figuring it would be a fitting compliment. She smiled back and said something, but Larry missed it.

Off to the side, Ben and Mat seemed to be arguing. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Ben was throwing his hands up into the air, looking livid, and Mat seemed to be not backing down. Larry could tell that he was snarling out something, but he had no idea what. He strained his ears, but still couldn’t make out anything but the raised tones. Finally, Ben turned and stormed off, and Mat watched him go. Larry frowned as Mat slowly went after Ben. Those two never fought.

“Are you okay?” Martha asked, and Larry snapped back to reality.

“Yes, sorry.”

Larry scowled as he adjusted his shirt. Trust his bloody father to organise a meet up with all the eligible noble women his age. Trust him to go and set up an entire bloody ball so that he could meet all these women. And trust him to make him where the most ridiculous outfit he could possible find. If one more person told him he looked absolutely ravishing in it...

"Come on, Larry, it won't be that bad," Ben comforted his friend.

"Easy for you to say. You're not under the pressure to convince one of them to marry you. Plus, father invited Lady Alice, which means that a certain Sir Mathew will also be in attendance."

Larry was rather pleased to see Ben's cheeks go nice and red at the mention of Mat's name. The first time Lady Alice had come to visit without her father's company, she had come accompanied by four others - Lady Bethany, Lady Abbi, Lady Alyss and Sir Mathew. Everyone had expected Larry and Lady Alice to hit it off, with Lady Bethany and Lady Abbi taking Ben and Jim and Sir Mathew pairing off with Alex. However, when Sir Mathew had walked into the court Ben had found his gaze drawn towards him and only him. Everyone knew that there was something more than friendship going on between the two of them, but everyone turned a blind eye to their relationship.

"Well, you never know. Your father has invited Lady Martha, and from what I've heard she is a wonderful woman. As are her ladies in waiting, Lady Hannah and Lady Ilana. Although rumour has it Lady Ilana is spoken for."

Larry groaned as he went to flop back onto his bed, but found himself restricted by his outfit. "Bloody thing," he groaned. "I don't see why father insists I wear this stupid get up. And don't you dare say I look ravishing, Willbond."

"I wasn't going to," Ben replied. "But I shall leave you to wallow in your own self pity as I have to go greet our guests."

"Remember to lock your door if you and Mat want to have another frolic!" Larry called after his friend as the door shut. He knew he should be making himself nice and presentable, but he really could not be bothered. He didn't want to talk to these people at all.

***

Martha groaned as her dad shooed her, Simon, Ilana and Hannah away.

"And don't come back until you have found yourself a husband!"

"I don't want to get married!" Martha called back to her father, frustrated. He had been on her back about getting married for years, but now was the first time he'd actually taken proper action. Kicking her out of the house and refusing to let her come back until she had a man. Or at least considered the ones present at Sir Laurence's ball.

"Look, Martha, it won't be that bad," Hannah told her. "Plus, it's a brilliant excuse for a party."

Martha huffed. "I don't care if this Laurence is the King of England with a million dollars and a smile as bright at the moon, I am not marrying anyone my father sets me up with."

"Well, it is your father's orders that we at least attend," Simon said, "so I suggest we may as well go. I've heard that they always have good food at Sir Laurence's balls."

***

Larry heard the knock at the door, and Ben’s ridiculously posh voice floating up.

“Lady Alice, Lady Bethany, Lady Alyss, Lady Abbi,” he greeted, and Larry could already see him bowing. Bowing because his outfit wasn’t so ridiculously frivolous that he couldn’t bend down in it. “And Sir Mathew.”

Oh, he had just looked up into Mat’s eyes, and there would be a smile passed between them. Sure enough, there was a laugh from Alice.

“We can find our rooms ourselves,” her voice trilled, and Larry smiled. Despite how much he grumbled and groaned and complained about this ball, he was rather happy to have the four ladies over again. None of them were really his type, but they were always good fun. Plus, it made Ben stop moping about missing Mat, Alex stop complaining about being bored and wanting to see Alyss, and generally livened everyone up. Already he could hear Alex and Beth laughing about something with Alyss - probably the fact that Beth had spent the best part of the morning trying to convince Alex to wear a corset. Unsuccessfully.

And then, of course, he heard young Bethany’s voice ring out.

“And where is Sir Lazbotron?”

“Moping in his room, as always,” he heard Ben reply. 

Bastard, Larry thought, knowing that he would not get a moment’s peace now. He still wasn’t mentally prepared for dealing with people. 

“I am going to make sure that you and Mathew don’t get to spend any time together at all!” Larry called.

“You wouldn’t!” It was Mat who replied this time.

“I most certainly would!”

“Could you really put up with the two of them moping for any longer?” Alex called. Larry laughed.

“No, I guess I couldn’t. And if you want me to be social someone’ll have to help me up because I cannot move in these bloody pants! Seriously, Alex, I’d rather wear that corset you’ve been complaining about than these pants!”

***

They had taken they coach, and it had taken the entire day and the best part of the night to arrive. Martha had been rather grumpy the entire way, sitting inside the coach with Hannah, listening to Ilana and Simon chat animately up the front. Of course those two didn’t have any dread going to this stupid ball - the two of them were as thick as thieves, best friends and more. They didn’t have to bother with finding a partner at this stupid ball. They had each other and absolutely no pressure whatsoever to tie the stupid knot.

Needless to say, she was grumpy as they arrived, Simon tethering the horses and grabbing their cases, before going to knock on the door.

The first thing Martha noticed was the amount of noise coming from inside the house. Laughter, yelps. People who obviously knew each other well. Brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. They were going to be intruders into a group of people who were as thick as thieves. Martha found herself hating her father more and more.

Simon rung the bell at the door, the sound reverberating through the house as there was a startled silence inside. Martha could hear clatter as someone moved to open the door.

He was a handsome man, with bright blue eyes and black hair with just the tiniest tinge of grey in it.

“Good afternoon,” he greeted, bowing ever so slightly. “I take it you are Lady Martha, Lady Ilana, Lady Hannah and Sir Simon? I am Ben Willbond.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Sir Willbond,” Martha greeted, curtsying. Nobody could complain about her bad manners.

“Well, no use standing out in the cold. Come in, and make yourself at home. The others are upstairs. Apart from Jim. He’s out hunting. I think.” He frowned, before shrugging his shoulders and turning to lead them inside. 

Martha wasn’t exactly sure what she expected of the place. A gigantic, grand, sweeping palace, she supposed. But while the place was large, it was no bigger than her own home. And it seemed much more lived in, with paintings ranging from the most grand portraits to beautiful landscapes. There were books in all the different corners of the room. Martha couldn’t help but smile when she looked at them - perhaps there were people to like here.

They climbed the stairs, to where they were informed everyone else was. Martha wasn’t exactly sure what she was expecting, but the sight that greeted her wasn’t it.

There was a rather pretty young woman wearing one of the most beautiful and ornate outfits Martha had ever seen. It was quite clearly made for a man, but the woman looked extremely comfortable in it.

“I don’t know what you were complaining about, Larry, this outfit is great. Do you think I’ll be able to wear it tonight?”

A voice from inside the room responded, “Only if I get to wear this, Alex. Much better than that silly get-up. You have some room to stretch in these things, and it’s not quite as restrictive as you complain about.”

And then he emerged. He had short, spiky brown hair, ears that stuck out slightly, and a bit of a pointy nose. But that wasn’t what struck her about him. What drew her attention was the fact that he was wearing a rather stunning ball-gown, corset and all. She felt her eyebrows raise automatically, and heard a snort of laughter from Simon. The man’s face light up as he spotted them, not seeming to care about what he was wearing.

“Good afternoon! You’re Lady Martha, I assume. And Sir Simon, Lady Ilana, Lady Holly. I’m Laurence, but you can just call me Larry.”

Martha wondered if he even realised he was wearing a dress. She assumed that he had swapped outfits with the girl in the ornate men’s gear - Alex, he’d called her. Still, Martha curtseyed ever so slightly, a smile dancing across her lips.