Private Message to Daphne Greengrass

[alt_blaise]

Just lunched with Mother and Susan and Mrs Spinx. At the Dovecote.

Feel a bit as though I'm about to be flattened by a rampaging herd of erumpents. (Quite dainty, proper erumpents in couture robes and stylish hats.)

I suppose there are worse things than to tick marriage off the list of what's to be accomplished, but really, I did think there'd be a pretence at least of asking me what I wanted when it came to choosing the wife. And, of course, I could put my foot down if I were really opposed. Not sure I am, though. She's fit enough. Reasonably pleasant. The right sort.

Can't decide if it's worth the bother, even if I wouldn't have chosen her myself.

Only, it feels sudden.


Oh, and after lunch, Mother took me round to see her birthday gift for me. You know I'd been talking about taking a flat? She's bought me a house in Chelsea. Cadogan Gardens. Suppose that's a nice enough address. Still all under dropcloths and scaffolding, but she has assurances it'll be ready by June.

How are you, then?

It was a lovely party. Everyone's still talking about it. I hope you've seen the spreads in Whirl and Posh? It Witch is out on Fridays, isn't it? It'll be interesting to see what their angle is. And I hear Londinarium's to have a feature on Young London with the Marlborough soiree as touchstone. So you're a great success as Ingenue. Not that there was any doubt.

Are you free for lunch tomorrow? Or is all your time spoken for?

Comments

[alt_daphne]

Oh, Blaise. Has this been your mother's plan all along, do you know? I feel that this is the first I've heard of it. And I must say that I always pictured you spending some years as quite the rakish playboy before settling down with the right woman - not that there's a thing wrong with Susan, other than being a bit older (not that I'm one to talk about such things!).

And a house, too. It sounds as if everything's lining up for you. Does it bother you that you didn't really do much of the lining?

And me, I'm doing very well. I suppose given the context of this conversation, it doesn't hurt to share that Barty will, at some near point in time, be speaking to the Lord Protector about me, and about the future we (may) have together. I must say that I'm...cautiously pleased - cautiously so because Barty's been thwarted in his previous efforts, as you know. Though I can't say I understand why, since Barty has no trouble at all balancing his service with real life. But then he's trained himself to need very little sleep, and doesn't like much to be idle, besides. Speaking of, I only just woke up from a long nap! Barty will be in the field tonight and I was planning to wait up for him.

Did you enjoy yourself at the party? I hope that you did. I hope that everyone did, and I'm already trying to think of ways to make the next one even more memorable, though I think I'll let a little time pass before the next one, as all that planning was quite exhausting.

I really do still feel giddy about it, though, and the thought of going back to school nearly makes me ill.

So yes, we must have lunch! Where shall we go, then?

[alt_blaise]

I suppose it doesn't much matter whether I'm married or not, does it? Shouldn't stop me if I want to play the rake. Not with an arrangement like this.

Only, I feel a bit suspicious, I suppose. It's clear what's in it for Susan and her family. I'm not sure why Mother's so keen on it, though. One expects they've offered her something. Or maybe she lost at cards, and I was her stake. No idea.

I do have someone looking into the obvious things. I'm not taking her if she's pregnant. Unless there's a very rewarding incentive, and I can't think what that would have to be to change my mind. And I'm not taking her if hysteria or some kind of lunacy runs in the family. Lycanthropy, vampirism. What else? An incurable lust for house elves.

She's not a seer, is she? You've never heard any of that sort of nonsense about her, have you?

Sorry. It's not worth going on at such length about, is it? If it's going to happen, it will happen, and that's that.

At least you're looking forward to your prospects. That's- I'm happy for you. I know you'll play your part with all you have to give it.

Have you thought about where you'd exchange vows? Perhaps that will be your next party--certainly will be memorable, wherever you have it!

But do let's go for lunch. Anywhere but the Dovecote! How about Seneschal in Sloan Square? Then you can come round and see where my new quarters will be.

[alt_daphne]

A seer? No, I haven't heard that. Or of anything else particularly scandalous regarding the Spinxs. I can put a few feelings out to see if anyone else knows of anything, if you like. Unless you believe the person you have looking into it will do an adequate job.

And really, Blaise, do you think it's so inevitable as that? Or is it more that it seems too much trouble to fight against it? It's your choice, but it's still a choice, after all. Unless you've convinced yourself that there's no choice in the matter at all.

We've not discussed vows and such yet. There's really no sense in doing so until the Lord Protector gives his blessing. And besides, I'd hate to throw myself into something and then be disappointed.

(which isn't to say I haven't done a bit of daydreaming!)

Seneschal at half-past 12? I look forward to it!