Call For an Elegy

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden For the first time in nearly twelve years, he'd been at a ball on his own accord and not because his mama had been pestering him to attend. His ceruleans grazed the room as he made his way among the crowds, arm entangled with his mother's, feeling as if he were monitored rather than escorting her out of respect for her status. The careful watching was understood, of course, as he was there to woo unmarried women, and therefore, it was only right for their sake. Introductions were to be made, of course, but in due time. For the time being, the secret alcoholic was fixated on coming upon at least an ounce of liquor so that he could manage a conversation with a lady. William feared that his brother, Reuben, was slightly better at this than he was. Years of education and how to actually speak to the opposite gender better have worked in his favour that evening, as well as the entire season, or he'd take his exit without a wife yet again. The Duke often found himself wondering whether the ton spoke of his inability to wed. It was likely, considering how much his mother troubled him about it. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an introduction... Elizabeth Davenport , oooh!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Another day and another ball. Elizabeth should have been used to them by now but found it was not something she could could not grow accustomed to. Elizabeth felt she was quite content to take her time and find a husband she could stand to spend the rest of her life with, but knew it was not how society worked. Eventually, she would have to marry. As the eldest daughter of a Marquis, it was her duty and knew it would look good for her family. Her father had been more than patient and understanding when it came to Elizabeth finding a suitable match. Elizabeth knew it was because he wanted her to be happy and have a good life with a good man, but it seemed those were so hard to find these days. Elizabeth didn't care about money or title, but instead desired the person to be someone she could care about and someone that would care about her.

Elizabeth walked through the party with her arm looped through her father's. It had never been said between the pair, but Elizabeth knew her father didn't care for these events either. He would much rather be doing something else but Lizzie knew her father took his duties as a Marquis seriously. The pair continued to walk and she felt her father pull her towards someone else, telling her he wanted to introduce her to a few people. How was it possible that after two seasons, Elizabeth was still meeting new people?

"Ah, hello. So nice to see you," Charles said to the pair. Elizabeth plastered a pleasant smile on her face as she waited for the formal pleasantries to pass. "Allow me to introduce my daughter, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is the Duke of Wellington, William Slade and his mother," he introduced them. Elizabeth nodded her head with her smile. "Very nice to meet you both," she said. Elizabeth knew the last name Slade and remembered she'd met Reuben at an event at the Davenport Estate. But she'd not met his older brother, William, yet. "Perhaps the two of you could have the next dance," Charles suggested. Elizabeth wanted to step on her father's foot. He was never this pushy before.

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Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Ah, the dullness of such affairs. The awkward introductions between a man and a woman as their parents oversaw every single move that they made, ensuring that all interactions were comme il faut. William could hardly recall how many ladies his mother had introduced him to in the past, tagging him along for him to meet suitable women, only for the Duke to retreat back into his cave of duties. Bowing respectfully toward the daughter of the marquis, he acknowledged her with a slight smile, "Lady Elizabeth," As Lord Davenport suggested that they dance the next waltz together, his mother chimed in. "I could not have recommended that better myself, my Lord." Although he would have preferred to have requested the dance himself, mostly considering he was nearing thirty-two years in age, Will still understood that he was in the presence of someone so very important -- not to mention the ton's eyes were upon them. William would never disrespect an individual like her father so publicly. He was very well aware of his superiority. "Will you allow me the honour of writing my name on your dance card, Lady Elizabeth?" As it was only right. Elizabeth Davenport , oooh!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth dipped into her own polite curtsy as the Duke bowed out of respect. She was less than thrilled when his mother agreed that it was a wonderful idea. Elizabeth had no idea what these two were playing at but she was not fond of it. She was quite sure William was pleasant enough but Elizabeth's father knew just how incredibly picky she was when it came to finding a true match. She did not see the point in galavanting around with the Duke if she did not see him as a possibility. She knew her father would point out that they did not know one another and therefore, could not decide on such a thing with so little information. It was all quite frustrating but Elizabeth kept a pleasant smile on her face the entire time.

He was polite enough, she would give him that much. This was not the first time her father had suggested such a thing, only for the gentleman to try to pull Elizabeth away in that very moment. "Of course," she agreed with a smile. Holding out her wrist, her dance card dangled from a tie and a small pencil accompanied it. As it was the start of the evening, her dance card was quite empty and Elizabeth usually preferred to keep it that way. A Bridgerton's name could usually be found on her card at every occasion, but only because she often forced Benedict to suffer with her. 

The current song began to die down and Charles smiled at his present company. "Well, would you look at that impeccable timing. We shall leave you two for the next dance then," he said. Elizabeth kept her smile screwed into place but all she wanted to do was glare at her father. Elizabeth slipped her arm around William's and the two walked onto the dance floor for the next dance. "I am terribly sorry about him," Elizabeth apologized, her voice low for only William to hear. "He is not usually that . . . enthusiastic." There were many other words to use but Elizabeth was also attempting to test the waters with how freely she could speak in front of William.

---

Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Upon allowing him the right to write on his dance card, William reached out and picked up the pencil that hung from her wrist, gently writing his name down on her dance card. It had been his first dance for the evening, as they'd only just arrived to the event. This wasn't entirely uncomfortable for the Duke. He'd been readying himself for the season, aiming to find a wife so that he could finally settle and sire and heir. Leading her away toward the dance floor, he could not help but take a quick peek at her profile. She was attractive, to say the least, yet what of her personality? William Slade had a specific type. Though he knew well then to explain what it was in the presence of a lady like Elizabeth Davenport, he could still compliment her if she matched what he had in mind. Will doubted she did. There was something about her, really, and though he hardly knew anything about it, she wasn't for him. So, what on earth was the point of this? More gossip for Lady Whistledown? "If I had magical abilities, I would conjure us both a pair of wings so that we could take our leave," William jested, hoping his choice of words would stir up some comfort between the two. As the music played, he began leading them. "He means well, I'm sure," One would imagine he'd suggest another marquess for his daughter. "What do you make of the ball so far, Lady Elizabeth?" Elizabeth Davenport , oooh!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth found she was quite surprised at the jest William made. Whether it was an attempt to break the tension between them or it was his personality, she was unsure. If she had to guess, she would not believe him to be someone with a personality that made jokes. He seemed utterly serious and truthfully, boring. He was not someone Elizabeth could foresee a future with and that was quite fine by her. It made no difference to her that he was a Duke. Elizabeth was not looking for someone to marry solely for their title. There were plenty of girls around that would grab William for his title but she was not one of them. "Well I would thank you greatly for the escape," she mused in return with a small laugh.

She took the proper stance before the two began to dance, with one arm on his shoulder and the other in his own hand. They moved with grace, as was to be expected of two highly ranking individuals. There would be no floundering or stumbling on either of their part and at least Elizabeth did not have to worry about him stepping on her feet. She hummed in agreement when he said that he believed her father meant well. He did, and she knew it, but it did not help how she felt about him shoving her towards someone she knew she would not likely care for.

His question was one she received time and time again. Her opinion on the ball, because that's all she could have a true opinion about, right? Offering him a polite smile she nodded her head. "It is lovely," she said. "But please, just Elizabeth is fine." She wasn't sure if he would accept her insistence at being called Elizabeth but it was worth trying. "Are you to attend the ball tomorrow evening at the Wellington's?" She asked. 

---

Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden William chuckled softly at the gratitude she offered him following his gentle tease, "I am afraid I lack the magic, however, and I'm far from a knight in shining armour," The duke twirled her around, swaying softly to the beat of the music. "That man, however..." He beckoned toward the son of an earl, who happened to be surrounded by ladies. "...Might play that role better." Personally, he was never one to hoard the attention of anyone in the room, allowing individuals to approach him first if they were interested in his company. 'Elizabeth is fine.' Internally, he was startled, yet he tried not to show it. He wasn't used to informality, particularly with the daughter of a marquess. That was certainly not what he'd been taught, and usually, William was the type to play by the rules in a public setting. Private scopes, on the other hand, were something else entirely. "Elizabeth," Whispering so that only the pair could hear him, he offered her a slight smile. "It is only right for you to refer to me as William." And not 'your grace', though he very much preferred that. Power was a lovely dimension to take in. "Perhaps," He responded to her question with a sense of ambiguity, and upon the waltz arriving to an end, he moved away. "But I'm afraid I'd be wasting your time by requesting another dance, for others may be needing your attention." Bowing once, William retreated from the crowd... Elizabeth Davenport , oooh!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

She found it rather odd that he was trying to persuade Elizabeth to speak to another gentleman. The one he picked out was fitting enough in status but Elizabeth had spoken to him before and found him to be quite unbearable. He had been arrogant and full of himself, believing him to be the true diamond of the first water in all his glory. Elizabeth had barely made it through one conversation with him before she had tried to escape his clutches. Still, it did not sit well with her that William was so easily trying to pass her off. They had barely spoken to one another and he had already deemed her unfit? Elizabeth found herself quite offended, although she knew she did not have the right to be. She too, wrote people off quite quickly at these events, especially men that were trying to gain her favor for a possible marriage proposal in the future. 

He seemed highly uncomfortable by the idea of calling her Elizabeth and she supposed she was able to figure out what sort of person he was. He was not someone she could let her guard down around and he was not someone she could have an intelligent and fun conversation with. Even his insistence of her calling him William seemed forced and uncomfortable, but she offered him a polite smile and nodded her head nevertheless. It would all be over soon enough and she would not have to speak to him again. 

The dance ended and Elizabeth expected pleasantries to be exchanged but certainly not the words he spoke. He was, in a polite way, attempting to show his disinterest. Elizabeth had never felt so offended before! Quite frankly, it had never happened to her and she did not care for it one bit. Elizabeth had never been an arrogant person but the way he spoke to her, his dismissal, she found incredibly off-putting. He began to walk away but Elizabeth found herself walking after him, not in an obvious manner that might make it seem she was following him. Instead, she kept her distance until she could find him from the prying eyes and ears of others. 

"Forgive me, Your Grace," Elizabeth said with a fake smile plastered across her face. "But perhaps the next time you care to be so casually cruel to avoid further conversation with someone you do not wish to speak to, you remember that kindness costs you nothing. These women you dance with have the highest of hopes to find someone and yet you seem to toss them aside like they are an accessory that does not match." It was no wonder the Duke was still unmarried. "Now, I do wish you have a pleasant evening and that you are able to find someone that is able to enjoy conversations about the weather and magic," she said, the smile on her face obviously fake. With her small rant done, Elizabeth turned to leave him.

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Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden As he took his leave from the dance floor, William considered approaching another lady from the English ton for a dance. It would only offer his mother happiness, and that was all he required. However, he would wait for a while and find some liquor, first -- preferably a strong brandy. It would be his first one for the night (surprisingly, considering his terrible vice). Before he could approach one of the servers, William felt a presence behind him and an incredibly familiar voice behind it. Turning to face the woman he'd only just danced with, he arched an eyebrow at her choice of words. Had he even realised that he'd offended her, not that he thought he did, he would have offered an immediate apology. Rather, he stood there and listened, questioning what it was that he'd done wrong, except from excuse himself from a dance so that she'd have the chance to converse with someone else. Was that not gentlemanly of him? "You read me wrong, Eliza-" But before he could even respond to her, she'd taken her leave and left him utterly speechless. William hadn't even realised that he improperly referred to her by her first name instead of her appropriate prefix. Instead, he was focused on the trail of confusion that she had left behind. What had he done that was so insulting? Would his indescribable action return to her father's ears? The eldest Slade desired nothing more than to fix it, yet he could not understand what needed fixing. He needed to pay her a visit. Elizabeth Davenport , oooh!

credit to nat of adoxography.