Do You Ever Knock?! For William

[Bellamy Talbot]

do you ever knock?!

William Slade

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Slade was there to see Marianne and spend the morning with her. However, she was nowhere to be seen, and upon requesting her presence from the footmen, they instructed him to wait in the foyer of the Talbot home until she returned. Normally, he would have done so, but he could not help but hear music coming from a room not so far from where he stood. Thus, William decided to investigate the source of it, hoping that nobody would catch him in the act. Ignoring the footmen's request, he moved away from the foyer, attempting to learn where the noise was coming from. The closer he wandered down the hallway of the grandiose home, the closer the sound reached his ears until he finally stopped before a door. William swallowed, his throat tightening slightly as he imagined what he would behold on the other side of the door. Gently tugging at the handle, he slowly opened it, only for his eyes to widen at the site, "You are to be my future brother-in-law?" He asked the man who seemed to be dancing on his own. Bellamy Talbot , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Bellamy Talbot]

[nospaces]

rags
[break]

to riches

living
[break]

a lie

TEXT

laurence

There were so many dances to learn. SO MANY! He could understand learning them over the years, but Bellamy had merely months to remember every step. God forbid he did a misstep which resulted on his foot upon another woman's shoe and . . . that had indeed happened. Fortunately, Gerard and Lydia were incredibly busy with Marianne's caller. Or perhaps more than that for it seemed to be fairly solidified that she would wed William Slade, Duke of Wellington. And the man truly was a Duke. He was all that Bellamy was not, and Gerard took every opportunity to remind Bellamy of it. He was expected to behave as a Duke did and . . . it started with learning how to dance.
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With both of them distracted, Bellamy was in an empty room with the music playing. He extended his hands, imagining a woman there before him as he began to glide. His lips mouthed the steps, counting under his breath. "One--two--three--four and . . . turn! One--two--three--four-- and spin!" He repeated the same motion, glancing at the small mirror on the wall across of him to see if he looked absurd. Well, obviously he looked absurd, he was dancing with an invisible partner! But, he wanted to ensure his posture was correct, and that his arms did not look as if he was carrying a sack of potatoes.
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Gliding to the music again and mouthing the words, he became quicker on his feet, looking down and then up and then down and then up and then-- "You are to be my future brother-in-law?" Bellamy nearly tripped over his feet as they became tangled but instead of falling, he merely stumbled to the side and by some miracle, caught himself before landing on the ground. "Don't you kno--" But he froze midsentence when he saw who it was, and when the man's words belatedly registered in Bellamy's mind. He was . . . a Duke! THE duke! Bellamy was in the presence of a duke!
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His eyes widened with awe, knowing that they were both of nobility but the younger male would never fail to be in such awe of a man of high standing. "Your grace!" He said, lowering himself into a dramatic bow. Eventually, he straightened himself and scratched the back of his head a bit sheepishly. "I was um . . . " How did he save face to this? How did he explain without . . . explaining?! "I am afraid I am quite out of practice." And if anyone asked, they would blame the illness. A lie Bellamy did not like but was forced to go along with none the less.
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tag: William Slade --- notes: 

MEL @ ADOX

[googlefont="Dancing+Script"]

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden To be perfectly frank, he was not thinking he'd find Bellamy Talbot on the other side of the door dancing to himself with music... where on earth was that music coming from? The man had previously had an ailment, proving to overcome it and return to society to reside as a future Duke. William was even more surprised at his reaction. It was almost as if he'd seen a ghost, and acted as if it was the very first time he'd been in the presence of a Duke, when in reality, he was to become one himself. "Well, you can't practice on your own," William chimed in, taking a step inside and examining the surrounding room. "You would require a dance partner," Or else it would be entirely messy, and he'd step on the woman's toes. He wouldn't be his practice companion, either. William would leave that to one of his sister's. "Tell me -- have you attended a ball, Talbot?" It was his curiosity that led him to ask that question. Normally, he wouldn't care for such discussions, but Bellamy's sudden reappearance had him intrigued, especially if he were to marry his sister. Bellamy Talbot , lol!

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Bellamy Talbot]

[nospaces]

rags
[break]

to riches

living
[break]

a lie

TEXT

laurence

Bellamy stood a tad bit awkwardly, looking at the Duke who had caught him in a rather . . . odd position. Though Bellamy supposed it could have been worse. Hearing William tell him that he couldn't practice on his own was . . . indeed a good point. "Are you offering to help?" Bellamy asked jokingly with a bright amused smile . . . though wondered if he should have made such a jest so quickly sobered his expression to an attempt of a more serious one. Albeit, sheepish.
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"My apologies," he quickly added. He couldn't exactly ask his sisters to help him . . . he was unsure as to how agreeable they would be to spend time aiding him to practice. Not to mention having to endure him stepping on their toes on occasion. "I fear my sisters may not appreciate the . . . toe stepping that may ensue," he said jokingly, though not without entire truth.
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"And anyone else . . . well, I am uncertain as to who I would ask," he admitted with a continued smile. The Duke went on to ask him if he had intended a ball and Bellamy was rather grateful that he did not turn red from embarrassment. "I have . . ." He told him, bracing himself for the reason that William was asking. "It has just been, some time since I have participated in the season. In fact, my first time." There was a great deal he was forced to lie about but at least that, was not a lie.
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tag: William Slade --- notes: 

MEL @ ADOX

[googlefont="Dancing+Script"]