Speechless

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Accompanied by his footmen and carriage, William requested that he visit the Davenport estate the night after Elizabeth left him stranded at the ball, with hardly a word able to escape his throat. Call it fear, call it anxiety stemming from what she may have told Charles Davenport, call it what you may, but he felt as if he needed to set things right. He was relatively sure that some of her family must have been home, and thus, they were chaperoned. It would have been improper of him to enter a room with her alone, especially considering their statuses in high society. He'd even written the home a short letter, sealed with the Slade crest, to request their company -- be it with her father or her siblings. William arrived at the door, giving it a few knocks before being allowed in by a servant of the house. Nodding once toward them, he made his way inside, and was instructed to wait in a drawing room nearby before any of the residents arrived. Silently moving toward the fireplace, he peered at down at the burning wood, trying to collect his thoughts about what he was going to say to the woman who'd left him so very inarticulate. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Claiming that she was quite tired from the night before, Elizabeth's father had allowed her to stay home and not attend the Wellington ball that evening. She needed a break from all the socializing and the fake smiles. Two balls in two nights was a lot but it wasn't something Elizabeth hadn't done before. Still, her father could tell that she wasn't in the best of moods and had allowed her to forgo the event. Elizabeth planned to spend the evening reading her novel and being left alone. Unfortunately, it seemed there were other plans in store for her.

Surprise washed over her features when her ladies maid fetched her from the music study. To hear that it was William Slade visiting caused even more surprise. Why on Earth would he be visiting her? She had thought it was quite clear the two had no interest in one another and after the lashing she had given him, she did not expect to converse with him again. Sighing, Elizabeth placed her book down and walked to the drawing room with her ladies maid, Dawn, trailing behind her.

Walking into the room, Elizabeth offered him a polite smile. "Your Grace," she greeted, dipping into a customary curtsy. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?" She asked. Elizabeth did not understand one bit why he was here. 

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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 Elizabeth had appeared with her lady's maid. Instantly, upon her curtsey, William mirrored her action and respectfully offered her a bow back. "Lady Davenport," For they were in the presence of a lady's maid and Lord only knew if he could trust her. Was he even permitted to name the woman before him Elizabeth in the presence of her maid? He doubted it and he wasn't about to take that chance, especially after the night before. "I..." William paused for a moment, taking in the beauty he'd so foolishly disregarded when he abandoned her on that bloody dancefloor. "I owe you a most sincere apology for the way I acted yesterday," The Duke began, hoping that she would at least hear him out before sending him off. He then revealed a crimson rose from behind his back, offering it to her. "Please, I pray that you will accept it." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

His formal greeting was to be expected and Elizabeth waited to see if he would skip around with pleasantries before getting to why he was there. Elizabeth was under the impression he had made it perfectly clear he held no interest in her and while she thought it was fine with it, she found that she had not been able to dismiss the interaction from her thoughts last night. 

He appeared to stumble over his words for a moment but Elizabeth remained patient. Her curiosity over what he had to say far outweighing her usual impatience when it came to people she did not wish to see. Elizabeth found herself further surprised when he apologized for the previous evening. She had not told anyone about her interaction with William. Not her sister, nor her dearest friend Benedict. She had kept the interaction to herself, though she had suspected she would tell one of them about it sooner or later to voice her frustration with William Slade.

The rose was revealed from behind his back and Elizabeth found herself melt a little at the beautiful gesture. Men had brought her flowers many times in an attempt to win her favor but this felt different. This rose was more than just a facade; it was an apology that she felt was actually earnest. Elizabeth reached out and accepted the rose, bringing it towards her face to smell it. "I accept your apology," she said after a moment of thought. "And thank you. It is quite beautiful." 

Glancing towards Dawn, Elizabeth turned her attention back towards the Duke. "Would you care to stay for some tea?" She asked. 

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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 He felt relief when she accepted the rose from him, bringing it to her nose to smell it. William had retreated to a safe distance afterwards, awaiting her next request -- it was either for him to leave or stay, and luckily for him, it was the latter. He nodded once, offering her and her lady's maid an good-natured grin that expressed genuine gratitude. "I'd never refuse that honour." Judging from her reaction the evening before, he was surprised she hadn't tossed the said tea in his face. Elizabeth seemed incredibly displeased that he'd vacated the premises instead of permitting them a second dance. Had he known it would offend her, he would have never done so. However, her reaction amused him, and intrigued him further to study why she'd been so piqued. Was she genuinely interested in him? The daughter of the marquess seemed to hold incredibly high standards. "Forgive me, Lady Elizabeth, but I find myself surprised that you welcome my company -- are you not to get ready for the Wellington's ball?" Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Her ladies maid nodded and left the room to gather some tea for the pair. The door to the drawing room remained open and even though they were unchaperoned, it was not entirely out of the ordinary for two to be given five minutes alone in times like these. While they waited for Dawn to return with the tea, Elizabeth turned her attention back towards William. "Please, sit," she said, gesturing towards one of the chairs. Elizabeth took her own seat on the chaise and thought about his next comment.

He might have been expecting for her to continue to snap at him and send him on his way, which she was certain he surely deserved after the way last night had gone. But Elizabeth found it curious that he'd gone out of his way to come here to apologize to her instead of retreating with his tail between his legs. "You came all this way to apologize," Elizabeth reminded him. "It is not something I foresaw happening and I'm intrigued as to your reasonings for doing so," Elizabeth confessed. He questioned the ball and she waved her hand in the air in dismissal. "Truthfully, I find the balls quite exhausting and do not care to attend another. I'd ask if you were going but you did not seem so inclined to answer my question when posed the other night," Elizabeth reminded 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 William gently took a seat across from the chaise that she'd chosen to perch down on. He could not fully relax until she did, and upon doing so, he removed his top hat and positioned it on his knee, acknowledging her as she finally uttered her words about him making the decision to appear there that day. "My reasoning," He responded, chuckling a bit. "Elizabeth," He forwent the formalities now that her lady's maid wasn't in the room with them. "I am here to ask for your hand in marriage, of course," That was a genuine joke -- somewhat. The Duke shook his head, "No, I am simply here to persuade you that I am not the sort of man you perceive me to be," Was he on the correct path? He dearly hoped so. "It was not my plan to steal your attention for the rest of the evening. Plenty of others were ready to write on your dance card, or had you not noticed?" She then mentioned the ball. "I will only attend if you do." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

William's tone changed and he leaned forward slightly, causing Elizabeth to become intrigued once more with him. She raised her eyebrows, waiting to see what he had to say. She found she was surprised, though not disappointed, at him using her first name as she had suggested the other night. She was surprised, however, when he spoke of marriage and she found herself nearly choking on absolutely nothing. He was quick to reveal his joke and she chuckled, shaking her head at him. "Who knew you had a sense of humor," she mused.

To hear that he was hoping to persuade her that he wasn't the man she thought, was quite interesting. "And what man do you believe I think you are?" She asked, a little knowing grin on her face. His mention of others wanting her attention made her nearly scoff, but she held back the unladylike action. "Plenty of men always want my attention but it is not to get to know me, but instead to gain favor with my father," she pointed out. "Surely you face the same problem with eager mamas hoping their daughter will obtain the attention of a Duke," Elizabeth said. "I am very particular about those that wish to take a place on my dance card." More often than not, Elizabeth found herself turning them down or trying to force any of the Bridgerton brothers to take up space on her card so that no one else could.

At the mention of the ball, she quirked an eyebrow. "You wish to go to the ball?" She asked. "Missing the eager mamas already?" Elizabeth jested with a grin.

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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 "That simply proves that you know nothing of me, Elizabeth." He added after she questioned his sense of humour. Perhaps it was the fact that he was a Duke, and most individuals who held the same status as he did were grumpy old men -- save for the Duke of Hastings, of course. Though frankly, he was also somewhat of a reserved man, even after his marriage to Daphne Bridgerton. "Perhaps I am the sort of man that never refuses a challenge," William smirked, referring to her actions the evening before. "You certainly are one. Let me tell you what I think of you," He paused for a moment, ensuring that her lady's mid had not returned yet. "You're a lady who thinks highly of herself -- as you should, of course," William needed to add that, unless he truly wished for another thrust to the chest by Elizabeth Davenport. "Nobody matches your fancy because you consider them highly tedious, and that was surely your initial thought of me," It hurt to utter it aloud, as well. "So, it astounds me that you were offended by my respectful goodbye." Hopefully, she deemed his words unobjectionable (though she probably would not). "As for the ball tonight, you may steal my attention and fend off the eager mamas." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

It was true that Elizabeth did not know William. As far as she was concerned, she had pegged him as being like most of the other men that her father had introduced her to over the course of many balls. He was accomplished but far more interested in finding a wife because of duty than finding someone to create a life with. At least William had his own title so going after the one her father had was never an issue. "Just as you do not know me, William," she reminded him, using his first name in turn.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise when he mentioned liking a challenge. Was he saying that he saw her as a challenge and winning her over would prove that he could do it? Elizabeth was not sure if he was explaining things poorly or simply putting his foot in his mouth. "And you wish to win me over to prove what, exactly?" She asked, not entirely impressed with his words. At hearing that he would say what he thought of her, Elizabeth smirked and looked over at him as he prattled on about what he thought. "Close, but not quite," she said once he was done. "I think highly of what I deserve, because I want to marry someone that cares for me over everything else. I do not care about status or title. I care about finding someone that can hold a conversation with me," Elizabeth said. "And yes, I believed you to be like the rest of the men that cannot be bothered to get to know me past my father's title and my own accomplishments."

Elizabeth nearly rolled her eyes at him, thinking his goodbye had been respectful. "You could not be bothered to answer a simple question!" She exclaimed, a light chuckle of disbelief leaving her lips. "You came across as quite bored and wishing to be anywhere but there. Which, I assure you, did not hurt my feelings, but instead I thought of if you were like that with me, then perhaps you were like that with every other woman that does not fill whatever impossible standards you have for a wife." She shot him a look that was almost a challenge, to see if he would refute her words. Elizabeth laughed at his words, saying that she could steal his attention and protect him from the mamas. "As desirable as you make that sound, I believe I am quite content to not attend the ball tonight. Besides, I'm sure it has already started." And it would take her too long to get ready and she was most certainly not entertaining the idea of going to spend more time with William Slade.

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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 "No, no," William swiftly responded to her inquiry about him winning her over. "I do not wish to win you over," Was he tumbling down a rabbit hole with no way of escaping? Possibly. "You are challenging, meaning that you are far cleverer than most women that I have met in my lifetime." Maybe that wasn't the correct wording to use. Why was he fumbling for words? He was a Duke, for Heaven's sake. Thankfully, she saved the conversation by explaining how he was close, yet wrong. William understood how she could have felt that way. It was his status and even though he deeply appreciated inheriting it through his late father, it put up a barrier between him and individuals. A majority of them wanted to use them, be it women or men, and considering he was usually cooped up in the family estate in the country, it was no wonder that many thought him a dullard. "Forgive me for I hadn't realised how I sounded," In his mind, he'd simply uttered a respectful goodbye and went on his way. Ladies had their sensitivities, he supposed. "What do you suppose my impossible standards consist of, Elizabeth?" William asked, raising an eyebrow. Since they were not to attend the ball, he had all evening long to listen to Elizabeth Davenport's rants about his behaviour. Honestly, he was genuinely curious, so he did not mind. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

William was quick to refute her comment about winning her over, but she was unsure if she believed him. Only a moment ago he had made a comment about enjoying a challenge and what was Elizabeth but a challenge? The daughter of a Marquis that had yet to find a suitable match? Elizabeth pursed her lips in thought as she tried to decide if she was offended or flattered by him calling her clever. Although in the same breath, he had always referred to her as challenging. "I'm not sure that's entirely difficult," she said. The women of the Ton were not known to be the most brilliant, all often far too concerned with bagging the richest husband. 

All Elizabeth wanted was for someone to show interest in her because of who she was as a person and not because she was the daughter of a Marquis or because of her societally accepted accomplishments. It was something she had yet to find, as men just wished to find a pretty wife with money to show off like an accessory. Elizabeth would rather not marry than become a woman like that. 

He apologized and Elizabeth nodded her head. She accepted his apology but chuckled when he said he had not realized how he sounded. "You mean to say you do not speak just to hear the sound of your own voice?" Elizabeth teased with a grin on her face. His question of what she believed his standards were caught her attention and she leaned forward in her seat. Now this would be fun. "Well," she began, making her voice slightly more sophisticated to showcase. "It must be someone within your rank. It would not do to marry far below your station. She must be pleasing for you to look at but perhaps not aware of her beauty. Arrogance does not look good on a woman. Accomplished in all of the things she should be and someone that could run a household and mother your heirs. Of course, she must know when to keep silent and not speak out of turn, for that is not is not good either." Elizabeth shook her head in a rather serious fashion. Then she cracked and grinned, sitting back in her seat. "How did I do?"

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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 William Slade was ready for his beheading. He could not utter a word without feeling as if he'd offended her in some way. The Duke never had an issue with conversing with the opposite sex, but with Elizabeth Davenport, it felt like he was gasping for air every time he opened his mouth to speak. Simply, he peered down on his lap, listening to her speak instead. The corners of his lips twitched upwards, forming a grin at her tease about him enjoying the sound of his own voice. "Who do you take me for, Elizabeth?" A fool? He was far from one. William leaned forward slightly, ensuring that there was a respectable distance between them. "Show me some respect." He admired her eyes for a moment, noticing them glisten beneath the afternoon sunlight. The fair haired man was lost in his thoughts for a moment before she began to describe what he was interested in. Blinking a few times at the description, he stared blankly for a moment, unable to form words. "Do you take issue with my requirements?" He inquired. "I've learned how to remain silent and avoid speaking out of turn ever since I've visited you this afternoon. Is that not what you seek in a husband?" Will smirked. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

It was a bit of a relief to see the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile. There were not many people that Elizabeth could talk freely with and she had never thought William Slade would be one of them. Then again, she was still holding back where she knew it would be truly offensive to say the things she truly thought. He was getting far more than she would ever say in public but he had not rushed out of the room from the amount of offense she might have caused so far. Elizabeth found a grin on her face at his question. She took him for an arrogant man but it wasn't an answer she would give him out loud. "Your Grace, my respect was given by accepting your apology and continuing to enjoy your company," Elizabeth pointed out, also leaning forward slightly in her seat. 

Elizabeth shrugged in a nonchalant manner. "They are your own requirements," she said. "I might not agree with them but they are for you to get married to someone like that, not me." His requirements, if they were in line with the things she had mentioned, were quite shallow in her opinion. A genuine laugh left her lips when he asked if she sought a husband who remained quiet and did not speak out of turn. "What fun is that?" She asked. "If my future husband cannot speak freely in front of me and share his opinions, then what sort of relationship is that?" She tucked a strange of hair behind her ear before looking back at him. "I believe you should speak freely in front of me," Elizabeth said, in a bit of a challenge. 

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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 Nodding once, he agreed with her about the respect she'd offered him simply by accepting his apology. It was all the Duke could ask for that afternoon, having one goal in mind, and that being her accepting of his apology. If she hadn't reacted the way she had, he would have never even thought twice of contacting her again, but Elizabeth had left a mark on him the night before, one he couldn't scrub away so easily. Somebody (especially a member of the opposite sex) leaving an impact on him like that was certainly rare. "I also desire someone to have a conversation with, though," William noted suddenly. "Not a sort of brick wall to sit before every morning for the rest of my life, with neither a word nor a breath uttered between us." Marriage may have been a contract, yet not all of them should have felt forced. He wanted his prospective wife to sense comfort in his presence, as well as in their home. That was his duty toward her, of course, and he would ensure she'd have a decent life. Will could not help but grin at her amusement. "And so I shall," He also decided to add, "Truthfully, I wish to avoid arguing with my future Duchess, which is why I seek a..." He was about to say the word 'obedient', yet he feared the worst would come out of Elizabeth. "...Gentle wife." Oh, no. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.