Speechless

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Eyebrows raised, Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. To hear that he wanted to have someone he could converse with surprised her. Elizabeth had certainly pegged him as the type of man that did not care if he could get along with his wife. He seemed like the type to want to fulfill his duties and make sure she could fulfill her own. Many marriages were nothing more than contracts and obligations between two people and many people were okay with that. Elizabeth did not know what sort of family he had grown up in and if there had been love between his own parents. "No?" She asked, still surprised as he spoke about not wanting someone to sit there like a brick.

It was, perhaps, Elizabeth's biggest fear when it came to marriage. Marrying someone who only wished for her to sit there and look pretty, minding her manners and following all of the rules that were set before her. "If you are looking for a genuine connection with someone, then perhaps, you might have to look past all of those requirements. See if you can have a conversation with someone past discussing the weather and the usual topics you discuss with any other woman you have a dance with," Elizabeth suggested. It was genuine advice if he truly wanted to meet someone he could be happy with. 

Elizabeth laughed. "Arguing isn't all that bad," Elizabeth said to him. "My parents had their own arguments and they loved one another deeply. Not seeing eye to eye on some things is to be expected." She shrugged, still slightly amused by his choice of words. There was no doubt that he'd caught himself at the last minute, choosing a different word than the one that came to mind. "Not every marriage will be a love match, but truth be told, it's what I seek. I want someone to care for who I am as a person and not because it is their duty."

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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 did not expect to discover love in his future marriage for he'd never discovered it in his parent's. It was a difficult feeling to find and, candidly, he'd only ever felt it toward his intimate family members -- even Reuben. That was exactly why felt the need to protect them at all costs. He heeded her advice, relaxing back in his seat with both his gloved hands rested on his knees, watching her as she spoke her words of wisdom in regard to successful marriages. "What topics do I speak of, then?" Will inquired, attempting to think of topics in his mind that may be appropriate for an initial meeting with a lady from their ton. "The lady who'd left me speechless on the dancefloor only moments ago? She'd toss her lemonade in my face." A small chuckled escaped him. Elizabeth desired love, and it left him surprised, especially since he hadn't expected her to speak to him so freely about her feelings. "If we were both to find it, then I would call it a miracle, Lilibet," Will paused for a moment, trying not to groan at his action. Had he just given her a nickname of his own choice? "Elizabeth." The man swiftly corrected himself. What was the matter with him? Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth found she was surprised by his genuine curiosity as to what he could possibly talk about. Under normal circumstances, Elizabeth might tease him for not already knowing but she could appreciate the obvious effort William was trying to put into this. "Well, find out what she enjoys to do," Elizabeth began. "It is one thing to be considered accomplished in many things, but there is usually something  someone enjoys more than anything else. For example, I could prattle on about the things I'm considered accomplished in, but it's quite boring if I do say so myself. But I love to read and I absolutely love music. If someone were to start a conversation by asking what my favorite past-times were, I would consider it a wonderful question." Not that any gentlemen had gone so far as to ask what things she was passionate about or what brought her joy in life.

"Think of not in terms of which questions are appropriate, but rather, how to turn those questions into something they might be excited to discuss. Instead of talking about the weather, ask her to talk about her favorite season or what her perfect day might consist of." It would appear to be traditional questions, but Lizzie knew that it would allow someone to open up and express themselves and felt like they were making a connection. His mention of discussing the woman, being Elizabeth, that had left him speechless not being a good topic for conversation and she chuckled. "Well yes, I would agree that would not be a fitting topic for conversation," Elizabeth agreed.

Her eyebrows raised in slight surprise at what he called her. It was not the usual nickname she received but she found she was even more surprised that he was comfortable enough to call her something so familiar. Elizabeth was not the least bit offended by it, but instead confused. "Yes, well, one can hope," Elizabeth said with a sigh. 

---

Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden Why had he even mentioned a nickname? He did not often do so toward women like her. His sisters, yes, and his friends, too, but never ladies that he'd merely acquainted himself with him at a ball. William had never had female friends. It was not common in their society, and for decent reason. Man and woman joined together for matrimony. That was what he'd been taught. "I thank you for your advice then," William wrote a mental note in his mind to ask the array of questions that she had made mention of. "Perhaps I will secure a match by the end of the season." Maybe that was his tactic at seeing if she would grow jealous at the very idea of him marrying someone else. There was no doubt that he'd felt a strange attraction toward her since the night before, one that he hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if she'd lit a fire in him, and it was continuously burning. "Has your lady's maid drunk all the tea?" He suddenly inquired, peering at the open door. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Nodding her head, Elizabeth could only hope that he took her advice to heart. It would all depend on what he truly wanted. If he simply wanted to follow through with his duty to find a wife then she was certain he would have no trouble. But if he wanted to find a genuine connection and perhaps even a love match, then she was certain he would have to try harder. She supposed it made no difference to her, as it was not as if he was trying to court her. "You're quite welcome," she said. "If you need any further advice please do feel free to ask me and I shall give you my brutally honest opinion," Elizabeth added with a small smirk.

To hear his hopes of securing a match by the end of the season, Elizabeth offered a small smile. "Well, that all depends on what you desire," she reminded him. "But I believe you shall have no difficulties securing a match if that is all you are looking for. You are, after all, a Duke with a good reputation." And even if he didn't have a good reputation, the title of Duke would be enough to make most not care. "But it might be slightly more difficult if you were earnest in seeking something beyond a wife that will fulfill the duties you require."

The mention of her ladies maid not having returned with the tea made Elizabeth frown. Ah, yes. Where had Dawn gone off to? It surely did not take this long to make some tea. Elizabeth rose from her seat to take a peek down the hall but nearly ran into her ladies maid, who apologized profusely for the delay. Smiling, Elizabeth returned to her seat as Dawn served the tea for Elizabeth and William.

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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 Much to William's shock, he had not been titled a 'rake' by a woman, yet. He spent enough times in clubs where, sometimes, courtesans joined them and tried to win his fancy (which happened on more than one occasion, really). He believed it to be his right as a man to enjoy such pleasures, and thus, took advantages of it. Thus, Elizabeth mentioning the fact that he had a decent reputation forced him to truly consider if he did. Again, though, he was a Duke. Who would not want to be a Duchess? Before he could utter another word, he watched as she sprung into action and sought out her lady's maid, then rejoining the room together. He offered the other woman a small smile and returned his attention to Elizabeth. "Have you received any callers yet?" His question was half a tease, his tone expressing so. "I've seen a lot of them carry bouquets of flowers, professing their affections through written poems." William would have rather dropped dead. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth took her tea from Dawn after she had given William his, serving the guest first as was customary and polite. Lightly blowing onto the hot beverage, Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at his question about if she had received any callers. "A fair few," she confessed. "Though I'm sure if I had my way, hardly any of them would make it through that front door." But her father said they had to accept these callers as it was only polite. Easy for him to say, as he was not the one that had to sit through their dull conversations and atrocious poetry, which William seemed to be familiar with.

"Flowers are lovely," Elizabeth pointed out. "But the poetry is rarely worth listening to." And she was fond of poetry if written properly. "Many of the callers I receive are interested only in my father's titles and money. They care not for knowing who I am as a person." Which was what frustrated Elizabeth to no end. She would not be seen as a prize to be won. "What of you? Have you been given the chance to call upon any accomplished women?" She asked, a little tease in her voice. 

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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 A majority of the ton in Grosvenor Square viewed title as highly important. Elizabeth's father was a marquess, and although that was not what attracted him to her in the first place, it attracted a great deal of other men who viewed her and other ladies of the same standing as nothing more than prized cattle. It saddened him, really, hearing her talk of it, because there were countless times when men would brag at the club about whom they had called upon. "The diamond of the first water, of course," He could not help but roll his eyes at Lady Whistledown's description of that season's 'perfect' lady. "Pleasing to someone of my standing, I suppose," William added. "Is this not considered a call?" Smirking, he sipped on his tea while eyeing from his seat. "Do forgive my lack of gifts, of course." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

She chuckled. "Of course," she agreed. There was no surprise that he had made a point to seek out this season's perfect lady. Every man always tried to win her over because she had been deemed the best of the best. For all they knew, she was a bore and not worth making a wife out of. But Elizabeth would let those men figure it out on their own, as she owed them no warning. There was, of course, always an expectation for what was acceptable when it came to the amount of gentlemen callers a woman received and the amount of ladies a man called upon. Too few and you were deemed undesirable for a lady. If a man called upon too many ladies then it did not look proper for him.

Elizabeth smirked in return. Was this a call? A call was meant to show that he had intention of courting her and Elizabeth did not believe that was the case. Even if he had made a joke earlier about wanting to propose to her, Elizabeth suddenly found herself very curious as to what this actually was. "Well, you did bring me a flower," Elizabeth reminded him, nodding towards the rose on the table as she took a sip of her tea. "I would find you very strange if you were to immediately call upon a lady that scolded you only the night before," Elizabeth teased. Surely he was just joking and was not actually here to court her. It had been an apology visit and nothing more. 

---

Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[William Slade]

this sceptred isle this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden The flower that he'd brought was merely a gesture of friendship. An extension of his hand that she could take a hold of to assure him that all is well, and she did not think ill of him. Not only that, but Charles Davenport had been a decent friend to his late father, and he did not wish to tarnish that connection. "A scolding that I will truly never forget." Will added to her words. Finishing his cup of tea, he set it down and quickly checked the time on his pocket watch. The sun was beginning to fade away, and he needed to take his leave, feeling as if he'd already taken advantage of Elizabeth's time and effort. It was nearly time for supper and knowing his mama, she would have wished him to attend his last family gathering before he left for Wellington for a few weeks. William would return, of course, for the upcoming Egerton ball. Rising from his seat, he calmly bid the lady adieu, donned his top hat, and made his way out of the estate. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.