Treacherous

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth absolutely dreaded the Egerton Ball. There was perhaps no one she enjoyed less than Martin Egerton. But his family was important and even though Elizabeth was fairly certain her father did not care for their son either, he insisted that it was important that they attend and be there. Perhaps if she stuck to the shadows or kept one of her brothers, or even one of the Bridgerton brothers, by her side then she would be left alone. It was all Elizabeth could truly hope for in such circumstances but found that both might be more difficult than she initially thought.

Martin had cornered Elizabeth for a conversation not long after she arrived, and she found herself doing her best to get out of it. Remaining polite in public was something she often did, but Martin had been testing her patience. She'd been unable to deny him a place on her dance card but he also insisted on continuing their conversation. Elizabeth excused herself, stating that she needed to get some fresh air and she made her way onto the balcony. 

It was a little chilly but it made no difference to her. She could handle the cold if it meant avoiding Martin. Elizabeth could not understand why he was so persistent when it came to her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone else opening the door and she turned to see Martin. "Lord Egerton, it is inappropriate to be out here together without a chaperone," Elizabeth reminded him. Anyone else could join them at any moment, given the balcony was attached to the ballroom but he did not seem to care. The smile on his face sent shivers down her spine and not in a pleasant way. "It is quite alright. I have intentions to make you my bride so I'm quite content for this to simply speed up the process," he spoke. Her eyebrows raised in shock at such a statement. "I do not know what I have done to make you believe I am interested, but I will not be marrying you or allowing you to court me. Do not mistake my politeness for acceptance," Elizabeth's tone was harsher and she eyed the door to make her escape. Either that, or she hoped someone else would come out to interrupt them.

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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 "Do you not have guests to attend to, Lord Egerton?" Inquired William as he stepped onto the balcony, eyeing the man. He'd been eavesdropping on the conversation ever since he'd taken note of Elizabeth's early escape, while the fool of a man followed her. William was ready to leap to action before he decided to ensure that all is well. He knew what sort of man the weasel was. "And not to mention that it is highly inappropriate to accompany the marquess' daughter unchaperoned," He added, taking a step forward. "Wellington," Lord Egerton greeted him. "Your Grace." William was quick to correct him. Who had given him the impression that they were anything above acquaintances? He'd witnessed him at the gentleman's club that he frequented, noting of his flaws and horrid personality. Even Anthony and Hastings agreed with him on the subject. "I believe a great number of your guests are calling to you." As well as his unpaid debts. If that wasn't a dismissal, he wasn't sure what was. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Her prayers seemed to be answered because a moment later, the doors opened again and she laid her eyes upon none other than William Slade. Elizabeth did not think she would be so glad to see the man, but here she was. Elizabeth kept quiet as she watched the exchange between the two. Thankful for the assistance in getting rid of Egerton, Elizabeth returned a soft smile to William at his greeting, dipping into a curtsy to greet him in return. "Your Grace," she said. Her eyes returned to Martin, seeing if he would try to push it further or if he would return to the party. 

Martin Egerton eyed the two of them before deciding that there was nothing he could do in this situation. He was outnumbered and certainly outranked by the both of them. He nodded with a less than pleased look on his face, and left the balcony. Relief washed over Elizabeth and she looked back to William. "Thank you," she said, feeling genuine appreciation towards him stepping in. Elizabeth was someone that liked to think she could take care of herself and handle her own affairs but she had known that if Martin remained alone with her, something would have gone horribly wrong. "We should probably rejoin the party as well," she said. Not that she wanted to. Elizabeth just wanted to go home. 

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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 "Do you not desire a moment to recollect yourself?" He inquired, his gaze shifting to the party inside Edgerton's estate. William held no desire to return there, having just danced with a series of ladies whose eager mamas had pushed them in his direction from the first moment he'd walked in. Instead, he would have really preferred remaining on the balcony in the company of Elizabeth Davenport. "Or we could disappear and nobody would ever know." He grinned, already concocting a plan in his mind. William was somewhat serious. All she had to do was excuse herself from her party, requesting to return home, and he could easily do the same. As for the carriage ride and questions, he would figure out all that later. He'd already written on far too many dance cards that evening, and he knew very wellthat more women were ready to dance with, as pompous as that sounded. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

His question made her pause and think. She could use a moment. Elizabeth had come out here for some fresh air but now she found she needed it more than before. Dealing with Martin inside had been a challenge but the interaction with him just now had her nearly shaking. The implications of what he'd said just now settling down into the darkest corners of her mind. He'd been willing to have them found in a compromising situation if it meant he could have her hand in marriage. The fact that he'd been so eager to ruin her reputation for his own gain just proved to Elizabeth that Martin Egerton was a dangerous man and someone she would do well to completely avoid in the future. "Yes, an excellent idea," Elizabeth agreed.

William made a joke and Elizabeth found herself wishing he was being earnest. She would have loved to disappear and not be present for the rest of the evening, but found herself battling with the logistics of it all. But she could sit and imagine what it would be like to run off and not have to worry about the stupid ball. "I think plenty of people would notice if we were not here," Elizabeth pointed out. More people, especially the eager mamas, would notice if hew as not there. Elizabeth could fall into the shadows if she so pleased but even that wasn't always an easy feat. "Unless you can convince me of this brilliant plan you might have," she half-teased in return.

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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 Individuals would have definitely noticed if the duo were not present. He was a Duke and she, the daughter of a marquess. Lord Egerton had returned to the map, having just been dismissed by him. Thus, it was both their reputations that would be massacred if they were both to disappear without an alibi. Thus, while he stood there and listened to her jest, Will could not help but actually focus on a plan that would get them both out of there. Quickly checking his pocket watch that had been attached to the inside of his tailcoat, he noted the time. He must have been there for at least an hour or so. That was an adequate amount of time for him to have been present. "You could excuse yourself due to being wearied, and I could mirror that action by mentioning that I have important dukedom duties that I must attend to," William suggested. "And since we are both leaving at the same time, I could perhaps suggest that I drop you home in my carriage, but because I trust my footmen and their faithfulness to me, they could take us elsewhere." Maybe that could work for the both of them. "Lady Whistledown won't be prowling around Hyde Park." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

The fact that he continued to speak, talking of his plan, surprised Elizabeth. She never would have thought William Slade would be someone to try to leave a party with another lady under the guise of something else. Their desire to escape was not fueled by anything other than not wanting to be there, but other people did not know that. He mentioned that she leave because she was tired and Elizabeth considered it. It was an excuse she had used before but throughout the season, she tried to hold onto such an excuse and to spread them out so that it was still believable. It had been a while since she had tried to leave due to being tired and her father might actually allow it. Besides, there was a chance he would be able to tell that Elizabeth was struggling to be there anyway. She did not, however, know if her father would go for the idea of William giving her a ride home. 

She chuckled at his comment about Lady Whistledown. "That you know of," she pointed out. They did not know where Lady Whistledown got her information or any of that, but Elizabeth would not be surprised if there was something written about her in the paper the following day because she had been spotted, unchaperoned, with William Slade. Turning to him, she gave him a curious look. "Are you being earnest or are you jesting? Because I would quite like to leave this party," Elizabeth said. Not that she needed his assistance to do so.

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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 If it were another lady, William would not have seriously considered it. As a matter of fact, and despite how terrible it sounded, if she were someone else in the lone presence of Lord Egerton, he would have minded his own business. Elizabeth Davenport, on the other hand, had bewitched him (and he did not care to admit that just yet). Raising an eyebrow at her question, he returned, "If I were not in earnest, I would not have constituted a plan, Elizabeth," Now that they were not in the presence of the Ton, he decided to discard any formalities between the two. What had she done to him? This was entirely unlike him -- not that he particularly minded it. "Now do hurry up and lead the way back inside." William needed to be present if he were to suggest they ride back together. It better have worked. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

To hear that he was indeed, earnest about his plan made something within Elizabeth ignite. She could not explain the feeling except that perhaps she was quite glad he'd been telling the truth and not jesting in an attempt to make her feel better. Elizabeth still felt unsure as to how their plan would work, and if it would work at all. His insistence to hurry back into the party only caused her to nod in agreement. Yes, the sooner they got out of there, the better.

Elizabeth led the way through the doors as he mind worked to come up with a plan. She wasn't the best liar but if she got her story straight, she could usually sell it quite nicely. The trick, she found, was using pieces of the truth within her web of lies. Elizabeth placed her arm through William's to portray the image that he was escorting her back to her father where they could propose the idea that they leave. Upon finding her father, someone that was not easy to miss given his height, Elizabeth led William over there. "Father," Elizabeth greeted him. Charles grinned at the sight of William. "Your Grace, so lovely to see you." His words held the hidden meaning of 'and with my daughter no less'. He was quite proud of himself for setting this one up.

"I went to get some fresh air as I was feeling quite unwell and the Duke happened to see me. He has offered to give me a ride home so that everyone else may stay at the party," Elizabeth explained. Hopefully she still appeared quite unwell from the interaction with Martin. Charles looked between the pair for a moment before nodding his head. "Alright," he agreed. "I trust the Duke to take you home. Do feel better, my dear," Charles said. Elizabeth nodded her head and turned to look at 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 Allowing her to entwine her arm with his, William peered down at her momentarily without even realising that he'd held his gaze for slightly too long, admiring both her beauty and grace. As the doors to the ballroom were flung open by the estate's servants, his attention retreated back to the plan that they had cooked up in very little time. Whether it would work or not was entirely up to their behaviour. "Lord Davenport," He respectfully returned with a small smile, bowing in the man's direction while his arm was still connected to his daughter's. Peering down at Elizabeth, he listened to the excuse that she had offered, praying that it would work. The anticipation was killing the Duke internally, but finally, her father offered them his approval. Holding back a sigh of relief, he bowed once more toward the older gentleman, "She will be in safe hands." But in an entirely different location. Without further ado, he led Elizabeth away from the ballroom, down the staircase of the Egerton home, and out toward where all the carriages waited. Lifting his gloved arm, he called upon his own carriage, and moments later, it had arrived along with his trusted footmen. Gently tapping the hood of the carriage, he directed, "Hyde Park," Offering them a glance that expressed 'do not speak a word of it'. Helping her into the coach first, he joined her, finally releasing his breath. "Finally." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth followed him through the party until they reached outside, waiting for his carriage to arrive. Once it did they entered and Elizabeth sat across from William. She raised her eyebrows slightly at his request to bring them to Hyde Park. It would be dark and they would not be able to see anything, although she supposed no one would be able to see them either. What they were doing was certainly dangerous and could ruin their reputations or at the very least, Elizabeth's, if people were to find out about it. "If people see us in Hyde Park you realize it's. not going to end well? You could be stuck marrying me to protect our reputations," Elizabeth half-teased.

Clearing her throat slightly, Elizabeth looked down at her hands. "Thank you again, for earlier. Martin is an awful man and I've never liked him but I was quite concerned with what he might do tonight," she said. But now that she was able to thank him again, Elizabeth decided to change the topic of conversation. "So tell me, how many eligible ladies did you dance with tonight? Any that struck the fancy of our esteemed Duke?" She teased 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 The point of Hyde Park was for them to have their privacy, away from the prying eyes of society. To get around, they could use of the torches that hung on top of the carriage. Watching her from across the marriage, he could not help but grin, "Then I would marry you in a heartbeat, Elizabeth Davenport." William half-teased, laughing softly. They were safe, unless they ran into another couple who were attempting to escape the ball, too. He listened to hear speak of Martin Egerton and could not help but hold back a grimace. "He would have earned himself a sharp blow if he'd stepped an inch closer to you," William declared as he peered outside the window of the moving carriage. "For the sake of your dignity, of course," And not because he was smitten by her. "Fool of a man," Will cursed, releasing some pent up anger from the situation that had occurred before. Upon her asking him about the women he'd encountered that evening, however, he found himself relaxing slightly, "Let's see," He glanced up at the roof, feigning deep thought. "There was Charlotte, Georgiana, Caroline, Beatrice..." William returned his gaze to her. "There was also an Elsbeth? I think Elsbeth was her name, or was it Elizabeth? A Duke such as myself can hardly remember." Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

She chuckled and shook her head when he said he would marry her in a heartbeat. "My, you've come a long way since nearly refusing a second dance with me just a few weeks ago," Elizabeth teased. It was water under the bridge between the two of them but it was still fun to tease him about it. Although, she was certain she would have said the same. She would have never even entertained the idea of marrying someone like William Slade but right now, she wasn't so sure. She found she enjoyed his company and that he was quite handsome, but she tried to chalk it all up to just feeling sentiment towards him for his assistance earlier that evening.

William listed off several names and without the last name, Elizabeth was unable to place several of them. She hadn't made a note of people at the event that night, otherwise she might be able to provide him with some gossip she'd heard from others if he was so inclined. "And were any of them the one you wish to spend the rest of your life with?" She asked with a grin on her face. 

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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 "We both know that I was a fool that evening," He added, entirely serious this time. The fact that he had denied her a second dance still ate at his mind, wondering why he'd been stupid enough to do so. It did not make sense to dwell on the past, however, considering they were both in each other's company now. "Perhaps I am looking at the very woma-" His words were cut off short by the carriage arriving at an abrupt stop. He opened the carriage window and stuck his head out, asking one of his footmen, "Have we reached our destination, gentlemen?" To which one of them responded with a yes. The door swung open and William dismounted first, out of respect, and offered his hand to Elizabeth to step out. Elizabeth Davenport

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth no longer held ill feelings towards William for how he had acted that night. In fact, even Elizabeth felt a little ashamed for the way she had acted. She should have just let him go, as she did many other gentlemen that were less than perfect. But instead she had chased after him like some woman scorned when that hadn't been the case. She hadn't cared that he did not want another dance with her, only bothered with how it had been handled. Perhaps she had read more into the situation than she should have, but it did not matter now. "It's quite alright," Elizabeth assured him. "I'm sure I was less than agreeable myself."

He began to speak and Elizabeth pieced his words together in her mind, curious as to what he was going to say. He did not finish, instead interrupted by the sound of their carriage stopping. Elizabeth felt her entire body freeze at the realization of what he'd been about to say. Surely he had not meant to say that he thought he was looking at the woman he was meant to spend his life with? Pulled from her thoughts, she watched as he dismounted the carriage and she stood, stepping out and placing her gloved hand in his for assistance in leaving the carriage. 

The cool night air bit at her skin, but not too harshly that she was cold. It was refreshing and Elizabeth turned to William. "I've never been here after dark," she mused. "Do you take all of your companions here?" She asked, unsure as to what to call them exactly. 

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Tag: William Slade

credit to Laura of Adox