Notable Diversions

[Hippolyte Barthélemy]

A return to the British Isles was not entirely unusual, but the return of Dr. Barthélemy to his social peers amongst the English, was. In the past tumultuous decade, he had made little time for much diversions on his visits. Well, beyond the essentials of course, but those were not in the daytime nor in the eyes of high society.

Interesting diversions were allowed today. The season was on and the city was abuzz with a youthful sentiment, making one almost forget the slaughter of the battlefields - only just cooled and seemingly promptly forgotten by the muslin-clad classes. Here was no room for tragedy and mortality, it was a season of machinations of joy. Theoretically speaking. Not that such affairs were of great interest to Barthélemy himself, no, he found the whole song and dance rather dull, but the sentiments and the politics at play could be of interest.

Today was also business, he had conducted a demonstration of his newly published technique at the Royal College of Surgeons earlier, and now skirted his scientific peers and their students running at his heels. Later he would dine with them, but for now his mind was firmly beyond the scope of the knife and sutures of the operating theatre.

Certainly, the neatly kept rooms of the club commanded a neatness in its visitors too, and an order to forget the dirt and grime beyond its walls. He left his cloak and hat in the care of the valet, leaving the world of the surgeon and entering the world of the gentleman, all traces of blood scrubbed from his fine hands.

In his sharply cut Parisian suit and erect posture assisted by the rice-starched cravat upon his neck, Hippolyte strode inside the club proper. He found most faces of the smoking at least somewhat familiar, familiar enough to greet. Few things seemed to change in London. Politenesses were exchanged back and forth between the puffs of tobacco smoke and sips of brandy. No one notable enough to mind nor record, though that could not be said for the young man who caught his eye.

He had certainly grown into his position. Last he had seen the man it had only been a few years before the untimely death of his father, young and brash as most boys tend to be, leading his pack of siblings. Certainly, such experience in commanding had only served to help him these past few years he should think, with a touch of amusement at the memory.

"Ah, vicomte Bridgerton it must be now!" he said with a joyful smile as he made to greet him.

Anthony Bridgerton

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Hippolyte Barthélemy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony cradled a drink in his hand, smiling along with the conversation that one man seemed to be leading in a small group. He was of the mood to simply listen today, not engage in the boisterous conversation. But he smiled and chuckled along at the jokes, participated when specifically asked. There was no need for rudeness and he was after all here for the company.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

Hearing his name immediately distracted him however for the voice was . . . familiar and yet not. He turned toward the source and looked at the man, who matched his voice. Yet, the familiarity was building as he continued to look at him . . . and look at him. And then moment recognition hit, his features changed as his eyes ever so slightly widened with surprise and his lips curved upwards in a smile.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"Roux de Corse!" He both questions, and acknowledged. He rose from his seated position stepping towards the other male. "Good God man, it has been ages." The man all but disappeared. Anthony extended his hand in a friendly greeting. His memories of the other were from his childhood or teen years . . . before Edmund had passed away.

[Hippolyte Barthélemy]

No more was the boy steadfastly matching his father's pace along the rolling hills, checking on the status of his brother on their journeys up to the vantage point, so that they might see the summer storms roll in across the landscape. Most fathers tended to let their sons grow up under the tutelage of peers and teachers, but to Hippolyte's surprise, being around the late Lord Bridgerton had also inevtiably meant being around his children, and, most consistently, his eldest son.

He had seemed so small back then, certainly he'd had to grow into the weight of the world after his father's unfortunate death. That he had not avoided hearing about, even if he hadn't seen any of the family since before the late Lord Bridgerton's death, the oldest son tossed into a whole new world of responsibility. Now, he stood there before him, fully filling out his adult frame, the marks of age upon his face, but still those same eyes.

"Ah, it is been only a small decade I believe." He laughed, taking his hand in a firm greeting while smiling wide. "I see the city has tamed you, vicomte! Have you become an old man like the rest of us?" There was an obvious tone of mischeif to his voice and a glint in his eyes.

Certainly, Hippolyte seemed more sedate, too, than the young man in his pantaloons and browntops who'd race out through the misty fields at dawn to catch his game at breakneck speed. Of course, part of him still very much was that wild man, but that wild man was not a part of the smoky and languid rooms of the club. As always, appearances upon appearances upon appearances.

Anthony Bridgerton

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Hippolyte Barthélemy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony smiled with amusement as he teased about it having only been a decade. There were very fond memories that Anthony held to heart from his younger years, and the man before him had been a part of them. Friend of his father, and therefore, someone that Anthony had wished to bond with as well. They had gone on hikes together, hunted together . . . and now, here they stood. And it truly felt like ages ago.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"Only ten?" He both asked and stated. "It truly feels like a lifetime," he told him, speaking aloud his thoughts. His amused smile remained as he commented on how the city had tamed him; how he had become an old man. Ah yes. The youthful carefree days were surely gone. His need to grow up having come rather abruptly. But it was without choice. He had the responsibility of his family and without his father, it was entirely up to him. But Anthony knew that they did not have to get so in depth about it.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"It is an unfortunate fate," he said jokingly. "But alas, much has indeed changed in a decade." He paused for a moment, not allowing the darkening thoughts of his father's passing come to surface nor sully the conversation. "For the both of us it would seem." For there was still a question in mind that had been part of the Viscount's surprise at seeing Roux de Corse here. But he knew they would get to that soon enough. "Come. Have a drink with me. I feel there is much to catch up on," he told him, motioning to a couple of empty chairs so that they could be at ease, and hopefully, in each other's company.

[Hippolyte Barthélemy]

A lifetime, indeed. The man that Anthony had known was, to some extent, no longer in existence. Perhaps he was today, on this afternoon, and in fleeting moments with the ones who had known him more personally before the battlefields had claimed him. He did not fail to feel the weight of his statement referring to this change in himself as well, but ah, that would all come in time, and Hippolyte was quite practised in not giving anything without receiving enough in return.

"Much to catch up upon, indeed." There was a levity to the statement, but he had quieted his exuberance somewhat. Hippolyte gladly accepted the offer of a drink.

Curiosity was at the forefront of his mind. Who was Anthony Bridgerton? Objectively, dryly, he knew the answer to the question, but as he took his place across from him in a reading chair, a number of hypotheses reared their head. Yes, he would be a very interesting study indeed. He called for a port, as was the custom. With his initial excitement calmed down, he leant back in the chair to take in Anthony properly.

Old man was not far off.

"Now dear vicomte," he received the glass of port directly into his hand as it was delivered and eyed Anthony over the rim of the glass, as he took a small sip, before he continued speaking, "I suspect we could both deliver each other a dissertation on the past decade, but I should think it more interesting to retain some focus."

Anthony Bridgerton

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Hippolyte Barthélemy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony smiled with a hint of amusement as Hippolyte spoke of retaining focus in conversation. It was rather interesting, meeting the man under drastically different circumstances. Taking notice of different aspects of him that a younger, less burdened Anthony may not have quite perceived the same way. It was indeed a part of growing up, but also life experiences that may alter one's perception. Never the less, the man having been an important friend to Edmund, would forever remain in good graces and approached with welcome arms among the Bridgerton family.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"Very well," Anthony began to say. "Shall we focus month by month or on a yearly basis?" He asked him, unable to help the tease as his words were meant in jest. "Tell me first, beyond all else, are you and your family well?" While he could see Hippolyte appeared well, Anthony knew that looks could indeed be deceiving, and he wished to know the well being of his own family. Whether it grew or not. "We all held concern for you, so I can not tell you enough how good it is to see you now." The absence of the man having prompted concern among his father prior to his passing, as he considered the man a good friend.