Investigating Mr. Bridgerton

[lennie3]

Many, if not most, who came to the soirées both Connor and Genevieve attended did so with the very intention in mind to be released from society's demand for just a few hours. It was an urge fed by the rigidity of the world in which they resided. For people to need a reprieve from it all every now and then made sense.

For Genevieve it meant not considering her very word with expert care to not offend or frighten someone. The people who were here knew so much more than the young girls who stepped into her shop, she could speak openly without worrying about ruining or scarring them.

There was not much about the way in which they spent their time that could bot be argued as being improper. Activities which Connor himself took part in simply by being present this very evening. So his words caused Genevieve to scoff, rolling her eyes before shaking her head, "I believe you're too late," she hummed, "in fact Lucy Granville joined us weeks ago, so it'd be rather old news I'm afraid, Morrison," her voice teasing, entertained by the crude remark he had made.

She lifted her glass to her lips, taking another large sip of brandy, smirk forming behind the glass and Genevieve shrugged, "terribly sorry to disappoint you," she added, mischievous gleam in her eyes.

tag Connor Morrison .

[Connor Morrison]

Tag: lennie3        Thread: Investigating Mr. Bridgerton           Notes: N/A It was always pleasant to have a chance to make these sorts of jokes without the risk of scandalising the whole room. It reminded him of his student days, in an odd way — medical students did not get their reputation from nowhere, and the circle Connor had run in had certainly lived up to the worst stereotypes of the boisterous, licentious, drunken young men who attended the University of Edinburgh. In the early days, they had gotten away with all of that, but once it came time to put in the serious work, they had been left with two options: grow up or drop out. At least half of the young men chose the latter. Those who were left had to at least pretend to be proper, sophisticated men if they wished to get anywhere in the profession.  At least these parties gave back a taste of that freedom again. It wasn't the same, of course — nothing could quite capture the experience of youth. But at least it was something.  He had thought that nothing could manage to surprise him, in this place. Even seeing Benedict with Genevieve had not really shocked him. Genevieve's casual mention of Lucy Granville, however, managed to take him aback so much that he sputtered on his brandy. "She— what?!" He knew that Granville's wife slept around, of course; that was not the bit that surprised him. It was the fact that Benedict, on one of his first visits, had been bold enough to engage two women at the same time. Once he had managed to clear his throat of the brandy that had choked him, he managed to rasp out, "My fucking word. Seems Mr. Bridgerton is not quite as wide-eyed as I thought him to be. Both of you, at the same time?"

credit to Laura of Adox

[lennie3]

Genevieve did not bother attempting to hide her smirk, his reaction everything she had hoped it would be. She suspected his shock was directed more towards Benedict than herself and Lucy. Anyone who were the slightest bit familiar with the parties the Granvilles arranged new that the marriage between Henry and Lucy, while strong, provided them both with freedom to explore what they desired while still having the safety their matrimonal bond gave them. It seemed to Genevieve, who had in many ways found her own way of securing her freedom and ability to explore her desires, the least terrible form of marriage between nobles, one grounded in friendship and understanding. Their society had seen both young men and women resign themselves to far worse fates.

"Please don't die, Morrison," Genevieve scoffed, eyes widening slightly as he choked on his brandy, "I'm not looking to add homicide to my list of activities for the evening. "I made the introductions," it was a stretch to say the least, neither Lucy nor Genevieve herself had actually confirmed Lucy's identity, sometimes part of the charm in how people met on nights like that was not knowing, "and it seemed rather cruel to exclude either one of them, surely you can understand not wanting to make such a choice?"

It had not been her plan for Lucy to join them that night. It had not been her plan to engage in any sort of intimate activities with Benedict either. Genevieve had in fact not had a plan at all. But things had changed quickly, and perhaps had Benedict been quicker to pull her into the privacy of an empty room Lucy Granville may have never joined them. it was as Genevieve had sat down next to Lucy, sharing a knowing smile with the other woman before beckoning Benedict towards her it had all fallen into place. "I don't believe it could be said Mr Bridgerton knew what to expect enough to plan anything, it was all more of... lucky circumstance."

tag Connor Morrison .

[Connor Morrison]

Tag: lennie3        Thread: Investigating Mr. Bridgerton           Notes: N/A Connor supposed that he shouldn't have found the development all that surprising. In a place like this, where pleasure flowed as freely as wine, people rarely thought twice of seeking new avenues of enjoyment. A man who shuddered at the thought of sex with a stranger on the night of his first party might well be ducking under the skirts of half a dozen girls on the night of his tenth.  Benedict had simply gotten there a little faster than most, it seemed. If, as Genevieve said, it had more or less come about as a coincidence, that was not quite as surprising as it had seemed at first. Benedict still appeared to be positively drunk on the sheer level of freedom these parties gave him. If he was already with one of the women and another passed by, then... well, no one could fault the man for taking advantage of such a convenient opportunity.  With one last rattling clearing of his throat, Connor shook his head again and took another swig of brandy — this time, more carefully. It still burned a little going down, thanks to his earlier sputtering, but he managed to get it down. "Well," he said, still hoarse, "that man is full of surprises. You certainly were not exaggerating when you said that he could satisfy a woman, if he could keep up with Mrs. Granville. I suppose I shall have to congratulate him."

credit to Laura of Adox

[lennie3]

Genevieve watched as he slowly gathered himself, clearing his throat a few times, most likely to get rid of the stinging feel she knew choking on any drink least of all brandy would bring. She waited, letting him catch his breath and hummed as he spoke, rolling her eyes at his final statement, "I should expect nothing less," Genevieve said dryly.

Based on the surprise Connor had shown it seemed he was just as surprised by the revelations as Genevieve had been to discover them. Genevieve had missed the simplicity of her upbringing when she first began attending the secret parties. She had the perfect backstory meticulously arranged for herself and even though it needed to remain intact Genevieve had found opportunity to enjoy London in more liberated ways.

It made sense to her the men and women of the ton alike would have an urge to explore more of life than what was provided in their sheltered upbringings. Genevieve herself enjoyed it. There was something special about finding your freedom and exploring what truly made you you away from judgemental opinions and stares. People still talked, her conversation with Connor was proof of that but it was not the same as the gossip of the ton, this lacked a certain level of malice.

tag Connor Morrison .

[Connor Morrison]

Tag: lennie3        Thread: Investigating Mr. Bridgerton           Notes: N/A Even here, there were elements of concealment. Connor would have had no way of knowing which parts of Genevieve's identity remained a façade, nor would she have had any way of knowing the same about him — but while he might remain as ignorant of the specifics as anyone else here, Connor did not doubt that half the people in this house were still hiding some parts of themselves and fabricating others. It mattered less here than in the stark light of society, but appearances still counted for a good deal.  It was not often that Connor resented that in any conscious way. For the most part, he liked the game of pretend, and he certainly enjoyed putting an almost excessive effort into his own appearance. Every once in a while, however, the game grew exhausting. He could feel that exhaustion prickling at the back of his mind now, sending little trickles of bitterness through his veins.  He downed the rest of his drink. Not a perfect solution, but anything that dulled his brain was welcome at the moment. When he was bitter, he tended to get rather mean, and making an enemy of Delacroix would do him no favours. When he had swallowed the brandy, he raised his empty glass in a mock toast. "Well," he said, "here's to freedom, hm? I've kept you long enough — I'm sure Mr. Bridgerton will be missing your company."

credit to Laura of Adox