Under the Surface

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate was enjoying the ball, even though she hadn't wanted to come in the first place. London was a bit over whelming for her, and she was still growing accustom to so many people together in one place. The balls she'd been too in the country were so much smaller, and simpler than that grand scale and ornate ball she was attending now. Jaded as she was however, she didn't stand cow eyed and giddy. She knew she had to walk as if she belonged.

And she did belong. Her father's title had assumed that, even if his coin had not. Even Lady Whistledown had commented on her dresses, which seem to mean that she was accepted. Not getting mentioned was a sign you were not be noticed. Kate was not sure if the unflattering things said meant she was worth noticing, but if it helped Edwina, she would accept it.

Besides, her baby sister seemed to love the gossip rag.

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Elizabeth Davenport}

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Truthfully, the balls all looked the same to Elizabeth. They were filled with the same people, wearing the same dresses, having the same conversations. She found them incredibly dull but knew given her father's title, there was no way out of attending them. After all, she was upon the marriage market herself and the first born daughter of a Marquess should be a well-sought after prize. Elizabeth was quite grateful for her life but when it came to finding a husband, she wished for something different. Fortunately, this season was to be Emily's first season which meant their step-mother was far more concerned with Emily than Elizabeth. 

Breaking away from Helen and her sister, Elizabeth walked through the groups of people to fetch herself some lemonade. Glancing over her shoulder, she attempted to check on Emily to make sure Helen was not shoving her off in the direction of anyone foul. There was only so much interfering Elizabeth could accomplish in one evening. Someone did catch her eye and Elizabeth tilted her head to the side. She was quite beautiful but Elizabeth had never seen her before. Perhaps she belonged to the Sharma family, as Whistledown had written of their arrival. Grabbing two lemonades, Elizabeth approached the woman and offered her a smile. "Hello, I do not believe we have met," she said. "Elizabeth Davenport," Lizzie introduced herself, holding one of the glasses of lemonade out for the woman to take if she pleased. "Are you enjoying yourself?" Now she just had to hope she was pleasant and not like many of the catty woman she dealt with daily. 

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Tag: Kathani Bridgerton

credit to Laura of Adox | Gif

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate looked over when she heard a voice speak to her, and gave a slight smile in greeting. Not from any pompous origins, but more from the fact that she did not know the speaker, and was seeking to be polite until she assumed friend from foe. Not that she expected to make enemies here, yet she knew some women saw the season more of a hunt. And they would do anything to get ahead.

Yet this woman's face did not hold the shewd look she'd come to see on a few of the others. It was a welcome sight. "Miss Kate Sharma," She greeted in return, turning her body so she full faced Lady? Miss? Davenport, and replied to her next comment as well.

"It is a nice night. More so since the night is warm and our host has the windows opened. I fear I would melt under the heat from this crush." Kate figured keeping to a safe topic at first would let her get to know the new woman before her 'personality' came to light. While Edwina put up with it and still loved her, she knew not everyone was so.

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Elizabeth Davenport}

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Perhaps she should know better to introduce herself with her proper title of Lady but it was not something Elizabeth considered entirely necessary in this particular moment. "Lovely to meet you," Elizabeth said with a smile. She continued to smile and nodded her head in agreement at the mention of the heat and feeling quite glad that the windows were open. She wondered if one of the women here would attempt to make a scene by swooning and trying to blame the heat. It would be amusing, if Elizabeth did say so herself, but decided against saying such a thing out loud, unsure how her new companion might take it.

"Of course, the best way to withstand the heat is to have a large group of people in a crowded room," Elizabeth pointed out, a sly smile on her features as she tested the waters. Whether this woman had a sense of humor would be discovered soon enough, and Elizabeth just hoped she'd be able to make a genuine friend this evening. "Is this your first season?" She asked, as she had not seen Kate at any events before.

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Tag: Kathani Bridgerton

credit to Laura of Adox | Gif