Into The Thick Of It

[Elizabeth Davenport]

It had been a while since the Davenports had put on an event for the season. Elizabeth's mother had always enjoyed getting to see everyone but since her death, things had just kept happening which had prevented the family from hosting. No doubt Lady Whistledown would have a field day with the fact that the Davenports were finally getting their act together and joining the social seasons as they should be, given Charles Davenport was after all, a Marquess. With his second born son, William, still without a wife and now Elizabeth was back on the market, the Davenports were a high standing name. The eager mamas would have their daughters flock to the side of William if given the chance and there was no doubt the eligible bachelors would take the opportunity to become apart of the Davenport family through Elizabeth. Unfortunately, both children were less than eager at the idea of marriage. 

 Elizabeth had already done her best to keep walking around the room, participating in polite conversations to show that she knew her manners and knew how to act. Usually she could be found with one of her brothers at her side, and if they were unavailable then she usually got a Bridgerton brother to step in and scare away unwanted suitors. For the moment, she was unable to spot Benedict to fill this role tonight and she tired not to frown. Elizabeth was not one of the girls that flourished under the unwanted attention but still knew how to handle it if need be. Instead she looked towards the wallflowers tonight, seeing if she could spot anyone that she might be able to have a pleasant conversation with that did not revolve around condolences or what Lady Whistledown had recently wrote about. 

She moved around the outside of the room, letting the shadows keep her from lingering eyes. She still searched for Benedict, wondering where he could have possibly gone off to. Elizabeth was far too busy looking for her favorite Bridgerton brother that she did not pay attention to where she was going, tripping slightly over something. Her hand reached out and touched the wall to regain her balance, making sure she did not go flying across the floor. Looking down she spotted a cane and looked to see who it might belong to. "I am so terribly sorry," Elizabeth apologized. Even though it might have not be considered proper, she quickly reached down and grabbed the cane, holding it out for the gentleman to take. "I was not looking where I was going one bit it appears," she said. She offered him a smile and tried to place his name. Elizabeth felt she was quite good at names but could not place his and for that, she felt incredibly embarrassed. "Please forgive my clumsiness and rudeness. I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I'm Lady Elizabeth Davenport, but please, call me Elizabeth." 

---

Tag: Reuben Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Elizabeth Davenport

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade had been out of the ton for a reason: he did not enjoy nor desire such events. But alas, re-entering society for the sake of his daughter came with it, certain obligations and expectations. Though, he had to admit . . . there was a level of intrigue considering it was the Davenports who were hosting. Slade had dealings with the Marquis though it had been quite some time since they formally met. That was after all the purpose of Slade assisting to run his establishment: that the Davenport name be distanced as much as possible. But it also brought forth the necessity for his bodyguards, well hidden as his carriage driver.

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The crowd had been large and Slade, unused to such boisterous gatherings stepped outside of the room for a moment's peace. One would think that having attended various businesses that could arguably be far more boisterous and certainly more lude than this one, that he would grow accustomed to these surroundings. But he never lingered in them for long. And always held a purpose. Tonight, his purpose seemed far more difficult to achieve for he doubted he would find a mother for Evelina this evening. While Slade was usually an observant individual, he found himself distracted taking in every detail of the house, his eyes casually scanning the room but his mind committing it to memory -- through no choice of his own as it was rather automatic. While he heard footsteps approach, he did not expect nor anticipate that she would trip over his cane, causing both her to stagger and the item to fall to the ground.

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Slade looked at her, his instincts differing from that of a true gentleman for he did not extend his hand to offer assistance in regaining her balance. Nor, did she seem to expect it for she hurriedly regained herself, picking up his cane. He reached for his offered property as she apologized. He would have dismissively nodded, thus ending the conversation . . . but then she introduced herself. Elizabeth Davenport. He knew that the Marquis had a daughter, but never had he made her acquaintance. There would have been no need or reason for it. But, perhaps in the future . . . it would be valuable to know the young woman before him.

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Or at least her face which was already settled in his mind. With a nod of acknowledgement and acceptance toward her apology, he continued with his own introduction. "Lord Rueben Slade," he offered in return, having no issue with the revelation of his name as there was no familiarity between them. "You are among the hosting family, yet are out here." A question in his words as he was curious to know why she was distanced from most of her guests. "In haste, it would seem." For she had not taken notice of his cane and despite her calling herself clumsy . . . surely she was not that clumsy.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

He introduced himself and she nodded, giving a small curtsy out of respect. He made small conversation about how she was apart of the hosting family and she nodded in agreement, but he was quick to notice that she seemed to be running away from the middle of the crowd instead of flourishing under the attention the hosts usually got. Especially with the host family had two eligible children for marriage. "Ah, is it that obvious?" Elizabeth asked.

Elizabeth looked around the room before turning her attention back towards Lord Slade. Once she heard the name she remembered hearing bits and pieces about him over the years but she'd never been able to figure out what was truth and what was just rumor. Elizabeth had always been quite skilled with figuring out what was true and wasn't but Lord Slade had always been an exception. "I suppose I am less than eager to begin the continuous musings of courting and marriage proposals," Elizabeth confessed. "And what, might I ask, has you lurking in the shadows instead of socializing with the rest of our prestigious Ton?" Her tone was slightly sarcastic towards the end which was out of character for her in front of a stranger, but somehow she'd managed to let it slip.

---

Tag: Reuben Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Elizabeth Davenport

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade slightly titled his head in response to her question, assuming it was rhetorical but gave some acknowledgement never the less. "You do not strike me as someone who is as clumsy as she claims." It wasn't attempt at flattery or offering a compliment . . . but mere fact that he deduced from recent actions and her self criticism. Besides, it was also in reply to her question . . . that it was only obvious because of what prompted them to begin this conversation. She then spoken of lacking interest in engaging in conversations and marriage proposals. Unmarried and uninterested. Not entirely common -- particularly the latter -- from those he had observed among the ton thus far. Most women seemed to enjoy the attentions and affections of men.

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"Then it would seem you are in quite a predicament, considering your position." As the hostess. As a young woman of a wealthy family. "A unique one at that," he added on verbalizing his thoughts of her lacking desire in such things not be a common mindset among women in the ton and in doing so, offering for her to elaborate. The more he could learn of this woman, the better. But then of course, it went both ways for he was not naive enough to expect her to offer information whilst he gave none of his own.

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"A moment's peace and quiet," he told her truthfully. There were many truths he could not expose yet this one, hardly need be contained. Though he also did not miss the tone of her question. Yes. A unique mindset in this woman indeed. "Is that truly how you feel about them?" He asked, remarking on the tone and what was unsaid in her words rather than what was said. He of course held his own issue with the ton when it came to his refusal to conform to it. Though, perhaps it was less refusal and rebellion and more . . . just him. Who he was as a person and not being bred in the same ways of perfection as the rest of his siblings were.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth chuckled and nodded. "Perhaps not usually," she said. She had never considered herself a clumsy person and now that she thought about it, always had quite good balance. She'd been able to walk across logs over ponds as a child and do other activities growing up that would prove her little theory. Still, she was unsure why she had claimed such a thing when she knew it to be false. Perhaps it had to do with the desire to assure him that it had been all her fault, which she was certain it had been. 

He noted her unique predicament and she nodded once more. "Indeed," she agreed. "I suppose most girls grow up looking forward to getting married and having a family but I'm quite fond of the family I already have." She offered him a smile and reminded herself she could not be showing all of her cards to a stranger. She didn't know him or what he was likely to tell others. The idea of rumors beginning that Elizabeth Davenport had no desire to get married were sure to disappoint her father, despite it being the truth.

It seemed they were both after a moment of peace and quiet and Elizabeth found herself able to appreciate the notion. It was usually Benedict that she would steal away with in order to get a break from the buzzing people around her but given that he was nowhere in sight, she found herself quite content to enjoy a quiet moment with Lord Slade. Although she supposed if they were conversing then she had completely ruined his moment of quiet after all. "Well then I do apologize for ruining your moment of peace and quiet," she said.

His question caught her a little off guard and Elizabeth toyed with how she should answer it. Honestly was usually how she went but given that she did not know this man, she had to keep her wits about her. Revealing too much could be damaging to both herself and her family, but something within Elizabeth made her feel like she could trust him. Or at least, trust him to not tell her secrets to the likes of Lady Whistledown. "Perhaps," she said. "I suppose my preference would always be to remain in the country side with my family than attend ball after ball in order to impress and entertain. I know that it is expected of me and everyone else but it can be quite exhausting, don't you think?" She asked, turning to look at him. 

---

Tag: Reuben Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Elizabeth Davenport

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Ah yes. Her family's closeness was in part what had brought Slade and her father to meet. "You are fortunate then that you are so close to your family," he began to say. Learning more of Davenport's daughter certainly informed him more of the family overall and the dynamic between them. "For I imagine that perhaps some of these girls you speak of long for their own chosen family, unable to choose the one they are born into." Implying that it may not be one they held such strong affection for either. It reminded him of his late wife and her eagerness to escape her family of blood. Although, any father who bartered their daughter to settle his debts surely was not a decent one. Slade could not ever imagine doing the same to his own daughter. She was far too precious to him; a sentiment that was perhaps not as common as it should be.

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He gave a bit of a nod in acknowledgment of her apology, the air of entitlement that filled so many nobles clearly absent in her. For a host would not apologize for being in the way of a guest in their estate. "No apology is needed," he told her honestly. He was not one to sugar coat nor soften the truth. "This is your home after all and thus, you possess far more a right to be where you please." Slade's sense of entitlement was often held in places of business; where it was his business or he had involvement there. But in one's home . . . he was but a visitor. Maintaining this façade of a gentleman, like most others . . . though he perhaps did not alter his demeanour or words to quite the same extent. He need remind himself that he was even only here for the sake of his daughter. For the sake of finding her a mother.

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She answered his question by expressing her preference for the country, further emphasizing her dislike for such events. In addition to the absence of arrogance, she also did not seem shy in speaking her mind and sharing her honest feelings about these balls. "Exhausting," he repeated, taking note of her word, speaking it aloud to emphasize it and as if he was mulling it over. "To maintain an image of being a perfect lady?" He asked somewhat rhetorically. It was clear from their brief conversation that she was not like most women in the ton when it came to their desires and wants from life. "What is it then, that you desire most from life?" To see fulfillment. Not a husband. Not these events -- that Slade too found tedious himself. So, it was indeed interesting to discover what she sought from life if not the generic expectations most others succumbed to.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

She supposed she was quite lucky to be close to her family, knowing that not every family was like hers. It was something she didn't take for granted but didn't always think about it. It wasn't until she got to know someone new and found out about their life that she was reminded that she was incredibly fortunate. "I am," she agreed with a smile. He spoke of these girls perhaps yearning for a family like the one she had, and Elizabeth had never thought of it like that. She'd always assumed most girls yearned for status and money, something that would raise their status in this world. She'd never thought that some were just looking for an escape from their current family. "I've never thought of it like that," Elizabeth confessed. Lizzie was someone that could often admit when she was wrong, as pride had never been an issue for her. 

Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head. "I do not think it being my home could pardon my rudeness or inability to pay attention," she pointed out. But she knew that wasn't always the case with hosts. Often times they thought others were being given a gift for even being in their homes, so perhaps that was what Slade was used to. Still, she would not let herself become one of those people and she knew that her entire family was like that, except for maybe William. 

He seemed to agree that it was exhausting and Elizabeth found it quite a relief to be speaking with someone that agreed with her. It wasn't often she could have these types of conversations and it was nice. Being the perfect lady was indeed the image she needed to put forth. It wasn't just about her, but her family as well. Her father was an important person and it was her love for him that she continued to play the role she needed to play. "If playing the part will help my family then it is not entirely horrible," she said.

Slade's question about what she truly wanted made Elizabeth pause and think for a moment. There were many things she wanted out of life and many things that she desired but if she had to figure out what the most important thing was, she supposed she would have a simple answer. "Happiness," she spoke. "I just want to be happy with my life. Whether that is finding a husband to spend my days with and having a family with, or spending it in the countryside reading books with my family, then I suppose it doesn't matter." She lifted a shoulder slightly in a small shrug. "What of yourself?" She turned the question on him.

---

Tag: Reuben Slade

credit to Laura of Adox

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Elizabeth Davenport

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

She stated tjat she had never thought of it in that way, and it made sense. Ones experiences shaped ones perceptions. If she lived in a loving home, then she would find no need to escape it. If her friends were in similar circumstances, then there would be no reason to consider marriage as an escape. But rather, entrapment. Had his first wife not been so eager to leave her household, then he most likely would not have married her. Marriage to her, had been freedom. "Ownership tends to foster entitlement," he stated. "Which no one would fault the other on." Though she politely excused her behavior and took responsibility for it, he knew full well that whomever owned the space, were entitled to it. Although perhaps, he himself was basing it on his own experience. and not everyone thought in this way . . . clearly.

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She then spoke of playing the part helping her family. That was something else that Rueben could somewhat understanding. Playing the part. Though, his motivations were different. "I am certain, you are not the only one," he stated. "For everyone here, plays a part." The words holding extra irony for her own family considering the circumstances that familarized himself with her father. Everyone here may smile, and act polite . . . but behind each friendly expression, was the truth of who they really were. Which were not always consistent with how they portrayed themselves in society.

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The simple one worded response to his question, continued with explanation as she listed different ways of how she believed happiness could be attainable for her. Rueben was learning that many women were not entirely certain of what they wanted from life, or what kind of person they wished to be with. Some eager to marry, some not. Some wishing to remain with family, some not. It certainly added complications to his own incentives of being among the ton this season. "Does your family desire the same for you?" A question meant to learn more of her family dynamics. This was certainly a rather, organic way to learn more about one of his associates. And so easy too.

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She then asked the question to him in return, questioning what he wanted from life. There was no adequate answer that he could give her, not one that he desired to give. He was not one to delve into his own emotional thought processes or deep seated desires from this world. Though he knew that it would always be centered around his daughter and those he held dear. "What else, but happiness, do people desire from life?" His question was not entirely rhetorically, and nor did he answer it directly. He opened it up for discussion to learn more about her mindsets. Yes. This was indeed turning out to be a rather informative session with the Davenport family indeed -- or at least, one of them.