Flawless Pretender (tag: Elizabeth)

[Elijah Hamilton]

I WILL BURN ALL MY BRIDGES
to keep myself warm
TAGGED Elizabeth Davenport note: surprise! let me know if you nee me to change anything!	The highborn liked to pretend that inviting Elijah to their events was a great service. It was as if they thought that the dry food and dull company was a blessing to him. The music, bless the musicians, was just as dull. He would rather any night of the week in the club, with music and strong drinks. Instead he politely smiled when eyes met his and avoided conversation too intense. He had no title, but he dressed well and was incredibly attractive. It made him attract all kinds of attention. Who was he? Nobody. God; he couldn’t wait to leave. If tonight went well and he smiled at the right people he would build a larger base. If he was familiar, they were more likely to come to his ominous club. It was exhausting keeping up an act when he enjoyed living life without pretense. When he looked around, pretense was all that he saw. He knew these men. He drank with these men. He leered with these men…. But here they were dressed in their best seeking a respectable woman, hopefully with a dowry large enough to pay off their debts. That was when he saw a familiar face from across the room. She was not nearly as bold as she’d seemed the night she came to his club. She seemed bored. Carefully, he made his way through the sea of pastel women to stand near her. He was hesitant, as normally he avoided direct contact. She wasn’t dancing, though… Perhaps she didn’t care for the courtship. ”Good evening My Lady,” he greeted her warily with eyes combing the crowd for a potential guardian.

pyxis ★

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth disliked the balls and the courting. She'd said once to her sister that she cared not to be paraded around like a heifer for sale, which had caused Emily to giggle. But her father was a Marquis and therefore it was not something she could simply get out of. While he was lenient in most things, even Charles had made it clear that Elizabeth needed to marry soon. She'd already stalled her first season after the death of her mother, then another social season had been delayed due to the death of her intended. Of course, Elizabeth had not really been in mourning for Arthur but she'd enjoyed staying reclusive in their country estate for an entire season. Putting on a fake smile, while something she was quite good at, was not her favorite past time.

This ball was no different. Ladies were being shown around in the hopes of catching the eyes of a gentlemen worth catching. Men were looking for wives to get heirs out of or to simply get money from. It was not for Elizabeth's taste but there was nothing she could do about it. Her only saving grace was that tonight she was being chaperoned by her eldest brother, Alexander and his wife, Marie. Her father was also around here somewhere but he'd tasked Alexander with chaperoning his sister for the evening. The two had stepped away to get something to drink, leaving Elizabeth removed from the socializing for a moment to breathe.

Someone came up beside her and she readied herself to lie and say her dance card was full or that her brother would be back any minute, but instead she found herself unable to speak. It took only a small moment for her to regain her composure before she offered a small smile. "My Lord," Elizabeth said. "Forgive me, I do not believe we have been introduced. Lady Elizabeth Davenport," she said, dipping into a small curtsy. They might have been removed from the larger crowds of the ball but that did not mean they were free from curious eyes and ears. Elizabeth knew how these people worked and would not fall victim to their cruel rumors. 

---

Tag: Elijah Hamilton

credit to Laura of Adox

[Elijah Hamilton]

I WILL BURN ALL MY BRIDGES
to keep myself warm
TAGGED Elizabeth Davenport note: woot finally	What a strange thing, to be called a Lord. He supposed it was common courtesy in these events to show utmost respect, but as his eyes trailed over the crowd of humming and dancing guests he saw the invisible. Not the Lords and Ladies, but the ones holding their snacks and beverages. The ones who took care of their discarded trash. Noone would ever make the mistake of calling them, ‘my lord’ and yet he had more in common with them than any of these pompous men. “My name is Elijah; Elijah Hamilton,” he chuckled softly and extended a hand, a greeting he’d seen many a time. “I should have known that you would be here,” he was being disrespectful as he turned to look back at the needy, desperate crowd. They were all unmarried and here for one thing. He didn't see this woman as any different, really. He could see Lord Featherington’s daughters; now there was an unfortunate web of lies. Everyone had secrets. How thrilling it was to be privy to so many of them. “My Lady, you are far more experienced than I, regarding these events at least. The parties that I host are far less bright,” the music was also better. Smoky rooms replaced high ceilings and glorious chandeliers. “Would it be inappropriate to dance? I am not well versed in the etiquette of such events.” It would not be good for her reputation. He knew that, so he was prepared for a no. Standing here felt awkward. He hated these places.

pyxis ★

[Elizabeth Davenport]

While Elizabeth knew he was indeed, not a Lord, she had to pretend like she did not know him at all. She had to assume he was of high standing and therefore deserved the respect of being called a Lord. Of course, Elizabeth believed he deserved respect no matter what but she was in the minority that believed everyone deserved respect. "Very nice to meet you," she greeted, placing her hand in his to continue the proper greeting.

She looked out at the crowd just as he did, ignoring his jab about how he wasn't surprised she was there. "I don't have much of a choice when it comes to which parties to attend," Elizabeth said, her voice softer so only he could hear. Elizabeth was completely surprised when he asked if a dance was appropriate. Most of the other women here would have denied him if they knew how he made a living or that he held no title. But Elizabeth did not mind. There would be a few whispers but it was nothing she could not handle and so long as they did not dance more than twice, it would be acceptable. "I accept a dance," she replied, nodding her head. 

The two made their way onto the dance floor and Elizabeth dipped into the custom curtsy before placing her hand on his shoulder and the other held out for him to take her gloved hand. Now that they could freely move with the music and converse in quieter tones without catching attention, Elizabeth smiled. "So what are you doing here amongst ladies looking for husbands if that is not your intention?" She asked. 

---

Tag: Elijah Hamilton

credit to Laura of Adox

[Elijah Hamilton]

I WILL BURN ALL MY BRIDGES
to keep myself warm
TAGGED Elizabeth Davenport	He was surprised that she accepted, given his blatant lack of standing. Money could get you many things in this world; the respect of men, a daughter with secrets of her own and a castle of gold but it would not make him an eligible bachelor to most of these women. No, they only cared for a title. He wondered to himself, what secrets this one had buried away, if she was so willing to fraternize with a man in front of others and wound her prospects by scaring away bachelors. He liked the idea though, so he didn’t press—after all, he had asked. He was in fact very aware of the etiquette and the fragile position being a debutant and as they went to the dance floor he could spot a few ears turning to gossip. Though the thought made him want to sigh, he offered Elizabeth a smile before leading her into waltz. Soon, they would dance the quadrille which was a dance that he had yet to master. He was content with merely having as private as a moment as one could have in a room filled to the brim with prying eyes. He was confident that no nosy mother would notice him; that his obscurity would help him blend, but it might have brought more attention to her than he’d intended. ”I am here for a friend,” he replied. ”You say you have no choice… What do you mean?” She was beautiful and though he didn’t know about her family he couldn’t imagine a reason that she would self sabotage at an event like this. He thought it must mean she’s seeking more than to be a mother and a housewife. She didn’t seem the type—too brave for a shut in life. Unfortunately for women in her position he didn’t imagine that to be too easy.

pyxis ★

[Elizabeth Davenport]

It was no surprise that he was here for a friend, or maybe it was. Elizabeth wasn't sure what business he could possibly hope to conduct with all of these prying people around, but it was not of her concern. Curious, however it made her, Elizabeth refrained from asking. No doubt if anything good happened that Elijah might be involved in, she would hear about it from someone else at a later time. "You have friends?" She eventually teased, a light smile playing on her lips. She was unsure what had made her say such a thing. They did not have a teasing relationship but Elizabeth knew it was nothing he could not handle. 

He asked of why she had no choice in the matter and she quirked an eyebrow at his question. Perhaps he did not truly know who she was, which was no matter to her. "My father is a Marquis," she explained. "It is expected of me and my family to attend the balls." She would have rather avoided them, but was unable to talk her way out of most of them. "I have little interest in men trying to gain my affections with false pleasantries to obtain a marriage that will raise their rank." They all just wanted to use Elizabeth, never having any true interest in who she was as a person.

---

Tag: Elijah Hamilton

credit to Laura of Adox

[Elijah Hamilton]

I WILL BURN ALL MY BRIDGES
to keep myself warm
TAGGED Elizabeth Davenport	“No, now that you mention it I don’t have any friends.” He replied with a smirk while they danced. He couldn’t stand the smell of the candles melting down, or the battling perfumes over meat and cheese. If this were where he found his friends he truly would have none. He was out his element even with experience and charisma. “I’m here for the free food,” he smiled at the thought and eyed the chubbier lords, hovering around snack trays and being overlooked. Elijah had questions, but none of them were appropriate. He knew enough about them to know that Elizabeth was diverting from an age old script. It would subject her to a very difficult life in the long run. It wasn’t his place to advise her, or anyone for that matter when it came to courtship. He didn’t reply at first and focused instead on finding Lord Melfan in the crowd. When Elijah spotted him, he was disappointed to see him so red in the face and very alone. He let out a small sigh; not interested in swooping into that. He was distracted, but glad for it. “If marriage is not your goal, do you have something else that you would rather do?” The music had shifted, but words could be heard over the band. It became more crowded, less private. He wasn’t as familiar with the structured dance, but with a moment of observation he could fall into a rhythm. “I wasn’t raised with those kinds of expectations… I can’t say I wish I could relate. Freedom has treated me better than most,”

pyxis ★

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth was pleased that he was able to take her jest in good fun and not be offended by it. There were far too many people that she could have offended with such a remark. She laughed at his comment regarding the free food and she nodded. "I can see the appeal," she mused. "Though this is not one of the better events when it comes to food. If you want some truly wonderful food, then I would suggest the Merchant Ball. It is the best." Far better than the mediocre spread at the current event they were at.

His question was thought provoking but not something she did not have an answer to. "Well, marriage will ultimately be my goal," Elizabeth said. "It is how our world works, whether I like it or not. I simply wish to find someone that enjoys spending time with me as a person, and not for my title or money." Then to hear Elijah open up about how he was raised and how he didn't have the same societal expectations was nice, but unexpected. Elizabeth offered him a smile and nodded her head. "I hope it has treated you well, indeed," she said.

---

Tag: Elijah Hamilton

credit to Laura of Adox