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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 22, 2021 9:21:10 GMT
Whatever good she had done in her life, surely it had not been enough to warrant a heaven such as this. Whispers of Simon’s hot breath grazed against her bare skin, raising gooseflesh on every part of her not submerged. She shivered at the sensation, forcing small ripples to disturb the surface of the water, and she looked down to watch them settle. She was struck by a sudden desire to cover herself, and worked to shove the sensation into the deepest, darkest pit of her mind. Simon was her husband. He had seen her naked form many a time since their wedding, had placed his hands, his eyes, himself upon every possible place. And she had let him gladly, feverishly devouring all the affection that he gave her. But this, this was something different. Something more intimate, more intense than what they had shared before.
She pulled her hair forward, taking long moments to settle it just so. It was as much to settle her hands and steady her nerves as to acquiesce to Simon’s request. Wordlessly, she reached again for the soap and passed it, not daring to move further and risk losing what courage she had built up. There was silence between the two of them, comfortable and full, punctured only by the sound of falling droplets and candles. It only served to raise another warm note within her, a feeling of rich lust that worked its way into her very core. She was his. She was his and he wanted to touch her, wanted to bathe her. She was quite certain that no other woman in history could have been as lucky as she was in that moment.
“Your Grace…"
How she had gotten through even that short sentence without faltering, she did not know.
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 21, 2021 10:43:18 GMT
Who was this man, truly? He was a rake, he was not a rake. He was an eligible Duke, he would never marry. He was a mystery wrapped in a conundrum with a sprinkling of dilemma. And the world thought he was hers. She curtseyed slightly as he offered her the customarily polite head bow and shot him a smile more resemblant of a grin.
"We shall." She wrapped her arm around his, following his lead as they began to slowly promenade. The mix of his scent with the fresh air and flowers proved to be a slightly heady combination, and she found herself leaning slightly towards him as they walked. All the better, since from the outside she knew it must appear that she was developing an attraction, a connection.
"Have you ever seen the park in autumn, your Grace? I must confess that I find it to be the most splendid time of year, when the trees are bathed in more gold than even the Queen could ever possess." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. It was true, she found Richmond Park quite beautiful in the cooler months, but she did not mean to blather. It was this man. Truly it was freeing to know that he would never love her and she him. It lent her more freedom to talk, to chatter as she might with a more familiar acquaintance than she otherwise would. The secret between them, of the so-called attachment they had formed, had planted a seed of giddiness deep within her, and it had sprouted into a most wonderful comfort. She allowed herself a laugh, before quickly smothering it with her free hand.
Maybe this would work.
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 21, 2021 10:07:11 GMT
Daphne had been dreaming of a bath all day. The weather had been dreary, sufficiently such that the stable master had advised against riding. As such, she had been forced to spend her time inside, tending to the various and sundry dull duties now tasked to her as the Duchess of a fine estate like Hastings. Not that she minded, much. But the duchy had been without a leading lady for long enough that many matters had fallen by the wayside. It fell to her to revive them. She understood a little of what her husband must have felt the first time he had stared at the accounts, the long lines of figures seeming drawing on into the universe. It was not the same as managing lands or overseeing the welfare of his people, but she nevertheless had the beginnings of a headache building behind her temples.
The large, claw foot tub had been exactly the medicine she needed for such an affliction. Rose had directed the other servants on how to fill it just so -- halfway with water hot enough to scald, a quarter tubs worth of mild temperature, and sprigs of lavender for scent. She slid into it slowly, relishing in the feel as her muscles lost tension and her aches soothed away. She could have been floating on a cloud for the peace she now possessed. A light, metallic sound next to her was Rose handing her the pitcher to douse herself. She shook her head and leaned back, feeling the water slowly laden her hair, then cover her forehead, then all of her. Once. Twice. She drifted up, allowing her body to fold in on itself as she gently leaned forward. She could feel a piece of lavender tickling her shoulder, and she giggled, reaching behind to flick it off. This was contentment, pure and simple.
A scratch of stubble brushed her cheek, and she smelled Simon's strong, spicy scent as he gently laid his lips upon her. She turned, expecting to find him standing -- or rather, stooping -- over her. Instead, her eyes locked on his. She felt a warm glow spread over her, one not caused by any amount of water she had soaked in. It was Simon. The things this man did to her with only a look. Only a touch. Only a kiss. She brought her lips to meet his, timidly applying just a slight amount of pressure, that he might see the response he had awakened within her.
"Your Grace," she said against his mouth, "might you join me?"
She had quite forgotten her headache.
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 21, 2021 9:23:18 GMT
Daphne was a gently reared noblewoman. And like all gently reared noblewomen, she had been taught from an early age to watch her words, lest she be mistaken for a bawd or blasphemer. But damn Anthony. Damn him and his teasing tone. Frankly at this moment, only two thoughts occupied her mind. Firstly, she would have loved nothing more than to throttle the good Viscount. Secondly, she was very quickly losing the battle against her corset. But to say either aloud would be impertinent, if not improper. So, instead, she gritted her teeth and flashed what she hoped was the decent semblance of a smile.
"I do so hope there are men of interest here tonight. Nothing tires the spirit more than a night full of repetitive, boring conversation with repetitive, boring people." She looked at him, and then decided he required a small amount of punishment as penance for his crime.
"Perhaps the might even be a young lady worthy of your time, brother. Or, at least, worthy of your arm." She would pay for the remark, she was sure of it. No matter. If he spluttered or growled or, indeed, showed any form of great emotion, it would provide her with entertainment great enough to distract her from her present situation. It only needed to last until the reached their destination. The excitement of another ball would take over from there.
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 21, 2021 3:27:27 GMT
London without the fuss of the Season was a relaxed affair, and Daphne was going to luxuriate in the warm bliss of laziness as much as possible. Gone were the days requiring her to dance and simper, to put on a smiling face and appease the masses of the ton gathered in a hot ballroom. Instead, she and Simon had decided to spend some time for themselves, which was how she found herself curled up in a large chair reading a novel. The words slowly made their way from the page to permeate her mind, as the late afternoon sun made her thoughts hazy. No matter, she was enjoying the feel of the warmth on her face, barely paying notice to her sister or brother. She had made the short journey to Bridgerton House on a whim, deciding that it had been too long since she had seen any of her siblings. She could have saved herself the effort; she was just as likely to doze here as she had been in her own library.
Through the fog of near-sleep, she heard Hyacinth's voice call out to her, the words muddled. She shook her head to clear it and half-turned, the better to focus.
"Slow down, little one." She laughed as she began to answer. Where her sister's seemingly-boundless energy came from, she had no idea. "Clyvedon is lovely, truly. The fields are greener than any emeralds you might imagine from a portrait, green like the gardens at Aubrey Hall when they first bloom. And the air... the air is fresh and unladen from any stink. Were you to visit, you would wake every morning to feel adventure in your blood." She smiled internally. Each word she had said was true -- and it was not. For while the grass was green, its most distinguishing feature was the softness she felt on her bottom as she and Simon frolicked. And it was not adventure she felt in her blood, but something deeper. More instinctual. But such things were not appropriate to discuss with one's sister, much less a sister as young as Hyacinth.
"As for the pony, I cannot say one way or the other whether one awaits you. The gift would be one of Simon's, though were the decision left to me, a pony would be eagerly awaiting your arrival in the stables, dear sister." She felt such pure joy when she thought of Simon's offer, remembering how wonderful he had been with each of her younger siblings. He would make an excellent father, and he was already proving himself to be an uncle of the highest quality.
"What say you, Benedict? Shall you be gracing Clyvedon with a visit in the near future? We should so love to have you in our halls." She did not bother looking at him directly to address him, preferring to let her eyes return to their half-shuttered position. This really was the most wonderfully comfortable of chairs.
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 20, 2021 20:34:18 GMT
Daphne did not particularly enjoy balls. Strike that, Daphne did not particularly enjoy arriving at balls. Sitting in the carriage, feeling it rattle underneath, always served to exacerbate her already frayed nerves. But tonight, tonight was particularly painful. Tonight, her corset was just a touch too tight, and with each bounce of the wheels, she felt it rub just a little more against the raw, red spot on her back. It would not do. She twisted, trying to slide the contraption ever so slightly. But it refused, obstinately staying in the exact wrong spot. It was such a shame that this would be her sole focus for the night. This, and not the bevy of potential suitors she surely would face when they arrived. If only the ride could end now, she might just be able to put the nuisance from her mind.
She huffed loudly, feeling the scratch on her back as the breath left her lungs, and pushed herself back ever so slightly to lean against the carriage wall. She knew she was acting like an insolent child and not as - what was it the Queen had called her? - the season's incomparable. So be it.
At least the dress was well enough. It was a beautiful affair of light blue silks with tiny navy embroideries. In fact, if she were higher in the instep, she would go so far as to say that she looked beautiful. But she was not, so complimenting the dress would have to do. She looked across the carriage at her brother, Anthony, tonight's chaperone. He was in no such discomfort over the particular offending article of clothing. Why would he be? He was a man, and no man had ever been forced to wear such a highly uncomfortable thing as a corset. At least, she could not remember such an occasion from any of her history lessons or any such gossip from Lady Whistledown. Surely she would know if one had occurred.
A dip in the road caused the carriage wheel to bounce unexpectedly, bringing with it a new wave of discomfort. This would not do. Barring a swift exit, and Daphne refused to be brought low by a mere garment, she would need a distraction. Perhaps Anthony would provide one.
"Brother, dearest, might you have something to say?"
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Apr 21, 2023 16:04:32 GMT
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Post by L on Mar 20, 2021 8:20:58 GMT
| ~ • ~ | Character Basics | ~ • ~ |
.:Name:. Daphne Caroline Amelia Basset (neé Bridgerton). .:Nickname:. Daff to those in her inner circle.
.:Rank:. Duchess.
.:Age:. 22.
| ~ • ~ | Appearance | ~ • ~ |
.:Physical Appearance:. As though copied from a mold, Daphne is instantly recognizable as a Bridgerton: from the soft chestnut hair, to the smile tucked into the corner of her mouth, to the set of her chin. Fine-boned and small, a less determined, less headstrong woman might be called dainty. Those who know of her right hook would never think to call her so and strongly urge anyone would would consider it to think otherwise.
.:Height:. 5'5.
.:Portrayed by:. Phoebe Dynevor.
| ~ • ~ | Personality | ~ • ~ |
.:Personality:. Kind, loving, caring: these are all words that everyone uses to describe Daphne. She is unafraid to show affection, indeed, she would rather allow such feelings to live in the open and blossom like a flower, rather than wither in the dark. Not to mention the fact that she finds concealing her emotions to be exhausting. This has occasionally proven to be her downfall, as many are unused to seeing a woman put on such “displays.” She often finds herself wondering aloud or to others why it is that men find it easier to hide such things. Her emotions can get the better of her, driving her to the point of selfishness in order to seek accomplishment of goals she truly strives for. Sometimes this is to the detriment of all other things, including good sense and morality.
Like many young women of good breeding, Daphne was tutored by a governess in all manner of lessons, from arithmetic to deportment. Unlike some, she found herself enjoying this education, not as much as her sisters Eloise or Hyacinth, but enough that on nights when she is unable to sleep, she curls up with a book of history.
Also like many young women of good breeding, Daphne knows little about desire and even less about the opposite sex. At least, she knew little before her wedding night. Her naïveté has proved to be an embarrassment and a source of anger for her over and over again, and she is desperate to learn. Her husband is helping her to fill in the gaps, but there are times when even his instruction leaves her feeling frustratingly uninformed.
.:Skills:. Dancing, horseback riding, basic medical treatment (she does have four brothers and a husband with a penchant for boxing).
.:Weaknesses:. Competitive. Wears her heart on her sleeve. Selfish. Headstrong. The kitchen stove.
| ~ • ~ | History | ~ • ~ |
.:Birthplace:. Aubrey Hall, Kent.
.:Family:. One dearly departed father, Edmund. One loving, if sometimes meddling mother, Violet. Brothers Anthony, Benedict, Colin and Gregory. Sisters Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth. One devilishly debonaire former rake she is proud to call her husband, Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. No children… yet.
.:Occupation:. Duchess.
.:History:.Daphne Basset has never wanted for love, that is certain. Born the fourth of eight children, she has always been surrounded by a family that not only spends time together, but enjoys such activities. As a young girl, her family often left London for long periods of time, preferring to spend their days in the luscious beauty of their country seat at Aubrey Hall rather than brave the gossip-filled streets of London. There, amongst the greenery of the gardens, she learned to ride and play, causing no end of cries for her mother when she inevitably came back mud-caked from her frolicking. Never one to treat any of his children differently, her father, Edmund, allowed her to ride on his shoulders as soon as she was old enough to hold herself upright. She learned to pick berries, and smell leaves after the rain, and feel the too-rare sun on her face. And then her father suddenly died.
Daphne was ten.
Despite this rather tragic event, Daphne has always been provided with strong, if sometimes misguided, role models from her vivacious and doting mother, Violet, to her oldest brother, Anthony. As the oldest sister, she has always cared for her siblings, providing a soothing shoulder or a soft kerchief to dry tears. It is her to whom they turn for a scratch or a skinned knee.
This provided her with the foundation upon which the entire purpose of her life has been built: finding a loving husband and raising a family of her own. As her sister, Eloise, likes to point out, she has been “readying her whole life” to find a match.
At twelve, she told her mother that she wanted to find a love as great as the one that Violet and Edmund had shared.
At thirteen, she heard unkind remarks from behind (to this day she would swear it was Lady Cowper) about how the angles of her elbows and knees, likening her to the most ungainly of storks.
At sixteen, a young man dared to tell her that she would never be seen as more than a friend. She would never be a sparkling beauty, with her bosom just a bit too small, her mouth just a bit too wide, and her looks just a bit too… normal.
And then she was presented at court, and suddenly the whole of the ton knew her name. Knew what a beauty, what a catch she was. Because the Queen deigned to call her flawless.
It was only a matter of time before she wed.
Yet, she managed to marry her own way. After accosting a handsome stranger while fleeing a suitor, she discovered that the man was a friend of Anthony’s. And the Duke of Hastings. The first discovery was significantly more important than the second, as it placed the man squarely into the category of rake, a category whole unsuited to her desire for a love match. Still, her heart had fought her head and won (with a great deal of inadvertent help from Desire). Now, Simon Arthur Henry FitzRanulph Basset is her husband. Now she can start to make a family of her own. And maybe learn something about passion along the way.
| ~ • ~ | Member Info | ~ • ~ |
.:Name or Online Alias:. L .:How Did You Find Us:. The Google machine. It’s a wonderful thing.
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