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Post by adalyn beaumont on Jan 28, 2009 22:29:55 GMT
"Adalyn." Auntie Julietta's voice rang clear across the room. Adalyn glanced up, her blue gaze bright with curiosity. Julietta's tone was odd and out of the usual. Adalyn was curious, but nervous at the same time. "Yes, Auntie?" she asked, always the polite girl. "We are having a ball tonight." Adalyn's excitement picked up. She liked balls and she liked being a hostess. Having a ball at her house was something that combined the best of both. "Really? A ball?" she asked, not sure whether her aunt was joking with her or being serious. Julietta was like that. "Yes, neice. We are having a ball. In your father's will he left me the duty of finding you a husband, and that is what the ball is for." Adalyn's heart sunk. She wasn't ready to get married, though she knew people were getting married much earlier then she was now. But still, she felt like she wasn't ready to be a wife to someone. Plus she was still holding out for the small chance of that fairy tale item called love. "The ball is in four hours, go get ready," ordered Julietta, ringing a bell for the maid to help Adalyn get ready.
In her room Adalyn found that a dress had already been chose for her. She sighed softly, the dress didn't have a single article of black, a colour she had picked up when her parents died. She would have to encorporate it in somehow. The maid stepped forward, helping Adalyn out of her current dress. Then she helped her into the extravagant dress that Julietta had purchased. She felt like a doll as both Julietta's maid and her own bustled about making her presentable. The fitted her with jewelry and did up her blond locks.
By the time it was done Adalyn found herself staring at an unfamiliar figure in the mirror. It was a girl, of the same short stature as Adalyn, and with the same eyes and hair. She had soft touches of make up applied to her face, but nothing too noticeable or extravagant. She wore a diamond studded necklace with matching earrings and a bracelet. The dress she wore was a beautiful colour, a soft pink that brought out the colour that naturally existed in her cheeks. Surprisingly, she was beautiful.
There was a knock on the door. "Miss Adalyn?" came a timid voice. "Yes?" "The guests are arriving. "Your aunt wishes for you to come down stairs." "Oh, I'm coming." Adalyn tore her gaze away from the mirror and moved to the door of her room. The maid that had stood there moments before had scurried away swiftly. Adalyn walked by herself to the main staircase, the one that came out in the ball room. She was sure to make an entrance no matter how many people were there.
As she approached the top of the stairs, she could see her Auntie in a black gown that made her skin look china white, and her lips look redder. Her aunt held a tiny wine glass with a sparkling liquid in it, and her gaze was pointed at the stairs. Seeing Adalyn approach, she beckoned for her neice to step down. She could see a few gusts shuffling around the dance floor, not dancing yet, mostly talking with the other guests and chatting with her aunt. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she took the first step toward the main floor. |
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Post by iraj cox on Jan 28, 2009 22:48:42 GMT
With the new variety of authors and poets released around the marketplace Iraj had more important things to do than attend some fruitless ball. His writing was going to suffer with all this competition, if it hadn't been for his father he would still be in Tehran selling his poetry. But alas, the time had come again. Though he could not put his finger on why his father was aiming on his youngest when his elder siblings were not yet married themselves. Because of this, Iraj felt perhaps he was too vulnerable with his father, and although he was saddened by this he had got dressed in a suit made from only persian silk and made his entrance for the entire family.
He had feared this time would come. He had not anticipated it quite so soon as some of his brothers were in their early forties and he had presumed his father would waste his efforts on them instead. But alas here he was regardless, and he intended to make the most of his time as a gentleman rather than a husband. Without anymore energy to think, he represented the Cox family by meeting and greeting all other guests politely. His accent had got thicker since he was last in London, but it was still fairly clear to pick up what he was saying. There was a carried tune of the piano gracing around the main hall and guests were chatting as if they'd known each other for years as aquaintences. The atmosphere was very friendly, this made Iraj smile.
After over half an hour introducing himself to maybe dozens of people he felt the need for a hideaway. He stepped out of the main hall and took a deep breath in the cold air outside. There were two things his father was going to query on him; whether he had initiated the name of the Coxs, and whether he had met his future bride. The first he could not be hesitant, the second was going to result in a clap. His clothes were unrippled despite his prerejoiced smile consoling his face, ready to return to the Manor he turned to go back inside, stopping only to admire the beautiful arrangement of the flowerbeds.
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Post by adalyn beaumont on Jan 28, 2009 22:59:53 GMT
She was nervous, oh so nervous. Was it normal to feel like a cow going to the slaughter when you were simply going down a flight of stairs to attend a ball. So what if you aunt had just told you this ball was aimed at you finding a husband. So what if you weren't ready. In this day and age girls had to be obediant. They had to listen and other things. Adalyn wasn't sure she was ready to be a wife. What if she wasn't good at it? How does one even be a wife?
Julietta was impatient in her waiting, her gaze resting firmly on her neice as Adalyn took her time stepping down the stairs toward the ballroom. Adalyn could see a few gusts dancing but it was only a couple or two that were clearly already married. Other guests chatted with each other and Adalyn could see one unfortunate looking woman chatting with her aunt at top speeds. Julietta wasn't paying a lick of attention though and Adalyn felt a slight pain of pity for that other woman.
Finally she reached the floor, and stepped over to her aunt. "Aunt," she said with a slight curtsy. "Neice," replied her aunt with a curt nod. "Adalyn, this is Eleanor Roseworth. Eleanor this is my neice and lady of the house, Adalyn Beaumont." Adalyn smiled politely while the snooty looking woman nodded her head. This was the part of the balls that Adalyn didn't like. She liked the dancing, the swaying across the floor, the complicated patterns. It helped her take her mind off of other things. |
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Post by iraj cox on Jan 28, 2009 23:05:40 GMT
After the new breeze had shook Iraj's body to the core he returned to the main room and shook hands with all the gentleman and ladies of the ball. Curiously there seemed to be a larger ratio of men. Iraj shrugged this motion to one side and observed that some men and women had started to dance. He knew his duty as a Cox and as a future husband but he simply hadn't met any women that intrigued him.
So instead Iraj watched the others dance and nodded approval, feeling it rude to leave before the host had declared it necessary to do so. Who was the host anyway? His father had told him that a distant relative was holding a ball and that her niece would be present. Obviously she was the sole reason he was pushed to this ball despite his other brothers. This woman was whom his father predicted would make him a fine wife. The downside to his father's plan was that he didn't know of the woman nor how he'd recognise her. Until he saw a stunning beauty in a beautiful pink gown equipped by the finest diamonds. He was intrigued. He merely hoped the enchantress would not catch him looking at her and assume intentions that had not in fact entered his mind.
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Post by adalyn beaumont on Jan 29, 2009 2:57:59 GMT
Julietta glanced at her neice disapprovingly. Adalyn was standing there shyly. She had never had huge amounts of contact with people of the opposite gender and so that she was sitting here, or standing rather at a ball thats sole purpose was to find her a husband was awkward even. She rubbed her hands softly, adjusting the diamond bracelet that chafed her wrist. The bracelet set had been her mothers but her mother had had very small wrists. While the necklace and earrings had fit all right the bracelet was freakishly tiny.
Adalyn mouthed a quick word to her aunt before heading off to the side room. Her father's safe was in there and she could place the bracelet away safely for the night and she wouldn't have to worry about anybody stealing it. Whether or not the bracelet fit her she didn't want it to be stolen because it was one of the few reminders of her mother that she still possessed. Once the bracelet was safely stowed the girl returned to ball room. A few more couples were dancing. This time her auntie was dancing with some frosty looking older man but the smile on Julietta's face, well it made a smile come to Adalyn's own lips. She brushed at her bangs, tucking them behind her ear so she could see around the room better.
The stuck up looking old lady was also dancing. She was dancing with an elderly man that kind of resembled a bull dog though they kind of matched. It made Adalyn happy to see the smiles on the faces of the dancing couples. Some of the couples appeared to be truly in love and it made Adalyn feel a pain in her stomach. As a child she had been fairly isolated, never really meeting people and such. She had been left with simply books of fairytales and the happily ever afters they provided. Because of these she had always fantasised about falling in love and only now was she coming to terms with the fact that she probably never would. |
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Post by ' ' thomas bullstrode on Jan 29, 2009 11:11:51 GMT
[/color][/font]
[/right] There was one boy that didn't mind all of the unnecessary, yet still so necessary, introductions to the other wealthy side of London. As a matter of fact, Thomas was quite enjoying himself as his father led him around, forcing him to shake hands with several important people and having him introduced to his future business-partners. This was what balls were all about after all, so Thomas had come to believe. Besides, his younger brother had long since escaped his duties and could be found flirting with the beautiful damsels... someone had to be able to please their father with his wishes after all. Besides, this was better than nothing. A crooked smile graced his features as his father finally led him away from the herd of people and told him he had some business to handle on his own. Thomas merely eyed his father before turning around to face the crowd, unsure of what to do now. Thomas inspected the crowds, searching for someone he might recognize or someone he might bless with his presence. His eyes landed upon his brother, though instantly Thomas rolled his eyes at the mad giggling the younger boy brought upon the female population surrounding him. Next a small smile played his lips as his gaze landed upon a girl he was sure he had seen before. Adalyn Beaumont, he was certain it was her name. Thomas had met her before, when he'd been younger, and a coy smirk grew on his features as he stepped her way with confident stride. "Good evening, Miss Beaumont" he greeted her, before taking her hand in his, bowing and placing a silky kiss on the back of her hand as formalities required. Some might call Thomas a bit too fond of his formalities, but after having been trained like a dog on them, it came natural to the eldest Bullstrode son and the action had quite its charming nature to it. "How about honoring me with your presence for a gracious dance, Lady Beaumont?" he asked, eyes twinkling in mischief as he rose once more, letting go of her hand. [/size]
muse,, def here!
listening to,, just dance - lady gaga [/ul][/blockquote] |
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Post by adalyn beaumont on Jan 29, 2009 19:45:18 GMT
Most of the men here were much older then Adalyn. She wasn't sure if she wanted a husband like the creepy guy with greying hair that looked to be in his mid fifties. She didn't want to end up a widow in her late twenties or early thirties. Because with his large gut, the creepy guy over there looked like he would keel over any second of a heart attack. Plus the night after the wedding... Her cheeks flushed at the very thought. She was fairly uneducated this girl, in the ways of the heart and the ways of the bedroom. But that was the way it was supposed to be, wasn't it?
A voice startled her, and Adalyn turned to see Thomas Bullstrode standing there. He bowed to her, and placed a kiss on her hand, a custom that had always made Adalyn blushed softly. She curtseyed in return. "Good evening to you too, Mr. Bullstrode," said Adalyn ever the polite one. Plus he was a male and custom dictated that one had to be h so polite to them because they were... above?
Adalyn smiled. She had been waiting for someone to ask her to dance and now it was finally happened. She refined her smile back slightly, and nodded. "That would be nice," she said.
Julietta was pleased that her neice was finally getting out there and dancing. She wanted those here to ask for Adalyn's hand to see her in her many skilled fields, and Julietta knew that one of her neice's skills was dancing. This would showcase that skill.
A smile lit on her lips as her eyes settled on Iraj Cox. He was a distant relation of her's and Julietta would love it if she could tie the family back together again. She had heard he was fresh back in town too and that was rather conveniant. As the song ended and a new one started up, Julietta thanked her dance partner and headed over to Iraj. Catching him easily, she hooked her arm through his.
"Hello Mr. Cox," she said. |
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Post by ' ' thomas bullstrode on Jan 29, 2009 20:37:58 GMT
[/i] That confident smirk on his dashing features grew even more. And he opened the palm of his hand for her to take before leading her to the crowded dance floor. There were but a few more couples dancing in the large ballroom, most of them people his own ages and some older characters. The room was simply stunning. The elder son of old Bullstrode came to a halt somewhere about the middle of the dance floor, turning around as he placed one hand upon her waist and took a more firm grip on her hand in his other. Next thing he knew he was helping her glide across the dance floor like a pretty ballerina, a graceful princess. He took a moment to take the perfect picture in front of him in her whole. She was pretty. Her dress complimented her, her eyes sparkled magically and her long blond hair was well taken care of, causing for it to shine. She was definitely worth a flirt or two. And the thought only made his smirk increase. "Miss Beaumont, I must note that even the goddess Aphrodite would be jealous of your stunning presence this night" he complimented. Sweet talk had always been something Thomas had been good at giving to people so he'd get what he wanted, and this time he was aiming for a cute blush that'd creep itself up those soft cheeks of her. "I can't help but wonder though, where have we met before? I'm a fool for not remember where I was introduced to such a beauty..." his voice silkily continued. [/size][/ul][/blockquote] |
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Post by iraj cox on Jan 29, 2009 21:33:26 GMT
Iraj was beginning to wish there was an implemented magic bicycle nearby so he could arrive home safely. It was getting dark despite the youth of the night and although he might not suffer any loss; he still didn't fancy being mugged or pickpocketed on his way back to the Manor. Never forgetting his dark Persian skin that had gone pale from the cold breeze that had drifted inside, he was sure to become as cold as death before he reached the collossal doors of Cox Manor. He was not always so prudent, he had been genuinely eager to greet the remainder of the guests and host, until he had found that such a woman already having been dazzling an admirer of her own.
Inadvertantly staring, he saw the man's lips caress the top of her hand and a pang of jealousy tinged at his core. Why could he not find love of that sort, somebody to share his own affections? Iraj had given up hope since the remarkable upbringing of his son. No woman would want the burden of a second-hand son to ruin their beautifully arranged lifestyle. His heart had seemingly been freezed over the years, so his eyes attempted to focus elsewhere; and this was easily done when the much older woman approached him and pleasantly tucked her arm into his. There was a tinge of darkness in the cells of her skin, streaks of natural black vertically running down her spine. She looked almost Persian. She seemed to recognise him immediately as a Cox, but Iraj thought nothing of it. Anybody in London could recognise a Cox by now, whether they be a lady or gentleman, urchin or orphan.
Speaking of orphans, he never did hear of what happened to those kids the family used to look after. He had left for Tehran after living with the family in London for five years. He had watched them grow up halfway, but it was worth finding out from his father which of those were married; whether they had any new delightful hobbies or purposes; and most importantly whether any of them would come to a ball such as this. It was rather discouraging that although all knew the Cox Family, nobody knew of him. It was the same case before he left London in the first place, he was merely the little boy. The youngest Cox. Even after his sister adopted a pre-urchin, he was still not promoted from his diseased position of ignorance.
That, and his wife's death, that what brought him back to Tehran. But now he was back in London all the feelings of isolation, of lonliness, and guilt, came flooding back suddenly. "Julietta! It's been a while" Iraj responded, remembering his father had told him of the hostess's aunt, a real firecracker.. he had said. Though she seemed most friendly, so Iraj would humour her words and savour the night.
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Post by adalyn beaumont on Jan 30, 2009 22:25:48 GMT
Adalyn
Adalyn flushed again. Dealing with compliments had never been her forte, and being compared to Aprhodite? Well that was just too much. But here she was dancing with the charming Thomas Bullstrode and here he was comparing her to Aphrodite and asking where they had met before. So she placed a dainty little smile upon her lips and asked a question in return. "Is that a rhetorical question Mr. Bullstrode, or are you honestly asking for a refresher?" she asked her little smile turned to a smirk.
The music played loudly, but not hugely loudly, just loud enough to fill the ball room with music. Adalyn smiled, she loved dancing and when she did dance it made everything okay. She did not care that this was a ball to design her marriage to some male that she didn't know and who could possibly be her father. She didn't care that she may have to leave her family home soon. None of that mattered all that much. Until she saw her auntie Julietta clinging to the arm of a man that Adalyn didn't recognize. But Julietta seemed to know him. She studied the man for half a second, not long enough to note anything in particular about him. She would have risked a longer glance had she not been dancing, but she was dancing and that would be rude.
Julietta
Julietta looked Iraj up and down swiftly, the smile on her lips spreading widely and ambitious ideas swerving madly through her head. In her mind the ideal plan would be for her to arrange a marriage between Adalyn and Iraj. It would tie the family back together and in order for Adalyn to touch upon her inheritance Adalyn needed to be married. She didn't know Iraj's situation but as Nadir had sent him to the party, clearly Nadir thought it was a good match.
"Yes, it has indeed. But I'm glad to see you here tonight," she said. |
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