The Spanish Party (Thursday Evening 12/30)- Xmas 1677

[Blackguard]

Toledo, Bristol, Baintree, the Dane, and now Audley, Rupert and the Beverleys

 

Peg Hughes moved up to join the rest. She had been detained to seek a water closet. Now she greeted everyone in the circle. She was happy to select a dish with cheese and peppers, having what she described as a cast iron stomach. It was all washed done with red wine.

 

Mary, decided to take a pastry off the silver platter that had both red and green. "It is festive," she explained to her quiet husband. The first bite seemed glorious to her; yet, it took about ten seconds for her eyes to widen and she stopped chewing. She seemed frozen unsure what to do.

 

Bristol was very familiar with Spanish food and he helped himself to a wide assortments of small pastries and cheese selections. It kept him from saying much, other than nodding here and there.

 

Baintree was like Beverley in that he was a man of few words, and unsure of himself. he mostly smiled uncomfortably and passed on trying the food. He did select a piece of cheese or two, in a non-adventurous way.

 

The Danish Ambassador was asking questions of the host about the different types of Spanish food. he also inquired about Toledo's home area, which sparked the Spaniard into a long discussion of Toledo steel and the wonders of his homeland. It was clear that he was proud of his heritage.

 

Rupert bore it all in good spirits, preferring wine to food at the moment. he expected conversation to adjust to more interesting topics soon enough.

 

Beverley could choose simple selections of cheese. There were white cheeses, yellow cheeses, and runny cheeses. There were pastries that had all manner of surprises. Some were warm with bits of meat.

[Charles Audley]

Toledo, Bristol, Baintree, the Dane, and now Audley, Rupert and the Beverleys

 

Charles flowed through the introductory pleasantries with amiable efficiency, despite the fact that he had not quite realised just how many courtiers had descended on their host.

 

They were in my blind spot, presumably.

 

Formalities observed, Charles took stock of his companions, covering his analysis by popping another peppery appetiser into his mouth and seizing a glass of red wine. Cumberland appeared as formidable as one would expect, and Bristol, too, at least looked the part. Beverley he had met before and been relatively impressed by. Baintree he dismissed, rightly or wrongly, as a non-entity. The Dane, however, was hard to get a read on, which doubtless made him an excellent diplomat.

 

"I presume you brought the cook with you from Spain your excellency?" he inquired idly of Toledo, deciding to join in with Bystead's questioning for now. Almost he was tempted to quip that he would sell his vote in Parliament for culinary services, but that struck him as the sort of joke Cumberland was unlikely to appreciate.

 

"Forgive me my ignorance," he said instead as the conversation moved on, "but is the ore mined at Toledo, or merely refined?"

[Francis Kirke]

Weather never made things easy in England, but warm and slush after snow did not make traveling easy. Plus, he had to be consciously careful not to get anything front the streets on his clothes.

 

After having been out on the Thames with the Duchess of Richmond late that morning and afternoon, Lord Kingston was going to be fashionably late.

 

(OOC - Francis shall officially arrive once I know from Aria if Frances is coming with him.)

[Davina Wellsley]

Davina and Company

 

She smiled back to Sophia but did not comment further as Recess plans were then spoke and as she knew little of the Northern Secretary and even less of his Lady she did not bother in that direction.

 

Once Lord Melville made his own place known than she would excuse herself for her eye was drwan and held somewhat by her lover who still was by the side of Catherine Sedley and that would never do.

 

Impatient she focused back in on what was being discussed ......

[Robert Saint-Leger]

Beverley had actually looked to see his wife's reaction to the food, for if her reaction to the red and green thing looked safe, he would likely try the same thing.

 

However, she took one bite.

 

While the conversation was happening around them, the moment seemed to linger to him.

 

Is she going to finish it? What is she going to... It would seem he finally realized that he might have to do something. He blinked, took a bit of cheese, and then said to his wife, "Shall we greet our hostess as well?"

 

He held out his free hand to her, intent on making some acceptable escape from the crowd.

[Francis Kirke]

When they finally arrived, Francis realized he was becoming rather domesticated; he was rather excited about being inside! The thought almost startled him, leaving him with a quizzical face as he stepped into the party with his name-partner-in-crime.

 

I am becoming like George! Came the classic thought of a younger brother whose older brother had followed that pampered pattern, enjoying court life, and had then grown a bit of a belly.

 

He has more grandfather... Or at least that's what Francis told himself. The Legge legacy was thicker.

 

Why am I happy to be inside... This one thought was now going to bother him all night.

 

The throng around the host and hostess was quite deep, so Francis turned to Frances and said, "Lead on," giving her the choice of who they were to join out of the guests.

[Aria]

Francis and Frances

 

Stepping into the ballroom on Lord Kingston's arm, Frances' eyes darted about, taking everything in from the decorations to the people gathered around in groups. She had never been to the Spanish Embassy before and she hadn't known quite what to expect, but it was no different than the ballrooms of other houses she had visited ... not as grand or ornate as some, and larger and more opulent than others.

 

She supposed she had expected something more … exotic and foreign.

 

“Hmmmm … I suppose we should greet the host, it's only proper. Have you ever spoken with him before? He looks so dour, doesn't he, all dressed in black? Why do the Spanish like to wear black when their flag is so colorful?”

[Blackguard]

Toledo and the large group

 

"The ore comes mostly from the Alquife iron mine in Southern Spain. It is near Guadix, not far from Granada," the host replied to Audley's question. Yet, ore came from many parts of Europe to be smelted into Toledo steel.

 

Mary's eyes began to water as her husband offered his arm to lead her away. She dared not swallow but dared not to let it continue to burn the inside of her mouth. She was starting to perspire as she was led away by Beverley. Her handkerchief moved up to her mouth so as to void it of the offending spicy treat. "That was like eating fire," she managed as they moved towards the other group.

 

Sophia and the other group

 

Duncan volunteered to accompany the Northern Secretary to which Sunderland replied "I shall keep that in mind." He planned to surround himself with men he trusted to be discreet. The Scotsman was largely unknown to him. "I fear I shall be in drab meetings for most of my stay. hardly a way to see the Continent."

 

Anne Spencer was smiling at Davina, watching her intently. "How is Her Majesty?" As far as Anne knew, the young lady was the only Catholic lady still serving the Queen. But for how long?

[Francis Kirke]

Francis & Frances

 

"I dare you to find some coy, feminine way to ask him just that very question," Francis challenged. She seemed to be quite the lady for ferreting out information. Ladies could go about it in ways gentlemen could not. Plus, Frances was a royal duchess, so that gave her a leeway Francises did not enjoy.

 

"Have you never been introduced to him?" Francis asked. She had asked him about Toledo as if she had not met him before which was entirely possible. "We shall have to remedy that, and you can decide for yourself. I do admit I favor the Italians over the Spanish, far more dynamic of characters," he added in a whisper.

[Aria]

Francis and Frances

 

“Maybe they wear black because they have black souls,” Frances mused. Most Spaniards were Catholic, after all. “But perhaps I will ask him about it, now that you have dared me to do it.” She might be flighty, but she knew the advantages of her high station and that she could get away with more than most courtiers because of it.

 

“No, I haven't. Nor have I met his wife, though I have heard her screech … I mean, sing … a number of times.” Frances thought opera a rather strange form of entertainment and she didn't think it would ever catch on in England. The voices of the men were exceptional, but the women sounded far too shrill. Their shrieking gave her headaches.

 

“There aren't many Italians here at court, at least not that I know of. I can't really tell them from the Spanish, to be honest. They both have dark complexions and odd accents.” Her attention was distracted by the sight of a familiar face and her eyes widened. “Why look, my lord. There's the Duchess of Cleveland! I didn't know she was at court. I wonder how long she's been here.”

[George Hardwick III]

George, Lady Habersham and Marius, catching Beverlys eye

 

As one might easily imagine, trying to keep Edith upon the subject of politics was nigh-on-impossible. So while George's greeting to the Dutch Ambassador was eased by her glowing welcome, the dapper Earl then struggled to broach his subject of inquiry.

 

Meanwhile George saw Beverly had also arrived, a smile and intentional nod was passed across the room, inviting them to join the small group.

 

"...indeed, it's an outrage how much they charge for bottled plums in December, and all for the sake of a little pudding." George responded to his newly dubbed Patroness of Exhibition, throwing a knowing look to Marius, who no doubt found the topic less than riveting.

 

"Yet while on the subject of plum." the Earls mind wrestled with topic, and how to sway it to another, "or might I say the royal purple." aha! (he mentally cheered his seque) "and our countries favourite Princess - any word from abroad?"

[Davina Wellsley]

Sophia and the other group

 

Secretly pleased that Lord Melville finally announced his own intentions Davina turned to then answer the question put to her

 

"She is well Lady Sunderland and I shall say you have asked of Her which will please."

 

She returned the other womans look with a steady one of her own. That the Northern Secretary's Wife might want to gather her own information was easy to guess. But Davina had no knowledge of the intimate arangement between the couple so anything that she chose to 'share' could easily be passed or not.

 

Her only personal information was a Social One - that being who the Countess was prior to her marriage and her Family and Relations. - she also knew that the Countess was no fool and so would avoid any tricks she might use on others'.

 

"And how are you finding Court? I, for one, am very glad that His Majesty decided to have Christmas Court here and not move All to Windsor or even Hampton. Her Grace was at Windsor earlier and we seem to have much snow of late so the idea of being out on the River is one not met with Favor!"

 

"And your son - Lord Robert and his Sisters - are they here with you? There is much to excite in the City for this last week of the Year so I hear and I have seen many on skates and in the Parks."

 

"Lady Toledo has been working hard to impress and I think has judging from the ready smiles. She is after all still very young and newly wed as well."

 

Her conversation was of the simplest kind. All small chatter designed to fish as it were to gain whatever tidbit the Countess wished her to have. Did she, as so many other's, want to aim for a Position within the Queen's Household - she could by right of her Title as a Countess be a Privy Chamber Lady if that were possible - and Davina wonders just how Ambitious Anne Spencer actually was.

 

Once some few minutes had passed she would excuse herself saying that she had no wish to monopolize Lady Toledo and then move directly towards her lover .....

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles and Catherine

 

"I do not know if you were staring or not," he freely admitted, "because I was not looking. It was you claiming what I was looking at that drew my response. If you knew what I was looking at, you would need to have been looking at me," Charles clarified. He let slip her comeback about his forgetfulness in her company as it was a worthy response. It was best to pretend he did not hear it.

 

"Your attempts to pretend that you are not utterly consumed with me are feeble Catherine. No doubt, even now you are thinking about us slipping away from the party into a cloak room so that I might have my way with you," he offered quietly but alluringly. he knew her well enough that she was like an oil lamp and a lit taper, ready to ignite at the merest touch. That might cause her to be less adroit in comebacks.

 

"I know Prince Rupert and his escort, of course. That is Lord Beverley and his wife Mary. I attended their wedding feast. Lord Kingston and Frances Stuart, the Duchess of Richmond just entered. You know her surely. The Dutch ambassador is with George Hardwick, the Earl of Chichester. Lady Toledo and Lord Melville are with Robert Spencer, Earl of Sunderland and his wife Anne, and with Mistress Wellsley." Charles had been friends with the previous Northern Secretary, who might be still in the Tower, though Charles had hoped that the King had allowed him to retire to the countryside. I should find some Christmas treat to send him.

 

Charles did not know Lady Habersham, nor the Danish Ambassador. He knew of Ralph Montagu but did not know whether they had met officially.

[Aria]

Charles and Catherine

 

“Not necessarily,” she countered. “You know how sometimes you feel as if you're being watched? I sensed your eyes upon me, and I knew they were yours because I felt as if they were caressing me.” Would he be able to beat that comment? Catherine thought it was rather good. If she could keep it up, Charles would have to admit defeat, although she knew he would never do so to her.

 

She noticed that he didn't respond to her other statement, but insisted that she was so obsessed with him that she wanted to find a cloak room to shag in. Actually, the notion wasn't far from her mind, and her body shimmered with heat as she considered it. Was he trying to throw her off her winning streak? “You're just projecting your own desires onto me so that I will follow where you lead.” And she would, if sexual intimacy was what he truly had in mind.

 

“You seem to know most of the guests already. Why don't you introduce me to some of them?” Her suggestion was a test of sorts. She was curious as to whom Charles would choose and if they would 'coincidentally' be one of the courtiers gathered around Lady Toledo. Catherine was almost certain that he fancied her. and she had even caught him glancing briefly in the singer's direction.

[Duncan Melville]

Sophia and the other group, with Duncan leaving

 

At Sophia’s remark regarding the meal itself, Duncan’s eyes lit up. “I am certain it will be a feast worthy of being remembered for years!” he said gleefully. “But if your cook does disappear, I am afraid you will have to seek for her in Lothian, far to the north. I would keep her under lock and key in the kitchens of Melville Castle, not in London, where she would be easy to find”, he added with a wink.

 

“You ladies”, he looked in turn to see each lady in their small circle in the eye, “are very beautiful flowers indeed. As for me being boring, I assure you that a short exposition on Julius Caesar’s siege of Alesia would put you to sleep in less than thirty seconds!” His self-deprecation was all in good fun, of course, but there were subjects unsuited to mixed company. War and politics came to mind.

 

As Sunderland replied with a neutral comment, the viscount let the subject drop with a smile. They had never talked to each other in the past, so it was natural for the Northern Secretary to be wary. The Lowlander was certain that the man would make discreet inquiries about him, just because of his question. Spies could come in many guises, after all, and it would be remiss not to do so. If he was invited to go along, good. If he wasn’t, there would be other opportunities to serve his king.

 

Duncan noticed Davina making idle talk with Lady Sunderland, but added nothing to the conversation. Then, the young lady excused herself. The Lowlander took the opportunity to do the same, bowing formally to all, deciding to greet his commander, Lord Langdon, and the lady that had arrived with him.

 

As he arrived at the spot where the couple was, he bowed formally. “My lord”, he said, hoping to be introduced to the lady before he said more.

[Robert Saint-Leger]

Beverleys joining George's group

 

Beverley did his best to block Mary from view as she rid herself of what was in her mouth. Secretly, he was happy that he had not plopped something into his mouth. He was a bit uncertain how he would make it through this without eating anything dangerous.

 

"That makes me quite nervous...Is all Spanish food so?" he said to her quietly.

 

Instead of approaching the large group around Sophia, he noticed Lord Chichester motioning to them.

 

"Let us head toward Lord Chichester. You do not know him, do you?" he asked, as he directed them toward the earl's smaller group.

[Sophia de la Cerda]

Davina, the Sunderlands, and Sophia, with Duncan leaving

 

Sophia laughed as Lord Melville explained how he would spirit her cook away. “Then I would just have to travel to Scotland to fetch her back. I have never been there so the trip itself would be enlightening. You know how I love to travel."

 

Another light lyrical laugh followed his insistence that he could put anyone to sleep with lecture. She almost told him that she would call him the next time she had trouble sleeping, but before the words left her lips, she realized how improper they would sound. It was annoying having to consider the implications of everything she said and did, but she had an image to uphold now. And tonight, she was determined to impress her guests with her social skills instead of her singing.

 

Lord Sunderland politely refused Duncan's offer to accompany him abroad and the Scot took it in good stride. His wife seemed more interested in Mistress Wellsley than she did in her, which the young Baroness supposed was understandable considering that her friend served the Queen and she was only a foreigner. “I am glad to hear that Her Majesty is well. I had an audience with her a few days ago.”

 

Davina then asked Lady Sunderland how she was enjoying court and if her family had accompanied her. She was better informed about the personal lives of those who attended court than Sophia was, which could also be due to her position. The petite singer would have to learn more about them as well, so that she could converse with them as easily as Mistress Wellsley did.

 

Her smile brightened at Davina's compliment, although by the rest of her comment, Sophia wasn't certain if she had meant her to hear it. “Thank you. This is only my second party and I put a lot of effort into the preparations. I enjoy entertaining.” She chuckled. “I think that might be one of the reasons my lord husband married me.”

 

Lord Melville excused himself and walked over to join Lord Langdon and the woman he had arrived with. She looked after him for a moment and then turned back to her companions. “Do any of you know what is planned for next season? I think it would be splendid if we all get to go somewhere new and exciting.”

[Blackguard]

Sophia, Sunderlands, Davina, Duncan Leaving

 

Lady Sunderland acknowledged Davina. "Thank you. I am glad to hear she is well. Robert and I left our children back at the estate as there are too many court activities and too little time to supervise them." It was probably for the better. "Yes, Windsor is far too crowded for the holidays and there is not enough shopping. One must bring everything along as there is no opportunity to purchase more."

 

Hearing that Sophia had an audience with the Queen, Anne Spencer shifted her interest to the blond beauty. "Oh really? How did it go?"

 

As for revelations about next season, no one seemed to have any reliable information. Duncan took his leave before Davina could make good her escape. He moved to join Langdon. Would she do likewise?

 

George, Edith, Marius, and then the Beverleys

 

Marius was glad that George found a way to transition the conversation away from plums to something more interesting. "I hear only good things about Princess Mary's visit. She has been well-received."

 

"The Prince of Orange? He is a good man?" Edith inquired. "But of course. He is your King's nephew after all. How could he be otherwise," Marius replied smoothly.

 

Lady Beverley was glad that her husband provided cover for her retreat from a food adventure. "I know not husband. I shall be less willing to try another tonight." As for George, Mary shook her curls. "I do not know the man. What can you tell me?" It was but a moment later that they joining the others, with introductions expected from Chichester.

[Davina Wellsley]

Davina Leaving But Encountering Problems then Approaching George

 

Lord Melville had taken his leave and once Lady Sunderland made replies than she would do the same ....

 

A curtsey to Lady Toledo and to Lady Sunderland and she was gone.

 

Her eyes sought out the spot where her lover was and she began to make her way there only to stop as Lord Melville reached him first! Well Really. She could hardly break in now and besides she wanted Charles and Mistress Sedley to herself. She saw her brother in the Company of Lord Toledo but did not go there.

 

Her blue eyes searched and then came to rest on the man she'd seen earlier.

 

Lord Chichester. George.

 

He was with Beverely and his Lady as well as Lady Habersham and the Ambassador. And so her decision was made. Perhaps twas better to have more about on this first meeting .... Glad that she look good she slowly walked towards them her mind a blank of how to begin.

 

"Welcome Home My Lord."

 

The words said in a perfectly normal and calm tone of voice as she then offered her greeting to the other two. "Lord Beverly, Lady Mary you both are well?"

 

"Lady Habersham, Ambassador, a Good Evening to you both." Another reverence made.

 

A smile graced her lips yet inside she was sure that every eye must be trained on this grouping and that thought tinged her pale face with a soft pinkness that detracted from her looks not at all.

[Sophia de la Cerda]

The Sunderlands and Sophia, with Davina leaving

 

There wasn't much shopping in Windsor? Sophia had been looking forward to going back. She had arrived at court only a few days before it had been dismissed, and most of those had been spent in her room, mourning her recently-departed father. She had not attended the King's wedding, and at the dinner afterward, she had been completely ignored. Yet there had been pleasant times as well … a party where she had met Lord Dundarg and found a ring in a piece of cake, and a small-scale opera that had been quite charming.

 

At one event she had missed because it took place on boats, the French had tried to kill the King. She had held her first concert the next morning, dedicating her performance to his recovery. In truth, there had been no time to shop, but she would file Lady Sunderland's words away in her mind in case court was to be held there again. She would know to go prepared.

 

Davina was the next to depart, leaving Sophia alone with the Sunderlands. Lord Sunderland didn't say much. It was going to be difficult to get any information from him, if not impossible. His wife, though, was friendlier, and seemed interested in her visit with the Queen. “Yes, it went very well Her Majesty and I are both united in our desire to help the unfortunate in London through charity. I spoke to her at the ball last week too. Germans give gifts on Christmas day and I presented her with a Christmas Pyramid from our homeland."

 

She spared a glance at the people gathered around Esteban. Her companion probably thought she was looking at her husband, but it was Lord Chatham on whom her eyes feasted briefly. Look at me, she silently implored. Just for a moment, look at me.

 

Turning back to Lady Sunderland, Sophia favored her with an engaging smile. “Are you involved in any charities, my lady?” If she was, perhaps the two of them could work together to bring comfort to the poor.

[George Hardwick III]

George, Edith, Marius, and then the Beverleys

 

The manner of reply suggested that the Ambassador had not been able to attend personally. Yet news was that she was embraced by her new country. "That is fine to hear." he replied with a satisfied nod. (Though really, a little more gossip would nave been grand!) "It is progress that England and Holland are once more literally in bed."

 

Edith might have been a little distracted, George gave her a quizzical look of her comment (that was rather childlike and lacking observation). Was she being cute on purpose? Was she sweet on the Ambassador?

 

But his observations on that fell to lesser importance, as the Beverley's approached. "Good evening Lord Beverley, and this must be your prized Lady Wife." he bowed to the lady. She was a little thing, with prettily flushed cheeks (George was unaware it was the peppers that had boosted her heat!) "I could not halt your husband from singing your praises, it is a pleasure to at last meet you madam."

 

"Lord Beverley, Lady Beverley, may I introduce Lord Marius deVries, the esteemed Dutch ambassador - regaling us with tales of Our Own Princess Mary's welcome into the Dutch Republic."

 

Upon a breath, he then introduced Edith, "And here, the soul of charm herself, the inestimable Lady Habersham." he spoke glowingly, and in a manner that was somewhat protective.

 

Then to provide introductions the other way, "My Lady, My Lord," he addressed the elder pair, (though they were in no way propelled in to pairdom by the action! Indeed, the Earl remained persistently by her side, a veritable blockade to any elderly shenanigans)… "This is my friend Lord Beverley, who diligently serves under Cumberland, and his newly taken wife Lady Beverly, whom I can see is upon the very brink of her own career."

 

Perhaps George overdid the introductions a little. It had been a long time coming, and he savoured this role. Who’d have ever thought it would actually happen -- George Hardwick, being the man to introduce other people to each other?!

[Charles Audley]

Toledo and the large group

 

Charles nodded thoughtfully as Toledo answered his question.

 

"A domestic iron supply is a good thing to have, is it not? But tell me, are there other ores mined in Spain? Copper, for instance."

 

Charles asked after copper because it and tin made bronze, from which the best cannon were cast. England had plenty of tin, but no copper. It would make for an easier segue to the topic of war if Cumberland wished to take advantage of it.

 

With that in mind Charles turned next to Bystead, intending to try and split him off from the group if possible, and thus give the duke greater privacy.

 

"I've never been to Denmark your excellency, or even conversed with a Dane," he admitted with a friendly grin. "Do Yuletide customs here in England differ much from those in your homeland?"

 

As he spoke his hand, seemingly unconsciously, reached up to absently toy with his cravat pin.

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles and Catherine Joined by Duncan

 

"Yes, I know exactly how it feels to know that someone is watching me," the Earl replied smugly. "If you are in the same room as me, I know that your eyes shall be on me . Sometimes I tire of answering my conversation partner that yes I know the lady that is staring at my back and not to worry." He was jesting of course but he hoped it would cause her to bristle and surrender the point.

 

Catherine asked to be introduced to others and, before that could be accomplished, Duncan approached. "Ah, Lord Melville, there you are. Happy holidays. May I introduce Miss Catherine Sedley, an ardent admirer of mine, and the daughter of Sir Charles." He felt he knew Duncan well enough to include him in their jest hoping to catch Catherine off guard. "Lord Melville is a Lowlander Scot, trader, officer, and a gentleman," Charles praised.

[Blackguard]

Sophia

 

The Earl held his tongue, content to listen and observe what else was transpiring in the room His wife, however, seemed content to chatter on, taking the measure of the Ambassador's wife.

 

The query about charities had Anne look to her husband. "We are looking to assist in the rebuilding of the eastern part of the city that was damaged in the fire." Her husband nodded but did not seem to wish to embellish the subject. He had his reasons. Rather, he was awaiting the polite moment to separate himself so that he might join the other ambassadors.

 

George

 

Edith enjoyed the florid introduction. Marius gave a polite nod in greeting to the Beverleys. Edith shifted her gaze to that of the young couple, already making several observations to herself based on little more than clothing, posture, and movement of the eyes.

 

Before anything further could occur, Davina arrived and greeted George and then the rest by name.

 

Charles Audley

 

"Yes, there are copper mines near Saville," Esteban disclosed. The Spaniard seemed to be appraising Chatham as they spoke. As for the Danish Ambassador, he replied with a laugh "I cannot say. I do not know the holiday customs of England. I am here to learn, though I suspect that all countries celebrate much the same way." he was not surprised that Audley had not met a Dane before. There were few Danes in England, other than traders, unless one counted the offspring of the Danes that conquered England 700 years before.

[Aria]

Duncan, Charles, and Catherine

 

“Just because we're in the same room doesn't mean I'm watching you. You would never know for sure unless you look at me, and we both know that you can't tear your eyes away from me. I'm surprised you can keep up a coherent conversation with me consuming your every thought. I wonder how many ladies you have called 'Catherine' by mistake.”

 

Charles wasn't going to win this one. She felt as if she was still ahead.

 

It looked as if her test would have to wait. The soldier that he had mentioned a few moments ago approached them, and Charles introduced her to him … as his ardent admirer? That glib comment did throw Catherine off-guard, but her mind sought a fitting comeback as he praised the handsome Scot, a man he obviously thought of highly.

 

She dropped a perfect curtsy and held up her hand to be kissed. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Melville. And what Lord Langdon says is true. I do admire him.” She winked cheekily at Charles. “What lady wouldn't admire a gentlemen who worships the ground she walks on and hardly ever leaves her side?”

[Sophia de la Cerda]

Sophia and the Sunderlands

 

Sophia had first heard about the previous year's fire from Lady Habersham a few days ago. It must have happened before she had arrived in England, but since it had ravished only the poorest parts of the city, maybe most courtiers didn't think it important enough to speak about. Or perhaps her poor command of the English language had prevented her from understanding. She had not even known enough of the language to carry on a decent conversation when she had shakily stepped off of Lord Kingston's ship.

 

Lord Sunderland still didn't speak, but simply nodded at his wife's declaration. “I would love to help if more assistance is needed. I am actively looking for causes to support and my heart aches for the poor souls who lost everything they worked so hard for.”

 

Gazing again at the group around her husband, Sophia noticed Lord Chatham fiddling with his cravat pin. Her heart leapt in her chest He has not forgotten me! “Perhaps an event can be organized to raise funds, if not this season than the next? If you would like, we could discuss options over tea.”

[Charles Audley]

Toledo and the large group

 

"Huh. Spain has been blessed," Charles observed. "Iron, copper... gold and silver too, if I remember my history correctly, and assuming the Romans didn't make off with all of it. We have iron and tin, mostly."

 

He sipped from his wine. He'd noticed the Spaniard's appraisal, but frankly there were too many possible reasons for that for speculation to be fruitful.

 

And sufficient unto the day are the problems thereof.

 

"And while I chance to speak of history, your excellency, have you had a chance to start on the book?"

 

(It continually astonished Charles how many difficulties could be dealt with merely by pretending that they did not exist.)

 

The Danish ambassador, thankfully, required less thinking. Charles laughed along with him.

 

"Oh, I suppose the general trends are broadly similar," he agreed, "but the details can differ most interestingly. Neapolitan cribs, for example, are beautiful, and not something I've seen anywhere else."

 

Another sip of his wine.

 

"Do you have much opportunity to travel with your duties?" he inquired brightly of Bystead.

[Robert Saint-Leger]

George's Group

 

"Your excellency," the viscount greeted of the ambassador.

 

Beverley smiled at one of the fixtures of the King's Presence Chamber: Lady Habersham.

 

"Good evening, my lady," he said, with that court nod so typical of nobility. His eyes gave it a sort of boyish warmth.

 

If you had been around court long enough or had spent enough time in the aforementioned place, you soon learned the lady's name. A court matron, one of means but not necessarily of rank. For all he knew she was in competition with his lady mother over gardens like with that Miss Browning down the way.

 

"Do not let us keep you from finishing the tales of the princess' welcome, we should be most interested to hear of it as well," the viscount said politely.

[Duncan Melville]

Catherine, Charles, and Duncan

 

“Miss Catherine Sedley, an honour to make your acquaintance”, Duncan said after kissing the offered hand. “In regards to being a Lowlander, a trader, and an officer, I plead guilty on all accounts!” It was, after all, a time of year to make merry. “Now, about the gentleman part, I would not be one if I were not to side with you, Miss Sedley, and state that, unless my memory fails me, Lord Langdon may have mentioned once or twice in the past his desire to kiss the ground you walked on three days before!”

 

The last was said with a grin and the face of a liar caught, all in good fun, as the viscount had noticed her wink towards Charles.

 

Then, the viscount turned towards his commanding officer. “Lord Langdon, I am not sure if your compliments are warranted, but whether they are or not, the respect is mutual. Your regiment does much to keep London calm in, shall we say, troubled times?” He then remembered there was a lady present, and thus it was not the time to talk about military matters. “I must definitely praise your choice of company for the night, though!” The Scot said, referring to Catherine.

 

I wonder if there is something between them? Perhaps I should leave them be? He had already interrupted them, though, so he could not just leave without first making at least a bit of small talk.

 

“I returned to London but last night, after midnight. I had to travel by sea, as the roads in the Borders were snowed in. It is good to be back, especially since as cold as London may be, Edinburgshire is still colder”. The words were meant for Langdon to know the reason of his late arrival to the court season. The cold did not bother him that much, being used to the cool and wet weather of the lowlands almost all year long.

 

Taking a new glass of wine from a passing servant, he also took another appetizer. It was a piece of bread topped with dried, salted cod, washed in running water first, then cooked with olives in tomato sauce, and sprinkled with olive oil. “I have to warn you both. If you are not used to spicy foods, some of the appetizers might be a bit too much. This one, on the other hand, is a tad salty, but quite mild”.

 

It was, in fact, delicious.

[George Hardwick III]

OOC: Apologies for my oversight of Davina joining the group!

IC:

 

George's Group

 

George smiled of it, and was pleased as Beverly was managed with barely a hiccup into the conversation, his eyes also turned toward the Ambassador to continue along his tale - when he saw that a ghost from his past approached them.

 

His smile froze for a moment. "My return is all the brighter for your welcome my lady." he bowed to Davina - while figurative fingers pored inwards at his heart -- prodding, inquiring, seeking if there was a sore spot still? A spot that that might pang, or even wish for a reminder of it's injury... yet remarkably he discovered no such thing. That unbearable anguish that had existed previously, had wrung itself all out. The storm had passed, and all above opened up as blue skies.

 

George's smile deepened. "Ladies, Gentlemen, are you all known to Mistress Wellesley?" He was prepared to remedy with any introductions that were missing within the group.